Our Town North: July 15, 2023

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On the Cover

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, second from right, participates in a roundtable on homelessness on June 22 at the Silverton City Council Chambers. She was joined by, counter-clockwise from Kotek’s right: Stacy Palmer, of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce; care coordinator Lacy Wellesley; Sheltering Silverton client Jordan Sims; Beth Wytoski of Kotek’s regional solutions staff, Silverton Councilor April Newton; and Sheltering Silverton program director, Megan Smith. Sheltering Silverton executive director, Sarah White joined via Zoom.

SILVERTON AREA SENIORS, INC.

Masks are optional, per personal choice.

JULY 2023 PROGRAMS HAWAIIAN LUAU

SATURDAY, JULY 22 from 4-7pm A Very Fun, Family-Friendly Fundraiser

Tickets: $25 for adults / $20 for Senior Center members

$12.50 for kids over 10 / FREE for kids under 10

Hawaiian attire encouraged!

Purchase tickets by July 14!

Community Breakfast

Saturday, July 1 from 8-11am. Featuring chocolate chip (especially for the kids) and regular pancakes, eggs & sausage too!

Single Seniors Only

Lunch Out to Water Mountain Restaurant

Monday, July 17 at 12pm

July 4th – Senior Center is closed.

Exercise, Dance, Movement

Yoga with Kathleen Tues / Thur 9:30am. Free with donations gladly accepted. Simple Qigong Set to Music: 9:45am, Tues / Thur, $8 (first class free).

Low Impact Aerobics: 9:30am Mon / Wed / Fri Free for members / $5 for nonmembers (donations gladly accepted).

Weekly Drop In Activities

Coffee & Conversation: Mondays 11am

Bridge: Mondays 10am / Fridays 1pm

Poker: Mondays 12:00pm / Fridays 9:30am

Pinochle: Tuesdays / Fridays 12pm

Ukulele Song Circle: Fri 1pm

Dominoes: Fridays 1pm

Free unless noted

Knit Wits: Wednesdays 10am

Open Art Studio: Wednesdays 1pm

Bingo: Thursdays at SCC at 2pm / at Methodist Church with Mainstay Group on July 27 $1 / 2 cards, $2 / 3 cards

Lunch in Congregate Dining Room: Fridays, 11:30am

Once a Month

Dine Out Club: The Den (food trucks on Water St.). Thursday, July 6 at 6pm. All seniors invited! Order off menu, pay independently Call 503-873-3093 by 5 pm to carpool.

Monthly Member Birthday Party: Friday, July 7 at 10am

Ancestry Detective Meeting: Tuesday, July 11 at 10am • Sewing Guild: Tuesday, July 11 at 1pm

SASI Board Meeting: Tuesday, July 11 at 5pm. RSVP 503-873-3093. Public welcome. Work Session with the Board Tuesday, July 25 at 5pm. Public welcome.

Services & Advice

Silver Angels Foot Care Wednesdays by appt. only • Clubb Massage Wednesdays by appt. only

ASL American Sign Language Class: Thursdays, July 6 & 20 at 4:30pm. $10

Kaiser Permanente Rep. Mike Riedel Wednesdsay, July 12 at 2pm

Guardianships & Conservatorships with Jennifer Smith, Attorney with Sherman, Sherman, Johnnie & Hoyt, Monday, July 17 at 5:30pm

Veterans Service Office Rep Thursday, July 20 at 9:00am

AARP Driver’s Safety July 26 - 27 at 3pm RSVP required, call 503-873-3093 (2 days)

silvertonseniorcenter.org

By James Day

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek visited Silverton on June 22, making two stops. One was to discuss homelessness and housing issues; the other to engage with agricultural and natural resource officials in a luncheon at The Oregon Garden.

Our Town attended the homeless session. Media were not allowed at The Oregon Garden session.

Kotek, 57, a first-term Democrat from Portland, arrived about 2:30 p.m. at the Sheltering Silverton shelter complex at the city’s Public Works compound. The modular building and four pallet shelters eventually will be able to accommodate up to 20 people, using $564,000 in state money that is part of Kotek’s $130 million emergency appropriation for housing and homelessness from earlier this year. Megan Smith, program director for Sheltering Silverton, gave Kotek a tour of a pallet shelter and the modular. Construction and remodeling work on the modular is scheduled to begin in the next few days.

Smith said the group hopes to finish by the end of the summer.

Key work to be done includes plumbing, adding a kitchen and a bathroom, electrical work and fire sprinklers as well as Americans With Disabilities Act compliance modifications.

Sheltering Silverton officials said they will spend $300,000 on the modular, with the remainder of the state funds paying for the hiring of case managers and expanding service hours.

The tour then shifted to City Council chambers for a 3 p.m. roundtable on rural homelessness that included Sheltering Silverton officials along with one of their clients, Stacy Palmer of the Silverton Chamber of Commerce, Silverton Councilor April Newton, Kotek and Beth Wytoski of the govenor’s regional solutions staff.

Sheltering Silverton programming director Megan Smith, wearing a “House the People” T-shirt, moderated the 45-minute session.

“Congratulations on your journey, we’re glad you are here,” Kotek said of Silverton’s efforts to date. She noted that the city is six or seven years ahead of some communities.

Sheltering Silverton officials praised the partnerships that have allowed efforts

here to make progress, mentioning the Silverton Police Department, the Legacy Silverton Medical Center, the Silver Falls School District and the faith community. Sheltering Silverton uses school district boundaries to determine its service area, which includes 42,000 residents.

Newton, who chairs the city’s task force on housing and the homeless, said getting a chance to work on the issue was one of the reasons she ran for office last November.

“The big picture is overwhelming,” she said, “but I can make a difference in this community. Affordable housing is a huge issue and it’s one of the council’s major goals. It’s not something in which we can wait for someone else to be doing something.”

Jordan Sims, a Sheltering Silverton client, spoke emotionally about his struggles with homelessness.

“It hurts when people shut you out because you are different,” he said while holding hands with care coordinator Lacy Wellesley. “Violence is not the way to go. People need

Governor Tina Kotek inspects the interior of one of Sheltering Silverton’s new “pallet shelters”. JAMES DAY

to understand and not be so judgmental. This is my home.”

Roundtable participants agreed that the presence of the hospital was a huge asset for Silverton because local homeless people do not have to travel to Salem for medical care.

Kotek also praised the presence of Palmer representing the chamber at the meeting, noting “that’s not the norm.”

Palmer said that the local successes “are because of the work Sheltering Silverton has done. It’s not a quick fix. To have happy businesses and residents you have to invest.”

Palmer expressed caution about the future, noting concerns “about the sustainability of the program.”

It was a piece of the puzzle shared by Kotek.  “Until we get more housing we have to continue to do things to meet our goals,” she said, adding that continued funding is essential.

“Marion and Polk have been doing a good job. Our emergency order required people to

act. Everybody has to be part of the solution and not everybody is happy about that.”

Kotek’s Marion County swing, the 16th edition of her Oregon Listening Tour, also included a breakfast visit in Aumsville with city officials battling with the high cost of a required replacement of its water treatment plant and a visit to Detroit to talk with those affected by the Labor Day 2020 fires about the challenges of recovery and rebuilding.

Her day ended with a general media briefing in Woodburn.

Media were not invited to attend the Aumsville and Detroit stops and the general public was excluded from all six events.

A Kotek spokesperson said a key goal of the approach was to “make sure the conversations took place in an environment in which the people would feel comfortable.”

The safety of the governor also was a key concern, the spokesperson said.

State funds boost shelter project

By James Day

Sheltering Silverton has received a $564,683 grant from the state to assist in the agency’s emergency shelter operations in Silverton.The funds were part of a $10.4 million pool of state money awarded to Marion and Polk counties and distributed by the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance.

Sheltering Silverton will use the bulk of the new funding, $300,000, to renovate its modular warming shelter at the city’s Public Works compound. Key work to be done on the building will involve plumbing, the kitchen, the bathroom, electrical, fire sprinklers and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance.

“The remaining funds will allow us to expand our staff and our service hours,” said Sarah White, executive director of Sheltering Silverton. “Our shelter is now open every night of the year and our day services are expanded from 9 hours a week to 40 hours per week.”

The shelter complex at Public Works also includes 4 pallet shelters donated to the agency by the city that will accommodate up to 8 individuals.

The pallet shelter program is designed for those seeking to transition to permanent housing. The warming shelter is set to house folks for only a night or two. Originally, Sheltering Silverton planned to renovate the modular building with $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, but when bids solicited by Silverton Public Works came in well above that figure, the city and Sheltering Silverton agreed to go in a different direction, with the city retaining the $250,000 for work on the Public Works compound.

Sheltering Silverton hopes to have all permanent beds open and available nightly by sometime this summer.

Bond to the ballot

By Stephen Floyd

The Silver Falls School District (SFSD)

Board has approved a $138 million bond measure for the Nov. 7 ballot, concluding months of planning and ushering in months of rigorous outreach.

The board’s June 20 decision was unanimous and followed a recommendation from the district’s Bond Advisory Committee.

If the bond passes, revenue would address deferred maintenance and upgrades to critical systems at all schools in the district, including the rebuilding of Silverton Middle School.

Board members said they were grateful to have crossed this threshold on an issue that has been front-and-center during their recent service.

“We’ve all been really supportive of a bond effort for the last two years and it just feels right that it’s our job to [approve the measure], so I’m really glad to move forward with this,” said Board Chair

Jennifer Traeger.

The bond measure now goes to voters. The district expects to spend the next five months engaged in vigorous outreach to explain the bond’s scope and goals to the public.

During the board’s June 12 meeting, polling consultants said the bond stood a slim chance of passing amid hesitations about transparency and fiscal impact.

Consultants said voters who were given more details of the bond were more likely to vote in favor, and advised the district to engage in meaningful community outreach through election day.

Following the board’s approval of placing the bond on the ballot, the district applied for a $4 million grant that will only be awarded if the bond passes.

