Our Town – Silverton, Mt. Angel & Scotts Mills

Champion, advocate, mentor: Remembering Jason Franz

October 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

A few years ago, a man named Larry Platt auditioned for American Idol with an original hit (that later sold millions), “Pants on the Ground”, which made fun of young men and boys who wore their pants halfway down their ...

New playmaker: McCarty starring for Foxes at QB

October 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, School, Sports | Comments Off

Silverton had a huge hole to fill at quarterback this season. Levi Nielsen had started four years in the position, leading the squad to the playoffs all four seasons. But as the Foxes, 5-0, headed into a critical Special District 3 ...

Jar of Awesome: An easy way to capture your family’s best memories

October 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Other, People | Comments Off

“Enjoy this time because it’ll be over before you know it,” is possibly the single most cruel sentence one can utter to a new parent, yet the compulsion to say it is hard to resist. I’ve said it – many times ...

Small towns… Big hearts

October 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community, People | Comments Off

I love small towns. I’ve lived in several – in Oregon, Minnesota and Alaska. Unless I was forced to, I’d never live in a big city. But I’ve been at a loss to explain to other people just why I like ...

A little help…The fine art of the delegation

October 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Delegation. Not my strong suit. Many years ago when I worked as assistant manager for a retail clothing store it was the number one critique on my yearly review time and again. I just felt I could get things done ...

The village gives back: Considering the quiet hands behind O’fest

September 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By the time this column is published, the Oktoberfest will be winding down on Sunday. So many memories, such good times, and the intake of about 4.2 billion calories. But fall is upon us, and soon the holidays, with events every ...

Almost Canada: A prize before the journey even starts

September 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I am standing on a spit of land that curls into the Pacific Ocean. As the sun drifts lower in the evening sky, the far-away islands take on a golden hue, basking in the summer twilight. I’m thankful that I’m ...

Listen and inquire: Opinions are great, but not the same as facts

August 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Writing a column can be difficult at best, especially when one’s mind is following a single track and seldom strays from that. It would be easy to talk about politics every month since there is so much material to work ...

My secret addiction: A fun, easy way to learn new things on the go

August 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

I have a secret addiction. Well, maybe it’s not so secret because anyone who spends more than five minutes talking to me knows what it is. I love podcasts. I listen to them all day – or at least I would ...

It’s getting better…There’s wisdom as you get older

July 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

There’s one advantage to being a “senior citizen.” You get lots of mail. And phone calls. Ever since I flipped the calendar over on the cool side of 65, all sorts of folks have been lining up to help me with ...

Pirouette: Globetrotting ballet dancer thankful for her Silverton roots

July 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community, People, School | Comments Off

She is a dynamic woman, a wonderful ballerina who has danced in galas on Broadway and across the world. Smart as a whip, charismatic as all get out, planning to major in biological science. Her work ethic is impeccable. Her ...

Veteran addition: Limbird to coach Foxes boys soccer

July 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community, School, Sports | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9311" align="alignright" width="181"] Marty Limbird is the new boys soccer coach at Silverton High. The Silverton resident has both youth and community college coaching experience. Submitted Photo[/caption] Marty Limbird, a long-time youth soccer coach in the Silverton area who also ...

Anybody smell…Burnt weenies?

July 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

If you see some local parents huddled around their phones eagerly awaiting the next Snapchat-y, Instagram or Facebook-y you’ll know their child was part of the Oregon Ambassadors of Music group now touring seven European countries to make the hills ...

One small step…What happened to curiosity?

July 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

It was a hot summer night in a basement just outside Philadelphia, and the band was at full throttle. Two screaming guitars, drums and a bass guitar wailing away the time. Then the rhythm guitar player’s mom came downstairs. “You’d better come ...

The Forum: July 2019

July 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Breaking ground On behalf of the many members of the St. Edward’s Cottages project planning group and St. Edward’s Church, I would like to thank the many community folks who attended the cottages groundbreaking ceremony. On a beautiful day the community came ...

In a blink . . . Diapers to diplomas

June 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

My wife, Lisa, and I went out to eat recently and talked with a nice couple. Turns out we had met before – their son knows my wife from her years in education, and I coached the little tyke in ...

Wasn’t it wonderful? (The good) life without a cell phone

June 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_65" align="alignleft" width="300"] Carl Sampson[/caption] The other day I left my cell phone at home. It was the best mistake I ever made. To me, a cell phone is a leash, a cinder block tied to my leg as I try ...

Take a moment…Remember the Fallen

May 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

Memorial Day is upon us, and as most of you know by now, I love veterans. In this day and age where most people think about barbecues, beer, and three-days off, many of us give time to say thanks to ...

Little college darlings: Do the work and take some chances at school

April 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Every once in a while I run across a news story that makes me laugh out loud. And, no, I’m not talking about Congress this time, although those guys are always good for a few chuckles. This time, I’m talking about ...

Bright spots: News may be grim, but goodness – and giggles – abound

April 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

The World is back at it again. Brexit is a “Mess-ix.” Iran is in the head-lines for nefarious purposes as President Trump declares the “Revolutionary Guard” a terrorist organization (he is correct), and two popular Hollywood families are skewered in ...

Trojans start fast: Baseball, softball teams also battling weather

April 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, School, Sports | Comments Off

The Kennedy baseball team is off to a 9-1 start and is 3-0 in Special District 2 play. The Trojans, who won three of four games in a tournament in Redding, California, are ranked No. 4 in Class 2A-1A by the ...

Tax cocktail blues: That sinking feeling when your money is siphoned

April 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

As it was approaching the Most Important Day of the Year for the federal government – Tax Day – I thought I’d take a few minutes and do my duty as a citizen-taxpayer and calculate what I owe to Uncle Sam. ...

Spring standouts: Kennedy, Silverton boast top track and field talent

April 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, School, Sports | Comments Off

The Kennedy High girls track and field squad has finished in the top 10 at state for the past eight seasons. This year’s squad looks primed to keep the streak alive. “We have potential state champions, great experience with seven four-year ...

Legacy Silverton Medical Center receives $50,000 gift from Roth family

April 2019 Posted in Business, Columnists & Opinion, Community | Comments Off

Michael Roth, president of Roth’s Fresh Markets, recently presented a transformational gift of $50,000 to the Silverton Health Foundation board of trustees to support the Campus Enhancement Project at Legacy Silverton Medical Center. “The Roth Family’s incredible generosity will help us ...

Is that the moon? … and other things you can’t unsee

March 2019 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Spring is about to spring and The Man’s thoughts turn to sunshine, warmer days and what the heck is going on in local businesses... So-o-o-o-o, here we go... Ratchet Brewing of Salem is adding a second location – in Silverton, ...

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