The INDEPENDENT, February 1, 2012
50 Years Ago
This Month
The February 15, 1962, is-
sue of the Vernonia Eagle in-
cluded the following news story
on the front page:
The Vernonia Planning Com-
mission recently re-activated by
the Vernonia city council, met
February 5 to begin study of a
number of problems confronting
the community. Those at the meet-
ing were Robert C. Lindsay, com-
mission president; B. J. Horn, H.
H. Sturdevant, Warren Aldrich, R.
J. Whaite and Louis Towne.
One of the things considered
was the former International Paper
company office which was given
to the city and for which suitable
use is being sought. Maintenance
of the building was considered and
figures presented by Horn showed
that it will cost an estimated $1100
to give the building two coats of
outside paint and one in; will cost
an estimated $400 a year for main-
tenance of building and $25 per
month for care of the grounds and
an estimated $50 for repair of the
door to the vault.
A letter from West Oregon
Electric company to the city coun-
cil was read which gave an esti-
mate of from $1300 to $2500 for
installation of electric heat in the
building, depending on the type of
heaters used. It is planned to get
estimates on an oil furnace, also.
Possible use of the building as
a combined library and museum
also was discussed.
Problems related to the ceme-
tery were discussed and the com-
mission is to make a survey before
the next meeting so they can be
considered further.
The matter of street naming
was discussed and President Lind-
say read the portions of the Ore-
gon law regarding the naming of
streets and roads. He also stated
that he had asked Leys McCarter
to trace a new map showing the
existing streets. This map will be
based on aerial photos and exist-
ing maps.
The problem of a building code
was discussed and Darrold Proehl
member of the county building
code committee, offered to assist
the city group with building code
problems. He is to be invited to the
next meeting of the commission to
discuss building codes.
Lindsay reported that the Scout
cabin was nearing completion and
that everyone should see it. His
opinion was that it warrants con-
tinuous maintenance by the city.
Page 9
Bits & Bites
By Jacqueline Ramsay
What do I miss each morning? Sharing
my breakfast toast with Shadow. The first
walk of the day to the “Green” for a
breathe of fresh air. The amble to the mail
box…and the 4 p.m. 14 block walks to
check out all of her favorite spots. Just
memories now.
They have been replaced by the antics
of Moxie (the cat), who was Shadow’s
pain-in-the-neck pal. If you’ve a cat that is
acting rather strange of late – take note. Are the geese flying over
your house of late? They are here and Moxie is going nuts, run-
ning from room to window to room trying to see what she can
hear, and having no luck she sits, neck craned, ears skyward,
gazing out of a bedroom window for whatever is making that
sound. Poor dear. It is entertaining, though.
A word on the weather – You’ve had wind, rain, snow and lights
out. I think I saw what they called snow, but by the time I adjust-
ed my glasses the rains came and flushed it all away. We have
wind and more rain. You shovel, I wade in concrete streams.
How was your Friday the 13th? I experienced another chapter
in my trip through the valley of the shadow of ?? For those of you
who have missed the first four chapters of the saga. Summer of
‘10, broken right wrist. Summer of ‘11, lost use of right index fin-
ger. Nov. 3 – surgery to correct and connect severed tendons in
right hand. (two months of therapy to regain use of hand and fin-
gers.) Dec. 2 – Severe ear infection in right ear (five weeks of
drugs and treatment in process acquired another infection – very
painful). This involved doctor appointments and minor surgery.
Then another slight problem with dialysis that turned out not to be
so slight.
Friday the 13th – developed a boil on my right hip, sooo…off
to my M.D. I went. I left the doctor’s office preceded by all the
bells and whistles a fire truck and an ambulance can create. It
seems it is the Law that if a patient needs to be transported from
a doctor’s office to a hospital, for any reason, 9-1-1 has to be
called. Got the picture? I had to be placed on the gurney and es-
corted into the ambulance. I felt stupid. Anyway, I arrived at said
hospital at 5:00 p.m., was pinched, punched, poked, temp. and
blood pressure taken and a list of nine things that were to start
Saturday a.m. plus my 3 hr., 15 min. kidney dialysis. No food, no
drink, I may need surgery. At this point, if you wish you may
choose to stop reading because this is a thumbnail account from
a patient’s view of mental, physical and first-hand what I thought,
think and feel as I lived through the next four days.