The grant would be through the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program, which is meant to incentivise support for facilities bonds.

share your announcements with us

By Stephen Floyd

The Silver Falls School District has dropped an appeal against a finding that it negotiated in bad faith with non-teacher employees over PERS benefits in 2020.

The district was found in violation of labor laws Aug. 4, 2022, by the Oregon Employment Relations Board for negotiations in late 2020 with the Oregon School Employees Association.

Parties were negotiating over increased compensation for employees who lost some retirement benefits after revisions to Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System. OSEA submitted multiple proposals between September and November of 2020. The district did not counter until that December.

OSEA filed a complaint with ERB March 8, 2021, accusing the district of trying to run out a 90-day negotiation clock. The district said it was not stalling but would only accept proposals that were revenue-neutral.

Emails showed district administrators hoped

to delay PERS negotiations until April of 2021 because of financial instability created by COVID-19 and the 2020 wildfires. ERB ruled in 2022 these uncertainties did not overcome the district’s obligation to negotiate in good faith. It ordered the district to cease and desist further bad faith negotiations.

In a dissenting opinion ERB Board Member Lisa Umscheid said the “historic crises” of the pandemic and the fires gave broader context. She said it was more likely administrators were distracted or overworked by these unprecedented challenges.

The district appealed ERB’s findings Sept. 15, 2022, to the Oregon Court of Appeals. Opening briefs were due June 13, but the district withdrew its petition on June 9. District spokesperson Derek McElfresh said SFSD had chosen to accept the board’s ruling and had no further comment.

OSEA’s current contract is set to expire this year and negotiations for a 2023-2026 contract began May 18. Videos of the full bargaining sessions are available on the district’s YouTube page.

Buy • Sell • Auction • Rentals

Jackson is a member of the Realtors Land Institute. He is in pursuit of being a certified land consultant. He has specialty knowledge in rural acreage, farm & ranch, timber and recreational properties. Jackson.Sherwood@gmail.com

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$1,499,900 Custom built home w/ Sunset & Sunrise views from decks~3bd/3.5 ba~ 3558 S ~ 2 AC~ Single level home w/bonus room above the garage~ Oversized 3 car garage~ RV hookup w/ electrical & sewer clean out~ Seller can provide shop plans~ SIlverton~ Robin Kuhn 503-930-1896 MLS#801214

$699,900 3bd/ 2.5ba~ 2770 SF~ 2 story home w/office on main~ Two sided fireplace between living room & dining room~ Open staircase feature in entry way~ Covered back patio~ 2 car garage w/additional small shop on said of home~Silverton~ Valerie Boen 503-871-1667 MLS#806471

$679,900 4bd/2. 5ba~2043 SF~ 4.78 AC~ Private & quiet acreage in high demand Victor Point area~ Bonus room downstairs~ 4 stall barn~ Fenced & cross fenced~ Mostly level acerage~ Sublimity~ Robin Kuhn 503-930-1896 MLS#801384

$432,000 Under Contract within 5 days on the market!! 3bd/ 1.5ba~1575 SF~ .23

AC ~Classic Charm w/modern updates through out~Wrap around porch~ Room for Small RV~Carport~ Two storage sheds~ Chicken coop~ Mt Angel~ Donna Paradis 503-851-0998 MLS#805931

$297,900 New Listing! 2.01 AC Buildable lot~ Views of Mt Jefferson~ Fenced & septic approved~ Salem~ Jackson Sherwood 971-343-2475 MLS#806358

$269,900 5bd/2ba~ 1512 SF 1998 Palm Harbor Manufactured home on owned land~ No space fee~In quiet cul-de-sac ~ Good commuter area w/ I-5 within a few miles~ Spacious floor plan~ Covered carport holding 2 cars w/street parking available~ Keizer~ Donna Paradis 503-851-0998 MLS#801833

$199,900 Under Contract Buildable single family lot in small desirable subdivision~ Don’t miss your opportunity to build in this great neighborhood~ There are only 9 lots within this cul-de-sac turnaround~ Only two lots left to be built! Silverton~ Valerie Boen 503-871-167 MLS#805298

For Rent in Silverton! $2,350/month 3bd/1 full bath & 2 half bath~ 1521 SF w/full unfinished basement~ Detached 2 car oversized garage~Wood fireplace~ Move in costs inc. first & last months rent w/$3000 sec dep. Donna Rash 503-871-0490

For Rent in Silverton!

$2,700/month 3bd/2.5ba~ 1475 SF ~ 2-story home Use of community park by lake~ No smoking~ No pets~ Move in requires first & last months rent & sec dep of $2700~ Silverton Donna Rash 503-871-0490

Destination downtown Workshop looks at Silverton with new eyes

By Melissa Wagoner

For the past year and a half the Silverton Chamber of Commerce has been working hand in hand with the North Marion Tourism Collaborative (NMTC) – an organization developed to help cities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic – to boost tourism through a regional website (www.exploremc.com), and a mobile kiosk that can be reserved for events.

The chamber has also secured multiple grants, one of which allowed for the implementation of a “Destination Downtown” event on May 24, during which government officials and community members gathered to assess –with the help of NMTC and representatives from Travel Oregon – the current state of Silverton’s downtown and how it might be improved.

Beginning by describing the tenets of a thriving downtown – including walkability, safety, beautification, food, wayfinding, entertainment, diversity of commerce and the ability to leverage nearby attractions – moderators challenged attendees to list improvements that could be made in each of those areas.

“The downtown core has converted to restaurants and real estate offices,” community member Sarah Weitzman said.

“And if there’s an event, like at The Oregon Garden, there’s nothing to get [tourists] into downtown,” Lynn Williams, a representative from the Silverton Tourism Committee, added.

Ideas flowed throughout the day including, among others, a lack of culturally inclusive murals, the need for more cohesive signage and a desire for more farm-torestaurant product connections.

Then, with a list of possible short-term projects completed, each attendee was given the chance to vote on six they would like to see brought to completion. Those proposals included the addition of trolley services, the need for both sidewalk and crosswalk enhancements, the desire for more First Friday pop-ups, the institution of a permanent First Friday, an overall increase in city-wide pet friendliness and the closure of Main Street for more events.

Considerations finalized, each project was given its own 100-day Challenge Action Planning worksheet on which the venture could be planned out according to concept, location, key considerations, initial actions, possible leadership and proposed milestones.

“The North Marion Tourism Collaborative will be reviewing the resources and notes from the workshop to determine as a collective which projects have the

momentum, capacity and leadership to move forward and seek funding,” Travel Oregon representative Alexa Carey said of the next steps. “For capacity, there is currently an AmeriCorps RARE placement… there will likely be grant development in addition to requests for local municipal and county investments toward implementation. At the same time, the NMTC and Destination Ready leads will be reviewing and refining the draft report compiled… which details recommended next steps in project design and implementation. That report will be finalized by July 5.”

But, even with the assistance of these resources and help from the NMTC, final implementation of the six proposed projects is ultimately reliant upon the City of Silverton itself, which is why the involvement of community members is a key component of “Destination Downtown.”

“From the view of the Collaborative, the workshops provided the opportunity for the communities involved to see their downtowns through the eyes of visitors and local residents,” NMTC representative Maricela Guerrero explained. Adding, “I have to say, I found it very interesting, and I will not look at a downtown crosswalk, sidewalks, or signage the same again.”

New fiscal year Mount

By Stephen Floyd

The City of Mount Angel is focusing on infrastructure improvements, public safety and building community in a $17.2 million budget passed for the new fiscal year.

On June 5, the City Council unanimously approved the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 based on a recommendation from the city’s Budget Committee.

Included were $5.2 million in anticipated expenses for the general fund, $7.5 million for water and sewer, and $4.5 for remaining funds such as stormwater, streets, parks and the library.

City Manager/Police Chief Mark Daniel said in a budget summary that the city’s resources may be limited but the budget supports their goals of building an attractive and robust community.

“Our mission is to provide a safe, clean living environment, bestowing hospitality and supporting a high quality of life for residents, guests, and visitors traveling in and around Mount

Angel passes ’23-’24 budget

Angel,” said Daniel. “The mission is achieved by strategically planning for the future, providing efficient and fiscally sound services, and being responsive to citizens and customers.”

The 2023-2024 budget represented few significant changes over the previous fiscal year. The city did add a new staff member to the library to help with an increase in program participation.

The new budget included a 5.5% raise for city employees, including a 4% cost of living adjustment and 1.5% market adjustment. Employee recruitment and retention was listed as a high priority in the budget.

Also included were pandemic relief funds carried over from last year when the city received $1.75 million in grants through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Much of the funds have been allocated for projects like radioread water meters, new vehicles and firearms for the police department, and a new carpet for the library. In the new fiscal year, the city hopes to begin or complete remaining ARPA-funded projects such as a sewer line

Mount Angel income survey focused on obtaining grant

Some residents in Mount Angel may have recently received a survey in the mail or a knock on the door asking for household income information.

It’s no scam. The City of Mount Angel is hoping to apply for a federal grant to rebuild Railroad Avenue. In order to qualify, the affected neighborhood must meet certain income requirements.

Around 60 households along Railroad Avenue and Marion Court received letters in mid-to-late June asking about the total families in each house and the total income for

expansion along West Marquam Street. On June 5, the council approved a $1.1 million bid for the project by The Saunders Company, with construction expected to begin this year.

The budget also included a projected increase in revenue through property taxes and interest rates.

Marion County has projected a 7% increase in total assessed value for properties within the city, partly because of the Wachter Meadows subdivision along Cypress Street. This is expected to lead to around $70,000 in additional revenue for the city this fiscal year.

There has also been a significant increase in interest rates over the previous fiscal year, leading to additional income from city investments. Interest rates dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 the city received around $20,000 in interest, or half the normal amount. Rates have since risen dramatically as the Federal Reserve attempts to combat inflation. So far in 2023 the city has received around $40,000 in interest.

each family. Later in the month the city began in-person followup for the households who had yet to reply.

