january5 2017
VERNONIA’S
volume11 issue1
www.vernoniasvoice.com
reflecting the spirit of our community
Banks Pharmacy Delivery
Service Helps Local Residents
Since Philip Darrah closed his
Vernonia Pharmacy location several
years ago, some local residents have
had diffi culty getting their needed pre-
scriptions. Now a new service is help-
ing those who have trouble traveling to
Banks get their medications more con-
veniently.
Holly and Wayne Vaughn have
been working with Darrah through his
Banks Pharmacy location and are pick-
ing up and delivering prescriptions, as
well as other needed medical supplies,
in the Vernonia area.
free
Vernonia Has a New Mayor
ways had a good relationship and, often
when I was in there, he would ask me
if I would mind taking back a prescrip-
tion for one person or another here in
Vernonia,” says Holly. “This had been
happening ever since he closed up the
pharmacy here. As a joke I said, ‘Why
don’t you just hire me to do your deliv-
eries.’ And he paused for a moment and
said, ‘Sleep on it and talk to me tomor-
row.’ And that’s how it started.”
The service operates three
days a week - Mondays, Wednesdays,
and Thursdays. Wayne Vaughn works
City Recorder Stephanie Borst administers the Oath of Offi ce to new Mayor Mario
Leonetti at the January 3, 2017 City Council meeting, as Councilors Mike Seager and
Jill Hult look on. Newly elected City Councilors Bruce McNair (seated, bottom right)
and Susan Wagner were also sworn in.
Vernonia Chamber Receives
Funding for July 4 th Celebration
The Great American Bash is
ON!
It’s the kind of specialized and
personal service you are not surprised
to fi nd in a place like Vernonia, a place
known for neighbors looking out for
each other.
For the Vaughns delivering
those needed medications really is a la-
bor of love.
“You get attached to certain
people,” says Holly. “We care about the
people and we’re much more than just
a delivery service. I love it and so does
Wayne. We love seeing the people, vis-
iting a little, and making sure they are
OK.”
Holly says the idea for the ser-
vice started back in June when she had
stopped by the Banks Pharmacy for
her own personal needs. “Phil and I al-
in Hillsboro and picks up at the Banks
Pharmacy at 3:45 pm on his way home,
so any deliveries need to be called in by
2:00 pm. Wayne drops off some of the
prescriptions on his way into town at
the Vernonia Health Center before they
close at 4:30, where customers can pick
them up themselves. In the early eve-
ning, between 5:00 and 6:00 Holly and
Wayne home deliver the rest.
“With the colder weather and
bad driving conditions people are start-
ing to use the service a lot more,” says
Holly. She says they will have anywhere
from three to ten deliveries three days a
week, and those numbers are growing.
Holly says the service has been
much needed in the community, since
continued on page 7
The Columbia County Cultur-
al Coalition, supported by the Oregon
Cultural Trust, has recently awarded a
grant to the Vernonia Area Chamber of
Commerce (VACC) to re-establish the
Great American Bash (GAB) on July 4,
2017.
Mark Brown, Grace Family
Fellowship Board Chair, was instru-
mental in the restart of the GAB. Brown
volunteered for the Vernonia Preven-
tion Coalition when it previously held
the Bash and wanted to see the family
oriented event continue. He approached
the VACC and volunteered to help pro-
mote and produce the event. Additional
sponsors include Vernonia Hands on
Art and the City of Vernonia. Addi-
tional support will be provided by the
Vernonia School District.
inside
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worth the trip:
columbia river hwy
11
vhs winter sports
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2016
favorite photos
Welcome 2017!
“We wanted to provide some-
thing for our community to be able to
share at least one day a year together
and celebrate and be reminded of how
far we have come and the hope that is
before us,” said Brown.
Nicole Larke, VACC President,
commented that the Great American
Bash will include the annual parade
through town, food vendors at Spencer
Park and entertainment prior to fi re-
works at Greenman Field. So far the
Vernonia High School class of 2018 se-
nior trip students have agreed to have
a booth selling root beer fl oats and or-
angecicles. Tickets for the concerts will
be moderately priced.
Interested vendors and musi-
cal groups should contact the VACC at
vernoniachamberofcommerce@gmail.
com.