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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 2012)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, September 19, 2012 Between the Bookends by Nancy Burch, Librarian Vernonia Public Library Just over twenty-four years ago, in August of 1988, I was interviewed by library board members DeDe Webb, Clau- dine East, Bob Sargent and Mercedes Proehl, as a possi- ble replacement for librarian Sandy Nimz. I then returned home and anxiously awaited a phone call telling me of the board’s decision. This position had become vacant at a rather crucial time in my life, as Errold had been liv- ing and working in Vernonia for a year while I was still living and working in Newport. This arrangement of driving back and forth on weekends was not working, and we were faced with making decisions that would have been far from ideal. So, I was thrilled beyond be- lief when a phone call from Claudine East gave me the news that I would become Vernonia’s next librarian. That twenty-four years has given me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Vernonia while experiencing the difficulties and pleasures of living in this unique community. In short, these past years in Vernonia have been exceedingly rewarding and I am grateful to that original library board, all of the succeeding ones, library patrons, and city staff for having been given this opportunity to serve as librarian. As of September 1, 2012, my position will now be part time, as an assis- tant to interim librarian Jennifer Moloney. At least for the time being, I will continue to write these articles for The Independent and include a little library nostalgia as well as book reviews, and events taking place in the library. Dirk and Noni Andersen as well as Clark and Rebecca McGaugh have my eternal gratitude for allowing me freedom to communicate with readers of this paper. It has always felt like I was just talking to people through these articles. While on vacation this past week, I read four re- markable, but different novels. Portland resident Amanda Coplin has written a beautiful debut novel, The Orchardist, set at the turn of the twentieth centu- ry in the rural Pacific Northwest. William Talmadge tends to apples and apricots as if they were loved ones, until the lonely harmony of his life is disrupted by two feral, scared, and very pregnant teenage girls. Just as the girls begin to trust him, men arrive with guns, setting Tal- madge on an irrevocable course to save them and to 503-901-1705 reconcile the ghosts of his own troubled past. topic. Movie night on Thursday, September 27 at 6:30 Set in rural North Carolina, Wiley Cash’s first novel will feature the corresponding film. is told in 3 voices: Jess, who wanted to protect his Friends of the Library will meet Tuesday, October 2 mute brother, Stump; Adelaide, the town midwife who at 6:30. knew the evil that controlled the church and tried to Special displays of challenged or banned books will protect the children from it; and Clem, the town sheriff be in the library from September 30 to October 6, with sad and unspeakable burdens of his own to bear. 2012. This is a week designated by the American Li- When Stump snoops and sees something he should- brary Association that celebrates the First Amendment n’t, events follow that have disastrous consequences. freedom to read. Each year the ALA receives hun- A Land More Kind Than Home is a powerful novel dreds of reports on books and other materials that filled with love, forgiveness, sadness, tragedy and were “challenged”. Titles range from the Bible to John pure evil. Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, with the most “chal- The Prophet by Michael Koryta is a crime novel, a lenged” titles being those in the Harry Potter series of suspense novel, and a novel about football and fami- fantasy books by J. K. Rowling. An informal discussion ly relationships. (How many times will you find all of of challenged and banned books will take place Thurs- those topics in one novel?) In the center of the story day, October 6 at 6:30 in the library. The public is en- are the Austin brothers, one a down-and-out parole of- couraged to attend. ficer and the other an upstanding high school football Also, be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, coach. Their small Ohio town is torn apart by terror as October 20 at 4:00 p.m. for a discussion in the library persons associated with the local high school football of “From Print to Pixels”. This is an Oregon Humani- team turn up missing or dead. As details emerge that ties program which will ask the questions: “In what connect the crime to the Austin brothers, the two must ways do e-books change the act of reading and, as resolve their troubled issues of the past and unite to reading becomes a predominantly digital experience, stop a killer what effects might this have on writing and our inter- My favorite—the one that moved me to tears is The actions with information overall?” This is a very perti- Light Between Oceans, by Australian novelist M. L. nent topic today, as a recent report showed that Ama- Stedman. Following four harrowing years spent serv- zon sold more e-books than print books. ing on the Western Front during World War I, Tom Sherbourne takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Vernonia Public Library: 701 Weed Avenue isolated Janus Rock where the supply boat comes Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. only once a season and shore leaves are granted Tues., Thu. 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. every other year. To this secluded island, Tom brings Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. a young wife, Isabel. After several years, during which Preschool Story Time: Mondays, 10:30 a.m. Isabel has been unable to have children, a boat wash- Phone: 503-429-1818 es ashore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Against Tom’s better judgment, they claim the baby girl as their own and name her Lucy. When they return to the mainland af- ter two years, they find that their choice in keeping Lucy has caused devastation to another, thus creating a difficult moral Columbian Toastmasters, a Contestants for table topics will dilemma for the couple. This is a beautiful- chapter of Toastmasters Inter- be as follows: Frank Hupp of ly descriptive novel with extraordinarily national, will be holding their Columbia City, Blanch Katz of compelling characters. club contest on Thursday, Sep- St. Helens and Leslie Seeberg- Book discussion will be on Monday, tember 20, at 12:00 p.m., at er of Vernonia. The winner of September 24 at 5:30 with Francine Americas Best Value Inn (for- each contest will speak at the Rivers’ novel, The Last Sin Eater, as the mally the Village Inn) on Hwy. area contest on Wednesday, 30 in St Helens. This is an op- October 3, beginning at 6:45 portunity for you to see how a p.m. at the Canterbury Park Toastmasters club can improve 2nd floor conference room, your speaking, speech giving 1335 3rd Ave, in Longview, skills, and confidence, as well Washington. Two winners from as providing you with an hour each contest will then move on or more worth of free entertain- to the Northern Division con- ment. test, on October 20, at the Competing in the humorous Clark Public Utilities District speech contest will be Miles Building. Wickstrom of Vernonia, Ronda The public is very much wel- Holdridge of Columbia City, come and encouraged to at- and Peggy Helgerson of Scap- tend these events. Please feel poose. These talented speak- free to come by, meet the ers should keep everyone in speakers, and enjoy the con- stitches throughout their short test. For more information on speeches. Following the formal the contest or the Columbia speeches, three contestants Toastmasters call 503-429- will compete in table topics, a 0532 or visit us at http: fast and often outrageous //6421.toastmastersclub.org . story telling event. Each con- Columbia Toastmasters testant will be given the same meets every Thursday at noon topic, and challenged to give a at America’s Best Value Inn, one- to two-minute response, 535 South Columbia River always with hilarious results. See Toastmaster, page 14 All are invited to Toastmasters club contest of speeches Columbia County Mental Health Domestic Abuse 800-294-5211 ----------------- 503-397-6161 Suicide Hotline 1-800- 866-397-6161 784-2433 or Military Helpline 1-800-273- TALK(8255) Hotline or ----------------- 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838)