Our Town – Silverton, Mt. Angel & Scotts Mills

Tactile feelings: Silverton Fine Arts Festival poster artist strives to put kids in touch with art

August 2019 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9364" align="alignleft" width="294"] Laura Koppes with her poster for the 2019 Silverton Fine Arts Festival, “Blue Basin.” Submitted Photo[/caption] By Brenna Wiegand The painting chosen to represent this year’s Silverton Fine Arts Festival was the result of an earth-shaking experience. Artist Laura ...

The right rhythm: Back to school routines can pose difficulties for kids

August 2019 Posted in People, School | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner “Some years are boohoo years and some years are woohoo years, and this is more of a boohoo year,” Christine Eubanks, mother of three – Cosette, 9, Eli, 12 and Sam, 15 – said of the upcoming school ...

Seeing double: Northwest twins to walk in Homer Davenport Parade

July 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9333" align="alignright" width="300"] Is it Lara Ghio Gaitan and Vicky Ghio-Lopez, or the other way around? They’re not telling. Submitted Photo[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Three years ago Lara Ghio Gaitan and her identical twin sister, Vicky Ghio-Lopez, attended the largest celebration ...

A ‘Wendy house’: Enchanting playhouse built as fundraiser for ASAP

July 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9330" align="alignleft" width="243"] Mailey Peterson looks on as Bailey and Lil’ Dawg enjoy the spacious playhouse front porch Brenna Wiegand[/caption] By Brenna Wiegand Hard to believe half a dozen years have passed since the middle school after-school program began. At the time, ...

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 ...

Unlocking origins: Adoptees advocate for more resources

July 2019 Posted in Community, People, Your Health | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner Laura Antonson and Tyler Boland have two fundamental things in common; they both love plants – Antonson is a Landscape Design Architect and Boland is the Horticulture Manager at the Oregon Garden – and they are both adopted ...

‘Teach-In’: Silverton minister holds peaceful rally to demonstrate public process

July 2019 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9282" align="alignright" width="199"] Reverand Michael Carlson[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Reverend Michael Carlson is not a politician, nor is he particularly politically-minded. What he is, is a citizen concerned about the welfare of his country and the citizens who reside in it. “Personally, ...

Motivated to succeed: Morales brothers flourish with hard work

June 2019 Posted in Community, People, School | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9250" align="alignright" width="300"] Luis and Eduardo Morales. Melissa Wagoner[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner While other sixth graders were just trying to make it through middle school, Luis Morales was already planning for college. And not just getting into college, but getting into ...

Space to transition: St. Edward’s breaks ground for tiny shelter homes

June 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9252" align="alignleft" width="300"] Vicar Shana McCauley, Reverend Neysa Ellgren Shepley, and Sarah White break ground at St. Edward’s Church. MELISSA WAGONER[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Gloria’s path to homelessness began last December – on her birthday – when the woman who employed ...

Time for play: Parenting coaches offer summer tips for enjoying the break

June 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9253" align="alignleft" width="211"] Vienna Sheldon and a friend, berry picking. Summer Sheldon[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Summer in Oregon is fantastic for so many reasons but one of the biggest can be the additional time many parents get to spend connecting with ...

Out of tune: Silver Falls School District at odds with Silverton Friends of Music

June 2019 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, People, School | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand Silverton Friends of Music presented a 41-page status report “Music in Silver Falls School District” to the Silver Falls School District Board at its May 13 meeting. The nonprofit, formed three years ago to promote music instruction in area ...

Fulfilling legacy: Lions Club’s community projects celebrate centennial

May 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

By Nancy Jennings To fulfill its Lions Club International “Centennial Community Legacy Projects” in 2017, and commemorate the service organization’s 100th year of its founding, Silverton’s chapter has completed two community projects – Silverton’s Reservoir fishing area has been renovated, ...

Fit to frame: Cutest Kids photo contest revived

April 2019 Posted in Business, Community, People, Photo Gallery | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9162" align="alignright" width="225"] Annie Smith’s studio will host the first Cutest Kids Contest in several years on First Friday. Kids photos courtesy Annie Smith Photography. Smith portrait by Melissa Wagoner[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner With digital photos piling up on home computers ...

