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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017
Gifford retires from Navy after
a 26-year career of service
The Daily Astorian
Senior Chief Boatswain’s
Mate Carl Quentin Gifford
Jr. is retiring from the U.S.
Navy after more than 26
years of service. In August,
the Secretary of the Navy
awarded him a Navy and
Marine Corps Commenda-
tion Medal for meritorious
service while serving as a
senior enlisted leader from
December 2012 to Novem-
ber 2016.
Submitted Photo
Just over 80 delegates, visitors and guests attended the 56th biennial convention of the Vasa Order of America, District
Lodge Pacific Northwest No.13, held Sept. 8 through 10 at Suomi Hall in Astoria.
Astor Lodge hosts Vasa convention
The Daily Astorian
Vasa Order of America,
District Lodge Pacific North-
west No.13, held its 56th bien-
nial convention in Astoria Sept.
8 through10, hosted by Astor
Lodge No. 215. Just over 80
delegates, visitors and guests
attended the event, held at
Suomi Hall.
Visitors included Tore Kell-
gren, a grand lodge master (an
international office), and his
wife, Brigetta, from San Jose,
California, Ray Nyroos and his
wife Doreen, of Alberta, Can-
ada, and editor Ulf Barsland
Martensson of the Swed-
ish American newspaper,
Nordstjernan.
Friday evening, the Nordic
Viking dancers entertained for
the opening event at the Holi-
day Inn Express. Lodge busi-
ness was conducted Saturday
and Sunday at Suomi Hall.
Other entertainment included
Naselle, Washington, resident
Wilho Saari on kantele, who
played Finnish, Swedish and
original compositions. Dance
music was provided by Coreen
Bergholm and Ken Presthus.
Ray Utterback played piano
throughout the ceremonies and
rituals.
A final highlight was local
member Peter Strandberg
receiving his 65-year jewel
pin. Strandberg joined Vasa as
a young man in Connecticut at
Klippan Lodge, and transferred
to Astor Lodge in the 1970s.
SELF-HELP GROUPS
Al-Anon (Astoria) — 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Peace Lutheran Church,
565 12th St.; 12 p.m. Wednesday,
First United Methodist Church,
1076 Franklin Ave. For informa-
tion, call 503-325-1087; 7 p.m.
Thursday, Crossroads Community
Church, 40618 Old Highway 30,
Svensen. For information, call 503-
458-6467.
Al-Anon (Clatskanie) — 8
p.m. Monday, Faith Lutheran
Church, 1010 N.E. Fifth St., Clats-
kanie. For information, call 503-
728-3351.
Al-Anon (Nehalem) — 7 p.m.
Monday, Riverbend Room, North
County Recreation District, 36155
Ninth St. For information, call 503-
368-8255.
Al-Anon (Seaside) — 6:30
p.m. Tuesday, Seaside Public
Library, 1131 Broadway, call 503-
810-5196 for information.
Al-Anon (Tillamook) — 7:30
p.m. Wednesday, St. Albans Epis-
copal Church, 2102 Sixth St., call
503-842-5094 for information;
noon Friday, 5012 Third St., call
503-730-5863 for information.
Al-Anon Family Groups infor-
mation, Oregon Area Al-Anon web-
site. oregonal-anon.org
Alateen (Tillamook) — 6:30
p.m. Thursday, 5012 Third St. For
information, call 503-730-5863.
Alcoholics Anonymous — To
find a meeting in Clatsop County,
call 971-601-9220, in Tillamook
County, call 503-739-4856, or go
to www.aa-oregon.org
Celebrate Recovery — 6 p.m.
Thursday, The Table Church, 852
Broadway, Seaside. Faith-based
12-step program designed to help
anyone struggling with hurts, hab-
its and hangups, including drugs
and alcohol, anger, co-depen-
dence, domestic abuse or sex,
food or pornography addictions.
Being religious not required. Free
dinner and child care provided. For
information, call D.B. Lewis at 503-
741-5977.
Eating Disorders Anonymous
— 1:10 to 2:10 p.m. Wednesdays,
River Zen Yoga, 399 31st St. A 12-
Step program. For information, call
Susan Williams at 510-417-5553.
Kick Butts Group Meets (Nic-
otine Anonymous) — 6:30 to 7:30
p.m. Wednesday, Seaside Public
Library, 1131 Broadway.
