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Journey to the Frozen Continent: A breathtaking look at Antarctica’s landscapes, inhabitants

Steve Ritchie in Antarctica. Photo by Steve Ritchie.

By Steve Ritchie

When I arrived in Ushaia, Argentina last month, I found many Ushaia souvenirs printed with the slogan fin del mundo which can be roughly translated as “end of the world.”

A city of about 80,000 people at the southern tip of South America, Ushaia is definitely remote. It is the southernmost city in the world, in fact. But it is not the end of the world. That would be where I was going.  Read more... (980 words, 3 images, estimated 3:55 mins reading time)

How much, too much?: SFSD investigation into board communications enters second phase

By Brenna Wiegand

Silver Falls School District is conducting further investigation into allegations brought against school board member in a Nov. 25 complaint from 112 petitioners.

The complaint asserts that board members Shelly Nealon, Jennifer Traeger, Jonathan Edmonds, Janet Allanach and Lori McLaughlin violated board policies, the Board/Superintendent Working Agreement, prior Superintendent Andy Bellando’s employment contract, the Hiring Confidentiality Covenant and the Oregon Public Meetings Law regarding executive sessions.

The district hired Portland attorney Jollee Patterson for an initial review of the complaint and its accompanying evidence, largely emails. Out of the 17 allegations examined, Patterson singled out eight that “could support a violation” of the referenced policies or agreements and about which “the district may want to engage in additional steps.”  Read more... (1268 words, estimated 5:04 mins reading time)

Running standouts: Area cross country alums shine in college

It was a banner year for former Silverton-Mount Angel cross country runners. Here is a look at how four standouts from the running scene fared in college:

Kaylin Cantu, Kennedy: The Western Oregon sophomore finished 51st overall and second among WOU runners at the NCAA Division II regionals on the Wolves’ home course at the Ash Creek Preserve in Monmouth. Cantu ran 22:02.2, a personal best and 29 seconds faster than at last year’s regionals. The Wolves finished 17th as a team.

Haile Stutzman, Silverton: The freshman at Huntington (Indiana) University helped lead the Foresters to 17th place in the NAIA nationals in Vancouver, Washington. Stutzman ran 25:56.7 to finish 46th overall.  Read more... (692 words, 1 image, estimated 2:46 mins reading time)

Looking back, looking forward: Five stories of goals and breakthroughs

By Melissa Wagoner

There is a reason why setting New Year’s resolutions is a popular activity. As a new calendar year begins, it can feel essential to lay the groundwork for the days ahead, filling the squares with trips to the gym, the bookstore and maybe even a tropical beach. But with all that talk of the future, the past can become forgotten – those special goals already achieved no longer celebrated.

So, here’s to creating a new, New Year’s tradition, one that celebrates not just the unwritten future but also the important struggles and successes of the past because it is these, after all, upon which the future is truly built. Here are five community members doing just that.  Read more... (1012 words, estimated 4:03 mins reading time)

Handshakes, blockbusters and popcorn: Hollywood agent reflects on career aimed at bringing uplifting stories to the screen

Frank Wuliger with the writer/director of Harriet Kasi Lemmons; Deborah Martin Chase, producer; and Daniela Taplan Lundberg, producer in Washington D.C. Submitted Photo

By Dixon Bledsoe

In many ways, Frank Wuliger’s career as a Hollywood agent is like an onion, with layers upon layers revealing complexities that can be so deep they become frighteningly simple.

In some ways, he is a throwback. Who in Hollywood conducts deals with a handshake as the basis of doing business?  Read more... (1171 words, 1 image, estimated 4:41 mins reading time)

Counties win one: State loses billion-dollar timber lawsuit, plans appeal

By Mary Owen

After week-long deliberations, a jury sided with 14 counties – including Marion – in a $1.06 billion class action lawsuit against the state of Oregon.

