Our Town North: Feb. 1, 2022

Your Health

Something to Talk About

Robotic surgery comes to Silverton Medical Center – Page 9

Vol. 19 No. 3

The remarkable return of Penny the Cat – Page 14

COMMUNITY NEWS

Serving Mt. Angel, Silverton, and Scotts Mills

February 2022

Masks – two perspectives...

...one campus Our Town P.O. Box 927 Mt. Angel, Or 97362

POSTAL CUSTOMER ECRWSS

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND OR PERMIT NO. 854

– Page 16

Sports & Recreation

Foxes in the thick of the hunt

– Page 20

Joe & Dana Giegerich Joe Giegerich

Broker

503-931-7824

Dana Giegerich

Broker

503-871-8546

email: JoeGiegerich01@gmail.com

Give us a call today if you’re thinking of buying or selling selling!!

SOLD! $1,179,000

Under Contract

79.39 acre Silverton Hills Farm. Income producing, 3 bed, 2 ba home, barn, pond!

160 Silver Falls Dr., Silverton.

MLS#776480

$1,050,000

19.55 wooded acres. 3 bed, 2.5 ba. 3456 sq ft., guest house, shop, timber. 19614 McKillop Rd. NE, Scotts Mills.

MLS#781343

$838,000

21.20 acre wooded lodge-style home, shop, 24x36 equipt bld, borders BLM. 20739 Hazelnut Ridge Rd. NE, Scotts Mills. MLS#786929

AC REAG E

$668,000

$655,000

Abiqua Creek frontage!

1.740 acres, 3 bed, 2.5 ba.

1865 sq. ft, 520 sq. ft guest house with 1 BD, 1 ba. 17425 S. Abiqua Rd. NE, Silverton.

MLS#781698

Investment opp., building & land, 9 treatment rooms, large lobby, 19 parking stalls, 690 N. Main St. Mt. Angel.

MLS#783656

NEW!

& Under Contract

$ 1,100,000

$795,000

67.20 acre prime farm ground. Excellent soils, prime location.

Aviation Way Silverton, Lot 1300.

MLS#787321

52 acre timbered parcel near Silver Falls State Park. Investment & income potential.

Gorgeous views!

Silver Falls Dr. MLS#780792

$375,000

$350,000

2 acres buildable homesite, views! Approved for standard septic. 7685 Dovich Ln SE, Turner. MLS#778883

2.33 acres, Coast range & valley views! 5744 Crooked Finger Rd NE Scotts Mills. MLS#775366

$695,000

3.85 acres. Prestige Estate property, path of progress potential. 835 Grouse St. NE, Silverton.

MLS#770597

$285,000

3.080 acres, private building site in city limits, maybe dividable.

SW exposure. Standard Ave., Brownsville.

MLS#777782

$640,000

62 farmable acres.

Buildable w/ income formula. 437 Victor Point Rd. N., Silverton.

MLS#761657

$255,000

5.30 acre homesite, small cabin located on property. Wooded site.

Sperry Rd., Brownsville Lot # 27. MLS#777781

$465,000

27.50 acres, 30-year-old timber. Excellent investment. Crooked Finger Rd. Scotts Mills.

MLS#785744

$229,000

Views on 18.190 acres, secluding & beautiful.

Washburn Heights Lot #18, Brownsville MLS#777861

216 E. Main St., Silverton • Office: 503-874-1540 www.TheBellaCasaGroup.com LICENSED IN OREGON AND SERVING YOU FROM OFFICES IN SILVERTON, NEWBERG AND McMINNVILLE

2 • February 2022

ourtownlive.com

$425,000

2 acres buildable homesite. Panoramic Valley Views! 7633 Dovich Ln SE, Salem. MLS#77880

Buy. Sell.

Be Happy.

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Contents

Something to Do Free workshops to help you thrive.........4 Civics 101

SILVERTON AREA SENIORS, INC. Six-foot distancing and masks required for all Silverton Senior Center activities Masks may be removed only when actively eating or drinking, or when addressing a group

Bidding opens for Civic Center...............5 Mt. Angel school board position open....6 Youth ideas sought in ‘If I was mayor’....7 Your Health

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Dian Forster, Mike Ashland, Bernice Hodge, Jennifer Ohren, Linda Webb, Irveta Johnson and Dave Marinos

This Month

Legacy advises Omicron peak near.........8 Robotic surgery comes to Silverton........9

Business Public House serves up sports.............. 10

14

Datebook...............................12 Something to Talk About

Marketplace.......................21 A Grin At The End...........23

Remarkable return of Penny the Cat.... 14

Above

Something to Think About COVID spurs student walkouts.............16

Penny the Cat.

On the Cover

The Forum................................ 18 Passages.................................. 18

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Silverton High School students staged two walkouts: one advocating for distance learning due to Omicron infection rates (top), and one

Sports & Recreation

opposing mask mandates. (lower).

In the thick of title hunt...................... 20

COURTESY GRACE PAYTON & CINDI WILLETTE

Mt. Angel-Silverton Woman’s Connection Luncheon Thursday, Feb. 10, 1pm RSVP to 503-999-2291 Movie & Potluck Wednesday, Feb. 16, 6pm – Casablanca!

Valentine’s Day – “Sweets for the Sweet” Monday, Feb. 14 at 2pm Table Games Thursday, Feb. 17, 2pm Card Making Class Friday, Feb. 18, 6pm, RSVP 503-873-3093

American Sewing Guild Group – Willamette Chapter Saturday, Feb. 18, 1pm Intro to Essential Oils on Acupressure Points Wednesday, Feb. 23, 10am – Free class with Gail Gummin

Exercise, Dance, Movement Exercise Classes at Total Body Health Club, 1099 N 1st Street Classes limited for safe distancing. Reservations required at 503-874-4013.

50+ Fitness: 10am first and third Thursdays, free; second Thursdays $5 Gentle Yoga: 10:15am Tuesdays. Vinyasa Flow Yoga: 5:30pm Thursdays, free Tai Chi: 8am Thursdays, free (Need to join TBHC to get entry fob-ask your health insurance) Zumba: 5:30pm Wednesdays, free Cycling: 5:30pm Tuesdays, Free Simple Qigong Set to Music. Senior Center: 9:45am Tues/Thur, new price $8 Taekwondo at Senior Center: 7pm Mon/Tuesdays; 6pm Thur. Call 503-873-3663.

Simple Qigong Set to Music. Senior Center: 9:45am Tues/Thur, new price $8 Peaceful Heart – Kirtan Meditation 4 p.m. Mondays Dance with Silver City Squares at Waldo Hills CC on Cascade Hwy

Call 503-873-5241 for dates and fees for beginner classes - square, two-step and more Monthly dance every second Friday at 7pm, $6

Free Weekly Drop In Activities Coffee and Conversation: Mondays 10am Shelf Indulgence: Local senior authors book club, Fridays 11am Bingo: Thursdays 10am $1 per card or 3/$2

Our Town

Paula Mabry Editor & Publisher

Jim Kinghorn

DeeDe Williams Office Manager

Advertising Director

P.O. Box 927 Mount Angel, OR 97362 401 Oak St. Silverton, OR 97381 503-845-9499 ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com

Bridge: Mondays 10am Poker: Mondays 12:30pm

ourtownlive.com Our Town mailed free to residents and businesses in the 97362, 97375, 97381 zip codes. Subscriptions for outside this area are $48 annually.

Steve Beckner Custom Design

Tavis Bettoli-Lotten

Sara Morgan

Designer & Copy Editor

Datebook Editor

The deadline for placing an ad in the Feb. 15 issue is Feb. 4.

Contributors Dixon Bledsoe • Stephen Floyd Carl Sampson • Brenna Wiegand

Melissa Wagoner Reporter

James Day

Sports & more

Janet Patterson Distribution

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Thank you for spending time with Our Town.

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Pinochle: Tuesdays / Fridays 12pm Knit Wits: Wednesdays 10am

Lunch with Dodie (Zoom/FB): Wednesdays, 12pm. New special guest every week!

Open Art Studio: Wednesdays 1pm

Once a Month Garden Club: Tuesday, Feb. 1, 6:00pm (contact 805-807-4385).

Dine Out Club: Thursday, Feb. 3, 6pm at Ixtapa, 321 Westfield. RSVP 503-873-3093.

Monthly Member Birthday Party: Friday, Feb. 18, 10am SASI Board Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6pm at Center. RSVP 503-873-3093.

Free Services and Advice

Silver Angels Foot Care: By Appointment. Tuesdays/Wednesdays.

Vetrans Service Office Representative Thursday, Feb. 10, 12pm United Health Care Rep: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1:30pm

ourtownlive.com

s i l v e r t o n s e n i o r c e n t e r. o r g February 2022 • 3

Something To Do

Personal recovery No-cost workshops encourage thriving, boosting, wellness

By Melissa Wagoner If you’ve ever been interested in planting your own vegetable garden, curating an art collection, improving your job interview skills, understanding your children, reducing stress, eating better or just becoming a happier person then now is your chance to take the leap – for free. “[The courses are] intended to focus on topics that will support all of our community through the pandemic,” Natalie Beach, Dean of Library and Learning Resources for Chemeketa Community College, said of the new Community Wellness and Recovery Workshop Series.

The Zoom courses will run now through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

“They are a part of the CARES Act funding specifically for libraries and museums,” Beach said of the $166,000 grant that allowed the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Services (CCRLS) arm of the college to both provide 180 circulating hotspots to various locations as well as this series of ongoing

Community Wellness and Recovery Workshop Series A partnership between CCRLS and Chemeketa Community College.

Free, virtual, one-hour classes taught by Chemeketa Community College professors on topics under the categories of Thriving at Home, Boosting Career and Family Wellness. Class descriptions and registration open now at www.ccrls. org/events/workshops. For more information, to make class suggestions or to find out about the workshop series just for educators, email info@ccrls.org.

workshops staffed by numerous Chemeketa Community College professors.

“We thought, we have the expertise here, readily available, so we should package it and utilize it,” Beach explained. “I think a lot of instructors are really excited.”

Divided into three categories – thriving at home, boosting your career, and family wellness – the workshops will each be held in the late afternoon or early evening and last only an hour.

Also consistently popular is a course entitled, “The Science of Happiness” – taught by Marty Limbird, a Silverton resident who has worked in the Health and Human Performance Department of Chemeketa for 18 years.

“It’s been running smoothly,” Beach said of the initial round of courses, which began Jan. 19.

“The course I teach has been quite popular,” Limbird said. “It is relevant to people’s lives and meets anyone where they are in their

Are you taking full advantage of investment strategies to help manage your taxes?

The information presented is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax concerns with a qualified tax advisor.

4 • February 2022

Located at Barlow & Monte Cristo Roads.

