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On the rebound – Senior Center has new leadership, big plans

By James Day The Silverton Senior Center is down but not out. The group’s building on Westfield Street is out of commission because of a plumbing disaster that occurred during the January ice storm. The center, however, has been able to keep most of its programs rolling along by using other sites: aerobics, line dancing and gentle yoga at Immanuel […]

City of Silverton

Land use: Council hears from experts as comprehensive plan project looms

By James Day Housing continues to be a major concern statewide, with the Legislature passing another major housing bill in its recently completed short session. The City of Silverton decided to bone up on housing and land use issues in a March 18 joint session involving city staff, the City Council and the Planning Commission. The special meeting heard from […]

Dodie Brockamp party now set for Feb. 17

The party to honor retiring Silverton Senior Center Executive Director Dodie Brockamp was rescheduled because of the water damage the building suffered during the recent ice storm. Now the party, honoring Dodie’s 12 years of service,  is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at the First Christian Church, 402 N. First St. A light luncheon and cake will be served. […]

Silverton Senior Center

Storm damage: Burst pipes wreak havoc on Senior Center

By James Day The Silverton Senior Center was heavily damaged during the recent ice storm and is currently closed until repairs can be made. Board President Jenny Ohren told Our Town that when officials returned to the Center on Jan. 18, after being closed during the ice event, “broken pipes in the attic” led to the collapse of a ceiling because […]

City of Silverton

Parks planning – Pickleball courts, lake trails to come before city soon

By James Day The City of Silverton’s work on a master plan for its parks is yielding immediate fruit. Two of its major pieces, a trail system at Pettit Lake and new pickleball courts near the skate park, could see design and construction contracts come before the city as early as next month. The funds for both facilities have been […]

Dodie Brockamp. James Day.

Brockamp retires from directing Silverton Senior Center

Somehow it seems that Dodie Brockamp, outgoing executive director of the Silverton Senior Center, will be busier in her “retirement” than she was during her 12 years at the center. A celebration of the Senior Center career of Brockamp is set for noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. A light luncheon […]

Parks presentation at Silverton Senior Center. Stephen Floyd

Park priorities – Silverton residents assess park plans, give feedback

By Stephen Floyd Trails, gathering spaces and family amenities were among priorities chosen by residents during a recent open house on proposed updates to Silverton’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Held Dec. 5 at the Silverton Senior Center, the event allowed residents to express the priorities they believe should guide the planning and funding of city parks in the coming […]

Silverton hosts open house on park planning

Silverton residents will have an opportunity on Tuesday, Dec. 5, to chime in on a new parks and recreation master plan. The city is hosting an open house on the plan from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. A city advisory committee has been working on the new plan and will be taking feedback […]

Silverton Senior Center

Silverton Senior Center needs your help

Dear Community Members, The Center receives no public funding, and the negative effects of COVID forced the closure of the Center’s ReVamp store, which provided partial funding. The Center has been using its savings to meet operating expenses, but we now need additional assistance, so we are making this direct appeal to the Silverton Community. The Center serves our community in numerous ways for its more […]

Distribution day set for coats contributed in drive

The Elizabeth Ashley Hoke Memorial Trust sponsored the  collection of new and gently used coats for kids and families during October. Coats were dropped off at Friends of Abiqua Heights, Willamette Valley Bank, Silver Creek Fellowship Church, Adventist Community Services, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Silverton Senior Center, Hi-School Pharmacy, Gear-Up, Sunflower Farms, First Christian Church, St. Paul’s, Les Schwab Tires, Robert […]

It’s almost impossible to see the oak trees for the ivy in the grove near the Silverton Skatepark. Volunteers will be removing ivy from the trees on Oct. 7 as part of OAKtober celebrations in town. James Day

OAKtober – Silverton set to celebrate, save, oaks

By James Day Silverton is celebrating the venerable oak tree during September and October, or OAKtober, as Sustainable Silverton organizers are calling it. “OAKtober is a month-long celebration of oak trees in Silverton, of their history and what they do for us, and how we can help them, so we have them to enjoy now and in the future,” noted […]

Public invited to meet city manager finalists

By James Day Silverton residents have an opportunity to meet the three finalists for city manager with a Monday, Sept. 18 meet-and-greet session 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. Silverton is seeking to replace chief administrative officer Ron Chandler, who left the city in May to retire to Utah.  Members of the public will […]

