By Jim Kinghorn It was reported by people with way too much time on their hands (thanks, Colleen) that last week at 5 minutes and 6 seconds after 4 a.m., the time and date was 04:05:06 07/08/09. If you missed it don’t worry, it will happen again in another 1,000 years or so. The first Canterbury Renaissance Fair will […]
In my family, spring and summer represent a gauntlet of celebrations. Anniversaries and birthdays crowd the calendar. Throw in Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, and it seems as though something – or someone – is celebrated nearly every week.
By Jim Kinghorn Silverton historian and long-time resident Jeff Brekas was back in town last week during the freak thunderstorms. Apparently Jeff was having an electrifying conversation when a nearby lightning strike sent a jolt through the phone strong enough to knock him to the floor. The Man was surprised to hear such a thing could happen, but I bet […]
By Vern Holmquist To those who attended the surprise birthday party held in my honor at the Bavarian Haus in May, and the lady responsible for it, I thank you. Now be Frank (it seems I have heard that name mentioned in the Bavarian before), be truthful: was it really my birthday you were celebrating, or was it just another […]
I was deeply disappointed when I read the recent article titled “Difficult decisions” in the May edition of the Our Town (Life) publication. This article, written by Kristine Thomas, did not represent the full discussion and comments regarding the recommendation to close the Monitor School during the May school board meeting. As to the specific comments attributed to me in […]
What’s a role model and what’s its significance in today’s world?
When speaking about the young in our society it’s a term some throw around lightly, yet its observance and potential holds the key to the formation of a child’s character.
I heard recently that “the end is near” and the speaker sounded quite delighted. The end, in this case, being the end of the recession. It struck me as kind of funny. “The end is near.” Usually those words roll out in somber tones. Instead, a chipper TV business reporter was rattling off a list of positive indicators, despite the impending backruptcy of GM. She was right. Overall there was good news.
I know this is the time of year when kids are twitterpated about the end of the school year.
They think it’s great that they won’t have to get out of bed in the middle of the night to be at school on time, get to all of their sports and drama practices on time and get to all of the other activities on time.
Well, I’m here to tell you, they don’t know the half of it. Who got them out of bed in the middle of the night? Who got them to school on time? Who got them to all of their sports and drama practices?
Oops, I left out piano practices.
If you guessed that it was mom and dad, you were right. In our house, no one celebrates the end of the school year like the Sampson Wake Up and Taxi Service. As sole proprietors, my wife and I will get a chance to park the mini-van and take the summer off.
By Vern Holmquist Just four miles apart with no barriers I am aware, yet I see quite a difference between Mt. Angel and Silverton. I will not judge which is the better. I just want to point out the difference. Mt Angel celebrates its Bavarian heritage with total focus. Silverton celebrates a multicultural world. Mt. Angel celebrates its Catholic founders. […]
By Jim Kinghorn Glenn Damewood has doubled the size of Mac’s Place’s creekside deck and also added a roof to make it enjoyable in any weather. It used to be you had to go out to the deck to avoid the smokers but with the new laws, now all of the smokers are out on the deck. Irony can be […]
We recently had some family photos taken. I can never get over the fact my wife and kids always look good — just the way they do in real life — and I am always replaced by a fat old guy.
It is effortless for Nadya Seledkov to give – whether it’s to her family and friends or as a volunteer. “The best and most rewarding feeling you can ever have is when have made a difference in someone’s life,” she wrote in May 2007 in “The Traditional Old Believer,” a newspaper for the Russian Old Believer community.
By Jim Kinghorn Breaking News – (insert breaking glass sound here) Silverton made the list of Budget Travel Magazine’s top 10 coolest small towns in America and was the only town on the west coast to do so. Of course, we already knew we were pretty cool but it is nice to let everyone else in on the secret. Is […]
By Vern Holmquist How come my dreams turn out to be realities for someone else? That’s life I guess, but in this case it is a pleasure to write about. For years, I have been attracted to a spot in downtown Silverton. The reason was clear to me but only recently clear to someone else. Every time I found myself […]
Mt. Angel’s City Council, old and new, was elected by the majority vote of the citizens and (or) appointed by majority of the city council.
My mom never had a lot of faith in me. From the day I was born, she was sure that I’d be a total washout.
Looking back on the wonderful memories I’ve had and being grateful for each and every blessing reminds me of a song on a Clint Black CD. He sings of the meaning of love.
By Jim Kinghorn STOP READING THIS and back away from the Our Town … go immediately to your computer (it’s the box with the blinky lights) and do a Yagoogle search for Budget Travel magazine. Then, scroll down and click on “Vote for America’s Coolest Small Towns” and vote for good ‘ol Slivertown. Vote, add some comments, then vote again […]
In previous columns, I have provided cures for both the Social Security and the U.S. health care systems. Today, I’ll take a few minutes to cure the current economic “crisis,” otherwise known as the screw-up hindering our kids’ future.
The Man would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Our Town family – The Pup. Early indications are that she will be quite a newshound…
Well, we finally survived the “Winter Storm”, “Deep Freeze,” “Oh my gosh, we’re all gonna die,” “Arctic Blast” and came through pretty much unscathed (other than the power surge at The Man-sion which fried almost everything electronic in the house.)
It is done. Finished. And so am I. After six months, my wife and I have completed the remodel of our kitchen. The funny thing is, this project was supposed to be quick-and-dirty, one of those that you can finish in a couple of weekends.
By Jim Kinghorn You know, with all of the stress and trouble in the world, The Man is just not feeling the warm and fuzzy Christmas vibe yet… Well, now you’ve gone and done it. You hooligans knocked over the “wavy bench” in front of Heron Graphics one time too many causing creator Michael Finkelstein to sell it to […]
By Carl Sampson I think it’s about time for me to hang up the old crystal ball. My days as a prognosticator are over. Of course, it was a great — albeit short — run, but all good things must come to an end. My career as a seer of the future got under way last spring when, sitting […]
By Jim Kinghorn Planning for the 2009 Silverton Wine and Jazz Festival has begun. To get in on the fun, meetings are at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Silver Creek Coffee Shop. Mark your calendar for Mt. Angel’s third annual Kriskindlmarkt. The Dec. 6 holiday market will feature arts and crafts, food, music, street carolers […]
