By Melissa Wagoner As members of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce began planning for the upcoming holiday season, one thing became clear. “The Shop Hop had kind of lost its steam after 20 years,” chamber executive director Stacy Palmer explained. But the need to incentivize shopping locally has not. “It’s about reminding folks who is here,” Palmer said of the […]
By Stephen Floyd The Silver Falls School District (SFSD) has defined goals for fiscal responsibility and public transparency as officials seek to rebuild community trust and navigate a difficult financial year. During the Sept. 23 regular meeting of the SFSD Board, Interim Superintendent Kim Kellison shared a list of strategies to achieve the board’s objectives toward effective administration and communication. […]
If a trip to the Hawaiian Islands aren’t in your summer plans, don’t despair. The Spirit of Aloha will take over Coolidge McClaine Park Saturday, June 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Park Pavilion, 300 Coolidge St., Silverton. It’s an event designed for the entire family with Paradise of Samoa dancers and fire dancers entertaining. The evening includes a Hawaiian dinner, […]
By James Day Silverton has instituted a new pilot program for downtown parking and has hired a new employee to run the system. Parking is now free for four hours during business hours Monday through Friday. New signs have gone up on the streets, and the meters, and the program essentially took effect Memorial Day weekend. It is intended to […]
The streets of Silverton will be awash in pets on Saturday, May 18, as the Kiwanis Club puts on the annual Pet Parade. The event, which started in 1932, starts at 10 a.m. on Coolidge at Apple Street, turns right on Main Street, left on First Street and concludes at the new City Hall. The event is free and registration […]
By Stephen Floyd For many Silvertonians, The Home Place Restaurant represents a rite of passage. It’s where they got to have their first big birthday party, where numerous teenagers got their first jobs, where generations of athletes gathered for pre- and post-game celebrations. Co-owner Debbie Bennett said the establishment is old enough now that customers bring their own families, talking […]
By Melissa Wagoner It’s been 40 years, nearly to the day, since Laura Wanker became a part of the Silverton community, initially working as an educator and volunteer tutor, mentor and educational advocate for students at Silverton High School before joining the Silverton Area Community Aid’s (SACA) board. “Laura Wanker’s impact on the Silverton community is broad and substantial,” former superintendent […]
By James Day Sometimes your ability to make a difference in your community can be as simple as how often you say ”yes.” That’s been the case in recent years with Oak Street Church and its pastor John Friedrick. Yes to continuing its Monday meal tradition. Yes to using the church building for a warming shelter. Yes to hosting listening […]
By James Day From its arrival in Silverton in 2002 Willamette Valley Bank has lived by the motto that to serve the community you must be involved in the community. “Twenty-two years ago a group of business owners opened Willamette because they believed the community would be better served by a locally headquartered bank, managed by people who understood the […]
By Melissa Wagoner When Alan Mickelson joined forces with Lawrence Stone, Greg Hart, Gregg Sheesley and Ron Nelson to put on the very first Silverton Sidewalk Shindig in 2012, he never could have predicted that 12 years later the event would still be going strong or that the organization would be the recipient of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce’s Service […]
The annual “celebration of Silverton’s amazing volunteer spirit” will be held Saturday, Feb. 17 in The Oregon Garden’s J. Frank Schmidt Pavilion, 879 W. Main St., Silverton. The event showcases what’s special in the Silverton community and the impact volunteerism can have in a small town. Honorees for 2023 include: Laura Wanker – First Citizen John Friedrick – Distinguished Service […]
By James Day Cory Misley is just starting his second month as Silverton’s city manager. His schedule sounds punishing. He has met with all the councilors and Mayor Jason Freilinger. Plus Chamber representatives, social-service and nonprofit directors, and with his next whirlwind tour government officials such as those of Marion County, Governor Tina Kotek’s office, and the state Legislature. “I’m […]
