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Our Town: The future of Silverton

Our Town, the new documentary web series, is produced by Real Light Films in cooperation with Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc./ Our Town, with support from the Marion Cultural Development Corporation and local sponsors. New episodes will premiere seasonally. For information on upcoming projects or on sponsorship opportunities, contact ourtown@mtangelpub.com or silverfallsfilm@gmail.com.

By Michael Turner
I met writer John Pattison at his office in downtown Silverton to talk with him about a video project I’d had in mind. John greeted me at the door in a T-shirt and scruffy red beard with friendly eyes that crinkled when he smiled.  A huge yellow street sign hung on the wall that said, “SLOW.” John told me it was in reference to the “Slow Movement” that is catching on in communities around the world.  Read more... (451 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

Housing debate: St. Edward’s offers one small solution to homelesness

By Melissa Wagoner

“We all know that it’s a scary topic,” City Councilor Dana Smith recently said of the homeless problem in Silverton. “And there is a pervasive belief that by helping people you are inviting more people.”

But an invitation is just what Smith is hoping to issue – not to the homeless –
to the public at large.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation – it’s going to require the community,” Sarah White, executive director of the newly formed, Silverton Sheltering Services – an offshoot of Silverton Area Warming Shelter – said. “Is it not our job as a community to take care of people who are homeless?”  Read more... (1518 words, 1 image, estimated 6:04 mins reading time)

Contract talks: Silverton Legacy, nurses’ union negotiating

By Peggy Savage

Local nurses on the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) bargaining team at Silverton Medical Center and administrators with Legacy Health have made significant progress towards reaching a new contract agreement for the hospital nurses during collaborative contract negotiation meetings last week, according to  ONA Communications Director Kevin Mealy.

“To ensure Silverton remains able to recruit and retain skilled health care providers, ONA nurses and Legacy administrators have both proposed improvements to working conditions and wages at the hospital,” Mealy said.  Read more... (912 words, estimated 3:39 mins reading time)

Natural remedies: Seasonal allergies may require a year-long plan

By Melissa Wagoner

There is more to treating seasonal allergies than simply popping a pill after the onslaught of symptoms has already begun, according to the three acupuncturists and experts in Eastern Asian medicine at White Oak Wellness in Silverton.

“In Chinese medicine you have to look at the whole calendar year,” owner Sahaji Katie Rablin explained. “You have to treat the season before or even the year before.”

Each allergy treatment session at White Oak starts with a series of questions aimed at defining not only what the offending allergen is but also determining if there are other underlying conditions that are causing a patient’s immune system, or Wei Qi as it’s known in Chinese medicine, to falter.  Read more... (747 words, estimated 2:59 mins reading time)

More smiles per gallon: Than your average hot rod

The Silverton Garden Club and Silverton Together invite you to the 4th annual Silverton Garden Tour. The June 9 tour will feature some of the area’s most inspired private gardens and afford you the opportunity to visit other people’s back yards without having the police called out on you. $15 advance tickets are available at Silverton Together, Chamber of Commerce and the Farmers Market and day of tour at the welcome booth at 333 Westfield for $20.

Apparently local band Syco Billy’s has hit the big time, cruising to gigs in their new “tour bus”…. the fellas (oddly enough, none of which is named Billy…) are now a-pickin & a-grinnin down the road in style.  Read more... (603 words, 1 image, estimated 2:25 mins reading time)

Singing stars: Silverton High choir ties for first in state competition

The Silverton High choir shared the state title with Central at the OSAA Class 5A competition held May 3 – 5 at George Fox University in Newberg.

The Foxes, led by director Cole Haole-Valenzuela, totaled 324 points, five more than Central. But Silverton was penalized for exceeding the 20-minute time limit for their performance.

“We had the pleasure of sharing the state title with Central,” Haole-Valenzuela told Our Town, adding that the time penalty will “be a learning experience for future competitions.”

The state choir title is the first in school history. Silverton choirs previously took second in 1994 under Ric Cooper and in 2007 under Brace Langenwalter.  Read more... (800 words, 2 images, estimated 3:12 mins reading time)

Superb career: Maggie Roth

Maggie Roth in the Foxes’ dugout. James Day

By James Day

One of the most star-studded athletic careers in Silverton High history will be ending soon.

Maggie Roth, who has starred in soccer, basketball and softball all four years with the Foxes, graduates this June. And leaves a stunning legacy.

• She played on 12 teams. All 12 made the state playoffs.

• With her on the squad the girls basketball team won a state in 2016, took second in 2017 and third this season. The Foxes were 93-19 in her four years in the program.  Read more... (716 words, 1 image, estimated 2:52 mins reading time)

Shine on: Rest in peace Rick, Linda… and welcome home to the Borbons

Many years ago, a young man was singing the Bee Gees hit, To Love Somebody to his classmates at the old Silverton High School. The crooner, not used to large audiences outside of the cat listening outside his shower, forgot a line from a song he had learned just a day before.

The singer turned away from his 300-student audience, muttered, “I forgot the words” to the guitar player accompanying him, but inadvertently forgot to take the mic away from his mouth.