Meet Pastor Tim Douglass and join us Sundays 11:00 a.m.

Call us: 541-410-8165 Find us on Facebook

“If attendees walk away pondering something new, looking at their lives through a new lens, or maybe really looking at where they invest their time and energy – then that curiosity might lead them to more self-discovery,” Limbird said.

He described the course as a deep dive into human history as it relates to the topics of belonging, connection and love.

Similarly, Beach, who has found herself happily sitting in on each and every course said, “I didn’t think I would sit in on all of them but I do because learning, that’s in my blood. I’m a librarian by trade.

“Our instructors are great. This is what they do and I think most of them really appreciate the opportunity to engage with the public in this way.”

Donna Paradis Broker 503-873-8600 Licensed in Oregon 503-851-0998 cell 119 N. Water St. • Silverton

Have aDonnaParadisRealtor.com home to rent? Call us!

Have a home to rent? Call us!

We specialize in Residential Properties.

Roberts, Ring & Fischer Wealth Management, Inc. (503) 873-3684 www.rrfwealth.com 201 S. Water St. Silverton, OR 97381

Although normally taught over the course of 11 weeks, Limbird is confident that the one-hour workshop is still fun and engaging.

Ready to Buy or Sell?

Call Donna Today

Where the people are loved and the Word of God is preached.

Call to schedule a free, no obligation comprehensive analysis of how tax advantaged investing could benefit you. We are a team of fee based LPL Financial investment advisor representatives including a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ accepting new clients with $250,000 or more of investable assets.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor.

“The first big success we had was the vegetable garden one. There were over 120 people so we had to split it because we were afraid the session would be too big for the contributor.”

journey, so there is something for everyone.”

Vivian Caldwell

503-873-7069 Property Manager yourhomepm@gmail.com

ourtownlive.com

www.yourhomepm.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

civics 101

Next phase

Bidding open for Silverton Civic Center project

By James Day The City of Silverton has opened the bidding process for the construction of its new civic center.

Bidding opened Dec. 21, with the deadline for bids Feb. 23. Community Development Director Jason Gottgetreu, the lead city staffer on the project, said that the City Council is scheduled to review the bids at its March 7 meeting.

Construction could begin as soon as April on the $19 million project, which will include a two-story civic center/ police building as well as parking, a park and a plaza.

A two-story building will be erected at the north end of the property, which backs up to A Street between North Water and North First. A park is planned for the south end of the property that abuts Park Street. A plaza and parking are scheduled to be constructed between the building and the park area.

Construction on the 2.7-acre site of the former Eugene Field School is expected to conclude in July of 2023, Gottgetreu said. The project is being designed by the Mackenzie architecture and design firm of Portland.

Concept art for the City of Silverton’s new civic center.

City staff and the police currently are housed a few blocks away on South Water Street in a building that is not seismically safe.

SUBMITTED IMAGE

Stay Connected...

The City will provide information here each month on important topics. Upcoming agenda items are subject to change and meetings subject to rescheduling or cancellation due to the COVID-19 Emergency.

Please check the website for remote participation options.

~ Repair/Recover ~

City Leaders Want You to Know

Make new sofas

IF I WERE A MAYOR – STUDENT CONTEST 2022

Big variety of fabrics!

Licensed Massage therapists available

503-873-8099

The city also owns the 3/4-acre parcel north of A Street, which is largely used as a dog exercise area. No plans have been established for the site, Gottgetreu said.

The city plans to borrow $10 million to $12 million to

The Furniture Shop 503.874.9700

Dr. Daniel Côté, DC Dr. Jennifer Martin, DC

pay for the project, with existing city resources expected to pay for the debt service.

There are two large trees at the northwest corner of the lot, where A Street meets Water Street. The Douglas fir, which was damaged in last year’s ice storm, will be removed, but the sequoia will remain in place.

Previously owned furniture place in Silverton.

Will come to you & quote cost for repair.

The City of Silverton and the Oregon Mayors Association invite you to enter the “If I Were Mayor…” contest. This annual contest allows students enrolled in grades 4-12 or being home-schooled at the same grade level to share creative ideas about what they would do as mayor. Not only will there be fun prizes for the winner, but the local winners will also be entered into the state contest for a chance to win a prize worth $500! Forms and information available at: silverton.or.us/Document Center/Index/373 (available in English and Español).

Posters (grades 4-5): Students are encouraged to be creative and may use any art medium (paints, felt pens, colored pencils, crayons, etc.).

Essays (grades 6-8): The essays must be 500 to 1,000 words in length and typed.

Digital Media Presentations (grades 9-12): Must be one to three minutes in length and may be submitted on disk or emailed. Acceptable formats: MP4, Visme, Pitcherific, VideoScribe.

CONTEST DEADLINE IS MARCH 18, 2022

City Schedule City Council Meeting Monday, Feb. 7, 6 - 9 p.m.

Silverton High School Library and on Zoom

Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 15, 8:30 - 10 a.m. on Zoom

Planning Commission Meeting Tuesday, Feb. 8, 7 - 9 p.m. at Silverton High School Library and on Zoom

City Hall Offices Closed in Observance of President’s Day Monday, Feb. 21

Be Informed: complete details on these topics are located on the City’s website: www.silverton.or.us Jazzercise Silverton Oregon

503-873-8210

www.jazzercise.com/location/jazzercise-silverton-community-center

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Have a Voice: attend City meetings For times: www.silverton.or.us/government

ourtownlive.com

Homeless/Housing Task Force Meeting Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6 - 8 p.m. on Zoom DEI Task Force Meeting Thursday, Feb. 24, 6 - 8 p.m. on Zoom

STAY CONNECTED with the CITY SCAN -TV

February 2022 • 5

Civics 101

Following Conklin

Mt. Angel School Board prepares to fill open seat

By Stephen Floyd

It’s also developing the partnership with Superintendent Rachel Stucky, who joined the district last July. Riedman said the board and Stucky are “working quite well together” and learning from each other through the transition.

The Mt. Angel School District Board is seeking to fill a vacant seat after the recent passing of Board Member John Conklin.

The board is scheduled to appoint a new member Feb. 14. Qualified residents have until Feb. 7 to apply.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of our school board,” said Riedman.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a lot of focus away from normal education priorities during the last two years, Riedman said Mount Angel is on track to emerge from this crisis on strong footing. The board has been able to meet in-person since last summer, though Zoom remains available for remote attendance.

An appointee must be a registered voter, have lived within the district for at least one year and may not be a district employee. The appointed term would last until 2023.

The seat became vacant after Conklin, 68, died Dec. 2, 2021, after four years on the board. Board President Shari Riedman said Conklin was dedicated to making sure students and families had a voice, and pushed the board to consider how their actions would impact all district residents.

“He brought a sense of really caring about every child, every family in the district,” she said.

The late John Conklin

Board President Shari Riedman

Riedman said the new board member should also be committed to the district and be prepared to attend every meeting, in addition to meeting prep and committee assignments. They should also remember the board is non-partisan and decisions should be made after taking time to listen to and learn from feedback.

respectful of every voice,” she said.

“It’s really important to be open and

A new appointee will need to jump in with both feet. The board is soon to update the district’s strategic plan, which details how the district will achieve its priorities and prepare for growth. The board also expects to update the district’s long-range facility plan, which identifies high-priority building upgrades.

forward Now

(GRI, MRP, PSA)

A licensed professional counseling service A licensed professional counseling service for adults provided through telehealth. provided through telehealth Licensedinin Oregon & Washington Oregon & Washington State State.

503-689-4910 haugustus1@gmail.com

Helen Kelley

Broker licensed in Oregon

M. Ed., LMHC, LPC

- SINCE 1941 INSURANCE SERVICES FOR: FARM ∆ AUTO ∆ HOME 503-845-6811

6 • February 2022

•

∆

COMMERCIAL

∆

BONDS

BUTSCHINSURANCE.COM

971-273-5351 971-273-5351

www.moveforwardnow.net www.moveforwardnow.net

SHARE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENTS WITH US AND WE WILL SHARE THEM WITH THE TOWN!

Clem J. Butsch Insurance

BILL SCHAECHER

Applications for the board vacancy can be found at masd91.org. If numerous applications are received, the board may schedule time to conduct initial interviews rather than appoint a candidate Feb. 14.

Move

Holly Augustus

195 N. MAIN - MT ANGEL

“We’re in good shape and I’m excited for the future of our district,” she said.

• WEDDING • ANNIVERSARIES • PASSINGS

CRAIG EMCH

ourtownlive.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

‘If I were mayor’

By Melissa Wagoner Mayor Kyle Palmer is well aware that the future of Silverton lies not in his own hands, but in those of the city’s youth – a fact that he finds inspiring.

“I’ve spent 23 years coaching youth sports and had spent 18 years operating the veterinary camp where I used to work. I recognize and appreciate the perspective that young people have on the world around them, and know that generations of society have typically overlooked the contributions they can make,” Palmer explained.

Which is why, every year, when the annual, statewide, “If I Were Mayor…” contest rolls around, he gets more than a little excited.

“In addition to being a fun way for students in grades 4-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 to combine a civics activity with the possibility of winning up to $500 cash, I truly believe that it is not a day too soon for these young citizens to be considering their place in this world and the impact they can make,” Palmer explained. Each age division has separate submission criteria.

“Grades 4-5 must submit their ideas in poster form (emailed as a .jpg, .bpm or .png file), while grades 6-8 must submit in essay form (emailing in Word, PowerPoint or Prezi form) and grades 9-12 must

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Student ideas encouraged

submit a digital media presentation (using MP4, Visme, Pitcherific or Videoscribe), Palmer detailed.

Submission are being accepted now through 5 p.m.

March 18 for the possibility of winning $75 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for honorable mention in the local contest. There are also additional awards of $500 for first place, $300 for second place or $100 for third in the statewide competition.

While Palmer recognizes that items like clarity, proper use of grammar and spelling and relevance to the topic are all expected, the contestants’ creativity is what he looks forward to most.

“Young people are less jaded and less restricted by the limits that age and experience often promote in our thinking and I’d love to tap into that more,” Palmer said.

“This is their world – we’re simply its custodians for now. I think this contest is an incredible way to solicit their voices while using the activity as an opportunity to also start conversations about the world, about Silverton, about community. Conversations that need to happen!”

For more information, visit www.silverton.or.us or email tnichols@silverton.or.us.

ourtownlive.com

Timothy L Yount Financial Advisor

Daniel Hailey

Financial Advisor

313 N. Water St., Silverton OR 97381 Phone: 503-873-2454

February 2022 • 7

Your Health

Omicron peak

By Brenna Wiegand Like health systems across the country, Legacy Health, which includes Silverton Legacy Medical Center, is seeing a significant increase in visits and hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

As of Jan. 24, Legacy Health was caring for three times as many COVID-19 positive patients than just a month before.

