3B 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