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The Columbia Press October 22, 2021 7 History in the Making Senior Moments with Emma Edwards A look at Warrenton’s top stories from The Columbia Press annals Like my great-grandsons, I Artist completes mural at the four-way stop also have a cartoon favorite on the Warrenton City November 2011 Life for Killian, my 6-year- old great-grandson in Idaho, seems to revolve around char- acters, such as his favorite cartoon, Paw Patrol. He does not know who Snoopy is. Life for Silas, my 6-year-old great-grandson in Oregon, seems to revolve around dirt bikes and farm animals. And, no, he does not know who Snoopy is at this time. Life for Ethan, my 6-year- old great-grandson in Cal- ifornia, seems to revolve around his favorite cartoon, Sonic the Hedgehog. And, no, he does not know who Snoopy is either. Ford, my 6-year-old Colora- do great-grandson, loves the Lego movies and school. He does know who Snoopy is be- cause he’s seen “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” My grandchildren tell me as many as five cartoon char- acters can be enjoyed in one afternoon, but it’s safe to say few -- except Batman -- have been around for more than a few years. Where does that leave my favorite character, Snoopy? I’m not sure where Peanuts rates in my life over the years, but Snoopy has always been a part of mine and my late hus- band’s lives over the years. We were married in 1951, which is about when Snoopy came into being. The actu- al order of appearances is the cartoon strip Peanuts, then Charlie Brown, and then Snoopy. Some people weren’t impressed with that little beagle, but the day came when he took the most popu- lar cartoon character lead. One of Charlie Brown’s best-known lines was “My anxieties have anxieties.” I think the comic strip’s pop- ularity, right from the start, was that we adults could identify with its content day after day. A philosophy at- tributed to Snoopy was pretty simple, but deep at the same time. He and his bird friend, Woodstock, are sitting there and both are looking up. The cartoon is captioned, “Keep looking up. That’s the secret of life.” Maybe we seniors need to be more Snoopy-minded? The older we get, the more we realize the value of focus and friends. Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, dis- sected Snoopy for us those many years ago. Like it or not, many of us subcon- sciously adapted his theory or description of Snoopy as a friend. His dissection divided the definition into eight areas or characteristics: • Full of great advice • Always happy to see you •Ready to listen on a mo- ment’s notice • Loves to share a smile • Available to lean on • Hands good for holding and helping • A warm spot in his heart for you “Life is short. So do the things that make you happy. Be with those who make you happy! Look for the good in every day, even if some days you have to look a little harder!” 10 years ago • An annual Day of Thanks, the first of many future communitywide Thanksgiving meals served from Warrenton Community Center, is organized by Lisa and Vern Lamping, Dianne and Carl Burkhart, and Kellie and Mike Rieck. Nearly 300 people at- tend. November 2001 20 years ago • The U.S. Postal Ser- vice puts a freeze on all new construction proj- ects due to the nation’s economic downturn. The decision puts the kibosh on plans for a new post office at the city’s public works yard. The city had spent more than $100,000 in clean- ing up contamination at the site in preparation for the potential relocation. • City Commissioner Keith Dyer asks for a revote on a request from Clatsop County for an Enterprise Zone at the North Coast Business Park. The zone allows tax breaks for developers as incentives to build there. Dyer said he hadn’t fully understood the issues when he voted “no,” along with Commissioner Lylla Gaebel, causing a 2-2 deadlock. The request was ap- proved on a 4-1 vote. • Artist Kathleen Covert finishes the mural on the ministorage wall at the four- way stop and thanks those who contributed to the proj- ect when the city declined to pay for it: Steve Hollman, Ace Hardware, Don Patter- son, Scott and Jim Hollman, Donna Hulon and Diane Hag- gerty. November 1996 25 years ago • Les Newton narrowly nudg- es out Richard Carruthers for a seat on the Warrenton City Commission. Newton pre- viously had served 24 years Commission, 18 of them as mayor. Kampers West man- ager Scott Holman beat TJ’s Auto Repair owner Tim Dowell and Plan- ning Commissioner Wal- ter Camp for a second seat on the commission. Mayor Barbara Balen- sifer ran unopposed. • City Commissioners vote against renewing the contract of Terry Fil- er, Warrenton’s first full- time paid fire chief. He came under fire earlier in the year when sever- al volunteer firefighters went to central Oregon to fight fires and he crit- icized some local busi- ness owners who were unable to afford to let them go. • Commissioners vote 4-1 to approve a new lease with Free Willy Bait and Tackle owner David Rogers, who plans to build a 36- by 50-foot metal pole building for a boat repair ser- vice next to his shop at Ham- mond Marina. Commissioner Lisa Lamp- ing, who voted no, said she was concerned about appear- ances at the marina. Special columns in The Columbia Press Every week: Senior Moments with Emma Edwards Week 1: Financial Focus with Adam Miller Week 2: Here’s to Your Health from CMH Week 3: Spotlight on the City This week: History in the Making Final week: Mayor’s Message by Henry Balensifer