“The recent wave of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant is concerning,” Kristin Whitney, Public Relations Strategist for Legacy Health, said.

“We anticipate seeing a steep rise of COVID+ patients in the coming weeks, with an Omicron peak expected by Feb. 1.

“Legacy and our health care colleagues are gravely concerned with the projected forecasts of hospitalizations given

Legacy foresees a return to record-setting hospitalizations

Oregon’s strained health care system,” Whitney said.

Advice, requests from Legacy Health

Legacy Health joins hospitals across the country in asking for the public’s help in protecting one another and saving sorely limited care resources for those who need them the most.

• Get vaccinated and boosted if you are eligible. Vaccines reduce infections, hospital stays and deaths for you, your family, and your community. Individuals who are boosted are less likely to transmit the virus.

While we understand the frustration as people try to get a COVID-19 test, it’s important to remember that emergency departments are not places to get tested. Only visit the emergency room for a medical emergency.

• Wear a mask and consider upgrading to a surgical-grade mask. Due to the high transmissibility of Omicron, surgical masks such as N95s or KN95s offer better protection.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that are not severe: Stay home, mask up and get tested when possible.

“If people can stick with it for another couple of weeks, it will help to ensure timely care for everyone who needs a hospital bed.” Peter Graven, Ph.D., director of the OHSU Office of Advanced Analytics, said.

On Jan. 24 there were 1,045 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon, fast approaching the previous peak of 1,178 patients hospitalized statewide on Sept. 1, 2021, during the Delta surge.

It’s not new advice; rather a reminder to stay the course and a plea to take every opportunity to reduce the spread of COVID and its highly contagious Omicron variant.

• Limit the possibility of exposures by not gathering indoors in large groups without masks. And please maintain physical distancing when possible.

Additionally, we ask everyone who is eligible to consider donating blood.

Blood supplies in the Pacific Northwest are at critically low levels. Please visit Bloodworks Northwest to find out more about donating blood.

If you are a Legacy Medical Group patient and are experiencing symptoms: Schedule a video visit with your primary care doctor for next steps.

If you do not have a primary care provider: Schedule a virtual visit with Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care You can now order free rapid antigen test from the federal government. Check Oregon Health Authority website for testing sites and events.

Licensed Bonded Insured

Residential • Homes Business • Offices One-Time or Recurring After Party or Event Cleaning

NEW! Environmental Disinfecting Services Mon-Fri 8am-5pm 503-991-2370 MaryMaidsCleaning.com

Dan Wilgus

S E RV I C E S

Owner

• Furnace and A/C Sales

CCB#186393

• Furnace & A/C Repair/Maintenance

Now Accepting New Patients AL BORROMEO, DDS 214 Jersey Street • Silverton 503-566-7000 8 • February 2022

• Ductless Split Systems

Specializing in Heating and A/C Call Dan, the most trusted HVAC Professional

503-576-1341

ourtownlive.com

• Dryer Duct Cleaning • Residential & Commercial Sales

Schedule Your Furnace Maintenance Today Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Robotics

Da Vinci Surgical System comes to Silverton Medical Center

By Brenna Wiegand

learning curve than going from open surgery to roboticassisted surgery.

Legacy Health recently launched a new surgical robotics program at Legacy Silverton Medical Center with the installation of an Intuitive da Vinci Xi Surgical System robot, a versatile robotic system used by surgeons around the world.

“Open surgery is wonderful in that you do have that feedback from your hands, and they are very soft instruments, but we need to make very big incisions to fit our hands inside and be able to see, resulting in a higher risk of post-operative wound infections and longer hospital stays and recovery times,” Havel said.

This advanced instrumentation allows surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few tiny incisions with increased vision, precision, dexterity and control.

“This technology is great for hernia surgeries, because of our capacity to sew,” Havel said. “For bilateral groin hernias, rather than two big, open incisions, patients have just three small incisions on their belly.

Many operations, once lengthy procedures followed by long hospital stays, are now performed as outpatient procedures, with some patients returning home within a few hours.

“The reason we get so excited about robotics is that it enables us to perform some of the surgeries that we already performed but with greater precision,” Liska Havel M.D., general surgeon with Legacy Health, said.

“As far as visualization, laparoscopic is 2D while the robotic platform is 3D,” Havel said. “We sit at a little console right next to the patient and put our head into this visualization screen where we are able to have wrist motion that mirrors the way our hands naturally move and then having 3D visualization for us is a huge advance.

“This changes the specifics of how minimally invasive our surgeries can be done.

“As surgeons. we love it because it mirrors our own hand movement better than the laparoscopic platform, allowing us to get into smaller spaces,” Havel said. “We can come in from whatever angle and we can turn our ‘wrists’ to perform small movements – that’s a major advance.”

Dr. James Nealon, MD, General Surgeon, familiarizes himself with the Intuitive da Vinci Xi Surgical System robot at Silverton Legacy Medical Center. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The intuitive technology is designed to mirror the action and

motion of the physical hand and for most surgeons, going from open surgery to laparoscopic surgery is a much greater

“We want people to have best-possible outcomes once they get home so they can get back to their regular, productive lives a lot sooner, and minimally invasive surgery allows us to do that,” Havel said.

“It is all part of our commitment to bring the same standard of care you can get in Portland or Salem home to Silverton.”

Welcome to the Team! bove “...went a d...” yon and be -Client Sean Dubenko

Broker | REALTOR® (503) 881-6287

pleasure “...was a with! to work -Client

Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day!

“...co the nnecte com d mun to -Clie ity...” nt

We have a new office in Molalla!

Find your next home at SimplytheBSTRealty.com

206 Oak St., Silverton • 4131 River Rd. North, Keizer • 103 E Main St Suite #1, Molalla

Call us at 971-900-4050 Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Brokers licensed in the state of Oregon.

ourtownlive.com

February 2022 • 9

RESIDENTIAL

Introducing Introducing

$910,000 New Listing! Custom built in 2018!

Private setting~ 4bd/3ba ~ 3311 SF ~ 2 ac ~office~ Butlers station and pantry ~ RV Parking~ Large patio~ Molalla ~ Etta Hess 503-507-5786 MLS#786683 $787,900 Secluded and Private Country Living!! 5bd/3ba ~ 3280 SF ~ 16 .09 ac ~ Large Kitchen with floor to ceiling cabinets ~ Finished basement with Family room ~ Two outbuildings ~ Silverton ~ Kerry Hall 503-562-9102 MLS#782249

• •

•

•

•

•

Missy Bailey missy@harcourtselite.com 503-269-2849 #eliteagents

LAND & LOTS $400,000 New Listing!

Beautifully maintained single level! 3bd/1ba ~ 1112 SF ~ large yard ~ covered patio ~ Canby ~ Emily Everhart 971-237-9498/ Nick Ayhan 503-314-1651 MLS#786295

$420,000 New Listing! Well maintained home!

4bd/2ba ~ 2129 SF ~ Spacious second floor ~ large yard ~ Salem ~ Emily Everhart 971-237-9498 MLS#787440

• •

$349,000 New Listing!

Spectacular Views! 3bd/2ba ~ 1536 SF ~ .83 ac ~ RV Pad ~ Well maintianed!~ Silverton~ Donna Paradis 503-851-0998 MLS#784240

$325,000 Room to Roam!

270.34 Special Rec. Acers ~ Scio ~ Donna Paradis 503-851-0998 MLS#773364

Local Owner LocalBrokers Owner Licensed Brokers Licensed in Oregon inOffice Oregon lic.Office #201207657 lic. #201207657

119 N. 119 WATER N. WATER ST., SILVERTON, ST., SILVERTON, OR Give ORusGive a Call us at a Call 503-873-8600 at 503-873-8600 or Visitor nworg.com Visit nworg.com for more forinformation more information

119 N. WATER ST., SILVERTON 10 • February 2022

503-873-8600

elite.harcourtsna.com

ourtownlive.com

@harcourtselite

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Business

Public House

New sports bar now open in Mount Angel

By Melissa Wagoner

Mt. Angel Public House

“It’s a sports bar with great food,” Brandon Norbury, owner of the Mt. Angel Public House, said when asked to describe the eatery which, though it quietly opened its doors to patrons during Oktoberfest in September, finally held its official opening on Dec. 19.

Sports bar featuring daily specials as well as burgers, chili on Sundays and a rotating beer tap.

210 E. Charles St., Mount Angel 503-996-1038 mtangelpublichouse.business.site Sunday – Wednesday 12 to 7 p.m.

Thursday – Saturday 12 to 10 p.m.

“And it was phenomenal,” Norbury said of the celebration, which included live music, a presentation by the Flywheels Car Club, a tap takeover by the Tualatinbased G-Man Brewery and amazing food courtesy of Mt. Angel Public House’s own head chef, Andres Goyer.

“It’s been great,” Goyer said. Referring not only to the success of that night but of the weeks since. “We’ve been really well received.”

So much so that Goyer, commonly found serving customers at the front of the house, has already become familiar with the names of the Public House’s regular customers.

sporting events.

Andres Goyer and Brandon Norbury, the team behind the newly opened, Mt. Angel Public House.

MELISSA WAGONER

“And we’ve grown to have friends here now, which is pretty cool,” Norbury said.

Open for lunch at noon seven days a week and with dinner hours extending until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, the Mt.

Angel Public House welcomes any and all clientele but caters first and foremost to sports fans, with nine televisions strategically placed for the best viewing opportunities and broadcasting packages that allow customers to watch most

“It’s a good atmosphere,” Norbury said, referring not only to the large, open seating plan but also to the bar’s decorations, which will soon include sports memorabilia from nearby Kennedy High School.

“We don’t want to put just things on the wall, but things people care about,” Goyer said of the decision to customize the décor. “Because there’s something to not just being a part of the town but a part of the community.”

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING - CRAWLSPACE ENCAPSULATION - ATTIC INSULATION - TOTAL BASEMENT FINISHING

FREE ESTIMATES. CALL TODAY! 503-444-8625 | JohnsWaterproofing.com Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

ourtownlive.com

February 2022 • 11

datebook 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.

Weekly Events Monday

SACA Food Pantry, 9 a.m. - noon, SACA, 421 S Water St., Silverton.

Repeats Thursdays. 503-873-3446, silvertonareacommunityaid.org Coffee & Conversation, 10 a.m., Silverton Senior Center.

Bridge, 11 a.m., Silverton Senior Center.

Mt. Angel Community & Senior Center Store, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 195 E Charles St. Repeats Tuesday - Saturday. Volunteers needed. 503-845-6998 Mt. Angel Food Pantry, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mt. Angel Community Center, 195 E Charles St. Repeats Wed. 503-845-6998 Silverton Meals on Wheels, 11:30 a.m.

Delivery only. $3 donation suggested.