City Manager Mark Daniel said they’re being thorough because a large amount of funding is at stake. The grant is through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“We’re going through all this to make sure we have access to significant grant funds,” Daniel told the Mount Angel City Council June 5.

The council is expected to hear a

report about the survey during its July 3 meeting.

If the income survey shows the city would qualify for the grant, they would then move forward with an environmental review for the project. If all hurdles are cleared, they plan to apply for the grant by December.

To keep the process on track, the city hopes to complete the income survey by mid-July with plans to proactively engage respondents to make sure this deadline is met.

– Stephen Floyd

Submissions welcomed: Our Town appreciates the opportuity to share life’s Passages with our readers. 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.

Local fire agencies benefit from state grants

By James Day

Virtually every local fire agency is heading into fire season with a bit of extra muscle, courtesy of a pair of state grants.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has awarded $6 million in grants to 185 agencies throughout the state to spend up to $35,000 to add staffers for wildfire season. This is the second year of the grant program, which is paid for by funds from Senate Bill 762, the 2021 legislation that was designed to serve as a comprehensive wildfire preparedness and resiliency bill amid the fires that have plagued the state, including the Labor Day 2020 blazes that affected huge swathes of the Santiam Canyon. The program led to 400 hires a year ago.

Earning grants were the Mt. Angel Fire District, the Silverton Fire District, the Monitor Rural Fire Protection District, the Gates Rural Fire Protection District, the Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire Protection District, the Lyons Rural Fire Protection District, the the Scio Rural Fire Protection District, the Stayton Fire District and the Sublimity Fire District.

“This grant is a beacon of hope for fire districts like ours, burdened by limited funding,” Mt. Angel Fire

Chief Jim Trierweiler said.

“It provides a lifeline, empowering us to overcome financial constraints and a shortage of volunteers. With this invaluable support, we can expand our team with skilled individuals, fortifying our mission to serve and protect our community this fire season.”

A second grant program allocated $13.5 million to state fire agencies to help them increase capacity by hiring full-time firefighters and prevention staff. A total of 33 agencies received grants, allowing them to add 53 employees. The grant program focuses on small- to medium-sized agencies.

Silverton Fire District was the lone local agency to receive a grant. Ed Grambusch, assistant fire chief, said the district applied for three slots but was happy to receive the one employee grant. The program includes  a matching protocol that gradually shifts funding for the firefighter from the grant to the agency.

For example, in year one Silverton will pay 10% of the salary, followed by 25% in year two and 50% in year 3. In year 4 and beyond the district is responsible for all salary and benefits.

to invest in causes

Defensible space workshop July 22

A defensible space and wildfire resiliency workshop featuring experts from around the state is set for July 22 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton.

The 9 a.m. to noon event is free but reservations are required. Space is limited to 50. See https://tinyurl. com/e5uynwuk to register.

The workshop offers the essential skills and knowledge needed to protect your home and family from the risk of wildfire. Topics to be covered include risk evaluation, home hardening, creating defensible space, preparing for evacuation and information on fire-resistant plants.

The session features speakers including:

• Kayla Bordelon, regional fire specialist for Oregon State University Extension;

• Stephanie Stafford, fire risk reduction specialist with the Oregon State Fire Marshal;

• Professionals with the Silverton Fire District; and Brooke Edmunds, community horticulturist with OSU Extension for Marion, Polk, Linn and Benton counties.

Event partners include The Oregon Garden, Sustainable Silverton and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The workshop takes place at the Garden’s fire safety house in the lower portion of The Oregon Garden, a short walk from the J. Frank Schmidt Pavilion.

Enhanced penalties Prosecutors, jury raise stakes in terms of time, money

Past acts enhance manslaughter case charges

Prosecutors are seeking a stiff sentence for a Silverton man accused of vehicular homicide, claiming prior criminal sentences have had little impact on his behavior.

Gustavo Sosa, 27, faces at least ten years in prison if convicted. He has been charged with first-degree manslaughter for a May 23 collision in Salem that killed Victor Andre Cortez-Andrade, 16, of Keizer.

On June 9, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed a notice of intent to seek an enhanced sentence, citing Sosa’s persistent criminal behavior despite past convictions. They also argued Sosa has shown no remorse for the death of Cortez-Andrade. His previous convictions include strangulation, menacing and unlawful use of a weapon in 2020 and DUII in 2022.

Because Sosa allegedly poses a public safety risk, he has been ordered held without bail in the Marion County Jail.

Local theft suspect held in Linn County

A Silverton man with multiple pending theft charges is being held without bail in Linn County after being arrested on new allegations.

Emmett James Jackson, 28, was booked into jail following his arrest June 7 after he allegedly stole two vehicles and took the mail of three victims before fleeing from police.

He is charged in Linn County Circuit Court with attempt to elude, two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and three counts of mail theft, all punishable by up to five years in prison. At the time of his arrest, Jackson was wanted in Deschutes County after pleading guilty to similar charges in January and failing to appear for sentencing. He is also wanted in Marion County for pending charges of vehicle theft, mail theft and ID theft stemming from multiple incidents between May 2021 and February 2023.

Separate local rape cases filed

Two men have been charged with local sexual assaults in separate cases in Marion County Circuit Court.

Jovany Sandoval, 29, of Mount Angel, was charged May 22 with first-degree rape for an incident April 2 when he allegedly forced himself on a victim who was incapacitated. He faces at least 100 months in prison and has been released in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Omar Jimmy Perez-Garcia, 26, of Salem, was charged June 15 with first-degree rape for an incident May 19 in Silverton when he allegedly forced himself on a victim who refused to have sex. He faces at least 100 months in prison and was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

When arrested, Perez-Garcia was on probation for DUII. Prosecutors are seeking an enhanced sentence because of this.

Jury finds utility company negligent

A jury has awarded $87 million to named plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp over the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, including those in the Santiam Canyon. A series of shorter trials will determine damages to 5,000 additional class members. The jury in James et al vs. PacifiCorp found the company liable for five out of six claims June 12 in Multnomah County Circuit Court after a seven-week trial. The company was accused of negligently causing wildfires throughout Oregon on Labor Day 2020. In addition to the Santiam, there were the Obenchain, 242 and Echo Mountain Complex fires. Plaintiffs successfully argued PacifiCorp failed to manage trees in contact with power lines and refused to de-energize equipment during high heat and high wind conditions.

The jury awarded 17 named plaintiffs roughly $4.4 million in economic damages and $64.5 in non-economic damages. Then on June 14, the company was found liable for punitive damages. The jury awarded an additional $17 million, or one quarter of compensatory damages.

PacifiCorp continues to assert its actions before and during the fires were appropriate and in the best interests of ratepayers. The company said in a June 12 release it plans to appeal the verdict and is “confident we will prevail.”

By Melissa Wagoner

As internet and social media use has continued to increase over the past 26 years, so too have the reported instances of cyberbullying – a type of intimidation or harassment that takes place via an electronic platform. The question is, why?

“Basically, for the same reasons social media is so prevalent,” psychiatrist Audry Van Houweling, owner of She Soars Psychiatry in Silverton, ventured, “We crave belonging and in our quest for belonging, we compare and too often, criticize. Social media in particular preys on our deep desire to belong and delivers powerful algorithms speaking to our insecurities, world views, likes, and dislikes.”

Which is why cyberbullying can be so harmful.

“The psychological impacts can be immense especially when so much is absorbed in isolation,” Van Houweling said, listing depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, suicidal ideation, self-

harm, powerlessness and decreased self-esteem as the potential mental health effects many victims suffer in silence because “there is often shame and difficulty knowing how to speak up and advocate for one’s self – especially on online platforms since doing so could incite more ridicule.”

So, what then – if anything – can be done to prevent such an omnipresent and potentially harmful problem?

“This is a big ask,” Van Houweling admitted. “Cyberbullying is, unfortunately, all too common and even with the best of parental controls and boundaries, it can still happen.”

Instead of relying on third-party protection, Van Houweling suggests having direct conversations with children about digital boundaries, creating a safe space for them to share and talk about their emotions, and verbally acknowledging how isolating negative internet-based interactions can be.

Even if a child is not exhibiting any

outward symptoms of cyberbullying –such as a sudden change in the use of social media accounts, anxiety, withdrawal, truancy, moodiness or dipping grades – they may still be dealing with its effects.

“Cyberbullying can happen anonymously, around the clock, and can avoid detection from bystanders or eyewitnesses…”

Van Houweling confirmed. “Escape or avoidance is also much more possible with face-face scenarios versus the potential permanence of cyberbullying. Finding places of safety when cyberbullying can invade the home or other places of respite via a cell phone or computer can be challenging. Cyberbullying also has much greater reach – this can create a dangerous virtual mob mentality or the worst kind of crowdsourcing.”

Which is why it is important to take cyberbullying seriously and to seek help when appropriate.

“If there are any direct threats to somebody’s physical safety, pornographic material, sharing of photos or video in places where privacy is expected, stalking, or hate crimes, this should be reported directly to law enforcement,” Van Houweling said.

And, if the involved parties are students, such acts should also be reported to the school district as well.

“We take these acts seriously and work to investigate or find resolution when

we know of an issue,” Todd Miller, Superintendent of the Santiam Canyon School District (SCSD), said.

But Miller admits that doing so can be tricky, largely because cyberbullying can involve a varying timeline, multiple locations and evaporating evidence.

“There can be a whole continuum of cyberbullying and circumstances that make each incident different, meaning that response and/or consequences can look different,” Miller said.

He recommends that parents keep a close eye on their child’s social media platforms and usage and let the school know immediately if there are any red flags.

“The sooner school staff know what is going on, the better our investigation and response can be to an incident,” he pointed out.

He also recommends that parents demonstrate good online behavior themselves.

“Online and social media has become a platform for some people to impersonally make very hurtful personal comments of others,” he began.

“The issue is real for kids, but it is also larger than our kids. We need to continue to support students to make better decisions online, but adults also need to model better behavior as well.”

