Police poaching: Retaining trained officers proves a challenge

December 2009 Posted in Community | Comments Off

By Brenna WiegandOne of the most troubling forms of theft Silverton Police Chief Rick Lewis says he has to contend with is from his department’s ranks. Officers, after about a year’s worth of paid training time, are stolen away by ...

A Grin at the End: Living life just for the fun of it

December 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Carl Sampson You’ve probably seen the video of the folks in Sweden who turned a flight of stairs into a piano keyboard. As passers-by walked up the stairs, each step played a note. It’s a variation of a kids’ toy I ...

Holidays far from home: Servicemen reflect on mission, sacrifice

December 2009 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Cali Bagby Snow was falling and a white fog of clouds hung outside the UH-60 Blackhawk’s window. On the mountain below, medic Sgt. 1st Class Will Welborn, 37, of Silverton stood near a patient suffering from a broken back after ...

Photo Gallery: Christmas in Silverton and Mt. Angel

December 2009 Posted in Photo Gallery | Comments Off

Tis the season for jolly entertainments. Festive functions drew together residents and visitors to celebrate in hometown style. Silverton started off on First Friday, Dec. 7, with Christmas tree lighting, music and shopping. On Dec. 8, Mt. Angel hosted Kristkindlmarkt with ...

Singing the praises of their small-town home: Zollner family celebrates more than 142 years in Mt. Angel

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

By Linda Whitmore Mt. Angel residents Paul and Pat Zollner wrote and recorded a song titled “Christmas in Mt. Angel,” which begins: “Church bells of St. Mary’s are ringing in my mind, Once again they call to me, ‘Come home, it’s Christmas time.’ So ...

Success story: Surviving, thriving, with help from friends

December 2009 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Molly Ainsley can testify about the spirit, and power, of gifts given without expectation of anything in return. The owner of Rolling Hills Bakery, Ainsley received the gift of time from more than 20 community members. “If it weren’t for ...

Adoption fundraiser: Family sells trees to help bring baby home

December 2009 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Mary Owen It’s very possible that Abigail Stutzman hasn’t seen many Christmas trees, if any, but her family has a backyard full of them at their Silverton home. The Stutzmans are selling the trees for $15 each to raise funds to ...

Christmas magic: Downey finds holiday spirit in children’s eyes

December 2009 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Linda Whitmore For Dennis Downey, Silverton Together’s Celebration of Families is “all about the kids.” He loves seeing Christmas through children’s eyes. Downey has helped out at the event for more years than he can remember, maybe 15, ever since he ...

Man About Town: Those steps do go up, right?

December 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Jim Kinghorn The lads at Seven Brides Brewing shook up the hopheads at the recent Holiday Ale Festival up in Stumptown. They featured their new selection called Drunkel (aptly named for that one drunken uncle that seems to show up ...

Mayor’s message: At odds with Chamber

December 2009 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Dixon Bledsoe Billed as the mayor’s state of the city address, the November Silverton Chamber of Commerce Forum proved to be a revealing look at the relationship between Mayor Stu Rasmussen and chamber business leaders. During his remarks, the mayor praised ...

Kennedy High football: Trojans take secon place in state 2-A

December 2009 Posted in School, Sports | Comments Off

By Vince Teresi The 2009 schedule posters displayed in many Mt. Angel businesses labeled the Kennedy High School football team as “Bigger, Stronger, Faster.” The team certainly lived up to that standard. The Trojans also proved to be better, winning the Tri-River ...

Away from home: Exchange students talk about holiday traditions

December 2009 Posted in School | Comments Off

Interviewed by Cambria Roth What are your family’s Christmas traditions? MELVIN SARASUA, Belgium We have a Christmas tree that we decorate and a big family supper that my grandparents and mother cook. We eat roast beef and a traditional cake called Buche. On midnight ...

The Old Curmudgeon: It’s not the gift – but the fact I thought of it

December 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Other | Comments Off

By Vern Holmquist It’s just a few days away from goody goody gift time. The Old Curmudgeon has a little different take on gift giving in that I really don't give a darn what the gift receiver wants, nor do I ...