Marion County has added six-plus acres of forested property to Scotts Mills County Park, an addition that will greatly expand the options for park users. The 6.03 acres of heavily timbered property cost the county $450,000, with $360,000 coming via the county’s sale of Auburn Park to the Salem-Keizer School District and $90,000 from Terry Caster, who died on April […]
By James Day Oregon Governor Tina Kotek visited Silverton on June 22, making two stops. One was to discuss homelessness and housing issues; the other to engage with agricultural and natural resource officials in a luncheon at The Oregon Garden. Our Town attended the homeless session. Media were not allowed at The Oregon Garden session. Kotek, 57, a first-term Democrat […]
By Melissa Wagoner For the past year and a half the Silverton Chamber of Commerce has been working hand in hand with the North Marion Tourism Collaborative (NMTC) – an organization developed to help cities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic – to boost tourism through a regional website (www.exploremc.com), and a mobile kiosk that can be reserved for events. The […]
By Naiya Brown Put it on your calendar: Saturday, May 20, is THE day for pets in Silverton. The city, longtime home of the annual Silverton Pet Parade inspired by Bobbie the Wonder Dog, is adding the inaugural Paws in the Park event, which is meant to work in conjunction with the parade. Paws in the Park, sponsored by the […]
By Melissa Wagoner When Silverton High School senior, Hannah Bashor, found out she was being named this year’s Future First Citizen for her demonstration of leadership as well as her contributions to her school, her community and her family by the Silverton Chamber of Commerce it gave her the sense of being seen. “I am so happy that others see that […]
By Stephen Floyd Former Silverton Mayor Kyle Palmer said The Lucky Leaf was a shoo-in for 2022 Business of the Year. Though some may bristle at the notion of a cannabis dispensary being recognized for excellence, Palmer said the shop and co-owner Colby Jackson have risen above cynical stereotypes. “Colby [Jackson] is a Silverton native and chose to make an […]
By James Day Silverton’s best fact-filled teams will battle it out for a good cause Friday, March 10 at the First Christian Church. That night at 6 p.m. the Silverton Kiwanis’ fundraising Trivia Bee will be held, with the bulk of the funds raised going to the Silver Falls Library’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. The event also will benefit […]
By James Day Silverton’s First Citizen Gala is set for Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Oregon Garden’s J. Frank Schmidt Pavilion. This will be the 52nd time the Silverton Chamber of Commerce has honored the community’s top achievers in business, education, volunteering and community affairs. The event starts at 6 p.m. with social time, with the program itself starting at […]
The Fall Line Stout & Ale Fest is a new fundraising event in honor of Jason Franz who founded Silverton’s local bike and skate shop, known as Fall Line Sports. Jason’s unexpected death in 2019, left the Silverton community stunned. He was an active, contributing member of the coomunity and of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce. He gave back to […]
By James Day The Silverton Police Department is investigating vandalism that occurred to the Christmas tree that is lit every December in Town Square Park. Chief Jim Anglemier told Our Town “the police department is aware of it and actively conducting an investigation. At this point, no arrest has been made of those person(s) responsible.” The vandals painted graffiti on […]
It’s time for Silverton to recognize those who have gone over and above to serve the community. Do you know someone deserving of recognition for their efforts? Do you know of a group that should be highlighted for their good work? Nomination forms are available from the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 426 S. Water St. or contact [email protected] and have […]
By James Day Silverton will have a new mayor come January, but the town still will be led by a Silverton native. Outgoing mayor Kyle Palmer, who has served in the position since 2017, is a lifelong resident, as are the two individuals running to replace him, Morry Jones and Jason Freilinger. Jones is a corporate executive who has served […]
A second election forum for Silverton candidates will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Palace Theatre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the audience-question driven forum organized by the Silverton Discourse Project getting underway at 6 p.m. Concessions will be for sale. On hand will be mayoral candidates Jason Freilinger and Morry Jones. Six of the seven City Council […]
