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Eric Druliner
By Melissa Wagoner
When Eric Druliner – co-owner of the Silver Falls Brewery with Andrew Fox for nearly 10 years – learned that he was being recognized as this year’s First Citizen by the Silverton Chamber of Commerce he was surprised.
But perhaps he shouldn’t have been. After all, the list of organizations with whom Druliner volunteers and the impact he has had on the community is so long that when Stacy Palmer submitted the nomination the record of his achievements filled an entire page.
“It’s difficult for me to nominate anyone because I see so many amazing people in our community,” Palmer wrote.
“However, Eric Druliner stands out above the crowd, not just because of his height!”
“[I]t’s just getting involved in the community and making it a better place for all…” Druliner said when asked why he has taken on such a significant role in so many organizations. He grew up in Silverton.
“I got a degree in psychology and went into law enforcement. When I got out of law enforcement and had to switch gears there was a void there and I wondered how I could get involved. Then when Andrew Fox and I decided to start a brewery we looked at successful breweries and they support and are supported by a community.”
Festivals & Events
One of the primary ways Druliner has made his mark is through his work with the Homer Davenport Community Festival.
“It’s a community event, but I want to make it bigger and better,” Druliner said.
And so, several years ago he took on the Homer Days Brew Festival, which provides much needed funding to the organization. He took over booking the musical acts for the mainstage and he became president of the board.
Then, more recently, he undertook another project – the building of an amphitheater in Coolidge McClaine Park
“We’ve gone to other places and seen other venues and thought it would be really cool to have an amphitheater...”
Druliner said. “It would be a huge asset because the high school could use it, and SoundStream and the dance studios. We would really have a key piece to enhance the quality of life in town.”
Forming a committee with several other community members who have a similar goal, Druliner is currently working toward making the dream a reality.
“It’s amazing if you surround yourself with people with the same ideas and visions,” Druliner said.
When Jason Franz – owner of Fall Line Sports and the founder Silverton Skate Park – died unexpectedly in 2019 Druliner wanted to keep Franz’s memory alive and continue to support his work.
“He was such an important person, and we didn’t want the groups he was able to reach out and touch to slip through the cracks…” Druliner said. “We thought, let’s throw a party. Jason’s favorite drink was a stout and February is stout month.”
That’s how the first Stout & Ale Fest –initially held at the brewery – began.
“At first it was just serving a bunch of stouts here at the brewery… but we wanted to make it bigger and… Jason was president of the Chamber of Commerce, so we wanted to honor that and promote other businesses.”
And so, in 2023 the festival expanded to The Oregon Garden Pavilion.
“We invited Fall Line to have a tent… we raffled off a racing mountain bike and we bought a bike for a kid who had his stolen.”
Continuing the work that Franz began.
Chamber of Commerce & First Friday
Druliner only began serving on the board of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce a year ago, but even before that he was heavily involved in the organization’s work, including revitalizing the community’s monthly First Friday celebrations.
“First Friday is really to promote shops and restaurants, but it turned into people just going to restaurants. That’s a complaint we heard,” Druliner recalled. “Then someone said, ‘We used to shut down main street and have a dance.’ I thought, that’s cool. We should do it again. I recruited some people to join me in that crazy idea. Two years ago, we did it… It’s trying to get people to come out and explore downtown.”
And giving business owners another opportunity to attract customers in a whole new way.
“In our restaurant we get so busy it’s crazy,” he said. “This was an opportunity for other restaurants, who might not
have an outdoor area, to expand into the [street] and share the wealth a little bit.”
More Community Support
In the past year Druliner also joined the Silver Falls YMCA board.
“I was asked to join it because the YMCA wants to start a bigger project of finding a new home,” he said. “I was asked to help out with community outreach, helping to identify our gaps and the needs the town has and the resources. It’s a big project but it really sparked my interest and it’s been fun. I learned a tremendous amount joining the board, which is dynamic. It’s been a good experience.”
Another positive venture has been the years Druliner has spent coaching his sons’ sports teams, including this year as a coach of Silverton High School’ JV basketball team, which was a life goal. “I wanted to get into the higher level of coaching…” he said. “And it’s awesome. I get to be involved with the program and that’s what’s important to me. It’s been an honor… It’s been great to be around great people.”
First Citizen Recognition
People are primarily why Druliner spends so much time volunteering.
“It’s kind of a life goal of how I envisioned my life,” he said. Included in that plan – one day winning the coveted First Citizen Award. He just didn’t think it would happen so soon.
“I looked up to a lot of people who are First Citizens,” he said. “There have been a lot of role models for me that have been recognized before. So being recognized is pretty special to me.”
First Citizen Eric Druliner SUBMITTED PHOTO
Ken & Darby Hector Lifetime achievement award recognizes decades of service
By Stephen Floyd
Ken and Darby Hector have been heavily involved in the Silverton community for decades, and have even been among those who break the news to recipients of the First Citizens Awards.
So when they opened their door in early January and saw members of the awards committee standing there with balloons and smiles, the Hectors saw what was coming.
Ken said knowing the punchline “didn’t diminish the good feelings.”
Darby said she was “very appreciative and felt honored,” and that the experience was an opportunity to reflect on what it meant to be recognized for service.
The two were selected for the 2025 Judy Schmidt Lifetime Achievement Award, and will be honored during the Silverton First Citizen Banquet Jan. 25.
Darby was born and raised in Silverton, and the couple chose to call the city home after their marriage in 1979.
Darby taught for Silver Falls School District, including civics at Silverton Middle School. She continues to be involved with the school as the longtime advisor for the Interact Club, which undertakes service projects with the backing of Rotary International.
Ken worked in risk management for 30 years, then spent the last eight years of his career as director of government affairs for Silverton Hospital before retiring in 2013. He also was deeply involved in local government including Silverton’s Budget Committee (1983-85), the City Council (1985-93, 2013-16) and as mayor (1993-2008).
Throughout this time they found ways to engage their community such as volunteering with Silverton Rotary Club, Silverton Elks Lodge and the Silverton Chamber of Commerce.
Darby said community engagement came naturally because this was the example set by her parents and grandparents, noting she was a thirdgeneration Rotarian.
The couple found a niche in fundraising events such as the Silverton Mayor’s Ball, which Ken founded in his first year as mayor. The event generated an estimated $300,000 in donations through 2008 to support groups such as Silverton Senior Center, Silverton Area Community Aid (SACA) and Silver Falls YMCA.
Darby and Ken Hector SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Hectors added a new fundraiser to their portfolio in October 2024 when they organized an event for Seltering Silverton. Ken said they expected perhaps $5,000 in donations and by the end of the night took in more than $20,000.
First Citizen Awards
Banquet
Saturday, Jan. 25, 6 p.m.
Mount Angel Festhalle
500 Mt. Angel Hwy
Tickets: $50 Silverton Chamber of Commerce: 503-873-5615 www.silvertonchamber.org
Look for our story on Future First Citizen Maxwell Mulick in the Feb. 1 edition of Our Town
SACA would go on to create its own annual gala in 2017 through the efforts of the Hectors and fellow organizers, which continues today as the organization’s largest revenue generator.
While these events have been successful, Ken said, volunteering is not measured in dollars and cents or even hours spent, but the willingness to step forward and help.
“It’s not so much how you can contribute, it’s if you can,” said Ken.
“Because the more hands you have the better it is.”
