When the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown his Silverton restaurant in 2020, rather than feel sorry for himself, Joel Autry saw the opportunity for community service, an ethic modeled by his parents. He opened his heart and pantry up to local residents hurt financially by the economic slowdown or folks who had relied on Silverton’s weekly community dinner, also closed by the […]
By James Day The Silverton Police Department is investigating vandalism that occurred to the Christmas tree that is lit every December in Town Square Park. Chief Jim Anglemier told Our Town “the police department is aware of it and actively conducting an investigation. At this point, no arrest has been made of those person(s) responsible.” The vandals painted graffiti on […]
Mount Angel is mourning the loss of residents Tom and Virginia Ewing after police reported they died in a murder-suicide at the end of November. According to the Mt. Angel Police Department, Thomas Esson Ewing, 77, and Virginia Rae Ewing, 71, were found deceased Nov. 27 at their home on the 600 Block of St. Mary’s Ave. Assisted by the […]
By James Day Property owner Wes Holman used the public comment period of the Dec. 5 Silverton City Council meeting to raise concerns about trash and debris at a home near the Holman house on South Third Avenue. The complaint record apparently goes back to 2015, and although Holman said there have been some temporary improvements he remains ”not satisfied” […]
It’s time for Silverton to recognize those who have gone over and above to serve the community. Do you know someone deserving of recognition for their efforts? Do you know of a group that should be highlighted for their good work? Nomination forms are available from the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, 426 S. Water St. or contact [email protected] and have […]
By Dixon Bledsoe Imagine life is humming along like a finely tuned sports car. Wonderful spouse, four awesome sons, a huge extended family full of love, faith, support and laughter. A job you love, and you like to run. Running with your wife is fun and stress-reducing. Then, you notice the running is not as efficient. Small wounds take forever […]
By Melissa Wagoner When John Dallum discovered there was a nonprofit whose sole purpose is to relieve the medical debt of millions of Americans, he knew he had to help. “One interesting thing about Oregon is, the program has never been started here,” Dallum – a former Oregon Senator and House Representative – said. In fact, upon contacting the organization – RIP […]
By Melissa Wagoner When Sheltering Silverton created the Children’s Lantern Parade in 2018, they wanted the event to be more than just another parade. “It’s about people lighting up the dark for their neighbors,” Sheltering Silverton founder Sarah White explained. Both those with homes and those without. “This is a way to remind [the unhoused], you’re not alone and you’re […]
By Melissa Wagoner When the community-building nonprofit known as Silverton Together dissolved earlier this year, the Elizabeth Hoke Trust – a foundation honoring the legacy of SHS alumnus, Elizabeth Hoke – decided to take over many of its programs, including the annual Silverton Community Christmas Fest. “This is a celebration of the Silverton Community and the amazing people that make […]
There’s a celebration of the winter season at Silver Falls State Park Dec. 10 and 11. Everyone is invited to join park staff and volunteers in the Silver Falls Winter Festival for activities that highlight the seasonal changes at the park. In the South Falls day-use area you can: • Make a wreath at the Evergreen Picnic Shelter • Build […]
By James Day Silverton will have four new councilors beginning in January. Eric Hammond, April Newton and Marie Traeger were elected to four-year terms in a seven-candidate field on Nov. 8 to replace retiring councilors Jim Sears, Dana Smith and Crystal Neideigh. In addition, current council president Jason Freilinger was elected to a two-year term as mayor, and one of […]
By Stephen Floyd Incumbent Councilor Tony Astorga appears likely to win re-election to the Mount Angel City Council, according to election results published Nov. 18 by the Marion County Clerk’s Office. Fellow incumbents Matt Donohue and Ray Eder secured re-election Nov. 8, with initial results placing them far ahead in a field of six candidates vying for three seats. The […]
Frequent Addresses Mt. Angel Public Library, 290 E Charles St. Silverton High, 1456 Pine St., Silverton. Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield 50 & older. 503-873-3093 Silver Creek Fellowship, 822 NE Industrial Way, Silverton. Silver Falls Library, 410 S Water St.. Weekly Events Monday SACA Food Pantry, 9 a.m. – noon, SACA, 421 S Water St., Silverton. Repeats Thursdays. 503-873-3446, silvertonareacommunityaid.org […]
