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Palace burns: Early morning fire destroys theater lobby

April 2012 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand Photographs by Jim Kinghorn [gallery=28] Silverton Fire District continues its investigation into the April 11 fire that damaged the Palace Theatre, a unique and well-loved fixture in Silverton for 78 years. Firefighters responded at approximately 7:15 a.m. Wednesday with seven emergency ...

From the Editor: Meet The Elephant

April 2012 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Paula Mabry You know the old saying, the one that goes “Nobody wants to talk about the elephant in the room . . .” Well, in this issue, let us introduce you to The Elephant at Eugene Field School. Eugene Field ...

Airing concerns: Is the Eugene Field building contributing to illnesses?

April 2012 Posted in School | Comments Off

Editor’s note: This is second in a series on the state of Silver Falls School District facilities. The first part, on the functionality of  the Eugene Field Elementary School building, appeared in the March 15 edition of Our Town. By Kristine ...

No-win situation: Band, Spanish, specialists on district’s chopping block

April 2012 Posted in School | Comments Off

By Don Murtha Counselors, school supplies, coaches, food service, maintenance, athletics and band are part of a long list of reductions and cuts on the proposed Mount Angel School District 2012-13 budget to meet a $792,737 shortfall. The list of reductions includes ...

Under the knife: Silverton Health announces cuts

April 2012 Posted in Business | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand Silverton Health is acting swiftly to remedy a projected $3 million budget shortfall. Over the next several months, the independent health system will restructure or close a number of services and eliminate 35 positions from its 900-member workforce. The culprits: ...

Bread Board opens: Devoted fans attract bakery to Silverton

April 2012 Posted in Business | 2 Comments »

By Omie Drawhorn Some people who slice into a loaf of The Bread Board’s pumpernickel rye or dig into a sticky bun, may not be familiar with the style of bread baked by the Falls City bakery. “People who like it become ...

From field to glass: Three hop farms supply local, national breweries

April 2012 Posted in Business, Food & Drink | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Barley, water, yeast and hops are the four essential ingredients to make beer. The variety of hops, and how the brew master uses them during the brewing process, contribute to making each beer unique, John Annen of Annen Bros. ...

A remarkable woman: New documentary celebrates Vesper Geer

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, People | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand Within the homestead built by Homer Davenport’s grandparents lie countless untold stories. Thankfully, the farm and farmhouse are still in the family. Jim and his wife Erika Toler have perpetuated the family atmosphere – and simple farm life – ...

One of a kind: World-class museum opens in Festhalle

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

By Jo Garcia-Cobb The last several months have been like Christmas day for Helen Kasch and Janice Newlands. Newlands and Kasch were responsible for studying, organizing and cataloging a world-class collection of dolls, amassed by Elaine Annen. “It’s a collector’s dream because of ...

Man About Town: Marvelous mustard… or monastic moneybags?

April 2012 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Jim Kinghorn If you hurry, there’s still time to get your Poe on. By the time you read this the Silverton Poetry Festival will be in full swing. To check out the schedule, go to silvertonpoetry.org Speaking of festivals, planning for ...

Play on!: Free big band concerts set

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

By Don Murtha Community Band Festival Saturday, April 21 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Silverton High School Theater 1456 Pine St. Free Music lovers – especially those who enjoy big bands – should mark their calendar for Saturday, April 21 when music will fill the as ...

The Old Curmudgeon: Friday festivities – Right mix for a perfect evening

April 2012 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Vern Holmquist It was a chilly early spring evening. I hesitated going out but what I anticipated was too good to ignore. It was Silverton Chamber of Commerce’s “First Friday.” The main street was blocked off with booths, businesses were serving delicious food ...

People Out Loud: Great people, great place

April 2012 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Dixon Bledsoe This town never ceases to amaze me. From celebrating cultures and kids dosey-doe-ing to tiny tots digging into their little wallets, we live in one special place. The Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Donate Dodge Ball tournament held April ...