He said community engagement also requires perseverance, patience and a willingness to adapt to challenges, just like other parts of life.
Darby said volunteering can even be as simple as joining a civic organization and staying informed of what’s going on. She mentioned the chamber offers membership to non-businesses for just this reason, and said she and Ken joined this way.
Darby said volunteerism itself provides a personal sense of accomplishment that is “very fulfilling.”
“People become excited by being part of something,” she said.
Silverton Chamber of Commerce
Distinguished service Bill Miles says volunteering ‘gets in your DNA’
By James Day
The path for Bill Miles to a career of volunteering and service in Silverton began in his youth. His father was a volunteer with the Silverton Fire District and Miles and his pals often would ride their bicycles down to the station.
“We were always hanging out in the fire station growing up,” he said. “Sometimes I’d help with a hose or washing the trucks.”
Now as an adult of 66, Miles still is hanging out at the fire station.
After graduating from Silverton High in 1976, he earned his AA in fire science from Chemeketa Community College and has been volunteering and serving as a paid firefighter ever since.
Starting in 1985 Miles worked for 26 years with Portland fire while retaining his volunteer status in Silverton. In 2008 he took over the volunteer training program at Silverton and became chief in 2011.
Since that time, in addition to his service with the fire district, Miles has impressed
members of the community with his ability to use his expertise and enthusiasm with projects such as the Rotary Club allabilities park and cleaning up downed trees and other hazards from the 2021 ice storm in Coolidge McClaine Park.
Miles will receive the Distinguished Service award at Silverton’s First Citizen banquet on Jan. 25 at the Festhalle in Mount Angel. See www.silvertonchamber.
Firefighters head to California
Fifteen Oregon strike teams mobilized to help with the wildfires in the Los Angeles area, arriving Jan. 9.
The 300 firefighters and 75 engines are assigned to the Palisades Fire burning north of the Los Angeles area. They will be deployed for up to 14 days protecting homes and other buildings. The teams will patrol for hotspots, working with CAL Fire and other agencies.
The strike teams are from Clackamas, Clatsop, Central Oregon, Lane, Lincoln, Linn/Polk, Benton/Columbia, Douglas, and Polk counties, and two from Marion, Multnomah, Rogue Valley, Washington, and Yamhill counties. Teams will be reimbursed directly by California.
“We are in contact with our teams, and they are in good spirits. They’ve received their assignments and have started their work,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “I am honored to work alongside the Oregon fire service who raised their hands to say they will go without question.” The deployment is one of largest out-of-state responses the Oregon fire service has supported.
“Oregon and California have a strong partnership supporting each other,” Ruiz-Temple said. “During our historic 2024 wildfire season, California sent us help and in their time of need, we are working as fast as possible to lend them support during this emergency.”
org for more information and to reserve tickets.
The nomination form that the Silverton Chamber of Commerce awards committee reviewed made special mention of Miles’ assistance during the ice storm.
“Our Rotary Club organized and hosted a community ‘clean up the park day’ to finish the job that Silverton’s Public Works team had started by taking care of the larger stuff,” reads the nomination form.
“While we had nearly 100 volunteers show up that day, it was particularly awesome to see the team from Silverton Fire show up (with their own equipment no less) and single-handedly take care of cutting and clearing a five-foot wide path up to the trail that leads to Salamander Island.”
A self-described “budget nerd,” Miles also has filled a seat on the city’s Urban Renewal Advisory Committee.
When asked about his years in community service Miles said “a switch got flipped somewhere. It kind of gets in your DNA. And one of the predominant groups in
fire service is volunteers. It feels like the Silverton Fire District is one of the oldest volunteer organizations in town. It goes back to 1883.
“As a volunteer firefighter you are always dropping everything to help somebody and I’ve grown up with it.”
Much of Miles’ away-from-the-firehouse service in recent years has come as a member of the Rotary Club.
“I was looking for other ways to give back in a different way than in my job here,” he said.
“It’s all about supporting and maintaining volunteers. This town is so fortunate to have people ready to drop everything to help somebody out at what is the worst time for them.
“It’s been so gratifying to do that and Rotary was another way to get involved with a different group.
“I’m always looking for ways to leverage what we do. Partnerships are everything and I didn’t want to become one of those members who just got the T-shirt.”
Service award Fire association honored
By James Day
Now in its 24th year, the Silverton Firefighters Association’s toy and food drives have become well-oiled machines.
This year the group brought in 6,200 pounds of food and enough toys to fill a seven-foot by 16-foot trailer. The food goes to Silverton Area Community Aid for distribution and the Silverton Zenith Women’s Club “Tree of Giving” and Immanuel Lutheran Church see to it that the toys get passed out.
The continuing success of the drives earned the firefighters the service club award at this year’s Silverton First Citizen Awards gala on Jan. 25 at the Festhalle in Mount Angel.
In a joint interview with Lt. Ray Dandeneau, the lead organizer, and Assistant Fire Chief Keith Veit, Dandeneau was on a speaker phone because he was on a fire engine bound for the Southern California fires along with dozens of other
Oregon firefighters as part of a mutual aid program.
A core group of 12 or so firefighters does much of the heavy lifting on the food and toy drives, but just a few minutes of chatting with Dandeaneau and Veit makes it clear how widespread the effort is.
• 24 local businesses accepted barrels at their locations for folks to drop off materials.
• Roth’s contributed 3,000 grocery bags that were distributed throughout the area. Participants could load up a bag and leave it on their porch for pick up or bring it down the fire house.
• Immanuel Lutheran and the Silverton Zenith Women’s Club coordinate toy distribution.
• Cub Scout Pack 485 of Silverton assisted SACA with toys to fill 200 stockings.
And dozens of volunteers rode the circuit in fire trucks picking up the
groceries contributed.
“I’m always in awe and blown away by the generosity of the community. It just amazes me,” Dandeneau said. “The need is there and people want to help others.”
Veit added that “it’s very satisfying to get it done. It’s such a big project logistically.”
Drive organizers also worked with Evergreen and Robert Frost schools on the toy donations. The school kids helped with collections and will be rewarded with a visit to the fire station.
“That really raised a lot of excitement for the drive among the kids,” Dandeneau said.
Veit gave a shout-out to Dandeneau for his role.
“He organizes the chaos,” Veit said. “For a big project like this you need to have a lot of connections in the community.”
Silverton Fire District Chief Bill Miles JAMES DAY
Maps Credit Union
Silverton branch named Business of the Year
By Melissa Wagoner
When Jesse Alfaro began working for Maps Credit Union seven years ago there was a lot he didn’t know.
“For me [Maps] was a pleasant surprise,” he recalled. “Because I didn’t know a lot about credit unions.”
For example, the difference between a credit union and a bank lies in its profit status because, while a bank is generally a for-profit institution, a credit union, like Maps, falls into the non-profit category.
“What we do is if we do have profits they’re redistributed to the community we serve,” Alfaro said. As manager of the Silverton branch of the Maps he’s aware of a myriad of causes the credit union has supported during its 90-year history including, most recently, a $25,000 contribution to the All Abilities Playground in Silverton, $50,000 in teacher grants over the past year, $58,000 in student scholarships and a sizable contribution toward a new building for Silverton Area Community Aid.
“And I remember, during the wildfires a big part of the community here was affected,” Alfaro said. “We reached out to our rural members and asked if they needed anything.”
