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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, November 15, 2007 Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay As I sit look- ing at the bouquet of lilies m y daughter gave me for my birthday I’m wondering how many oth- ers have suffered through such a gift (three stems, 10 buds, two in full bloom, the rest in stages of opening)? The scent is killing my sinuses but I can’t part with them yet. It may take another week for them all to open. Sinus pills, where are you? Election day is over, the bal- lots have been counted. Now the T.V. and radio can go back to dum-de-dum commercials all day long. That is, if you’re home to listen. Who is ready for Thanksgiv- ing? 13 days away or Christ- mas 45 days away. Me? I’m still in denial of my last four birth- days, except when the ‘ritus’ boys get to acting up. I know this is wasting space to some of those who will read this but – was it you, your friends or maybe your kids that decide the weekend of the 3rd of November to trash Anderson Park and the Lake properties? I will never live long enough to understand the kind of thinking that drives that kind of havoc on public property. Please don’t tell me it’s drugs and booze. In the beginning it is in you to know right from wrong. The rest of it is an excuse for you to hide behind. Janice and I decided to trek over the hills to Wal-Mart Friday before last – it was sunny. Ho, Ho, at Grandma’s Lane we ran into fog – pockets of it. It slowed down traveling time, be- lieve me. Shopped, ate Mexi- can food, visited the book store, found a title that I could not resist, “How to Shovel Ma- nure and Other Life Lessons for the Country Woman.” I think I’ll have a good read with this, having had a taste of ranch life as a cook for about 20 folks three times a day – in my younger years. Did we find what we went to Wal-Mart for? No – they don’t carry that, sorry. Yup, for me, that’s par. Don’t miss Songs of Thanksgiving Songs of Thanksgiving will be presented Sunday, Novem- ber 18, at 6:00 p.m. at the Scout Cabin in Vernonia, by the Foursquare Church and other area churches. The public is invited to come and bring canned good or a do- nation for Vernonia Cares. This event is being offered as a way for the community to give some very special people help at the holiday season.There will be songs, testimonies and congre- gational singing. There will be dessert after the service and special door prize giveaways provided by lo- cal merchants. Pastors from area churches meet every Thursday for lunch and, as part of their focus, they pray for the success of local businesses. Reverend Carl Pense said, “I want to person- ally thank all the businesses for the gifts that they have sacrifi- cially given and encourage each person in Vernonia to shop around at our fine busi- nesses during this holiday time.” Questions or donations can be directed to Rev. Carl Pense at 503-369-4789. You are invit- ed to help celebrate the things we are thankful for and to wor- ship with others. BeadforLife offers way to help BeadforLife started officially in September 2004, as an all volunteer effort to help support a small group of women in Uganda. The women make col- orful jewelry using recycled pa- per to make beads. The first group of women included some who have fled their homelands in Northern Uganda after rebels burned villages, abduct- ed children for soldiers or sex slaves, and tortured and killed thousands of adults. Most of the first group of women beaders had been crushing rocks by hand for eight hours a day to earn about 80 cents a day. There was no electricity or running water in their homes. Disease, including AIDS, was rampant and child mortality has high. Today, there are 250 bead- ers in four different groups earning enough to support over 3,000 people. These families enjoy better nutrition, sanita- tion, they are working towards building better homes, and chil- dren are attending schools. The beads are sold through bead parties or community Please see page 21 Store Hours Mon - Fri 8:30 - 5:30 Saturday 8:30 - 5:00 Serving the local community for over 63 years 2008 Main Street • Forest Grove • 503-357-6011
