Published: Monday, September 6, 2010
Marysville group searches for answers in the nation's supreme law
Alarmed by current events, a Marysville group meets regularly to closely study the U.S. Constitution.
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Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Zee Zee the papillon perks up her ears as Virginia Frost-DeBord (right) reads aloud and Russell DeBord (center) and Dusty Bleher follow along.
MARYSVILLE -- Reading assignments and discussion questions are the norm every two weeks at Virginia Frost-DeBord's home.
People she met for the first time in June now come to her house with copies of two books to talk about what they've read since their last meeting.
It isn't the place to discuss the plot or characters of a latest best-seller. This group is interested in learning about the U.S. Constitution.
"This information needs to be known to all of us," Frost-DeBord said. "Republicans and Democrats, we all need to know where we're falling off the fence and get back on."
The purpose of the North Sound Constitution Study Group is to read, discuss and learn about the Constitution. The group of nine people is led by Marysville resident Millie Wilcoxson and uses a set of study materials for the books, "The Five Thousand Year Leap" and "The Making of America," both written by Willard Cleon Skousen, who was a major influence on conservative talk show host Glenn Beck.
At a recent meeting, group members gathered on Frost-DeBord's patio in her back yard and took turns reading and answering 17 questions about how those who shaped the country felt about religion.
One question asked members how the states were encouraged to deal with religious matters.
"It virtually signals the states to press forward in settling their religious issues," Frost-DeBord said. "At that time, our founders wanted to the states to have most of all the power."
The group isn't about endorsing candidates or political parties but it has spurred Frost-DeBord's husband, Russell DeBord, to put up campaign signs for candidates he supports in this year's election.
"I'm tired of the way government is going nowadays," he said. "I don't like what's going on so I have to try to do something to make it better."
Wilcoxson read the books more than five years ago and mentioned the titles to Frost-DeBord in June when they met by chance. She shared her wish to lead a study group about the U.S. Constitution and Frost-DeBord offered her home as the meeting place.
Now, Frost-DeBord invites her friends on Facebook to the meetings and has started her own blog about the Constitution. She plans to host a potluck Sept. 17 in celebration of this year's Constitution Day which marks the 223rd anniversary of the day the document was signed.
Group members stay connected through a page on the Meetup website. Granite Falls resident Dusty Bleher said he was happy to find the group's description on the website.
"I remember when I took history in school the big deal was which date did such and such battle happen," he said. "It wasn't, 'What does the Constitution say about a citizen's rights, responsibilities, duties and obligations?' It didn't ask that ... it's kind of sad."
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
Study group
Are you interested in learning about the U.S. Constitution? The North Sound Constitution Study Group's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in Marysville. For more information, contact Millie Wilcoxson at 425-293-6214 or go to www.meetup.com/North-Sound-Constitution-Study-Group/.
People she met for the first time in June now come to her house with copies of two books to talk about what they've read since their last meeting.
It isn't the place to discuss the plot or characters of a latest best-seller. This group is interested in learning about the U.S. Constitution.
"This information needs to be known to all of us," Frost-DeBord said. "Republicans and Democrats, we all need to know where we're falling off the fence and get back on."
The purpose of the North Sound Constitution Study Group is to read, discuss and learn about the Constitution. The group of nine people is led by Marysville resident Millie Wilcoxson and uses a set of study materials for the books, "The Five Thousand Year Leap" and "The Making of America," both written by Willard Cleon Skousen, who was a major influence on conservative talk show host Glenn Beck.
At a recent meeting, group members gathered on Frost-DeBord's patio in her back yard and took turns reading and answering 17 questions about how those who shaped the country felt about religion.
One question asked members how the states were encouraged to deal with religious matters.
"It virtually signals the states to press forward in settling their religious issues," Frost-DeBord said. "At that time, our founders wanted to the states to have most of all the power."
The group isn't about endorsing candidates or political parties but it has spurred Frost-DeBord's husband, Russell DeBord, to put up campaign signs for candidates he supports in this year's election.
"I'm tired of the way government is going nowadays," he said. "I don't like what's going on so I have to try to do something to make it better."
Wilcoxson read the books more than five years ago and mentioned the titles to Frost-DeBord in June when they met by chance. She shared her wish to lead a study group about the U.S. Constitution and Frost-DeBord offered her home as the meeting place.
Now, Frost-DeBord invites her friends on Facebook to the meetings and has started her own blog about the Constitution. She plans to host a potluck Sept. 17 in celebration of this year's Constitution Day which marks the 223rd anniversary of the day the document was signed.
Group members stay connected through a page on the Meetup website. Granite Falls resident Dusty Bleher said he was happy to find the group's description on the website.
"I remember when I took history in school the big deal was which date did such and such battle happen," he said. "It wasn't, 'What does the Constitution say about a citizen's rights, responsibilities, duties and obligations?' It didn't ask that ... it's kind of sad."
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
Study group
Are you interested in learning about the U.S. Constitution? The North Sound Constitution Study Group's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in Marysville. For more information, contact Millie Wilcoxson at 425-293-6214 or go to www.meetup.com/North-Sound-Constitution-Study-Group/.
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