The guitarist, much more than your typical high school band guitar player, smiled a little smirk as if to say, “Rookie”, and didn’t miss a beat while the red-faced pseudo-entertainer recovered.  Read more... (626 words, 1 image, estimated 2:30 mins reading time)

Maureen Ernst: April 4, 1949 – April 28, 2018

Maureen Ernst was a familiar face at the Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest booth. She chaired the booth for many years. file photo

Maureen Rose (Drescher) Ernst, 69, of Mount Angel, passed away after a short, but fierce fight with cancer.

She was a leader in many community organizations, including the St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Paul Historical Society, Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce, Mount Angel Lion’s Club and was one of the founding organizers of the Mount Angel Hazelnut Festival. She was Mount Angel’s First Citizen for 2010.  Read more... (192 words, 1 image, estimated 46 secs reading time)

Ron Jiricek: Aug. 16, 1949 – April 10, 2018

I first came to know Ron, and his wife Cindy, in 2005 when they owned a local gym. At that time,
Ron’s idea of taking Cindy our for a big night on the town was to journey a few miles north and invite her to elbow up at a favorite beer bar. Subsequently I introduced them to the wonderful world of Oregon pinot noirs. Always a quick study, Ron decided on the spot that going forward imbibing good red wines was a far better option that continued reliance on his own staple, Bud Light.  Read more... (512 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)

Linda Jane DeSantis: December 1944-May 2018

Linda, 73, died peacefully May 1, 2018, with her
family by her side at home in Silverton, while John Denver was playing in the background.

Linda was born in December 1944 in Salem to parents Kenneth and Marian Barker. She was the baby in the family with two older sisters Sue Ann Clark and Judith Lundgren. She was the typical youngest in their family, the “princess” and she held a special place in her Daddy’s heart. Mom grew up in Eugene, moving to Salem in 1956. She graduated from South Salem High School in 1963 and was a PROUD lifelong Saxon.  Read more... (284 words, 1 image, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

Larry J. Byers: June 6, 1950 – Feb. 1, 2018

Larry J. Byers of Keizer, Oregon passed away on Feb. 1, 2018. He was born June 6, 1950 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as a member of the Cherokee Nation.  Read more... (370 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

Stay-at-home dads: Joys of raising children aren’t just for moms

By Melissa Wagoner

Househusband, stay-at-home dad, work-from-home father – all of these terms describe a trend in parenting showing up wherever young children are found.

Fathers are strapping on baby carriers and diaper bags and getting down to the daily business of caring for their young children – many while continuing to embark on a career.

“[W]ith child care being so expensive the bulk of my paycheck would have gone to that,” Kevin Gerlits, father of two, explained. “We had also always hoped to have our children have one parent home raising them – we are grateful and lucky to have this opportunity.”  Read more... (754 words, 2 images, estimated 3:01 mins reading time)

Empowerment: Women’s wellness event planned for June

By Melissa Wagoner

Lindsay Kinman is continually amazed by the variety of alternative health care options thriving around her.

“Silverton is a very unique place and has a unique opportunity to be in health reformation,” Kinman, a Professional Certified Midwife practicing in Silverton said.
In an effort to further this movement she joined forces with Amy Gigena, a board certified Integrative Health Coach, and Audry Van Houweling, a Nurse Practitioner specializing in holistic psychiatry, to put on the inaugural
She Shines Empowerment and Wellness Event for women.

“We all have this passion for reaching out to the community,” Van Houweling said, “especially women’s empowerment.”  Read more... (274 words, 2 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

Annexations: Silverton, Mount Angel take different paths to deal with land acquisitions

This site on North Second Street in Silverton is proposed for a 13-unit apartment complex. James Day

By James Day

The rules on annexations – the process that brings land into the city limits – has changed in Oregon.

Governor Kate Brown in March 2016 signed Senate Bill 1573, which puts
limits on voter-approved annexation.
The legislation was part of a series of housing-related bills that the Legislature has passed in the past two years to simplify land-use decision-making and increase the supply of housing.  Read more... (496 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

Work-to-play: Building trails and connections in the great outdoors

Volunteers of different skill sets and ages are encouraged to participate in trail maintenance. Courtesy Salem Area Trail Alliance

By Melissa Wagoner

If you don’t mind getting dirty and you like the outdoors then Beth Dayton, board president of the non-profit group Salem Area Trail Alliance (SATA), has got the hobby for you – trail work parties.

Although the word “work” is included in the name, and some real work does get done, Dayton and the crew at SATA – including a team known as the “Party Tsars” – make sure some fun happens too.  Read more... (630 words, 2 images, estimated 2:31 mins reading time)

Wesley Andrew Oster Aug. 27, 1936 – April 5, 2018

Wes Oster, 81, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2018.

He was born in Silverton to Andrew and Augusta (Reeves) Oster, the first of two sons. He graduated from Silverton High School.

Wes married, and the couple had two daughters, Cathy and Vicky. He worked for a time as a cabinetmaker and later worked for most of his life for the City of Silverton as the water treatment plant operator. He retired in 2001.  Read more... (171 words, 1 image, estimated 41 secs reading time)

100 Years with Rose: Daughter shares mom’s story

Barbara Cagle with her mom, Rose Olivio, 100.

