By Dixon Bledsoe
For the first time in years, somebody surprised and rendered my daughter, Briana, speechless. Briana became engaged to Ethan Hupp on May 4. The proposal was priceless. The clever firefighter/paramedic, who works in the Lincoln County area, told his now bride-to-be they had to attend an awards dinner at Otter Crest. When he dropped to one knee on the promontory overlooking Cape Foulweather, she backed up and told him to knock it off, thinking he was joking and that they were going to the imaginary dinner. He gave her a beautiful, brilliant diamond ring to affirm his sincerity. His parents, Jan and Cindy Hupp, sister Molly and her husband Scott Marcum hid in the bushes when he proposed, as did Briana’s best friend, Amanda Borchers, grandparents Jim and Carol McDonald, and mother, Lisa, along with a certain father-of-the prospective bride. A toast by Ethan’s father, Jan, was made with a wonderful Garrison Cellars 2007 Cabernet and dinner followed at Surfrider’s Restaurant. Briana is a senior nursing student at Linfield, and is working wedding planning into her studies along with riveting yet touching stories of chronic disease and pharmacology. Her father, who happily gave permission when Ethan asked for his daughter’s hand, has changed his moniker to FOTB or Paternal Mush Ball. They plan to marry in 2015. Congratulations Briana and Ethan. Here’s to many years of happiness and love, like your parents. A match for life has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
Lt. Col. Phillip Appleton, executive officer of the 82nd BDE, was promoted to colonel in a May 10 ceremony held at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Salem. The much-traveled Army Officer has been featured in Our Town regarding his tours of duty in the Gulf, and we are proud to call him one of Silverton’s and Oregon’s finest. Congratulations Col. Appleton.
This is prom time, and Silverton High School students did it right May 4. But what a lead-up. You know you have done a good job as parents when your kids pose for pictures for almost an hour in the heat without water when they could have been in the party limo and they just indulge you with nearly-sincere smiles. Son Trevor and his gorgeous date, Abby Grant, joined an intimate group of 22 friends at the stunning Oregon Garden where the event was to be held later that evening. Kevin Schwabauer was dashing and yet subdued in his tux with bright orange vest, and a few of the gents had what we old folks use to refer to as “spats” on their somewhat enormous feet. You know high school graduation is near when prom has passed, and that carries its own bittersweet thoughts.
Silverton Area Community Aid selected Sammie Friesen as its first volunteer of the month. It seems the wonderful young lady is a rising star after forging a precious relationship with Teresa Warriner. Warriner, SACA’s assistant administrative director, connects with Sammie in a way like no other staff or volunteers have since Sue Roessler. Sammie puts away food, helps repackage bulk items and shreds hundreds of confidential documents each week, and has put in tons of hours to help those who help those in need. This amazing volunteer with a wry smile and great sense of humor has made many friends at SACA, and now gets a free lunch courtesy of Ray and Ryan Kwong at Chan’s Restaurant. Maybe she will invite her parents, Trent and Lisa, and Teresa to come along.
Neeva, 3, was serious about getting some gum. It didn’t sit well when her mom, Amy, refused to cave, so Neeva struck up a conversation with a woman in the grocery’s check-out line. She asked the woman if she was a grandmother, and was told “Yes, I have seven grandchildren.” Neeva innocently asked if the woman was her grandmother, and was told no. The little girl asked the lady if she would like to be, and the woman replied, “Why I would love to be.” Recognizing an opportunity and realizing the strategic window was open for the time it took to check groceries, Neeva calmly replied, “Would you buy me some gum?” Out of the mouths of babes. We may have a future politician or crisis negotiator.
