Independence Days proves a success to the surprise of no one, a rundown of the 4th of July
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
A final parade appearance by Independence Mayor John McArdle, a better-than-ever talent show at Riverview Amphitheater and joyful noises that included marching band music, ear-piercing air horns, copious clapping and horse whinnies.
It was all part of Independence Days’ Fourth of July, where a heat wave waited to hit with force until after the festivities and crowd-drawing sales of elephant ears were rivaled by a clamor for big bushes of cotton-candy.
New highlights occurred throughout the day.
A hitch-less parade. This year’s parade seemed to happen without a hitch, starting at noon sharp near WOU and proceeding down Monmouth Street. The air filled with music from the Central High School band, the Western Oregon University instrumental ensemble and Manuia’s Hawaiian-themed Mele.
CHS cheerleaders performed their traditional chants and moves, plus a little relief to parade-watchers, too – shooting them with sprays of water along the route.
Mayor John McArdle waved to crowds, in a gesture that might be considered by some to be both a hello and a goodbye – he’s announced he is not seeking re-election this fall. However, in a Jeep decorated with her name, Independence City Councilor Kate Schwarzler proclaimed her bid for mayor on an attached placard.
In a sudden moment of fearful silence, some bystanders watched a small group of horses react to motorcyclists rumbling right behind them – inciting one to turn quickly in a complete circle and a few others to neigh loudly. Sensing a close call, David Lindley of Monmouth breathed a sigh of relief. “I was concerned for those riders, and concerned for the horses,” he said.
A float covered with hand-crafted paper flowers by the Women of Independence & Monmouth, WIM, reminded local farmer Tammee Stump of her childhood days as a tyke watching the parade. “It was reminiscent of the floats I remember, which were covered in crepe paper and took a long time to get ready,” she said.
Good vibes everywhere. Those who gathered along Independence’s Main Street to watch the last leg of the parade were happy, energetic, enthusiastic and children were so excited that there was a whole lotta shakin’ going on by toddlers to the beat of the periodic blasts of music from the bands.
The great chair controversy – an online debate in the days leading up to the parade about the appropriateness of lining up chairs for viewing and cordoning them off – faded into a distant past, replaced by non-stop smiles as people greeted one another.
“It’s entertaining to see how the chairs spontaneously sprung up like July flowers, which some found junky, but I always find a quaint, small-town signal that here comes the Fourth,” said one attendee.
From his cotton-candy-spinning stand by his family’s store, Melting Pot Candy, Preston Andrews called it a time for enjoying an annual sentimental journey. Looking at the strands of rainbow colors he was weaving into a large sugary wad, he remarked: “I feel like I am selling a piece of nostalgia, not just something sweet to eat.”
The hits kept coming. This year's Independence Days Talent Show marked the biggest one to date. In 2017, Vidal Pena was tapped to put together a talent show as part of the Independence Days activities.
That year, there were eight acts competing for a trophy. This year, three different age groups competed for their share of the prize money of $1500.
"Getting a monetary sponsorship, this year by the Independence Hotel’s Territory Restaurant, makes a big difference to get contestants interested," Pena said. "The show continues to get bigger but still features mostly local talent of all ages," he added.
This year, the acts were booked up a couple of weeks ago, which had never happened before. “Usually the day of, I am still accepting acts," Pena said.
This year they included ballet and tap dancers, guitar soloists, singers, and country and rock bands – even an 11-year-old standup comic. Many of the contestants have been performing since they were very young, while others took the stage for the very first time. “It takes courage to put yourself out there,” Pena said, noting that he loves “being a part of these people's journey to stardom.”
Pena shared a recap of the top three in each division.
Kids
1st-Lilian H. - Singer
2nd-Ady D - Singer
3rd-Rylan R – Dancer
Teens
1st-Wildflower Wranglers - Dance group
2nd-Chloe L- Guitar/Singer
3rd-Beef Chicken – Band
Adults
1st-Isabel Toledo - Singer
2nd-Sheri Lynn & The Back-ups - Band
3rd-Matt Lewis - Rapper ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
A final parade appearance by Independence Mayor John McArdle, a better-than-ever talent show at Riverview Amphitheater and joyful noises that included marching band music, ear-piercing air horns, copious clapping and horse whinnies.
It was all part of Independence Days’ Fourth of July, where a heat wave waited to hit with force until after the festivities and crowd-drawing sales of elephant ears were rivaled by a clamor for big bushes of cotton-candy.
New highlights occurred throughout the day.
A hitch-less parade. This year’s parade seemed to happen without a hitch, starting at noon sharp near WOU and proceeding down Monmouth Street. The air filled with music from the Central High School band, the Western Oregon University instrumental ensemble and Manuia’s Hawaiian-themed Mele.
