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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2020)
in other words/classified ads october15 2020 21 The Good Ol ’ Days By Tobie Finzel Early History of the Vernonia Senior Center With the recent grand opening of the new senior center building at 547 Weed Avenue on September 12, a bit of the background of that organization seemed timely. The Vernonia Senior Citizens formally incorporated in December 1969. The official incorporators were the members of the four person board elected that year: Virgil Snook, Nelle Davis, Nora Harders, and Christina La- hmeyer. The official address was the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Hall at 446 Bridge Street. This location was used by the seniors who eventually ac- quired it for the next 43 years until its demolition in 2013 due to its location in the heart of the flood zone. Prior to the incorporation, a Golden Age Booster Club met twice monthly for Friday noon potlucks. They also had an active sewing group. With donated fabric and remnants, the energetic ladies sewed over 50 garments for tots and teens to be sold at the annual Jamboree as a fundraiser to help defray costs of the building. They met at the VFW Hall and worked together on the project on Monday mornings. Other Golden Age Boosters organized a woodcutting bee to supply firewood for the elderly and heat- ing the hall. In October 1967, the Golden Age Boosters held an organizational meet- ing as they recognized the need to have more structure to their activities, but formal incorporation was still two years away. The name of the group changed to the Senior Citizens Booster Club before finally becoming the Vernonia Senior Citizens for its 1969 incorporation. Its major source of income came from the sale of rolled newspapers. Senior vol- unteers met to roll donated newspaper which was sold by the pickup load. The income was used to pay for the building utilities. At the time most households subscribed not only to the Vernonia Ea- gle which was a weekly publication but also to the daily Oregonian or Oregon Journal. Old newspapers accumulated at a rapid pace, and curbside recycling was far in the future, so having a place to donate them was welcome. The twice monthly potlucks usually drew 20 to 30 seniors. A business meet- ing preceded the social time which often included a program such as a travel slide show or musical offering. A dance with music provided by Wayne Welch and his band was very much enjoyed by all who participated. Mrs. Alvilda Hearing’s VHS speech class often sent students to give speeches or skits to help improve their public speaking. These were well received by the seniors. The seniors’ organization also added Bible study classes to their activities. The hall was also used for art, typing and GED classes for all ages, and a bridge club. A high- light of 1970 was the Christmas potluck Vernonia’s Voice is published twice each month on the st 1 and 3 rd Thursday. Look for our next issue November 5. that drew 64 attendees. The Vernonia Jaycees, led by President Jim Eckland, donated a ham and turkey to the spread. The speech class put on an entertain- ing show of holiday-themed skits and speeches. The VFW Hall was alternatively known as the Community Center and the Vernonia Action Group Hall with meet- ings of the Community Action Team of Columbia County and the local Vernonia Action Group being held there. CAT was the county’s organization through which Oregon’s Office of Economic Oppor- tunity channels funds for social service programs for families and individuals in need and for senior services. One of the founding board members of CAT, Guy Thomas, was then General Manager at West Oregon Electric. At one point, the senior organiza- tions from the various cities in Colum- bia County looked into separating from CAT due to their feeling that senior needs were not given sufficient funding, but they instead formed a committee, the Columbia County Senior Citizens Coun- cil, under CAT’s leadership with repre- sentatives from their separate groups. This organizational structure still exists as the Columbia County Area Agency on Aging through which funding for home delivered meals, housing assistance, and other services to the elderly is channeled. The idea for a flea market at the Community Center arose in 1970. The seniors collected donated clothing, household goods and other items for resale. Originally inspired by the need to provide a means with which to pay the local senior aide, Pat Robertson, who