Helping Hands

Planting seeds Jan Holowati retires after ‘rehoming’ community events

By Melissa Wagoner

Unbeknownst to many, when Silverton Together closed its doors on June 30, 2022, the face of the organization, Program Coordinator Jan Holowati, stayed right where she was.

“We had all these programs and I said, I just can’t let this go away,” Holowati said of the duty she felt to find entities willing to take over the planning of the numerous annual community events Silverton Together had organized for nearly 30 years.

And so, in the final editions of the Community Calendar, Holowati posted a request for interested parties to please step forward.

“And Anthony Hoke did,” Holowati recalled, referring to the founder of the Elizabeth Ashley Hoke Memorial Trust – a community-focused nonprofit with goals similar to those of Silverton Together. “He decided what would

work for them is the Apple Tree School Supply Drive, the Coat Drive and the Christmas Festival.”

But they needed someone to show them

the ropes – they needed Holowati to stay.

“When we closed [last] June I was already into the Apple Tree School Supply Drive,” Holowati said of the timing, which allowed her to oversee, first the supply drive, then the Coats for Kids Drive and finally the Silverton Community Christmas Fest – all from the comfort of her former desk.

“I worked it out so I could keep my office and my telephone number,” Holowati said. “So it wasn’t confusing.”

The time extension also allowed her to find final placements for the rest of Silverton Together’s programs.

“I’m just thrilled that the events and our programs are going forward,” she said.

“The Community Picnic in August – the Senior Center had been working with us – so that was easy. And Free Fish Day we did with the Lions… so I am training them. And we got SACA to take on the

parenting program.”

In other words, it was finally time to retire.

“Yes, I’m officially retired,” she said when Our Town visited her in her cozy Silverton home.

But that doesn’t mean she’s no longer involved.

A volunteer for both the Silverton Zenith Women’s Club and the Senior Center, Holowati is also continuing to share community events whenever they appear in her inbox because, after 17 years spent working for Silverton Together, distributing them is second nature.

“If it needs to be done and there’s no one else to do it, I’ll step up and do it,” Holowati laughed.

Or, to quote an old saying, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Or, in Holowati’s case, ever need to fully retire.

Transf o rming hom es t hro ughout the PNW into dr y and h ea lth y s paces s i nc e 1974! Home s ci en ce has pr oven t ha t o v er 40% of t he air in y our living spaces com es f o r a c rawlspace o r ba sem ent. We are ded ic ated t o m akin g your ho m e h ealthy, from t he fo und ation up by u sin g t he best in the i nd us t ry p roduc t s, installed by ou r f ul ly tr ained an d hig hl y skilled pr of ess io na ls.

Jan Holowati. MELISSA WAGONER

Frequent Addresses

Mt. Angel Public Library, 290 E Charles St. Silver Creek Fellowship, 822 NE Industrial Way, Silverton Silver Falls Library, 410 S Water St. Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge St. Silverton Community Center/Council Chambers, 421 S Water St.

Weekly Events

Monday Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. Seniors 50 and older. Daily, weekly, monthly events. 503-873-3093, silvertonseniorcenter.org

Morning Yoga, 10 a.m., Confluence Arts Center, 20159 Hazelnut Ridge Road, Scotts Mills. All levels welcome. Drop-ins $20; or pay what you can. Register at confluenceartscenter.org/events.

SACA Food Pantry, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., SACA, 421 S Water St., Silverton. Repeats 4 - 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - noon Thursdays. 503-873-3446, silvertonareacommunityaid.org

Mt. Angel Community & Senior Center

Store, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., 195 E Charles St.

Repeats Tuesday - Saturday. 503-845-6998

Silverton Meals on Wheels, 11:30 a.m., Silverton Senior Center. Congregate and drive-up dining. $3 donation suggested.

Mon. - Fri. RSVP to Carol, 503-873-6906.

Silverton Recovery AA, noon - 1 p.m., 302 N Water St. Seven days a week.

Free Monday Dinner, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Oak Street Church, 502 Oak St., Silverton. Indoor, sit-down dinner. To-go meals also available. All welcome. Free. 503-873-5446

Boy Scouts Troop 485, 7 - 8:30 p.m., St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 211 W Center St., Silverton. Scoutmaster Dave Tacker, 760-644-3147, dave.tacker@gmail.com

Silverton Elks Bingo Night, 6:30 p.m., Macleay Country Inn, 8362 SE Macleay Road, Salem.

Tuesday

Scotts Mills Food Boxes, 9 - 11 a.m., Scotts Mills Community Center, 298 Fourth St. Food donations welcome. Niki Barber, 503-873-5059

Community Helpers Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Age 2 - 5. Bi-lingual storytime July 25. 503-845-6401

Mt. Angel Senior Meals, 10:30 - 11 a.m. Delivery only. $3 donation suggested. Repeats Thursdays. Ginger, 503-845-9464. Indoor Playtime, 11 a.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Age 2 - 5. 503-845-6401

Stories & STEAM, 3:30 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Listen to a story about the theme of the week, join in a project. Snacks. Ages 5-12. Free. 503-845-6401

SACA Food Pantry, 4 - 7 p.m., SACA, 421 S Water St., Silverton. 503-873-3446, silvertonareacommunityaid.org

Serenity Al-Anon Meeting, 5:30 p.m. Zoom. Repeats 10 a.m. Saturdays. For Zoom link, call Barbara K, 503-269-0952.

Cub Scout Pack 485, 6:30 p.m., St. Edward’s Catholic Church, 211 W Center St., Silverton. Boys and girls in kindergarten - 5th grade. Deb Hilterbrand, 971-337-5925

Growing Awareness, Nurturing Compassion, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Zoom. Secular presentation promoting mindfulness. No experience needed. Invitation for virtual gathering: compassionatepresence@yahoo. com. 971-218-6641

Wednesday

Silverton Business Group, 8 a.m., Silver Falls Brewery, 207 Jersey St., Silverton. Networking meeting of the Silverton business community hosted by Silverton Chamber of Commerce. Everyone welcome. silvertonchamber.org

Quilters Group, 9 a.m. - noon, Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 N Second Ave., Silverton. trinitysilverton@gmail.com

APPY Hour, noon - 1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Drop in for technical assistance for electronic devices. Free. 503-845-6401

Mission Benedict Food Pantry, 1 - 4 p.m., St. Joseph Shelter, 925 S Main St., Mt. Angel. Repeats Friday. 503-845-2468

Silver Chips Woodcarving Sessions, 1 - 3 p.m., Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge St., Silverton. All skill levels. 503-873-4512

Mission of Hope Food Pantry, 2 - 4 p.m., Silver Creek Fellowship. 503-873-7353

Thursday

Community Coffee, 7 - 9 a.m., Scotts Mills Community Center, 298 Fourth St. Free. Yoga, 9 a.m., Silver Creek Fellowship. Open to all. Sheila, 503-409-4498

Open Art Studio, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge. 503-873-2480

TOPS (Take Pounds Off Sensibly), 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 203 W Main St., Silverton. Weight loss with continued support, encouragement. Monthly dues $4. All welcome. David, 503-501-9824

Yoga & Sound Healing, 6 - 7:15 p.m., Confluence Arts Center, 20159 Hazelnut Ridge Road, Scotts Mills. All levels welcome. Drop-ins $25; or pay what you can. Register at confluenceartscenter.org/events

Peace Education Program, 6:30 p.m. Little Leaf Café, 111 N. Water St., Silverton. Nonspiritual, non-political. Free. 503-873-8215

Friday

Toastmaster Club, 7:30 a.m., Zoom. Increase your listening skills, speaking, thinking and evaluating. Contact tmcommunicators@ gmail.com for Zoom link.

Silvertones Community Singers, 10:30 a.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 203 Main St. All welcome Tomi, 503-873-2033

Saturday

Open Art Studio, 9 a.m., Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge St. 503-873-2480

Silverton Farmers Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 203 W Main St. 503-873-5615

Oregon Crafters Market, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., 215 N Water St., Silverton. Local crafters & artists, live music, food & spirits. Repeats

noon - 5 p.m. First Friday session 6 - 9 p.m. only. oregoncraftersmarket.com

Saturday Free Lunch, noon - 1:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 N Second St., Silverton. Open to all. 503-939-3459 Silverton Country History Museum, 1 - 4 p.m., 428 S Water St. Free. Repeats Sundays. 503-873-7070

Peaceful Heart Meditation, 2 - 3 p.m., Silverton Community Center. Yoga breathing, kirtan and yoga philosophy. No experience required. Everyone welcome. Free. peacefulheartkirtan@gmail.com

Saturday, July 1

Free Community Breakfast

8 - 11 a.m., Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. Chocolate chip and plain pancakes. All welcome. 503-873-3093

Sunday, July 2

Full Moon Yoga

4 - 6 p.m., Confluence Arts Center, 20159 Hazelnut Road, Scotts Mills. Come for gentle yoga; stay for Moon Cycle Sound Ceremonies. Pay what you can. Register at confluenceartscenter.org/events.

Monday, July 3

Fireworks in the Garden

4 - 11:30 p.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Live music, children’s entertainment, food, beer, wine, fireworks. Garden members and children 12 and under are free. $5/ages 13 and older. Tickets at gate or oregongarden.org.