Monday - Friday. Carol, 503-873-6906.

Mt. Angel Senior Meals, 11:30 a.m.

Delivery only. $3 donation suggested.

Repeats Thursdays. Ginger, 503-845-9464.

Peaceful Heart, 4 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Kirtan meditation.

Free Dinner, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Oak Street Church, 502 Oak St., Silverton. Pickup only. Open to all. 503-873-5446 TaekwonDo, 7 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Repeats Thurs. at 6 p.m.

Jon Haynes, 503-873-3663

Tuesday

Silver Angel Foot Clinic, Silverton Senior Center. Repeats Wed.. Appt: 503-873-3093 Scotts Mills Food Boxes, 9 - 11 a.m., Scotts Mills Community Center, 298 Fourth St. Residents in Scotts Mills rural areas are welcome. Food donations welcome. Niki Barber, 503-873-5059 Simple Qigong, 9:45 a.m., Silverton Senior Center. $8. 503-873-3093 Community Helpers Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Zoom. Join librarian and a special guest for storytime, accompanying backpack. Age 2 - 6.

Recordings posted at mtangelreads. readsquared.com. New Zoom links sent out each week. 503-845-6401 Pinochle, noon - 4 p.m., Silverton Senior Center Repeats Friday SACA Food Pantry, 4 - 7 p.m., SACA, 421 S Water St., Silverton. 503-873-3446, silvertonareacommunityaid.org

12 • February 2022

Serenity Al-Anon Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Zoom. Repeats 10 a.m. Saturdays. For Zoom link, call Barbara K, 503-269-0952.

Wednesday

Knit Wits, 10 a.m. - noon, Silverton Senior Center.

Lunch with Dodie, noon, Zoom and Facebook. 50 and older. Zoom and Facebook information: 503-873-3093 Mission Benedict Food Pantry, 1 - 4 p.m., St. Joseph Shelter, 925 S Main St., Mt. Angel.

Repeats Friday. 503-845-2468 Open Art Studio, 1 - 4 p.m., Silverton Senior Center.

Line Dancing, 1 - 2 p.m., Silver Creek Fellowship. No registration required. Free; donations accepted for instructor. Open to all. Sheila, 503-409-4498 Silver Chips Woodcarving Sessions, 1 - 4 p.m., Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge St., Silverton. $2 a week. All skill levels. 503-873-4512.

Mission of Hope Food Pantry, 2 - 4 p.m., Silver Creek Fellowship. 503-873-7353 Daniel Plan Journey Video Series, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Silver Creek Fellowship Church.

In-person or online at scf.tv/daniel.plan.

Free. Open to public. Sheila, 503-409-4498

Thursday

Free Coffee, 7 - 9 a.m., Scotts Mills Community Center, 298 Fourth St. Yoga Class, 9 a.m., Silver Creek Fellowship.

Open to all. Sheila, 503-409-4498 Bingo, 10 a.m., Silverton Senior Center. $1 per card, $2 for three cards.

Mediation & Shared Dialog, 7 - 8:30 p.m.

All spiritual traditions welcome. Request invitation for virtual gather by emailing compassionatepresence@yahoo.com.

971-218-6641

Friday

Toastmaster Club, 7:30 a.m., Zoom.

Increase listening skills, speaking, thinking and evaluating. Contact tmcommunicators@ gmail.com for Zoom link.

Shelf Indulgence, 11 a.m., Silverton Senior Center. Local senior authors book sharing.

Saturday

After-Season Indoor Market, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Silverton Friends Church, 229 Eureka Ave. Local produce, eggs, meats, artisan crafts. Free admission. silvertonfarmersmarket.com Saturday Free Lunch, noon 1:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 N Second St., Silverton.

Pickup only. Open to all.

503-939-3459 Peaceful Heart Meditation, 2 p.m., Silverton Community Center, 421 S Water St. Yoga breathing, kirtan, yoga philosophy. Everyone welcome. Free. peacefulheartkirtan@gmail.com

Notices

Wildfire Hotline

Affected by the Oregon wildfires? Call 1-833-669-0554. Open 24/7, every day.

Interpreters available. Information, referrals to local, state and federal resources. You can also visit wildfire. oregon.gov.

Mt. Angel School District

Mt. Angel School District board of directors is seeking a member to fill Position 1. The deadline for filing is Feb. 7.

503-845-2345, masd91.org

Silvertones Community Chorus

Silvertones Community Chorus is seeking people who love to sing. The group performs a diverse repertoire of songs at nursing homes, residential care facilities, churches and at community events.

Tomina Wolff at 503-873-2033.

Mt. Angel Public Library

Visit the library to pick up a Valentine Feb. 8 - 12. All ages. A new hands-on exhibition begins Feb. 22. Stories and STEAM packets for grades K - 4 can be picked up beginning Feb. 8 (Lunar New Year) and Feb. 22 (Bubble Wands). Teen and Tweens Take-&-Make packets for grades 5 - 12 can be picked up beginning Feb. 8 (Mini Notebook). February Storywalk is A Cat and a Dog/Un gato y un perro by Claire Masurel. 503-845-6401, mtangelpubliclibrary.com

Tuesday, Feb. 1 Caregiver Connection

2 - 3:30 p.m. Zoom. For family caregivers and/or unpaid family caregivers. Free.

To register, contact Suzy, 503-304-3429, suzy.deeds@nwsds.org

Silverton Garden Club

6 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Open to all. 503-873-3093

Wednesday, Feb. 2 Groundhog Day Virtual Trivia Night

7 p.m. Zoom. Test your knowledge on a variety of topics. For Zoom invite, contact Ron Drake at Silver Falls Library, 503-8738796. Repeats Feb. 16.

Scotts Mills City Council

7 p.m., Scotts Mills City Hall, 265 Fourth St. 503-873-5435, scottsmills.org

Thursday, Feb. 3 Dine Out Club

6 p.m., Ixtapa, 321 Westfield St. 50 and older. RSVP: 503-873-3093

Friday, Feb. 4 First Friday in Silverton

7 – 9 p.m. Explore the historic downtown, have dinner, shop, browse galleries, boutiques. 503-873-5615, silvertonchamber.org

ourtownlive.com

Lunaria Gallery First Friday

7 - 9 p.m., Lunaria Gallery, 113 N Water St., Silverton. Meet the artists featured in February’s showings. Ekphrastic, Poetry and Art, verbal or written words, poems or haikus used to describe a visual work of art, is in the Main Floor Gallery. Love Letters by the Capitol Calligraphers is in the Loft Gallery. The showings are available for viewing 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday through Feb. 27. Free. 503-873-7734, lunariagallery.com

Sunday, Feb. 6 Puzzle Exchange

1 - 3 p.m., Mt. Angel Mercantile B&B, 495 E College St. New and used puzzles. Bring a puzzle and exchange it for a new-to-you one. Email: mary@maryfranklin.net.

Monday, Feb. 7 Silverton City Council

7 p.m., Silverton High. Open to public.

503-873-5321, silverton.or.us

Mt. Angel City Council

7 p.m., Mount Angel Public Library.

503-845-9291, ci.mt-angel.or.us

Tuesday, Feb. 8 Ancestry Detectives

10 a.m. Zoom. Pam Hutchinson presents how to expand your family tree using DNA. For Zoom invite, contact David Stewart at ancestrydetectives353@gmail.com.

Virtual Music & Trivia

1:30 p.m. Zoom. Geared for older adults, Music & Trivia is an engaging program where music therapist Ben Pernick combines performances, fun facts, trivia and brain games. For Zoom invite, visit silverfallslibrary.org or call 503-873-8796.

Silverton Senior Center Board

6 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Open to public. RSVP: 503-873-3093

Silverton Planning Commission

7 p.m., Silverton High. Agenda available.

Open to public. 503-873-5321

Wednesday, Feb. 9 Potluck and Movie

6 p.m., Silverton Senior Center,. Bring a dish to share while watching Casablanca. 50 and older. Free. 503-873-3093

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club

6:30 p.m. Zoom. Discuss The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Everyone is welcome.

For Zoom invite, contact Ron Drake at Silver Falls Library, 503-873-8796.

Thursday, Feb. 10 Women’s Connection Luncheon

1 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Mt. AngelSilverton Women’s Connection Luncheon.

RVSP: 503-999-3093

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Zenith Women’s Club

7 p.m., Silver Creek Fellowship. Members discuss ways to fund, implement projects to benefit Silverton community. Social at 6:30 p.m. Barbara, 801-414-3875

Sunday, Feb. 13

Silverton Poetry Society Open Mic

2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Lunaria Gallery, 113 N Water St., Silverton. Listen to or present poetry. Free. Open to public.

503-873-7734, lunariagallery.com

Tuesday, Feb. 15

Saturday, Feb. 19

Thursday, Feb. 24

7 p.m. Zoom. Discuss The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. Discussion leader is Rose Hope. Everyone is welcome. For Zoom invite, contact Ron Drake at Silver Falls Library, 503-8738796.

9:30 – noon. Zoom. Columbus and the Crisis of the West by Robert Royal. Open to all. Free. Sr. Dorothy Jean, 503-8452556, dorothyjeanb7@gmail.com.

1 p.m. Zoom. Gather to discuss Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Book copies, Zoom link at Mt. Angel Public Library. 503-845-6401

Library Book Club

Thursday, Feb. 17 Red Cross Blood Drive

1:30 - 7 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 303 N Church St., Silverton.

Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Monday, Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day

Virtual Writers’ Group

Sweets for the Sweet

6:30 p.m. Zoom. Share what you have been working on or just listen in to see what others are writing. Open to all. For Zoom invite, contact Ron Drake at Silver Falls Library, 503-873-8796.

2 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Valentine’s Day dessert social.

Mt. Angel School District

6:30 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. Zoom link at masd91.org. 503-845-2345

Mt. Angel Planning Commission

Silver Falls School District Board

7 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-845-9291

7 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. Log in details: silverfallsschools.org

Friday Feb. 18 Card Making Class

6 p.m., Silverton Senior Center. Supplies provided. $10. RSVP: 503-873-3093

February Book Talk

Book Discussion for Adults

Sunday, Feb. 20

Friday, Feb. 25

7 p.m., Benedictine Sisters’ Queen of Angels Chapel, 840 S Main St., Mt. Angel. Open to public. 503-845-6773

11 a.m. - midnight, Festhalle, 500 NE Wilco Hwy., Mt. Angel. Features authentic German food, beer and wine as well as local craft brews and wines and live music.

Admission $10. Repeats 11 a.m. - midnight Feb. 26, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Feb. 27.

Taizé Prayer

Monday, Feb. 21 Presidents Day Wednesday, Feb. 23 Essential Oils Class

10 a.m., Silverton Senior Center.

Free introduction to essential oils on acupressure points with Gail Gummin.

