6
community
october20
2016
Life after War: Photography and
Oral Histories of Coming Home
This November 5 event
is a free discussion
about life after war
and part of Oregon
Humanities’ statewide
Conversation Project.
When does a war end?
Does it ever? Many returning
soldiers bring wars back with them, and
these wars can reach beyond the battlefield
or firefight, infiltrating the very thing that
defines comfort and safety: home. The trials
of homecoming are vast and complex, often
resonating with tales of Odysseus’ journey
back to Ithaca from the Trojan War.
This is the focus of “Life after War:
Photography and Oral Histories of Coming
Home,” a free conversation with photogra-
pher Jim Lommasson on Saturday, Novem-
ber 5, 2016 at 4:00 pm at the Vernonia Pub-
lic Library, 701 Weed Ave. This program is
hosted by the Friends of the Vernonia Public
Library and sponsored by Oregon Humani-
ties.
Lommasson is a freelance photog-
rapher who received the Dorothea Lange–
Paul Taylor Prize for his first book, Shadow
Boxers: Sweat, Sacrifice & the Will to Sur-
Library Storytime
vive in American Boxing Gyms.
In 2009 Oregon State University
Press published Lommasson’s
Oaks Park Pentimento: Port-
land’s Lost and Found Carou-
sel. His most recent book, Exit
Wounds: Soldiers’ Stories—Life
after Iraq and Afghanistan, is
about American veterans from
the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
and their lives after their return.
Through the Conversation Project,
Oregon Humanities offers free programs that
engage community members in thoughtful,
challenging conversations about ideas criti-
cal to our daily lives and our state’s future.
For more information about this
free community discussion, please contact
Shannon Romtvedt at (503) 429-1818 or
shannonr@vernonia-or.gov.
Oregon Humanities (921 SW Washington,
Suite 150; Portland, OR 97205) connects Or-
egonians to ideas that change lives and trans-
form communities. More information about
Oregon Humanities’ programs and publica-
tions, which include the Conversation Project,
Think & Drink, Humanity in Perspective, Idea
Lab, Public Program Grants, and Oregon Hu-
manities magazine, can be found at oregonhu-
manities.org.
Children at
the Vernonia
Library’s
Storytime on
Friday, October
7, got a special
treat when
Captain Will
Steinweg of the
Vernonia Rural
Fire Protection
District stopped
by and read some
stories. The
kids had great
questions and
really enjoyed
Captain Steinweg
putting on full
gear after the
stories.
On The Shelves
By Shannon Romtvedt
Not everyone knows the ladies
behind the desk at the library so I’d
like to take a moment to honor Susan
Knowlton who we will greatly miss
as part of our staff. Susan Knowlton
has served as a Library Aide for the
City of Vernonia for the past 15 years.
Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah,
Susan moved with her husband to
Vernonia from Beaverton, Oregon
in 1977. Prior to working at the
library, Susan has years of experience
helping the public as both a school
teacher and a custodian. She has four
children and eight grandchildren who
live “everywhere,” with the closest in
Gresham, Oregon.
Susan enjoys music and
cooking but reading is her first love.
When asked about working at the
library, Susan says it’s the “best job I
ever had and I will miss the patrons
and city employees.” I encourage
everyone to stop by and say goodbye
to Susan. Her last day working as an
employee at the library is Saturday,
October 29.
Thank you Susan for helping
make the library shine and putting a
smile on so many faces. We will miss
you!
have experienced these floods.
Audience participation encouraged.
Program emceed by Tobie Finzel.
Halloween
Pre-Parade Photo Shoot
Monday, October 31, 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Come to the library in costume before
lining up for the parade to get your
picture taken with a spooky backdrop.
Also pick up the first treat for your
bag. Photos will be on Facebook, can
be emailed, and some may appear
in the newspaper. Sidewalk parade
starts at 4:30 pm. Line-up begins at
4:00 at City Hall.
Life After War:
PhotoFraphy and Oral
Histories of CominF Home
UpcominF Events
at the Library
Saturday, November 5, 4 – 5:30 pm
When does a war end? Does it
ever? Many returning soldiers
bring wars back with them, and
these wars can reach beyond the
battlefield or firefight, infiltrating
the very thing that defines comfort
and safety: home. Photographer
Jim Lommasson has collected oral
histories from returning soldiers and
documented their struggles at home.
In this conversation, participants will
consider the wars at home faced not
only by returning veterans, but also by
communities at large. Sponsored by
Oregon Humanities and hosted by the
Friends of the Vernonia Public Library.
Vernonia Flood Stories
Movie NiFht
Wednesday, October 26, 6 – 8 pm
History, images, and stories from
the floods of 1996, 2007, and 2015.
Inspirational stories about people
coming together and support
received. For people new to the
community as well as for those who
Thursday, October 27, 6 pm
Family movie night, showing a
Halloween movie, filmed in Columbia
County, recommended for ages 7
and up. Relax and enjoy a movie and
popcorn at the library. Call or visit the
library for movie titles.
OnFoinF ProFrams
K-5 Library Time (New!)
Third Thursday of every month,
4 – 5 pm. Snack and craft for students
K-5 and parents. Older kids/teens
welcome as long as there are enough
materials.
Homeschool Library Time
November 9, 1 – 2 pm
Second Wednesday of every
month, 1 – 2 pm. Opportunity for
homeschoolers and families to get
together at the library. Geared to K-5
students. Will need parents to attend
for activities.
Book Discussion Group
Last Monday of every month, 5:30 pm
Selection for October 24: A Mercy by
Toni Morrison
Writer’s Group
October 20, 6 – 7:30 pm
Third Thursday of the month. For all
levels of writing experience. New
members always welcome.
Baby and Toddler Time
Mondays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Songs, short stories, toys, and bubbles
for 0 – 3. Older siblings welcome.
Preschool Storytime
Fridays, 10:30 – 11:15 am
Stories and a craft/activity for up to
age 5.
Rice Northwest Rock
and Mineral Museum
Membership Pass
A membership pass to the Rice Rock
Museum will soon be available at
the library, admitting up to 8 people
to the museum at no charge. The
library is also hosting a traveling
display from the Rice Rock Museum
Tuesday, October 18 through the end
of November. Please inquire at the
library if interested in using the pass
or stop by to see the display.
The library’s Cultural Pass collection
also includes a membership pass to
OMSI and to the Oregon Historical
Society Museum and Research Center
in Portland, Oregon.
Library Volunteers Needed
The library is seeking volunteers for
the following:
Program assistance: Help prep crafts
for programs, storytimes, and/or our
craft box. Volunteers are also needed
during children’s programs.
Newspaper Archives Project:
Volunteers are needed to help with
a project to make archived historical
newspapers (Vernonia Eagle and
The Independent) more accessible
to the public. Attention to detail,
basic computer skills, and an interest
in local history is a must. Contact
Shannon Romtvedt at the library (503)
429-1818 or shannonr@vernonia-or.
gov if interested or want more details.
Library Board: Currently one open
position for our seven member Library
Board. Board members work to
improve library services and update
policies. If interested, pick up an
application at the library or City Hall,
or on the City of Vernonia website
www.vernonia-or.gov.
Library Closures
Friday, November 11 for Veteran’s Day
Hours & Contact Info
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am – 5 pm
Tues & Thurs 1 pm – 7pm
Sat 10 am – 4 pm
Closed Sundays
Phone: (503) 429-1818
E-mail: library@vernonia-or.gov