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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2015)
14 schools december3 2015 Victory Bell Ready for Loggers A new addition to the sports complex at the Vernonia Schools will hopefully lead to a new tradition. The Victory Bell, which is close to being completed at the entrance to the gymnasium just in time for basketball and wrestling season, will provide Vernonia High School student athletes with a new way to experience and express Logger Pride. The project was a collaboration of numerous community members, and includes a nice piece of history as well. “We think it’s pretty nifty,” said Jim Krahn, who along with Steve Whiteman helped spearhead the project. “It was an idea we thought of and something that could be a tradition for the kids. With all the sports fields moving up to the new campus over time, two old retired guys thought that when the kids come out to play a game they could all ring the bell.” Lanny McDonald donated the logs to create the large V on the hillside. Mike Pihl transported and placed the logs. Steve Whiteman dug the trenches, by hand over a period of months, where the logs were placed. Anthony Kreiger donated the concrete and Joe Walters and Krahn laid the pad for the bell structure. Donald Dennis engineered the bell structure and donated the bricks and Marvin, Mike and Brandon Dennis laid the brick. The structure that now holds the bell also contains two tile emblems which were salvaged from above the entrance to the old Washington Grade School. The crowning touch was the actual bell which was provided by McDonald. The bell came from the old Pleasant Hill School building in Treharne. McDonald says his father, Ron McDonald, salvaged the bell when the building was re-roofed and the bell tower demolished. The bell sat in the McDonald’s barn for over 25 years, before Lanny McDonald donated it to the Vernonia School District at the request of former and beloved Vernonia teacher Jim Johns. The inscription on the yoke of the bell says it was manufactured by the American Bell Foundry Company in Northville, Michigan, which operated between 1899 and 1920. Johns told Krahn he remembered ringing the bell as a student at the Pleasant Hill School and was very excited to know the bell would be used at the new Vernonia Schools campus. Mary Ann Johns Cline, Jim Johns’ sister who was two years behind Jim, shared some memories of the old Pleasant Hill School. Cline says she attended the school from first through fifth grade; at the start of her sixth grade year the school consolidated with the Vernonia School District. Cline remembered that the She remembers that brother Jim was picked several times. “I don’t think it was for having the best grades, because Jim never did that well with grades, that wasn’t something he excelled at,” she said with a laugh. Johns passed away this past August and unfortunately didn’t see the bell installed, or have an opportunity to ring it once school was made up of three buildings; one building housed first through third grades; the other building had two rooms, one for third through fifth graders and one for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. The third building was a large enclosed play shed. “At recess we all played together,” said Cline. “If we were playing baseball, they let the first graders play right along with the eighth graders. The older children would help the younger ones learn how to play. The older kids looked out for the younger ones. That was the way a school like that was.” Cline remembers that even after the school closed local children would still go there to play because it gave them a place to be out of the weather. “The bell was rung four times each day,” remembers Cline, “at the start of the school day, at the end of morning recess, at the end of lunch and after the afternoon recess. The bell was important. We always knew that when the bell rang that it was time to go into class.” Cline says she’s not sure how they chose who got to ring the bell each day, but it was a special honor. again. “Mr. Johns was extremely sentimental about the bell and that old school house that he attended,” said Krahn. “We were really sorry we were not able to complete it before he passed away.” Krahn says they hope to add a plaque that explains the story and history behind the Victory Bell project. • Custom Home Construction • Home Additions • Finish Carpentry • Kitchen & Bath Remodels • Ceramic Tile Work • Commercial Tenant Improvements Ph: (503) 429-0154 Jim Morrison, Jr. MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net General Contractor Vernonia, OR 97064 CCB# 112057 • Licensed • Bonded • Insured We saddle shoe. Do you? Muffy’s Julie Krengielski (971) 226-6378 950 Bridge Street Vernonia, O8 97064 503.429.5050 or 866.524.5050 www.muffys.com Beautiful things for this world goddessglassdesign@yahoo.com World Headquarters Vernonia, Oregon Visit US today for all your financial needs! (503) 449-3591 www.CabinInVernonia.com Josh, Teresa, Juli, Teresa, Josh, Nola, Davia Margy & Stepheny 905 Street 905 Bridge Bridge Street (503) (503) 429-6271 429-6271 $30/hour $250/full day $25/full kitchen All State softball selections from last season have finally been announced and three Vernonia Lady Loggers were honored with inclusion on the squad. Kassidy Fetch was named First Team All State as a Utility Player. Allegra Poetter was named Second Team All State as an Infielder. Sarah Smith received Honorable Mention as a Catcher. Congratulations to all three players. Morrison Remodeling, Inc. 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