Men’s Sexual Purity Recov-
ery Group — Tuesday nights. Part
of the Pure Life Alliance (www.
purelifealliance.org) in Portland.
For information, call the confiden-
tial voice mail at 503-750-0817 and
leave a message.
Narcotics Anonymous — The
Northwest Oregon Area of Narcot-
ics Anonymous (NWONA) holds
meetings in Clatsop County. For
full schedule details, as well as
upcoming special events, call the
Helpline at 503-717-3702, or go to
www.nworegonna.org
Overeaters
Anonymous
Women’s Meeting — noon to 1
p.m. Thursday, 1218 Avenue A.,
Seaside.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sen-
sibly) (Astoria) — 5 p.m. weigh-in,
5:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday, First
Lutheran Church, 725 33rd St. For
information, call Trisha Hayrynen
at 503-298-9058.
TOPS (Seaside) — 9:15 to
10:15 a.m. meeting Tuesday, North
Coast Family Fellowship Church,
2245 N. Wahanna Road. All are
welcome. For information, call 509-
910-0354.
TOPS (Warrenton) — 9 to 9:45
a.m. weigh-in, 10 a.m. meeting
Wednesday, First Baptist Church,
30 N.E. First St. For information,
call Marilyn Barnard 503-861-2918
or Jeannie Pike 503-861-1404.
Senior Chief Boatswain’s
Mate Carl Q. Gifford Jr.
4-H seeks new members and
adult volunteers to share skills
The Daily Astorian
Limited space is avail-
able for new members age
5 to 19 in the various 4-H
clubs, such as dog training,
young entrepreneurs, learn-
ing more about animals (both
big and small), art, fiber arts
and cooking.
The 4-H program is also
actively looking for adult
volunteers to share a skill
with local youth in the areas
of Cloverbuds, Lego robot-
ics, art and science.
For information, or to
sign up, contact Jared Delay
at the Clatsop County Exten-
sion at 503-325-8573.
Pit barbecued beef dinner is
Sunday at Olney Grange
The Daily Astorian
OLNEY — The Olney
Grange, 89342 Oregon
Highway 202, is holding its
annual pit barbecued beef
dinner with all the trimmings
from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The public is welcome.
This event started in 1960
and has been held annu-
ally ever since. The meal
includes beef, baked potato,
green beans, roll, tomatoes,
cucumbers, ice cream and
a beverage. The cost is $13
for adults and $7 for chil-
dren younger than 10. Meat
is also available from the pit
for $8.50 a pound.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
set for Saturday in Astoria
The Daily Astorian
The Lower Columbia
Hispanic Council and La
Voz de la Comunidad pres-
ent the annual Hispanic Her-
itage Celebration from 4 to
8 p.m. Saturday at the Asto-
ria Event Center, 255 Ninth
St. There is no cost for this
event.
Entertainment includes
music by DJ Sonido Eres,
traditional Mexican folk
dancing by the group Mi
Cultura, and a mariachi trio,
Alma Sureña, from Seaside.
There is also a free interac-
tive Zumba demonstration
by the Astoria Movement
Center, activities for the
whole family and an oppor-
tunity to explore traditional
cultural items from many
Latin American countries.
Various Hispanic dishes
are available for purchase
from local restaurants and
food vendors, and margar-
itas and beer are being sold
by the Hispanic Council.
The proceeds will go to sup-
port Mi Cultura.
Event sponsors are U.S.
bank, Craft 3, El Tapatio
Mexican Restaurant, Martin
Hospitality and Bank of the
Pacific.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
4-H — Looking for 4-H leaders.
For information, call Sandra Carlson
at the Oregon State University Ex-
tension at 503-325-8573.
American Red Cross — Needs
registration volunteers (donor am-
bassadors) in Clatsop County to pro-
vide customer service and enhance
the blood donor experience. For
information, call Angela Basurtto at
503-528-5430.
Astoria Column — 1 Coxcomb
Drive. Volunteers needed to wel-
come visitors, provide information
and answer questions about the As-
toria Column and the city of Astoria.
For information, call the Friends of
the Astoria Column Visitor Center at
503-325-2963.
Astoria Riverfront Trolley As-
sociation — 111 W. Marine Drive.
Needs conductors/motormen to op-
erate trolley and narrate points of in-
terest. One or more three-hour shifts
per month. For information, call the
503-325-6311.