Music Mondays

6:30 - 8 p.m., Old Mill Park, 412 S Water St., Silverton. Free, family-friendly concerts. Today: Jon Deshler’s Tune Tours Trio with special guest Marilyn T Keller. July 10: Inner Limits. July 17: Tashinga MarimbaAncient Ways Community Ensemble. July 24: Next of Kin. July 31: Marion County Citizens Band. Sarah, 503-201-4337

Mt. Angel City Council

7 p.m., Mount Angel Public Library. Open to public. 503-845-9291, ci.mt-angel.or.us

Tuesday, July 4

Independence Day

St. James Chicken Dinner

9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. James Church, 301 Frances St., Molalla. 65th annual chicken dinner. $14/dinner. $9/half chicken to go. Cash, checks, credit cards. 503-260-6470

Mt. Angel Parade

11 a.m., downtown Mt. Angel. Fourth of July parade. Ribboons awarded. Parade entry forms: mtangelchamber.com

July 4th Barbecue

4 p.m., Silverton Coffee Club, 302 N Water St. Hamburgers, hot dogs provided. Bring a side dish or dessert. Jenny, 503-244-8011

Mt. Angel American Legion

6:30 p.m., Legion Hall, 740 E College St., Mt. Angel. All veterans welcome. 503-845-6119

Mt. Angel Fireworks Show

8 p.m., Mt. Angel Middle School, 460 E Marquam St. Music and concessions followed by fireworks at dusk. mtangelchamber.com

Wednesday, July 5

Caregiver Connection

1 - 2 p.m., Zoom. Free educational support group for unpaid family caregivers caring for a loved one 60 years of age or older, or caring for a person living with dementia. Zoom invite and register: 503-304-3432. Scotts Mills City Council

7 p.m., Scotts Mills City Hall, 265 Fourth St. Open to public. 503-873-5435

Thursday, July 6

Silverton Kiwanis Club

7 a.m., Main St. Bistro, 201 E Main St. New members welcome. Repeats July 20. Marion County Fair

10 a.m., Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 NE 17th Ave., Salem. Runs July 6 - 9. For times, admission costs and events, visit marioncountyfair.net.

Best Travel Apps

1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Learn how popular travel apps can help you enjoy your next trip. Free. Space is limited; preregistration required. 503-845-6401

Critique Night

7 - 8:30 p.m., Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge St. Bring latest work for discussion and critique amongst other artists in the community. 503-873-2480, silvertonarts.org

Friday, July 7

LEGO Lab

3 - 4:30 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Build an original creations out of LEGOs. Free. All ages. Repeats July 21. 503-845-6401

First Friday in Silverton

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

Lunaria First Friday

7 - 9 p.m., Lunaria Gallery, 113 N Water St., Silverton. Opening reception. Main floor gallery: “Life: Adversity and Bliss,” artwork by Michele Ballantyne; “Portraits of Inspiring Women in the Classical Style: Part Two,” artwork by Anne Shams. Loft gallery: “Living in Our Heads,” artwork by Kerri Evonuk. 503-873-7734

Sunday, July 9

Scotts Mills Historical Museum

1 - 5 p.m., 210 Grandview Ave. Free. Open by appointment by contacting Joe Plas, 503871-9803; smahsmuseum@gmail.com

Movement & Music

3 - 5 p.m., Confluence Arts Center, 20159

Hazelnut Ridge Road, Scotts Mills. Open format movement, music improvisation jam. Open Stage Performance Salon 5 - 7 p.m. Sign up at info@confluenceartscenter.org. Donations welcome.

Monday, July 10

Mt. Angel School District

6:30 p.m., District Office, 730 E Marquam St., Mt. Angel. Open to public. 503-845-2345

Silver Falls School District

7 p.m., Silverton High. Open to public. 503873-5303, silverfallsschools.org

Silverton City Council

7 p.m., Council Chambers. Open to public. 503-873-5321

Tuesday, July 11

Pizza in the Park

6 - 8 p.m., Scotts Mills City Park, 300 First St. Bring the family and enjoy hot pizza, salad, beverages, games. Suggested donation $6/ pizza, salad; $1 beverage. Donations used for park maintenance.

Silverton Planning Commission

6:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Open to public. 503-874-2207, silverton.us.or

Wednesday, July 12

Beaded Earrings

1 - 4:30 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Make earrings using the library’s collection of beads. Free. Teens & adults. 503-845-6401

Zaniac Comedy Magic Show

4 p.m., St. Mary’s Elementary, 590 E College St., Mt. Angel. Alex Zerbe performs. In case of inclement weather, the show is at the library. Free. 503-845-6401

Thursday, July 13

S.T.R.E.A.M.M

Noon - 3 p.m., Mt. Angel Public LIbrary. Explore Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math and Music at different activity stations. All ages. Free. 503-845-6402

Irish Traditional Music

6 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Come play traditional music. All levels welcome. Bring a music stand. Adults and teens. 503-845-6401

Music on the Lawn

6:30 - 8 p.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Guests can bring chairs, blankets. Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome. Free parking. Ticket prices include after hours admission to the garden. $5/ages 13 and older. Children 12 and under, and garden members free. Today:S chwing. July 27: Bret Lucich. Tickets at oregongarden.org.

Daniel Plan Journey Video Series

6:30 - 8 p.m., Silver Creek Fellowship Church. Wellness program. Information: scf.tv/danielplan or Sheila, 503-409-4498.

Friday, July 14

The Next Friday

5 - 8 p.m., Mt. Angel. Businesses in Mt. Angel stay open with vendors market, family entertainment, goodies. discovermtangel@gmail.com

Family Games & Giant Bubbles

5 - 7 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Lifesized family games. Make giant bubbles. View Community Art Show. Local authors discuss, sell works. 503-845-6401

Tune Tours

6 - 8 p.m., Mt. Angel Theater & Studio, 220 E Charles St. Live music and entertainment specifically designed for music lovers and seniors, but all are welcome. $10. jondeshler.com, mtangeltheaterstudio.com

Improv Night

7 - 9 p.m., Brush Creek Playhouse, 11535 NE Silverton Road, Silverton. Improv Night led by Ron Drake and Norman Gouveia. Teens, adults welcome. No experience needed. 503-508-3682

Movies in the Park

9 p.m., Saalfeld Park, 195 E College St., Mt. Angel. Watch Minions: The Rise of Gru (PG). Free sno-cones. In case of inclement weather, movie is in library. Karaoke/singalong begins at 8 p.m. 503-845-6401

Saturday, July 15

Artist Talks

5 p.m., Lunaria Gallery, 113 N Water St., Silverton. Michele Ballantyne, Anne Shams and Kerri Evonuk, discuss their artwork. Free. Open to all. 503-873-7734

Sunday, July 16

Trinity Lutheran Service

11 a.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 N Second St., Silverton. JenNeh leads service of African gospel music, reggae, blues, beatbox. All welcome. 503-873-2635

New Moon Yoga

4 - 6 p.m., Confluence Arts Center, 20159 Hazelnut Road, Scotts Mills. Gentle yoga with Brianna. Moon Cycle Sound Ceremonies. Pay what you can. Register at confluenceartscenter.org/events.

Monday, July 17

Silverton City Council

6:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 421 S Water St., Silverton. Work session. Open to public. 503-873-5321, silverton.or.us

Tuesday, July 18

Drawing Group

6 - 7:30 p.m., Silverton Arts Association, 303 Coolidge St. Bring own materials or use some of the associations. All welcome. 503-873-2480

Silver Falls Book Club

6:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. Discuss The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman. All welcome. 503-873-9796

Wednesday, July 19

Lunch & Learn

11:30 a.m., Main Street Bistro, 201 E Main St., Silverton. Business professionals connect with fellow business professionals. RSVP is encouraged. Sponsored by Silverton Chamber of Commerce. 503-873-5615

Stories in the Stars

4 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Learn about stories of the stars in constellations and create your own. Ages 5 - 12. Free. 503-845-6401

Painting for Adults

6:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. Artist Ann Altman guides to create a composition of Willamette Valley scenes. Space is limited; sign up by calling 503-873-8796.

Thursday, July 20

Mt. Angel Planning Commission

7 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Open to public. 503-845-9291, ci.mt-angel.or.us

Silver Falls Writers’ Group

6:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library, 410 S Water St., Silverton. Writers share their work; listen to what others are writing. Ron Drake, 503-873-8796.

Writers Cafe

6 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Snacks and a time to generate work with fellow writers. Teens & adults. 503-845-6401

Saturday, July 22

Canterbury Renaissance Faire

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., 6569 Valley View Road, Silverton. Jousting, dancing, shopping. Adults $22/day. Age 6 - 12 and seniors 60 and older $18/day. Age 5 and under free. Repeats July 23, 29-30. canterburyfaire.com.

Hawaiian Luau

4 - 7 p.m., Silverton Senior Center, 115 Westfield St. $25/adults, $20/Senior Center members, $12.50/kids 10 and older. Under 10/free. Hawaiian attire encouraged. Deadline for tickets is July 14. 503-973-3093

Outdoor Summer Concert

6:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. Live music with the Marion County Citizens Band. Bring chairs or blankets. Free. 503-873-8796

Monday, July 24

Red Cross Blood Drive

Noon - 5 p.m., Silverton Elks Lodge, 300 High St. Appts: Carolyn at 514-619-7878.

Tuesday, July 25

Silverton Planning Commission

6:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Work session. Open to public. 503-874-2207

Wednesday, July 26

Water Wednesday

1 - 3 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Water activities in the courtyard for ages 6 and under. Weather permitting. 503-845-6401

Newspaper Fashion Show

4 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Create fashion out of newspaper, duct tape. Strut the catwalk to show off creations. Snacks, prizes. Teens & tweens. 503-845-6401

Retiring Joyfully Workshop

5:30 p.m., 301 E Main St., Silverton. Get more clarity and purpose to retirement. Free. AnnetteJensen@RetireJoyfully.com.

Friends of Silver Falls Library

6 - 7 p.m., Silver Falls Library. Friends of Silver Falls Library board meeting. All welcome.

Thursday, July 27

Book Discussion for Adults

1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Discuss Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler. Copies at Circulation Desk. 503-845-6401

Teen Advisory Board

4:30 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Teens, ages 12-18, can collaborate with the library on programs, collections, games and more. Snacks provided. 503-845-6401

Writers Group

6 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Gather and chat with fellow writers. Bring up to three pages of work to read and receive feedback. Adults & teens. 503-845-6401

Friday, July 28

Virtual Reality

2 - 4:30 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Book a 30-minute session to experience a virtual reality program. Signed release must be on record. Reservations needed: 503-845-6401.