Mt. Angel Library Board

6:30 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. Call, visit the library or mtangelpubliclibrary. com for Zoom link. 503-845-6401

Virtual Film Discussion

7 p.m. Zoom. Watch film on your own and then join the Zoom meeting for a moderated discussion. For this month’s film and Zoom invite, contact Ron at Silver Falls Library, 503-873-8796.

Mt. Angel Volksfest

Saturday, Feb. 26 Silverton First Citizen Night

6 - 9 p.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. A celebration of volunteers and community supporters in Silverton.

Dessert buffet. Tickets are $25 at the Chamber Office, 426 S Water St., or online at silvertonchamber.org. 503-873-5615

Monday, Feb. 28 Vigil for Peace

2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Silverton Towne Square Park. Sponsored by Silverton People for Peace to advocate for peace and social justice issues with relevant signs. Open to all. 503-873-5307

Bill & Susan (DeSantis)

Dallas

Pending!

Price Reduced!

$664,000

Mt. Angel Auto Body

3 bed, 2 bath, park-like setting minutes from Silverton. Beautiful unique home recently completely updated. Large insulated shop, new storage shed and so much more.

Dinae Fitzke 503-949-5309 MLS#785793

Family Owned & Operated Expert Collision Repair

255 E. Marquam Rd., Mt. Angel

503-845-6869

www.mtangelautobody.com

DiNae Fitzke

Broker

Broker

503-602-9999

LINDA Linda WEBB Webb

Broker Broker

503-949-5309

503-508-7387 503-508-7387

971-273-8

Buy. Sell. Be Happy.

• Tree Pruning • Brush Removal • Tree Removal • Clean-Up • Tree Trimming

216 E. Main St., Silverton Office: 503-874-1540 www.TheBellaCasaGroup.com

Cendi Sandoval CCB#228026

cendifrias1985@gmail.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Tammie Anderson GRI, AHWD, SRS, MRP

O.G. Tree Service

971-239-2295

FEATURED LISTI $429,000

481 S. Center St., Sublimity. 3 bed, 2 bath, 1420 SF, completely updated home with large fenced yard, masonry fireplace, all new paint, large workshop, zoned commercial.

Linda Webb 503-508-7387 MLS#787457

ourtownlive.com

LICENSED IN OREGON AND SERVING YOU FROM OFFICES IN SILVERTON, NEWBERG AND McMINNVILLE

www.TheBellaCasaGroup February 2022 • 13

Something to Talk About

Penny’s journey

After nine years (nine lives?) cat returned home

By Melissa Wagoner

may not have been as surprised by what happened next.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog may have met his match in the form of Penny, Pratum Elementary School’s Christmas cat.

“I was not back in my room very long before I heard the cat – again! She had practically beaten me into the building. That was when I knew I needed help to find somewhere else for this cat to go.”

“[Y]ou just can’t make this stuff up,” Pratum Elementary School teacher Lisa Freauff said of the story, which began during the Christmas break of 2021 when she heard a cat “yelling” from the empty school’s supply room.

And so, she emailed Shawna Martinson, the school’s secretary for the past 15 years.

“She is really good at problem solving,” Freauff said when asked why Martinson was the first person she contacted.

“And they have animals (and a cat carrier), and they know a lot of people. I guessed (rightly) that she would be my best bet for help. We really have each other’s backs out here!”

“That’s really the only way to describe how she was meowing,” Freauff said. Recalling that, once she was able to locate the cat, it was very apparent she was in distress.

“She seemed very scruffy and very anxious to get my attention,” Freauff said. “But she wouldn’t totally follow me. She was a bit hesitant to come out. She didn’t look great. She was rubbing up against the doorways and seemed like she was someone’s pet.”

Arriving armed, not only with the carrier, but also with her husband Todd, Martinson got straight to work, locating the cat inside an air intake tube and then coaxing it outside.

Pet or not, Freauff knew the cat had to go and so she gathered her courage, picked her up and set her outside in the hopes that she would soon find her way back home.

Steve and Kathleen Carlson reunited with Penny after nine years.

“At that time, I actually did not know she had been hanging around,” Freauff – who later discovered that Penny had been seen, not only on the grounds of Pratum

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Elementary but also on the properties of various students ct for over three weeks – said. Notingnd that, shent had, rashe erifCo

U

$639,000

Stunning beauty with quartz counters, awesome floor plan. Gourmet kitchen with quality cabinets.

High efficiency furnace and AC. Large, fenced backyard with underground sprinklers. Wow! Dixon Bledsoe, Principal Broker

Completion approx. Feb. 28

er d Un ct e a tiv ntr c o A C

$619,000

WVMLS#787334

g

WVMLS#787337

WVMLS#783521

Dixon Bledsoe, Principal Broker

Pending $319,000

404 N. Church St., Silverton.

2bdrm/1bth, adorable.

Brokers licensed in the state of Oregon.

206 Oak St., Silverton 14 • February 2022

g n i l l e S Top t...

Agen 2022 Goals?

Making You Happy!

$535,000

1417 Flintlock, Silverton.

5 bdrm/2.5bth, custom farm home.

Unwilling to adopt another cat – the couple have several,

in all of Silverton for 2021 with nearly $18 million in sales.

Pend in

231 Steelhammer, Silverton, 3 bdrm/3bth stunning new home.

Dixon Bledsoe, Principal Broker

“It wasn’t scared it was just lethargic and like, ‘don’t put me back outside again,’” Shawna said of Penny’s condition when she arrived at the school. “I think it was hungry, it was old, it was [malnourished] and I thought at first it was hurt, but no, it was scared and hungry and desperate.”

Dixon Bledsoe, Principal Broker WVMLS#787196

SimplytheBSTRealty.com ourtownlive.com

Homes, farms, commercial, industrial, multi-family, investment, construction, bare land.

How may we help?

DIXON BLEDSOE,

TREVOR BLEDSOE,

503-602-4320

503-871-6858

Principal Broker

Broker

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

To their surprise, Penny not only had a microchip but it revealed several facts about her that they almost couldn’t believe, including her age, which was 19 years old, and her address, nearly 25 miles away in South Salem.

“Where has this cat been?” Todd wondered.

“And how did it get to Pratum?”

including one they rescued only two weeks prior – the Martinsons did the only thing they could think of and took Penny to the Silver Creek Animal Clinic in Silverton.

“I thought we should take it to our own vet… and see if it had a chip,” Tod said. “And sure enough.”

Unable to get in touch with the listed owners, Kathleen and Steve Carlson, that day, the SUBMITTED PHOTO Martinsons agreed to take Penny home but they didn’t put her in with the rest of their cats.

“She was scared and cold, so we put her in our guest bathroom,” Shawna recalled. “And she was quiet the whole night and the next day. She just snuggled and stayed there.”

Then they got the call they’d been hoping for from Kathleen, who let them in on another secret – Penny had been missing for nine years.

“It’s the craziest story ever,” Shawna said. Recounting the tale Kathleen told her.

It seemed Penny, the indoor-outdoor cat the couple adopted from the Humane Society 13 years ago, developed a close relationship with the woman who lived next door. When the neighbor was being transferred to assisted living due to poor health, she asked if she could take the cat. The Carlsons said yes. And that was the last time they saw her – until they picked her up at the Martinsons’ home.

“There’s no way the cat would have gotten back to the original owner if not for that chip,” Shawna marveled.

Freauff agrees.

“I could not believe my eyes when Shawna texted me that the cat was chipped,” she recalled. “And then to find out that the cat was 19 years old and that the original owners hadn’t seen her for 9 years. And that they wanted her back... It’s a Christmas Miracle! It’s just like those pet stories you read about – that happen somewhere else, to other people.”

Quality Dental Care in a Friendly Environment

Why Go to Salem for Framing?

Small Town Service. Small Town Prices.

105 S. First St., Silverton

503-873-6771

CBL Open Tuesdays - Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. #00013137

971-216-1093

TinasLandscape.com

LCB#9732 CBL#00013137 Licensed/Insured/Bonded

Irrigation Drip System Sprinkers Repairs Backflow Winterizing

Specializing In

Clean-Ups • Plantings Natural Pruning Shape Trimming Bark Dust and more!

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Hardscapes

C o m p l e t e Dental S ervi ces

Fillin gs • Cro w n s • Ro o t C a n a ls Im pla n ts • E x t ra c t io n s • D en t u res

New patients welcome

Matthew B. Chase, D.M.D.

Pavers Retaining Walls Walkways Driveways Patios

Nathan C. Braxmeyer, D.M.D. Mark A. Haskell, D.D.S.

303 N. First • Silverton 503-873-8614 ourtownlive.com

February 2022 • 15

Something to Think About

Two positions, one action

By Stephen Floyd

Students at Silverton High School staged opposing protests last month to highlight what they believed were harmful COVID conditions in the classroom.

A walkout held Jan. 19 protested state mandates requiring students to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, while a walkout held Jan. 20 called for a two-week return to distance learning in light of increasing infection rates and burnout among teachers and staff during the Omicron wave.

Officials with the Silver Falls School District did not respond to requests for comment prior to press time.

A spike in infections, burnout

Planning for the walkouts began when junior Grace Payton was exposed to COVID after returning to school from winter break. She spent a week in quarantine and kept receiving messages about students and teachers who were getting sick or were unable to come to school.

At the same time she watched COVID rates triple her first week back from break, according to statistics published by the district. When the following week saw cases rise again, Payton said enough was enough.

“Seeing this absolutely crazy spike, along with nothing being done at SHS, I began talking about [a walkout] and messaging my friends,” she said.

Willette said their main concern was letting students have a voice when it seems like politicians and other adults are calling the shots on COVID mandates.

Payton said they wanted to encourage administrators to allow a two-week return to distance learning and suspension of extra-curricular activities, with the goal of stemming the spread of COVID and letting teachers and students who are sick or burned out recover.

“We’re the ones directly affected,” she said. “We’re the ones actually having to wear masks every day in school.”

Anti-maskers walk out

“Nothing’s changed,” she said. “The numbers haven’t dropped, they haven’t changed, but we’re still having to wear facemasks.”

After planning a walkout for Jan. 20 and spreading the word, Payton said within hours she heard of another walkout planned for Jan. 19 by students opposed to COVID restrictions. An Instagram page called SHSForFreedom, run by students Avianna Willette and Ailis Ferry, promoted a “Screw Masks Walkout,” claiming masks in schools were “institutionalized child abuse” and prevented a healthy learning environment.

Ferry added she does not see why masks remain necessary in the classroom when COVID cases continue to rise.

Both agreed their goal is not to prevent students from wearing masks if they choose to, but that the rights of those who chose not to should be respected as well.

“America is about freedom, and freedom is choice,” said Willette.

Willette and Ferry could not be reached for comment.

