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 7 at Silverton High School was an absolutely rousing success. There were 64 teams with 512 players, dozens of volunteers, thousands of dollars raised for the alcohol-free Project Graduation party, hundreds of pounds of food for the local food bank, and coverage on KGW TV – Channel 8. Great planning by Erica Rumpca and Mindy Duerst, along with their dedicated volunters. Congratulations to winners The Rat Pack from Perez Pest Control.
Four-year-old Emmit Johnson had $4 in his pocket. He heard some kids were hungry, so he bought them a six-pack of applesauce cups. Cute kid. Big heart.
First Friday was special again. Held April 6 in downtown Silverton, the crowd enjoyed Celebration of the Cultures with music, great food, the spirit of Good Friday and wonderful weather. It is events like this that makes Silverton unique. Kudos to all those who worked so hard to make it a night to remember.
Congratulations to Silverton High varsity boys basketball coach Darren Shryock, who was selected Oregon’s 5A Coach of the Year. His team finished 22-6 this season and took sixth place at the state tourney. Three of their losses were to state champion and league rival Corvallis. Junior Zach Gengler was voted to the 5A first team, all-state. Gengler averaged nearly 23 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds and just under 4 assists per game, despite being frequently double-teamed. He was voted Mid-Willamette Conference Player of the Year, broke the school scoring record as a junior. You read it here: Do not miss the 2012-13 season. With consummate team player and floor general Toby Roth coming back, along with Gengler and a total of six seniors, it is going to be one heckuva ride.
Silverton singer/songwriter Tiffany Kuenzi was a smash in Las Vegas where she performed in the Academy of Country Music’s Showcase of new talent. Only 75 emerging artists were invited from across the nation, and she was scheduled to sing three songs. She was asked to sing a fourth, one she penned called Grandma’s Lullaby, and had people in the crowd crying. A highly respected record company asked to meet with her. Look for Tiffany and Silverton country singing sensation Ben Rue at the Oregon Garden Brewfest April 27-28. Tiffany performs April 27 at 3:30 p.m., and Ben performs at 7 p.m. Two local talents destined to make it to the big time. Duet, anyone?
The Silver City Squares is mentoring young square dancers called the Silver Knights. The Knights are the only team representing Oregon at the Pacific Northwest Teen Square Dance Festival May 5 in Washington. The hard work they put in twice a week is likely to have a good result next month.The trip costs $2,000 and the kids have been fundraising since December but are about $600 short for their trip. Can anyone help them “grab their partner and dosey-doe? Contact Dian Forster, [email protected].
Who will be crowned Mr. SHS 2012? Will it be Taylor Bradberry, Aiden Krueger, Josif Ilisoi, Julian Canda, Torrey Rogness, Nick Johnston, Raven Herring or Blake Wolford? The seniors will sing, dance and entertain at the Mr. SHS show starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19 at Silverton High School. All the money raised is donated to Medical Teams International. Event mentor Johnie Ferro said “It is just a great night, with great kids all in a joint effort to support a great cause.” Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or by contacting Ferro at 503-873-6331, ext. 3794 or [email protected].
