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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2000)
L o c a l in fa n t is la s t b o rn I History, Past and Fiitnra By Robb Wilson I find it interesting to think about the people who were born in the 1800s and are still living today. With the start of a New year and New decade and New century and New millennium, those folks have accomplished a rare feat. This past fall a friend of mine passed away who had seen his 100th birthday in April. Wally Noakes was one I thought (or hoped) could have lived in parts of three different centuries and two millenniums! Sad to say that he didn’t make it. It was sad to see, too, that the oldest living person in the U.S. passed away a few days before the arrival of the 2000s. Who would have thought that, in a few days, she would have had the distinction of living in three different cen turies!?! With all of the interviews, excitement and hoop-a-la going on for her, it must have just been too much. Cemeteries on the west coast probably don’t have tombstones that skip a whole century, but I’d imagine that on the east coast and Europe there are grave markers for a few people who might have lived through an entire century. Not just during the past 1900s, either! I don’t need to feel bad about someone not making it, when of course there are a reported 72,000 people living in the U.S. over the age of 100, so a large number of folks have made that mark of living in three centuries. I just wish I knew someone who has; they must have some mighty interesting things to say. The Saturday Oregonian has an interview with such a person, Peggy Goetze, who lives in Beaverton and who had a wonderful life. One man from here who passed away a few years ago was, I believe, the last person born in the United States in the 1800s. He was born on Dec. 31, 1899, in a log cabin close to town, and told me that he was born late in the day, just missing the new century! He never claimed or thought about that pos sibility that I know of, but I figured (after his pass ing) that because Oregon is, and Vernonia was about as far west that you could get in the U.S. at that time (Alaska and Hawaii weren’t states yet) and as late in the day (time zones had been established in the U.S. in 1883) as it was, that he could have been the last American to be born in the 1800s! f The population of the U.S. in 1900 was 76 million people; (today it is slightly above 275 mil lion, with a baby born every 8 seconds — that’s seven a minute. A hundred years ago, I’m not sure how many babies were born per minute. Baby Katie was the first Oregon baby born. She arrived in Portland at 12:01 a.m. for all those “new" titles, one minute later a baby boy, Andy, was born in another hospital. Both sets of parents claimed they were not trying for a record book entry as so many other couples have, according to the television news stations. But a baby, in Washington state claims the right as first in our time zone, being born at 2 seconds into the new calendar year! I think the most unique birth is of the twins born to a Washington State couple; one of the boys was born before midnight Dec. 31,1999, and his brother was born a little while later on Jan. 1,2000. That ought to add much confusion to their paperwork! The little baby born ‘first’ in this time zone couldn’t be first for all of those ‘new’ titles. That would have to be someone born in New Zealand or on some South Sea island paradise where the international dateline begins. But I haven’t heard mention or seen anything about that child. Did we have any “New Year” babies born around here for one of those “new” and “first” titles? As of this writing, I haven’t been made aware of any. But, there was a baby boy born on New Year’s Eve at 11:48 pm. Now, there’s a candidate for the “three centuries award.” Look out 2100, here he comes! Senior News By Patricia Olson Have you been in to see all the new changes at the Ver nonia Senior Center? The most noticeable is the new floor in the big main room. In the future, there will be a covering, possibly carpet. At this time it is plywood. No so pretty, but warmer, and more durable. While we were at it, the entire inside got re-arranged. The Thrift Store can now func tion smoothly without interfer ing with the production of the paper rolling. Speaking of paper rolling, we could really use some more volunteers to sort paper. It is the source of funds that keeps COLCO up and running. We had a full house for our annual Christmas Dinner. Our new cook, Linda Miller outdid herself, in fact, she was sick for a week after. Come to think of it, we have seen a lot of absen teeism lately. Lots of colds, flu and bronchitis. Two of our seniors had heart Volunteers needed The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is soliciting applications from county citi zens who ar9 willing to serve on the Columbia County Plan ning Commission, Surface Min ing Advisory Committee or Fair Board. For more information, call the Board of Commissioners office at 503-397-4322. attacks on Christmas day. Ger- aid Russell, past chairman of our Center, is in Tuality Hospi tal since having his attack. Wal ter Self had open heart surgery to repair damages from his heart attack the same day as Gerald’s. Our prayers and wishes are that both have a speedy recovery. Several seniors went to McMinnville on COLCO for a shopping outing. Also, a van load went out a few nights before Christmas to see the lights. I have not heard of any outings planned in the near future. Jacqueline Ramsay has a couple of crochet students and has room for more to learn or improve skills in knitting and crocheting. The quilting ladies are very lonely. Please drop by and see the beautiful quilt they have in the frame now. During the holiday season, the game tables were empty, as we were closed both Thurs days, but they will be up and running next Thursday after noon. Come by for a few hands of cards or any other game you fancy. Stop by for a hearty lunch or just to read, chat or watch TV. You are always welcome. The business meeting is the first Friday of each month and is open to anyone who wishes to sit in. The only restriction is that only the Board actually votes on issues. Thanks to all of you gener ous people, this has been a successful, happy year. We look forward to another year of fellowship, friendship and serv ice to our friends and commu nity. Happy 2000!!! a t T u a lity in 2 0 th c e n tu r y Photo by Chester Epperson, The Argus Jonathan Vincent is unconcerned about being the last baby born at Tuality Hospital in this century. The son of Stepanie and Shawn Vincent, of Vernonia, arrived Dec. 31, 1999, at 11:48 p.m. He weighed six pounds, 11 ounces and was 20.25 inches long. He will join a brother, Josiah, and sister, Amber- lee, at the family home. Guitar concert scheduled Sunday at Vernonia Com m unity Church John Standefer, a profes sional guitarist for over 30 years, will perform in concert Sunday, January 9 at 6:00 p.m., at Vernonia Community Church. The church is located at 957 State Avenue. Admis sion is free. Standefer, who has record ed as a studio musician on over a hundred record proj ects, appears weekly on the ‘Heart of Praise’ radio broad casts, writes for Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and the Christian Musician’s Institute, and is author of the Mel Bay book and CD set “Gospel Cookin.” He travels throughout the U.S. and Canada instructing Christian guitarists through his Praise Guitar Workshops. John’s playing style is quite varied. He plays Chet Atkins style, Jazz, Pop, Folk and Brazilian music. 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