In the weeks following, gift cards for groceries and gas were provided to many Maps customers thanks to the credit union’s ability to react quickly during a crisis.
“Maps is a very dynamic, human-driven institution…” Community Relationship Manager Bart Cedillo explained. “We want to be engaged, and we feel it not only externally but internally.”
Now that engagement is being recognized by the Silverton Chamber of Commerce
which has named Maps Credit Union Business of the Year.
“The company is led by Silverton natives and their support for communities is strong,” Kyle Palmer wrote in nominating Maps.
It’s a principle that was written into the company’s “cooperative values” in 1935 when Maps – established by a group of teachers in Salem – was getting its start. It hasn’t changed much in the intervening years.
“That’s the heart of Maps,” Cedillo confirmed. “Our senior leadership has put our employees on giving back and being a leader in the community because the health of the community is important.”
So important that the company pays its employees for the time they spend volunteering at Habitat for Humanity builds, Red Cross blood drives, Marion County Foodshare shifts and more.
“And here in Silverton our giving arm, the Maps Community Foundation, was able to do the giving locally,” Cedillo said. “Recently we gave the Silverton Cat Rescue $1,000.”
“And last month was the 12 Days of Giving,” Alfaro added. “All employees voted on their favorite nonprofits.”
With so much generosity in its history, it should have come as no surprise when Mayor Jason Freilinger arrived at the Silverton Maps with balloons, announcing the company had won the honor of Business of the Year. But Alfaro was stunned.
“They shocked me,” he admitted. “But the staff, they were all smiles.”
“We don’t do it for the recognition,” Cedillo added. “But it’s awesome.”
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Chamber representatives with the team at Maps Credit Union to present the Business of the Year Award. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Square one
By James Day
Silverton will need to start over on its discussion of homeless camping on city property.
The City Council entered the Jan. 6 meeting set to take a second reading on an ordinance that would designate a site on Westfield Street near the dog park for legal camping. But amid a change in the council roster and after nearly 40 minutes of comment from the public, the plan was left dead in the water.
The Westfield site passed its first reading on a split 4-3 vote on Dec. 16 but failed to produce a motion in favor of it on Jan. 6. In fact, its original backer, outgoing Councilor Jess Miller, spoke during public comment in opposition to his earlier motion.
Seven other residents testified on the topic during public comment, which had its highest turnout in recent memory. No one spoke in favor of the ordinance as written and many expressed concerns that they were blindsided and unaware the city was considering such a plan.
The staff report noted that the Jan. 6 meeting marked the ninth session at which the council has discussed the homelessness issue. Our Town has published five stories on it. In his opening remarks on the agenda item Mayor Jason Freilinger said he had received 100 pieces of correspondence on the issue, with residents evenly split on the camping plan.
One speaker, Cindy Zapata, said she “felt good about [the council] slowing things down. Sometimes people become aware of issues when it’s too late.”
During the staff communications segment, City Manager Cory Misley noted the meeting total since Aug. 19. “And we are right back where we were on Aug. 19,” he said. Misley advised, “Let’s regroup” and added that he plans to talk with the city’s legal advisers before the council discusses the issue further.
Councilor Elvi Cuellar Sutton defended the plan for the Westfield site “because people already are camping there, and we are already working with the police on this. It’s not the best location, but there is no best location.”
Councilor Kyle Palmer, who is back in elected office after two years away, noted that “a lot of work has been done here. People don’t know how much and think we are springing this on them.”
Palmer added that the public camping “will be a disaster no matter where you put it, a literal mess.”
Councilor Matt Gaitan suggested a public engagement piece be added, noting that “I love hearing all this public comment. It really helps us move forward.”
The council discussions have been driven by encouragement from the city’s legal advisers to establish rules for camping in reaction to recent legal decisions and case law. The camping site would be available on evenings in which Sheltering Silverton is full. Sarah White of Sheltering Silverton noted at the meeting that the state legislature also is working on the issue (House Bill 3115), but it is unclear what form that bill might
take or its chances of passage.
In other action from the first council session of 2025:
• Mayor Freilinger, incumbent councilor Sutton, appointed Councilor Gaitan and new councilor Palmer were sworn in to office. All four were elected without opposition Nov. 5. Palmer, who previously served as both councilor and mayor, replaces Jess Miller, who chose not to seek re-election.
Miller was on hand for the meeting and offered remarks on his future. He is switching his “volunteer time” from council duties to working on state legislation on parental equality in Oregon family law.
• Councilors discussed an update of the city’s master fee schedule. The lone item of contention was a plan to increase parking fines to $50, with penalties increasing to $75 and $100 if not paid within two weeks. Councilors generally felt that the fines were too high and a scale of $40, $60 and $80 seems likely when the issue returns to the council at a future meeting. Parking is free for three hours in the downtown core, but tickets can be issued for those who stay past the three-hour mark.
• Councilor April Newton was elected council president on a 4-3 vote ahead of Sutton. Gaitan, Eric Hammond and Mayor Freilinger joined Newton in the majority vote, while Sutton, Palmer and Marie Traeger voted with the minority. The council president takes charge of the council when the mayor is absent.
• Jason Gottgetreu, the city’s longtime community development director, received the city’s “good governance” award for his work on the new City Hall and other projects. Sam Willis was named officer of the year by Silverton Police Chief Todd Engstrom for increasing departmental communication with the public via social media. Both individuals will be honored at the Jan. 25 First Citizen Awards Gala at the Festhalle in Mount Angel.
Kyle Palmer is sworn in as a Silverton councilor by City Manager Cory Misley at the Jan. 6 council meeting. Palmer, a former mayor, has returned to office after two years away. JAMES DAY
TAN costs for SFSD lower than expected
The Silver Falls School District has repaid a $3.8 million bridge loan for less than expected after a partial investment of funds offset costs.
The tax anticipation note (TAN) was repaid Dec. 27, 2024, along with $98,454 in interest. This was in addition to $62,408 in issuing costs paid last school year.
The district invested most of the loan in a high-interest account, generating $118,196 in interest, said Director of Finance Kim Doud. This brought total out-of-pocket costs to $42,666, below the $60,575 predicted when the district applied for the loan in May.
SFSD sought the funds to cover a projected $1.3 million June shortfall and borrowed more than needed to invest the remainder.
Superintendent Kim Kellison said, with the loan paid, the district has $3.9 million to build into next year.
-- Stephen Floyd
Lobby season Decades-old calculations hamper SFSD
By Stephen Floyd
Silver Falls School District is weighing multiple financial priorities for the 202526 school year, and like many districts in Oregon is looking to the upcoming legislative session for support.
Between increases in PERS contributions, low cash reserves, a need to restore staffing, and a growing list of deferred maintenance, SFSD may need to limit goals.
To get ahead of this challenge, the district plans to lobby lawmakers during the legislative session beginning Jan. 21 in partnership with the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).
SFSD Superintendent Kim Kellison said she plans to advocate personally, as do fellow administrators and members of the board.
Our Town sat down with Kellison and COSA Executive Director Krista Parent to learn what those efforts will look like and how the public can be involved. Kotek has proposed a record $11.36 billion in K-12 spending for the 2025-27 biennium,
up $1.16 billion from the previous budget. Kellison and Parent said the governor’s plan is enough to fund districts operating at status quo, but not those like SFSD who face financial constraints and declining enrollment.
Parent said one legislative priority for COSA is a proposal by Kotek to change the way school funding is calculated.
