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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, October 1, 2009 CCWRC looking for volunteers Columbia County Women’s Resource Center (CCWRC) is looking for volunteers. There are many needs in a variety of areas of the work CCWRC does with domestic violence and/or sexual assault victims and survivors. Volunteers can help in the office, in our 26-bed shelter, working with clients one-on-one, answering the 24- hour crisis line, gardening or day-to-day maintenance, etc. In some cases, special talents and interests can be put to use. For example, for those who like children and books, conducting a weekly or even monthly read- ing hour for the kids in shelter would be a wonderful activity. CCWRC will provide approx- imately 40 hours of training and staff will be available with infor- mation and help. If you can spare a few hours a week or a month and would like to do something meaning- ful and rewarding, contact Karin at 503-397-7110 or e- mail karink @ccwrc.com. Wouldn’t it be great to get started volunteering during Oc- tober, which is Domestic Vio- lence Awareness Month!? 20 Years Ago This Month The October 26,1989, issue of The Independent included the following news story on the front page, under the heading, “Tradition disappears as Sam’s Food Store plans final closing”: Around the first of the year, there will be a large hole in the fabric of Vernonia when, for the first time in more than 50 years, there won’t be a Sam’s Food Store here. Sam “Buck” Hearing, who will be 70 in December, has de- cided to hand up the grocery’s apron he’s worn since going to work in the store owned and named by his father in 1938. Hearing bought the store in 1947, and except for vacations, he has opened Sam’s at 7:30 a.m. seven days a week for 52 years. What is he going to do now? “Well, I might sleep in,” he mused, “or go fishing, or I might play golf.” Hearing and his wife Alvilda, a retired teacher, actually plan on doing a lot of traveling, a pastime they have already sa- vored with trips to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and most of the United States. “Alvilda really likes camping, too,…as long as we sleep in motels and eat in restaurants,” he deadpanned. Looking back on his life in the small town grocery busi- ness, Hearing said the most satisfying part of it was getting acquainted with so many peo- ple, and having the opportunity to help some of them along the way. Part of that helping was done during 20 years as a vol- unteer ambulance driver, too. Many, many people were helped by Sam’s old-fashioned policy of letting them charge their groceries until the money came in. It wasn’t a good fiscal policy, he acknowledged, but it was a good people policy. Hearing’s “right hand,” Emma Etheridge, was sup- posed to fill in for only six weeks when she started at Sam’s – 19 years ago. Prior to that, she owned the Birkenfeld Store for six years, and says she’s ready to retire, too. “Twenty-five years of this is enough,” she emphasized, though she’s been asked to go to work for others after Hear- ing’s retirement. Another tradition that will disappear when Hearing re- tires, is home delivery of gro- cery orders but, he allowed, he probably will still help “a few” of his long-time customers. Hearing doesn’t plan to re- tire from his elected position as Please see page 21 Page 9 Bits & Bites By Jacqueline Ramsay Ah, I think Fall is call- ing, for sure. The trees are shedding all over town, even the old pine and fir and whatever else has stuff in them are shedding all over town and when the wind blows from the east it is quite a sight to behold, especially if you are out walking in it. Jim’s tomato basket is think- ing of producing more flowers but if it turns cold, he will have a crop of green tomatoes to fry. I must be getting healthier, Shadow and I walked 22 blocks the other day. I didn’t know when I left home there was one dead end street and one cul-de-sac in the path I took. We were pooped and in need of water and a chair. After a rest, I baked (from scratch) a Lemon Meringue Pie. (It could hold up to Tessie any time.) It was mmmm delicious. Not much going on with me, but Shadow is going through a very dramatic experience. “Mox- ie” has come into her domain, a brown and or- ange tortoise shell cat (2 mo. old kitten). It is now exploring every room but mine. Door closed when it’s about. They are like a couple of two year-olds vying for Top Pet status. At present they are laying, facing each other with the “I Dare You Stare.” It is so strange while walking to see on the same lot a bush of Snow Berries (fully ripe) and a rose bush loaded with flowers from bud to those fading and falling. Last night the breeze told me – dig out your fall jammies girl. it’s going to be cool nights from now on, unless I have a streak of hot weather left that I don’t know about. So, I dug out my blue loungers and I slept great – a warning from the Concrete Jungle winter is on its way someplace. Comment on your local news. Some of it dis- turbs me greatly. I was in hopes “things” would find someone to help the inner workings of the city. And the hitch in the grounds for the school. Complex – Gee Whiz to put it nicely. You’re all in my prayers. Halloween in St. Catholic women’s retreat, Oct. Helens now The Archdiocesan Council of retreat, following the theme, Olde Towne Saint Helens becomes Halloweentown every weekend in October. Shopkeepers and servers will be turned into ghosts, goblins and ghouls every Friday at 3:00 p.m. and won’t be re- stored to their mortal forms un- til 3:00 on Sunday. Wear your costume and take advantage of special offers at local busi- nesses. Vote for your favorite scarecrow with a canned food donation to the Columbia County Food Bank. See full event listings at www. travel- columbiacounty.com. Catholic Women invites women from throughout the Archdio- cese of Portland to attend their annual retreat on Wednesday, October 14, at Our Lady of Peace Retreat House, in Bea- verton. Sessions will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Father Charles Wood, Parochial Vicar at St. Henry’s Parish, Gresham, will direct the “As We Wait in Joyful Hope.” Father Wood will also celebrate the 11:30 a.m. Mass. Please make reservations by October 5, with Joan Galles, 109 NE 140th, Portland OR 97230; or call her at 503-252- 2807, or email at accwtreasur- er@aol.com. A $25 fee covers the retreat and lunch. Meyers ‘ Auto Body,Inc 503-429-0248 493 Bridge St, Vernonia, OR