Polarized students

A video of the Jan. 19 walkout showed Willette and Ferry speaking with Principal Sione Thompson and Superintendent Scott Drue about their concerns.

Thompson and Drue wore masks, while the student protestors did not.

“If there is one thing that says ‘Silverton High School,’ it’s an argument about the pandemic,” she said.

Payton said she has not spoken to Willette or Ferry about their anti-mask walkout, but was not surprised the issue became polarizing for students.

We’ll bring the cake of your dreams to life & sweeten any occasion!

Rheumatology care that’s more available.

We are a unique, specialty bakery featuring GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY FREE, VEGAN & KETO options among our selections

Raymond Hausch, MD

Amitha Gona, MD

Oregon Rheumatology Specialists is growing to bring advanced care to more patients with less waiting.

LOCATED IN THE 45TH PARALLEL BUILDING 2195 Hyacinth St. NE | Suite 101 | Salem michelleashley.com | 971.304.7737

Bakery & Cupcakes

Desserts

In 2021, there were 239 residential home sales under ½ acre in Silverton, Mount Angel and Scotts Mills. That is an increase of 3% from 2020! The median sold price of those 239 homes was $429,000 which is a 13.5% increase from 2020!

We are a sister practice of Oregon Oncology Specialists, and we share their mission of providing medical excellence to patients throughout the mid-Willamette area.

Have Whitney and Mike Ulven of Silverton Realty lead you on your journey home!

Whitney & Mike Ulven

Daniel Mendez, MD

503-485-0350 | 875 Oak Street, Suite 4050, Salem, OR OregonRheumatologySpecialists.com

16 • February 2022

whitney@silvertonrealty.com

cell: 503-705-6118

mike@silvertonrealty.com mike@silve rtonrealty.com

303 Oak St. Silverton • www.SilvertonRealty.com Whitney & Mike Ulven, Brokers Licensed in the State of Oregon.

ourtownlive.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

COVID prompts student walkouts at Silverton High School Payton said she was saddened by some of the content posted to SHSForFreedom, which she described as “fake information using manipulated articles.” However she did not argue against their right to demonstrate.

dire. It has become difficult to keep qualified teachers in the classroom, and more and more often students are receiving instruction from substitute teachers who are underqualified and overwhelmed.

“Their intentions frankly hurt our school,” said Payton.

“But if I have a right to this, so do they.”

Open substitute teaching positions are currently highlighted on the district’s homepage.

The Jan. 20 walkout was also attended by Thompson and Drue. Payton was able to express her desires for a two-week return to distance learning and said Thompson said he would bring their concerns to the school board.

Payton said simply organizing the walkout has opened doors with administrators and faculty that were not previously afforded to students.

“Until I started speaking out, I would just get the same responses again and again: Follow the rules, keep your mask up, stay safe,” she said. “Now that I’ve planned this, teachers and students have felt more comfortable talking about their experiences and what’s happening in the district.”

Teachers pushed too far Payton said learning conditions within the district are

Payton acknowledged this is not the district’s fault because the entire teaching profession is experiencing high turnover and burnout. However she said pushing faculty and students harder is not the answer.

“If I had to describe life at SHS right now it’d be: Depleted,” she said. “We’re all running on empty here.”

In a Facebook post Jan. 16, the Silver Falls Education Association said local teachers have not been immune to national trends.

“The pandemic has not only handed educators new challenges, it has exacerbated the preexisting issues in education,” said the post, referencing an editorial from Forbes titled “Why Education Is About To Reach A Crisis Of Epic Proportions.”

The association supported the editorial’s conclusions that teachers need lighter workloads and latitude in

instruction to meet students where they are rather than pressure them to make up for lost time. It said trust needs to be rebuilt between teachers and administrators, and that teachers need higher morale if they plan to remain on staff.

The association could not be reached for additional comment prior to press time.

Students standing up Payton said, when all is said and done, she hopes district administrators, as well as the community at large, will acknowledge that students took action and spoke up for themselves.

“If there’s one thing they take away from it all it’s that we showed up,” she said.

Payton acknowledged she does not feel suited for activism given her inclinations toward pessimism, but she trusts Silverton to rise to the occasion.

“If anything gives me hope it’s this community’s compassion,” she said. “I hope this shows the kid who was too scared to join us that we’re here, that they have students just like them.”

You Need, For Anything You Need To Do.

Everything You Need, For Anything You Need To Do.

a’s full line of hardworking equipment has a proven reputation high-quality engineering, versatility, power and reliability.

Kubota’s full line of hardworking equipment has a proven reputation for high-quality engineering, versatility, power and reliability.

L Series

Grand L Series RTV-X Series

SSV Series L Series

Grand L Series

SSV Series

33599 HWY 99E • TANGENT, OR 97389 • 541-926-1811• WWW.LINNBENTONTRACTOR.COM KubotaUSA.com

© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2018

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

ourtownlive.com

February 2022 • 17

Gloria Ross (Bledsoe) Goodman

Sept. 20, 1930 – Jan. 12, 2022 a guest in the spring. Gloria was ecstatic, because Oprah reviews were instant best-sellers. The show subsequently called and said they were going in a different direction. The Phil Donahue show called and wanted to hear from her by 5 p.m. on a Friday night because the icon’s Monday morning guest canceled. She called at 7 p.m. Friday from Texas, where she was researching her third novel. Too late – they booked someone else. CNN called in 1991 and wanted her to talk about her book on their morning show. Two days before she was to appear, the Gulf War started, and Gloria Bledsoe Goodman was no match for the Scud Stud.

Gloria Goodman of Silverton passed away Jan. 12, 2022, of natural causes at the age of 91. She had quite a career. Born in Luling, Texas and raised there and in San Antonio, she was the daughter of Hugh and Ina (Jones) Clark. Her teen years were spent living with her grandparents, Arthur and Ina Langston in San Antonio because the military life with her mother and stepfather, Col. Dixon Jones, in the cool northwest (Washington) was not to her teen liking.

In 1947, her mother had a San Antonio dress shop, “Frocks by Ina.” A handsome Marine came in to take one of the salespeople out. Later, a friend introduced Gloria to a blind date – the handsome Marine, William Bledsoe.

They did the Texas Two-Step in the famed honkytonks of Texas and knew every Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys song by heart (“San Antonio Rose” was naturally their favorite). They married in 1948, and had three children, Linda in 1950, Bill Jr. in 1951, and Dixon in 1952. Bill turned into a world-class guitarist and played for many family dinners and parties.

They spent several years in the San Jose, California area, where Bill Sr. was the only non-degreed engineer for Lockheed. His travels took him away for months at a time, so Gloria managed a house with three young kids quite well. A move to Oregon was in the cards, as they wanted to get the kids out of the “rat race.” Bill wanted them exposed to Oregon’s beauty, since he had resided in Klamath Falls while recovering from malaria after seeing fierce fighting in World War Two on Guadalcanal.

When they drove through Silverton in 1962, Gloria told Bill, “You have moved us so many times. Now I decide.

This is where we will make our home.” And they did, for years, raising the three kids on a small farm outside of town, with horses to break, stalls to clean, berries to pick, and chickens to feed. Of course, their first year had to be colorful – the well went dry a month after moving in, and the Columbus Day storm hit just a few months later.

Their friend, Orville Roth, had opened his first store and offered to drive them safely home with groceries in tow.

Gloria worked as an aide at then-Silverton Union High School but started pursuing a dream of writing. Her first “novel,” The Mystery of China Hat Ranch was a hit with her three kids and husband, even though it was thin in plot and inspired by a small hat-shaped mountain outside of Bend as they drove north from California.

Gloria had a couple of articles published in magazines but became a “stringer” for the Silverton Appeal-Tribune in 1966. She was hired by her great friend, Shelley Burrell (Lewelling), the Capital Life Editor for the Capital Journal in Salem as an assistant in 1969. She took over for her friend as Editor in 1974 and specialized in the Women’s Section, Society Page, Dining Reviews, and Special

18 • February 2022

Features. Her best memories were interviewing Charles Schultz of “Peanuts” fame, as the legendary cartoonist granted her an interview in Oregon and felt he shortchanged her time. He offered a ride on his private jet to his home in Santa Barbara, where she stayed with Schultz and his wife for a weekend, completed the interview, and enjoyed the burden of driving his new Butterscotch Mercedes convertible around town shopping while he conducted other interviews.

Gloria had two whirlwind trips to New York City with her friends, Burrell (then Lewelling), Norma Paulus (Secretary of State receiving a Ladies’ Home Journal Award) and celebrated with their great friend and Oregon icon Gerry Frank, who ironically wrote a best-selling guide to NYC that they followed meticulously.

Gloria was a gifted writer, and as Capital Life/Society editor, laughed when explaining that even people who were not fond of her invited her to all the great parties in Oregon’s capital city as a sure ticket to end up favorably in her column. Her writing accomplishments for the Capital Journal, especially her column and dining reviews, were extremely popular, and it was an evening of epicurean delights and laughter when friends were invited in on the restaurant review experience.

She wrote two humorous self-help books in the early 1990s, and each had modest success here in the U.S. and abroad. Keys to Living with a Retired Husband was on the perils of surviving when your husband is suddenly underfoot every day, and the other was on dating later in life as a grandmother. She called the latter, A Grandmother’s Guide to Dating, but the publisher changed it to A Woman’s Guide to Prime-Time Dating: For the Woman Who Wasn’t Born Yesterday. It caught Oprah’s attention, and the producer called asking her to be

ourtownlive.com

She and Bill Sr. divorced in 1985, and in 1986 she married Marv Goodman, a handsome man with a full head of “gorgeous white hair most men would kill for,” according to Gloria. Marv was at Pearl Harbor with the Willamette football team on Dec. 6, 1941. The next day the team was guarding the hospital with weapons. He was inducted into the Willamette University’s Sports Hall of Fame. They enjoyed beach trips, entertaining many friends, Marv fishing with family and their plethora of kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.

When Marv passed away in 2004, Gloria had a burning desire to return to her girlhood home, San Antonio, Texas, and moved in 2006. She enjoyed connecting with high school friends, joining in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (then caretakers of the Alamo). It made sense, because her aunt, Ursula Veramende, married Jim Bowie of Alamo and Bowie Knife fame, and her grandfather was Jose Antonio Navarro, a Tejano patriot and a man dubbed “The Grandfather of the Texas Revolution”. He served as Governor of Texas and was the only Tejano signing the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico.

Her daughter, Linda, joined her, and wrote several plays about the Alamo, called Voices, and the reviews were well-received. She and the kids had a wonderful time at the Navarro Statue Dedication near the Mercado in San Antonio, surrounded by more than two hundred Navarro descendants.

