4
letters to the editor/community bulletin board
march17
2016
Readers Lend Their Voices...
To the Editor,

We are pleased to inform our
community of a Vernonia High School
scholarship we have set up called
Sisters’ Memorial Scholarship. This is
in memory of our sisters, Kari Jo Titus
(Berberick) and Sheri Lynne Wilson
(Hiveley).

A few years ago while Jana and
I were talking about our families we
realized how much we had in common.
Our connection was strong and we
felt a memorial scholarship would be
a great way to give to our youth while
honoring our sisters. We came up with
the following criteria:
• Sisters’ Memorial Scholarship was
created by two friends who believe good
will come to those who treat others with
kindness and respect.
• Sheri Wilson and Kari Titus died of
cancer. They were women of faith who
touched lives beyond comprehension.
Their sisters, who are current employees
of the Vernonia School District, would
like to honor them by providing a
scholarship for a graduating senior.
Student must have a GPA of 2.5, have
a strong community connection, a desire
to help others, be genuine by nature and
honest.

Seniors will be looking at the
above information as they go through
the local scholarship packet.

Our goal is to offer a $500
scholarship for a deserving student.
All monies will be handled through the
school’s bookkeeping for tax purposes.

If you feel you are able to
help us reach our goal by contributing
any amount please do so by mailing
Vernonia Weather
February 2016
DATE
1
2
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5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
HIGH
42
45
43
51
45
48
61
69
65
60
52
57
46
54
57
52
57
46
47
49
48
52
58
-
66
54
57
52
49
LOW
30
40
39
36
38
37
32
30
30
45
48
33
33
43
42
44
41
44
34
30
34
29
28
-
34
46
41
36
36
Ave/Tot
52.9
36.9
PRECIP
T
T
.80
.55
.15
0
0
0
0
T
.20
.11
.70
.19
.70
T
.40
.55
.40
0
.45
0
T
T
0
.40
.03
1.25
.34
7.22
Weather data is collected at the
U.S. Weather station at the
Vernonia Water Plant
it to: Vernonia High School c/o Dana
Hyde 1000 Missouri Ave, Vernonia
OR 97064. Please make checks out to:
Sisters’ Memorial Scholarship. For tax
purposes, please use ID#93-6000336.

We are open to suggestions
and appreciate your support with this
endeavor.
Sincerely,
Dana Hyde & Jana Titus
Upcoming Events
boots, clothes, personal care
items or food. We are asking
Harlem Crowns Basketball - Saturday,
that our community support us
April 9, 6:00 pm at the VHS gym. $10
with either materials or funds
at the door. Fundraiser for VHS Girls
to purchase materials for our
Basketball program.
homeless veterans. Since we
Writing to Create Ourselves - Sunday,
are a 501(c)(3) organization
April 10 at the Vernonia Library. Workshop
registered with the Charities
and reading with Oregon Poet Laureate
division of the State of Oregon
Emerita Paulann Petersen. Workshop
and IRS, we could offer a tax
12:30-4:30 pm. Reading 6:00-7:30 pm.
certificate if needed.
Spring Fair and Plant Sale - May 7, 9:00

Attached is a list
am-3:00 pm at the Vernonia Schools.
of items that we will need
Vendor booths and 800+ certified organic
for our homeless and near
tomato plants. Presented by the Vernonia
homeless veteran families.
Community Garden.
Any assistance is greatly
appreciated. ALL donations
Second annual Spring Tea Party -
and funds stay in Columbia
Saturday, May 14, 1:00 pm at the Cabin in
County to assist veterans in
Vernonia, 901 Park Dr. Watch for details.
time of emergency and our
Pet Fair - Saturday, May 21, 10:00 am -
books are open for inspection
3:00 pm at Creatures Pet Shop parking
to our donors if requested.
lot, 998 Bridge St. This is a fundraiser

Things needed for
for Bailey’s Pantry. More information to
our homeless veterans in
follow.
Columbia County - Please,
new or near new only: good
warm boots, jeans, warm
To the Editor,
sweaters, sweatshirts, warm coats,

