Our Town – Silverton, Mt. Angel & Scotts Mills Arts, Culture & History Archives - Our Town

The Force goes north – Retired visual effects designer moves to Silverton

March 2023 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_13141" align="alignright" width="376"] Charlie Bailey, former toy designer for Mattel and model maker, Creature Shop Manager and model project supervisor for LucasFilm. Melissa Wagoner[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner You may not know the name Charlie Bailey but chances are you’ve seen at ...

Slice of history: Silverton resident writes book on Allied involvement in Russian Civil War

January 2022 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

By James Day Silverton resident Lee Mercer has published a novel about a little-known piece of World War I-era military history. [caption id="attachment_10838" align="alignright" width="225"] Lee Mercer on a research trip to the Russian village of Tulgas in 2014.[/caption] Along with their French, British, ...

American identity – Ahamu Umi gives MLK Day keynote

December 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10802" align="alignright" width="300"] Ahjama Umi[/caption] When African-American racial and social justice activist Ahjama Umi saw a gang of conservative white motorcyclists roar in at a funeral he was attending for one of its members, he didn’t feel intimidated or threatened. ...

Base coat – Silverton Mural Society gathers community support

December 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner When Chris Davie joined the Silverton Mural Society in 2020 the organization was in desperate need of help. Longtime leader, Vince Till, had recently passed away and support had begun to wane. [caption id="attachment_10760" align="alignright" width="377"] Tonya Smithburg painting ...

Elves back in business – Holiday bazaars, festivals, make comeback

December 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10711" align="alignright" width="492"] The Mount Angel-Silverton Hazelnut Fest & German Holiday Market is back this year, with regional vendors like Blue Sky Fungi scheduled to return.[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Holiday bazaars are not just providing holiday spirit this year, they’re also bringing a little bit ...

Datebook: December 2021

December 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, Other, Outdoor Life | Comments Off

Frequent Addresses Mt. Angel Public Library, 290 Charles St. Silverton High, 1456 Pine St., Silverton. Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield, 503-873-3093. Age 50 and older. Silver Creek Fellowship, 822 NE Industrial Way, Silverton. Weekly Events Monday SACA Food Pantry, 9 a.m. - noon, SACA, 421 S Water St., ...

Christmas cheer – New Silverton mural now at Oregon Garden Resort

December 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10706" align="alignright" width="459"] Lori Rodrigues beside her newest mural at the Oregon Garden Resort.[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Silverton’s newest mural is a bit off the beaten track, but definitely worth the trip. Located at the Oregon Garden Resort, this 40-foot tribute ...

Comforting cats

November 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Pets | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10663" align="alignright" width="225"] Author Donna Hues’ new essay is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Clever, Curious, Caring Cat.[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner When Donna Hues learned that her short story, “Guard Cat,” was among the top 300 contenders for a spot ...

Lunaria presents new show ‘Inspired’

November 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

Through the month of November, Lunaria Gallery in Silverton features Kara Pilcher on the main floor, plus the annual Member Holiday Gift Show will be held in the upstairs Loft Gallery. Inspired by dance, grandchildren, the garden, and books, featured artist ...

Taking care of a Wright – Grant boosts needed Gordon House upkeep

November 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, News, Other | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10624" align="alignright" width="300"] The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gordon House was successfully moved to Silverton in 2001.[/caption] By Brenna Wiegand Last month the Oregon Cultural Trust awarded the Gordon House Conservancy a grant of $13,325 toward ongoing preservation of the Frank Lloyd ...

Unsung heroes – Author writes stories of Silverton’s first 100 years

November 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10621" align="alignright" width="225"] Norman English with his book about Silverton[/caption] By Melissa Wagoner Norman English didn’t set out to become a writer. But when he retired from a career as a Field Officer working for Workman’s Comp of Oregon 13 years ...

Not a stitch in sight – A pandemic hobby revives an old tradition

November 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner When quarantine boredom came knocking during the spring of 2020, Adeline Schmitz and Jeff Marshall did something they never imagined they would do – they picked up paintbrushes and began to paint – barn quilts. [caption id="attachment_10615" align="alignright" width="225"] ...

Prayers for the dead – All Souls Day begins a month of remembrance

November 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, Other | Comments Off

For the Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel, November is the prayer month for remembering the deceased. Starting with All Souls Day, Nov. 2, through the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, the Sisters will include in their prayers a remembrance of ...

