Voices from the Mill Pond, Volume 2 is here!

Last February, when Hands on Art and Vernonia’s Voice kicked off a call for submissions for a second book, we had no idea that a month later, we’d find ourselves in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the ensuing disruptions and anxiety, no one, it seemed, gave a hoot about writing stories or poetry or taking photos. And yet, somehow, the submissions trickled in, and Voices from the Mill Pond, Volume II was born.

Picking a cover for our second volume wasn’t an easy task. Especially since we received over a hundred fabulous photos. We poured through them, seeking an image that highlighted the pond, of course, but also one that contained the necessary compositional elements: orientation and size, dpi, the right color and busy-ness when contrasted with the text, and one that possessed its own intrinsic beauty.  We believe we made the perfect choice.

Vernonia’s Voice and Hands on Art chose Mike Pym’s photo for the cover of Voices from the Mill Pond, Vol. II. 

Many thanks to the residents of Vernonia, past and present, for their stories, poems, histories, photos, and memories. Once again, Vernonia has outdone itself, and our community spirit is alive and well. 

Voices from the Mill Pond, Vol. II is now available on Amazon as well as around town. You can find it at the library and at the R&S Market. It’s a perfect gift for the holidays that honors our talented and beautiful community.

Virtual Christmas Cookie and Gingerbread House Contest

Just because we can’t gather in person, doesn’t mean that Christmas fun isn’t coming to Vernonia. Join Hands on Art for our virtual cookie-baking and gingerbread house competitions!

This year it all about creativity. Think about competing for loads of fun and a bunch of cash prizes.

There is no cost to enter. Bake at home, photograph your creations, and email your photos to Hands on Art for anonymous judging!

Winning cookies and gingerbread houses will be shared in Vernonia’s Voice, and on the Hands on Art website and Facebook page. Prizes will be mailed to the winning bakers.

Open to Vernonia, Oregon residents.

Virtual Cookie Contest Rules

  • Two divisions: Junior (12 and under) and Regular (13 and over).
  • Cookies can be any size and shape, and all decorations must be edible.
  • Take a photo or two of your cookies and email them to dwallacepeach@gmail.com
  • On your email, include your division, name, phone number, and address.
  • Cookies photos will be anonymously judged by the Hands on Art board based on 1) visual yumminess, 2) creativity, and 3) presentation.
  • Three prizes per division: 1st – $30, 2nd – $20, and 3rd – $10

Gingerbread House Contest rules

  • Three divisions: Junior (12 and under), Regular (13 and over), and Family (a group project).
  • Take a photo or three of your gingerbread house and email them to dwallacepeach@gmail.com
  • On your email, include your division, name, phone number, and address.
  • Gingerbread houses will be anonymously judged by the Hands on Art board based on 1) design, 2) creativity, and 3) presentation.
  • The primary structural material must be gingerbread, and although inedible components are allowed, it must be self-evident that they are inedible (plastic truck okay, hot glue not okay).
  • The winner of each division will win a prize of $30.

The submission deadline is December 6th, so get cooking!