Our Town – Silverton, Mt. Angel & Scotts Mills

Think local, act global: Mayors, Myanmar… and macchiatos?

April 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I must hand it to Kyle Palmer, Silverton’s venerable mayor. He has the patience of Job and can hold his tongue with the best of them, even in the face of naiveté, ignorance, vitriol, and, on occasion, just plain stupidity. ...

Badlands: Manipulation abounds on the Internet

April 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

I’m not ready for a tinfoil hat just yet, but I’m getting there. According to special prosecutor Robert Mueller, the Russians have invaded U.S. social media and bought online ads that are messing with Americans’ minds. According to a federal indictment, Russians ...

Two out of three: Kennedy girls win another state 2A title, boys take 4th

March 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, School, Sports | Comments Off

By Steve Ritchie and James Day Senior leadership. Veteran coaches. Rising stars. The Kennedy High girls basketball team had it all this season. The Trojans finished a storybook 29-1 season on March 3 with a 53-40 win against defending champion Monroe in ...

Just instinct: Biology student dives into heroism

March 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

Perhaps things just come naturally and easily for Krysta Catto. Graduating from Dallas High School in three years. Majoring in biology, studying to be a marine biologist. Saving the lives of little boys overtaken by giant waves in Kona. Huh? Or ...

Special hoops season: State next for Trojans, Foxes hope to follow

February 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community, Sports | Comments Off

The next two weeks could be pretty special for area high school basketball fans. All four teams at Silverton and Kennedy are ranked in the top 10 in their class. Both Kennedy teams already have qualified for the Class 2A ...

Trivial pursuits: Useless knowledge comes in handy sometimes

February 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

“I know that!” “Oh, wait. I thought I knew that.” “Come to think of it, maybe I didn’t know that at all.” “I must’ve been mistaken.” That cycle of thought goes through my head often these days, but never more than when I’m engaged ...

A click-bait world: You won’t believe what happens next

February 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

These are different times. Depending upon whom we ask, social media is a God-send or the root of all evil. Good news and bad news, and even “fake news” can spread like wild-fire. My preference is “good news.” I can ...

Ode to YouTube…or should that be ‘owed’?

January 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Readers of this column will recall that I believe the internet will destroy civilization as we know it. It draws out the dark side of people and provides a voice for every wing nut in the universe, including those that ...

Move along: Nothing to see here

January 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Now that the City of Silverton has re-purchased the Pettit property south of town, you will soon have the opportunity to rent the house for your very own. Just be aware that the decor is a little “dated”.... Which will ...

In the village: Our prayers are answered

January 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

There’s just something about Lucy. Maybe it’s the smile, or the pterodactyl laugh that comes deep from her cute little belly out of the blue. Maybe it’s the absolute joy on her little face whenever she hears the “Happy Birthday” ...

(Not) The End of the World: Finding the fantastic

January 2018 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I know it’s popular to fret about stuff. Politics especially seem to get folks excited and upset. You’d think it was the end of the world. Again. I’ve been running loose on the planet now for more than six decades, and ...

Football flashback: Foxes, Trojans make playoff runs

December 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community, School, Sports | Comments Off

Silverton High turned in a 7-4 football season under first-year coach Josh Craig and came within 57 seconds of advancing to the Class 5A semifinals. “We’re very proud of these guys,” Craig told Our Town. “We couldn’t ask for a better ...

Dear Parrot Heads: Concert etiquette and homework for old duffers

December 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Two events occurred nearly simultaneously this fall. They both got me to thinking. The first was when I went to a Jimmy Buffett concert. I know, what a cliche. An old duffer (me) going to listen to an older duffer (Jimmy). I ...

A gentleman’s art: Tales of a young man’s pipe dreams

November 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

In my hometown of Bozeman, Mont., there was a pool hall that dabbled in fine English tobaccos. These came in neat little tins because they were cured under pressure allowing the juices of one type of tobacco to blend with ...

Time for playoffs: Teams angle for postseason slots

November 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Sports | Comments Off

Playoff season and district competition are approaching for area high schools. Here is a look at how the races and matchups are shaping up: Football: Silverton (5-3 overall, 3-3 in the Mid-Willamette Conference) has clinched a playoff spot heading into the ...

Make a bid: The perfect place for Amazon’s new headquarters

November 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I hear Amazon is looking for a place to build its new “second” headquarters. Seattle is a pain in the you-know-what to drive around, so chief Amazonian Jeff Bezos figures he’ll dangle the possibility of a new headquarters out and ...

Human kindness: Something special is in our genes

October 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

It was 16 cents, but what it meant to me was worth a lot more. I was at the convenience store the other day, buying a pint – of 2 percent milk, that is. I buy milk almost every day to ...

All stars: A newspaper lovers’ guide to columnists

May 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

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 ...

Nurturing types: Stories about caring for the young and not-so-young

April 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

Miss Becky is leaving the building. Mic drop. After 12 years of hugging, loving, and teaching three and four year old little darlings, Becky Detherage is hanging up her pre-school hat. Becky started James Street Christian Preschool at the Assembly of God ...

A life changer: Sweet, sweet music memories

April 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Music & Band | Comments Off

I remember the day that changed my life. I was in ninth grade and a friend and I got tickets to a concert. It wasn’t just any concert. Gladys Knight and the Pips and the Temptations were the featured acts. By ...

The Itch: Call of the great outdoors

March 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

It’s the beginning of March. It’s been cold. Usually wet. We’ve seen our share of rain. Even snow this year. The sky is dark and gray, gray, gray, and the days have been short. It’s the time of year best ...

Sliderules: The tool of the titans… some called them nerds

March 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I was cleaning out my desk drawers at home the other day, and ran across one of the most powerful computers ever invented. It was an Acu-Math No. 500, also known as a slide rule. I showed it to my 20-year-old ...

How I see it: Please, don’t make excuses for bad behavior

February 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

This is a hard column to write because it represents things I care deeply about. Some people will agree with me, some won't. Let me politely say, "I don't care." God bless Vic Gilliam and his family. Red or blue, conservative ...

Give your best: SHS senior Megan Mannion selected Future First Citizen

January 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, School | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Silverton High School senior Megan Mannion clearly followed the advice given to her by her parents, John and Inga Mannion. Whether it’s competing on the volleyball court or softball field, organizing an event for the Associated Student Body, studying ...

Body maintenance: My car gets a checkup, so why shouldn’t I?

January 2017 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I try to take good care of my car. Every 3,000 miles or so I have the oil changed. I used to do it myself, but I find crawling under a car is less inviting as a I slip past ...

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