Saturday, July 29

SACA Gala and Auction

6 - 9 p.m., Vanderbeck Valley Farm, 37791 Highway 213, Mt. Angel. Hometown Harvest dinner. Tickets $75/person; sales close July 26. Benefits Silverton Area Community Aid. silvertoncommunityaid.org

Sunday, July 30

Toss for a Cause

Noon, Vanderbeck Valley Farm, 37791 Highway 213, Mt. Angel. Third annual Jordan Hess Memorial auction and cornhole toss. $75/team of two. Spectators $25/ person. All tickets include meal and one drink. Team registration due by July 21. Cash bar. Silent and live auctions. Tickets at eventbrite.com/e/582756539497.

Monday, July 31

Vigil for Peace

2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Towne Square Park, Silverton. Silverton People for Peace gather to advocate for peace, social justice issues on all levels of society. Open to all. 503-873-5307

Something to Think About Emerald Ash Borer

By Melissa Wagoner

The current trajectory of the invasion of the emerald ash borer (EAB)– a wood boring pest known for its decimation of the ash trees on the East Coast of the United States since its introduction in 2002 – leaves little hope for the future of Oregon’s mature ash trees.

“I think that folks believe that eventually EAB will kill most of the mature ash,” Richard Sniezko, a Center Geneticist for the US Forest Service, said.

According to Sniezko that could mean more than 99 percent of Oregon’s ash – the majority of which are found in the riparian area along rivers and streams – will need replacing, costing the public millions of dollars and having untold consequences on the environment.

“With widespread mortality of ash, it is expected that there will be impacts on local systems, namely the types of plants that will replace ash could be very different,” Wyatt Williams, an Invasive Species Specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said. “Oregon ash is a species that hasn’t been studied very much; there is very little in the peer-reviewed literature. People are starting to pay attention to it now, however, and my guess is that we will learn more about the ‘importance’ of Oregon ash to riparian systems in the Willamette Valley.”

That knowledge may come at a stiff price, however, as EAB – currently quarantined in an area near Forest Grove – makes its way across the state.

“We learned from our counterparts that almost all the native ash in infested areas in the eastern half of the country were killed within ten years or so after the arrival of the invasive emerald ash borer,” Williams said in a

press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Remarkably effective at killing off trees, first by laying their eggs under the bark, then – after the larvae hatch –by interrupting the flow of nutrients, effectively starving the tree. EAB is also one of the few invasive insects that mount an attack on an already infected tree.

“You’ll have multiple generations on one tree,” Nick Morris, a Forester with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed. “The ash get hit so hard that it’s a death sentence.”

But it’s not always easy to identify that a tree is infected –at least not at the outset.

“Unfortunately, the die back from emerald ash borer looks like drought stress,” Morris said. “You’re really looking for that top-down death. The first year you would see the tips of the tree won’t come back in the spring. The next year it’ll be a little lower and a little lower, and by year three to five you see the D-shaped exit holes that they produce. By then it’s too late. Not only is the tree dead but the insect has made it to surrounding trees.”

Which is why, rather than relying solely on the currently imposed quarantine and treatment of infected trees, the Oregon Department of Forestry undertook the additional

Stacy M. Brueckner, DO Monica Henderson, FNP Joel S. Roberts, FNP

This emerald ash borer was discovered last summer in Forest Grove. OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Resources to report or review

• To report sightings of emerald ash borer make a report online at the Oregon Invasive Species Council hotline, https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/ reports/create or call 1-866-INVADER.

• More information about the impacts of EAB on Oregon’s urban forests: at https://www.oregon. gov/odf/forestbenefits/pages/foresthealth.aspx

harvest of more than 900,000 ash seeds to further EAB resistance testing and to aid in future replantation.

“If EAB continues on its path… the only way one will have much Oregon ash on the landscape in say 50 years is if a program to develop genetic resistance is undertaken and successful…” Sniezko said. Adding, “this premise is being undertaken for other ash species back East and there is cautious optimism that it is doable.”

Made possible by a federal grant from the USDA Forest Service, the project began with the collection of seeds from 245 mother trees representing 27 distinct populations found throughout Oregon. These seeds were then cleaned and sorted at ODF’s JE Schroeder Seed Orchard facility in St. Paul before being shipped to research facilities in

Colorado, Iowa and Cottage Grove, Oregon.

In the meantime, with seeds collected and testing underway, it is down to local foresters, like Morris, to slow the impact of EAB.

“One of the biggest things we’re trying to do as an agency is get the word out,” Morris said. “We’ve always been known for our education and that’s my job, education –to let people know there are things people can do to keep [EAB] at bay.”

One of the most important of those is the cessation of hauling and burning ash.

“That’s one of the words that we’re getting out,” he confirmed. “If you’re traveling with ash firewood and you know it, please let us know… we’re taking that wood and trading them and then treating the wood appropriately. I’ve been putting up ‘burn it where you buy it signs.’”

He’s also put a moratorium, within Oregon State Parks, on planting any new ash trees and – once the trees leaf out this spring – he will begin cataloguing ash groves, monitoring them for infection.

“The plan is to concentrate on the northern Willamette Greenway,” he said.

Because, unlike Silver Falls State Park, which boasts

relatively few ash trees, the Willamette Greenway – an area covering more than 255 miles – is home to most of the state’s ash.

“Right now, the generally infested area is right around Forest Grove, but Forest Grove is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the Willamette Greenway,” he said. “And OPRD manages a lot of land in that area.”

It’s an eventuality for which Morris has already prepared.

“Early on I crafted an OPRD response document and sent it out to park managers and said this is how we will respond,” he said.

But chances are, even that response plan will not be enough to save the ash trees in OPRD’s care. Which is why the Department of Forestry’s recent seed collection, focused on harvesting the seeds of trees native to the area, is of such importance.

“Other states, they weren’t able to do that,” Morris pointed out. “Their ash was devastated before they could do seed collection.”

It gives him hope that there is a  future for Oregon’s ash. “If we get to a point where we get the insect under control, we can use the seed to start reforesting,” he said. But it’s a process that will take some time.

Dr. Daniel Côté, DC

Dr. Jennifer Martin, DC

Licensed Massage therapists available 503-873-8099

Colegio Cesar Chaves 50th anniversary celebration set

PODER, Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network, is sponsoring a Colegio Cesar Chavez 50th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 26 at Father Bernard Youth & Retreat Center in Mount Angel. The free event is from 12-5 p.m. and is open to the public.

The Colegio, established in 1972, was the first accredited, independent, four-year Chicano/Latino college in United States history. It closed in 1983. Event organizers promise a vibrant journey back in time.

Named after Mexican-American civil rights activist César Chávez, this family and community event will bring together the Colegio staff and alumni, their families, high school students and community members.

“PODER is immensely honored to host this event, spotlighting a remarkable chapter in Oregon’s history, and the profound influence it had on the educational journey of countless Latinos,” said Anthony Veliz, PODER Board Chair and President.

There will be music, featured storytelling, food and drinks, and entertainment as guests gather to celebrate and reminisce on Oregon history that became a catalyst for equal educational opportunities for Chicano and minority students in the Northwest.

Visitors can step into the shoes of the founders, staff, and alumni of the Colegio and hear stories of resilience and triumph. The Colegio Cesar Chavez Exhibit will have textual documents, photographs, and recordings on display, and there will be an oppirtunity to learn about the Colegio’s role in promoting and implementing post-secondary educational opportunities for Chicano students 50 years ago.

PODER will also be offering the general public a few seats at the private kick-off event which starts at 9 a.m. and will feature networking opportunities with guests, breakfast, and a keynote speech by Dr. Gustavo Balderas, Superintendent of Beaverton School District. For more information call 503-953-2128 or email anthony@poderoregon.otc

PODER, Oregon’s Latino Leadership Network is a new nonprofit organization made up of over 500 Latino leaders, organizations in both the private and public sectors, businesses, public employees, community members, and allies across Oregon. PODER’s mission is to convene Latinos from across Oregon to build collective power and capacity and facilitate peopledriven solutions to achieve social, economic, and civic prosperity for all.

Hess Trust Cornhole Tournament funds grants, scholarships

The Jordan Hess Memorial Trust is hosting its third annual fundraiser – this year a cornhole tournament toss for a cause and auction. The event is July 30 at Vanderbeck Valley Farms. Sign-in is 12 p.m. with tossing beginning at 1 p.m. There is a six-game guarantee for each team.

The trust was founded after Jordan Hess was killed in a car accident in 2019. It focuses on supporting the intellectual and developmental disability community through a grant program. It also provides scholarships for individuals wanting to become early education or special education teachers, are attending WOU, engage in dance, or are receiving support from an IEP or 504 program through their school.

Jordan was attending WOU to become an early education special education teacher and worked closely with children with autism. The trust is funded by the fundraiser and donations.

Team sign up for the cornhole tournament is $75 per team/ Spectators are encouraged to join in the afternoon at $25 person. Entry includes food and drink.  To sign up go to: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/582756539497 or email jordananne0729@ gmail.com.

GENERAL MEMORIAL

NOTICE

Honoring Leslie (Radha)

Louise Fournier (Aug. 4, 1961 – Jan. 16, 2023).

Saturday, July 15, 1:30 p.m.) Friend’s Church, 229 Eureka Ave. Silverton. Please feel free to share an experience or memory about Leslie.

HELP WANTED

PART-TIME OFFICE

ASSISTANT Unger Funeral Chapel, 229 Mill Street Silverton, OR 97381. We are looking for a part-time Office Assistant. We are a family-owned funeral home in Silverton and Mt. Angel. This position represents the company with the public

by telephone and in person and must be courteous and professional. You must be reliable, a team player, be able to multi-task and have knowledge with Microsoft Word and be able to pay attention to detail. Schedule would be Monday, Thursday and Saturday working 20 hours a week. If you think you would be a perfect fit, please e-mail your resume to info@ungerfuneralchapel.com

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

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

JESSE’S LAWN SERVICE & HANDYMAN Pruning, edging, trimming, blackberry cleaning, gutter cleaning, arborvitae, moss treatment, yard clean-up, stump grinding, powerwashing, haul-away. 503-871-7869

To advertise call 503-845-9499

Oregon Garden fireworks light up the sky at July 3 celebration

The post-COVID return of public celebrations includes a ramping up of the traditional July 3 fireworks at the 80-acre Oregon Garden. While the fireworks were back last year, there was still room for improvement, according to Delen Kitchen, the Garden’s Director of Operations.

