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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)

Conflict over code: Hearing continues for transitional housing rules

By Paula Mabry

The Silverton City Council will once again take up the hearing on a proposal to amend city codes to set standards for  transitional shelter for the homeless at its Sept. 10 meeting.

The proposal, referred for approval to the council by the city planning commission after two sessions of public testimony in the spring, continues to generate concerns and occasional heated comments.  Read more... (880 words, estimated 3:31 mins reading time)

City urges water conservation

Because most of Oregon – including Silverton – is experiencing drought conditions the city has entered voluntary water curtailment mode.

The city’s primary water source is Abiqua Creek which city staff reports as flowing at 12.4 cubic feet per second. Silver water customers are currently using about 3.5 cfs, or 28 percent of the stream flow.

Steps the city is taking include:

City park irrigation systems will be operated to achieve maximum efficiency based upon data from their on-site weather station.

Hydrant and water line flushing shall be limited to essential needs.  Read more... (219 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

Trail to Eagle: New Eagle reflects on scouting, academic journey

Jonathan Valladares’ family. Back, left: Father, Edilberto; brother Joshua; Jonathan; older-brother Elisha; sister Isabel; mother Michelle.  Front: Siblings, Maria, Sarah and Benjamin.

By Vince Teresi

Silverton resident Jonathan Valladares reached the highest rank of scouting, earning his Eagle Scout designation, and was recognized for the accomplishment during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, July 21 at St. Paul Catholic Church. He was presented the Eagle Scout badge by Troop 485 Scoutmaster Steve Potter, who reviewed highlights of Jonathan’s 12-year scouting career during the ceremony. Valladares began his “Trail to Eagle” as a six-year-old Cub Scout.  Read more... (596 words, 1 image, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)

Sam Linn Nov. 12, 1946 -Aug. 1, 2018

Samuel Anthony Linn was born in Woodburn on Nov..12, 1946 and passed away in Silverton on Aug. 1, 2018. 

The fourth of five children born to Floyd Linn and Verna (Berg) Linn, who moved to the Willamette Valley from North Dakota shortly after World War II, Sam grew up on his family’s farm and spent his youth hunting, fishing and helping out on neighboring farms.   Read more... (549 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

Edith Kapka June 30, 1913 – July 28, 2018

Edith Kapka, age 105, of Mount Angel, died peacefully of natural causes on July 28 with her family by her side. Her husband John, to whom she was married for 44 years, preceded her in death, as did three of her 10 children, daughter Georgette Marie, and sons Ladis Joseph and Emeric William.

Edith was born to Antonia Majer and Lajos Vértes, M.D. on June 30, 1913, in Budapest, Hungary. Educated in Budapest and Antwerp, Belgium, Edith had an inquisitive scholarly mind and was an avid reader, especially of books about history and science. She was fluent in five languages: Hungarian, French, German, Flemish and English. Upon graduating from the gymnasium, Edith took classes in child development at a college in Antwerp. This led to employment as a governess to three children of a Belgian family.  Read more... (531 words, 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

William Sharrar Aug. 1, 1923 – Aug. 7, 2018

William (Bill) Raymond Sharrar died peacefulloy in his Mount Angel home Aug. 7, 2018. He was born in Portland, Oregon on Aug. 1, 1923, the son of Glenn and Lucy Sharrrar. He had two sisters, Charlotte and Kathryn, and a brother Glenn, all deceased. His family endured much hardship through the Depression years, and the early deaths of both of his sisters at age five and 21.  Read more... (550 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

DNA detectives: After 53 years Dave Laycock meets his birth family

Left: Dave Laycock with his birth mother Loretta Meier. Right: Dave with his adopted father Don Laycock and biological niece Annie Porter. Submitted Photos

By Nancy Jennings

As owner of Renaissance Carpentry in Silverton, Dave Laycock’s business thrives on building additions, remodels and restorations. Earlier this year, the Silverton resident found himself “adding on” new family members in his personal life. Adopted as an infant, Dave, 53, located and met his biological relatives.  Read more... (963 words, 1 image, estimated 3:51 mins reading time)

Festhalle mural to be dedicated Aug. 28

Mount Angel Community Foundation invites the public to the unveiling of a new mural to grace the front of Mount Angel Festhalle Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m.

The mural is the crowning glory to Festhalle’s exterior. It was made possible in part by a $10,000 grant from Roth Family Foundation,

Painted by Silverton artist David McDonald, its design encapsulates Mount Angel’s charm and character, from Abbey Hill to Oktoberfest.

Father Philip Waibel will dedicate the mural. Refreshments will be served.

Michael Roth of Roth Family Foundation said this is just the kind of thing his father Orville Roth would want to get behind.  Read more... (137 words, 1 image, estimated 33 secs reading time)

A new call: Former St. Paul’s priest becomes U.S. Navy chaplain

By Elisha Valladares-Cormier

Parishioners walking into St. Paul Catholic Church in Silverton are greeted by a plaque recognizing the life and service of former St. Paul pastor Fr. Richard E. Carberry. Carberry was pastor from 1938-1940 before serving as a U. S. Army chaplain from 1940, just before the country entered World War II, until his death as a prisoner of war in 1945.

