Handing over the reins: Vince Till announces it’s time to retire

By Kathy Cook Hunter

He’s the man in the blue “Farmer Brown” overalls seen about Silverton inspecting one of 19 public murals or working in the downtown flowerbeds.

Vince Till is nothing if not passionate about the Silverton Mural Society he’s led since 1995.

But the time has come, he said at a recent potluck honoring him in Coolidge & McClain Park, to pass on to others the responsibilities he’s taken on for many years. He admits to having conflicting feelings.

“I feel kind of mixed,” Till said. “I know it’s time, but it’s hard to turn the reins over. When you begin to question your ability, you know you have to do it.”

Till, soon to be 82, and his wife Babs joined the newly started society shortly after moving to Silverton from Scotts Mills in about 1983. But lately they’ve been hindered by health problems.

The September gathering of friends and fellow mural society members was kicked off by Silverton Mayor Stu Rasmussen’s presentation of a large plaque from the city.

It noted Till’s “uncounted hours of volunteer service” that earned him the “gratitude and friendship of the entire community.”

Following the meal, the group listened as Till expounded on the background of the society and his take on how it works.

It was a typical Till pep talk with a lead-in of  “You must be a do-er – I’m looking for do-ers!” and a reiteration of how he takes people at their word if they say they’ll do something and expects them to carry it through.

Earlier murals had been done, Till said, at the Bethany Market on Pine Street and at Photo Express on North Water Street.

The first of the society’s murals was “The Four Freedoms,” copies of artist Norman Rockwell’s famous set of nostalgic portraits of American life.

Located at second and East Main streets, it cost $17,000 to produce, was paid for by the townspeople and is probably the best loved. The other 18 murals were paid from private funds, Till added.

“The early years (of the mural society) were rough,” Till said. “Some people in town said once we got past ‘The Four Freedoms’ that would be it.”

However, the society persevered and has sponsored a new mural every year or so. After Till became president in 1995, it also took over the town’s long-standing Silverton Pet Parade and the Bobby look-alike contest.

It is a lot of work to preserve the murals.

Till named off many of the society’s tasks: wash down each mural yearly; put scaffolding up, take it down and store it; plant and maintain the flowerbeds; lead mural tours; paint the murals every two or three years with U-V ray protection; and frequently check murals for vandalism or graffiti.

“I see Vince working out in the rain on his knees with the flowers and contributing to the community,” said Duane Chaves, “and I appreciate his efforts.”

Another task is keeping the murals “freshened” — renovated by new coats of paint and protection.
Tonya Smithburg, one of two women paid to do the work, said, “I think of something I once heard and liked: ‘Let the beauty you now see be what you create.’ I think this is a good way to stay connected with the community.”

Another renovator, Michelle Mulkey, is working on the Bethany mural. “It’s great working with Vince,” Mulkey said. “He’s definitely one of a kind.”

Till will continue at his post until January. He said he has enjoyed taking local third-graders on walking tours of downtown murals. “I would teach them the murals are the roots of the town,” he said.

Mural society member Michelle Fenney said the group invites the help of churches and civic organizations to “take on some of the chores Vince did around town.”

To assist whoever takes on the mural society’s tasks, Till and his friend have prepared a 12-page manual and soon will put together a DVD of Till and the murals.

“When it comes to showing a love of community and unselfishly giving of yourself for the betterment of others without an expectation of gain, Vince is the person we should all aspire to become,” said Philip Kelley, a longtime friend of the Tills.

The Tills recognize and accept the changes they are making in their life.

After more than 20 years volunteering with the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, Babs Tills will no longer greet visitors on Fridays. She retired this summer from the chamber.

“Babs Till is one of a kind and is truly missed at the chamber, her smile and warmth made visitors feel welcome,” said Stacy Palmer, chamber executive director.

As they prepare to slow down, they hope someone will be willing to volunteer to care for the murals.
“It’s time to pass the torch,” Babs Till said.

“The reason I’m quitting is my motor doesn’t run as well,” said Vince. “It’s time for someone else to pick up the reins and continue the work.”