Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

On March 13 you published an article by Eric Dolson titled "Kids and alcohol: Is there a solution?"

He asked the question "Can anything be done?" His answer: "Probably not. Teen-agers have been getting drunk for hundreds of years, and parents, many of whom got drunk themselves (and used drugs, and survived) as teens, have been worried about it. Not that much has changed through the generations."

What a sad and despondent response to a terrible problem which is touching the lives of many of today's youth. However, I'm sure many people feel the same hopelessness to such an overwhelming problem.

Maybe the "we probably can't do anything" perspective comes from guilt from our prior (or current) addictions or behaviors; or because some have become apathetic since kids drinking alcohol has been a long-time problem while labeled as "normal" adolescent behavior. Possibly they are just overwhelmed by the problems of the 1990s.

Our children deserve more. We can't give up now What did they ever do to deserve this reckless society without safe boundaries and positive expectations? We can't allow ourselves to become numb from our pains, frustrations and fatigue. The solutions may not be easy or convenient. They may not be profitable in a financial or political arena, or in a city, county or school budget. And undoubtedly, the solutions won't come without sacrifice and challenges.

I only know one thing for sure. God loves us and our children. He has given His love to us and the direction to love one another as we love ourselves. Through His strength and guidance there is hope ... and there are solutions.

I hope you will join me in praying for our children and bravely acknowledge that you can make a difference.

Drugs and alcohol are enemies which offer only negative influences resulting in violence, illness, crime and tragedy to our youth. Please stand strong against these enemies and help fight the battle for our kids. They can't do it alone ... they need our help ... they need our love.

With love for our kids,

Tam McIntosh

If our troops are people, then why do we treat them like toys?

Sending troops to another country to fight, even if it has nothing to do with us, is treating them like toys. It's like sending a toy guy into someone else's yard. Unfamiliar territory. It's wrong.

Our troops, the Americans, don't need to be in Bosnia. The only reason they are there is to keep Bosnia peaceful. Bosnia is peaceful now because they're afraid of American troops. Who's to stop them from going back to war as soon as the troops leave?

First America helped the Middle East. Next it was Somalia, Africa. Now it's Bosnia. Millions of land mines lie all over Bosnia. They're killers. Many soldiers will die from them, just like little toy guys. We break a toy, we throw it way. A soldier dies, we stick him in a box six feet under the ground and forget about him. That's excluding the family and friends.

I think that if we're going to try to settle disputes in a country, we shouldn't use war. War is wrong, and we don't need it. The Bosnians could try compromising. Death isn't a compromise. The superiors need to talk to the public. Tell them ways of keeping away from war. If American troops are keeping peace, then why do they carry weapons? If our troops are going to keep peace in Bosnia, then they need to show the people peace. The people will follow the troops.

Kyle Rodgers, age 12

On behalf of the Sisters Rodeo Association, I would like to thank the fire fighters, one- and- all, who responded to the fire at our rodeo clubhouse Sunday night.

Their professionalism, courage and sensitivity did not go unnoticed! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

With gratitude,

Judy Bull, Secretary/Treasurer Sisters Rodeo Association

The Cloverdale Fire Department wishes to thank the community for their support and contributions to our toy drive for the flood victims which concluded March 9. We greatly appreciate your help in making it a success. Many thanks.

On March 12 two representatives from our department took the toys to the Vernonia crisis center for distribution to the flood victims in Vernonia, Mist and Jewel.

They were very touched by our kindness and help in their sad times. Ours were the first new toys that had been received. The smiles on two little boy's faces said it all, and made it worth every minute of time we spent, as they each received a Christmas package.

Then when they were given a doll for their little sisters they were ecstatic. You would have thought that we had given them the moon.

They are still in need of home furnishings. It was heart-wrenching to drive by home after home with all the doors and windows open and what was left of their belonging laying all over the ground to dry. In some of the homes they were stripping out all the drywall, insulation, and wiring, while yet other homes were yellow-tagged for demolition.

It was very humbling.

Linda Holt

Aloha!

I would like to thank all the entertainers, donors, committee members, crew members, sponsors, and our Sisters Community audience for all you did for " A Hawaiian Sisters Act." I think the show followed our town's 1880s theme, because it was good old fashioned family fun!

The show raised $ 2,200 for a medical clinic in Uranga, Kenya. Already, $ 1,000 has been wired to Kenya to help begin the next phase of construction.

The "Hawaiian Sunshine" quilt raffle raised $250 to benefit the Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store. The winner of the quilt was Carrie Ward of Portland.

Thank you one and all for everything! Until next year, Aloha oi.

With appreciation,

Theresa Slavkovsky

Producer, "Sisters Act" 1996

The Sisters High School leadership class put on a raffle the week of March 4 to benefit Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. A new Doernbecher Children's Hospital is under construction because of the lack of space in the current structure.

The money that the Sisters schools raised in the raffle, rummage sale, ice cream feed at the elementary school, and the car wash and talent show, which will take place next month, all goes toward the new hospital.

Thanks to all the businesses for their donations to our raffle.

We appreciate their help and are sure the children do as well.

Eryn Lamoureux, Hillary Voss, Heather Dempsey and Olivia Pierce

Doernbecher Committee Raffle

Thank you to all the nice folks who donated the wonderful prizes for Hoodoo Ski Area's recent Volcano Season Auction.

What a lot of fun! We'll be thinking of you and all the participants who made it possible while skiing Mt. Bachelor this spring and while sunning on the beaches in Hawaii!

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Rick, Ali & Taylor Geraths