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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16941 Timber Rd. East • Vernonia, OR 97064 • (503) 429-1152