Gloria was preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Bledsoe; second husband, Marv Goodman; and her mother and stepfather, Ina and Col. Dixon Jones. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Ross; sons, Bill Bledsoe (Kathy) and Dixon Bledsoe (Lisa); and stepchildren, Jan Goodman, Jon Goodman (Jackie), Kristie Nicholls (Mike), Jeff Goodman (Amy), Dan Goodman (Sue); twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Arrangements are with Crown Memorial of Salem. Burial will be in a family cemetery outside of San Antonio near Rossville (Hurley’s Funeral Home of Pleasanton, Texas).

Due to COVID concerns, a Celebration of Life for this remarkable woman will be held when safe to do so.

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Passages

John Paul Wolf, Sr.

The Forum

Sept. 6, 1930 – Jan. 7, 2022

John Paul Wolf, Sr., 91, of Salem, Oregon passed away on Jan. 7, 2022 from natural causes.

spent numerous hours volunteering at the Evans Valley

John was born on Sept. 6, 1930 to Jacob and Philomena Wolf in Sioux County, North Dakota. He was one of 11 children (Clara, Mary, Cecelia, Gabe, Agnes, Ruth, Virginia, Bernie, Leon, and Irene).

After John graduated from Silverton High School in 1949, he went on to work as a dairy herdsman and a carpenter.

member of the Knights of Columbus.

On Nov. 21, 1953, he married the love of his life, Lorraine Gottschalk, and went on to have five children (Joan, Anita, Cindy, John Jr., and Michael).

As a young married couple, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where John worked as a superintendent for a well-known construction firm. In 1964, they returned to Silverton due to John’s mother being ill. In 2004, they relocated to Salem, Oregon.

After retiring from carpentry, John, a man of many talents, became an award-winning Irish Dexter cattle breeder, served a stint as the President of the Oregon Chapter of American Dexter Cattle Association, and

School. He was a devoted Catholic and a lifetime John was happiest when his family and friends visited him. He will be remembered for his beaming smile

and as a great storyteller that loved to make his family, friends, and caregivers laugh.

John is preceded in death by his wife,Lorraine; son, John Paul Wolf Jr.; his parents, Philomena and

Although I live in Silverton, I work in California, most often remotely.

I am a strong supporter of Nick Kristof and his run for Governor of Oregon.

I don’t understand why he is not on the Ballot.

I read a news story about former Supreme Court Justice Riggs[’] opinion that Nick qualifies, and a guest opinion by three former secretaries of state who agree that, when it comes to determining eligibility to vote or run for office, election officials usually err on the side of inclusion, not exclusion, from the democratic process.

Jacob; siblings, Clara Lenzer, Gabe Wolf, Agnes

That is how it ought to be.

survived by his children, Joan (Peter) Dibala, Anita

But the current Secretary of State abandoned those principles and barred Nick from running.

Wasteney, Ruth Carreon, and Bernie Mager. He is (Mark) Flowers, Cindy (Jeff) Miller, and Michael

(Annette) Wolf; siblings Mary Oziah, Cecelia Larsen,

Virginia Sessums, Leon Wolf, and Irene Steinke; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

What does that mean for me and scores of other Oregonians who go to school or work away from our home state. If he loses his right to run, will some [of] us lose our right to vote?

A rosary was held prior to a Mass of Christian burial

I like that our former secretaries of state have trusted voters to choose our leaders.

Memorial contributions can be made in John’s

I urge the Oregon Supreme Court to put Nick on the Ballot.

on Jan. 25 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, in Silverton.

That feels like Oregon to me.

memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

In Memory Of …

Delores Hockett

July 31, 1929 — Jan. 1, 2022

Benjamin Kelsey

Nov. 24, 1979 — Jan. 5, 2022

John Wolf

Sept. 6, 1930 — Jan. 7, 2022

Robert Bodkin

March 4, 1944 — Jan. 10, 2022

Albert Kassel

July 31, 1925 — Jan. 11, 2022

Always honoring your request for traditional fire cremation, eco-friendly aqua cremation, celebration of life and funeral services involving earth burial.

Ballot qualification?

Frank Wuliver, Silverton

FALL IN LOVE WITH NEW GLASSES! New Frames Arriving All the Time

We offer pre planning alternatives to control costs. Make your wishes known and we will do our best to relieve family distress.

See full obituaries at www.ungerfuneralchapel.com

Stop by and see our selection of 1200+ frames

Your local funeral chapels serving Mt. Angel since 1919 & Silverton since 1924.

Always available at your time of need 190 Railroad Ave. • Mt. Angel 503-845-2592 Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

600 N. First Street, Silverton 503-873-8619 • silverfallseyecare.com

229 Mill St. • Silverton 503-873-5141

Terri Vasché, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

ourtownlive.com

Matthew Lampa, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Shon Reed, O.D.

February 2022 • 19

Sports & Recreation

Hoops showdowns

Foxes boys, girls in thick of title races games having a margin of victory of 20 or more. McCarty is 60-1 overall against the MWC, losing only in overtime at Corvallis in 2019.

The Silverton boys basketball team outlasted top-ranked Crescent Valley 58-52 on Jan. 24 to take sole possession of first place in the Mid-Willamette Conference.

The Foxes, ranked 7th in Class 5A, improved to 11-5 overall and 7-0 in league play while winning their sixth consecutive game overall. C.V. dropped to 11-4 and 5-1. The two teams play again Feb. 25 in Corvallis, with the regular-season title likely to be on the line. Silverton finishes the first half of the league season Jan.27 at Lebanon.

This is the second year in a row that the Foxes and C.V. have run away from the rest of the MWC. In last spring’s COVID-shortened campaign Silverton was 14-1 and 8-0 in league. The Raiders were 7-1 in league, losing only to the Foxes on a 59-36 count.

Central, at 4-2, heading into Jan. 24’s play, looks like the closest threat to Silverton and C.V. in the MWC, but the Panthers already have lost by double-digit

margins to the two front-runners.

This year’s Foxes have been road warriors, playing a dizzying array of foes this season. The five losses have been to Class 6A West Salem, two teams from Ohio, one from Washington state and one from California.

The Foxes are 6-0 since losing to a squad from Olmstead, Ohio, on Dec. 30 in a holiday tournament in Chandler, Arizona. Silverton also played in the Capitol City Classic at Willamette University in Salem.

Crescent Valley never has beaten a Foxes team coached by Jamie McCarty.

Silverton is 8-0 against the Raiders under McCarty, with all of the previous seven

Silverton’s girls, meanwhile, also are in the thick of things in the MWC. The Foxes traveled to Crescent Valley on Jan. 24 and took down the previously undefeated Raiders 49-34.

Silverton improved to 4-1 in league play, one-half game behind 5-1 West Albany and Crescent Valley.

The girls squad also is on a bit of a streak.

The Foxes are 8-0 since falling 44-42 to Corvallis, now 3-2, in the league opener for both schools on Dec. 14. Silverton has a return engagement with the Spartans on Feb. 1 in Corvallis and still has two contests with West Albany, Feb. 15 at Silverton and Feb. 21 in Albany.

Meanwhile, the Kennedy boys are locked in a three-way struggle for supremacy in the Tri-River Conference basketball race – and perhaps Class 2A as well. As the end of the month approached Salem

Academy was undefeated in league and ranked No. 3, with one-loss Kennedy (No. 6) and two-loss Western Christian (No. 5) still in the hunt. Only two teams automatically qualify for the 2A playoffs, but the high ranking of all three teams makes them a solid bet for one of the league’s four at-large berths should that prove necessary.

The destiny of the Trojans is in their own hands. JFK defeated Western Christian and lost to Academy in the first round of league play, with the Trojans visiting Western on Feb. 5 and closing the regular season with a home game against Academy.

Salem Academy has played one of the broadest schedules in the state. The Crusaders’ four losses have come against a team from California, Class 5A Corvallis, Class 4A Cascade and Class 3A Dayton.

Academy also boasts wins against 5A Crescent Valley and 3A Umatilla.

Swimming: The Silverton swim team started the season without a pool because

Chemeketa Community College Are you ready to

CHANGE

YOUR FUTURE?

Find a new career path in For more information call 503.399.6152

Apply today at go.chemeketa.edu

EO/AA/ADA/Title IX institution

20 • February 2022

ACCOUNTING

Earn certificates in:

Tax Preparation Payroll Accounting Data Analytics for Accounting Or Complete an associate degree in accounting.

Catch up with more local news and sports

• • • •

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

ourtownlive.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

of maintenance work on the community pool.

The Aqua Foxes trained Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Woodburn, although the 50-plus swimmers had access to just three lanes.

On Tuesdays and Thursday the team practiced from 8 to 9 p.m. using six lanes in Molalla.

“It affected us a bunch,” said coach Lucky Rogers. “I am very appreciative of those pools, but those conditions/pool times were not very conducive to what we need.

It was great to get back in our pool after a month of traveling.”

Rogers has 52 swimmers on the roster, including 18 freshmen. Included are some of the best in school history.

Senior Catherine Hyde will be a state contender in the 100 fly and 100 back at state, Rogers said, and she will combine with Libby Grogan, Lucy Fronza, Vella Spaethe, Cordelia Bay and Evie Smith on the top-flight relay squads that are a Silverton tradition.

Sports Datebook Tuesday, Feb. 1 Boys Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs Corvallis Swimming 7 p.m. Silverton vs Lebanon

Wednesday, Feb. 2

Boys Basketball 7 p.m. Kennedy vs Delphian

Friday, Feb. 4 Boys Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs Dallas

Tuesday, Feb. 8 Girls Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs Central

Wednesday, Feb. 9 Girls Basketball 5 p.m. Kennedy vs Culver

Top boys competitors include Makani Buckley and CJ Hollis, who have set their sights on the school record in the 200 free. Buckley also will shine in the 500 free with Hollis also working in the 100 fly. Kellen Hayter will swim the 50 free and 100 breast, with Dalton Buller and Grant Nealon adding relay depth.

Rogers thinks the girls squad has a shot at second in the district competition, with the boys in the top 4.

Officials needed: The Oregon School Activities Association and the Oregon Athletic Officials Association are seeking baseball and softball umpires for the upcoming spring season. The first date for games is March 14, with the registration period for officials ending on April 22.

To register or for more information go to https://www.osaa.org/officials.

Follow me on Twitter.com @jameshday. Got a news tip? Email me at jamesday590@ gmail.com. Follow Our Town on Facebook.

Home Game Varsity Contests

Boys Basketball 6:30 p.m. Kennedy vs Culver

Friday, Feb. 11 Girls Basketball 5:30 p.m. Kennedy vs Salem Academy Boys Basketball 7 p.m. Kennedy vs Salem Academy

Friday, Feb. 25 Girls Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs Crescent Valley

The pool is open! Come and see us! Please call the pool for questions regarding our current schedule.

