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The INDEPENDENT, May 6, 2004
River Fest and Country Market both off to successful starts
Vernonia’s first River Fest
celebration enjoyed a success-
ful debut on May 1. Attendance
has been estimated at 500 peo-
ple, getting the celebration is
off to a good beginning.
Sixty-four rafts, kayaks, ca-
noes or other vessels were
launched from Anderson Park,
with 103 people registered.
Only two vessels were re-
moved from the water for viola-
tions, one with two juveniles
who had removed their life
vests and one with a minor in
possession of alcohol. The oth-
er 100 people had an enjoyable
trip downriver. More people
would have gone downstream
if Scappoose Bay Kayaking
had anticipated that more ves-
sels were needed. The weather
was fine, with sunshine and
temperatures in the 70s.
Live music and food were
enjoyed in both Anderson and
Hawkins Parks. Hawkins Park
was also the site of the May-
poles, a climbing wall, kids
games, beer garden, chili
cookoff, home brew contest,
duck races, and crafts.
Out of 11 entries, Erin
Scheuerman of Vernonia took
top honors in the chili cook-off,
for both Best Chili and Most
Unusual Chili with her chicken
and white bean entry. Natalie
Wilder of Vernonia received the
award for Hottest Chili.
9-1-1
Three numbers
you know and trust.
When you flip the light switch, you expect
the light to turn on. And when you call
9-1-1, you expect that someone will be
there to send help right away.
Like so many things we may take for
granted, Columbia 9-1-1 Communications
District is a service you can count on. If
there’s an emergency, it’s comforting to
know that you can just pick up a phone—
anytime, anywhere—and there’s someone
on the line within seconds. Literally seconds.
It’s also comforting to know that your
9-1-1 Call Center is staffed with highly
trained professionals. Using computer-
aided dispatch, they coordinate all public
safety and emergency medical agencies
throughout the county. With the support
of federal grants, the District has enhanced
its communications and public safety
capabilities with a new microwave radio
“backbone” that covers our entire county.
The new system is now working for us.
Your Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District,
serving all of our communities since 1990.
On May 18th, voters have the opportunity to keep this essential
9-1-1 service working for all of us. Yes, this is the same
measure that was on the ballot last November. While it
received an overwhelming majority approval, the meas-
ure was invalidated because voter turnout was too low.
As before, this operating levy renewal measure requires 50% voter
turn-out in addition to majority approval. Please vote and return
your ballot in time for it to count. Thank you. For more information,
go to www.columbia911.com or call 503-397-7255.
The king of the home brew
contest was Randy King of
Deer Island. Brett Costley of
Vernonia and his partner, Floyd
Goodrich of Portland, won sec-
ond place and Denny Dennis of
Aloha took home third place.
Mainstreet Home Brew Supply
generously donated gift certifi-
cates for the winners.
Ducks, 185 of them, were
set loose to race (well, float)
downstream from the top of
Hawkins Park to the finish line
by the kids’ wading pool. In the
yellow duck race, Val DeWitt’s
duck was awarded first place,
winning DeWitt a supersoaker
and a large inflatable duck.
Crossing the line in second
place was Jessica Butcher’s
duck, winning a small wading
pool and a small inflatable
duck. The third place yellow
duck was owned by Sandra
Rogers, who won two soaker
footballs and a small inflatable
duck.
In the duck money races,
Barry East’s pink duck won
$112.50 and Spencer Curl’s
brought in $37.50. The big win-
ner, though, was Pat Knight,
whose first place blue duck
brought home a speedy $300.
After the races, spectators
also had fun watching the duck
catchers out in the water with
fish nets scooping up all the
ducks before they escaped
downstream.
The Vernonia Country Mar-
ket also began on May 1, with
20 vendors offering plants and
hand-crafted items. Extra at-
mosphere was provided by
Curtis King-Chamberlain with
his ukulele, plus a roving jug-
gler/guitarist who will remain
unidentified.
The Country Market was a
popular stop between River
Fest events, with offerings
ranging from perennials (too
early for produce) to planters,
fused glass items, ceramic
gifts, paintings, expert advice
from Columbia County Master
Gardeners, birdhouses and
much, much more.
The Market will continue
every first and third Saturday
through the Salmon Festival in
early October. Vendors can still
sign up by calling Etcetera, at
503-429-0335, for an applica-
tion. Food vendors are also en-
couraged to participate.