One of the few fringe benefits of this pandemic is the fact that my 50th high school reunion was canceled. That’s right, the Conestoga High School Class of 1971 has let the coronavirus get the best of it. I suppose that means the constabulary of Berwyn, Pennsylvania, won’t have to worry about a bunch of 67-year-old duffers running over curbs […]
Denise Marie (Howes) Totland, 58, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2021. A graveside memorial service will be held in Silverton on Saturday, May 22, 2021, under the direction of Unger Funeral Home. Visit ungerfuneralchapel.com for details. Denise was born in Burns, Oregon on Sept. 7, 1962 to Don and Theresa Howes. She grew up in Ontario, Oregon where she graduated in […]
I remember meeting Arland Anderson as a lowly freshman in high school in 1966. He was a junior and one imposing figure – larger than life. Standing about 6’4″ and not “diminutive”, he had a booming voice, and huge and infectious smile, and seemed to get along with everyone. We both played basketball and got to scrimmage a bit together. […]
By Melissa Wagoner Weeks out from the official start of summer and fire experts are already warning Oregonians of another potentially difficult fire season. Which is why Carrie Berger, a fire program manager with the OSU Extension service, has recently partnered with both state and local agencies to launch a series of webinars titled, “Fire Aware. Fire Prepared,” to help […]
We wholeheartedly endorse Melissa Seifer Briggs for Silver Falls School Board. Melissa is an experienced attorney, most recently with the Oregon Judicial Department, and a Silverton native. She and her husband, David Briggs, have five young children, ages 12 to 3. Melissa is devoted to all children, especially those who may be disadvantaged or at risk. The depth and breadth […]
I want to express my support for Stephanie Mantie for a position on the Silver Falls School Board. She has the intellect and background that would greatly benefit our school district at this time. Stephanie has been actively involved in our local schools and has built solid relationships with our diverse community. She believes that the school district needs to be […]
We have had the privilege of knowing Stephanie Mantie for 20 years. We served together in our church youth group for many years. We have witnessed her raise her kids, serve others, and interact in the community. We cannot recommend her enough for the position on the school board. She is a person of immense integrity. We have witnessed her […]
It’s been a busy year for the researchers here at Sampson Laboratories (motto: You can never do too much useless stuff). One of our intrepid scientists is coming up with an easier way to make carbon fiber parts for airplanes. I’m not really sure how it was supposed to work but I think it involves using Bungee cords to tie […]
One of the fun parts of social media is people posing good questions to their sphere regarding favorite things, heroes, who they would like to meet, and who they most admire. As for the latter, names like Martin Luther King, Jimmy Carter, The Dali Llama, Jesus Christ, Ronald Reagan, Harriet Tubman, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are often cited. A good […]
Kennedy High’s volleyball team completed a near-perfect season Nov. 9 with a 3-0 victory against Central Linn in the Class 2A state championship match at Ridgeview High in Redmond. The Trojans, who won with match scores of 25-14, 25-21 and 25-18, captured the first volleyball state title in school history and finished 33-1. The previous top finish for the program […]
As time goes on, The Man is constantly reminded that “none of us are getting any younger” and hence, the “Bucket List” comes into play. Ever since high school the Man-ette has whimsically talked of going to France so I figured the top of the list was as good a place to start as anywhere and dove in. Paris and […]
Fix high school sound system A year ago we attended our grandson’s graduation from Silverton High School. He was one of the valedictorian speakers, and of course, we were looking forward to hearing his speech. We knew we’d be seated in the auditorium; it’s common for the overflow attendees not to get to sit where the ceremony actually [takes] place. […]
“I feel like I’m living in the movie Groundhog Day,” I recently told my husband in exasperation. “Load the dishwasher. Empty the dishwasher. Wipe the counters. Fold the laundry. Repeat.” I wasn’t joking. Some days – OK, quite a few days – feel mind-numbingly similar and it is no mystery why. They are. Sometimes I like that. Sometimes I feel […]
When he wasn’t chopping down cherry trees, George Washington used to keep a list of things he could do to improve himself. He did it in the form of a self-help booklet, and while some of the tips involved things like not picking fleas off yourself in the company of others and not complaining about the food you just ate, […]
A few years ago, a man named Larry Platt auditioned for American Idol with an original hit (that later sold millions), “Pants on the Ground”, which made fun of young men and boys who wore their pants halfway down their bottoms with their underwear exposed. Many of us have done the same, shaking our heads. Jason Franz likely said, “My […]
Silverton had a huge hole to fill at quarterback this season. Levi Nielsen had started four years in the position, leading the squad to the playoffs all four seasons. But as the Foxes, 5-0, headed into a critical Special District 3 game against 4-1 Dallas that took place after Our Town’s presstime the QB slot is in good hands. Sophomore […]
“Enjoy this time because it’ll be over before you know it,” is possibly the single most cruel sentence one can utter to a new parent, yet the compulsion to say it is hard to resist. I’ve said it – many times – and even as it leaves my mouth I wish I could take it back. Because, what could be […]
I love small towns. I’ve lived in several – in Oregon, Minnesota and Alaska. Unless I was forced to, I’d never live in a big city. But I’ve been at a loss to explain to other people just why I like small towns. It’s not just the Fourth of July fireworks or the street festivals. There’s more to it. I […]
Delegation. Not my strong suit. Many years ago when I worked as assistant manager for a retail clothing store it was the number one critique on my yearly review time and again. I just felt I could get things done faster and better if I did them myself. I still do. Fast forward any number of years and now I […]
By the time this column is published, the Oktoberfest will be winding down on Sunday. So many memories, such good times, and the intake of about 4.2 billion calories. But fall is upon us, and soon the holidays, with events every weekend. We all have our “Bavarian” rituals, from German Sausage on a bun with ‘kraut to that spectacular apple […]
I am standing on a spit of land that curls into the Pacific Ocean. As the sun drifts lower in the evening sky, the far-away islands take on a golden hue, basking in the summer twilight. I’m thankful that I’m standing on the northern precipice of the U.S., a place I never had any intention of visiting. I have the […]
Writing a column can be difficult at best, especially when one’s mind is following a single track and seldom strays from that. It would be easy to talk about politics every month since there is so much material to work with. A good friend (Let’s call her “Cindy Jones”, in case she was seeking anonymity, lol) asked me recently, “How […]
I have a secret addiction. Well, maybe it’s not so secret because anyone who spends more than five minutes talking to me knows what it is. I love podcasts. I listen to them all day – or at least I would if I could. I listen to everything – parenting advice, writing commiseration, cooking and even society and culture talks. […]
There’s one advantage to being a “senior citizen.” You get lots of mail. And phone calls. Ever since I flipped the calendar over on the cool side of 65, all sorts of folks have been lining up to help me with all sorts of things. They offer help setting up a retirement plan, and if I’d only give them all […]
She is a dynamic woman, a wonderful ballerina who has danced in galas on Broadway and across the world. Smart as a whip, charismatic as all get out, planning to major in biological science. Her work ethic is impeccable. Her favorite ballet is La Bayadere about the love of an Indian peasant for a princess. Last summer she was dancing […]