“What we noted was that we needed more food vendors, and more entertainment to keep our guests – especially children – enjoying themselves while they await the fireworks,” she said. So that’s what they did.

This year features four times as many food vendors, and a lineup of new activities. This year’s event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 3. It features live music by Inner Limits; beer and wine from Silver Falls Brewery and Traveling Taphouse; food from Adam’s Ribs, Bo & Vine, Bobablastic, The Chop Spot, The Dawg House, El Pique, Kona Ice and Little Leaf Café; face painting by Faery Face Art; putt putt golf by Pug n’ Putt[ yard games by Xfinity; crafts with Silverton Mural Society; Gigglebritches the Clown, as well as the Art in the Garden Art Walk. Admission is $5 for adults and children 13 years of age and older, free for 12 and under and for Oregon Garden members with a current membership card.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.oregongarden. org/july-3rd. The event is sponsored by Roth’s Fresh Markets with support from Xfinity, the City of Silverton and the Jones Family Foundation.

Travelers’ Choice Award goes to Oregon Garden Resort

The Oregon Garden Resort has received Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award for 2023. The award is a highly regarded within the hospitality industry. Only the top 10 percent of hotels worldwide receive the honor.

Winners have earned positive traveler reviews and ratings over the past year.

“This achievement is a direct result of the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire team,” said Peggy Bell, Oregon Garden Resort General Manager. “As a familyowned business, we are so grateful for all of the support we’ve received from our valued guests and loyal staff. We’re excited about the year to come and a beautiful summer in the Willamette Valley!”

Thanks for the FBLA support

A school record, six students from Kennedy High School’s  Future Business Leaders of America chapter attended the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this June. Freshmen students, Audrey Brenden, Bella Dodson, Nia Ovchinnikov, Annaliese Schacher, Soliel Sowa and Megan Wagner, as well as parent chaperones Bonnie Dodson, Tanya Chuprov, and Heather Sowa were able to attend the conference thanks to the donations of many local businesses and organizations.

On behalf of Kennedy High School FBLA and the nine FBLA NLC attendees we would like to sincerely thank the following organizations and businesses for their generosity and support: Portland Electrical Construction Inc., Trillium Pacific Manufacturing, Mt. Angel Drug Store, Robertson Home Inspection, Lake Labish Trading Co. LLC, Yenne and Schofeld Orthodontics, Clem J. Butsch Insurance, Roth’s Fresh Markets, Woodburn Nursery and Azaleas, Fessler Family Foundation, Eco Electric LLC, Mega Foods, Chic Skape, Greg’s Automotive, Discover Mt. Angel, Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Risk Management, MAPS Community Credit Union, Burger Time, Reser’s Fine Foods, and Schreiner’s Iris Festival.

Robby Morrissey, FBLA Chapter Advisor

Is That Really True?

Did you hear the one about the three conspiracy theorists who walked into a bar? Tell me that’s just a coincidence!

We live in a time of great skepticism toward just about every source of information. News has become a “narrative.” Fact checkers are found to be part of the program to push that narrative. Even artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT have been caught lying, creating fake authors, making-up and citing legal cases that never even existed!

Who can you trust in a world where everyone is gaming you, where everyone wants to influence you to buy into their way of seeing things— their view of life, or product, or morality or politics—a world where “loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” Only now it is a wonderful plan for your money, your mind, your body, and your vote.

Tell Me That’s Just a Coincidence!

The truth is, there is a conspiracy going on, and it’s been going on ever since the Garden of Eden. Satan lied to Eve. He told her, “You will not surely die” if you eat the forbidden fruit. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4).

So, Eve doubted the goodness and love of God enough to go ahead and take a bite. She gave a bite to her husband as well. Then their eyes were opened and they felt ashamed of their own bodies and became afraid of God and of what would happen to them when God finally confronted them.

They weren’t “like God” in the way they had intended. Satan lied to them. They were still finite human beings, but now they bore the obligation to always do what is good, which they had already blown by disobeying God in the first place. Justice demanded justice.

God could have destroyed them both right then and be done with it. But if God did that He would be destroying all of their future posterity. You and I would have been canceled before we were even born.

So God chose instead to punish them on the spot and then start the clock ticking for when they would both eventually die physically, but not until they had time to have their children. In this way, all of us who were created “in Adam and Eve,” and made “in the image of God” have our moment to be conceived and then, hopefully, to be born into a life full of opportunity to know and enjoy the Creator God as our Heavenly Father.

(By the way, speaking of being born, did you know that, statistically speaking, one of the most dangerous places on earth is the womb

of an American woman? That’s right (worldometers.info/ abortions/). And one of the safest places on earth today, statistically speaking, is to be on Death Row in an American prison! (npr.org/2022/05/12 / 109718 4110/death-rowinmates-execution-time).

But God is patiently enduring all the sinfulness of rebellious human beings in order to give those of us who will turn to Him and love Him the opportunity to do so. That is why God allows evil people to live and have kids because some of those kids and grandkids may be saved. Only God knows. But someone will have to pay for all those sins. No one gets away with anything. The question is, “Who will pay — the sinner, or the Savior?” Someone must pay.

The same liar who told Eve she and her husband would be like God is now keeping the lie going with other lies, all of which lead people away from the truth and keep them distracted. Every time some poor soul thinks, “This is stupid. Why am I doing this? I’m not happy. There must be more to life than this,” Satan, as in C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, whispers another lie to push that idea out of his or her mind again. “Maybe later.”

Now you may be thinking, “Satan? Really?” I know it sounds crazy in our sophisticated, scientific culture. But we happily believe in aliens, astrology, paganism, imps, fairies, unicorns, food ingredient labels, and even Sasquatch, but Satan? Demons? The God of the Bible? Jesus? No way!

And yet, have you noticed that when you really want to talk nasty, the name you use as profanity is never Buddha. Nor Thor, nor

By Gregg Harris

Odin. Not Zeus. Not even the Prophet of Islam. No, when you cuss you normally use the name of the God of the Bible or of His Son, Jesus Christ. Satan must laugh hysterically as you use the Name of the One True God in ways that thrust you farther away from the only One who can save you. Now is just a coincidence.

You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Set You Free!

Jesus talked a lot about the truth and about Satan’s lies. He said that He Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That His teaching is the only Rock upon which to build your life as opposed to the shifting sands of this world. He said “No one can come to the Heavenly Father but by Me,” and announced that God has loved the world in this way, by giving His only Son (Jesus), so that “whoever

Free Ice Cream Social

Sunday, July 23rd

The God who chose not to snuff out Adam and Eve in the Garden did so for many good reasons. One reason was because He wanted to meet you. He looked forward to giving you this opportunity to come back to the reason He created you in the first place. He wanted to include you in the display of Who He is and what He is like. That is what is called God’s “glory.” We are all intended to do everything we do for His glory. That’s why He made us “in His own image.” It is so that we, like Him, can be good, wise, and loving, as faithful children of our Heavenly Father. Isn’t it amazing? Adam and Eve fell into sin by doubting the goodness of God enough to actually disobey Him. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be restored by believing in the goodness of God enough to actually obey Him. It is our believing that saves us, not our obeying. But when we believe as we should, we obey Him as we should with eagerness and joy. That is the truth.

Meet the Noble Men of Noble Inn

believes on Him shall not perish, but instead have everlasting life.” Was Jesus a liar? Was He just a lunatic? Or is He Lord and Savior? You can find out for yourself right now simply by turning to Him by faith and asking Him to save you. He has already died for the sins of the whole world. That part is done. After three days in the grave He rose from the dead as proof that His payment was accepted. So, we know it worked! The way is open for us to get right with God. All we get to do is respond.

Spiritual Castaways

When we refuse to believe the truth, we start to believe anything. We cast ourselves off like someone in a rowboat out in the middle of the ocean. We have no idea which way to row. We are tossed around by every wave of news and opinion. We get tangled in the seaweed of superstition and false, man-made religions.

In our confusion we may begin to doubt the obvious, doubting that we even exist or, if we do exist, believing wrongly that we can recreate ourselves in any way we choose, over and over again, spiraling out into levels of delusion that can only make sense to someone who has lost touch with reality. Reality is true whether anyone believes it or not because truth is not something we get to decide. It’s not “my truth” or “your truth.” It is God’s truth and God’s truth never changes.

There is a group of 8 men from various churches in the Silverton area who gather in my home (i.e. the Noble Inn, the bed & breakfast I own) every Thursday morning from 5:30 to 7 AM. We pray together. We read a passage from the Bible and talk about what it means. My dear wife, Bonnie, prepares a great breakfast for us. Then we challenge one another to do something in the coming week that shows those in our life that we really do love them. If you are a man, you are welcome to RSVP to join our breakfast. We are also putting on a City-Wide, AllChurch, Free Ice Cream Social in Silverton on Sunday, July 23rd (See link below). These “noble men” (and their wives), are also the ones who pay the $2231 it costs to publish these articles each month. (You are welcome to join this financial team as well.) Why do we do this? Because we care about you and where you will spend eternity. Got Feedback? Call or text 503-926-1388. Read all 6 articles at NobleInn.org/articles

Silverton’s City-Wide, All-Church, Free Ice Cream Social 11:30 am to 3:30 pm

Sunday, July 23rd, at Several Churches In & Around Town

Go to NobleInn.org/icecream for a current list of participating churches.

“Isn’t it amazing? Adam and Eve fell into sin by doubting the goodness of God enough to actually disobey Him. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be restored by believing in the goodness of God enough to actually obey Him.”

Gregg Harris, “Lead Host for the Ice Cream Social”

By Brenna Wiegand

As he considered retirement, Bill Schiedler, founder of Gardenripe Produce in Silverton, hated the thought of closing the business he’d nurtured for 23 years. The answer came unexpectedly in the form of Melissa Pylipow, one of many WWOOFers in the program known as Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. In it, farmers open their land to people who travel from all over the country to provide labor in exchange for food, accommodations and the experience.

