The INDEPENDENT, February 15, 2012
First Fridays end, new plans underway
For five years, First Friday
has been a hallmark of Vernon-
ia’s summer season. The
events, held the first Friday of
every month from May through
October, were designed to be a
celebration of arts and commu-
nity. Visitors were able to enjoy
educational demonstrations;
the talent of local artists,
crafters and musicians; Scout-
ing and children’s activities;
and connecting with friends
and neighbors. It was a gather-
ing of community that was en-
joyed by all – visitors, vendors
and volunteers alike.
Declining attendance at First
Friday events has piqued inter-
est in finding a new way to
serve the original mission of
bringing art and community to-
gether in Vernonia. As a result,
First Friday is disbanding and
its committed volunteers are
joining forces with the umbrella
organization
—
Vernonia
Hands-On Art Center, a 501(c)
(3) non-profit — to host three
events in the upcoming year.
The updated vision includes a
focus on local art and artists,
collaboration with other com-
munity organizations, creative
activities for children, as well as
opportunities for adults to visit.
Plans for 2012 include an ex-
panded celebration as part of
the Junior Salmon Auction in
May, a New Year’s Eve gala,
and another yet to be deter-
mined event. Stay tuned for de-
tails.
For those who will miss the
beautiful products of local
crafters, be sure to stop by the
new Made in Vernonia store,
where you can view and pur-
chase a variety of unique items
from a selection that continues
to grow and change.
We are looking forward to an
exciting new year. If you’re in-
terested in volunteering or
would like more info, please
contact Erika Paleck at 503-
704-5970, or epaleck@gmail.
com.
Free dinner for community on Feb. 18
Vernonia Pioneer Baptist
Fellowship is a relatively new,
growing church. It meets at the
Middle School Cafeteria on
Sundays (where you see the
No Perfekt Peoples banner),
with Sunday School for chil-
dren and adults at 9:00 a.m.,
and the main service at 11:00
a.m.
At the recent Thanksgiving
Community Dinner (with the
cooperation of the Vernonia
Community Church), Pioneer
Baptist provided a meal to ap-
proximately 130-140 people.
That success led to the deci-
sion to begin a church out-
reach. This year, members of
the Pioneer Baptist Fellowship
plan to provide at least one hot
meal each month, at no
charge, to anyone who would
like to attend. The first meal will
be on Saturday, February 18,
from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the
Scout Cabin in Hawkins Park.
The menu is simple: Hearty
Chicken Noodle Soup (a great
recipe), bread, and dessert. In
the next few months, there will
be a Chili Feed, a Beef Stew
dinner, and – when the weath-
er warms up – even a barbe-
cue or two!
We look forward to seeing
you at the Scout Cabin on the
18th. Bring your appetites and
your smiles – everything else
will be provided!
Poster contest now accepting entries
The Blues Committee and
United Way of Columbia Coun-
ty would like to invite you to
participate in a contest to pro-
vide the art for the Fifth Annual
Blues Benefit Festival “Rhythm
on the River”.
The contest is open to all
Columbia County residents,
and is a benefit for United Way
of Columbia County.
• All entries must be original
art and suitable for a family ori-
ented event.
• All art must be a maximum
of 10” wide x 9” high, and be
signed and dated by the artist.
• Theme is “Rhythm on the
River” (6th annual), please in-
clude theme in art.
• Artists are encouraged to
include event title and location;
Rhythm on the River 6th Annu-
al Blues Benefit, Clatskanie
City Park, Saturday, July 28.
• Entries must be received
by March 23, by 1:00 p.m.
Send or deliver entries to:
United Way of Columbia Coun-
ty, Attention: Blues Festival Art,
P.O. Box 538, 305 W 3rd St.,
Rm 16, Rainier, OR 97048.
Please phone ahead if you are
dropping off, 503-556-3614.
• Original art may also be
sent in a high quality jpg format
suitable for reproduction, to
uwcc@hotmail.com with Blues
See page 19 for
Mariolino’s
article on the
Columbia County
Empty Bowls
Poster Contest in the subject
line.
• Include contact information
when submitting work.
All entries become the prop-
erty of the Rhythm on the River
Blues Committee and United
Way. Entries will be used to
raise funds. All proceeds go to
United Way of Columbia Coun-
ty.
The Event Committee will
judge the entries and the entry
of the first place winner will be
displayed as the 6th annual
event poster. There will be a
$50 award for first place, $25
each for second and third
place.
Hungry?
erving
S
w
o
N
New Lunch Specials!
event.
721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018
Page 7
Senior Center News
It’s time to renew your annual membership in the Vernonia Se-
nior Center, or to join for the first time. Vernonia area residents,
age 50 and over, are eligible, and the $15.00 membership fee
provides many important services for our community.
The regular schedule of center activities and services includes:
• Lunch on 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.
• Breakfast for all ages on Fridays from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., at
$3.50 per person. Maple bars made fresh daily are $1.00 each.
• Free blood pressure checks on the 4th Wednesday of each
month from 11 a.m. to noon.
• Foot care on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
Call Marilyn Albro, R.N., at 503-429-0406 for an appointment.
Foot care is $15.00.
• Quilters and other needle workers gather on Tuesdays, any
time from 10:30 to closing.
• The Golden Oldies entertain on Wednesdays (weather per-
mitting) from before lunch until closing.
Card games on Fridays starting at 1:00 p.m.
Vernonia Senior Citizens Center: 446 Bridge Street
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
Welcome Additions
Alba Raye Caspers
Alba Raye Caspers was
born January 19, 2012, the first
child of Pete and Jayme
Caspers of Peosta, Iowa. She
weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces
and was 20.5 inches long.
Grandparents are Keith and
Allyson Cameron of Vernonia,
Kathy and Warren Bell of Gale-
na, Illinois, Rusty and Cheryl
Caspers of Anamosa, Iowa,
and Julie and Brad Hansen of
Olin, Iowa.
Great-grandmother is Violet
Cameron of Vernonia.
