By Melissa Wagoner It’s never too late to learn a musical instrument, according to Nick Champeau, an instructor with Soundstream in Silverton.“I think that any time is a good time to start,” Champeau said. “Whether they’re six or 60, no matter what level, there’s always something you can start with.” Champeau, along with fellow instructor Grant Burleigh and owner Corey […]
By Melissa Wagoner “Uncle Sam says – garden to cut food costs,” proclaimed a victory garden advertisement printed by the US Department of Agriculture in 1917. Used to take pressure off of the food supply during World War I and II, these home and public gardens are a trend that is fashionable once again, but for somewhat different reasons. “Grow […]
By Nancy Jennings When she isn’t volunteering around town, Kathy Wall loves to travel. She is known to hit the open road in her camper van with her devoted dog, Mara, a copper-colored Vizsla. “Once I drove 8,700 miles on a trip,” she said. The Mount Angel resident also enjoys golfing, walking, hiking and jogging. Having recently wrapped up the […]
By Melissa Wagoner When asked where they are from, Josh and Elisha Nightingale look at each other and laugh. The couple has lived in many different places over the years but they agree that Silverton is finally home. Owners of Silver Creek Coffee House in downtown Silverton, Josh recently left his full-time career as a manager for Safeway to open another […]
By Melissa Wagoner Kris Mitchell knew she was in trouble when she began contemplating gaining another 10 pounds in order to qualify for the bariatric surgery that would help her lose weight. “I didn’t qualify for insurance because I didn’t have health problems yet,” she explained. Around that time, Mitchell came across a documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, […]
By Melissa Wagoner Colorful, locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh baked pies and breads, handmade soaps and lotions, local flour and more lined shelves and filled baskets in the Main Street Bistro and Coffee during the fall weekend marking the beginning of the Pop-Up Co-op season. Presented by the Silverton Food Co-op, a group working toward opening a storefront food cooperative […]
By Melissa Wagoner Customers greeted each other with hugs and handshakes in the warmth of Silver Falls Bread Co. in Silverton Nov. 19 during the Late Season Saturday Market. “The idea was, as far as I can tell, Stacy Higby’s,” Dan Lliteras, owner of Silver Falls Bread Co. explained. “Years past, a handful of local producers continued to meet informally […]
By Melissa Wagoner Chef Tyna Mays-Schey’s mother always told her not to play with her food. “Well, I showed her,” Mays-Schey laughed. Mays-Schey is the owner of Saucy Minx BBQ Sauces and Rubs, currently based out of her home in Silverton. “My grandmother Ruth started teaching me to cook when I could reach the knobs on the back of the […]
By Melissa Wagoner Keeping it local is the goal of the new Silver Falls Brewery in Silverton. The business logo, the name of the brews, the handles for the taps and much of the ingredients in the beers themselves all have roots in the Willamette Valley. “We came up with our name by looking for a place that is bold […]
By Melissa Wagoner Silverton resident Ken Mulder was facing a long summer in a big empty house when he decided to check into the online vacation rental service Airbnb. “It was very simple to sign up and list the house,” he said. “Once it was listed, I can do almost everything from my phone.” Airbnb, established in 2008 in San […]
By Melissa Wagoner The events are so much more than a meal. They are a celebration of local cuisine. A way to educate people about how their food is grown and to explore new ways to prepare it. And the events help raise money for nonprofit organizations. This summer, community members have the opportunity to see for themselves what takes […]
By Melissa Wagoner Ten years ago, pain was an everyday part of Kristin Aalbue’s life. “Everything hurt all the time,” Aalbue said. Kristin, who moved to Silverton from Washington 10 years ago, is a jack-of-all trades; working as a receptionist for Moonstone Spa, cleaning houses and writing and illustrating a series of graphic novels for children called The Happy Undead […]
By Melissa Wagoner In the summer of 1923, a journey began that would one day take on epic proportions. Canvassing almost 3,000 miles and crossing much of the United States from Indiana to Silverton, a dog named Bobbie walked alone for six months in order to reunite with his family. Over the years countless poems, essays and songs have been […]
