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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 2017)
Letters to the Editor Senior Moments Supports library ballot measure with Emma Edwards Afghan goes to lucky winner next month Maybe heard recently, “Help! I’m crocheting and I can’t get up!” Reminds me to tell you about an old-fashioned gran- ny square afghan hand made by Claudia Stanton. It’s the prize in the annual fall raffle the Monday before Thanks- giving at the Warrenton Se- nior Citizens Inc. meal site. First thing I saw when re- searching the history of gran- ny square afghans was that the granny square was usu- ally produced in crochet by working in rounds from the center outward. The granny square even entered the fash- ion world of apparel peaking in the early 1970s. Claudia has crocheted al- most 100 afghans for the Portland Veteran’s Hospital. She fashioned the granny squares from leftover yarn saved from all the afghans she has made over the years. Tickets are on sale at the cen- ter during the senior meal program. And, incidentally, two things were brought to my at- tention regarding my column last week. First, you may re- call I talked about standing for the pledge to our flag and for “The Star-Spangled Ban- ner” as a matter of respect. I said, “That includes re- spect for the soldiers who keep us free whether they have been or are currently serving in the Army, Coast Guard, Marines or Navy.” I inadvertently left out the United States Air Force. I apologize to the men and women who have so proudly served or are serving in our Air Force. For sure we would be in major difficulty without our United States Air Force. October 13, 2017 T he C olumbia P ress 6 Claudia Stanton shows off her one of a kind granny square afghan measuring 60 by 70 inches. She made it for Warrenton Senior Citizens Inc’s annual Fall Raffle. Tickets are $1 each or seven for $5 and can be pur- chased Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton Community Center. Drawing will be the Monday before Thanks- giving and you do not need to be present to win. The other item, which is related, is that I should have said those who can or are able should stand in respect for our flag and national anthem. Those who are unable, I sus- pect, are standing in their heart on such occasions. Moderator Phil Thompson at our local Warrenton meal site always says “And now, those who can, please stand for the salute to our flag.” I stand cor- rected! (pun intended). Meanwhile, I encourage you to head over to our local library and pick up a research book or even a children’s book about the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. Or a book about the Betsy Ross Flag (1771) or the American flag hand-sewn late into the night by the “widow Pickers- gill” (1813). The history of our trea- sured flag, with stars added as states were admitted into the union, is a powerful study that will make you prouder than ever to be an American. If Claudia Stanton had lived in the 1700’s or 1800’s she would have been first in line to help fashion our flag. Senior lunch menu Monday, Oct. 16: Roast pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, red cabbage, tomato soup, bread pudding. Thursday, Oct. 19: Shrimp with garlic butter, pasta with pesto sauce, mixed vegetables, tomato-cucumber salad, ice cream. The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon (doors open at 10:30 a.m.) Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is $5 for ages 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more information, call 503-861-3502. You will soon receive your ballot to vote on Measure 4-189. Please vote yes to fund the Warrenton Community Li- brary for the next five years. Its new downtown location has generated a lot of enthu- siasm from patrons and vol- unteers. Membership has increased and, because of the new ex- panded space, new program- ming for children has been developed. Neat shelving and the work of more volunteers has created a welcoming space where materials are easy to find. A bank of computers and a wireless connection offers patrons vital access to the Internet. As Warrenton con- tinues to expand and support businesses and affordable housing, a thriving library adds a vibrant piece to what makes a town a great place to live. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by and check out War- renton Community Library’s new location at 160 S. Main Street, come in and see what we’ve built together over the years. It’s important to remem- ber that the library will close within months if the levy fails to pass. Let’s vote “yes” to support the “little library that could.” For more information on how you can support Warren- ton Community Library, go to savethewarrentonlibrary. com. Eileen Purcell Warrenton Community Library Board Secretary Veteran? Imagine you at the VFW The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fort Stevens Post 10580, meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Masons Hall, 66 S.W. Fourth St. in Warrenton. The Ladies Auxiliary meets at the same time. We seek more members to our post and ask if you are interested and have served in a foreign war (including the Korean Police Action), please consider attending a meet- ing. Stop by, say hello, and stay for coffee and treats. Post 10580 is involved with several programs in the com- munity. We work with youth in the local schools in the Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen, Boy and Cub Scouts, grade school reader program with second- and third-graders, and provide Appreciation and Americanism awards to the military and local com- munity. Recently, we have begun another program that in- volves citizens who display the American flag at their home and the flag is illumi- nated for night viewing. Every month, at least two families will receive a framed Patriotic Citizen Award for their contribution to Ameri- canism. We ask those veterans who are interest in joining the VFW and who have questions to call Quartermaster Bert Little at 503-739-1071. If you know of a citizen near you displaying the flag, illu- minated at night, pass the name and address to Bert. We will do the rest. Thank you. God Bless America. Melvin (Mel) Jasmin VFW Service Officer Warrenton