Live arts return – Albeit slowly, and with COVID-inspired caution

October 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner When the COVID-19 pandemic began, in the spring of 2020, the students at Silverton Ballet and Performing Arts Company were weeks away from the annual spring recital. The culmination of months – if not years – of practice ...

Return of the zombies: Dancers needed for Thriller in the Streets

October 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner What says Halloween more than a flash-mob of zombies jerkily dancing to Michael Jackson’s classic song from 1982, Thriller? “It’s so cool,” Marta Hazekamp – owner of Revolutionary Dance and Movement Company in Silverton – said of the annual ...

What ‘purly’ teeth – Knitters Raised by Wolves give back to community

September 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, Other | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner [caption id="attachment_10464" align="alignright" width="300"] Knitters Raised by Wolves[/caption] When Celia Stapleton named her knitting group Knitters Raised by Wolves, she had one thing in mind. “The point is, children that were raised by wolves are feral – and we’re not ...

Oktoberfest 2021: Planning a big festival during the age of COVID-19

September 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, Travel, Your Health | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_10457" align="alignright" width="300"] Much of the Mount Angel Oktoberfest can be enjoyed out of doors along the village streets, or in tents.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10456" align="alignright" width="300"] The familiar Oktoberfest venues will be up and running for the 2021 festival, some ...

Kids Polka Party – Beloved O’fest entertainer adds new event for 2021

September 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner [caption id="attachment_10453" align="alignright" width="300"] The Astorga Family[/caption] “The Mount Angel Oktoberfest has always been a family-friendly, multi-generational festival,” Tecie Zollner Astorga said. And she should know, a member of the popular Oktoberfest band, Z Musikmakers, she has performed on stage ...

Paper master: Borland Gallery features scissor artist, author Jim Bornzin

September 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Brenna Wiegand [caption id="attachment_10447" align="alignright" width="230"] Jim Bornzin[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10446" align="alignright" width="247"] Swallowtail on Pink & White[/caption] Silverton Arts Association is featuring the work of local artist Jim Bornzin, whose show, “Amazing Scissorcuts,” runs Sept. 10-26 at the Borland Gallery. Bornzin became fascinated ...

Lunaria exhibits celebrate elegance and agriculture

September 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Briefs | Comments Off

Lunaria Main Floor Gallery presents the show, Artful Elegance, by featured artists Rebecca Cozart and Linda Jacobson Sept. 29 - Oct. 31. Rebecca Cozart captures eclectic, colorful images ranging from still-life photos to florals to food. Linda Jacobson creates intricate fabric ...

Through the flames: Silverton nurse recalls 2020 ordeal in canyon blaze

August 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner [caption id="attachment_10416" align="alignright" width="225"] Silver Falls State Park -- courtesy of Jason Wagoner[/caption] When Holly Perez and her 16-year-old son, Sam, decided to get away for a couple of nights over Labor Day in 2020, they planned to do ...

Straw bound: Silverton publisher releases new books

August 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, News | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner [caption id="attachment_10330" align="alignright" width="249"] Richard Orr[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10329" align="alignright" width="225"] Lester Petrie[/caption] Mike Ashland has always been a writer. “I was a freelance reporter for the Marin Independent Journal and reporter for the Coastal Post in Bolinas,” Ashland recalled. “Some of ...

Homer Days returns: Silverton festival charges ahead – like a couch

July 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community, Outdoor Life | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner Affectionately known as “Homer Days,” the Homer Davenport Community Festival – held the first Friday through Sunday in August (the sixth through eighth this year) – is absolutely unique. An offshoot of the Silverton Arts Association’s, Family Festival of ...

Historic preservation: Grant to aid repair of former blacksmith shop

July 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, News | Comments Off

By James Day [caption id="attachment_10246" align="alignright" width="300"] The 1905 blacksmith shop in Mt. Angel[/caption] Efforts to repair and restore the historic blacksmith shop in Mount Angel have received a shot in the arm. Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation ...

‘Return to Beauty’ showcases new jewelry and paintings

July 2021 Posted in Arts, Culture & History, Community | Comments Off

Lunaria Gallery presents a new show, “Return to Beauty, Jewels and Blooms,” by two Lunaria artists, jeweler Chelsea Goin and painter Diane Trevett. Goin is showing her jewelry in fun summer colors. Diane Trevett is showing oil paintings of flower portraits. ...

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