Currently, lawmakers set school funding in part by looking at the previous 20 years of payroll data and using this to forecast staffing costs. Parent said costs have changed dramatically in recent years and that COSA supports Kotek’s proposal to look back 10 years instead, which the governor’s office estimates will generate $240 million.
Parent said COSA’s second priority is more robust funding for special education.
Oregon sets aside special ed funding based on 11 percent average enrollment, which was accurate when the standard was adopted in 1991. Parent said the average today is actually 15 percent and Oregon needs to budget $500 million more to bridge this gap.
She also said the state’s grant program for high-cost special ed students is outdated. Established in 2003, the program caps grant funding at $55 million. Parent said today that number should be $175 million.
Because the grant cap does not match real expenses, districts are reimbursed at $0.40 on the dollar, said Parent. In the last school year, SFSD received $400,000 from the program out of $1 million spent, and the remainder came out of the general fund. Kellison said, when advocating for changes, lawmakers do not usually respond to a general plea for more funding, as all state departments have that request. When testifying in support of the Early Literacy Success Initiative in 2023, Kellison focused on the story of a second-grader who had been working with a specialist to learn how to read. Kellison was there when the student read a book for the first time. She described how he beamed at a milestone that would change his life.
“It takes a compelling story that shows the power of what (lawmakers) can do for education,” she said.
We know the area, neighborhoods and can speak to what makes Silverton special.
Your listing will be put on the weekly real estate property tour.
If you need us, we are just minutes away. We support the local economy by shopping, dining and volunteering in the community. We care about this town, it is our home too!
School Spotlight
Future plans College/career fairs present students with opportunities
By Melissa Wagoner
In December John F. Kennedy High School in Mount Angel hosted its first College and Career Fair – just one of the Career-Related Learning Experiences (CRLE) students will participate in during their high school career – and it was a rousing success.
“Our students shined in such a way that it was really inspiring,” Esmerelda Meraz, the school’s guidance counselor, said. “And the community also, because no one said ‘no.’”
With 26 colleges, businesses and organizations represented, the fair was smaller than the one that month at Silverton High School, which welcomed a whopping 155 representatives, but the benefits were the same.
“I hoped they would spend their time exploring their interests,” Meraz said. “And I did see a lot of that, kids taking it in and seeing the possibilities.”
That’s what events like these are all about, providing students with the information to plan for their future.
“Nowadays dropping out is not an option and not having a plan when you leave this building is not an option,” Meraz said. She described the role guidance counselors play in helping both the student and their families plan for the future and access the tools necessary to make that
future a reality.
“We have a lot of first-generation students who come through this building,” Meraz said. “So, I plan trips and experiences that aren’t easily available to a lot of kids. And we try to do a lot of inviting – making my time available to families.”
And the College and Career Fair went a long way toward helping her do that, as did the career presentation portion of the CRLE week, which provided students with the
opportunity to hear representatives from numerous occupations speak in depth about their vocation.
“The first CRLE week I asked the students, ‘Who would you want to talk to?’ ” Meraz said. “I was mostly hoping they would either sit in the session and say, ‘I’m curious,’ or ‘This is not for me, I won’t waste my time.’”
Knowing what interests a student wants to pursue prior to applying to a university or trade school can save time and money.
SOBRE
NOSOTROS
Somos una escuela PreK-8 que ofrece:
CARNAVAL DEL SAGRADO CORAZON
¡Están todos invitados a una velada de diversión para toda la familia! Se llevará a cabo en el Gimnasio Sagrado Corazón de 5 a 8 p.m., el 18 de enero. ¡Entrada gratis!
CASA ABIERTA
Ven y conoce a la familia de la Escuela Sagrado Corazón el 26 de enero de 3 a 5 p.m. ¡Conoce a nuestros profesores, recorre la escuela!
• Clases pequeñas que individualizan el aprendizaje • Ofrecemos asistencia financiera basada en las necesidades • Un ambiente familiar cálido, amoroso y seguro que alienta e inspira
• Creatividad dinámica enmarcada por el orden y sostenida por la oración
• Los niños de preescolar a primer grado se sumergen en el idioma español, la alfabetización y los estudios culturales. Durante al menos 30 minutos por día con nuestro Programa de Inmersión en el Idioma Español • Un ambiente católica enriquecedor que atesora nuestra herencia cristiana
ABOUT US
We are a PreK-8 school that offers:
SACRED HEART CARNIVAL
All are invited for an evening of fun for the whole family! Held in the Sacred Heart Gym from 5 - 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18. Free entry!
OPEN HOUSE
Come and meet the Sacred Heart School family on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 3 - 5 p.m.
Meet our teachers, tour the school!
• Small class sizes that individualize learning • Need based tuition support
• A warm, loving, and safe family atmosphere that encourages and inspires
• Dynamic creativity which is framed by order and sustained by prayer
• PreK and kindergarten grade children are immersed in the Spanish language, literacy, and cultural studies for at least 30 minutes per day with our Spanish Language Immersion Program
• A nurturing Catholic environment that treasures our Christian heritage
JFK High School students attending a presentation during the Career Related Learning Experience Week. JESSICA BRENDEN
Continued from page 11
“I tell the kids, invest in yourself and make a plan,” Meraz said. “Then, if you change your mind, you have the luxury because you have the skills.”
But achieving those skills takes time, which is why at SHS, where the College and Career Fair is in its third year, activities are tailored according to grade.
“The seniors do an extended application workshop,” Assistant Principal Patrick Mulligan explained. “It’s their post-high school plan. They have to do their research.”
Seniors also learn how to file for federal student aid, apply to trade schools and what the Oregon Promise entails. Then they present what they have learned to their peers during the second semester.
“It’s good because the younger classes see what they’re working toward,” Mulligan said, describing the students’ plans as maps of the next year, two years and four years.
Because the lower classmen have not quite reached that point in the planning process, they spend the day – once they, too, have toured the College and Career Fair – asking questions and taking notes to identify their interests, the careers that fit within those interests, and what education and training those careers require.
“In second semester we do mock interviews… and we work on resumes,” Mulligan said. “Our juniors do this, and they take the ASVAB [Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery], for them to know their aptitude and interests.”
In short, there is a lot more to preparing students for graduation than simply ensuring they pass their classes.
“A lot of them don’t know [what they want to do] so it’s getting them there,” Mulligan said.
Like Jenna Schurter who attended the SHS College and Career Fair as a senior in 2023 and then – because she discovered an opening at Stettler Supply Company in Salem – attended once again in 2024, this time as the company’s marketing manager.
“It was really helpful,” she said of the impact the fair had on her life. “I had no idea what I wanted to do last year but I made connections, and it was a lot of fun.”
And Schurter’s story is a common one.
“We have a lot of young alumni [represented],” organizer Kirsten Barnes said. “So, the kids can see a pathway to getting there. We get comments from kids who are amazed, who didn’t even know these jobs existed.”
And that’s what college and career fairs are all about – opening the students’ eyes to the possibilities of the future.
Silverton High School students at the third annual Career Fair on Dec. 18. MELISSA WAGONER
Legal Matters
Fatal attack Second suit filed
By Stephen Floyd
The wife of a Silverton-area man killed during a home invasion in 2021 has sued Marion County for her injuries during the attack, mirroring claims in a separate recent suit by the decedent’s family.
