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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)

Up, up and . . . Butte Creek students reflect on balloon launch lessons

Butte Creek HAB Team working with Silverton High prepares for launch. Steve Beckner

Editor’s Note: This story is written by the Butte Creek High Altitude Balloon Team. Silverton High will launch a weather balloon as part of a NASA program during the Aug. 21 solar eclipse.

On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse will be passing over Silverton. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves in between the Earth and the Sun. In doing so it creates a path of darkness, called the “Path of Totality.” When you look up at the eclipse, it can still be super bright so make sure you wear your safety glasses! This is a very rare event, truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Read more... (554 words, 1 image, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)

Principal named: Wade Lockett to take over at Silverton High

By James Day

Wade Lockett will be the principal at Silverton High School this fall.

Lockett, 41, has served as the school’s assistant principal/athletic director during the 2016-17 school year. He replaces Justin Lieuallen, who served one year in the position.

“Mr. Lockett lets his students and colleagues know that they are his highest priority,” said Silver Falls School District Superintendent Andy Bellando. “He has strong skills in building and monitoring relations, he understands the importance of school tradition, and he creates a school culture that is welcoming and supportive of all students.”  Read more... (424 words, 1 image, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Taking action: Silverton Opportunity working to increase leadership diversity

By Steve Ritchie

The Silverton Opportunity Political Action Committee was officially formed in early March, but its genesis was the November election day rally at Silverton High School that left some students feeling harassed and brought Silverton unwanted national attention.

Naseem Rakha, who is the mother of a high school student, was concerned about the uproar at school on election day and felt uneasy about what might happen the next day, the day after the election.  Read more... (723 words, estimated 2:54 mins reading time)

Cliff hanger: Traeger, Stadeli elected to school board, Nealon holds 19-vote lead

By Steve Ritchie

Challengers in the May 16, 2017 Silver Falls School Board election successfully unseated at least one and possibly two incumbent board members.

While results are still unofficial and votes from some unsigned ballots will be added to the totals on May 31, Zone 4 challenger Jennifer Traeger has an insurmountable 513 vote lead over Wally Lierman. Lierman, who has served for the past 20 years on the Silver Falls School Board, is the current board chair.

In Zone 5 challenger Shelly Nealon holds a slim, 19 vote lead over Aaron Koch, who is the current vice-chair of the board. Nealon’s total is 2,004 versus Koch’s 1,985.  Read more... (667 words, estimated 2:40 mins reading time)

End of an era: Susannah Robinson retires from Bible Release program

By Nancy Jennings

For 40 years, Susannah Robinson has laid solid foundations of faith for more than 300 children through the Silver Crest School Bible Release Time Program. Inside of the quaint Chapel on the Hill Church in the Silverton hills, students from kindergarten through sixth grade have learned about the Bible through fun fellowship. Dropped off from a school bus and picked up by their parents, the children meet every Tuesday for one hour each week.

There are three requirements that need to be fulfilled before taking part in the faith-based program: Parental permission must be given, instruction must take place off school grounds and no state resources may be used.  Read more... (739 words, 1 image, estimated 2:57 mins reading time)

Two treats: Weekend studio tour, music fest

A visual arts studio tour and a music fest fill the first two weekends of Silverton’s June calendar.

June 3-4 the Galleries & Artists Studio Tour spotlights local artists. Visitors can see artists at work in their studios or home, or in the Greenough room at the Silverton Arts Association building or White Oak Gallery. Works will be for sale with all the proceeds going to the artist.

Organizers say welcoming the public into private studios gives them the opportunity to speak one-on-one with artists, learn about their medium, and appreciate the creativity and labor that goes into each piece.  Read more... (363 words, 2 images, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Going out on top: JFK senior Bishop Mitchell wins three events at state meet

Kennedy High senior Bishop Mitchell put his personal stamp on the Class 2A state track and field championships at Hayward Field in Eugene.