By Melissa Wagoner Grace Traeger has been a dedicated dancer since the age of three. “What I like best about dance is that you get to be graceful and creative,” she said. A fifth grader at Community Roots Montessori School, she recently received the Young Scholars award from the Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted (OATAG). The award is presented […]
By Melissa Wagoner A host of jazz musicians are making their way to Silverton for the second annual Willamette Valley Wine and Jazz Festival March 12 and 13. The festival music will kick off on Saturday at the Oregon Garden with Devin Phillips, 1-3 p.m. Originating from the home of jazz, New Orleans, Phillips has performed with such big names […]
By Melissa Wagoner The competition is heating up between organizations participating in Silverton United Methodist Church’s second annual Chili Cook-off. Several teams are entered including last year’s champion, Silverton Health. Last year’s Chili Cook-off was a huge success serving more than 100 bowls of chili and earning $800 for Silverton Area Community Aid. Organizers are hoping this year will be […]
By Melissa Wagoner Jeff Nizlek is telling a story of the seasons in the Willamette Valley and his story is edible. Head chef and owner of the Silver Grille, Nizlek has an inquisitive mind and has taught himself how to cook using mostly local products and to cut waste by making nearly everything himself. By learning to butcher whole animals […]
By Melissa Wagoner A popular place to be on Wednesday nights is at the First Christian Church’s Community Dinner, a gathering spot for those living in and around Silverton. It is paid for through donations, but free to those in need. Founded by Pastor Steve Knox and a group of “founding ladies,” nearly 150,000 dinners have been served at the […]
By Melissa Wagoner A popular place to be on Wednesday nights is at the First Christian Church’s Community Dinner, a gathering spot for those living in and around Silverton. It is paid for through donations, but free to those in need. Founded by Pastor Steve Knox and a group of “founding ladies,” nearly 150,000 dinners have been served at the […]
By Melissa Wagoner No matter the weather, no matter the age, there are fun things to do in Silverton and Mount Angel. Weekly activities for children and families are in full swing at both the Silverton and Mount Angel public libraries. Many of the programs are weekly, including children’s story times, and Builders Clubs. There are also special events and […]
By Melissa Wagoner Deadwood Standing describes its music as a “mix of mountain music, punk rock attitude, rock beats and a classically trained musician’s ear.” “It’s stomp grass,” 46-year-old drummer Chuck Howley said, “a more rocking kind of bluegrass.” Part of what makes Deadwood Standing’s sound so unique and difficult to describe is the combination of talent that makes up […]
By Melissa Wagoner Silverton resident Dawn Tacker, the mother of 6- and 11-year-old boys, knows carrying a baby can foster mutual attachment and provide comfort. That kind of comfort is especially helpful for children whose home life is in upheaval. That is why Tacker and a group of women have joined together this holiday season to collect new or gently […]
Local Motive event Holiday Pop-up Co-op Seven Brides Brewing 990 North First St., Silverton Saturday, Dec. 5, noon to 4 p.m. Information: silvertoncoop.com By Melissa Wagoner Getting local items for holiday meals and parties or gifts just got easier. Dec. 5 a Holiday Pop-up Co-op will be held at Seven Brides Tap Room on First Street from noon to 4 […]
By Melissa Wagoner A battle is waged every day in kitchens and cafeterias across the country as children and parents negotiate the packing of school lunches. This chore can be frustrating and time consuming leading to missed buses and unhappy, hungry children. But with a little coaching, it can also build autonomy and help children learn to make healthy choices. […]
By Melissa Wagoner Moving a business to a new location is a big decision, especially when that business is thriving, but the rewards can outweigh the risk. This fall, The Gathering Spot in Silverton will move from North First to the corner of East Main and South Water Street. “We want to evolve with the people and evolve with the […]