I add at this juncture that I did have lunch before I went to the
doctor. Vitals were taken and I was punched, poked, flipped,
flopped and with each new person I met, was asked, “What is
your name and date of birth?” Some even ask state, town, and
county. About 7 or 8 o’clock, I did manage to convince one aide I
needed something in my stomach as I was getting queasy. She
asked someone and I got a graham cracker and half an egg sal-
ad sandwich, and a little cranberry drink. Off to sleep, except
every two hours wake up for vitals to be taken so up to the water
closet I would stagger. Oh, yes, all this time I am hooked up to an
antibiotic drip. They had found the culprit – MRSA. My army of
help, two main doctors, one surgeon, two nephrologists, two dial-
ysis nurses, eight sets of nurses, aides, four housekeepers, one
chaplin, three or four surgery helpers and a technician for each
test or machine I was hooked up to. Nice, quiet, restful stay. Good
night. All in all very good, kind, thoughtful, and fun folk to have
around you. While helping you try and get to feeling like a human
being.
Saturday the fun began. But among all the good and helpful
stuff that went on, there is always the one thing that sets off one’s
blood pressure, right? In came a couple of physical therapy ladies
with their own set of “this is what you have to do.” I ask, “Why are
you here?” (thinking they are in the wrong room.) I say I have to
go to the bathroom first, please. One grabs the walker, plops it in
front of me, while the other starts slinging a 3” wide band around
my waist. Says me, “What are you doing?” I need to GO, so I
push the walker away and head for the room, lady trying to hand
on, me jerking away. Needless to say, by the time I go to where I
needed to to it was too late, the water hit the floor. Words were
exchanged. They left, understanding I was not in need of their
services as of yet.
Anyway, the day progressed. Dialysis done, off to surgery for
the boil on my hip. If you’ve never had one, you don’t want one.
Surgery was a success, back in my room they give me pain meds
(I had no pain at the time), then they brought me dinner (Ho, ho,
ho). Yes, I was hungry. Took three bites, thought UH, OH, hit the
bell “I’m going to…” too late. I did and for the next hour I shook
the bed. No more pain meds for me.
Sunday was quiet. Except for trying to figure out where and
what to do with me. Things were set up and all was good until
someone decided I was too capable to fit the rule to go to a part-
time care facility. I could walk, talk, think for myself. All I needed
was a person to care for my hip, daily, transport me to my dialy-
sis and give me my meds. Simple, yes, but…I was too capable.
(I guess I could go if I paid for it, but insurance would not cover
it.) It boiled down to a stalemate. The lady told me what was what
and that was it. I’d do so and so and say thank you. Sorry, my red
hair flared and I ordered her out, she sputtered, I repeated, “Get
out of my room. I’ll let you know in the morning what I will do.
Good night.”
I came home Monday, the 16th. Needless to say, my road back
is going to be slow. So, I’ll see you in the spring. I hope.
Pet of the Month
Find the pet that’s right for you at the Columbia Humane Society
2084 Oregon Street, St. Helens. Phone 503-397-4353
Open Mon - Fri 1 pm to 5 pm & Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm
Miniature Pinscher Mix
V ALLEY V ETERINARY C LINIC
R ABIES
S PECIAL
$
50
10
Per vaccine, per animal
Through February 2011
Thursdays
9 am - 5 pm
More about Ford
• Spayed/Neutered
• Up-to-date with routine shots
• Primary colors: Black, Yellow, Tan,
Blond or Fawn
• Coat length: Short
The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter
dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985.
This Month’s Pet is Sponsored by:
1-503-556-3084
58376 Nehalem Hwy. S. Vernonia
Ford likes going for walks (it will also help
him to shed the few extra pounds) so if
you are looking for a nice, smaller-sized
walking buddy and best friend, Ford is
your guy. He will be a wonderful compan-
ion for an adopter who can give him lots
of love and continue his training.
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