By Melissa Wagoner In the midst of a global pandemic, with civil unrest in the streets, a new catastrophe has come knocking. On Sept. 7 unusually high summer winds joined forces with three decades of drought to ignite fires across Oregon. “We are currently facing a statewide fire emergency,” Gov. Kate Brown, said during a press conference on Sept. 9. […]
By Kristine Thomas Silver Falls Superintendent Andy Bellando is confident the dust will have settled by the time school begins on Sept. 6. From the construction projects at Scotts Mills, Pratum and Silverton Middle School to the hiring of new staff, it’s been a busy summer. Here are a few updates: Building projects Bellando knows some people may be skeptical […]
By Hannah Kloft Margaret Gersch, 91, is nine years younger than the city of Scotts Mills. She recalls moving to Scotts Mills in 1931 when there were no paved roads. It was only gravel roads once travelers passed the bridge. She grew up four miles up Crooked Finger Road, and then moved into the town of Scotts Mills when she […]
By Kristine Thomas Scotts Mills resident and documentary filmmaker Michael Turner spent a majority of his life not talking about his stuttering, firmly believing if he didn’t talk about it, it would magically disappear. “I first remember stuttering when I was 8 years old,” Turner, 31, said during an interview at Main St. Bistro & Coffee in Silverton. “I always […]
First in a series on earthquake preparedness. By Kristine Thomas Mount Angel Police Chief Michael Healy keeps a suitcase in his car with everything he might need, just in case he can’t get home for a day or two. And he recommends everyone else follow suit. From an article in The New York Times to a special on Oregon Public […]
We have all done it, whether we wish to admit it or not. As the clock strikes midnight to signal the New Year, we set a goal or two for what we want to accomplish. And then sometime by January or March, we have watched that goal disappear. Why do some people set goals and achieve them and others not? […]
By Melissa Wagoner The traditional Thanksgiving dinner I ate growing up is similar to the one served on tables throughout the country. Mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, cranberry sauce shaped like a can, stuffing made from torn slices of Wonder Bread and a Butterball turkey straight from the supermarket deep freeze. I have fond memories of this […]
When Rick Lewis walked into the Main Street Bistro and Coffee shop on Nov. 5, a group of men sitting at a table stood up and gave Lewis a round of applause.Graciously, Lewis received well wishes and congratulations. As Silverton’s mayor-elect, Lewis is more than appreciative of the support he has received from his friends, community members and especially his […]
By Brenna Wiegand Playground volunteers Scotts Mills City Park, 330 First St. Saturday, Oct. 4, meet at 10 a.m. Volunteers are needed to install new playground equipment. Outgoing Scotts Mills Mayor Ron Bielenberg wants someone to take his job. So much so that he is encouraging a citizen to advertise as a write-in candidate. There are also three city council […]
If you have even considered throwing your hat into the ring to run for your city council, now is the time to do it as deadlines are around the corner. Mount Angel The city of Mount Angel terms for mayor and three city councilors expire in 2014. Incumbents are Mayor Andrew Otte and city councilors Karl Bischoff, Ray Eder and […]
Approximately 15.3 percent of residents in of Mount Angel, Scotts Mills and Silverton have earnings that fall into the poverty rate. Statewide the number is 14.8 percent. Concerned how poverty impacts not only the lives of those experiencing it but businesses, schools and other organizations, community leaders from Mount Angel, Scotts Mills and Silverton are collaborating to host Addressing Poverty […]
By Kristine Thomas and Brenna Wiegand Community isn’t a “like” on Facebook, Cate Tennyson said. And, it’s more than homes clustered in a neighborhood. A member of the Silverton Grange, Tennyson believes “community is joining with other people to accomplish something.” “It’s feeling good about working together with others and making a difference,” she added. “Community is knowing your […]
Scotts Mills, with a population of about 360, is governed by a six-member city council. Mayor Ron Bielenberg outlined the council’s priorities for 2014. 1. “Fiscally responsibility should be the number one issue for all cities. Scotts Mills of the tax rate of .43 cents per thousand. Doing more with less is always our number one. “ 2. “We’re planning a park […]
By Brenna Wiegand It’s getting so an author needn’t wait on tenterhooks for an acceptance letter or having no say in when his book is released. The tide of self publishing “indie authors” continues to swell – and local authors are bobbing to the surface right and left. “It’s the way to go these days,” Silverton author Eric Rappe’ said. […]
By Don Murtha Tony Bielenberg was a pillar of his Scotts Mills community. Fire chief for 30 years. Combat veteran of World War II, where he was wounded in action and received several decorations. Service station owner, mechanic, master gardener, Mr. Fix It, Jack of All Trades, father of seven children and devoted husband. “If someone in town needed something, […]
By Brenna Wiegand Nestled away up in the hills above Scotts Mills is the historic Maple Grove Schoolhouse, open from 1929-2010; from 1888 to 1928 it occupied another building up the hill. A going concern back when timber money stayed local, teachers and parents fought the school’s unification with Molalla River School District in 1993 and then its closure in […]
By Steve Ritchie Memorial Day weekend is a great time for a little wine-tasting and Silverton and Mount Angel residents are fortunate to have a several charming local wineries to visit. One winery that is slightly off the beaten path, but close to home, is Hanson Vineyards on Barlow Road in Monitor. Nestled in between Butte Creek and the surrounding […]
By Brenna Wiegand In a town of 350, having 200-250 people show up for an anniversary party is quite a feat. Not for Scotts Mills, which turned out en masse at the Scott Mills Grange Dec. 1 to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of Dave and Esther Fennimore. “It was a big old potluck – things were just crazy,” the […]
By James Day “When I was a teenager, quite often I would lay on the couch and thumb through a book on the Colorado 14ers. It was after my Dad took me up one that I became obsessed with the idea of climbing them all. I would read and reread about the peaks and dream of what it would be […]
Barbara Mann can name the parents of each of her 180 “girls.” She also knows the parents’ names of the parents of her 180 girls and so on for at least seven generations. Ask her to outline her own family history and, well, that’s a project for another day.
For Paula Darland, Margaret Gersch and Ross Taylor, designing and creating the cheery barn quilt blocks that are on display around Scotts Mills and surrounding communities has been a labor of love.
“Do we have to come in?” is heard nightly around town as children want to linger in the magic of a summer night. For Dale Coleman, the answer is no. He encourages children – whether they are 8 or 88 years old – to stay outside and do what makes them happy – whether it is playing games on the lawn, counting stars or adventuring to the past.
Carol Gordon’s influence on her students will be remembered long after her retirement.
Scotts Mills resident Arthur Koch played a round of golf with his sons Arthur, Jr., Arnold and Allen on his birthday, Oct. 17.
Conney Beaudry of Scotts Mills gets her kicks out of spinning. “I’m an addict,” she said. When she is not at her part-time job at the Mount Angel Library, she sits at her spinning wheel hour-after-hour spinning yards and yards of fine yarn.