Now, more than 75 years after Fr. Carberry ministered to the Army’s faithful, another St. Paul’s priest is following his own call to military chaplaincy. Benedictine Fr. Basil Lawrence, a priest of Mount Angel Abbey, is becoming a Navy chaplain and will head to his first round of Navy training in September.  Read more... (1150 words, estimated 4:36 mins reading time)

Concert benefits migrant families

A concert to benefit separated migrant families will be held Saturday, Aug. 25,  7:30 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem.

Performers will include Brian Kimmel, the Ayala Band, Daniel Colbert and Peter Bergel & Friends, who will offer a variety of folk music styles. Latino labor leader Ramon Ramirez will speak briefly about the separated migrant families issue and the current attempt to extinguish Oregon’s status as a Sanctuary State.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. All proceeds will benefit RAICES, a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to immigrant children, families and refugees.

Round and round . . . and round and round and…

Join your friends and family at the 26th annual Community Picnic at Coolidge McClaine Park on Aug. 24. The yearly gathering will feature a free dinner, swimming, family photos, games and music. For info call Silverton Together…

Ever since Terry and Ursula Bergamo moved back east the Silverton Reservoir has been without a caretaker. With the increasing volume of visitors this summer, city attempts to do without have not provided positive results so look for a new onsite host in the future.  Read more... (427 words, 1 image, estimated 1:42 mins reading time)

Rethink Eugene Field: Guest Opinion

Stu Rasmussen

On Aug. 6 the Silverton City Council voted to spend over $700,000 of our taxpayer dollars to demolish the historic Eugene Field School to make way for a new City Hall with no plan how to pay for a new building. Here are my three minutes of comments to the council prior to their vote, and if you believe this is a mistake please let the council know before the bulldozers show up. By then it will be too late!

Good evening Mr. Mayor and Council Members. I am Stu Rasmussen, 417 N. Water St. and I am here to speak regarding the construction of a new Police Facility.  Read more... (482 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

Football preview: Foxes, Trojans dive into fall camps

Silverton football was 7-4 last season in its first year under coach Josh Craig, advancing to the state quarterfinals before falling to No. 1 Mountain View in a 46-42 shootout in Bend.

This year the Foxes are in a reconfigured league, looking to fill huge holes at wide receiver and will try to shore up a defense that was too prone to high-scoring affairs like the Mountain View game.

“I’m excited. I feel really lucky to be here,” Craig told Our Town after a recent workout. “Our numbers are where we want them to be. Our guys are bouncing around and enthusiastic. ‘Don’t be too cool to hustle’ is what (predecessor John) Mannion used to say. And I stole it.”  Read more... (927 words, 1 image, estimated 3:42 mins reading time)

Two originals: One fateful day took Jean Hadley, Sam Linn

It is more enjoyable to write about people in a positive way, laughing with them at the funny things they do, touching family events, and the moments in their lives that pull at the heartstrings of others.

But when we lose them, it hurts at first, until we have the time to reflect on their lives, learn about them through family members and friends who knew them best, and hear intimate stories that touch us.  Read more... (671 words, 1 image, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)

Festival season: Coolidge McClaine Park plays host to two community favorites

The sun is out, the days are warm and it is the time of year when friends and neighbors look for opportunities to be together and share some fun.

August features two of Silverton’s favorite festivals, one a celebration of community and one a tapestry of the arts, both in Coolidge McClaine Park.

This year’s Homer Davenport Community Festival runs Aug. 3-5 with all the key ingredients: music – featuring Ben Rue, crafts, food – including early morning pancakes hot off the griddle, and drink.  Read more... (338 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

Upon the hill: 121-year-old Grange Hall continues to serve community

By Mary Owen

Marjorie Tate White fondly remembers good times at the Union Hill Grange Hall.

A descendant of the original pioneers that organized the local grange, White, now 90 years young, was born, raised and still resides on the family farm just down the road from the Grange Hall. White and her parents met at the hall on Friday nights for the business and planning meetings for both the adult and juvenile grange activities.

“This was followed by Saturday evenings of social activities such as dinner, a friendly game of pinochle, or watching as her parents and their friends danced the night away,” said Annette Jensen.  Read more... (711 words, 1 image, estimated 2:51 mins reading time)

Moving forward: Hazard removal at former school site on council agenda

A look at the land north of West Church Street in Mount Angel that developers hope to subdivide into 63 residential lots. James Day

By James Day

Long anticipated work to turn the former Eugene Field School site on North Water Street into a new Silverton civic center may begin soon.

The city is accepting bids on the first phase of the plan: asbestos and underground storage tank removal on the school site. City Manager Christy Wurster told Our Town that nine companies participated in walkthroughs at the site, with final bids due to be received
on July 26.  Read more... (523 words, 1 image, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)

At the helm: Principals prepare for new school year

Kennedy High principal Dale Pedersen.