Christmas Festival: Get crafty, sing along and celebrate at Silver Falls

December 2009 Posted in Community | Comments Off

By Mary Owen Family fun at the falls Friends of Silver Falls and Silver Falls State Park’s 32nd Christmas Festival South Falls Lodge, off Highway 214 Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Crafts, stories, music, food Admission free; parking $3 Ho ho ho! Santa’s coming to Silver ...

Collecting memories: Tips for sharing, listening and learning during the holiday season

December 2009 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Other | Comments Off

By Kathy Cook Hunter Oral history resources Online visit www.storycorps.net/tools and other related links such as www.storycorps.org/listen to learn methods and technological tips. Silver Falls Library and Salem Public Library have relevant books in the 808 and 929 sections. Oral history CDs are available for checkout and sale ...

Calendar kids: Student art turns into YMCA fundraiser

December 2009 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Lynne Berkey It all started with a contest – students were asked to write an essay about their favorite YMCA and/or other equally healthy, active program experience; describe what they liked about it and what they learned from it. They also ...

New Habitat director: Jerry Ambris charges ahead in difficult times

December 2009 Posted in Community, People | Comments Off

By Jay Shenai Ask Jerry Ambris what his favorite movie is and he will tell you without hesitation: Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. The 27-year-old executive director of the North Willamette Valley affiliate of Habitat for Humanity says he can relate to the image ...

Sharing resources: JFK students join in SHS career and tech programs

December 2009 Posted in School | Comments Off

By Steve Ritchie JFK principal Troy Stoops had a major problem to solve last spring. He was having a tough time filling a full-time position for the next year. The open slot combined teaching agriculture and science and required certification in ...

Holiday cheer: Chambers set the stage for family holiday fun

December 2009 Posted in Community | Comments Off

KristkindlMarkt and Tree Lighting Enjoy the traditions and food of a Bavarian village without having to travel to Germany. The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce hosts the fourth annual KristkindlMarkt, a German Christmas tradition, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. ...

Get creative: Holiday, special event decorating goes from the outside in

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

By Brenna Wiegand With some creative thinking and a pair of clippers (or chainsaw if need be) you can gather the raw materials to beautify your holiday table, a community function – or a whole wedding! Anyone who’s ever put on a ...

Merton retreat set

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

Shalom Prayer Center, a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters, presents the annual Thomas Merton Retreat, this year with award-winning filmmaker and author Morgan Atkinson, Dec. 11-12. The retreat will feature the acclaimed documentary, Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton ...

Something for the Soul: Santa’s address, anyone? – Kids know where Mr. Claus really lives.

December 2009 Posted in Other | Comments Off

By Winnie Bolton While I was volunteering eight years ago, helping a group of elementary students write their letters to Santa Claus, I asked the children what’s important to remember about the Christmas season. A young girl answered, “My mom says to ...

O’fest awards grants: More than $100k goes to area nonprofits

December 2009 Posted in Community | Comments Off

John Gooley, Oktoberfest president announced the distribution of $105,250 to be shared by 48 non-profit organizations in Mt. Angel and surrounding communities as a result of this year’s successful Oktoberfest. This figure does not include $637,742.23 earned by the non-profit community ...

Cooking for Christmas: Recipes for relish and cookies to suit Santa

December 2009 Posted in Food & Drink | Comments Off

By Kathy Cook Hunter Here is a recipe to fill your special Christmas needs. From what I could glean from my oldest cookbook, what I’ve always called “date bars” are English Matrimonials – also known as “matrimonial cake.” This version came ...

A Grin at the End: A comprehensive health care plan – in just 490 words

December 2009 Posted in Columnists & Opinion, Other | Comments Off

By Carl Sampson You’ve been following the national debate over health care. I can tell by the glazed look in your eyes, and the dazed look on your face. You – and everyone else – have been wondering how such a simple ...