New superintendent: Bellando to replace Roessler July 1

November 2009 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Robert Frost Elementary School Principal Beth Davisson was the first to call Andy Bellando boss, but she certainly won’t be the last. “Congratulations, boss,” Davisson said with a smile and handshake after the Nov. 9 school board meeting. The ...

Search begins: Mt. Angel council seeks new administrator

November 2009 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas The search has begun for a new Mt. Angel City administrator. At the Nov. 2 meeting, Mt. Angel City Council members unanimously agreed to approve the city administrator profile and salary range for the recruitment process. Salary for the new ...

Mt. Angel tree lighting moves to gazebo

November 2009 Posted in Community | Comments Off

There is a new location for the Christmas tree in Mt. Angel this year. Instead of gathering around the blue spruce next to Mt. Angel City Hall to await Kris Kindl lighting the tree, Mt. Angel community members and guests will ...

A new pair of shoes: Middle-schooler Jordan Dark designs a Nike

November 2009 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Linda Whitmore A telephone call shook up what he calls “a normal Sunday,” bringing 12-year-old Jordan Dark some exciting news – he had been selected to design a pair of athletic shoes for Nike. That call led the Mt. Angel ...

Setting goals: Brian Meissner determined to make a difference

November 2009 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Steve Ritchie Brian Meissner discovered early in life that having a goal is a powerful thing. At age 14,  he was a self-described couch potato – seriously overweight and unhappy with himself. Meissner decided to do something about it, and set a ...

Calling all Angels: Friends host event to benefit Kathryn Cramer

November 2009 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, People | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Almost every day, Kathryn Cramer is visited by angels. Not the kind you see in the movies with the feathery wings, glistening white gowns, saintly smiles or glowing halos. Instead, her angels come in tennis shoes or clogs, sweatshirts ...

Blanket benefit: Limited-edition Sesquicentennial memento featured in historical society fundraiser

November 2009 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

Silverton Country Historical Society is conducting a drawing for a limited-edition Oregon Sesquicentennial Pendleton blanket. The drawing will take place at the SCHS annual meeting on Saturday, Jan. 23, just before the end of Oregon’s sesquicentennial year on Feb. 14.  The ...

Community dinner: Monitor Inn hosts feast for the neighbors

November 2009 Posted in Community | Comments Off

By Jay Shenai The Monitor community is gathering on Saturday, Nov. 21, to share a hearty Thanksgiving dinner together and to help their neighbors who are having a tough time. The dinner is from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Monitor ...

Silverton FFA student a national champion

November 2009 Posted in People, School | Comments Off

Carson States of the Silverton FFA Chapter was named the 2009 National FFA Champion in Extemporaneous Public Speaking during the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 21–24. He is the first FFA member from the state of Oregon ...

Donohue, Morrissey named finalists

November 2009 Posted in School | Comments Off

Marissa Donohue and Alex Morrissey were recently selected as state finalists in Wendy’s High School Heisman Awards program. From each state, 10 females and 10 males are chosen as state finalists. Soon they will learn if they are state winners. ...

SHS FFA competes at national agronomy event in Indianapolis

November 2009 Posted in School | Comments Off

Using scientific principles and investigative skills, members of the Silverton FFA Chapter competed at the National FFA agronomy career development event during the 82nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 21–24. Team members were Riane Towery, Kelsey Potter, Colby Qualey ...

Therkelsen named DAR Good Citizen

November 2009 Posted in School | Comments Off

Anna Therkelsen was recently selected as John F. Kennedy High School’s Daughter of the American Revolution Good Citizen. This program and scholarship contest is sponsored locally by the Belle Passi Chapter DAR. Initially, the high school staff nominates seniors based ...

SHS Project Graduation plans fundraisers

November 2009 Posted in School | Comments Off

Silverton High School Project Graduation – a parents organization raising money for the all-night drug and alcohol-free Graduation Party – is planning several fundraising events, including: Pizza night on Monday, Nov. 30, 4 to 7 p.m. with 25 percent of ...

Cross country: JFK places high

November 2009 Posted in School, Sports | Comments Off

The Kennedy Cross Country teams concluded a successful season at the OSAA State Meet on Nov. 7. The Kennedy boys finished in 11th place and the girls took 9th. The boys team extended its run of qualifying for state to 12 ...

Kennedy High fall sports All State honors named

November 2009 Posted in School, Sports | Comments Off

The OSAA recently announced winners of the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All State honors for fall sports. Kennedy High School Boys Cross Country team came in first place in the 1A/2A/3A division with a team GPA of 3.74. Kennedy Girls’ ...

Anderson earns cross country recognition

November 2009 Posted in School, Sports | Comments Off

Silverton High School sophomore Morgan Anderson took 24th place at the OSAA 5A State Cross Country Meet with a time of 20 minutes and 25 seconds, earning her an All-State Honorable Mention. She took third place at the district cross-country meet. ...

Silver Falls Soccer Club updates

November 2009 Posted in Other | Comments Off

Soccer club posts high school tryout dates High school tryouts for U15 and U18 boys and girls teams are planned by the Silver Falls Soccer Club. Tryouts cost $25 and will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, and from ...

Man About Town: He’s the big wiener! – You want mustard with that?

November 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Jim Kinghorn Eng Acupuncture recently welcomed acupuncturist and herbalist Andrea Fisk to their First Street practice. Andrea comes to Silverton via Chicago and has extensive experience developing treatment strategies for her clients. The Man was going to try acupuncture once ...

The Old Curmudgeon: Now, we’re talkin’ turkey

November 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Vern Holmquist In a week or so we will be celebrating Turkey and Pumpkin Pie Day. Most workers will have the day off, and are thankful for that. To the many unemployed, it is just another day of wondering where ...

From the Publisher: A little means a lot

November 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

About 120 years ago I was a poor student living in a mill-town hovel outside of Springfield, working full time, going to school full time, and trudging head down past the U of O Fishbowl daily. There was no point ...

Our Town Advertising Directory

November 2009 Posted in Other | Comments Off

These are the businesses and organizations that advertised in the print edition of Our Town: • Silverton Wine & Jazz Festival – May 14 in Downtown Silverton Allstate Insurance – Bill Johnson, Silverton Anytime Fitness, Silverton Audio Hearing Service, Silverton Bluebird Montessori, Silverton Canyonview Camp, Silverton Cliff's ...

Gift to community: Larry Epping donates 40 acres for a park and fire station off Ike Mooney Road

November 2009 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Jay Shenai Consider it a $1.2 million Christmas gift months ahead of schedule but one that will take several years to fully enjoy. In a letter dated Oct. 7, Silverton city officials received a stunning proposition from Larry Epping, owner of ...

Photo Gallery: Food drive – Community contributes to SACA

November 2009 Posted in Community, Photo Gallery, School | Comments Off

Volunteers carried, sorted and stacked donations during the Oct. 17 food drive for Silverton Area Community Aid. SACA vounteers gathered 14,000 pounds of food for the community food bank. Photos by Sheldon Traver. [gallery=11]

Lingering questions: City posts Hunt depositions to Web site

November 2009 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas In his dispute with the city of Mt. Angel, former city administrator Jim Hunt sought a total of $265,000 in lost wages, damage to health and reputation, and lost benefits, according to his “Petition for Relief.” The petition ...

The Forum: Council correspondence – An open letter to Council and Citizens

November 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

Web master's note: This letter was received past Our Town's press deadline and is not in the November 1, 2009 print edition. Mayor Schiedler and Council: I congratulate you for your published efforts to “move forward.”  However, your public is not ...