The INDEPENDENT, November 18, 2010 Spirit of Christmas arrives Dec. 4 On Saturday, December 4, come out and celebrate the The Spirit of Christmas in Ver- nonia Celebration. All of Ver- nonia has come together to create a nostalgic day that is reminiscent of Christmases long ago. The celebration will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will take place throughout downtown (Bridge Street) Vernonia. Events on this family-friendly day include a live Nativity, trav- eling carolers, hot cider, music, a choir performance, hot cho- colate, period costumes, Christmas storytelling, Vernon- ia Coffee, and a holiday baked goods competition. Stop by and see the Christmas Bazaar at Vernonia Middle School. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available in the downtown-area. Local busi- nesses will be offering special discounts to assist with your holiday shopping. In addition to these events, there will be two fundraisers; collecting non- perishable food for Vernonia Cares food bank, and cash do- nations for our Community Closet. At 6:00 p.m. attendees will be treated to a lighted parade. Kicking it off will be local pets followed by decorated floats, and finishing with everyone’s favorite, lighted log trucks. A tree lighting ceremony will complete the day’s events. Pro- grams will be available at downtown businesses or in lo- cal papers. Come enjoy an old fash- ioned Christmas celebration. For more information, check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/The -Spirit-of-Christmas-in-Vernon- ia-Oregon, or contact Marilyn Nicks at 503-429-0335. Still time to help fill food boxes Registration is still open for Vernonia Cares Christmas holi- day food boxes. The applica- tion deadline is December 7. Boxes will be distributed on December 21 at Vernonia Cares, and will include the ba- sic groceries needed for a Christmas meal. To apply, call 503-429-1414 and leave mail- ing information. Anyone who can help fill a box is encouraged to do so. You can donate money or a turkey at Vernonia Sentry any day, or at Vernonia Cares on Tuesdays and Thursdays be- tween 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., or mail checks to Vernon- ia Cares Food Bank, P.O. Box 126, Vernonia, OR 97064. Tax deductible donation receipts are available upon request. The annual Christmas Bazaar is just around the cor- ner and the Vernonia Chapter of P.E.O. is getting ready to participate with the Christmas Wreath sale. P.E.O. has en- joyed having a table at the bazaar for many years. This is P.E.O.’s biggest fund-raiser; every cent of our profit from the bazaar goes toward helping women of all ages reach their educational goals. That’s what P.E.O is all about! The cost is the same as pre- vious years ($18.00) for a nice, big, exceptionally fresh wreath, ready to hang. There’s nothing quite like that aroma of fir and cedar hanging on your front door! Wreaths are sold on a pre- order basis, and you should plan to pay when you order. You may pick up your wreath at the bazaar. (And, you can take a look at our craft items and goodies while you are there!) There will be a limited number of wreaths sold at the bazaar, so it’s a good idea to order ahead. Contact Mary Tolonen at 503-429-4814, to place an order, or for more information. We will see you at the bazaar, December 4 and 5 at the Vernonia Middle School Cafeteria (green building). Page 7 Senior Center News Don’t let flu catch you unprepared. If you haven’t already had a flu shot, you can get it to- morrow, Friday, November 19, from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Vernonia Senior Center. The vaccine is being provided by Columbia County Public Health, and the clinic is for all ages. The cost is $10 per person, but will be free for those who can’t afford the $10. Needle workers get together Tuesdays at the center, from 10:30 a.m. to closing. Bring your project to the center on Tuesdays and enjoy the company of others as you work. See’s Candy bars are being sold for $2.00 each as a fund raiser for the center. Don’t miss these special sweet treats. The next Supper and Game Night is Saturday, November 20, starting at 5:00 p.m. Supper will be Pot Luck, so bring your favorite dish and join the fun. The senior center will close for Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26. Friday af- ternoon games will continue, however, because Rosie McCoy will open the center at 1:00 p.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Only the games will be scheduled, no other center services or ac- tivities will be available. Free blood pressure checks are available on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. The free hearing checks provided by Colum- bia Hearing Aids will not be available during the winter. We’ll let you know as soon as they are rescheduled. The Golden Oldies entertain every Wednes- day from mid-morning until around 2:00 p.m. If you haven’t taken time to listen this group, you’re missing some great entertainment. Lunch is served at the center, Monday through Friday, at noon. A $4.00 donation is suggested for those 60 and older, and $5.00 for those under 60. Lunch to go is $5.00; call ahead and place your order. Free ice cream is included with lunch on the last Wednesday of each month, courtesy of Wauna Federal Credit Union. Breakfast is available on Fridays (except Nov. 26) from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Open to all ages. breakfast is just $3.50 per person. Maple bars are made fresh daily for $1.00 each. If you want maple bars for a gathering, call 503-429-3912 a day or two ahead and place your order. Bread and pastries are often available at the center. Come take a look, your favorites may be here. Before we know it, the Christmas season will be here, and the senior center will join in the community-wide festivities with a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4-5 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tables may be rented for the weekend for $10.00. Vendors may set up on Friday, Dec. 3 until 4:00 p.m., or on Saturday morning starting at 8:00 a.m. Call Pauline for more information. Lunch (hot dogs or chili dogs, chips and pop) will be available both days. December foot care will be on Friday, Dec.10, and Tuesday, Dec. 21. Call Marilyn Albro, R.N., for an appointment, at 503-429-0406. Foot care is $15.00. The 5 Area Lunch is not held during Novem- ber and December. Vernonia Senior Citizens Center: 446 Bridge Street Senior Information Assistance Rep: Rosie McCoy Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thrift Shop Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone: 503-429-3912 Local author at Skein Slayers set next meeting The Skein Slayers will meet hats and scarves for students P.E.O. now selling their wreaths Library, Nov. 29 November 22, from 6:00 to at Vernonia schools, while Local author Cathy Lamb will be at the Vernonia Public Library on Monday, November 29, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss her latest novel, Such a Pretty Face. Lamb is also the author of Julia’s Chocolates, Henry’s Sisters and The Last Time I Was Me. The public is encouraged to attend, meet Lamb, and enjoy a lively discussion about her books. Choose to make each day a magnificent/marvelous Monday, terrific/tantalizing Tuesday, wonderful/wahoo Wednesday, thrilling Thursday, fabulous/fantastic/fun Friday, super/splendid/soothing/satisfying Saturday and Sunday. Lee Anne Krause, Future Directer for the The Pampered Chef leeannekrause@gmail.com 503-816-9810 www.pamperedchef.biz/leeannekrause 7:30 p.m. at the Vernonia Com- munity Learning Center (VCLC). Skein Slayers is open to anyone who already knows how to knit or crochet, regard- less of age. The group meets to make building friendships at the same time. Future meetings will be held on the second and fourth Mon- day of each month, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the VCLC. You are Invited by the family of County Commissioner, Rita Bernhard, to a Retirement Farewell Gathering Saturday, November 20th, 5 p.m. At the Elks 350 Belton Rd St. Helens Light appetizers and a no-host bar will be available. Bring a can of food for the Columbia Pacific Food Bank and your well wishes for a lady who deserves many thanks for her years of service to Columbia County!