Silverton Poetry Workshop in April

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

Saturday, April 14 Poetry Workshop, 1:30-4:00 pm Historic White Steeple Gallery, 314 Jersey Street Award-winning performance poet, Alejandro Jimenez, will show ways to add new dimensions to our poetry. Limited space, reserve by sending $30.00 workshop fee, mail to Silverton Arts Association, C/O Silverton Poetry Association 503.873.2480  spa@silvertonpoetry.org

Art and identity: As Silverton molds its artists, artists shape community

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Jay Shenai A young woman pays a backward glance over her right shoulder in Tonya Smithburg’s portrait entitled Graceful. Behind her trails a dirt road into the countryside, along the darkness of a fenced-in woodland. The woman appears to be at ...

Heralding Homer: Titanic connection sparks renewed interest

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand He’s just doing what he loves, but Gus Frederick’s lifelong passion for unearthing local history could yield a heaping of tourism for Silverton. Over the years, Frederick’s research, multi-faceted as any family tree, has resulted in countless films, articles ...

Heirlooms stolen: No signs of break-in

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, News | Comments Off

Silverton residents have been robbed of two priceless pieces of history. Sometime between Feb. 1 and March 17, a thief took watches that once belonged to two men who played important roles in Silverton’s history – Homer Davenport and Bill McGinnis ...

Duck, dive ‘n’ dodge: Teams grab a ball to benefit the senior class

April 2012 Posted in Sports | Comments Off

By Omie Drawhorn For Scott Maddux and the rest of the BrucePac team, playing in the Silverton Dodge Ball Tournament is all about having fun. “People dress up and this tournament takes you back to your younger days, for some of us ...

Under the Big Top: It’s an evening to get the girls together

April 2012 Posted in Community | Comments Off

By Dixon Bledsoe Ladies Night Out Friday, April 13, 7 - 10 p.m. Frank J. Schmidt Pavilion The Oregon Garden 879 W. Main St., Silverton Tickets available at the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 426 S. Water St., Silverton $35 in advance or $40 at the door. 503-873-5615 or www.silvertonladiesnightout.com Proceeds benefit ...

A perfect 10: Strong enrollment leads to new studio

April 2012 Posted in Community, School | Comments Off

By Omie Drawhorn When Megan Bonham and her husband Douglas Bonham started Silverton Gymnastics three months ago, they had a goal of enrolling 90 students in the first year. They did it in the first two weeks. With their mobile gymnastics program, ...

Work rewarded: Silverton Dance Team continues its success at state

April 2012 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, School | Comments Off

The Silverton High School Dance Team members have once again been rewarded for the countless hours of practice and their dedication. The team received the fourth-place trophy in the 5A Intermediate Division at the Oregon state competition in March. For 18 ...

Jell-O invite: Giving new meaning to old experiences

April 2012 Posted in Community | Comments Off

By Mary Owen Silverton United Methodist parishioners plan to “jiggle” their way into First Friday’s Celebration of Cultures. “There will be delicious Jell-O treats!” the Rev. Linda Quanstrom said. “Jell-O is often associated with two things: children and church potlucks. We remember ...

Outreach operation: Canyonview works to offer more scholarships

April 2012 Posted in Community | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand Operation Full Camp Friday, April 6, 7 to 9 p.m., Downtown Silverton Canyonview representatives will be at First Friday to explain programs and raise scholarship funds Estimated weekly camp fees: Day Camp (M-F; ages 6-11), $120 Overnight Camp (M-F; ages 7-17), $240-325 Horsemanship Camp (M-F; ...

Priceless words: Friends, family complete books by Canyonview founder

April 2012 Posted in People | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand His legacy continues. In December, the family of Dale Price unveiled two books compiled from his life and writings. Price, co-founder and executive director of Canyonview Camp in the Silverton hills, died April 16, 2011, at 63. His wife Ruby Price, ...

Something for the Soul: Mutual respect bears sweet fruit

April 2012 Posted in Columnists & Opinion | Comments Off

By Winnie Bolton As far back as I can remember, I’ve wondered why there existed a variety of faiths when there is only one God. As I grow older, I realize what brings humanity together is always more important and fundamental than ...