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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 15, 2010)
Page 20 The INDEPENDENT, July 15, 2010 Motorcycle show was held early The fifth annual Erik C. Kesterson Memorial Motorcy- cle Show was held early this year, on the 4th of July instead of during Vernonia’s Friendship Jamboree, August 6-8. The reason for the date change was that Sunny Suppes, who has organized the show since the Jamboree committee asked her to do so in 2005, has been ill. Suppes, a Vernonia area resident for 30 years, started having health problems about a year ago. Until May, she thought the problems were from an existing condition. On May 9, her kidneys and bladder shut down from what was de- termined to be retroperitoneal fibrosis. She went into seizures and 9-1-1 was called. Contrary to rumors that she died, after a week in the hospital, she came home, on prednisone, with stents in place. If you’ve seen Suppes lately, you’ve seen the swelling from the prednisone. The original plan was for her to have the stents removed at Jamboree time, thus the need to change the date of the motorcycle show. She’s doing better than expected, so the stents are out, and she hopes to be off the medication soon. Suppes ex- pressed thanks to Dr. Gilmore, who has taken special training in order to help with Suppes care. In the meantime, Mike Snow and Mike Ingraham, offered to hold the show on July 4 so the fifth annual wouldn’t be missed. The turnout was down this year, probably due to the date change, but Suppes plans to have the show back during Jamboree for 2011. Suppes said she really appreciated Snow and Ingraham’s help, as she just didn’t have the energy to have done it herself this year. Erik C. Kesterson was Sup- pes son’s best childhood friend. Kesterson served a tour in the Marine Corps then, after 9/11, he joined the U.S. Army. He was killed in action in Iraq on November 15, 2003. Because of the strong bond between Suppes’ son, Joe, and Kester- son, she dedicated the Motor- cycle Show to Kesterson’s memory. Look for the sixth annual Erik C. Kesterson Memorial Motorcycle Show to be back for the 2011 Vernonia Friendship Jamboree. See picture from Motorcycle Show on page 24. 50 Years Ago This Month From page 9 which might have been a giant me- teor, was Clyde Taylor, 7530 SE Lounsberry Lane, Portland, who was at SE 72nd Ave and Holgate St. when he saw the plunging light at the same time, going in the same direction. He said it vanished to- ward the Hood River area. Other Vernonia residents re- ported seeing another such fireball Wednesday evening of this week about 10 p.m Stories sought for new book by Social Security From page 9 toll-free number set up for the project. Those who have received Social Security, as well as those who know of a friend or family member whose life was impacted, are encouraged to submit their stories. Online submission is easy and re- quires less than 400 words or a short video. Full details and a submission form are available at www.SocialSecurityStories. org. Stories can also be shared by calling 1-800-335-2082. “We are hoping the younger generations will interview their parents and grandparents on the subject, which is why our website offers interview ques- tions,” says Barbara Burt, exec- utive director for the Frances Perkins Center, a nonprofit or- ganization leading the project as part of its mission to honor and learn from Frances Perkins (the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet). A pio- neering woman in and ahead of her time, Perkins was U.S. Secretary of Labor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She was a champion of the New Deal, and a close friend and advisor to FDR. The Social Security Stories Project seeks to create a full picture of the importance of So- cial Security to celebrate and share with all U.S. citizens, and the world. Stories featured in the video include: • The story of a father who died a few days after his son was born. The son received his Social Security benefits, pre- venting a further tragedy for the family. “I am saddened that my grandson has to grow up with- out his daddy,” says Angela Stockwell of Athens, Maine. “But I am grateful that a pro- gram which began 75 years ago still exists today to help struggling families deal finan- cially with the loss of a loved one.” • The story of a dad struck by cancer suddenly, leaving his wife to care for their children alone. “The funeral director in our small town told my mom about benefits available from Social Security that would help her,” says Evonne Zalewski of Greendale, Wis. “I remember my mom telling me how this will help so much and that we will not be poor or have to move. Having grown up during the de- pression with only food stamps available was terrifying for my mom.” “We’re inviting people across America to share exam- ples of how Social Security made a meaningful difference in their life or the life of some- one they know – as it currently does for one in six Americans,” says Burt. Go to SocialSecuritySto- ries.org for more information. Zoo raises prices on 2nd Tuesday From page 15 program is supported by The Standard. The zoo opens at 8 a.m. dai- ly and is located just off High- way 26. The zoo is also acces- sible by MAX light rail line. Additional information is available at www.oregonzooorg or by calling 503-226-1561. Bear Creek Run will be August 14 Left to right; Papa Joe Hammons, Jenny Schulz and Fro clean up garbage and other debris along Hwy. 47 just outside of Vernonia. They are members of the Freewheelers, who have adopted part of Hwy. 47, in addition to the other volunteer efforts the group takes part in to help the community. This latest clean-up effort was held on Saturday, July 10. The group gets together a couple times a year for their highway clean-up project. From page 7 The food bank appreciates the financial sponsorship received during the past six years from businesses, both local and out- side of Vernonia. This year shows a sponsorship total of $900 so far. How can you help? Become a sponsor, enter the race as an individual or group, come and cheer on those who run or walk, or better yet, volunteer on race day! Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success, so please help if you can! It is said that charity be- gins at home – this is a chance to role model this through all levels of support for this event. Registration will begin at 7:00 a.m., on August 14, at the Anderson Park pavilion, in Ver- nonia, with the events starting at 8:00 a.m. Online registration is encouraged. Watch for more local advertising and race reg- istration forms in the days ahead. See the following web- site for more details; http:// www.signmeup.com/66420 or contact Kellie Murray, Race Di- rector at 503-429-3021. It is the food bank’s hope that the 2010 Vernonia Bear Creek Run will be a memorable event benefiting Vernonia resi- dents both young and old. It has the potential to bring visi- tors and consumers to town, generating local revenue plus heightened awareness of the lovely forested trails and parks. Come join the fun at the start- ing line!