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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 2008)
The INDEPENDENT, December 18, 2008 Community Free Christmas dinner scheduled A free annual Christmas Din- ner will be held at the Vernonia Senior Center on December 25, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. There will be turkey, ham and all the trimmings, as well as dessert and a beverage. In the spirit of Christmas, anyone – in need or just wish- ing to share a Christmas meal with others – may attend. There is no charge and gratu- ities are discouraged. This din- ner is sponsored by Friends of Vernonia, Bill James and fami- ly. 50 Years Ago This Month The December 11, 1958, is- sue of the Vernonia Eagle in- cluded the following news story on the front page: Better sign marking for high- way 47 was indicated last week by the Oregon state highway de- partment men, Supervisor Shough and Lyle Pearson. Their trips here came about because of a letter written by the chamber of commerce seeking better desig- nation signs in the area. Shough agreed that there would be the addition of the name, Vernonia on the No. 202 junction near Astoria and an ad- vance warning on highway 47 near Apiary junction to indicate the direction to Rainier. He recommended writing the state-city relations committee of the highway department to ask that state maps show a black- topped road between Apiary and Rainier instead of gravel. Chamber President Guy Thomas told the board members at their meeting Monday of a let- ter received from Rino Koski of the fish and game commission which itemized plants of fish within a 10-mile radius of Ver- nonia. He listed: 315 nine-inch and 1885 ten-inch trout during May in Rock creek and 3002 nine-inch trout June 18 of this year. Bill Wilson reported that the Vernonia advertising stamps were going over very well and remind- ed folks to use them on their Christmas cards and parcels go- ing out of town. They are avail- able at the various merchants and at the chamber office for 5¢ per sheet for 14 stamps. Also in the December 11 is- sue, page 6, under the head- line Legend Surrounds Christ- mas Trees was this article: The trimmed Christmas tree, as we know it today, is little more than a century and a half old, yet legends trace the origin of the tree back to earliest times. One legend concerns an early Christmas missionary, St. Wil- fred, who once came upon a band of Druids preparing to make a hu- man sacrifice under a large oak. According to the story, St. Wilfred had the tree cut down and almost immediately, a young fir tree sprang up in its place. The missionary seized the evidence and made the fir tree a symbol of new faith and thereafter the Druids set this symbol of immor- tality in the halls of their lodges at Christmas time, surrounding it with feasting and laughter and love. There is also the story of the faithful pine which sheltered the holy family during the flight to Egypt. With Herod’s soldiers in pursuit, it was still necessary that Mary rest awhile so they sought shelter in the low trunk of a huge fir tree. As the soldiers ap- proached, the tree bent its branch- es to conceal the huddled little group. When the danger had passed the baby Jesus blessed the old tree. Today, if you cut a pine cone lengthwise at Christmas time, you can still see the imprint of His little hand. Another legend holds that the first Christmas tree was really an apple tree. And, although the fir tree has long since replaced its predecessor for Christmas use, the tinsel baubles we used on the tree are said representative of the fruit which for the early Christ- mas symbolized the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and his recla- mation by the birth of the Sav- iour. Vernonian Soma earns degree Marissa Abra Soma, of Ver- nonia, graduated from Pacific University in August with a Master of Arts degree in Teach- ing. Page 9 Senior News By Karen Miller, Senior Advocate Community Action Team This my last senior news… of 2008 that is. I would like to take this opportu- nity to thank The INDEPEN- DENT for another year of allow- ing me to educate the public with Community Action Team’s programs for seniors, and sen- ior issues on a myriad of topics, and news from the Senior Cen- ter. I would like to thank Rocky Johnson, Executive Director of Community Action Team for his organizational skills and lead- ership with Community Action Team, for whom I have the priv- ilege to work, and my supervi- sors, Ken Johnson and Juliann Davis, and co-workers, with whom I couldn’t have a more pleasant and satisfying experi- ence. Also thank you to the Ver- nonia Senior Center and to everyone I work with here, now and in the past. These past years have been a source of in- spiration to me, I never cease to be amazed, encouraged and inspired working with and con- stantly touching the lives of old and new senior friends. All December birthdays will be celebrated on December 19. If you have a December birth- day, come in for cake and ice cream. On the docket for next year: Our Senior Police Academy; call my office to sign up for this fun, informative class with Chief Mike Kay at 503-429- 9112. We would be delighted to have you as a member of the Vernonia Senior Center. Only $10 will sign you up. Thanks for everyone’s support and patron- age. A scrabble tournament? Yes, we will have one! I will be making plans for the next AARP Safe Driving class here at the Vernonia Center during the first few months of the new year. Call my office to sign up. CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER will be held here at the center from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. This is a free dinner for anyone so de- 2009 Jamboree meeting on Jan. 7 The next Jamboree meeting will be January 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Vernonia City Hall. On the agenda is nomination of offi- cers for 2008. If you are interested in help- ing, or if you have an event that you want included in the 2008 Jamboree, the Jamboree Com- mittee asks that you attend this meeting. siring, no age restrictions. Call 503-429-2072 for further infor- mation. The Center will be closed Christmas Day (except for the dinner) and the day after. We WILL BE OPEN the day after New Year’s Day. From the thrift shop: ALL merchandise will be half off from December 15 to the 31. Good buys at good prices! On your list of New Year Resolutions: Sign up for the next AARP Safe Driving Class, quit smoking, watch your alco- hol intake, eat more fruit and veggies, etc., etc., AND…in- crease your fun and food intake at the Vernonia Senior Center!! See you more often, we hope, in 2009!! MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year from all of us at 446 Bridge Street. INFORMATION NUMBERS Senior Advocate...429-9112 Senior Center.......429-3912 Transportation......429-4304 Christmas Eve service slated Vernonia Community Church invites everyone to come enjoy their Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 7:00 p.m. If you have questions, call Pastor Grant at 503-429-7690. Previously known as Bits & PCs … lace look! p e Sam le new o a wh W Colo e make r Cop ies aga s r new t! Und n e agemen ma •Computer Servicing • Upgrades & Repairs • Office Supplies • Media Transfers • Ink and Toner Refills 503.429.TECH COMPUTER & INTERNET SERVICES • New & Used Computers in stock • Cell Phone Service & Accessories • IPOD accessories • Internet Services • Notary Services 866 Bridge Street, Vernonia Featuring a Wide Variety of English&WesternTack Grain & Supplements Open Mon. thru Fri. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 503-429-TACK (8225) 736 Bridge St. Vernonia