Cheers: To Battle Ground. The city of about 19,000 residents will partake in today’s Grand Floral Parade, the centerpiece of the civic celebration that is Portland’s Rose Festival. For Battle Ground, having a float in the parade is a tradition that dates to 1955 and one that requires countless hours of dedication from a group of about 50 volunteers.
Battle Ground is the only city in the metropolitan area that still creates a float for the parade, which will draw hundreds of thousands of spectators to Portland this morning. This year’s roster of floats includes 16 entries, with 15 of them representing corporations or civic groups. The nonprofit Battle Ground Rose Float organization has created a theme that plays off the children’s rhyme “Froggy Went-A-Courtin’,” including a depiction of Miss Mouse in a wedding gown. For years, Battle Ground’s float entry has been a community endeavor that sets the city apart from others in the area.
Jeers: To chickenpox. Walnut Grove Elementary School is experiencing an outbreak of chickenpox, with nine cases being reported since late May. This follows an outbreak at Sifton Elementary in January.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease that causes a blistery rash that can spread across the entire body. While it is considered more benign than, say, measles, it can be particularly dangerous for infants, adults who have not previously had it, and pregnant women. Of note, there is a vaccine available for chickenpox; also of note, Walnut Grove has one of the area’s highest rates of immunization exemptions. The bottom line is that parents should see to it that children receive all recommended vaccinations.
Cheers: To quick thinking. When second-graders Makena Nelson and Kaylin Oliver saw a friend choking on his lunch at Hockinson Heights Elementary School, they jumped into action. They alerted adults, including custodian Tucker Cendana, who rushed over and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the student’s breathing was cleared.
The girls and Cendana were recently honored by Clark County Fire District 3 for their life-saving actions, bringing attention to the effectiveness and importance of the Heimlich maneuver. The procedure was developed in 1974 by Dr. Henry Heimlich, who died last year at the age of 96. Estimates are that the maneuver has saved more than 100,000 lives over the years.
Jeers: To being duped. Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, is out $1.9 million after falling prey to an email scam. The university owed money to a contractor for construction of a recreation center on campus. Unknown assailants posing as the contractor had the money sent to a fraudulent bank account, a ruse that was not noticed until the contractor reported days later that it had not received payment.
The incident should serve as a warning to all government agencies — and private ones, for that matter — to examine their process for making large payments. Clearly, additional checks and balances were necessary before Southern Oregon wired nearly $1.9 million of taxpayer money.
Cheers: To Flag Day. Wednesday is the day to commemorate the United States flag in honor of June 14, 1777 — when the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as a symbol of the country. In 1916, President Wilson issued a proclamation declaring June 14 as Flag Day, and in 1949 National Flag Day was established by Congress.
While not an official holiday, Flag Day seems particularly appropriate during troubling times. Acknowledging the United States flag is not a pledge of fealty or a claim that this nation is without fault, but it is a recognition of something that should unite us all as Americans.