Mitchell won three events – the 200, the long jump and the triple jump – and finished second in the 100 by an incredibly narrow margin. He was named 2A male athlete of the team and his 38 team points is the most in Kennedy history.

The Trojans finished with 47 points to finish fourth as a team. It was the highest finish for the Kennedy boys since the 2010 squad took third.  Read more... (1253 words, 3 images, estimated 5:01 mins reading time)

Coaching whirlwind: Foxes engage in steady series of hires

By James Day

There has been a flurry of sports activity at Silverton High in the past few weeks. And it’s not limited to the district and state competition going on in eight sports.

The Foxes have been hard at work hiring new coaches in football, boys basketball and boys soccer. Here are the changes:

Football

John Mannion moves on to a new school in Beaverton after seven successful seasons at Silverton that included a 57-20 record and three trips to the Class 5A semifinals.  Read more... (672 words, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)

Get your passport: Take a tour of the Hammer ‘N’ Ale Trail

North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity is once again teaming up with local pubs and breweries for The House That Beer Built passport.  In its first year the program raised more than $20,000 to help build homes families could afford. This year the organization’s goal is to raise $50,000.

The map that accompanies the passport guides travelers through the eastern Willamette Valley to 25 breweries and pubs where they receive one free pint of beer or cider when they show their passport. Passports cost $25. The participating businesses donate the pints so all the proceeds go to Habitat.   Read more... (520 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

The happiest places I know

If you want to see happy people I can think of no better place to go than a graduation. Graduations are all about happy. Whether they celebrate a child’s “survival” of kindergarten, eighth grade, high school or college, every graduation is one big happy event.

Whether the student was valedictorian or barely squeaked through with a D-minus average, everyone is happy to see him, or her, walk across that stage and collect a diploma.

No matter what the commencement speaker pontificated on, it doesn’t matter. They could have read from the directions for microwaving a burrito and the students would be been fine with it.  Read more... (566 words, 1 image, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

125 years: Trinity Lutheran marks anniversary with a weekend of celebration

Norm English looks forward to sharing the church’s historical artifacts.

By Nancy Jennings

Silverton’s Trinity Lutheran Church will observe its 125th anniversary with a community celebration June 2 – 4. Starting off with a traditional Scandinavian dinner on Friday evening, and ending with a special service on Sunday, much will be shared about its history.

Former Congregational President and local historian Norm English will present a program on the church’s history Friday after dinner.  Read more... (539 words, 1 image, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)

Spoken word: Toastmasters host open house to promote ‘Silver Tongues’

By Nancy Jennings

Silverton’s “Silver Tongues” Toastmasters work together to improve communication skills.

Does the thought of giving a speech scare you? You are not alone. Being an effective and confident public speaker can be a challenge. Listening intently and giving constructive feedback to a speaker can be equally difficult. But it can also be fun. Silverton’s Toastmasters group, the “Silver Tongues,” want to show you how.

The group is hosting a free open house on Friday, May 19, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1159 Oak St. Everyone is welcome to attend, observe the meeting and ask questions.  Read more... (515 words, 1 image, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Holistic therapy: Duo share common mission with healing touch

By Melissa Wagoner

Mary Purdy and Jen Holland are continually seeking new ways to holistically improve their health and the health of others. To achieve this goal they recently joined forces and opened Abiqua Bowen Clinic-ABC Wellness LLC in Silverton.

Purdy, a 46-year-old mother of three, worked as a registered nurse for more than 18 years in labor and delivery at Silverton Hospital before continuing her education in natural healing practices.

“I worked as a lactation consultant in the hospital and everything we would say wasn’t working,” she said. “I told one mom she needed to see someone in Portland and she started crying because she couldn’t go. I said, ‘OK, I’m learning this.’”  Read more... (832 words, 1 image, estimated 3:20 mins reading time)

Life of adventure: Delmar Calvert – fencing master

By Michael Turner

Driving past the Mount Angel Towers, it’s hard not to wonder about the multitude of stories inside this sprawling retirement community. All of us have a story to tell, and one day I stopped by to see if anyone would be interested in talking with me.