Astoria Senior Center — 1111
Exchange St. To volunteer, call Larry
Miller at 503-325-3231.
Astoria-Warrenton
Area
Chamber of Commerce — 111 W.
Marine Drive. Volunteers needed at
the chamber and for events. For in-
formation, call 503-325-6311.
Camp Kiwanilong — A large
variety of volunteer opportunities are
available. For information, call 503-
861-2933 or go to www.campkiwan-
ilong.org
Caring Adults Developing
Youth (CADY) Mentoring Pro-
gram — 800 Exchange St., second
floor. Needs mentors for youths
ages 10 to 17 at risk of school fail-
ure. Time commitment: one year,
about eight hours per month. For
information, contact Laura Parker
at 503-325-8601 or lparker@co.
clatsop.or.us
Clatsop Animal Assistance
Inc. — Needs volunteers who have
a strong commitment to work on
behalf of the Clatsop County Animal
Shelter’s dogs and cats. For infor-
mation, email info@dogsncats.org
or call 503-861-0737.
Clatsop Care Center — Volun-
teers needed daily for all three meals
to provide one-on-one assistance to
dining dependent residents. Volun-
teers must participate in a 16-hour
training program. For information,
contact Mandy Brenchley at 503-
325-0313, ext. 209.
Clatsop County Animal Shel-
ter — Animal care volunteers age 16
and older needed for one 3-hour shift
per week. Pick up an application at
1315 S.E. 19th St., Warrenton. For
information, or to schedule orienta-
tion, call Leslie Atkinson at 503-325-
1000.
Clatsop Community Action
Regional Food Bank — Volunteers
needed to help hand out fruits and
vegetables at the weekly produce
pantries for two hours on Thursdays,
from April to October, in Seaside and
Warrenton. Warehouse attendants
are needed for food packing or pro-
cessing, picking orders for agencies,
light janitorial and housekeeping,
or lawn and grounds maintenance.
Three to four-hour shifts are avail-
able Monday through Friday. To vol-
unteer, call 503-861-3663.
Clatsop Community College
Outreach Literacy — Needs vol-
unteer literacy tutors to work with
adults, native and non-native speak-
ers. Training available. For informa-
tion, call 503-338-2557.
Clatsop County Public Works
— 1101 Olney Ave. Adopt-A-Road
volunteers needed to remove litter
two times (minimum) per year for
two years. Safety equipment and
supplies provided. Volunteers must
receive safety orientation. For infor-
mation, call 503-325-8631.
Clatsop Cruise Hosts — Look-
ing for volunteers to meet and greet
cruise ship passengers and crew,
provide information and answer
questions about the Clatsop County
area. Ships arrive in the spring and
fall, about 20 ships each year. Work
all the ships or part of them. For in-
formation, go to www.clatsopcruise-
hosts.org
to assist lead interpreters on the
beach with signage, ropes and set
up during low tides and talking to
visitors about the rock and the local
flora and fauna. Must pass a basic
background test. Children are al-
ways welcome; must be supervised
by a parent. For information, contact
Lisa Habecker at 503-436-8064 or
habecker@ci.cannon-beach.or.us
Columbia Memorial Hospi-
tal — Needs volunteers to provide
assistance to patients, visitors and
hospital staff. Training provided. For
information, go to www.columbiame-
morial.org. To schedule an interview,
call 503-325-4321.
Knappa Rural Fire Protection
District — Needs volunteer fire-
fighters. Training provided. For in-
formation, contact any of the active
personnel or call Chief Paul Olheiser
at 503-458-6610.
Columbia River Maritime Mu-
seum — 1792 Marine Drive. Vol-
unteer opportunities for those with
an interest in maritime history. For
information, call the volunteer coor-
dinator weekdays at 503-325-2323.
Columbia Senior Diners —
1111 Exchange St., Astoria Senior
Center. Volunteers needed week-
days to serve tables and for kitchen
help. To volunteer, call 503-325-
9693.
Community Emergency Re-
sponse Team — CERT volunteers
needed for community events and
disaster response with local police,
fire and emergency medical service
agencies. Training includes fire safe-
ty, first aid, traffic and crowd control,
communications, damage survey,
disaster planning and civic events
within city limits. For information,
contact CERT coordinator Kenny
Hansen at khansen@astoria.or.us or
leave a voicemail at 503-325-4411.
