By Dixon Bledsoe There are people who make a grand entrance into a room and command – almost demand – attention. Then there are those who retreat into the confines of their safety zone, be it X-Box or a good book. Then there is Tug.  A 14 year-old freshman at Silverton High School, Tug Loberg lives life to the fullest […]

By Dixon Bledsoe In writing a story about a special young lady with a rare condition called Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, it became clear to me just how tough it is for parents of children with significant and unique challenges. For those of you caring for kids with autism, Down ’s syndrome, ALS, MS, CP, or any other syndrome, disease, or debilitating […]

By Dixon Bledsoe The setting at Vanderbeck Valley Farms was perfect. The warm weather was softened by a cool breeze off of Butte Creek and shaded trees. After 49,765 posts on Facebook, a houseful of decorations that soon became tripping hazards, many showers and some relatively calm bachelor/bachelorette parties, it was the day. Ethan Hupp and Briana Bledsoe were married […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Years ago, I was at the drive-through window at Boedie’s Drive-In (best hamburgers ever; now Subway) and a nice young lady asked for my order. I noticed a brown spot on her neck and stewed over whether I should mention it. I asked myself the question, “Would you want someone to tell you?” Of course. So I […]

By Dixon Bledsoe There is nothing quite like a sunny First Friday in Silverton. June 6 was a gorgeous night, people were out in full force, shops were open, and the mood was fine. What a beautiful place we live. I am looking forward to a patriotic July First Friday. Americana at its best. Congratulations to all the graduates. Probably […]

By Dixon Bledsoe I was fortunate to work with Susan Goschie Denny last year on a fundraiser for Silverton Area Community Aid. The event was a remarkable success, raising $48,000. What impressed me most was Susan’s energy, intelligence and ability to get you to do something and make you think it was your idea.  Susan passed away in April and […]

By Dixon Bledsoe This is a column I knew I’d have to write someday about a beautiful woman. I had hoped it would be years away. In fact, she was so strong I just assumed she might have to write a column about me instead. Carol Boedigheimer McDonald passed away March 28 after an incredibly hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. […]

By Dixon Bledsoe It is snowing and the streets are quiet as the world around Silverton finds the warmth of their fireplace much more inviting than a 20-car pile-up. A fresh blanket of snow tried hard to conceal my newspaper this morning, to no avail.  This layer of new snow reminds me a lot of the New Year – a […]

By Dixon Bledsoe In 2013, empty storefronts in Silverton became vibrant again and our beautiful little corner of the world is alive and well. Finishing a four-year run at Silverton Area Community Aid in 2013 was bittersweet for me.  While I am excited about owning a successful business, SACA left me with indelible thoughts of service and generous people. It […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Editor’s Note: This column is meant to be sung to the tune of “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.” While the Portland traffic is frightful, shopping locally is so delightful. From chocolate to antiques to handcrafted beers, buy it here, buy it here, buy it here… When Salem roads are icy, the deals here […]

By Dixon Bledsoe I am thankful for autumn leaves. Not so much to rake them but in the beauty and serenity they provide us. Leaves are a little bit like relationships – they can bring us smiles and are there with dazzling colors when the days shorten, rains return and temperatures drop. But they take work. Take care of your leaves […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Tiffany Kuenzi is at it again. And she is a step closer to making the big time. The Silverton songbird of the country persuasion recently opened for Montgomery Gentry; sang with Joe Nichols, Craig Cambell and Jerrod Nieman, and received an honorable mention at the The International Songwriters’ Competition, which is the world’s largest songwriting competition. The […]

By Dixon Bledsoe As the last vestiges of summer dissipate into a few remaining hot days and cool nights, a mass exodus is about to begin like millions of young salmon heading out to sea, eager to take their new fins out for an extended test drive. Time to send the kids off to college. While parents will cry, rejoice, […]

By Dixon Bledsoe I had to change the name of my column this month to Susan Out Loud and I think you will understand why. Susan Sasano is leaving the Silver Falls Family YMCA director position she has owned for six and a half years. A song comes to mind from The Sound of Music – “How Do You Solve […]

By Dixon Bledsoe There is something special about summer and the week of the Fourth of July. Silverton Day at The Oregon Garden on July 3 was like a fine Pinot Noir and a bottle of Emily’s Amber beer. The fireworks were incredible and the crowd was a mural of Silverton life with a mix of tourists. Music and patriotism […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Bittersweet is apropos as my four-year run with Silverton Area Community Aid ends June 30. I am so glad Teresa Warriner was selected to take the helm. She is a good one, and I don’t think she would mind being called a “keeper.” This is job has made me both tired and joyful. It was the perfect […]

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 […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Sometimes I wonder: Why people throw trash carelessly in our beautiful state? My wife, daughter and I took a pre-dawn walk on a gorgeous Lincoln City beach during spring break and lost our natural “high” looking for fishing floats put out by the Chamber of Commerce. The bubble-bursters? Lower life forms who throw trash and cigarette butts […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Ever get the feeling of both satisfaction and despair as you come to the end of a really good book? It was a great read, but what now? What will the author have in store for us next? My wife, Lisa, and I are months away from becoming empty nesters. An odd feeling since for the last […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Spring brings with it an optimism that can be contagious, at least for those of us who not only see the glass as half-full but are darn glad to have a glass. These are the things that are lifting my dead-of-winter spirits. The Silverton Boys basketball team, coached by Darrin Shryock, is running on all cylinders. With […]

By Dixon Bledsoe It is hard to come up with a novel approach to a New Year’s column. Last year, I resolved to lose 40 pounds or buy the entire town ice cream. The detail is in the fine print or lack thereof – I did lose 60 pounds but gained 52 of it back. The bet didn’t specify “net” […]

By Dixon Bledsoe Dear Santa Claus: I realize you are super busy this time of year but there are a few things I would like to share with you. I promise I will keep it brief. Please bring us more people like Delbert Hupp. The workboot footprints he left throughout the entire Drakes Crossing community are going to be hard […]

By Dixon Bledsoe It is official. Middle age left some time ago. Turning 60 makes one reflect.  The “thrill of  victory” finding an everlasting love, the birth and growth of two wonderful kids and the successful landing of a 51-pound King salmon in Alaska. The “agony of defeat” in things for which I would love to have a “do-over.” It […]

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