I end up spending a sunny spring afternoon with Delmar Calvert, who, at 92, has a youthful sparkle of mischief in his eyes and a French accent that reveals he did not grow up around here.    Read more... (354 words, 1 image, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Summer campsa: Outdoors, farm life, yoga, sports – lots of things to explore

Courtesy Canyonview Ministries

By Melissa Wagoner

Chris Kinman enjoyed his childhood summer camp experience so much he made a career out of it.

“I was kind of a shy little guy, but I loved it,” Kinman said. “The counselor I had just made it fun. I didn’t even get homesick.”

Kinman, the Associate Director at Canyonview Ministries, attended many camps throughout his childhood and young adult years and understands the impact that a camp experience can have.

“The friendships they gain are lifelong,” Kinman said. “The friends I made then – we still hang out today and our kids go to camp.”  Read more... (521 words, 2 images, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Farewell: Coach Mannion moves on

Silverton boys basketball coach Steve Roth, who led the Foxes to the 2015 Class 5A state championship, has resigned his position.

“When I took over three years ago I didn’t expect it to be a long-term decision,” Roth told Our Town. “I’d been a head coach before and knew being an assistant coach is more in my wheelhouse.”

The Foxes were 51-26 in the past three years, including a 22-4 campaign in 2014-15 that included a 33-32 win against Wilsonville in the state championship game at Gill Coliseum. The past two seasons the Foxes came within one victory of returning to Gill.  Read more... (948 words, 1 image, estimated 3:48 mins reading time)

Farewell: Coach Mannion moves on

John Mannion had a 57-20 record as Silverton’s football coach and three of his teams made the state Class 5A semifinals. Ted Miller

By James Day

Flash back to Sept., 28, 2012. The Silverton High football team, in its third year under coach John Mannion, led powerful West Albany, 28-21 with just a few minutes left.

West Albany was the gold standard in the Mid-Willamette Conference, making it to the state finals three consecutive years, from 2006 to 2008.  Read more... (644 words, 1 image, estimated 2:35 mins reading time)

Youth movement: Good things happening in the under-35 crowd

Kudos to the Silverton City Council for selecting Rhett Martin for the seat vacated by Kyle Palmer, now mayor filling Rick Lewis’ seat, which was vacated so Mayor Rick could take over for Rep. Vic Gilliam’s spot in the Oregon House. Now that we have the musical chairs settled, Martin’s appointment is significant. It completes a very productive council which doesn’t always sing in perfect harmony on issues, but is virtually always respectful, open-minded and fair. But having known Rhett for some time, and considering him to be a very bright and fine young man, it is important to note that he is 25. In a town filled with clubs, organizations, public bodies, boards and commissions, he represents a group that is perpetually under-represented – the under 35 crowd. Maybe this is the start of something big, where we have diversity in representation with boards that look like we look: young, old, male, female, Hispanic/Latino/Latina, Caucasian, African-American, Asian American, et al. It does my heart good to know that Matthew Burford, Eric Wareham, and Brent Satern joined the Rotary Club of Silverton, and that Briana Hupp (26) is the newest executive board member of Silverton Area Community Aid, Inc. (SACA). It is good to know that Silverton High School junior Rowan Lieggi was appointed to the City’s Environmental Management Committee.  And there are mor than 80 high school students in Rotary’s Interact Club and Kiwanis’s Key Club. Actually, the youngest public servant might well be Christie Diacetis’ four year-old daughter who recently attended a City Council meeting with her mom. Kyle Palmer better keep a wary eye on her – she seems like mayoral material.  Read more... (557 words, 1 image, estimated 2:14 mins reading time)

May 1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA UPDATE:

 Stay Connected…

Discussion on proposing a Fuels Tax within the City of Silverton to be placed on the November 2017 ballot is rescheduled for the June 5 City Council meeting.

