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People Out Loud: Firsts – Bearing witness to a growing nation

On a number of occasions acknowledgment has been given to “Firsts.” The first Black Supreme Court justice, the first Black QB in the NFL, the first Black president.  While many have celebrated these firsts, others have condemned these as “making things about a race.” My position is that these firsts are cause for celebration; an acknowledgment of positive change.  When […]

Letter to the Editor: New council needs an experienced hand

Jason Freilinger is, without a doubt, my choice to be Silverton’s next mayor. As well as being part of the downtown business community and multiple service groups, Jason has been actively serving on city committees, task forces, planning commission and council for more than a decade.  He’s been a humble, thoughtful voice on a variety of issues including: • effective […]

Letter to the Editor: Cover art represents a questionable choice

Our Town Editor, If you weren’t aware, the cover of your Oct. 1, 2022 Our Town features a painting of Margaret Sanger, who is a racist and in favor of eugenics. She is the founder of Planned Parenthood.  A large Planned Parenthood clinic even removed Margaret Sanger’s name from their clinic title, due to her racist and eugenic beliefs. In 2016, […]

A Slice of the Pie: The T trials – Welcome to raising a teen

Last winter my middle daughter turned 11 and friends and family took turns congratulating her, making comments about how much she’s growing up and what a lovely human she’s become.  Then, one week later, my oldest daughter turned 13 and things got a little weird. There were still a lot of well-wishes and congratulations but there were also a lot […]

A Grin at the End: Power of choice – A ballot of ideas

We’re going to hire a new CEO for the state of Oregon next month, and the sparks are flying, as independent and former state Sen. Betsy Johnson has the Democratic candidate, former Speaker of the House Tina Kotek in attack mode. Apparently, Kotek’s getting nervous. Meanwhile, the Republican candidate, former House minority leader Christine Drazan, seems to be running a […]

People Out Loud: Memories – And memories in the making

I secretly wished that Olivia Newton-John was singing her mega-hit, I Honestly Love You to me when it was released in 1974. Stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, I found her breathy rendition of that song made me even more enamored with her. Certainly at least 50 million young and old men had the same fervent dream, […]

A Grin at the End: Heroes – Reminders of the past

I live in a neighborhood populated by heroes. I’m not talking about Spandex-wearing, pumped-up guys and gals appearing soon at a multiplex near you. I am talking about everyday heroes. The kind of people who pulled their weight in life and as a part of society. They raised families, worked at jobs. They offered a hand to those who needed […]

Letter to the Editor: Schools need more security, not gun bans

Here are my thoughts on the recent Silver Falls school board decision to reject the proposed ban on concealed carry. They made the correct decision, albeit just barely.  The school shootings epidemic deserves more than just a symbolic band aid. This needs to be treated like the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, because this is domestic terrorism.   Have […]

People Out Loud: Three originals – Rest in peace, friends

When I first conceived the idea for this column, many years ago, it was first and foremost centered on talking about people – living, dying, laughing, crying, and doing the things they do. Today, it is about people dying and the living they did. Doug “Chet” Bunting passed away this spring. This one hurt. He was a good man, smart […]

A Grin at the End: Finally ready – Nadine’s gift

“I’m ready to die,” she said, turning her head toward the apartment window. I looked at my mother-in-law, Nadine Stack, not knowing what to say. This was three years ago, and at age 97 she was in good health and still able to get around. She was even a member of the beanbag baseball team at Mount Angel Towers, the […]

A Grin at the End: Good to go! – GoPros and crawdads

Some if you may know that I’ve been having close encounters of the medical kind during the last few months. And, no, it wasn’t COVID. It was really nothing super serious, although, for the first time in my life, my doctor ordered me not to exercise. Every other time I’ve gone to a doctor I have been pestered to get […]