Silverton High principal Wade Lockett.

Mt. Angel Middle School principal Jared Tiecke.

By James Day

School was out for the summer, the parking lot was empty, but Silverton High Principal Wade Lockett was in his office, wrapping up the hiring that always takes place when you transition from one year to the next.

He was wearing a white dress shirt, with the shorts and flip-flops – plus the quiet hallways — the only clues that he was in summer mode.  Read more... (931 words, 3 images, estimated 3:43 mins reading time)

The third freedom: New group seeks to address shelter needs for homeless

Silverton Sheltering Services was formed to address Silverton’s growing homeless crisis. Its Board of Directors are, from left, Sarah White, Pastor Leah Stolte-Doerfler, Judy Goetz, Michele Finicle and Brent Jacobsen. Not shown: Andrew Sprauer. Brenna Wiegand

By Brenna Wiegand

It took just one winter for Silverton Warming Shelter volunteers to realize Silverton’s got a homelessness crisis.

The past two years they’ve provided a place for people to stay in freezing weather. However, once it gets above 34 degrees, the shelter closes, leaving little settling-in time and even less for workers to connect with the people and their needs.  Read more... (1200 words, 2 images, estimated 4:48 mins reading time)

Scholarship winners: Mt. Angel Community Foundation

Mt. Angel Community Foundation

The Mt. Angel Community Foundation selected five graduating seniors from Mt. Angel’s John F. Kennedy High School class of 2018 to redeive scholarships. Foundation scholarships award $1,500 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study at any university, college, technical or vocational school. In addition to academic criteria, scholarship awards consider the applicants’ community service activities and involvement, demonstrated leadership, and life goals preparation. The scholarships are named in honor of the community members, families or businesses that created them.  Read more... (467 words, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)

Kory Pranger – Lauren Otton Marriage Announcement

Kory Pranger – Lauren Otton

Kory John Pranger and Lauren Lee Otton were married on June 30, 2018 in Canby. Reverend Frank Prantl officiated.

The groom is the son of Richard and Lynn Pranger of Gervais, Oregon.

The bride is the daughter of Darrin and Sherry Otton of Nome, Alaska.

Kory and Lauren live in Mt. Angel with their three dogs, Keta, Quinnie and Cinder.

Kick like a mule: Fermentation scientist makes popular summer cocktail

By Melissa Wagoner

When 503 Distilling began producing their first canned cocktail – the Wicked Mule – they didn’t know what to expect.

“The response has been really, really good,” 41-year-old Silvertonian Andy Diacetis said. “We’re selling 150 cases a month. We’re selling everything we can make.”

The 503 Distilling trio – which includes Diacetis as well as Oregon City friends Dave Schleef and Rusty Caldwell – started their company in the fall of 2017 almost by accident. Diacetis – who owns a wine filtration business – had been looking into expanding into alcohol removal.  Read more... (568 words, 2 images, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

Recycled ruminants: Couple installs public art

Cathy and Jim Prince next to C Street’s elk. Nancy Jennings

By Nancy Jennings

You may have noticed the over 10-foot-tall, 450-pound majestic elk looming large on C Street – and the deer family (buck, doe and fawn) on Front Street in Silverton.

Making their debut in April, the figures are so lifelike they almost appear to move. Silverton resident Jim Prince, 70, sourced and purchased the wildlife forms, which are made from all-recycled aluminum, including Coke and Pepsi cans.  Read more... (314 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

Postpartum depression: Proactive paths for a common problem

By Melissa Wagoner

Hilary Dumitrescu knew what postpartum depression was before she became a mom – she had heard stories of famous mothers who battled the illness and had a sister who suffered from its effects – but none of that knowledge prepared her for what she experienced after the birth of her first child.

“I thought having the baby would be the hardest part,” she said. “I figured once she was safely out that I’d be an old pro – wrong. The next three months were a mishmash of intense, terrifying love, and complete physical and psychological misery. Oh, and sleep deprivation.”  Read more... (1070 words, 1 image, estimated 4:17 mins reading time)

Chemeketans: Hikers, climbers, bikers band together for outdoor fun

Mary Coleman (right) with fellow Chemeketan Linda Willnow on a hike in Canyon Creek Meadows near Mount Jefferson. Bill Geibel

By Melissa Wagoner

In 1992 Mary Coleman decided to take a hike. Normally an avid golfer, Coleman wanted to branch out but her husband and golfing partner wasn’t all that interested. Her hiking career could have ended there but then she discovered the Chemeketans – an outdoor club of over 600 members whose primary activity is day hiking. 

“My husband doesn’t hike and so I have several hundred of my best friends to go hike,” Coleman laughed. “I had to rent a friend – the Chemeketans.”  Read more... (708 words, 1 image, estimated 2:50 mins reading time)