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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2009)
6 FEBRUARY 1 5, 2009 Smoke Signals YirolbaD membeir rescues teddy bears Photos by Michelle Alaimo Tribal member Veronica Gaston drosses a teddy bear that she is planning on giving away in the living room of Black Bear Lodge on Wednesday, Feb. 1 1 . By Ron Karten Smoke Signals staff writer Tribal member Veronica Gaston, 39, remembers the names of every teddy bear she has refurbished and given away in thanks to local ambu lance teams, police and firefighters. The first one, early last year, was Ted E. Bear, and given to Metro West Ambulance in Hillsboro. Employees had been taking her to Oregon Health Sciences University two to four times a week for almost two years from her home in McMinnville. She has "numerous medical problems," she says. "I started making them as a thank you," says Gaston from the living room at Black Bear Lodge where she now lives. Since then, she has refurbished bears named Joe Patch; Al S. for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease); Buzz; J.D., after the name of Metro West Ambulance's owner, J.D. Fuiten; Larry, Mac and Sparky. "A Polk County deputy was doing a report for me," says Gaston, "and saw the bear pictures on my wall, and asked how he could get one. '1 told him that it requires only one thing the patch. So, now Fm wait ing for the Polk County patch because I already have their bear ready. "I rescue the bears from Good will and garage sales. I bring them home and clean them up. I find clothing and booties for them at Goodwill." For McMinnville fire fighters, she found sus penders, boots, coats and hats appropriate for firefight ers "turned out" and ready for a fire. "People don't seem to realize what a great service they provide, and that they put their lives on the line 24-7," Gaston says. "And in a way, for me, it's therapeutic as well. "Giving them away is the hard est part." "She is so good-hearted," says Linda Gardner, executive assistant to the chief of the McMinnville Po lice Department. D Raisine lDarenis Grandfeliildren Please join us for a new grandparent support group at a different time and place. We will meet the third Thursday of each month. The February topic of discussion will be "Interventions: Parenting young children." Hope to sec you there. Support Group Date: Thursday, Feb. 19,2009 v. Time: 10:30 A.M.-tfoon Place: Elder Activity Center ( t M - Speakert Jeffery K. Lukeart, Ph.D. from the Center for Successful Living Horthwest Senior as Disability Services Present to answer questions! Dawn CottrsU from Yamhill County Health At Human Services Family a Tooth Programs Contact Persons! Carmen Mercler 503-S79-1644J Recognize these names? 7 fat pi Mzh tiu Cap MfAzti, a f r I' ll This Is the collectors inventory of objects donated to the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History. The entries are from 1 895 when the donor was visiting Grand Ronde and contain information about the baskets that were bought and the names of the people who sold them. If anyone knows the people listed or has any information about them (basket making history, DOBD, history), please contact Stephanie Wood at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, 541-346-2853. Transportation to Grand Ronde The Portland Satellite office has a transportation day to Grand Ronde once a month for medical or dental appointments or enrollment cards. A minimum of three people must sign up. Call Lisa at 503-235-4230. We will leave the Portland office at 8 a.m. Please call in advance for the scheduled monthly date. D r EY LnJirExGtoiro' - !n?G7cnattiion VJorfxcftop ' H f l r-i y - ' (i Ad created by George Valdet Ad treated by George Valdef