Jamilyn Juetten filed an $8 million lawsuit Dec. 30, 2024, in Marion County Circuit Court over an attack that resulted in the death of husband, Travis Juetten, 26.
Both were stabbed repeatedly by an unknown intruder Aug. 13, 2021, in their home near Howell Prairie Road NE and Hazelgreen Road NE.
Travis Jeutten died at the scene. Jamilyn Juetten survived being stabbed 19 times. She has since endured several surgeries and suffers chronic physical pain and severe psychological trauma, according to the suit.
Both her lawsuit and a $3.4 million suit filed by the estate of Travis Juetten Dec. 2, 2024, claim the county negligently allowed alleged killer Cody Michael Ray to remain out of prison. At the time of the attack, Ray was serving a zero-tolerance probation sentence despite multiple alleged violations including substance abuse and a new offense.
Ray, 30, of Salem, was not connected to the stabbing until after his death by suicide Sept. 28, 2021. Authorities matched DNA from his remains to a blood sample taken from a doorway at the Juettens’ home, according to the lawsuits.
As of press time the county had yet to be served with notice of the latest filing.
Jamilyn Juetten’s suit draws a deeper connection between Ray’s substance abuse and his violent behavior. It argues the county would have been aware of this link based on a probation evaluation dated March 23, 2021, in a separate menacing case against Ray in Marion County Circuit Court.
Ray was arrested Feb. 22, 2021, for pointing a loaded handgun at a man and woman at a motel in Salem. The evaluation said that at the time of this incident, Ray was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine and was suicidally depressed, and that these factors “played a major role” in the offense.
The evaluation also said Ray admitted to regularly abusing cannabis, alcohol and cocaine. The evaluation said Ray told the interviewer he was aware his drug use contributed to emotional problems and feelings of “spiraling,” said the lawsuit. “Ray observed that drug use impairs his judgment and prevents him from using rational
thoughts, leading to paranoid beliefs that others are trying to hurt him.”
Ray pleaded guilty June 29, 2021, to menacing and unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to three years of zerotolerance probation. If probation were revoked he would spend two years in prison, according to the plea agreement.
Jamilyn Juetten’s lawsuit said when Ray began serving probation the county would have been aware of the evaluation and the link between Ray’s drug use and mental health. Despite this, argued the suit, the county negligently failed to take action, including failure to report violations to the court. The suit alleges Ray committed multiple violations, including a new charge for suspended driving, two admissions of substance abuse and failure to attend a mental health evaluation prior to the attack.
The first probation violation report filed in Ray’s case was for a domestic violence incident 15 days after the Juetten attack, on Aug. 28, 2021. Ray, after consuming cocaine and alcohol, had forced his way into his father’s bedroom under the belief his ex-girlfriend was being held kidnapped, according to court records.
Ray killed himself prior to an Oct. 5, 2021, hearing to determine if his probation should be revoked for this incident.
The suit argued the county is liable for $3 million in economic damages for Jamilyn Juetten’s injuries, including nerve damage, partial facial paralysis, disfigurement and chronic pain. The plaintiff also incurred costs related to “counseling and mental health treatment, and loss of income and diminished earning capacity,” the suit said.
The plaintiff is also seeking $5 million in noneconomic damages for emotional harm including “an inability to form close relationships, nightmares and sleep disruption, mistrust in the intentions of others, lack of self-esteem, depression, anxiety, interference with normal activities and companionship.”
The suit was filed separately from the Estate of Travis Juetten because Jamilyn Juetten was unaware of the alleged negligence until she learned of Ray’s zero-tolerance probation Oct. 8, 2024, when she was informed of the estate’s intent to seek damages, the suit said.
Both parties learned of Ray’s alleged role in the stabbing April 23, 2024, in a meeting with detectives and prosecutors. Both suits said they were not informed beforehand as the case had been considered ongoing.
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Tony Ilg Dec. 20, 1932 – Dec. 1, 2024
Tony Ilg, 91, of Mount Angel, passed away on the morning of Dec. 1, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Tony was born on Dec. 20, 1932, to Joe and Josephine Ilg in Lincoln, Nebraska, but spent most of his young years on the farm outside Mount Angel. Tony graduated from Mount Angel Preparatory in 1951.
In 1997, Tony retired and spent time caring for the farm he purchased from his dad in 1970. His attention to the farm was constantly pulled away whenever one or more of the grandkids arrived to visit.
Betty Gossett Traeger
Betty Gossett Traeger passed away Dec. 9, 2024, at the age of 96.
After graduation, he served in the Navy during the Korean War. Tony was assigned to the USS Orca, a seaplane tender, and the USS Kearsarge, an Essex class aircraft carrier.
Tony met Dorothy when a cousin introduced them. They married in February 1957. Tony and Dorothy went on to have eight children.
Otto B. Stadeli
Otto B. Stadeli , 96, passed away on Oct. 25, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.
Tony was preceded in death by Dorothy, who passed away on Aug. 22, 2024. He is survived by his brother, Mike; his eight children, Steve, Duane, Dave, Paul, Larry, Ron, Jim and Janel; 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mount Angel on Dec. 20 with Rosary service and Mass, and a luncheon where stories and memories of Tony were shared.
Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Sept. 18, 1928 – Oct. 25, 2024
He was born in Silverton, Oregon on Sept. 18, 1928, the son of Rudolph and Minnie Gehring Stadeli. He was the third of five children.
Otto attended Evergreen School and graduated the eighth grade. Shortly after graduation, Otto worked for Silver Falls Lumber Co., and raised cattle and farmed hay. He later started a pump and septic service out of their garage. It then turned into one of the largest civil construction companies in state the of Oregon. Otto also started other business endeavors in which he excelled at.
Otto married Edith Kaufman on May 9, 1948, in Silverton.
On Dec. 14, 1991, Otto married Elsie Medina of Marquam, Oregon.
He enjoyed music, played the accordian and sang with the group called Silvertones for many years. Otto was very talented with woodworking and also unselfish with his blessings.
Otto was involved with the Lions Club since 1990, served on the Silverton City Council, served on the board at the Silverton Senior Center, drove the van for Silverton Hospital, and drove the school bus for the Molalla school district. He was also a truck driver
Betty was born in Joseph, Oregon, June 21, 1928, the youngest of six children, to Hubert and Mary Goupe Gossett. As a young girl, she moved with her family to a farm in Dayton, Oregon.
In 1952 Betty married Leo Traeger, and they made their home in Mount Angel, Oregon. Leo passed away at the age of 54, shortly after they had celebrated 25 years of a happy marriage.
An avid gardener and canner, Betty also loved sewing, cake decorating, and many other crafts. She loved to dance, and greatly enjoyed Oktoberfest. Pinochle was enjoyed for years with friend and family.
Betty is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Teresa and Ron Bryant, Marilyn and Jim Hall, Rosie and Dan Wilgus, and Annie and Pete GrosJacques; 20 grandchildren, and 42 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Joanie, and her son, Gary.
The family offers thanks to the staff at Heartwood Place Memory Care for providing a loving home the past 5 ½ years, and to Signature Hospice for their attentive care the last few months.
The recitation of the Rosary was held on Dec. 12 at Unger Funeral Chapel, Mount. Angel. A funeral Mass took place on Dec. 13 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mount Angel. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Scott Joseph Brand Sept. 22, 1965 – Jan. 1, 2025
for Fred Meyer and Tree Line Trucking.
