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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2016)
22 in other words june16 2016 Voices In My Head: Look Away Wavers By P.J. O’Leary Does it seem to you that there are more “look away” wavers these days? Look aways are the people who know that because they live in a small town they are, in their minds at least, bound by an expectation of familiarity. Look aways fall into two distinct categories, and I suspect that neither would want to be confused with the other. The first group is primarily male, and could be best described as painfully, begrudgingly friendly if push comes to shove. For them, eye contact and a smile are a signal of genetic weakness. Better to avert the eyes and prepare for battle while lifting two fingers above the wheel. The second, and considerably larger group, consists of those who look away as they wave because of the very real fear that they may wave and smile and get NOTHING back. If you’re new to Vernonia, allow me to toss you this piece of advice. You cannot lose with a look and wave. At worst, the person passing the other way sees the wave too late and feels like a dink. That’s a win/not lose situation, so don’t be the one left holding the bag. I should add that there are people in town who, while wonderful people, are “absolutely under no circumstances” wavers. Some are just incredibly focused individuals, while others are legally blind and have not had an “actual“ driver’s license in many years. Still best to wave though. What could it hurt? Bighorn Logging since 1981 Contract Logging 503-324-2422 Free Estimates Timber Purchases Timber Management Oregon Professional Logger certified since 1996 Internship Program Earns Two Ranger Jobs continued from front page restrooms, mowing and weed eating, including safety training on equipment, opening and closing day use areas, and learning how to properly and efficiently even presenting interpretive programs. clean rest rooms, and learning “verbal Steward is working this season as the judo” where they acquire the skills to present a standard assistant to Jim message to visitors Addington, the Park and deal with difficult Operations Manager. guests. Skanes is working Skanes says on camp duty on his experience as the night shift this an intern has really season and enforces helped prepare him for rules and performs the job world. “The other duties in training is great and the campgrounds. they really teach us Miller says that the how to do things the park usually rotates right way and up to the PRAs so they state standards. They gain experience teach us to work hard working in a and teach us a great variety of positions work ethic.” with different Steward says r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s he has really enjoyed throughout the seeing the park change season. “They never and mature over the do the same thing in Bridger Steward performing several years he has a day, there is always park maintenance at Stub Stewart State Park worked there. In fact some variety,” says he was part of the color guard as a cub Miller. Miller says if a PRA comes scout for the grand opening ceremony back for another season, normally they at the park back in 2007. “It’s been will be put in a different position so they really interesting being here for the can cross train and gain more skills. “If grand opening, then getting hired for they show an interest in developing a the internship, and coming back now certain skill or working in a certain area and seeing the full spectrum of what of the park, like trail building, we try to goes on here,” says Steward. “I’ve really had a chance to see how the park give them that opportunity.” PRAs receive a wide range has changed over the years. It’s been an of training during their orientation, awesome experience.” RIDE INN NowOpen!•15rooms•Fullyremodeled 900 Madison Avenue, Vernonia 503-429-0637 (c) 503-382-9380 jeromecordell@gmail.com Mariolino’s Pizza & Grill Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner Ice cream - cones, shakes & sundaes Daily Specials Family owned and operated for over 40 years. 721 Madison Avenue, Vernonia (503) 429-5018
