Protesters protested: Citizens turn out to counter anti-gay group’s message

December 2008 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Mary Owen Four protesters from an anti-gay Kansas church were outflanked by more than 100 picketing in support of Silverton mayor-elect Stu Rasmussen. The protesters from Westboro Baptist Church, an independent church not affiliated with any know Baptist conventions or associations, ...

Stu Rasmussen: Silverton mayor-elect shares his goals

December 2008 Posted in News | Comments Off

  It’s going to take more than the current economic hard times to dampen Mayor-elect Stu Rasmussen’s enthusiasm to help lead Silverton residents further toward a vibrant and livable community.  Rasmussen, who is currently a city councilor and served as mayor for ...

Senior Center: Moving Ahead

December 2008 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Linda Whitmore Plans are rolling along on Silverton's new senior center and although money is coming in to fund the project, more is necessary to bring it to fruition. For several months Silverton Area Seniors' board has met with Rowell Brokaw ...

Testing the Waters: Multi-story housing for independent seniors proposed for Potter property

December 2008 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Linda Whitmore An idea for a future housing development for "active seniors" on the Potter Automotive property in downtown Silverton was opened for public review and discussion Nov. 19. "Now we're in a conceptual mode," said Linda Sarnoff, recently retired community ...

Steve Kay: New community development director plans for Silverton’s needs

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Kathy Cook Hunter Silverton Community Development Director Steve Kay has been on the job at city hall for one month, but he’s not new to the community. Kay has served on the Silverton Planning Commission for two years, lives in ...

Holiday happenings: Glitter, glamour and giving add to season’s spirit

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Cambria Roth As it begins to look a lot like Christmas in Silverton and Mt. Angel, there’s plenty to do and see. Community events can be a great way to celebrate the holidays with friends and also a chance to ...

Golden tribute: Hospital auxiliary plans gala

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

Music wafting through gardens, dancers twirling across the floor, lively conversation and the feeling of holiday merriment signal the Silverton Hospital Auxiliary’s Gala Holiday Celebration, taking place this year on Saturday, Dec. 13 at The Oregon Garden’s Frank J. Schmidt ...

Spirit of giving: Charities that assist community gather financial support

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Kathy Cook Hunter Three organizations in Silverton are in the spotlight this month as they deal with the downward turn of the economy. Community contributions help support Silverton Together, the Silverton Hospital Foundation and Silverton Area Community Aid – two ...

Finding common ground: Victor Hoffer works for the community

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Mt. Angel resident Victor Hoffer knows the reason he doesn’t stand a chance of being elected to a public office. “It’s because I won’t satisfy the power base by letting them tell me what to do,” he said. “Instead, ...

Datebook: Worship – Christmas church services welcome all

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

FRIDAY, DEC. 19 Church of the Nazarene 7 p.m. 1130 S. Water St., Silverton. Program “He Came to Us”. Refreshments following. Free. All welcome. 503-873-7541 Saturday, Dec. 20 Seventh-day Adventist Church 10:50 a.m. 1159 Oak St., Silverton. Christmas Worship Service. 503-873-8568 Sunday, Dec. 21 Church of the Nazarene 10:30 a.m. ...

Carver coalition: Woodcrafters chisel out a new business selling their crafts

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Linda Whitmore Imagine a little Bavarian village where a woodcarver sits at his workbench chipping away to make a small, wooden Kris Kringl wearing lederhosen – and you have Mt. Angel and one of its newest enterprises, Die Schnitzerwerkstatt, also ...

New in town: Shops and services open their doors in Silverton

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

MAYBERRY's Mayberry's 204 N. Water St. Silverton 503-874-1900 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday – Sunday Donna Snyder of The Red Bench is at it again. This time, she is opening a new store across the street, featuring, in her words, “A garden, Tuscan, Old World and ...

A literary passion: Local authors talk about their books

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas  Chilly evenings offer a perfect excuse for finding a snuggly blanket, a soft pillow and an enticing book, then curling up on the couch for an adventure.  Or, perhaps you’ve always dreamed of writing your own book or telling ...

Cold or flu? Here’s how to tell the difference and what to have on hand to help

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Dixon Bledsoe Getting a case of the creepin’ crud?  Feeling a bit under the weather or does crawling into a hole sound better? This is the time of year when colds and influenza strike, usually at the most inopportune moment and certainly ...

A holiday toast: Celebrate the season with a warm drink

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

  By Linda Whitmore A holiday open house is a low-stress way to share lively conversation and festive treats with friends and relations. Generally there's a buffet of finger foods that are prepared ahead, making it easy on the host and hostess, who ...

Responding to the Call

December 2008 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

By Mary Owen Entering into ministry felt like coming home for Silverton United Methodist Pastor Linda Quanstrom. “It’s challenging,” she said of her role as pastor in the United Methodist network of churches, “but also immensely satisfying.” Quanstrom was a minister’s kid, and ...

A gift: There’s no one so blind as he who will not see

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Winnie Bolton I’m following through on last month’s column about “unexpected goodness” for this month’s column concerning a gentleman who had just such an experience. His email was lyrical and his heartfelt adventure a pure joy to read. Here it is ...

A Grin at the End: My prognostication powers petered out

December 2008 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

  By Carl Sampson I think it’s about time for me to hang up the old crystal ball. My days as a prognosticator are over. Of course, it was a great — albeit short — run, but all good things must come to ...

Datebook – December 2008

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

NOTICES  Tree of Giving Through Dec. 10. By Zenith Women’s Club. Pick cards from trees in various locations corresponding to children in need, then purchase clothing and toys for them. 503-873-5588 Figure Drawing Register for figure drawing group starting in January at Silverton Art ...

Band of brothers: Siblings share ideals and chose service in the military

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

  By Kathy Cook Hunter In late November, John and Julia Grant of Silverton celebrated a son’s marriage along with the reunion of their three sons, each one smartly attired in a dress military uniform and dedicated to patriotic service to his ...

Message in a tree: Students send notes with hopes of a reply

December 2008 Posted in Community | Comments Off

The Message in the Trees “Like a letter in a bottle that’s tossed far out to sea, This special tag has been placed upon your Christmas tree. Let me introduce myself, I’m a child at Silver Crest, A school in tree farm land, way ...

Back to basics: Christmas simplicity can be a shared joy or tradition

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

  By Linda Whitmore The tale of 2008 – the stock market is down, home foreclosures are up, the job market is soft. and times are just plain hard. Perhaps it “‘tis the season to be jolly” but parents are experiencing difficulties ...

Spirit of giving: Bakery owner keeps doors open thanks to friends

December 2008 Posted in Business | Comments Off

  By Kathy Cook Hunter Molly Ainsley has been between a rock and a hard place regarding her business, Rolling Hills Bakery. Noticing a decline in sales at the bakery due to the poor economy, Ainsley had to decide how to stay ...

Grants given: Community benefits from O’fest, Mayor’s Ball events

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

Community organizations received early holiday presents this year as both the Mayor’s Ball and the Oktoberfest committees awarded grants. John Gooley, president of the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest,  announced the distribution of $115,650 to be shared by 57 nonprofit organizations in Mt. ...

The Old Curmudgeon: Dreaming up solutions

December 2008 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Vern Holmquist I have a dream. Whoa! I wonder where I got that line? Anyway, I do have a dream, a dream for Mt. Angel. I dream of a train that will get me from The Oregon Garden to Portland. A ...