With financial backing from the timber industry, Linn County led the case against the state of Oregon and the Oregon Department of Forestry. In addition to Marion, Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Polk, Tillamook and Washing counties joined Linn, as well as 151 special taxing districts.

If the jury decision stands, Marion County would receive $9.6 million in damages and $11.5 million in future damages predicted for the next 50 years. The funds would come out of state income taxes.  Read more... (537 words, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

Resignation requested: Board authorizes investigation into complaint

By Brenna Wiegand

Silver Falls School District has hired a third-party investigator to review a formal complaint brought against five Silver Falls School Board members at the board’s Nov. 25 work session.

Directors Shelly Nealon, Lori McLaughlin, Janet Allanach, Jennifer Traeger and Jonathan Edmonds are cited in the document, signed by 112 community members.

Ken Hector and Lesli Kaufman read the complaint to the board which, they say, is the result of public record requests and “a growing public concern regarding verbal and written communication between board members, community members and members of special interest groups.”  Read more... (948 words, estimated 3:48 mins reading time)

Health insurance enrollment ends Dec. 15

A majority of Oregonians may not realize they only have until Dec. 15 to enroll for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act or go without health insurance
for 2020.

This year, coverage is more affordable. According to a new Health and Human Services report, people can find cheaper plans this year than in years past. For the last two years, over 4 million uninsured people have been eligible for plans with $0 monthly premiums thanks to
financial help.

Here are five vital facts Oregonians need to remember when signing up for coverage at HealthCare.gov:  Read more... (288 words, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

Santa comes to Silverton: Skeptics take a breather

By Melissa Wagoner

For people around the world Christmas is a magical time of year.

“Throughout humanity, Christmas was our way of convincing ourselves that winter will end,” Santa Claus, that magical and iconic Christmas symbol, recently told me as we chatted about the upcoming holiday season. “And we need to know that it will end.”

Because what are the signs of Christmas after all? The temperatures dropping, the trees going bare, snow falling and people coming in to share in the warmth they find indoors and with one another. Every one of those have a powerful story, Santa said.  Read more... (463 words, 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

Hazelnut Fest German-inspired holiday market

By Nancy Jennings

The Mount Angel-Silverton Hazelnut Festival is about to get nuttier.

New this year is the addition of a  Friday evening “sneak preview”, Dec. 6, 4 – 8 p.m. Because popular items have sold out in previous years, the Friday hours give the serious holiday shopper a chance to make sure they get what’s on their gift list – whether hazelnut inspired foods or beverages or handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items. 

Hazelnuts in closeup

The festival continues Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with more than 50 booths, lots of food and drink, a children’s Cookie Crawl, live holiday music and free admission.   Read more... (410 words, 1 image, estimated 1:38 mins reading time)

The Galarage: A neighborhood modern art-happening just round the corner

By Brenna Wiegand

Artist Laura DeVito is taking art to the streets by converting her garage into an art studio and gallery
of sorts.

“I have a friend who is doing a garage gallery in Portland and I thought it was a really great idea,” DeVito said. “It’s dialing into the neighborhood and enabling more people to have an art gallery. It also cuts down on cost and allows for a lot more freedom.  Read more... (548 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

Change in flow: Scotts Mills Dam removal slated for September 2020

By Melissa Wagoner

Oregon’s dams are a part of an important story according to Ron Garst, the Natural Resources Representative for the Pudding River Watershed Council (PRWC). And the 150-year-old dam in Scotts Mills Park is no exception.

“This is a history lesson,” Garst said, noting that defunct dams, like the one in Scotts Mills, are a record of the often-wanton use of natural resources during the late 19 Century.  Read more... (927 words, 1 image, estimated 3:42 mins reading time)

‘The Pub Players’: Traditional Irish music band takes root at brewery

By Brenna Wiegand

Violinist Eadie Anelli moved to Silverton 17 years ago, grateful to land in an “ideal situation” teaching music and beginning orchestra in the Salem-Keizer School District. As she acquainted herself with Silverton’s music community Anelli  pitched in when she could, including hiring musical entertainment for Silverton’s Fine Arts and Wine & Jazz festivals.