Otto enjoyed playing Pinochle every Tuesday and Friday with a group at the Senior Center.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter; his parents; his brothers and sister; a grandson, Patrick Neukomm; and a great granddaughter, Selah Stadeli.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Elsie; his sons, Marvin (Sue) of Salem, Larry (Judy) of Rochester, Washington, Ronald (Arlene), Ervin (Alice), Dwight (Verlene), and Mark (Lisa) all of Silverton; daughters, Donna (Ronald) Neukomm of Cissna Park, Illinois, Carol (Tim) Hansen, Salem, Barbara (David, dec.) Young, Rankin, Illinois, Marcia (Dan) Grosshans, Fairbury, Illinois, and Elaine (Everett) Hari of Silverton; 58 grandchildren, 144 great grandchildren, three great-greatgrandchildren; step-daughters, Audrey (Paul, dec.) Yoder, Loretta (Randy) McCool and Elsa (Rod) Hominda; and step-son, Philip (Lisa) Amaya.
Funeral services were held in October at the Emmanuel Bible Church in Pratum with private family interment at the Maplewood Cemetery in Scotts Mills. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Home of Silverton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Otto’s name can be made to Silverton Lions Club and Silverton Senior Center.
Scott Joseph Brand, 59, of Silverton, Oregon passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 1, 2025 at 12:38 p.m. in Mount Angel, Oregon.
Scott was born Sept. 22, 1965 in Malone, New York to parents Harold J. Brand and Leona Hughes-Dashnaw who preceded him in death. Scott was the eighth of 10 children.
He was especially close to his sister Marilyn and his brotherin-law Casey. He moved to Oregon to join them where he had a career in construction work. Scott could build anything and was always willing to help when something was needed, even by people who were strangers at the time.
Scott left behind his loving companion, Toni Powell; sons, Dakota and Sequoia; siblings, John, Debbie, Craig, David, Marilyn, Darrell, Walter, Barry and Kelli; and many extended family members.
After graduating from high school, Scott served in the US Navy.
Scott touched the lives of many and had a way of making even the toughest times bearable with his cheerful spirit and loving heart. He was loved by many people in all walks of life. Many will miss hearing his booming voice saying, “I’m Scott and you’re not!”
Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
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Our Town appreciates the opportuity to share life’s Passages with our readers as a free service. If there is a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, college graduation or obituary of a local resident you’d like to share, please send it to ourtown.life@ mtangelpub.com or mail it to Editor, Our Town, P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362, or drop it by our office at 401 Oak St., Silverton any weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paid-space obituaries are also available. Contact us at 503-845-9499 or ourtown@mtangelpub.com
Richard ‘Rick’ Rue Dec. 28, 1955 –Nov. 28, 2024
Richard (Rick) Rue, age 68, of Salem, Oregon, passed away on Nov. 28, 2024.
Born on Dec. 28, 1955, in Silverton, Oregon, Rick was the beloved son of Jim and Dorothy Rue.
Rick graduated from Silverton High School, where he met the love of his life, Cheryl Reed. The two married and built a beautiful life together.
Rick dedicated much of his career to reforestation, a cause he cared deeply about, and spent summers courageously fighting forest fires. In his later years, he worked for the City of Salem, helping to maintain the community’s parks before retiring.
Karen Ann Vearrier
Rick was an avid golfer and a devoted Oregon Ducks fan. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family, creating memories that will live on in their hearts.
Rick is survived by his wife, Cheryl; siblings Ron, Larry, and Janis; daughters Shanna Israel and Megan Hollingsworth; sons-in-law Matt and Don; and his five grandchildren: Zoe, Dane, Parker, Austin, and Emma.
A celebration of Rick’s life was held on Dec. 28. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Rick will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by those who knew and loved him.
Dec. 18, 1942 – Dec. 9, 2024
Karen Ann Vearrier passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2024 at The Springs at Lancaster Village under Tenderly Hospice Care. She was 81 years old. She was born in Silverton, Oregon on Dec. 18, 1942 as an only child to Don and Irma Vearrier. She had several cousins with whom she would visit in the summers.
Karen had a small puppy named Pepsi that she adored. She lived at The Springs, first on the Retirement side and then
on the Assisted Living side. Karen was paralyzed on her right side arm and leg. She was determined not to let that slow her down.
After Silverton High School she worked at Silverton First Interstate Bank working her way up to manager. She also worked at other banks in Portland and Salem. When she retired she traveled to Hawaii and Japan several times.
At her request there will be no services. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Carol Lewis ‘Rick’ Rickard June 24, 1942 – Jan. 1, 2025
Carol Lewis ‘Rick’ Rickard, beloved grandpa, husband, father, and veteran, passed on New Year’s Day at age 82 in his hometown of Silverton. He went peacefully, surrounded by family in the home he and his wife built together.
Born to Emily and Dave Rickard on July 1942, Rick was a gentle soul with an adventuring spirit.
Determined to create the life he wanted, he surpassed his parents’ grade school education, becoming the first of his family to earn a college degree in electrical engineering at UCI. He ventured to Alaska, joined the submarine service, and,
Linda Jean Czapla
Sept. 14, 1955 – Nov. 30, 2024
Linda passed away peacefully at home after a hard fought battle against cancer. She was born in Silverton, Oregon, and graduated from Silverton High School. Shortly thereafter she was swept off her feet by her brother’s friend, Michael Czapla, whom she married in 1975.
She worked as a dental assistant and also raised her three children. She made most of their clothes, helped build their family home, and had time to coach soccer on the side! Linda had always been creative and her talents bloomed after retirement where she became prolific in producing amazing works of clay, weavings, illustrations and more. She also enjoyed scuba diving, biking and skiing with Mike and got the entire family into pickleball!
Linda was an amazing wife, mom, grandma and friend. She did not let hardships stand in her way. Her life was rich and full of love, laughter, and a “tell it like it is” attitude. We will miss her dearly. She is survived by brother, Steve (Mary) Lierman; spouse, Michael Czapla (husband); children, Dustin (Britta) Czapla, Jason (Min) Czapla, Monica (Todd) Czapla; and grandchildren Finn, Beck, Shane, Everett, Laila, and Koa.
“Yay for today, hope for tomorrow!” – Linda
most importantly, built a family with his high school sweetheart.
While Rick loved camping and fishing outdoors, he was also a writer, singer, joke teller, and avid country music fan. Rick’s patience, kindness, and ability to make others smile is evident in the community of friends he amassed.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean, two sons, and four grandchildren who love and miss him dearly.
Funeral services are set for Jan. 16 at St. Mary Catholic Church: Rosary, followed by Mass of the Christian Burial and the Rite of Committal at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Scott Brand Sept. 22, 1964 Jan. 1, 2025
Carol “Rick” Rickard June 24, 1942 Jan. 1, 2025
Sharon Mathews Nov. 13, 1943 Jan. 2, 2025
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YMCA narrows facilities search to two parcels
The Silver Falls Family YMCA has narrowed its search for a new Silverton operations facility to two sites.
A feasibility study was recently concluded, with the YMCA still looking at a site near Pettit Lake and one across the Cascade Highway on what is called the Morrison property.
Using the Pettit Lake land would require strong collaboration with the City of Silverton, which is planning to develop the property, with the first phase calling for a trail system that would connect Pettit with The Oregon Garden and the skatepark-Senior Center complex.