Jacqueline Rose Olivo turned 100 March 1, and she celebrated her birthday at 3 Ten Restaurant in Silverton surrounded by nine of her 16 children.

Now her daughter Barbara Cagle, the 13th of the 16, has authored the book 16 x Mom: A Mastery of Motherhood and now is producing a documentary A 100 Years With Rose. Barbara notes of the 10 girls and six boys all were full term and there were no twins  Read more... (261 words, 1 image, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

Off to med school: Former Foxes wrestler Izaak Tobin paces OSU squad in GPA

Sometimes the statistics don’t really matter. Sometimes it’s what you do off the playing field that ultimately counts. And what you make of your opportunities.

Izaak Tobin Karl Maasdam

The record shows that Izaak Tobin, a two-time runner-up at the state wrestling tournament while at Silverton High, was 17-16 in his career at Oregon State, with a 2-2 mark in his just-concluded senior year. The Beavers compete at the highest level of college wrestling and won five consecutive Pac-12 championships from 2012-16.  Read more... (1027 words, 3 images, estimated 4:06 mins reading time)

A scammer’s paradise: If it’s too good to be true… resist

My wife has been redecorating our living room. We figured we would sell the old furniture on Craigslist.

I took some photos and posted them on the website. Within a day, someone contacted my wife and said he would buy all of the furniture.

But there was a catch. He was out of town, so he would send a check and have “the movers” pick up the furniture. We would pay them and refund him the extra money from the check.  Read more... (527 words, 1 image, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

Taking action: JFK senior stages walkout to protest abortion

JFK student Marcos Sanchez walked out. of school to call attention to Pro-Life issues. Peggy Savage

By Peggy Savage

Activism – and particularly student activism – has been in the news a lot recently.

Pro-life student Marcos Sanchez, 17, took action to put his cause in the spotlight April 11. He stood alone in front of  John F. Kennedy High School in Mount Angel after walking out of school to protest abortion.

He didn’t stand alone for long, however. Sanchez was joined by his mother and members of a family who had come to show their support for the cause.  Read more... (523 words, 1 image, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

End of the line: Council votes to demolish Eugene Field School

The Dollar General store on North Second Street is likely to open by early summer. James Day

By Paula Mabry and James Day

The Silverton City Council has directed staff to proceed with plans for the demolition of the former Eugene Field School, which was built in 1923.

The 6-0 council vote on April 2 will pave the way for a new police station and eventually a civic center.

Former Mayor Stu Rasmussen asked the council to seek more public input on the issue – send out letters and post signs.  Read more... (323 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)

Home-grown power: Sustainable energy comes to Silverton

By Melissa Wagoner

In the early part of 2018 a 12-acre solar farm began sending enough energy into the Portland General Electric grid to power 350 homes. This farm, on the west end of Pine Street in Silverton, is a movement toward more sustainable energy for local residents – a change that Elyce Brown, founder of the group Sustainable Silverton, applauds.

“Sustainable Silverton supports solar energy projects. Solar provides clean energy, energy independence, and quality local jobs,” she said. “Of course, any technology can have downsides if it is not appropriate; for example, certain tracts of land may be more or less ideal.”  Read more... (584 words, 1 image, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

Rolling Remembrance comes to Pepsi

Rolling Remembrance – a display honoring those who gave their lives in service to their country – will be at Mount Angel’s Pepsi Northwest Beverages April 20 from 7 to 8 a.m.

Launched in 2015, NAB Transport participates in “Rolling Remembrance” by relaying an American flag across the U.S. to honor Memorial Day and raise awareness and donations for the children of fallen patriots. Local veterans are invited to be part of the celebration as the truck carrying the flag rolls into the facility.  Read more... (177 words, estimated 42 secs reading time)

Dreaming of home: Firs, falls and a search for a new beginning

Rob and Trish Ambrose with their dog, “Mr. Bingley,” an Old English Sheepdog/Standard Poodle mix. Nancy Jennings

By Nancy Jennings

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” The eloquent quotation commonly attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt could have been written for Trish Ambrose.

In 2010, Trish and her husband, Rob, found that a dream about waterfalls would start a chain of events leading them from Pennsylvania to Silverton. The couple, both 61, packed up their car and drove to Oregon’s “Garden City” in August 2010.  Read more... (591 words, 1 image, estimated 2:22 mins reading time)

Donald E. Howes Dec. 8, 1937 – March 30, 2018

Former Ontario Police Chief Donald E. Howes, 80, passed away on March 30, 2018, after a battle with cancer. Private service was held in Silverton on April 7, 2018, under the direction of Unger Funeral Chapel.

Don married Theresa Brophy on Nov. 21, 1959 in Burns, Oregon. They were married over 58 years. Don retired from Ontario Police Department in January 1993. He received commendations in a variety of areas but especially for his commitment to children and families, which much of his focus was around child abuse, including praise from Governor Barbara Roberts for his devotion to children. Don and his wife moved to Silverton in 1996.  Read more... (197 words, 1 image, estimated 47 secs reading time)