Along the way she met Brad Johnson, a self-taught, multi-instrumental artist who has performed widely at festivals and ceilis (pronounced kay-lee; Irish for gathering or dance).  Read more... (781 words, 1 image, estimated 3:07 mins reading time)

Harry’s whistlin’: Lessons in hard work, fun times

I’ve had a lot of jobs over the years. I was a dishwasher at the Woolworths luncheonette in the King of Prussia, Pennsylvania shopping mall; a bass player in several rock bands; a newspaper reporter and editor; a stock broker and financial planner… I’m sure I left out a few.

But one of the best jobs I ever had was as a janitor at an elementary school.

It wasn’t the money. I received a whopping $1.60 an hour. That was the minimum wage, and it was hard work. One summer I cleaned an entire school from top to bottom by myself. I changed every light bulb, scrubbed and waxed all of the floors, washed every desk and window – I’m getting tired just thinking about it.  Read more... (587 words, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)

Money matters: Silver Falls teacher contract negotiations continue

By Brenna Wiegand

Silver Falls School District and Silver Falls Education Association have hammered out many of the union’s requests for verbiage and policy changes to their 2019-2020 contract. Since the parties have yet to reach a settlement, teachers are working under the two-year 2017-2019 contract.

On Nov. 20 they addressed the salary schedule in earnest, and though Silver Falls Education Association President Michelle Stadeli didn’t think much was accomplished, the middle school teacher was glad it provided union members a chance to ask questions directly of the district team.  Read more... (885 words, estimated 3:32 mins reading time)

Football lessons: Foxes fall to Thurston in 5A state semifinals

There are 35 teams in Class 5A football in Oregon. Only four of them advanced to the semifinals and played Nov. 23 amid the glorious collegiate sports splendor of Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Silverton was one of them. The Foxes lost, 44-14, to defending champion Thurston and finished 10-2 in their third year under coach Josh Craig.

It was the first 10-win season since 2014 and the first trip to the semis since 2014. But like 33 other 5A teams, the Foxes were faced with accepting the fact that they were not going to be the one team, and only one team, that celebrates on the final day.  Read more... (738 words, estimated 2:57 mins reading time)

John Bernard Haynie March 22, 1927 – Nov. 4, 2019

John Bernard Haynie died Nov. 4, 2019 at the age of 92. He was born on March 22, 1927 in Northumberland County, Virginia to Capt. John (Shep) Haynie and Etta Curren Haynie. He was the youngest of eight children, three brothers and four sisters, all of whom preceded him in death.

John was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He served his country faithfully as a member of the United States Marine Corps for 27 years. He later worked at the Oregon State Prison in Salem.  Read more... (250 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

Jason’s legacy: An update on Fall Line’s next chapter

Editor’s note: We thought our readers would be interested in this update about the future of Silverton’s own bike, skate and snow sports shop – Fall Line – posted by Lisa Sinclair.

Here is what’s happening with Fall Line. Exciting news!

In 2002 when Jaiven Franz was only two years old, Jason Franz opened Fall Line. He used to tell me stories of her napping under the counter in her little bed. Jaiven would always greet the customers with a big smile and play with her yellow toy dump truck. Jaiven also assisted her dad in building Shellburg Falls and Wayside Park. She has assisted her dad with tune ups and small repairs since
she was two.  Read more... (617 words, estimated 2:28 mins reading time)

Our most admired: Social media stirs the good in us too

One of the fun parts of social media is people posing good questions to their sphere regarding favorite things, heroes, who they would like to meet, and who they most admire. As for the latter, names like Martin Luther King, Jimmy Carter, The Dali Llama, Jesus Christ, Ronald Reagan, Harriet Tubman, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are often cited.