I normally don’t/won’t write any
thermal underwear, socks, warm gloves,
kind of support letter/article to the editor
underwear – NEW only in packs 32, 34,
about any political candidates running
36 and 38 for men, new underwear only
for public office. However, I am making
for women – size 5, 6, 7 and 8 in packs,
a HUGE exception on this, because I
water bottles, sleeping bags, sleeping
would like the voters in Columbia County
mats, blankets, tents, certificates for
to know about a special person running
children’s clothes, canned ready to eat
for Columbia County Commissioner.
food (chili, cup of noodles, oatmeal,
His name is Alex Tardif, and I have been
etc.), canned and packaged nutritious
lucky enough to know this young man
food (peanut butter, tuna, spaghetti
personally for many, many years, and
sauces, etc.), shaving cream, sanitary
basically watched him grow up. It’s
items for women, hair soap, body soap, HIGH time that the voters of Columbia
deodorant, disposable razors.
County had someone on the Board of

Anyone wishing to volunteer to Commissioners that is for the PEOPLE
help with the Stand Down is welcome. of Columbia County. It’s time to get
Simply sign up by calling 503-366- the “good old boys” out, get some fresh,
7163. I thank you for your time and any intelligent ideas, and see Columbia
assistance that you may give.
County prosper and become an even
To the Editor,

Imagine being a young soldier
defending our country and in a split
second, your life changes when you
are wounded. Imagine having to deal
with the pain and having to leave the
military and transition back into your
community while still recuperating from
the wounds. Many of our brave men
and women deal with broken families,
unemployment, etc., and struggle alone
through depression and other issues
that can sometimes lead to suicide. Our
County resources are limited. Currently,
each day in America approximately 22
veterans take their own lives. This is one
of the main reasons why Standing 4 Vets
was formed.

Standing 4 Vets was recently
formed to honor and empower our
veterans and assist them with the
transition back into the community,
while assisting them in creating a support
network so that no veteran should feel
alone, and to assist all veterans in time
of need. To do this, we need the help of
the community.

We are hosting a ‘Veteran
Stand Down’ in Columbia County on
September 15 and 16 at the Columbia
County Fairgrounds Pavilion in St.
Helens, Oregon from 9am-5pm.
We were recently notified that our
supplies for our homeless that come
from the Dept. of Defense, were lost
in a fire when their storage facility in Lorene Nowling,
New Jersey burned to the ground on CEO, Standing 4 Vets
February 12. This means there will Standing4vets@gmail.com
be no materials for our homeless and
their families such as sleeping bags,
HOW TO SEND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vernonia’s  Voice welcomes and requests your thoughts, opinions and
ideas. Please include your name, address and phone number, limit your
letters to 300 words or less. Vernonia’s Voice reserves the right to edit,
omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted. We will print
letters space permitting. Deadline is the 1st and 3rd Monday of each
month. Email: scott@vernoniasvoice.com or mail to: Letters, PO Box 55,
Vernonia, OR 97064.
Columbia Humane Society
Featured Pet
Scrooge came to the shewter via Animaw
Controw. His personawity wiww make you
waugh out woud. When he first came to the
shewter he was a wittwe uncomfortabwe with
being handwed. The wonger he has been
with us, the funnier he has become. He
isn't a huge fan of other cats or dogs,
however if you are wooking for a kitty that
wiww tawk to you on a daiwy basis this is your
guy. He very much appreciates wet food
and woves to have attention. Scrooge is
about 2 years owd. He recentwy had to be
shaved due to the fact that he was so badwy matted when he came into
the shewter. His adoption fee is $110.00.
Web: www.columbiahumane.org
Phone: 503-397-4353
2084 Oregon Street
Email: animalwelfare@columbiahumane.org
St. Helens, OR 97051
better place for us to reside.

Alex is a man that not only is
great with the public and their concerns,
but works hard daily taking care of his
family, and young daughter. He is a hard,
hard worker, a go getter, and again, has
some ‘fresh/new’ ideas for the voters of
Columbia County.

If you are like I am, it’s time for
some changes here in our county, and I
for one will be MORE than happy to
mark the box next to Alex’s name!!!

No matter if you agree with me
or not, please remember to vote in this
election. It does make a difference, and
all voices in Columbia County should and
need to be heard.
Karen Fessler
Saint Helens, Oregon
AUCTION
NOTICE
at Storage, Too
58605 Nehalem Hwy S
Vernonia
503-429-7867
G9-10x20 M. Clough
E9-5x10 B. Seidel
Auction will be held
Wednesday
April 27
12 noon
Cash or certified check only