CHS cheerleaders performed their traditional chants and moves, plus a little relief to parade-watchers, too – shooting them with sprays of water along the route.
Mayor John McArdle waved to crowds, in a gesture that might be considered by some to be both a hello and a goodbye – he’s announced he is not seeking re-election this fall. However, in a Jeep decorated with her name, Independence City Councilor Kate Schwarzler proclaimed her bid for mayor on an attached placard.
In a sudden moment of fearful silence, some bystanders watched a small group of horses react to motorcyclists rumbling right behind them – inciting one to turn quickly in a complete circle and a few others to neigh loudly. Sensing a close call, David Lindley of Monmouth breathed a sigh of relief. “I was concerned for those riders, and concerned for the horses,” he said.
A float covered with hand-crafted paper flowers by the Women of Independence & Monmouth, WIM, reminded local farmer Tammee Stump of her childhood days as a tyke watching the parade. “It was reminiscent of the floats I remember, which were covered in crepe paper and took a long time to get ready,” she said.
Good vibes everywhere. Those who gathered along Independence’s Main Street to watch the last leg of the parade were happy, energetic, enthusiastic and children were so excited that there was a whole lotta shakin’ going on by toddlers to the beat of the periodic blasts of music from the bands.
The great chair controversy – an online debate in the days leading up to the parade about the appropriateness of lining up chairs for viewing and cordoning them off – faded into a distant past, replaced by non-stop smiles as people greeted one another.
“It’s entertaining to see how the chairs spontaneously sprung up like July flowers, which some found junky, but I always find a quaint, small-town signal that here comes the Fourth,” said one attendee.
From his cotton-candy-spinning stand by his family’s store, Melting Pot Candy, Preston Andrews called it a time for enjoying an annual sentimental journey. Looking at the strands of rainbow colors he was weaving into a large sugary wad, he remarked: “I feel like I am selling a piece of nostalgia, not just something sweet to eat.”
The hits kept coming. This year's Independence Days Talent Show marked the biggest one to date. In 2017, Vidal Pena was tapped to put together a talent show as part of the Independence Days activities.
That year, there were eight acts competing for a trophy. This year, three different age groups competed for their share of the prize money of $1500.
"Getting a monetary sponsorship, this year by the Independence Hotel’s Territory Restaurant, makes a big difference to get contestants interested," Pena said. "The show continues to get bigger but still features mostly local talent of all ages," he added.
This year, the acts were booked up a couple of weeks ago, which had never happened before. “Usually the day of, I am still accepting acts," Pena said.
This year they included ballet and tap dancers, guitar soloists, singers, and country and rock bands – even an 11-year-old standup comic. Many of the contestants have been performing since they were very young, while others took the stage for the very first time. “It takes courage to put yourself out there,” Pena said, noting that he loves “being a part of these people's journey to stardom.”
Pena shared a recap of the top three in each division.
Kids
1st-Lilian H. - Singer
2nd-Ady D - Singer
3rd-Rylan R – Dancer
Teens
1st-Wildflower Wranglers - Dance group
2nd-Chloe L- Guitar/Singer
3rd-Beef Chicken – Band
Adults
1st-Isabel Toledo - Singer
2nd-Sheri Lynn & The Back-ups - Band
3rd-Matt Lewis - Rapper ▪
Dolly Parton's "Imagination Library" program is reaching hundreds of young readers in Independence
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
There are places all over Independence where wondrous fantasy meets everyday life for young children – and chances are Dolly Parton is the reason. Independence outstrips all other cities in Polk County that are participating in the singer-songwriter’s “Imagination Library.”
Since the program came to town, 372 children have been signed up and now receive a monthly book. Titles range from a familiar one about a little girl named Goldilocks to “Corduroy,” which follows a teddy bear who explores a department store after hours.
There are 544 children in Independence believed to be eligible for the program; Less than half, 215, were anticipated to be enrolled by this June. Independence exceeded that figure last month by 157.
“It really was remarkable,” said Lisa Harnisch, executive director of Early Learning Hub, the non-profit that has been doing outreach for the “Imagination Library.”
She credits Independence Library Director Patrick Bodily for strong support – volunteers signed up a lot of the young readers – along with the fact that information about the program was disseminated in utility bills.
Harnisch reported the findings to the Polk County Board of Commissioners this past Tuesday.
The book deliveries go from birth to five years of age, and they’re aimed at getting kids their own “home library” from the very beginning of childhood. The first book a child receives is “The Little Engine that Could” and the last one in the series is “Kindergarten, Here I Come.”
It’s free but there are incidental costs. Independence and Falls City, which have been in the program the longest, are funded for those extraneous expense throughout the year. About $4,000 in combined support for the two is likely to be needed at the end of the current cycle, Harnisch said.
Studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library, a non-profit that is part of the Dollywood Foundation, is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development, according to information provided by the website.
Books are selected by the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a specially selected panel of early childhood literacy experts, Harnisch explained, adding that they are targets for developmental milestones and age-appropriate literacy themes. ▪
By Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
There are places all over Independence where wondrous fantasy meets everyday life for young children – and chances are Dolly Parton is the reason. Independence outstrips all other cities in Polk County that are participating in the singer-songwriter’s “Imagination Library.”
Since the program came to town, 372 children have been signed up and now receive a monthly book. Titles range from a familiar one about a little girl named Goldilocks to “Corduroy,” which follows a teddy bear who explores a department store after hours.
There are 544 children in Independence believed to be eligible for the program; Less than half, 215, were anticipated to be enrolled by this June. Independence exceeded that figure last month by 157.
“It really was remarkable,” said Lisa Harnisch, executive director of Early Learning Hub, the non-profit that has been doing outreach for the “Imagination Library.”
She credits Independence Library Director Patrick Bodily for strong support – volunteers signed up a lot of the young readers – along with the fact that information about the program was disseminated in utility bills.
Harnisch reported the findings to the Polk County Board of Commissioners this past Tuesday.
The book deliveries go from birth to five years of age, and they’re aimed at getting kids their own “home library” from the very beginning of childhood. The first book a child receives is “The Little Engine that Could” and the last one in the series is “Kindergarten, Here I Come.”
It’s free but there are incidental costs. Independence and Falls City, which have been in the program the longest, are funded for those extraneous expense throughout the year. About $4,000 in combined support for the two is likely to be needed at the end of the current cycle, Harnisch said.
Studies suggest participation in the Imagination Library, a non-profit that is part of the Dollywood Foundation, is positively and significantly associated with higher measures of early language and math development, according to information provided by the website.
Books are selected by the Blue Ribbon Book Selection Committee, a specially selected panel of early childhood literacy experts, Harnisch explained, adding that they are targets for developmental milestones and age-appropriate literacy themes. ▪
Local legislator recently predicted a rosy future for the Monmouth - Independence Trolley busesBy Anne Scheck
Trammart News Service
There’s some jolly news for trolley users.
At a town hall held in downtown Independence by State Rep. Paul Evans recently, he issued an optimistic forecast that the bright red buses will keep on trucking, despite worries about future funding.
In answer to a question asked about sustaining finances for the trolley line, which will require new revenue in 2025 to keep rolling, Rep. Evans pledged: "As long as I am there, there will be funding for the trolley."
Possibilities for financial support aren't limited to the state legislature, where he serves for House District 20, he explained. There are sources that include federal transportation grants, as well as those that may be available through the Oregon Department of Transportation, Evans said.
The state transportation program has set-aside revenue for rural areas with relatively low populations (less than 50,000). Additionally, Western Oregon University, where the trolley has proven popular for college-student riders, will likely be asked to contribute to its support, too, he said.
Rider fees have been discussed, but Evans said there are ways to collect ticket prices without charging passengers directly. In fact, waivers for pick-ups and drop-offs are found in municipal transportation across the state. Oregon Health Plan, for example, pays for transit for NEMT card carriers, for "non-emergent medical transportation."
In other places, subsidies are a part of the program. Tri-Met in Portland offers youth fares for those seven to 17 years of age and free transit for public school students during the school year. ▪
Trammart News Service
There’s some jolly news for trolley users.
At a town hall held in downtown Independence by State Rep. Paul Evans recently, he issued an optimistic forecast that the bright red buses will keep on trucking, despite worries about future funding.
In answer to a question asked about sustaining finances for the trolley line, which will require new revenue in 2025 to keep rolling, Rep. Evans pledged: "As long as I am there, there will be funding for the trolley."
Possibilities for financial support aren't limited to the state legislature, where he serves for House District 20, he explained. There are sources that include federal transportation grants, as well as those that may be available through the Oregon Department of Transportation, Evans said.
The state transportation program has set-aside revenue for rural areas with relatively low populations (less than 50,000). Additionally, Western Oregon University, where the trolley has proven popular for college-student riders, will likely be asked to contribute to its support, too, he said.
Rider fees have been discussed, but Evans said there are ways to collect ticket prices without charging passengers directly. In fact, waivers for pick-ups and drop-offs are found in municipal transportation across the state. Oregon Health Plan, for example, pays for transit for NEMT card carriers, for "non-emergent medical transportation."
In other places, subsidies are a part of the program. Tri-Met in Portland offers youth fares for those seven to 17 years of age and free transit for public school students during the school year. ▪
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