The INDEPENDENT, December 3, 2009
The quilt that just kept coming back
Ruth Grimsrud, of Vernonia,
won this year’s Senior Center
Quilt Raffle. The quilt she took
home already had a history
with her.
When Grimsrud’s mother
passed away in 1992, she in-
herited her mother’s sewing
machine, sewing supplies and
fabric. It was this fabric Grim-
srud pulled out when she was
staying in a travel trailer after
the flood of 1996 caused the
loss of her new house. She de-
cided to make quilt blocks to fill
her time. She made the blocks,
but didn’t have room to assem-
ble the quilt-top, so into a box
they went. Some time after
Grimsrud moved into her cur-
rent home, she came across
the quilt blocks, assembled the
quilt-top and, as many quilters
do, put the quilt on the back-
burner for a while.
The next time she came
across the quilt-top, she decid-
ed she wouldn’t have time to
finish it and donated it to Good-
will. Several months later, she
ran into the quilt again at a
yard-sale nearby and she
bought it. The quilt languished
for a time before she donated it
again, this time to the Vernonia
Senior Center.
The “Quilt Ladies” at the
center took on the task of fin-
ishing the king-sized quilt. At
some time during its travels,
the quilt-top had picked up a
few damaged spots. The “Quilt
The Vernonia City Council
was informed that it will receive
$26,612 to go toward a bicycle
path around Vernonia Lake.
The money was awarded by
the Columbia County Board of
Commissioners, and repre-
sents two years worth of coun-
ty bicycle path allocations.
Councilor Mario Leonetti
said he would start the prelimi-
nary planning for the path im-
mediately.
The council also approved a
contract of $2,250 with Jim
Cradit for repairs on the
Hawkins Park restrooms.
The council also learned that
the city is again in need of both
a director of public works and a
Bits & Bites
By Jacqueline Ramsay
Ruth Grimsrud with the quilt she won on November 18. Pho-
to by Louise Hamnett.
Ladies” ingenuity solved that Then, the quilt went on the
problem when they added quilting frame and the final
strategically placed appliqued quilting was added. When it
flowers and vines to the top.
See The quilt on page 22
Buy flowers to help Girl Scouts
Vernonia Girl Scouts will
again be pre-selling flowering,
potted tulips and hyacinths
from VanderZanden Farms as
a fundraiser for their spring
camping trip. All Girl Scouts will
be selling them from December
1 through January 8, 2010, for
pick-up from the school near
Valentine’s Day. This is a great
way to support scouts while
getting fresh flowers for a loved
one. Remember, the bulbs can
be planted in your yard and en-
joyed for many years to come.
The cost will be $6 per pot.
Orders can be placed with
any Girl Scout as well as at the
Vernonia Christmas Bazaar.
For further information on Girl
Scouts or to place an order, call
Katie Poetter at 503-429-0700
or Susan Ely at 503-840-8136.
20 Years Ago This Month
The December 28, 1989, is-
sue of The Independent includ-
ed the following news story on
the front page:
Page 9
water superintendent, due to
the resignation of Dennis
Coates as director of public
works and the termination of
the water superintendent.
Public Works employee
Robyn Bassett will serve as
acting director until such time
as she qualifies for the position,
or the city hires a qualified per-
son.
The council discussed pos-
sible sales of city property in or-
der to raise money, but also to
put some of it back on the tax
rolls. A list of properties will be
sent to the city planning com-
mission for consideration.
In other business, the coun-
cil:
• authorized issuance of
sewer revenue bonds not to ex-
ceed $1,400,000 with the
bonds to be paid from revenues
generated by the project.
Nov. 15 – Here I am again. I am seeing
things in this place I’ve only seen in the Na-
tional Geographic. There is a yard, tree
shrouded, covered with maple leaves and
pine needles year round. Since the rains
have started, toadstools have been pop-
ping up. But, this morning I am awed by the
sight of “large” bright red ones with creamy
white spots on them (30 of them, also two
or three tall, large ball-shaped, larger than
a soft ball, yellowish tan ones.) Then to add to the beauty one 6-
8” tall stalk with an open bowl top (like a compote fruit bowl) also
a creamy white color. I’m tempted to go knock on the front door
and ask how come – Did you plant seeds or is it a trick of nature??
To add to the beauty, two blocks farther on my walk, forsythia is
beginning to bloom. No, I’m not seeing things that aren’t there.
They are there. Fall leaves are still falling, trees are baring their
limbs for winter’s onset.
Nov. 24 – I’m in the baking mood – fruit cakes, mince pie,
pecan pie and holiday candies, but I don’t have anyone to make
much for and so – I just make lemon pie for “self.” Short note –
passed by the forsythia that doesn’t know it’s fall – two new flow-
ers trying to open – poor thing. Flash, my treatments are going
better than good. If they keep going I may be free of the gadget in
my neck before the 15th of December. Oh joy, I can hardly wait –
first thing I’m going to do is fill the tub and take a long, long bub-
ble bath. Ho, ho.
Nov. 25 – The Big day is upon me – just pulled the cherry pie
from the oven. Time to go to “D” treatment so I just say:
Gobble, Gobble!!
Shop early for Christmas – invite a friend to dinner.
Free Christmas dinner planned
Everyone is invited to the
fourth annual Christmas dinner,
hosted by the Friends of Ver-
nonia, on December 25, at the
Vernonia Senior Center.
Starting at 1:00 p.m. and
continuing until 4:00 p.m. or un-
til the food is gone, the dinner
includes turkey, ham, all the
trimmings, dessert, and bever-
age.
Dinner is served free of
charge and gratuities will not
be accepted.
The 4th annual FREE
Christmas Dinner
Everyone is Invited!!
Turkey, Ham, All the Trimmings,
Plus Dessert and Beverage.
December 25, 1-4 p.m.
Vernonia Senior Center
Gratuities not accepted
Provided by Friends of Vernonia