Our Town – Silverton, Mt. Angel & Scotts Mills Opinion / Columnists Archives - Our Town

People Out Loud: Mom Power – The force that guides you for life

May 2023 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I am writing this as Mother’s Day quickly approaches. As you are reading this Mother’s Day 2023 has passed. The brunches have been served, the cards admired and the flowers adored. Truthfully, one day is not sufficient in celebrating our ...

A Grin at the End: It’s hilarious – TikTok and other Congressional antics

May 2023 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I love comedy. There is nothing like a good, old-fashioned belly laugh to make my day. I watch movies, comedians, improv – you name it – to get a daily dose of the giggles. There’s one comedy group, however, that stands ...

A Slice of the Pie: Letting go – A parent doesn’t need to teach all things

April 2023 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I’m going to be honest, there are a few words I’m still learning to spell, like “hallelujah” and “bourgeois.” Yup, spellcheck just corrected them both. There are also things I’m still learning how to do, like bake bread – my baguettes all ...

A Grin at the End: Home improvement – For some it’s cruel and unusual punishment

March 2023 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I’m standing in my home office. It is buried in pink insulation – the aftermath of one more home improvement project gone wrong. I should explain. My wife and I had a bright idea. Our house is 60 years old, so we ...

A Slice of the Pie: Many hands – Make light work at Mount Angel Abbey

February 2023 Posted in Community, Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Walking along the path that winds through the grounds of Mount Angel Abbey one day, Father Ephrem Martinez noticed a family enjoying a picnic under the trees and thought how much more welcoming the space could be if the grounds ...

Letter to the Editor: Hope & Healing – Event raises $15,881 for medical debt relief

February 2023 Posted in Events & Holidays, Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

A vision of a diverse faith community finding common ground came to life on Jan. 15. Approximately 170 people of faith from around the Silverton area gathered with common goals: to be able to join together in worship and celebration, and ...

A Grin at the End: The good, the bad… and the handy!

February 2023 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

About 20 years ago I was ensconced in my La-Z-Boy trying to figure out some stuff. The immediate topic at hand was how to make television better. No, I wasn’t thinking about what shows folks would watch; I was thinking ...

A Slice of the Pie: Sorting through memories – Mementos in mind

January 2023 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

When I walked into my great grandmother’s house for the last time I was submerged by memories. The matriarch of our family, hers was the home in which we all gathered for holidays, after funerals and every day in between. The ...

A Grin at the End: Clipped wings … But finding good stories

December 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

One thing that’s been on my bucket list since before I had a bucket is learning how to fly. I think it’s in my DNA. Growing up, I spent most of my time on Air Force bases. My dad was in ...

People Out Loud: Like Frank said… A farewell to my readers

December 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

This is a bittersweet moment. After 42 years of writing professionally, new ideas are as rare as a polite campaign season. I’ve been called a Pollyanna for writing a lot of positive stories. But my mantra is simple when asked, ...

A Grin at the End: Time travelers – Class reunion weaves a magical spell

December 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Suddenly, we were 18 again. It was as though H.G. Wells had swooped us up in a time machine and transported us to a town just outside of Philadelphia in 1971. Though the mustaches and bald spots were plentiful and the ...

Letter to the Editor: Complex histories – Artist weighs in on inclusion of controversial figure

November 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Susan Bielenberg wrote to Our Town expressing her concern about the October 2022 cover photo (Vol. 19 No. 19) featuring my painting of Margaret Sanger, one of the women represented in my October exhibit at Lunaria Gallery, “Portraits of Inspiring ...

People Out Loud: Firsts – Bearing witness to a growing nation

November 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

On a number of occasions acknowledgment has been given to “Firsts.” The first Black Supreme Court justice, the first Black QB in the NFL, the first Black president. While many have celebrated these firsts, others have condemned these as “making things ...

Letter to the Editor: New council needs an experienced hand

November 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Jason Freilinger is, without a doubt, my choice to be Silverton’s next mayor. As well as being part of the downtown business community and multiple service groups, Jason has been actively serving on city committees, task forces, planning commission and council ...

Letter to the Editor: Cover art represents a questionable choice

November 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Our Town Editor, If you weren’t aware, the cover of your Oct. 1, 2022 Our Town features a painting of Margaret Sanger, who is a racist and in favor of eugenics. She is the founder of Planned Parenthood. A large Planned Parenthood clinic ...

A Grin at the End: Secret sauce – Being thankful for what we all have to offer

November 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I’m not a fan of most holidays. I know what you’re thinking – this guy’s crazy. Who wouldn’t appreciate time off work to spend with loved ones? But hear me out. By and large, holidays are stress-inducing budget busters, and the reasons ...

A Slice of the Pie: The T trials – Welcome to raising a teen

October 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Last winter my middle daughter turned 11 and friends and family took turns congratulating her, making comments about how much she’s growing up and what a lovely human she’s become. Then, one week later, my oldest daughter turned 13 and things ...

A Grin at the End: Power of choice – A ballot of ideas

September 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

We’re going to hire a new CEO for the state of Oregon next month, and the sparks are flying, as independent and former state Sen. Betsy Johnson has the Democratic candidate, former Speaker of the House Tina Kotek in attack ...

People Out Loud: Meet Henry…. Despite best efforts – I’m just his second best friend

September 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

He loves unconditionally. He grazes incessantly. What is his is his, and what is yours is his. He can eat a full meal yet want your tuna sandwich immediately after scarfing down a bowl of yummy food. When he puts ...

A Grin at the End: My dear, departed brother – From Mayberry to the Grand Canyon

September 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

When he was 12, my brother Paul had a knack for comedy. He could do a spot-on impersonation of Andy Griffith, who got his start in show business as a stand-up comedian before starring on television in The Andy Griffith ...

People Out Loud: Memories – And memories in the making

August 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I secretly wished that Olivia Newton-John was singing her mega-hit, I Honestly Love You to me when it was released in 1974. Stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, I found her breathy rendition of that song made ...

A Grin at the End: Northwest passage – Strange things are done in the midnight sun

July 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Just got back from Alaska. I hadn’t been in the Great White North for 27 years, and I was anxious to see how things had changed. As it turned out, not much. Alaska was, is and continues to be a whole different ...

People Out Loud: Reflections – A few insights after 40 years as a columnist

July 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

A friend of mine came to our class reunion last summer and handed me a column I had written sometime ago, dated July of 1980, 42 years ago. I started writing a column then called, “Rap-Up” for the Silverton Appeal. ...

A Grin at the End: Heroes – Reminders of the past

June 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

I live in a neighborhood populated by heroes. I’m not talking about Spandex-wearing, pumped-up guys and gals appearing soon at a multiplex near you. I am talking about everyday heroes. The kind of people who pulled their weight in life and ...

Letter to the Editor: Schools need more security, not gun bans

June 2022 Posted in Opinion / Columnists | Comments Off

Here are my thoughts on the recent Silver Falls school board decision to reject the proposed ban on concealed carry. They made the correct decision, albeit just barely. The school shootings epidemic deserves more than just a symbolic band aid. This ...

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