Friends of Seaside Library —
1131 Broadway, Seaside. Volunteers
needed to staff the fundraising store.
For information, call 503-738-6742
or stop by the library.
Haystack Rock Awareness
Program — Needs volunteers
for general office assistance and
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
— Certified ombudsman volunteers
advocate for the rights, care and
dignity of the elderly and disabled
living in licensed long-term care fa-
cilities. Many residents have no one
to watch out or speak up for when
things go wrong. Volunteer Ombuds-
men talk to the residents, investigate
complaints, and work to resolve
problems. Flexible schedule, four
hours a week, mileage reimburse-
ment available. Training is provided.
For information, call 800-522-2602
or go to www.oregon.gov/ltco
Lunch Buddy Mentoring Pro-
gram — Adults needed to mentor
elementary and middle school stu-
dents once a week during lunch.
For information, call Mary Jackson
at 503-440-0368 or email lunchbud-
dies.mp@gmail.com
NorthWest Senior & Disability
Services — Needs dishwashers
and volunteers to serve and clean
up weekdays at a meal site, and
drivers for Meals on Wheels. For
information, contact Candy Foster at
503-738-9323.
Providence Seaside Hospital
— Needs volunteer drivers for Com-
munity Connections, a free program
that transports people to services
and appointments related to health
and well-being in the Portland-Met-
ro area. Mileage reimbursement
available. For information, call (503)
717-7171 or email Alana.Kujala@
providence.org
Providence Seaside Hospi-
tal — Needs volunteers who enjoy
meeting, interacting with and helping
people. Opportunities are available
in the hospital gift shop, café, and as
greeters and for spiritual integration.
For information, call (503) 717-7171
or email Alana.Kujala@providence.
org
River Song Foundation —
Looking for people to assist with
Trap/Neuter/Release/Feed (TNRF),
especially in the Seaside and Knap-
pa/Svensen areas. TNRF involves
setting and/or monitoring traps,
and daily feeding of cats and main-
tenance of any shelters, and is a
proven, science-based method that
along with spay/neuter programs is
the only effective and humane way
of ending cat homelessness and
suffering. Call 503-861-2003 for in-
formation and to volunteer.
Seaside American Legion
Veterans’ Assistance & Rehabili-
tation — Volunteers needed to help
knit/crochet items for hospitalized
vets and cut coupons for military
families. Donations of fabric/yarn
especially welcome. Group meets
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. second Tues-
day of the month at 1315 Broadway,
Seaside. For information, call 503-
738-5111 and leave a message for
Marilyn Faulkner.
Seaside Downtown Develop-
ment Association — Volunteers
needed to help with local events
happening throughout the year. For
information, call Sarah Dailey at 503-
717-1914 or email director@seasid-
edowntown.com
Seaside Museum and Histor-
ical Society — Volunteers needed
to help as docents, maintaining and
creating exhibits, and various events
throughout the year. Small and large
projects available. Any amount of
time will be greatly appreciated.
Call the museum at 503-738-7065
or email seasidemuseum@hotmail.
com
Start Making a Reader Today
— Needs volunteers to read to stu-
dents one-on-one for one hour a
week at local elementary schools. To
volunteer, call 503-391-8423 or go to
www.getsmartoregon.org
Svensen Congregate Meal
Site — Wickiup Grange Hall, 92683
Svensen Market Road. To volunteer,
or for information, call Debbie Dun-
away at 503-791-7298 or 503-861-
4202.
Titanic Lifeboat Academy —
Volunteer to help care for animals
and assist with sustainable living
projects; minimum commitment
of four hours per week requested.
Some training provided. For infor-
mation, contact Caren Black at 503-
325-6886.
Tri-City Spay and Neuter Thrift
Store — 600 Broadway, Seaside.
Needs volunteers interested in im-
proving the welfare of animals. For
information, call 503-738-7040.
Pioneer
Presbyterian
Church
( Next to Camp Rilea)
Pie & Ice Cream Social
with old fashion hymn sing along
Sunday, September 17, 11:30–2:00
Coming Sunday, September 25, 1:00 pm
Concert for Irma
Chamber Music by Consort of All Sorts
Donations go to Hurricane Relief
Seekers Group
faith in the 21st. Century
Sundays 6–7:30 pm
Sunday Services 10:00am
✦ 503-861-2421 ✦
pioneerchurchpcusa.org