By Jim Kinghorn
I have just four words for you… Jerry Lauzon for Pope… Hey, why not? He has a big personality, proven leadership qualities, is bi-lingual, already spends a lot of time at St. Mary’s and likes wearing hats. Of course, he and Connie would have to work out that whole “we’re married” thing but I, for one, am going to be on the lookout for the white smoke to rise from atop the Festhalle….
The Man knows the lads at Seven Brides are working hard to promote their brews regionally and even nationally, but they now are apparently thinkin’ interplanetary as they have parked behind their building what appears to be a lunar lander….
On a somber note comes news that former resident and 2000 Silverton First Citizen Mike Overfield was gunned down in the resort community he was developing in Roatan, Honduras. Our condolences go out to his family….
The Mural Master, Vince Till, reports that work continues on two new murals to add to the more than 20 artworks that adorn Silverton’s walls. Tonya Smithburg is creating The Silverton Steam-up to go on the wall at the Elk’s Club and Larry Kassell is preparing The Veteran for the Towne House parking lot wall. Vince also wants you to know that murals don’t paint or maintain themselves so donations are always welcome. Send to P.O.Box 880, Silverton, OR 97381
The Silverton Health Auxiliary is holding its annual Book and Gift sale on Friday March 22. The sale, which features (you guessed it) “books and gifts for all ages at a reasonable price” will be in the lobby above the Family Birth Center.
While mindlessly watching the umpteenth version of a “reality” show about dropping off a group of really annoying people in some remote location to see if they can survive without killing themselves or each other, I found myself wishing that they would just wander around lost until they were all eaten by wolves… now that would be a “reality” show…. Anybody with me?
In bidness news, Renee Bianchi and Celia Stapelton have put their Stone Buddha and Purl District shops up for sale with the Purl closing April 5 if a buyer isn’t found. The gals say it’s time for the next chapter in their lives…. Speaking of chapters, the Silver Falls Library is celebrating its 100th year this summer. The Helping Hands store is moving….somewhere, and Dixon Bledsoe is landing the ReMax balloon, along with several other undisclosed businesses, at Helping Hands current location at First and Main. Dona and Chris Rattray have opened Aire Serv Heating & Cooling in the Hartman Building. Jennifer Rosa has taken over Stone Creek Café along with Micki Blom and Rhona Roach and the local gals are brewin‘ it hot and ready to serve you a steaming hot cup of the jitters. The Coin Gallery has moved in with Silver Falls Pawn, The Silver Grille was named a 2013 Oregon Wine Superior Cellar, United Forest Products is on track for opening this fall, and West Coast Bank will become Columbia Bank on April 1….. And you thought nothing was going on….
Silver Falls State Park is looking for volunteers to work in the park store and as interpretive hosts on the Canyon Trail this summer. This hazardous duty which may involve mediating disputes between rival gangs of squirrels does not come with a sidearm but you do get a cool walkie-talkie with which to call for backup. Call 503-873-3735 or 503-581-4155 for more info.
Did’ja see where the processed meats giant Hormel recently bought Skippy Peanut Butter for $700 million? Hormel makes SPAM so The Man expects to see some combination in the near future…. Do you suppose it be called SKAM….or my favorite, SPUTTER.