Challenges – Silverton Senior Center seeking help from city, community

By James Day Like many nonprofits, the Silverton Senior Center still is trying to recover from COVID-19. Use of the center dropped during the pandemic, and memberships declined as well. The center also was forced to close its Revamp Store, which had been bringing in a needed $2,000 per month by selling used items. Now, the center board reports it […]

Share your ‘Aloha’ spirit at Senior Center Maui benefit

On Saturday, Sept. 23 the Silverton Senior Center will host a fundraising benefit for those who lost everything in the Maui disaster. There will be a silent auction, including professional art donated for the event and many other unique items. Tropical refreshments will be served, plus hula dancing and lessons. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with live music from 1- […]

Free family fun – Silverton Community Picnic celebrates its 30th summer

By James Day The 30th anniversary edition of Silverton’s Community Picnic is set for Friday, Aug. 25. Events for the 5 to 8 p.m. soiree will be held in Coolidge McClaine Park and the Silverton Community Pool. “It’s just a great time to get together,”said Dodie Brockamp, executive director of the Silverton Senior Center, the lead organizer for the event.  […]

Jan Holowati. Melissa Wagoner

Planting seeds – Jan Holowati retires after ‘rehoming’ community events

By Melissa Wagoner Unbeknownst to many, when Silverton Together closed its doors on June 30, 2022, the face of the organization, Program Coordinator Jan Holowati, stayed right where she was. “We had all these programs and I said, I just can’t let this go away,” Holowati said of the duty she felt to find entities willing to take over the […]

Silverton City Council Process begins for affordable housing

By James Day The City of Silverton is getting into the affordable housing business. Officials have identified a seven-acre parcel of city-owned land west of the Silverton Senior Center for the project. The issue was discussed at the June 5 City Council session, although final decisions are months or perhaps years away. The city might start by developing just a […]

Earth Day – Hands-on help needed

By James Day Sustainable Silverton will be hosting Earth Day Projects on Saturday, April 22 and volunteers are welcome. The day will start with a 9 a.m. effort to remove invasive species at Old Mill Park near Salamander Island at the end of Cowing Street. In the afternoon two oak sapling protection projects are set, at 2 p.m. at the […]

Silverton Senior Center welcomes 50-plus members

You don’t have to be retired to be a member of the Silverton Senior Center. You don’t even have to be 55 – the age at which many businesses begin offering a senior discount. In fact, anyone over the age of 50 can become a member and take advantage of the many activities and resources the organization provides.  “We weren’t […]

Lifetime Achievement – Arlene Harris honored for stepping up

By Melissa Wagoner Arlene Harris is a Silvertonian through and through. Born at Silverton Hospital, Harris spent the majority of her life in her hometown, only leaving when it came time to attend the University of Washington, where she earned her degree as a Physical Therapist before returning home to get married and start her career. “My fiancé at that […]

Building turns 100, ‘new’ cartoon displayed

At the Silverton Country Historical Society’s annual meeting vice president Fred Parkinson will present a talk about historic Silverton architecture, specifically a building that recently turned 100 years old. Now serving as the local branch of Citizens Bank, 217 E. Main St. started out in 1923 as the new building for Coolidge & McClaine Bank.  Additionally, the meeting will showcase […]

Senior Follies – Multiple chances for a little shared laughter

By Melissa Wagoner Candace Pressnall has been involved with the theater for over 40 years.  “I even have a degree in it,” she said proudly. “I’ve enjoyed it a lot.” Which is why, when the Silverton Senior Center decided to pivot to a more member-led programming, she jumped at the chance to bring a little theater to the lives of […]

Solar Fair – Sustainable Silverton presents options

By Melissa Wagoner Forced evacuation during the wildfires of 2020, fallen debris during the ice storm of 2021 and an increased amount of drought and fire danger after last summer’s heat dome event, when combined, became a major wakeup call for Megan Benedict – one she simply couldn’t ignore. “These episodes made me feel very helpless,” Benedict said. “But I […]

Showcase your talent – Senior Follies applications due March 15

The “Senior Follies,” showcasing the talents of those aged 50 and older, is set for June 24-26 at Silverton High School, with March 15 the application deadline. Applications are available at the Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. Email [email protected] to receive an application via email or for more information. Interested parties also can call Silverton Senior Center Executive Director […]

Historical Society plans in-person annual meeting

The Silverton Country Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at the Silverton Senior Center Saturday, Jan. 22, 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The meeting will begin with reports on membership, finances and election of new board members. There will also be a recap of the many activities the historical society is working on. This year’s program will […]