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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2004)
The INDEPENDENT, May 20, 2004 Page 3 Letters Doug Tesdal is right about arts education To the Editor: Having just received May 6 Independent and reading it nearly cover to cover I return to page 3 and re-read Doug Tesdal’s letter to the editor – Oh, he is so right!! A teacher that has the sensitivity and knowledge that Mr. Tesdal has displayed during the time he has been our schools’ art Between the Bookends By Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library Only positive remarks concerning Paul Linnman’s presentation at the library in late April were heard from the approximately forty people in attendance. As was expected by those of us who have seen him on tel- evision, listened to him on the radio, or read his book, he was completely down-to-earth, humorous and compassionate. His re-telling the story of Art Pease, the developmen- tally delayed runner from Milton-Freewater, who ran the Portland Marathon by mistake and went on to complete twenty-six more marathons (on purpose), absolutely made my evening. The library has a copy of his delightful book, The Exploding Whale and other Remarkable Stories from the Evening News, available to check out. The Friends of the Library also purchased an autographed copy to be raffled during the Jamboree book sale. The Silver Tea hosted by Vernonia Study Club on May 12th was another recent pleasurable event. These ladies always decorate the library with lovely flowers while serving tasty refresh- ments from “real” silver service sets and glass punch bowls and cups. Madeleine Gendron’s string orchestra group again provided enjoyable music. Donations received during this annual event are used to benefit the library in some manner. Items purchased from proceeds of pre- vious teas include a laminating machine, a speaker system and a display unit for audio/videos. It’s very rewarding to see that this organization continues to support the library as it has since the early 1920s, when it was originally formed with the express purpose of raising money for worthy projects, including a library in Vernonia. With school soon coming to an end, the Monday afternoon Reading Enrichment activities are winding down, while planning is being com- pleted for the summer reading program. This summer’s theme will be “Discover New Trails @ Your Library.” Activities under the direction of Linda Johnston and Camrin Eyrrick will involve “trails.” Two presentations by Washington County’s Mobile Museum and a visit by Anne Louise Sterry as she relates the untold story of Lena, an Italian girl and her part in the Lewis and Clark expedition, will also be part of the summer fun. Schedules and registration forms will be available soon in the library. Recent acquisitions include Memorial Day by Vince Flynn, The Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis, The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg, Just One Look by Harlan Coben, The Enemy by Lee Child, Plan of Attack by Dale Brown, His Mother’s Son by Cai Emmons, Hidden Prey by John Sandford, A B l e s s e d Event by Jean Reynolds Page, Ernie’s Ark by Monica Wood and Eventide by Kent Haruf. To date, I’ve had a chance to read only the last three in this list. A B l e s s e d Event tells of a rare friend- ship between Darla and Jo. Paul Linnman Darla, unable to bear children, wants one badly enough that she asks Jo to conceive and carry a baby for her. When Jo is in a car accident that makes life sup- port necessary for her and leaves the baby’s fate in the balance, Darla searches for and discovers truths that hide in her marriage and in a past that has suddenly reemerged. Ernie’s Ark weaves nine tales into this book set in Abbott Falls, Maine, a town where a strike has been going on for eight months at the paper mill. At the heart of the story is Ernie Whitten, a pipe fitter, who was three weeks from a pension- secured retirement when the strike began. With his wife, Marie, seriously ill, Ernie decides to build a giant ark in his backyard. As Ernie builds and Marie watches, the ark takes shape while the rest of the town carries on. This is just a nice little book about everyday people with hopes and dreams like all of us. In Eventide, Kent Haruf continues the saga of the McPheron brothers and Victoria Robideaux of Holt County, Colorado, that he began in Plainsong. As Victoria leaves for college taking her daughter, Katie, with her and leaving the McPherons once again by themselves, new community members are woven into the plot. These include Luther and Betty Wallace, mental- ly troubled parents, DJ Gephardt, a young orphan who must take care of his aging grandfa- ther and Mary Wells, a woman whose husband has left her and her two little girls. There are kind people in this book, people willing to help one another and wanting to make things a little better for a little while. The feeling one gets is that if only these people could connect, things would be okay. I highly recommend this book. Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Ave. Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Tues., Thur. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m., when school is in session. Phone: (503 ) 429-1818 instructor should be listened to. He knows first hand from his experience in the teaching field that communication through art is not only a powerful tool but an added stepping stone to a broader learning process. Without art and music we are depriving our students of this opportunity for them to acquire mature thinking and expres- sion. A place in a larger society is more than “just” cultural growth. The arts develop a sense of well-being for each student. Early on, when Hands on Art was just beginning, Doug Tesdal found time after his school day to help us. He fired the children’s pottery – we did- n’t have a kiln. Mr. Tesdal has always given the “extra” to sup- port his beliefs for his commu- nity and for his students. I say again, Thank you. Let’s listen to what he is saying – Turn to page 3, in the May 6 issue of The Independent, and try the paragraph starting with “I’m sending out this invitation to the community to…” Isabelle McDaniel Vernonia You are needed for community success To the Editor: We’ve all talked about how great the Jamboree has been in the past, and how more peo- ple need to get involved for its future success. Now we have the opportunity to stop talking and start acting. I believe your commitment and relationship to our commu- nity is very much like mine. Vernonia is a great place, full of generous, caring people like you. Become involved – give back to the community – through a financial manner, through products and/or servic- es, or by volunteering on one of the many committees, like cor- porate sponsorships, oversee- ing the parade route and/or participants, or vendor support. The fact is, it’s all up to you. If each of us in the community gets involved, we will be suc- cessful. What are you going to do? If you have any questions or would like additional informa- tion, or want to attend our upcoming Jamboree meeting, please do not hesitate to con- tact me at either 503-646-9069 (office) or 503-429-0703 (home). Sincerely, Janet K. Holcomb, Secretary Jamboree Committee & Corporate Sponsorship Chair Visitor says Vernonia is “wonderful town” To the Editor: People of Vernonia, I just wanted to congratulate you on what a wonderful town that you have here. I’ve been all over the country and this is by far one of the nicest communities I’ve ever been to! I especially like the Lyon's Den. The food was excellent and as for the prices, nobody could beat them. The owner, Jay Barber, was a very nice person and I’ll definitely come back again. The people at the hardware store also (were) very friendly and getting directions from strangers made me feel like I made new friends. Keep up the good work. Midge Adams Pacific City Thanks for help from County 150th Bash To the Editor: The Columbia Pacific Food Bank would like to thank County Commissioner Joe Corsiglia and all who helped him, for organizing donations to the Food Bank during the Columbia County 150th Birthday Bash. The event gen- erated $500 in cash donations and 400 pounds of food. We will distribute the food to our five emergency pantries in St. Helens, Scappoose, Vernonia, Rainier, and Clatskanie. The monetary donations will help to pay for fuel for our delivery truck, running our two walk-in freezers, additional emergency food and other essential oper- ating costs. Thank you for helping to feed residents in need in columbia County, because no one should be hungry. Many thanks, Tracie Smith Executive Director Columbia Pacific Food Bank