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The Man About Town: The gnome on the roam – Keeping tabs on who is naughty or nice

 

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 a private party so the unique bench can live out its days in peace. It weighs more than 800 pounds making The Man to wonder just how many yahoos it takes to knock it over.

If you have never attended the Celebrate Families Holiday festival, add Dec. 20 to your calendar this year. Picture hundreds of kids doing crafts, making gifts for their family and friends, having cookies and punch, visiting with Santa, their smiling faces reflecting the joy and wonder of the season… Hmmmm, I’m starting to feel something…

Just in time for the holidays, Aylene Geringer and Mark Zipkin have opened The Chocolate Box next to the Palace Theater on Water Street. It features the very best that Oregon’s finest chocolateers have to offer. Now you don’t have to leave town to get the three things that all the ladies want – fine chocolates, diamonds and The Man.

In a fortuitous twist of fate, the chocolate store and a new dental office are opening at the same time. Former Silverton High Band teacher Kendall Pyper has returned to Silverton and opened his new practice at 214 Oak St. 

Bella’s restaurant has temporarily closed. Owners, Doug and Elaine DeGeorge also own a chain of Christmas tree lots down in California and found that they can’t be two places at once. Look for the restaurant to re-open after the first of the year with new management.

Verdene McGuire is celebrating her second anniversary as the owner of Beads and More. Hey fellers, if you want a great Christmas gift idea for your significant other, stop by the bead store and have Verdene help you make a necklace or earrings. It doesn’t cost a lot and your sweetie will be very impressed when you tell her that you made them. If you think that making jewelry is too un-manly, you can do like The Man does and hide them in your purse.

Mary and Joseph are slowly making their way down the College Street hill with the three wise men a few blocks behind. The group gets a couple of houses closer every few days on their way to the stable in front of St. Mary Parish Church and will arrive by Christmas Eve. The traveling displays are a great reminder of the reason for the season and unlike the mess at the Washington State Capitol, don’t expect any opposing displays to appear in Mt. Angel… Uh oh, The Man is starting to sense a strange feeling of warmth coming over me…

The medical staff at Silverton Hospital decided that instead of accepting gifts this year, the money would be better spent if it was donated to local food banks. Any other companies want to follow their lead?… Oooo, I am feeling a little fuzzy… 

Due to the tough economic times, the shelves at the local food banks have become dangerously empty. The dental office of Dr. Michael Kim has decided to do a food drive on Saturday, Dec. 20, but your help is needed. Call Deana at 503-873-3530 to see how you can get involved. The Man says come on now, volunteer for an hour or two, or three, or four. After all, it’s not how other people feel about you, it’s how you feel about you… Ahhhh, that’s better, now The Man is feeling the Christmas Spirit!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all from The Man! 

 

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