Brush Creek Playhouse, just outside of Silverton, will be holding auditions for The Further MISAdventures of the Seven Dwarfs on Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. This romp through the tales of the Brothers Grimm (written by Emily Wood and Michael Wood and performed by arrangement with Evander Dramatic Press) is great fun and has a […]
For the 24th year, the GFWC Silverton Zenith Women’s Club (a charitable 501(c)(3) organization) is sponsoring the “Tree of Giving,” a project dedicated to assuring that underprivileged children living in our community enjoy gifts during the holiday season. These trees can be found at the following Silverton locations: Hi-School Pharmacy, Wilco, Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul Catholic Church, and Silver […]
By Melissa Wagoner The doors of the Silverton Senior Center’s ReVamp Thrift Boutique, located on High Street in downtown, closed on Oct. 3 so that the space could receive a much-needed health and safety overhaul. “We’re revamping the ReVamp,” Executive Director, Dodie Brockamp, confirmed. “It’s a pivoting time.” Opened in July 2013 as a place for downsizing seniors to donate goods that, when sold, would […]
The annual Silverton Christmas Market is quickly approaching and tickets are on sale now. Returning this holiday season with more lights (over a million), a longer walking path and a larger vendor market. The Oregon Garden Resort, hosts the Silverton Christmas Market which starts Friday, Nov. 25 and runs through Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 24 and 25). “It’s truly magical […]
By Melissa Wagoner When Scotts Mills Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Community Club (PTCC) heard that the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce needed help staffing their annual Oktoberfest booth and that they were willing to share proceeds with any organization that volunteered, they jumped at the chance. “Katie Sommer, PTCC president, volunteered to head this up and find volunteers for two […]
By Melissa Wagoner Most people are familiar with the term, “Black Friday,” in reference to the day after Thanksgiving – traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. But in 2010 a new phrase was coined, “Small Business Saturday,” as a way of encouraging consumers to shop locally during the holiday season. And this year, according to many business owners, […]
By James Day Silverton’s two mayoral candidates and six of the seven City Council hopefuls took part in a two-hour public forum on Oct. 18 at the Palace Theater. The event was hosted by the Silverton Discourse Project, with Our Town reporter Stephen Floyd serving as the moderator. Approximately 100 residents attended, some munching popcorn from the Palace concession stand. […]
By James Day The Silverton City Council has signed off on a plan that will put four pallet shelters and a warming facility at the city’s Public Works compound. Councilors voted unanimously at an Oct. 17 work session to approve a ten-year lease agreement with Sheltering Silverton. Using $250,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that passed through […]
By Stephen Floyd Neither people nor animals were harmed after a barn caught fire at a mink farm in Mount Angel on Oct. 21. The four-alarm fire was called in around 5:20 p.m. at Ruef Fur Ranch, and first responders came upon a tall column of smoke and a barn fully involved in flames. Though the farm’s population of minks […]
By Melissa Wagoner When 11-year-old Girl Scout Moira MacDonald learned that the Scotts Mills Grange was interested in the addition of a Little Free Library she felt called to action. “We went on a website and looked at starter kits,” Moira said, recalling that, while she and her mother, Meredith, had initially looked into either building or repurposing a library […]
By Stephen Floyd Teachers in the Silver Falls School District (SFSD) are currently working under last year’s expired contract as labor negotiations drag on in the shadows of high inflation, housing costs and COVID-19 burnout. Negotiations began in April, and teachers with the Silver Falls Education Association (SFEA) started the school year with nine of 16 contract terms settled with […]
By James Day Silverton will have a new mayor come January, but the town still will be led by a Silverton native. Outgoing mayor Kyle Palmer, who has served in the position since 2017, is a lifelong resident, as are the two individuals running to replace him, Morry Jones and Jason Freilinger. Jones is a corporate executive who has served […]
