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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2002)
Community Former Vernonia man is ordained By Jacqueline Ramsay N ever fear, win ter is still here. The sun may be bright, but it isn’t v e r y warm. W hat’s new? Seniors of Vernonia, even if you aren’t a paid up member of our Senior Center, you can become one very easily. Admit you’re 50 or older, then come up with $10 a year until the age of 70. Once you join, you are a lifetime member. It isn’t very painful to admit you have reached the top of the hill. In the past three or four weeks, I’ve had many calls or in-the-face questions as to what’s going on at the center. How’s the new center coming along? Do you have a new cook yet? How are the Tues- day/Thursday meals? Are you getting all of your little jobs done? Who’s doing what? Why don’t you bla bla bla? Most all businesses or clubs I know of call this kind of interest in them “digging for gossip”. My answer to most of these questions has to be, “...by the By-Laws of the Center.” If you really want to know, come in, spend some time at the center, come to the business meetings. They are open to the public. Become involved with us. But, here are a few answers. The new center committee submitted legal papers to the owner of the land we are inter ested in and when he gets through all the “legal-ese” and gets them back to us, we will be calling a public meeting for all persons in Vernonia to come and hear what’s happening and to give us their input. The Columbia County Coun cil of Seniors has held inter views for a Senior Advocate and for a permanent cook. Should be hearing on both this month. Beyond this, come in, join in and you won’t have to put me or other officers on the spot. You’ll know the answers first hand. What’s New - 55 guests enjoyed a Roast Beef dinner for Valentine’s Day on February 13. The Golden Oldies were in top form, musi cally and anticly. It was men tioned that all there were lucky to be able to have them in Ver nonia. We do appreciate them. Ruth Bell, our director, has been notified that she is Ver nonia’s Princess at the county fair. Congratulations, Ruth. We also wish to thank the merchants and private parties who have donated products and cash toward our Tues- day/Thursday lunches. Also, to the ladies who prepared and served during the month of January. The Five Area Luncheon will be in Vernonia on February 25. Also, please note, Monday through Friday, the thrift area is closed between 12:00 and 12:30 p.m. so all help can enjoy a hot lunch. Start thinking of an Easter Bonnet. March 29 - Easter Parade Lunch. INFORMATION NUMBERS COLCO Transportation ........................ 429-4304 Senior Advocate.. 429-9112 Senior Center..... 429-3912 Habitat seeks family for next home partnership After completing its first house in 2001, Columbia County Habitat for Humanity Inc. has set the ambitious goal of building a second home in St. Helens before the end of 2002. For that reason, a search has started for a “partner fami ly" wanting an opportunity to buy a safe, affordable home. Criteria for home ownership with Habitat for Humanity include need, ability to pay and willingness to participate as a partner with Habitat. Additional ly, applicants must have lived or worked in Columbia County for a minimum of one year. Once selected, a partner family may assist in the actual Happy B irthday Tara Michelle • t» construction of the home or in other activities, building “sweat equity” and preparing for even tual home ownership. Families contribute 300 to 500 hours of sweat equity, up to 35 percent of which may be contributed by friends and relatives. Applicants will be consid ered for a Habitat home if cur rent housing is not adequate and they are unable to obtain adequate housing through oth er conventional means. Lack of adequate housing may also include problems with the pres f y i& jn ii v Q d / n f i j u l A s ¿ A p A & A A D £ j OA & (D o ll HOT, ICED & BLENDED DRINKS &TEA been serving a church in Sams Valley for over two years. The tiny church was closed for 10 years for lack of a pastor and now is steadily growing. Under Pastor McDonald’s ministry, many families have ceased driving to Medford or White City to attend church. While in Vernonia, McDon ald worked at Vernonia Cares. Bake sale will raise funds for cantata The Vernonia Community Choir will hold a bake sale at Sentry Market on Saturday, March 2, beginning at 9:00 a.m., to raise funds to help cov er production costs for their upcoming Easter musical, “The Borrowed Tomb”. The cantata (a combination of drama and music) will be held March 22, 23 and 24 in the Washington Grade School “55 Alive” driving course is scheduled A 55 Alive Mature Driving class is scheduled for March 18 and 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Natal Grange Hall, 67425 Nehalem Hwy N. This is a refresher course for older drivers and will cover such things as vision changes, physical changes and prob lems in reaction time. Oregon law states that a dis count on insurance is available for attending this class. The cost for the class is $10.00. To register, call Ruth Bell at 503-429-4949. Gym under the direction of Lyn da Cahill. For more information on donating baked goods or mon ey to the choir, contact Sandy Welch at 503-429-9602 or Susie Armstrong at 503-429- 6132. Run/Walk activity to aid county food bank Columbia Pacific Food Bank’s “Open Your Heart To Hunger” 3.8 mile Run/Walk will begin Saturday, March 2, at 10:00 a.m. at the Red Apple market in St. Helens, and end at Grace Baptist Church on North 17th. Registration will be 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Red Apple. Free soup, bagels and bever ages will be provided for all runners and walkers. Proceeds will support the Columbia Pacific Food Bank for Columbia County. Dona tions of food, personal care, household or infant care prod ucts will be gratefully accepted. For more information, call Tracie Smith at 503-397-9708. casa A POWERFUL VOICE IN A CHILD’S LIFE been broken by tragic stories of abused and neglected children, it may be time to take a positive step toward making a real difference in a child’s life. PASTRIES • MUFFINS • COOKIES • BAGELS YOU CAN HELP SANDWICHES • SALADS • SOUPS • CHILI • CHILI DOGS Volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate 6 ' SUBS • DELI TRAYS AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER < We love you, Grandma C a ro i . & Grandpa B ill ent structure (water, electrical, sewer or heating) or failure of the owner to meet property maintenance standards. Con sideration is also given to the number, ages and gender of children compared to the num ber of bedrooms in a home. Anyone interested in becom ing a partner family, must call for an application by March 1. Applications, income require ment tables, and information are available by calling: 503- 366-4595 or 503- 366-6423 Ernie McDonald, formerly of Vernonia, was bestowed the honor of ordination as a minister of the Gospel at a service conducted February 9 in the church he has pastored for the last two years. He obtained his doctorate last year. The Rev. and Mrs. McDon ald moved to the Grants Pass area five years ago and have Tanning byAppt. or Walk-in Nails by Appointment and help a child in need find a safe permanent home. Casa of Columbia County starts New Volunteer Training on March 9th Call: 503-366-7644 y Mon 5a-1p *Tu-F 5a-3p • Sa 7a-4p • Su 8a-12p • Deli opens 11a 854 BRIDGE ST., VERNONIA • 503-429-9011 k Help change the world, one life at a time.