Their chosen paths…It’s National Nurses Week May 6 -12

April 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner National Nurses Week is a time devoted to recognizing nurses for the role they play in health care. Celebrated May 6 - 12, it encompasses the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing and an inspiration ...

In these halls: Students become ambassadors to State Capital

April 2019 Posted in Community, People, School | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner The students in the Community Roots School’s Adolescent Program got a behind-the-scenes look at the Oregon State Capital when they visited on Feb. 25 as Ambassadors for Oregon Montessori Education Day. “Not every kid gets to go to the ...

Briefs for April 2019

April 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

Robotics teams seek assistance Mt. Angel Middle School Robotics Team have earned the opportunity to compete in the upcoming VEX IQ Robotics Nationals competition. Eight are headed to Iowa the first week in April. Ten more are bound for the World ...

Mr. Mayor: Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce names Andy Otte 2018 First Citizen

March 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9026" align="alignright" width="269"] Mayor Andy Otte[/caption] By Steve Ritchie Mount Angel 2018 First Citizen Andy Otte described his full daily schedule with a succinct sentence: “It’s nonstop.” Otte has served as mayor of Mount Angel since 2013. He is also a volunteer ...

Traveling with kids: Adventure for the whole family

February 2019 Posted in Community, People, Travel | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_9031" align="alignleft" width="225"] Guy Rodrigue and Dorothy Brown-Kwaiser took their son Sullivan to Santiago, Spain.Submitted Photos[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner It took Lisa Gerlits a number of years to find the joy in traveling with children. The mother of three – Alexander, ...

Action-adventure: SHS Thespians set sail with Peter Pan prequel

February 2019 Posted in People, School | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_8997" align="alignright" width="300"] The cast of Peter and the Starcatcher rehearsing on the Silverton High stage. Melissa Wagoner[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner “We don’t do good shows, we do great shows,” is the motto of the Silverton High School Theater Department. “The reputation ...

Silvertowne: Adding to the story

January 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

I read the article about Silvertowne with great interest because that is my home. I would like to thank Our Town for shining a light on our situation here. While it did touch on some of the concerns, there is ...

Future First Citizen: Alyssa Khieu seeks to serve a global community

January 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_8968" align="alignleft" width="240"] Alyssa Khieu, 2018 Future First Citizen Submitted Photo[/caption] “Her commitment to quietly helping others was obvious,” Mayor Kyle Palmer said in announcing Alyssa Khieu as the Future First Citizen for 2018 from Silverton High School. He went ...

Business of the Year: Bledsoe Santana Team Realty builds relationships

January 2019 Posted in Business, Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_8971" align="alignright" width="275"] Dixon Bledsoe and Lisa Santana, founders of Bledsoe Santana Team Realty. Jim Kinghorn[/caption] By Brenna Wiegand Being Realtors provides Dixon Bledsoe and Lisa Santana a unique approach to community service that enables them to not only join forces ...

Distinguished service: Sarah White sees those served as brothers, sisters

January 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_8970" align="alignleft" width="291"] Sarah White, Executive Director & Case Manager, Silverton Sheltering Services.Brenna Wiegand[/caption] By Brenna Wiegand Though greatly honored, Sarah White is a little embarrassed at receiving Silverton’s Distinguished Service award for 2018. “I’m really grateful; I feel it is a ...

Lifetime Achievement: Elmer Valkenaar has played many roles

January 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_8967" align="alignright" width="217"] Elmer ‘St. Elmo’ Valkenaar is the recipient of the Judy Schmidt Lifetime Achievement award.Jim Kinghorn[/caption] By Steve Ritchie Every town could use a dedicated civic leader and tireless volunteer like the late Judy Schmidt. Or like Elmer Valkenaar. Known ...

First Citizens: Stacy and Kevin Palmer team up, help out

January 2019 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_8966" align="alignleft" width="300"] Kevin and Stacy Palmer 2018 First Citizens award recipients. Melissa Wagoner[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner This time of year, Stacy Palmer – Executive Director of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce – can often be found, balloons in hand, making ...

www.ourtownlive.com