YMCA officials said that they are prepared to begin a capital campaign to raise $10 million. No information was available on what sort of building might be erected or timelines for the campaign or building construction.
YMCA officials met in a celebratory gathering to discuss the conclusion of the feasibility phase on Dec. 11 at the Leaf and Vine Wine Lounge.
“We’re going from talk to action,” said Tim Sinatra, chief executive officer of the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk counties. Sinatra also noted that the group has “quite a few more things to sort out” on the project.
He called the facility a “one-stop shop” that he hopes will attract families and individuals from from throughout the region, which essentially is composed of the boundaries of the Silver Falls School District.
“If everybody is willing to do at least something, it will happen,” Sinatra said.
The Silver Falls YMCA retains its use of the Silverton Community Pool but pulled out of its programming at the Silverton Community Center when its lease expired last July.
The Community Center will be returned to the Oregon Military Department when Silverton Area Community Aid and Jazzercise relocate.
– James Day
Pickleball More courts planned for Silverton
By Melissa Wagoner
The City of Silverton is investing in the sport of pickleball, and the members of the Silverton Pickleball Association (SPA) are excited.
“Pickleball has been offered through the Y… but there were only two courts in the SACA building and it was always jammed,” SPA member Megan Benedict said.
“Now, we’re at the Immanuel Lutheran Church and we have three courts. But the times don’t work well for people that work,” fellow member Nancy Greider continued. “We used to have a really good turnout at the Community Center on weekends and there were a lot of players who brought children.”
Now, with six pickleball courts scheduled for construction in the grassy area between the Silverton 50+ Center and the skate park, she hopes those players will return.
“What’s going to be great about the new courts is they’ll be available all the time,” Benedict pointed out. “And having six courts will make it so you can even have tournaments. I think that will draw interest for people from other towns.”
The popularity of pickleball is growing fast, increasing a whopping 223.5 percent in the last three years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
“I think that’s partly because it is accessible,” Benedict speculated. She began playing pickleball four years ago after a back surgery forced her to give up tennis. “People less mobile can still be good players.”
And people of any age can play.
“We have somebody that’s playing at 87,” Greider said, going on to list the benefits of the sport, which include an increase in both physical and mental fitness.
“It checks so many boxes,” Benedict said, “health and a general feeling of connection. I’m 67 and retired and I don’t have a workplace to interact with people. If I didn’t have this, I would feel less like I belong here.”
With a target opening date of June 30, according to Mayor Jason Freilinger, the multitiered project will include, not only the six courts, but also bleachers, picnic tables, a twostall restroom, an extension of Davenport Lane, additional sidewalk, curb and gutter, utilities, street lighting, on-street parking and a new 47 space parking lot with walkways connected to the courts and the Silverton 50 + Center.
Funding for the estimated $1.8 million project was obtained from a combination of Parks System Development Charges and a state grant of $750,000.
“[T]hough that (estimate) was back in July, and we’ve removed some elements and done other value engineering to reduce cost,” Community Development Director Jason Gottgetreu said, adding, “At this point we don’t have a revised cost estimate.”
While the courts themselves are only estimated to make up $300,000 of the total cost, Gottgetreu is quick to point out how necessary the other improvements are to the overall long-term functionality of the grounds.
“[W]ithout the street extension, parking, restrooms and other site improvements, we would be setting ourselves up to have to do those things in the future at some point,” he said, “which would end up costing more due to inflation, extra mobilization, design, etc. and without the grant to help with the costs.”
Waiting could also cause potential delays in construction, something the SPA and the City of Silverton are hoping to avoid.
“I am very pleased that after three years of discussion and planning by the community, Park Master Plan Committee, city staff, and city council we are moving forward with the construction phase of the project in the first half of 2025,” Freilinger said.
Silverton Pickleball Association players at their current court at Immanuel Lutheran Church. CHRISTOPHER BURGE
The Pettit Lake property is one of the possible sites for Silver Falls Family YMCA’s proposed facility. FILE PHOTO
Silverton wrestling Decorated seniors lead the way for Foxes
The Silverton High wrestling squad heads toward the high-value tournament time of the season with three seniors leading the way both in terms of competition and inspiration.
Heavyweight Brash Henderson is the defending state Class 5A champion, with a third and second also in his trophy case. Bo Zurcher and McKayla Bonham are two-time state placers. All three came back from a Dec. 27-28 tournament in Reno, Nevada, with serious hardware. Henderson took second in Reno, with Bonham taking third and Zurcher fourth.
“The Sierra Nevada Classic is one of the largest tournaments [over 90 teams] on the West Coast,” Foxes coach Jared Wilson told Our Town. “Placing at the event is quite an accomplishment. There are state champions that often don’t make the top 6.”
Our Town met with Zurcher, Henderson and Bonham in the Silverton Wrestling Room Jan. 2. Wrestling rooms are wonderful. Lots of noise, lots of sweating, and drills that look positively painful but with an overarching potent blend of individual skill and team orientation.
Zurcher and Henderson were standouts on the Foxes football team that advanced to the state semifinals. They recognize the similarities between the two sports, particularly the one-on-one matchups and the emphasis on leverage and quick moves. The differences?
“One of the hardest things,” Henderson said, “is to go from football shape to wrestling shape. And in wrestling you can’t take a single play off.”
“Or you will wind up on your back,” Zurcher chimed in.
Henderson and Zurcher both were exposed to wrestling early. Bonham didn’t participate until her freshman year, when she agreed to come out for wrestling to win a $5 bet. She never collected but she has developed to the point that she is a symbol of the growth of the sport at Silverton.
“There is a lot more commitment now,” Bonham said. “We’ve never had more than four girls wrestlers before. Now we have 11 and three or four of them might
make it to state. Wrestling can be really difficult and the girls got tired of hearing that we aren’t strong enough to do a push-up. We want to be empowered.”
The practice I observed ended with a painful-looking drill in which wrestlers would plant their backs against a padded wall, assume a sitting position and then stay planted while the other half of the squad walked down the row using knees as their landing spots. A relatively high level of noise accompanied the drill.
“I try to provide some leadership at practice,” Zurcher. “I try to keep everybody focused, use my experience to help coach them up.”
“If you get the other kids built up you build up the program,” Henderson said. “Everybody has to stay confident, with the No. 1 goal just to get better, in the wrestling room, in the classroom and as a human being.”
Inevitably when you talk about wrestling the conversation eventually moves to weight. Why do you think Henderson is smiling in the photograph that accompanies this column? He doesn’t have to make weight, although he clearly is in excellent shape.
Zurcher offered his blueprint for turning your bathroom at home into a weightloss sauna by firing up the hot water and cramming towels in the crack at the bottom of the door.
Bonham once had to lose eight pounds in two days to make weight for a tournament. She put on a “sauna suit” and did squats and situps on the team bus. She made weight by 0.1 pounds.
Zurcher and Bonham can easily rattle off the no-nos in terms of intake: fried food, bread and carbs.
“You have to eat the right things, work out and get into shape early,” Bonham advised.
Hopefully, with the right diet and the right training you can impose your will on the mat.
“When you tell yourself you’re tired, you’re tired,” Zurcher said, channeling his inner Zen. “The harder you go the less tired you get.”
“I just tell myself,” Henderson said, “that I know I’m prepared and I can’t let him control the match.”
Look for more hardware on display from these three in February.
