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The INDEPENDENT, November 16, 2011
Between the Bookends
by Nancy Burch, Librarian
Vernonia Public Library
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiv-
ing, the library staff would like to share our
appreciation for several recent examples
of assistance from the community and
from Oregon non-profit organizations.
Several library lovers spent a recent Sat-
urday sprucing up the library—inside and
outside. Thanks to these diligent volun-
teers, the windows are now sparkling
clean; the sidewalks no longer have built-
up moss and green goo; weeds have been pulled and shrubs
have been trimmed; the pillars have no crayon, foot or bicycle tire
marks; the gutters and entire outside of the building are dirt and
bug free.
Those in attendance at the Oregon Humanities sponsored dis-
cussion on censorship in literature deserve recognition for their
participation and knowledgeable input during this event, and
Reed College Professor Pancho Savery deserves sincere thanks
for giving Oregonians the opportunity to discuss such an impor-
tant topic.
In addition to the grant recently received from the Columbia
County Cultural Coalition to assist with Vernonia’s 2012 Commu-
nity Reads, the library has received a grant in the amount of
$5145 from the Meyer Memorial Trust to convert all of the news-
papers to digital format. This will allow patrons to search the local
newspapers (beginning with The Eagle in 1922 through the pres-
ent publications) by date and keywords. For instance, by typing in
“flood”, “windstorm” or “Lincoln Grade School”, all items with
those keywords should appear and be easily printed. As the con-
ditions of these grants are met and the projects are completed,
the community will be notified and will be encouraged to enjoy the
results of these activities and resources.
The parents of the preschoolers and after school youngsters
deserve special thanks for encouraging their children to partici-
pate in these enjoyable learning activities and for continuing to
provide assistance however it is needed. Sincere appreciation is
expressed to VPC and Friends of the Library for continuing to
provide snacks and materials for these programs.
The ability to add new, eagerly anticipated books to the collec-
tion is something for which a librarian is always grateful. Books
for young readers are especially enjoyable and include such titles
as I’m a Turkey, Run Turkey Run, Too Many Turkeys, Albu-
querque Turkey and The Littlest Pilgrim. Young adult readers will
be glad to hear that Christopher Paolini’s fourth and final novel
about Alagaesia, Inheritance, is now available, as is Ally Condie’s
Crossed. Adults will be happy to know that The Wedding Quilt by
Jennifer Chaiverini, The Litigators by John Grisham, and 1225
Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber, are now ready to be
checked out.
The movie for the month and book for discussion are both For-
rest Gump. Movie will be shown on Thursday, November 17 at
6:30 p.m., and the discussion group will meet Monday, November
28 at 5:30 p.m.
Smile and be thankful! Happy Thanksgiving
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
Internet: library@vernonia-or.gov
Are you looking for a new doctor?
With Providence Medical
Group leaving Vernonia at the
end of December, some pa-
tients may wish to find new
providers. Dr. Sheridan Thirin-
ger, who practiced in Vernonia
from 1964 to 1967 and still
lives here, offered the following
information on doctors in the
area who may be willing to take
new patients from Vernonia.
(Be sure to mention you live in
Vernonia.) All of these pro-
viders can also refer to other
specialists in the area:
• Tuality Orenco Station in
Hillsboro (503-597-3130) has
physicians in Internal Medicine
and Rheumatology,
• Tuality Westside Medical
Clinic (503-439-8219) has Or-
thopedists, Internal Medicine
and Pediatricians,
• Dr. McCarthy (503-693-
8007),
• Maple Street Clinic (503-
357-2136) in Forest Grove (see
advertisement on page 17 of
The Independent),
• Geneva Health Clinic, Dr.
Steward (503-992-0288) in
Forest Grove.
• Dr. Bryan Miller, D.O. (503-
648-8210) in Hillsboro.
This is not a complete list,
other providers in the area may
also be accepting Vernonia pa-
tients.
Oregon Health Plan patients
should check with their case
manager if they would like to
see a doctor outside of Colum-
bia County.
The Mist-Birkenfeld Rural
Fire District and Public Health
will host a flu-shot walk-in clinic
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, November 22, at the
Banzer Road Fire House,
69500 Banzer Road in Mist.
The fee is $15 but may be
reduced on a sliding scale,
based on ability to pay.
The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention recom-
mends that people six months
of age and older should get the
flu vaccine. The vaccine is also
important for people who are at
higher risk of severe influenza
and their close contacts, in-
cluding healthcare personnel
and close contacts of children
younger than six months.
Those who are vaccinated
are protected, and also may
avoid spreading influenza to
others.
More information is avail-
able from the CDC website,
www. cdc.gov/flu . Anyone with
questions about whether or not
they should be vaccinated
should contact his or her physi-
cian.
Columbia County
Domestic Abuse
Mental Health
Hotline
800-294-5211
503-397-6161
-----------------
or
Suicide Hotline
866-397-6161
1-800-
-----------------
784-2433
or
1-800-273-
503-901-1705
Flu shot clinic in
Mist scheduled
TALK(8255)
Military Helpline
888-HLP-4-VET
(888-457-4838)