The INDEPENDENT, July 17, 2008
50 Years Ago This Month
The July 24, 1958, issue of
the Vernonia Eagle included
the following news story on the
front page, under the heading
‘Imagineering’ Session Monday
Brings Out Ideas:
Following the suggestion made
by John D. Abrahamson from the
U. S. department of commerce,
during a town meeting some time
ago, chamber of commerce presi-
dent Guy Thomas called a group
together Monday night for an
“Imagineering” session.
He explained that regardless of
how small or simple an idea might
be, it should be mentioned. Many
heads working on an idea are bet-
ter than one and the main objective
of the meeting was the betterment
of this area.
It was agreed that the first need
is action to combat the knockers.
Slogans were suggested, such as:
“If you can’t say something good
– don’t say it at all”; and a contest
such as, “why I like my communi-
ty” was mentioned.
RECREATION GOOD ASSET
Advertising the wonderful
recreational facilities of the Upper
Nehalem Valley and Vernonia was
stressed. Mentioned were the
swimming pool, golf course, parks
and picnic areas, river and
streams, camp sites, the shay en-
gine, rocks and fossils, trails for
horse riding enthusiasts and hunt-
ing and fishing.
The possibility of having a
berry receiving station located
here for local berries was dis-
cussed and also that of a custom
cannery. There is the need for
such. Manufacturing jams and jel-
lies for sale in the home (cottage
industries), gift boxes of them and
a confection using berries similar
to Aplets and Cotlets was men-
tioned.
HOSPITAL RECOMMENDED
A community hospital was rec-
ommended as a service and as a
means of keeping a large volume
of dollars in Vernonia that go out
of town for hospitalization for ba-
bies, illnesses, accidents and sur-
gery. It was stated that hospitals,
like banks, post-offices and drug
stores, act as focal points and en-
courage people to settle near them.
The many visitors to such an insti-
tution would mean business to
service stations, restaurants and to
retail establishments of other
types.
A hospital would also provide
employment for a number of per-
sons, would use heat, light, food,
drugs, linens and many other com-
Bits & Bites
modities. It would be an added at-
traction to industries looking for
location.
Wayne Akers brought a stalk of
an Australian sweet cane (sorgum)
grass, called almun. It is used for
sileage and pasture and hay. It was
planted May 18 and was about five
feet tall. He sent a sample to Ore-
gon State callege for an analysis
and will report back at the next
meeting, the results.
NEW SIGNS NEEDED
Clay deposits will be checked
on. The sign proposed for Staley’s
junction some time ago was
brought up again, as well as some
needed highway signs at other
spots. Using the wooden nickels
for publicity was urged. A good
camp site was discussed. Fish
ponds were recommended as a
good money-maker and it was in-
timated that one would be built in
the near future.
There is a constant inquiry for
cabins or lots or acreage along the
rivers. Several of these ideas will
be perused and there will be anoth-
er meeting of this type in two
weeks, on Monday night, August 4
at the West Oregon Electric meet-
ing room at 8:00 p.m. Anyone with
an idea is welcome to come to the
meeting and tell about it.
Lipizzaner Stallions are coming to area
The “World Famous ® ” Lipiz-
zaner Stallions will be in Astoria
and Tillamook soon for their
38th anniversary presentation
of the “Dancing White Stal-
lions”. Over the years, more
than twenty-six million people
throughout North and South
America, Europe, Australia and
Hawaii have seen the Lipizzan-
er Stallions perform their
unique equine ballet.
The Lipizzaner Stallions will
present one show at the Clat-
sop County Fairgrounds in As-
toria on Thursday, August 14 at
7:30 p.m., and another show at
the Tillamook County Fair-
grounds on Friday, August 15
at 7:30 p.m.
Regular adult admission
tickets are $19.50 each. Regu-
lar admission for children 12
and under, and seniors 60 and
over, is $17.50 each. Tickets
are available at Papa Jacks
and Tickets.com. Tickets may
be purchased by phone, toll
free, at 800-882-8258.
For event information, call
503-325-4600. More informa-
tion is available at www.lipiz
zaner.com and www.clatsop
fairgrounds.com. Additional fa-
cility fees, ticketing fees, serv-
ice charges and/or taxes may
be included in (or added to)
ticket prices. All information is
subject to change.
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Gee,
another
t w o
weeks
h a s
flown by.
Do
I
h a v e
anything to JAW about this
week? Well, yes, and maybe I
shouldn’t. You see, I’m waiting
for tonight’s (July 17th) meeting
of the Vernonia Planning Com-
mission. I’ve a lot on my mind
that will be affected by the deci-
sions made there. I’m only one
of the many people that will
possibly be told when they can
move out, but not necessarily
where they can go. That is up
to the individuals. So – here is
a thought or two to ponder:
1. Single wide mobile homes
are not welcome in Mobile
Parks anymore (house type,
that is).
2. Most M.H. folks are of
senior age or moderate income
families.
3. When they move it is usu-
ally into the house renting mar-
ket.
4. Fact – Vernonia has no
median or low rent or Senior
Living facilities.
So this means I won’t be the
only resident that will not be liv-
ing in Columbia County much
longer. Maybe. I’ve been in my
spot for 22 years as of July 4,
2008. In all this time one of the
main topics over coffee or
whatever is “ wish I could find
an affordable, nice place to live
here but there is nothing. So
they move on. Folks are com-
ing in here to build big homes.
That is good and fine but what
is the town going to do with all
of its senior citizens? At pres-
ent, it’s move out of town or
pass over. Yes, there should be
a Senior Village living facility
here, but there isn’t, so folks
move out of town because they
have to.
I know the state killed the
idea the Senior Center had
years ago to try and build a
small units court along with
their thoughts of a new Center.
(That was around before the
first flood in ‘96.)
But that idea died too.
Wake up folks – serve the
people that already live here
and want to stay. Relocate to
higher ground first – then invite
new folks to live in the lost town
in the woods.
and Insurance
r
t
S
r
u
Inc
h
t
r
A
.
• Home • Auto • Life
Featuring a
Wide Variety of
English& WesternTack
and
Gaming Supplies
Open Mon. thru Sat.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
503-702-0081
736 Bridge St. Vernonia
Page 9
Call us today for a quote
503-429-2010
953 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR
Your Local Independent Insurance Agent.
North Pacific