helped many elderly with medical transportation and in-home care, the flea market was successful and provided the primary income over the years. Today’s Bargains on Bridge Thrift Store remains the main source of funding for current day senior center operations. There have been some changes in senior center operations over the years and varying levels of support from gov- ernment programs. The early day twice- monthly potlucks were replaced by se- nior congregate meals at some point, and home-delivered meals for homebound seniors were added. Social activities and food have always been a draw until the current, and we hope temporary, ces- sation of large group gatherings due to the pandemic. The Senior Center looks forward to restoring congregate meals in the beautiful new dining room and an expansion of group social activities. CLASSIFIED ADS HELP WANTED Community Justice Director Columbia County, OR EOE Deadline 10/19/2020 Apply at ColumbiaCountyOR.gov From Virgil Powell’s Diary Virgil Powell was a long-time resident who had a farm in the Upper Nehalem Valley between Natal and Pittsburg. Each year from 1906 until 1955, he kept a regular diary of his activities. As usu- al, there are references that we wish we could have him explain! Monday, Oct. 3, 1910. A lot of us went up to the dam at Pittsburg in the morning and fished till about 1 P.M. Came home and got a horse and went out looking for the crazy man. Captured him about 3 miles above here. Went up to Albert Parkers and stayed all night to help watch the crazy fellow. Rained pretty hard all day. Tuesday, Oct. 4. Left Parkers about 9 A.M. and came down home. Was up at the dam for a while. Did not do much of anything. Rained pretty hard most of the day. Wednesday, Oct. 5. Sawed some wood the first thing in the morning. Went up above in the afternoon and took some bark off of a tree. Went down to Rays where some of the boys were batching, about 5.30 P.M. Stayed all night and certainly had a time. Pretty fair day. Sunday, Oct. 9. Got home from the dance at Vernonia at 6 A.M. Went to bed and slept till 10.30. Will Elliott and I were shooting at some geese over in the field in the afternoon. Bummed around the house about all afternoon. Rained quite a bit all day. Monday, Oct. 10. Went up to Vernonia horse back about 9.30 and got back about 1.30 P.M. Ordered a new crosscut saw while up. Went up the river to Rays after I got back from Vernonia and got back about 5. Pretty fair day. Tuesday, Oct. 11. Was stirring the oats in the morning. Went over to Elliotts about 11 A.M. and was over there till about 4 P.M. Got my wagon seat from Dave Kaye. Very good day. Thursday, Oct. 13. Carried about 50 bushel of oats from the barn across the road to the dry house in the morning. Did not do much of anything in the afternoon. Very good day. Friday, Oct. 14. Left for Clatskanie in the buggy at 5 A.M. and did not get out there till 10 A.M. Grace went out with me and George Flagg came in. Started back at 1 P.M. and got home at 6. Gee but the roads are certainly fierce. Rained a little in the morning. Saturday, Oct. 15. Went up the river pheasant hunting in the morning. Went down the river in the afternoon and did not kill a thing. Very fine all day. Sunday, Oct. 16. Went down to Rays in the morning and a lot of us went out on the Enterprise road hunting. Killed 2 small bucks. This is my first one since the snow. Got back home at 5.30. Certainly had a lot of fun. Rained just a little. The Vernonia Pioneer Museum is lo- cated at 511 E. Bridge Street and is normally open all year from 1 to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays (excluding national holidays, Easter and Mothers’ Day.) There is no charge for admission, but donations are always welcome. Be- come a member of the museum for an annual $5 fee to receive the periodic newsletter, and if you are a Facebook user, check out the Vernonia Pioneer Museum page and our page on Vernonia Hands on Art website, www.vernoniah- andsonart.org. The museum volunteers are always pleased to enlist additional volunteers to help hold the museum open and assist in other ways. Please stop by and let one of the volunteers know of your interest in helping out. Cedar Side Inn Specialty Pizzas Taco Tuesday from opening until 9 pm 3 hardshell or 1 softshell $4.25 11:00 am - 9:50 pm Every day Classified ads are $5/month up to 50 words, published in two issues. Email: Scott@VernoniasVoice.com or call (503) 367-0098. Check our Facebook page for daily specials 756 Bridge Street, Vernonia 503-429-5841
