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The INDEPENDENT, August 17, 2011
Between the Bookends
by Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
Once again, thanks to those who
worked on the book sale, those who do-
nated books and those who bought books
at the recent book sale sponsored by the
Friends of the Library. This is the main
fund-raising event of this organization
whose main purpose is to provide support
for the library—its programs and its mate-
rials. Be assured that every item pur-
chased or program sponsored is given a
great deal of consideration, assuring that all proceeds are used to
best serve the needs of the library.
The success of this summer’s Reading Program can also be
attributed directly to the volunteers—their reliability and willing-
ness to undertake any task suggested by Jennifer Moloney and
Linda Johnston, and to the parents who faithfully brought their
youngsters to the programs and encouraged them in meeting
their reading goals.
The importance of those who help with library programs, with
cataloging materials, with shelving books, etc. is directly propor-
tional to the success of the library and cannot be stated ade-
quately, but do know that you are all appreciated. I must give pub-
lic recognition to Josette Mitchell, who took it upon herself to see
that the entire area outside the library was weeded and covered
with bark dust. Doesn’t it look fantastic?
Some new library acquisitions could also be considered “fan-
tastic”. Can you imagine what it would be like if you lost all of your
memories every time you went to sleep? In S. J. Watson’s novel,
Before I Go To Sleep, Christine awakes each morning with no
idea of who she is, where she is, or who is sleeping next to her.
Her husband starts each day by telling her the highlights of her
life and background of the trauma causing the memory loss. As
Christine secretly works with a new doctor and starts to document
each of her days in a journal, she makes discoveries that link her
story together and lead her to wonder if she can trust her hus-
band or even herself. The reader will quickly realize that this is
more than a psychological drama and is a suspenseful thriller and
a book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Iron House, the new thriller by two-time Edgar-winner, John
Hart, focuses on two brothers, Michael and Julian, who were
raised and abused at the Iron House, an orphanage in the moun-
tains of North Carolina. For two decades, Michael had been an
enforcer in the world of organized crime, but when he wants to
start life fresh with the woman he loves, escape from his past is
not easily achieved. Deceit and violence lead to the place he’s
been running from his whole life—Iron House. If you have en-
joyed Hart’s previous novels, you will not be disappointed in this,
his latest offering.
Heather Gudenkauf’s, These Things Hidden, is about secrets
which are revealed piece by piece as the story falls into place—
offering shocking things, long hidden, yet not expected. Begin-
ning with Allison’s release from prison, where she served time for
an unforgivable crime, the book is written from the viewpoints of
four different women, all linked to a little boy named Joshua.
These women have different ideas and motives driving them, with
the main objective of protecting Joshua and keeping him safe. I
think you will enjoy this book and be as surprised as I was with
the outcome.
My other recommendation for the month is Faith by Jennifer
Haigh. In this novel, set in the spring of 2002, many of Boston’s
trusted priests have been accused of betraying the young souls
in their care, with the devout McGann family becoming seriously
affected by the accusations. There are details of Catholicism es-
sential to the plot, but they don’t dominate this story of loyalty and
family, doubt and belief.
Even if you don’t find all of these suggestions as “fantastic” as
I did, they are all well-written novels encompassing a fairly wide
range of subject matters and are, at the very least, books for you
to consider on your next trip to the library.
Book discussion will take place Monday, August 29th at 5:30
with books by Eugene author Kate Wilhelm being discussed.
Many of her novels involve fictional lawyer Barbara Holloway.
She has also written science fiction, a book containing five novel-
las (Children of the Wind), and my favorite—The Good Children.
All interested people are invited to attend this informal group
which usually meets the last Monday of the month in the library.
Preschool Story time will resume in September and the After
School Program will resume in October.
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
Tips given for safe summer sales
Criminals are always looking
for opportunities to avail them-
selves of property, merchan-
dise or money that doesn’t be-
long to them. One of the best
ways to avoid becoming a vic-
tim is awareness. It is often
said that one must think like a
criminal in order to stay one
step ahead. While there might
be some truth in that state-
ment, the best solution is to re-
move the crime opportunities
that we unknowingly create for
criminals.
In the event that you’re plan-
ning a garage sale, here are a
few good tips to consider to
help you avoid personal, finan-
cial or physical harm, to your-
self, your family, and your prop-
erty:
1. When planning a garage
sale, consider inviting or joining
with other neighbors and have
a neighborhood-wide garage
sale. This will create neighbors
looking out for each other.
2. If possible, avoid conduct-
ing the garage sale alone.
Make it a family affair. Assign
family members to certain
tasks, i.e. one in charge of and
guarding the cash box; anoth-
er, assisting the customer; yet
another, observing and making
sure no one strays into areas of
your property that are “off lim-
its” to the public.
3. Make sure your garage is
clearly marked and directs peo-
ple to stay within a designated
area of the garage. Separate
items or areas that are not part
of the garage sale.
4. If possible, have a wire-
less or cell phone close by.
Avoid having to run into the
house to answer the phone. If
asked by a customer to use
your phone inside your house,
do not allow it. If it’s a real
emergency, place the call for
them.
5. If asked by a customer to
use your bathroom, do not
allow it. Remember, you proba-
bly have prescription drugs or
other personal medications in
your medicine cabinet that
strangers would have access
to if they entered your bath-
room.
6. Make sure you lock all
your doors (even from the
garage into your home) and
windows.
7. Do not leave the cash-box
unattended. Periodically take
large bills into a safe place in-
side your home and avoid dis-
playing large bills.
8. Do NOT accept personal
checks, PERIOD. Tell the cus-
tomer that you will hold the
item while he/she goes to the
bank or ATM and gets the cash.
Never accept 3rd party checks.
9. Report any person that
looks suspicious or is attempt-
ing to sell you merchandise.
10. Take everything back
into the garage after each day
of sales. Do not leave anything
outside.
Montana fans
to hold picnic
The 21 Annual Montana Pic-
nic on Saturday, August 27, will
be held at Woodland Horse-
show Park, west of I-5 on Go-
erig Road about 1/4 mile to the
south. If you lived in Montana,
were raised there, or just love
to visit Montana, you’re wel-
come to bring potluck and join
us with your family.
The picnic will be from 11
a.m. to dusk, or around 7:00
p.m. Neighbors with last names
that begin with A-J will bring a
main dish, K-P will bring
desserts of pies, cakes, cook-
ies or custards, Q-Z will bring a
salad or beverage. Bring serv-
ings for eight in your dish.
Please provide your own serv-
ing spoons and plastic knives,
forks and spoons. The Picnic
Committee will provide plates,
free coffee, fried chicken and
pop.
Bring the family. Enjoy a day
by the lake.