Contact:  Christian Saxe, Public Works Director: 503-874-2210

A fresh face: Rhett Martin, 25, wins seat on Silverton City Council

By James Day

“I’m looking forward to something fresh,” Silverton Mayor Kyle Palmer said at a special City Council meeting on April 17.

Palmer’s comment came as the vote totals were about to be announced for the seat that came open when he took over as mayor.

“Something fresh” turned out to be Rhett Martin, a 25-year-old Silverton High School alum, who won the vote by the narrowest of margins.

Martin, who was selected for the council ahead of Brandi Leos and Jaime Fuhrman in a vote in which two points separated the three candidates, was immediately sworn in and went to work.  Read more... (396 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Renovated, ready: Volunteers improve Scotts Mills Community Center

By Nancy Jennings

Thanks to a Marion County Grant of nearly $23,000 and over a dozen community volunteers, the Scotts Mills Community Center has been renovated. The original paint and wallpaper shop, which was modified into a house in the mid-80s and then converted to the community center, was officially completed and reopened on April 4.

A variety of players were responsible for this effort coming together. Silverton Architect Michael Wellman donated his professional assistance at the drafting table. Withers Lumber, Lone Pine Septic, Republic Services and Abiqua Roofing supplied the needed building materials through donations or by generously reducing prices.  Read more... (435 words, 1 image, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

TeleBaby: New technology provides a life-saving link to neonatal experts

By Kristine Thomas

Lori Neufeld and Erica Young both said things might have turned out dramatically different after their delivery of their children if it weren’t for a machine that was recently installed at the Family Birth Center at Legacy Silverton Medical Center.

Lori and Erica are grateful for TeleBaby along with the medical staff at the Family Birth Center at Legacy Silverton Medical Center. Calling TeleBaby a lifesaver, they believe it made a huge difference helping things go right when things were going frightfully wrong.  Read more... (917 words, 2 images, estimated 3:40 mins reading time)

New leadership

Sister Jane Hibbard was installed as the Pastoral Administrator of Queen of Angels Monastery, in Mount Angel, on March 31. Sister Joella Kidwell, President of the Federation of St. Gertrude, presided at the blessing and installation. The Federation of St. Gertrude is a congregation of 12 monasteries across the United States and Canada. Queen of Angels Monastery has been a member of the federation since 1952.

Sister Jane is a Sister of the Holy Names, with years of administration in elementary schools and religious community leadership. Her appointment is continuing the reorganization of the Benedictine Sisters’ monastery, to meet the current and future needs of the Sisters. Sister Jane will particularly assist the community in the areas of the sisters’ health care and daily living needs.  Read more... (207 words, 1 image, estimated 50 secs reading time)

Women’s care expands

The newest member of the obstetrical and gynecological care at Legacy Medical Group is Dr. Rachael Rayburn, D.O.

The practice has grown to include four OB-GYN physicians, one gynecologist, one nurse practitioner, and six certified nurse midwives seeing patients in Silverton, Salem and Woodburn.

The OB-GYN’s are all surgeons and have expertise in fertility, gynecological procedures, tubal ligation, hysterectomies, and more.

The nurse practitioner is a certified midwife as well, but has changed her focus to women’s health.

The midwife-attended deliveries support the natural process of labor and are ideally for healthy, low-risk pregnancies.  Read more... (241 words, estimated 58 secs reading time)

All stars: A newspaper lovers’ guide to columnists

God, I love newspapers. Not the faint whispers of journalism you see stumbling along these days, but real, robust newspapers packed full of insightful and important things that I need to know. I’m talking about The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. The best, I think, is The Wall Street Journal.

It gives me a broad view of what’s going on not only in the U.S. but around the world. Its reporting is, by my lights, fair and comprehensive. You will not find “fake” news – whatever that is – in it.