A good friend suggested that I use that medium to ask a similar question for my column, but more localized. “Who do you most admire in this area.” Great idea, so here we go.  Read more... (631 words, 1 image, estimated 2:31 mins reading time)

Gary Eugene Leonard Sept. 17, 1935 – Aug. 24, 2019

A man of great integrity, faith, and love of life passed away Aug. 24 with heart failure.

Born in Santa Ana, California, Gary Leonard and his family farmed citrus and avocados. After marriage in 1958, he moved to Woodlake, California in 1961, and developed a citrus ranch. The family moved in 1975 to St. Helena, California where he was a supervisor for Christian Bros. Vineyards. Upon retirement in 2006 they moved to Silverton.

Gary had many interests: riding trains in the USA and Canada, restoring vintage cars and he spent many days hiking the Sierra Mountains.  Read more... (135 words, estimated 32 secs reading time)

State champs: Kennedy volleyball ends dream season

Kennedy High’s volleyball team completed a near-perfect season Nov. 9 with a 3-0 victory against Central Linn in the Class 2A state championship match at Ridgeview High in Redmond.

The Trojans, who won with match scores of 25-14, 25-21 and 25-18, captured the first volleyball state title in school history and finished 33-1. The previous top finish for the program was second
in 1991.

The lone loss this season was to Sweet Home, which finished second in the Class 4A tournament. Kennedy finished 16-0 in the Tri-River Conference without losing a set. The Trojans finished the season with an 87-8 advantage in sets won.  Read more... (867 words, 1 image, estimated 3:28 mins reading time)

Transformative experiences: Sr. Tisot on Fr. Bernard Youth Center

By Mary Owen

Sister Jeanine Tisot has been a Sister of Mercy for about 40 years, having entered her community in 1980.

“We are an apostolic, vs. monastic, community dedicated to the poor, sick and uneducated,” said Tisot, who was raised in Michigan and is now serving in Mount Angel. “I have worked in hospitals throughout the Midwest doing social work, pastoral care, ethics, administration and mission services. Then my community asked if I would move to California to work with the women who were becoming members of the community – formation.”  Read more... (614 words, estimated 2:27 mins reading time)

Hitting the trail: Taking running off-road

Amy Ullan and Tanie Hotan. Courtesy Amy Ullan

By Melissa Wagoner

Running can get boring, treadmills, tracks, even sidewalks – it can all start to feel like the same routine day in and day out. But there’s a way to break out of the monotony and reconnect with nature at the same time – trail running.

“Trail running would technically be considered anything off the road,” Amy Ullan, 45, explained. “It can
be in parks, wilderness areas and even some cities have trail systems that are great for running.”

Ullan, a Dermatology Physician Assistant, has been running trails for 10 years.  Read more... (649 words, 1 image, estimated 2:36 mins reading time)

Iconic couture: Former designer fashions a charming life in Silverton

Artist June Hiatt of Silverton with some of her new creations. Nancy Jennings

By Nancy Jennings

With her distinctive British accent, June Hiatt, 84, speaks passionately of her past career as a fashion designer. Having lived in London, New York and Los Angeles, she made outfits for the late musical icon David Bowie, and the glamorous actress Raquel Welch. A random Sunset Magazine article about Silverton attracted her. In 2016 she moved here from Playa Del Rey, California to live with one of her daughters.  Read more... (830 words, 1 image, estimated 3:19 mins reading time)

Checking in…From our European bureau

As time goes on, The Man is constantly reminded that “none of us are getting any younger” and hence, the “Bucket List” comes into play. Ever since high school the Man-ette has whimsically talked of going to France so I figured the top of the list was as good a place to start as anywhere and dove in. Paris and Venice sounded good. For a guy who’s happy as the proverbial clam camping out in the PNW woods or on a mountain side it quickly became clear that an alternative mindset was in order to enjoy time our “across the pond.” Here are a few things I learned:  Read more... (587 words, 1 image, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)