The INDEPENDENT, October 5, 2011
Page 7
Senior Center News
Left to right, Ron Larson and Russ George were honored
with Life Saving Awards from the OSMB. Photo courtesy of
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
CCSO Sgt. earns life saving award
Life Saving Awards were
presented to Columbia County
Sheriff Sergeant Russ George
and Rainier Police Officer Ron
Larson by the Oregon State
Marine Board (OSMB) at their
annual end-of-season confer-
ence on September 26.
George and Larson rescued
two men from the Columbia
River, on May 10, after the
men’s canoe capsized near
Prescott Beach. Residents of
the area called 9-1-1 after
hearing screams for help com-
ing from the river. George and
Power outages
explained
Vernonians have experi-
enced a number of power
“blinks” and one outage in the
past week.
The outage last week, last-
ing over one hour, came after
three short “blinks” and was
caused by a lightening arrestor
failure. When the arrestor
stopped working altogether, the
power went out until the part
could be replaced.
The “blink” that occurred on
the morning of October 3, just
after 6:30 a.m., was from an
unknown problem. West Ore-
gon
Electric
Cooperative
(WOEC) General Manager
Marc Farmer said this “blink”
was most probably caused by a
tree limb bouncing off a line at
an unknown location. WOEC
contacted Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA) and was
told that BPA was not having
any problems with the trans-
mission lines to our area.
Larson launched a boat and
pulled the two men from the riv-
er. The men were in a semi-
conscious state and suffering
from hypothermia. Both recov-
ered.
“I am very honored to work
with such dedicated public
safety professionals,” said
Sheriff Jeff Dickerson. “Even
with the reduced resources we
have to provide public safety
services in our county, it is peo-
ple like Ron and Russ who
make a difference every day for
good in our county.”
Halloween is near and kids aren’t the only
ones who look forward to some fall fun. The Ver-
nonia Senior Center’s annual Halloween Party
will be on Monday, Oct. 31. All who want to join
in the fun are urged to come in costume. Cos-
tumes will be judged and prizes will be awarded;
there will also be grab bags. On the 31st, Ver-
nonia will be hosting the 5 Area Lunch, so there
may be costumed visitors from other senior cen-
ters, as well. Incidentally, you don’t have to be a
member, or even a senior citizen to enjoy the
party and have lunch.
Speaking of Halloween, if you need Hal-
loween costumes or decorations, there are
many choices available in the senior center
Thrift Shop, and at great prices. If you’re plan-
ning a Halloween party, now is the time to start
making preparations. The Thrift Shop is open
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m., best of all is the half-price sale during the
first two weeks of October!
Gray, drizzly days can be a depressing re-
minder that winter is on its way. If you want a
more congenial atmosphere, join us for your
midday meal any Monday through Friday at
noon. A $4.00 donation is suggested for those
60 and older, and $5.00 for those under 60. If
you just want a well-prepared meal to go, it’s
only $5.00; call ahead and place your order.
If you enjoy Bingo, you can also have fun
while you eat lunch. Diners play free Bingo each
Monday starting at 11:45 a.m.
The center’s Board of Directors meets on the
second Friday of each month at 10 a.m. Your
questions and/or suggestions are welcomed.
Vernonia Senior Citizens Center:
446 Bridge Street
Hours: Monday through Friday,
10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Senior Information Assistance Rep:
Rosie McCoy
Thrift Shop Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 503-429-3912
Police Chief Garcia killed 40 years ago
Forty years ago, on October
1, 1971, Vernonia Chief of Po-
lice Raymond Garcia was shot
Welcome Additions
Annelle Paige
Sedlmeyer
Free hearing checks will be performed at the
center by a representative of Columbia Hearing
Aids on the third Monday of each month, 1-2:00
p.m. No appointment needed.
Foot Care is scheduled on the second and
fourth Fridays of each month, at $15 per person.
Call Marilyn Albro, R.N., for an appointment, at
503-429-0406.
Other activities include needle work of all
kinds. If you’re currently working on a quilt, cro-
cheting an afghan, knitting a sweater, or any oth-
er needlework project, bring your project to the
Senior Center on Tuesdays, any time from 10:30
a.m. to closing, and enjoy the company of others
as you work.
Don’t forget that great breakfasts are avail-
able Fridays at the Senior Center, from 7:30 to
9:00 a.m. Breakfast for all ages is just $3.50 per
person. Maple bars are made fresh daily for
$1.00 each! If you want maple bars for a gather-
ing of any kind, call 503-429-3912 a day or two
ahead and place your order.
Breads and pastries of many kinds are avail-
able daily at the center. There is no charge
though donations are accepted.
Berry-
and killed while making a traffic
stop on E. Bridge St., at 7:50
p.m., on his way back to the
police station to finish his shift.
An 80-year-old man got out
of the car Garcia stopped and
shot Garcia with a .22 caliber
pistol. Garcia also fired his
weapon and killed the 80-year-
old.
Garcia was a 26-year-old
Vietnam veteran at the time of
his death and had been with
the Vernonia Police Depart-
ment three years. He was sur-
vived by his wife and baby
daughter.
Contra dance at grange on Oct. 7
Annelle
Paige
Berry-
Sedlmeyer was born August
12, 2011. She weighed 5
pounds, 4 ounces and was 19
inches long.
Ian James Berry-Sedlmey-
er
Ian James Berry-Sedlmeyer
was born August 12, 2011. He
weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces
and was 19 inches long.
Twins Annelle Page and Ian
James were born to Lynn Berry
and Jerrid Sedlmeyer of Ver-
nonia.
Grandparents are Lyla Berry
of Beaverton, Bill Berry of El
Cajon, California, Barbara and
John Sedlmeyer of Johnstown,
Pennsylvania.
A Contra Dance will be held
October 7, from 8:00 to 10:00
p.m., at the Vernonia Grange,
397 North St.
The caller will be Stephanie
Noll and admission is $5 per
person or $15 per family. The
dance is sponsored by the Ver-
nonia Prevention Coalition. All
ages and levels of experience
are welcome to attend.
Mariolino’s
Watch for our
New Soups &
Daily Specials
721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018