Baseball: Was sorry to hear of the death of former Silverton High teacher and coach Bill Davisson. He died Dec. 10 at the age of 82.
His influence was so broad that in 1999 the baseball field was named in his honor. Services were held Jan. 4, but donations are being taken by the Silver Fox Foundation (thesilverfoxfoundation.com) to help support the baseball program at the high school.
RIP Bill Davisson.
Standout Silverton High wrestlers McKayla Bonham, Brash Henderson and Bo Zurcher are shown in the wrestling room after practice on Jan. 2. All three are contenders for state titles this year.
JAMES DAY
Together through life
Last year for my birthday my husband surprised me with a trip out of town, gifting me a weekend filled with dates. We went out to eat, we went wine tasting and we spent a fabulous night at the theater. All of it was fun, but the moments I treasured most were those spent doing something simple – eating bread and cheese in the kitchen of our cabin, reading together under a tree or taking a walk through a farm.
It made me think, if something so simple could be so much fun, what have I been waiting for all these years?
It wasn’t the ability to spend time alone. Because, while that had been a struggle when our children were small, they have not required constant supervision in years. Instead, I think I have been caught up in the old-fashioned definition of a date as an activity that must involve both the consumption of food and drink (preferably prepared by someone else) and a significant amount of money.
But our trip made me realize – perhaps
18 years too late – that dates don’t have to be complicated or costly. And so, just in time for Valentine’s Day, I did a bit of digging and found there are a whole host of date night (or day) activities that are not just inexpensive but also fun.
Visit a museum – Many offer discounts or have passes that can be checked out from the local library.
Go to the zoo or a botanical garden –Similarly, some offer discounts or free passes through the library system.
Go outside – Take a hike, go rock climbing, go for a swim, ride your bikes or hop in the kayak. Pack a picnic and spend the entire day.
Now Offering Same Day CROWNS
Attend local sports – Many amateur sports events have low or no-cost admission but are still a wonderful time.
Go to the beach – Pack everything you need for a day of surf and sand, then go exploring.
Take in a gallery opening – These are usually free and are a fantastic way to check out the local art scene.
Attend a trivia night
Volunteer – Find a cause you both support.
Take a day-cation – Pick a town that’s not too far away, pack a picnic to eat al fresco in the park, window shop downtown and check out local trails.
Share your favorite view – Take turns sharing your favorite viewpoint, park bench or window with your favorite someone.
Get your groove on – Find music you both love (maybe something from when you were dating) then throw your own dance party. Bonus points if you karaoke too.
Cook together – No need to take a cooking class, just pull out a recipe that looks good and try it.
Get crafty – Maybe you both like to draw, paint, sew, knit or work with clay. Let creativity flow.
Play a game – Whether it’s a board game in a coffee shop or horseshoes in the backyard, just make sure you don’t get too competitive.
Work on a puzzle – You can do this at home or in a local coffee shop or bar.
Garden – Work as a team to cultivate something beautiful.
Stargaze – Download a star app, grab blankets and hot chocolate, then sit in the backyard and enjoy the show.
Pretend your camping – Light the backyard fire pit, then grab some marshmallows and a stick.
Visit your favorite bookstore or library – Pick out books, then hold a two-person book club meeting.
GENERAL
FOUND High quality Master lock on Lewis & First in Silverton. If you know combination you may claim it. 971-718-7329
MT. ANGEL SENIOR
CENTER is a non-profit consignment store for artisans over 50, a community center, home to Meals on Wheels, and serves as a food bank. Volunteers welcome! 195 E Charles St. 503-845-6998 or mtangelcommunity @gmail.com
PASTOR CHUCK BALDWIN
Liberty Fellowship, Kalispell, Montana satellite group Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Call Kristen, 503-990-4584
HOMES FOR SALE
MOBILE TINY HOUSE FOR SALE Viewable in lot: Washington and Miller in Stayton. Towable with pickup truck. Many storage spaces. Good for another 30 years. Take a look. Call if interested, 707-494-7666
SERVICES
GOT STUFF YOU WANT GONE? From yard debris to scrap metal-From garage sale left overs to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse, or donate what we can. Call and find out what
we can do for you. $20 Minimum. Call Keith 503-502-3462
HANDYMAN & HOME
REPAIR SERVICE
Installation and repair of fencing, decks,doors, gutter cleaning, moss removal, power washing, yard debris removal. CCB# 206637 Call Ryan 503-881-3802
$585,000 Step into your own private retreat.
This beautiful 3-bedroom 2.5 bath home is located on a dead-end street on the south end of town. The open downstairs floor plan leads to a large peaceful backyard, ready for hosting or for just relaxing around the fire or soaking in the hot tub. Upstairs rooms are spacious with plenty of storage. Extra parking along the house for all your toys! Moments from downtown, city parks, library, restaurants and so much more. Call Becky at ext. 313 (WVMLS#824125)
#T2856 CORNER LOT $518,700
Mt. Angel orner lot in a quiet neighborhood, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, single level home w/ 2034 sqft, living room w/ wood burning fireplace, dining area open to a remodeled kitchen, triple pane windows. Potential for dual living, addl. living room, w/ a kitchenette off the living room, newer free standing gas stove, plus a single car garage that has been converted to storage. Carport for parking. Covered patio area, private backyard and workstation area and wood storage. Oversized lot and room for RV parking. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 (WVMLS#823593)
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
SOLD! – #T2840 NORTH FORK PROPERTY 3 BR, 1 BA 1941 sqft. Lyons. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $348,700 (WVMLS#820296)
#T2856 CORNER LOT 3 BR, 2.5 BA 2034 sqft. Mt. Angel Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $518,700 (WVMLS#823593)
#T2841 OVER 100FT OF ABIQUA FRONTAGE 1.35 Acres. Silverton. Call Michael at ext. 314
$475,000 (WVMLS#820496)
#T2816 2 BUILDABLE LOTS .45
Acres. Silverton. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $109,900 (WVMLS#814998)
#T2827 GREAT OPPORTUNITY 1.66 Acres. Salem. Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $194,000 (WVMLS#817231)
#T2832 BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME 2.93 Acres. Silverton. Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $399,000 (WVMLS#817735)
#T2848 PERFECT CREEK FRONTAGE 1.76 Acres. Silverton. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $418,300 (WVMLS#821913)
#T2853 RARE BUILDING SITE .49 Acres Call Chuck at ext. 325 $150,000 (WVMLS#822413)
#T2841 OVER 100FT OF ABIQUA FRONTAGE $475,000 Owner just removed underbrush. Level build site. Mature trees along creek. Surveyed in 2023. Only a 10 min drive to Silverton. New well produces an amazing 80 gallons per minutes when drilled. Driveway permit finalized with Marion County. Septic Site approved with Marion County. Power and phone at the street. Ready for you to submit your home plans for a permit and start building. Ask about references for local Home Designers and General Contractors. Call Micheal at ext. 314 (WVMLS#820496)
#T2857 WELL MAINTAINED 55+
HOME $130,000 Well maintained manufactured home with tons of yard space. Located in the desirable 55 and over community, Silverton Mobile Estates. Plenty of storage with built-ins and 3 sheds. 2 driveways with 2 separate car ports. Large main suite with bathroom and walk-in closet. 2 full bathrooms with walk in showers. Mini-splits and forced air HVAC systems. Leaf guard gutter system and other updates through-out. Don’t wait! Call Becky at ext. 313 (WVMLS#823771)