We are currently offering group swim lessons for ages 3-14! Lessons are offered Monday-Thursday in the evenings! If you are interested in getting your swimmer enrolled in lessons, please contact 503-873-6456. The swimming team is also up and running!

Pool parties are back! If you are interested in renting the pool for a private party, please email kbarnes@theyonline.org!

For more information regarding aquatic programming and sign ups please call Silverton Pool at 503-873-6456.

Spring sports are quickly approaching! This year, we are offering Flag Football (grades 1st-6th), Volleyball (3rd-6th grade), and Track (K-8th).

Please contact kbarnes@theyonline.org with questions about the upcoming season!

Tuesday, March 1

Boys Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs Lebanon

If you are interested in coaching a team or helping to sponsor players, please contact Silverton Pool at 503-873-6456!

Girls Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs West Albany

WE ARE HIRING!

Friday, Feb. 18

Boys Basketball 7:30 p.m. Silverton vs North Salem

SILVERTON POOL

SPORTS

Tuesday, Feb. 15

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

SILVER FALLS February 2022 FAMILY YMCA

© ALEKSS / 123RF.COM

If you or anyone you know is looking for a job, please visit our website at www.theyonline.org/ careers. We have a wide range of positions open from Lifeguards to swim instructors, sports staff, and childcare! We would love to add you to our team!

601 Miller St., Silverton www.theyonline.org ourtownlive.com

February 2022 • 21

A Grin at the End

Way of the future

Do you really need to see me for a phone call?

At the AT&T pavilion, picture phones were the featured attraction. Someone at the pavilion could talk on the phone to a friend or relative in Chicago or Washington, D.C., and see a tiny black-and-white video of him or her.

I’m probably not alone in this thought, but I can’t wait for the whole pandemic thing to be over. I mean, we’re going on two years and people are still trying to figure out whether they’ll get a shot. Or rather, they are still trying to justify why they will or will not get a shot.

I can’t tell people what to do. I’ve tried it before, and it doesn’t work. But I will say for the record that I am fully vaccinated – and boosterized – because in all my reading and research it seemed like the thing to do. I’m old, and a lot of people depend on me – my family, my co-workers and my cat. Imagine explaining my absence to the cat, who I feed every morning, because I wouldn’t get a shot.

When it comes to personal health, people need to do what they think is right. My only admonishment is don’t risk everything over something a nut job – even a wellmeaning one – wrote on the internet.

I’ve bloviated at length before on this page what I think about the internet. It boils down to one warning: Beware.

Anyway, I’m equally concerned about a much more immediate problem: online video meetings. Ever since COVID-19 showed up on a jet from China and people decided to order each other to stay home, these video meetings have proliferated.

At the time I thought The Jetsons had arrived. How cool was it that I could talk to someone and see them at the same time?

Co-workers, family and other folks have decided that a plain old phone call was not enough. Now they want to see my face.

Think about that. I have to see myself in the mirror every morning. Believe me, there’s not much to see. I used to tell my wife that I saw James Bond in the mirror. Now I just see some old duffer who needs a shave.

Video calls have been around for a longtime. When I was a kid my parents took my brother and me to the 1964 New York World’s Fair. It was awesome. We got a glimpse of the future at many of the pavilions – nuclear fusion, self-driving cars – even Belgian waffles made their U.S. debut.

Now, 50-plus years later, I’m no longer impressed.

FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, Go To Meeting and other apps have taken over my life. I’ve had video-conferences with people in Spain, England and France, friends in Alaska and scores of others all over creation. Oddly enough, all of them looked exactly like themselves. And I imagine the same could be said for me. I’ve pretty much looked the same for decades, except for a few more gray hairs.

So several times a week I video conference with people.

They get to see me, from the waist up, in living color.

They just don’t know how lucky they are that no one has invented a full-length video app.

Carl Sampson is a freelance writer and editor.

He lives in Stayton.

WE’RE BACK!

Now open Mon-Thur 7a.m. - 5 p.m.

Visit our website for more info and to schedule an appointment.

Cosmetic/Implant Bridges/Partials Extractions/Crowns Filling/Root Canals

We accept most insurance

New Patients & Emergencies Welcome

410 Oak St, Silverton OR 97381• 503.873.3530 • For more info: kimsilvertonordentist.com 22 • February 2022

ourtownlive.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Place your ad in Marketplace 503-845-9499

GENERAL

HELP WANTED

FOUND PAIR OF PRESCRIPTION GLASSES Black frames.

On Crestview Drive, Silverton. 503-873-6151

TWO PEOPLE to do farmwork in Lyons.

Call Gary 503-559-9161

SILVERTON NURSERY seeking part time help.

February – June. Hours flexible. No experience necessary. Call Patti 503-551-1875.

GOT STUFF U WANT GONE? From yard debris to scrap metal-From garage sale leftovers 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.

Keith 503-502-3462

Thank You for SEASONED FIR Fighting for Our Freedoms!

FIREWOOD Cut and Split.

$180 a cord.

You haul. Delivery extra. 503-989-0368 or 541-926-3900 AVON IS IN SILVERTON! Call Arlene for a book or to place an order.

Online shopping available: youravon.com/ arlenecaballero 503-720-5416

SERVICES 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

JESSE’S LAWN SERVICE & HANDYMAN Pruning, edging, trimming, blackberry cleaning, gutter cleaning, arborvitae, moss treatment, yard cleanup, haul-away.

503-871-7869

Under New Ownership!

$ Ends FEB. 28, 2022

5 O

F F O y a n nge

a h il C

46 years and our experience shows in quality and know how!

Stop in or call today for a quote! 503-873-4998 205 S. First St. Silverton

Shop Local and Save!

Family Owned and Operated Since 1974

Your Full Service Lumber & Hardware Store!

Hardware

· · · · ·

Nuts & Bolts Fasteners Pneumatic Fasteners Simpson Products Nails by the Pound

Exterior Landscape

· · ·

Blocks Pavers Retaining Wall Stones

· · ·

Pole Buildings Pole Building Kits are available to fit your needs!

Contact Greg for a Custom Quote!

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM

Concrete Products

ourtownlive.com

Sakrete Products Rebar Concrete Form Materials

Lumber Materials

·

Doug Fir #2 & Better 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 2x12

·

Pressure Treated

2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 2x12 4x6 6x6 & 6x8

February 2022 • 23

Kirsten Barnes Broker 873-3545 ext. 326

Meredith Wertz Broker, GRI 873-3545 ext. 324

Mike Ulven Broker 503-873-3545 ext. 312

Whitney Ulven Broker, GRI 503-873-3545 ext. 320

Ryan Wertz Broker, GRI 873-3545 ext. 322

WWW.SILVERTONREALTY.COM

Mason Branstetter Principal Broker, GRI 873-3545 ext. 303

Micha Christman Office Manager 873-1425

Chuck White Broker 873-3545 ext. 325

#T2708 HARD TO FIND $421,000

#T2707 BUYER MUST MOVE $40,000

#T2646 HWY 213 FRONTAGE $149,500

This mover is in great condition.

Large open kitchen dining and living rooms. Walk in pantry with wood shelving. Over-sized laundry room. Master with a soaker tub and shower. Walk in closets in other bedrooms. Ceiling fans and wood stove to keep the house comfortable. Craft/bonus/office room with outside access. Very solid home that is ready for its next property.

Call Becky at ext. 313 (WVMLS#786505)

Lot currently being used Conditional Commercial use, zoned Residential (RRFF-5). Great location for Hwy 213 frontage, lot located in downtown Marquam. Existing structure is 24 x 36ft with power and telephone. Call Meredith at ext.

324, Ryan at ext. 322 (WVMLS# 773635)

SILVERTON

SILVERTON

COUNTRY/ACREAGE

#T2686 2.43 ACRES IN CITY LIMITS 3 BR, 2.5 BA 2037 sqft 2.43 Acres Call Chuck at ext. 325 $599,900 (WVMLS#780380)

#T2705 TRI-LEVEL HOME 3 BR, 2.5 BA 2406 sqft 1.82 Acres Call Chuck at ext. 325 $629,900

SOLD! – #T2697 BACK TO NATURE 3 BR, 1 BA 1080 sqft 9.47 Acres Call Michael at ext.

314 $350,000 (WVMLS#783389)

#T2711 CUSTOM HOME 4 BR, 2.5 BA 3111 sqft Call Chuck at ext. 325 $749,900 (WVMLS#787289)

#T2704 WONDERFUL 1922 CLASSIC 2 BR, 1 BA 936 sqft Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $337,000 (WVMLS#785748)

Hard to find single story home located on quiet street close to schools and downtown. New A/C & Furnace installed in 2019 along w/new laminate flooring throughout main living area (some hardwoods). Fully fenced backyard and large concrete patio. Room for RV or boat on concrete pad. Dog door is removable. Call Whitney at ext 320 or Mike at ext 213. (WVMLS# 787036)

SOLD! – #T2702 HEART OF SILVERTON 4 BR, 3 BA 2660 sqft Call Kirsten at ext. 326 $499,900 (WVMLS#785475) SOLD! – #T2706 HAS IT ALL 4 BR, 2 BA 1930 sqft .75 Acres Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $579,800 (WVMLS#786199)

Becky Craig Principal Broker, GRI 873-3545 ext. 313

(WVMLS#786118)

#T2708 HARD TO FIND 3 BR, 2 BA 1414 sqft Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $421,000 (WVMLS#787036) NEW! – #T2712 WELL KEPT DOUBLE WIDE 2 BR, 1 BA 960 sqft Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $68,500 (WVMLS#787428)

NEW! – #T2710 2.14 ACRES 3 BR, 2 BA 1188 sqft 1.82 Acres Call Chuck at ext. 325 $399,900 (WVMLS#787367)

BARELAND/LOTS NEW! – #T2646 HWY 213 FRONTAGE .30 Acres Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext.

322 $149,500 (WVMLS#773635) #T2667 CRAZY PROJECT PROPERTY 5.13 Acres sqft Call Michael at ext. 314 $250,000 (WVMLS#783206)

Michael Schmidt Principal Broker GRI 873-3545 ext. 314

Sarah Graves Office Manager 873-3545 ext. 300

We have Buyers looking! Now is the perfect time to list your home.

Contact us today for a FREE home evaluation!

SCOTTS MILLS #T2707 MOVER 3+ BR, 2 BA 1782 sqft Call Becky at ext. 313 $40,000 (WVMLS#786505)

SALEM/KEIZER #T2690 AMAZING HOUSE ON CORNER LOT 4 BR, 2.5 BA 1805 sqft. Salem.

Call Becky at ext. 313 $405,000 (WVMLS#782028)

Rentals available in Silverton and Surrounding Areas. For Rental info call Micha at 503-873-1425 or check our website.

BROKERS ARE LICENSED IN OREGON

24 • February 2022

ourtownlive.com

Facebook.com/OurTown.SMASM