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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2010)
Page 10 The INDEPENDENT, September 16, 2010 Between the Bookends by Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library “Playing hooky from school is like a credit card—fun now, pay later.” With the beginning of a new school year and the anticipated ground-breaking for Vernonia’s new school, it’s easy to reflect on schools of the past and the memories associated with them. An article in the September issue of Country Extra, entitled “Old School” is a testament to one-room schoolhouses and to the pioneering spirit of early America. Even though the days of writing on slates in a classroom heated by a woodstove, bringing lunch in a dinner pail, and traipsing to the outhouse behind the schoolhouse are long past, memories remain of those simpler times. To further reflect on schools and teachers of the past, you might want to reread Catherine Marshall’s Christy, the story of a young teacher in the impoverished Smokey Moun- tains or Tisha, Anne Purdy’s account of 19-year-old Anne Hobbs’ experiences teaching in the 1920s in Chicken, Alaska. Oregon also has had its share of pioneering school teachers including Grace Brandt Martin (An Oregon Schoolma’am) and Thelma Cooper (Good Morning Miss Cooper). Going to School in Pioneer Times and Going to School During the Great Depression are writ- ten with the young reader in mind and give accurate details of school life during those periods. Author Jodi Picoult offers readers a glimpse of what would cause a 17-year-old to wake up one morning, load his backpack with guns and kill one teacher and nine students, in her novel, Nineteen Minutes. Taking a much gentler approach to the subject of schools is Traci DePree’s novel, dandelions in a jelly jar. When the school board of Lake Emily, Minnesota, cuts the Gifted and Talented program, art teacher Trudy Ploog stirs up a whirlwind, be- ginning with a letter to the local paper that questions the very foun- dation of small-town life—high school sports! Authors of books for children on the topic of school are numer- ous, with some of my favorites being The Frog Principal, A Fine Fine School, and The Library Dragon. Who will ever forget Bever- ly Cleary’s Ramona the Pest and her first experiences with kinder- garten—how when she was told to “Sit here for the present”, she would not get out of her seat, even for recess because she did so want to get the present—and how hard she tried to resist pulling Susan’s curls, Boi-i-ing! September displays will feature these books and others about schools and teachers. As school begins, keep in mind the following: Midway Veterinary Clinic Senior Discounts Open in Vernonia Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for appointments 503-429-1612 805 Bridge Street Vernonia Small and Large Animals “Laugh and the class laughs with you, but you stay after school alone.” “Some people drink at the fountain of knowledge—some just gargle.” New acquisitions include Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger, Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt, Body Works by Sara Paretsky, Quilt As You Go by Arlene Sachitano, Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs, and I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman. Local author Nel Rand will be here Monday, September 27 at 5:30 p.m. to read from and discuss her latest novel, The Burning Jacket. The public is encouraged to attend and to meet and talk with Ms. Rand following the presentation, while enjoying refresh- ments provided by the book discussion group. An annual September event is Banned Books Week. Spon- sored by the American Library Association, this event celebrates the freedom to read and confirms the importance of the First Amendment. Banned Books Week (September 25-October 2, 2010) highlights the benefits of free and open access to informa- tion while drawing attention to the harms of censorship. Local dis- play will feature books that have been banned or censored in the United States. Watch for this display! On Monday, September 13 at 10:30 a.m., preschool story time will resume and will continue on all Monday mornings when school is in session. The after school story/activity times will begin on Tuesday, October 4 at 3:30 p.m. Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Avenue Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tues., Thu. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m. when school is in session. Phone: 503-429-1818 Play golf for Hays Animal Shelter Bonnie L. Hays Small Ani- mal Shelter of Washington County will benefit from its first nine hole golf tournament fundraiser September 25, at Meriwether National Golf Club, 5200 SW Rood Bridge Road in Hillsboro. Tee off is promptly at 4 p.m. Event registration is $49 and includes green fee, cart rental, range balls, food, beverages and an awards party. Call event organizer Chad Gilman at 503- 707-9681 or e-mail sheltergolf event@gmail.com to register. Deadline for entrance is Sep- tember 20. The event is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, a family- Creatures & Vernonia Florist PET SUPPLIES, GROOMING & U-WASH (503-429-PETS (7387) www.creaturespetshop.com Plants ~ Antiques ~ balloons ~ Handmade Crafts Stuffed Toys ~ Greeting Cards & More (503) 429-2000 www.vernoniaflorist.com OPEN Mon-Sat 10-6 736 Bridge St. Vernonia Family Owned & Operated Superior Customer Service owned animal health company. Based on its own research and the synergy with its expertise in human pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim delivers leading solutions to prevent, treat and cure animal disease. All golf tournament proceeds will support the animals at the shelter. Great prizes will be awarded for the best and worst team score, longest drive, closest to the pin and longest putt. Each entrant will have a chance to win $50,000 for a hole in one. “We’re really excited about this event and grateful to our sponsor for creating the event,” says Animal Services Manager Deborah Wood. “It’s a chance for the golfers in our communi- ty to have a great time – and to benefit the animals at the shel- ter at the same time.” Bonnie L. Hays Small Ani- mal Shelter depends on the support of donations from the community to provide special- ized medical care to animals that are victims of neglect and abuse. Each year they receive about 6,000 stray or aban- doned cats and dogs. Shelter staff works hard to find the owners of lost animals, give medical care when necessary, spay/neuter animals that are unclaimed and find great forev- er homes for homeless pets. For more information about the shelter, go to www.wash- ingtoncountypets.com. 5K Run/Walk for Sight, Sept. 18 It’s not too late to participate in the 5K Run & Walk for Sight on Saturday, September 18, starting at the parking lot at the corner of Pacific Ave. and Cedar St. in Forest Grove. The walk starts at 9:00 a.m. and the run at 9:15 a.m. All participants will be eligi- ble for gift drawings, but must be present at the time of the drawing, at the conclusion of the event. Prizes will be an- nounced at 10:00 a.m. The registration fee is $20 for the public and $15 for students. The 10th annual 5K Run & Walk for Sight is sponsored by the College of Optometry of Pacific University and the For- est Grove Lions Club. Pro- ceeds will support scholarships for optometry students, funds for AMIGOS and eye care for those in financial need.