Pylipow first visited the farm five years ago.

“WWOOFing provided me a neat schedule,” she said. “I worked from 8 to noon and had the rest of my day and weekends off so I was able to take a parttime job and save a lot of money.”

Her third year, Pylipow rented a small plot of ground from Schiedler to grow flowers, but decided she preferred growing vegetables.

“When she said that, the light bulb went on,” Schiedler said. “I didn’t want the business just to die; it’s a big part of Silverton Farmers Market with quite a loyal clientele and I’d been hoping to transfer it to someone who could take advantage of that.”

Gardenripe has been refined by trial, error and lots of hard work.

Shortly after he started Gardenripe, Schiedler added a CSA (Community

Supported Agriculture) in which customers subscribe to a weekly box of farm-fresh produce, a concept in its infancy at the time.

They also took their wares to farmers markets across three counties but couldn’t build the type of loyal clientele they enjoy in Silverton. As the CSA numbers grew, Schiedler found himself having to hire several full-time employees to meet the demand.

In the last few years, he closed the CSA and decided to sell only at Silverton’s Farmers Market and to local restaurants.

“That’s when we went from full-time paid employees to using WWOOFers,” Schiedler. “I like to have two or three

here but in summer we’ve had up to eight, which gets a bit hectic.

“It tests your managerial skills far more than your gardening skills because you’re constantly prepping the next project for whoever’s finishing something in order to have a productive day,” Schiedler said. “You also have to realize that they’re not experienced and many of them know nothing about farming, but that’s OK.”

Last year Schiedler and Pylipow built new WWOOF quarters with yurts, a separate kitchen, shower house and outhouse.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself to think I just started here as a WWOOFer five years ago and now here I am running

the business and hosting WOOFers, booked at least through August,” Pylipow said. “It’s still very hard for me to believe.

“I feel good about building on Bill’s legacy by continuing to provide good, delicious, healthy, organic food at a reasonable cost so everybody can afford it,” Pylipow said. “I wake up and I’m so excited to come out here and work with the plants and work with the land and be able to give back to the community; it has just brought so much purpose to my life, and it just brings so much joy each day too.”

The greenhouses are filled to the brim with premium vegetables with many more behind them and the flowers Pylipow put in not so long ago are putting on their show.

“I have a really wonderful mentor,” Pylipow said. “Bill has really established such a wonderful relationship with the community, and I am so fortunate and grateful that they have continued to support Gardenripe, and I think they’re all very thrilled to see that the abundance is still there.”

In addition to the produce, Pylipow will keep growing flowers, both for the Market and for local florists, and increase her business extracting herb oils for products such as her lotion bar.

“I plan on expanding all my products and doing a lot more herbs and tea blends and lotions and salves so people can use these products on the regular basis to really help themselves in a nice healthy organic way,” Pylipow said.

NOW OFFERING SAME-DAY CROWNS

New Gardenripe owner, Melissa Pylipow (right) greets customer Regan Schultz at Silverton Farmers Market. BRENNA WIEGAND

Timothy L Yount Financial Advisor 313 N. Water St. Silverton, OR 97381 503-873-2454

Daniel Hailey Financial Advisor 108 N. First St., Suite 101 Silverton, OR 97381 503-874-6162

State issues warnings, guidance on fireworks

By James Day

The fireworks sales season runs through July 6 and state officials are warning residents to “keep it legal and keep it safe.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal, in a press release issued June 23, offered tips on which fireworks are legal to use, where fireworks can be used, and how to use them safely.

“We ask Oregonians to be responsible if they plan to use fireworks as part of their celebrations,” said Mark Johnston, OSFM assistant chief deputy. “Every year, we see fires and injuries because of improper use of fireworks or illegal fireworks. Our message is simple: keep it legal and keep it safe.”

Where to buy and use: consumer-legal fireworks can only be purchased from permitted fireworks retailers and stands. Regulations limit where those fireworks may be used. The possession and use of fireworks are prohibited in national parks and forests, on Bureau of Land Management lands, on U.S. Fish and Wildlife properties, on state beaches, in state parks, and in state campgrounds. Fireworks are also prohibited on many private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

What fireworks are illegal: Oregon law prohibits the possession, use, or sale of any firework that flies into the

air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground without a permit issued by the OSFM. Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon without a permit. Officials may seize illegal fireworks and charge offenders with a class B misdemeanor which could result in a fine of up to $2,500. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damages. Parents are also liable for fireworks damage caused by their children.  For those who purchase legal fireworks, fire officials encourage everyone to practice the four B’s of safe fireworks use:

• Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.

• Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks. Never use fireworks near or on dry grass or vegetation.

• Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Please wait 15 to 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.

• Be aware: Use only legal fireworks in legal places.  More OSFM resources can be found at https://www. oregon.gov/osp/programs/sfm/pages/fireworks.aspx/.

Residents encouraged to add defensible space

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is asking Oregonians to take part by creating defensible space around their homes. This zone gives your home added protection against wildfire. Defensible space can prevent embers from igniting your home or prevent flames from reaching it. Another important advantage of defensible space is it creates a safe space for firefighters to work during a wildfire.

Creating defensible space can seem like a daunting task for some homeowners, but tackling one project at a time over the course of the month can help spread out the work. Oregonians should tackle defensible space projects in a step-by-step approach.

“Pick a project to complete this weekend,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Maybe it is making sure your gutters are clear of needles and leaves. Next weekend, limb your trees to ensure flames can’t reach the lower branches. Simple steps over time can culminate into added protection against a wildfire.”

Ruiz-Temple said the work should start with a plan. Walk around your home and identify areas where an ember could land and ignite. Look at the base of your home and work outward. Studies show the leading cause of home fires during a wildfire is embers igniting combustible materials, spreading fire to the house.

Consider the following defensible space projects at your home:

• Space and prune trees.

• Remove leaves, needles, wood, bark mulch, and other debris from within 100 feet of the structure or to the property line.

• Keep roofs and gutters clean of leaves, needles, and other debris.

• Move flammable material away from the outside of your home, including mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, and firewood piles.

• Keep flammable or tall plants from growing directly under the eaves; a minimum of five feet away is recommended.

• Keep firewood piles and lumber at least 30 feet from any structure.

• Keep plants in your yard healthy and maintained. Clean out old leaves or pine needles from your plants. Prune away any dead portions.

One home with defensible space gives added protection against wildfire for that single home. When neighbors create defensible space as a community, protection increases exponentially for everyone involved. To learn more about creating defensible space as a community, read about the Firewise USA program at https://www. nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/ Wildfire/Firewise-USA

For more information on wildfire awareness month visit https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/sfm/Pages/ Wildfire-Awareness-Month.aspx/.

Passages

Paul Grizzard May 6, 1953 – June 3, 2023

Paul William Grizzard died peacefully in his Silverton home. He was born in Pasadena, California to Barbara and Bill Grizzard. He spent happy childhood years there with older sisters Barbara and Nancy. His high school years were spent in Salt Lake City, Utah where he met Mary Jane, who would become his wife. After his family moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, Paul stumbled upon Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. He was fascinated by their beauty and variety, and once he and Mary Jane bought their old home in Silverton, Oregon, they started collecting plants. He was still gardening right up to his death.

Wilma Walen

He spent many years working on the home. He worked for a landscaper and remodeled homes. He was interested in preserving historical materials.

A voracious reader, Paul was a life-long learner. He was interested in art, architecture, various branches of science, geography, woodworking, and music.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara and William Grizzard, and sister, Barbara Casebier.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, and sister Nancy Knouff of Tacoma, Washington.

He will be missed by those he left behind.

June 6, 1926 – June 6, 2023

Wilma “Willy” Louise (Buchheit) Walen was born in Mount Angel June 6, 1926 to Edward and Mary Buchheit. Willy was the sixth of 13 children, attended Mt. Angel Academy, and resided on her family farm in the Mount Angel/Silverton area until her marriage to Alfred Walen on Nov. 29, 1947 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Silverton where she was a lifetime member.

Al and Willy moved to Salem where they resided until the mid-1970s, then they moved back to the Silverton area Willy and Al had four children, Karen (Bill) Putnam, Susan (Jim) Lowen, Debra(Tim) French, and Mark Walen

Martha Gonzalez

Martha Amelia Gonzalez of Mount Angel passed away in her family home June 18, 2023.

She was born July 3, 1970 in Silverton, Oregon, the daughter of Pedro and Benita (Leon) Gonzalez. She was raised in Mount Angel and graduated from Kennedy High School.

Martha loved life and was an example of courage to many as she successfully conquered her battle against cancer. She was a caring soul, spreading love, joy and enthusiasm with others at every opportunity, especially with her nieces and nephews. “Tia” remains their favorite aunt.

(deceased) (Michelle). Willy is survived by her three daughters, five grandchildren (one step-grandson is deceased) and eight great grandchildren.

Willy enjoyed her family, gardening, the “country life,” and her love for animals.

Willy passed away on June 6, 2023, on her 97th birthday at her home in the country near Silverton where she resided for nearly the last 50 years. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton.

July 3, 1970 – June 23, 2023

Survivors include brothers, Pedro “Pete” (Shirlene) Gonzalez of Salem and Pablo Gonzalez of Mount Angel; sister, Maria Esperanza Murillo of Tijuana, Mexico; friend, Dawn Kamrath of Mount Angel; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents.

On Friday, June 23 at St. Mary’s Church in Mount Angel, a rosary was recited and a memorial Mass offered. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements are handled by Unger Funeral Home.

Equestrian athletes

The Silverton High equestrian team finished seventh in the large division of the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams state championships May 11-14 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond.

Silverton scored 141 points. Oregon City (588) and Mountain View of Bend (411) dominated the team race.

Silverton scored well in numerous events, with Adeline Kuenzi taking third in hunt seat equitation and saddle seat. Teammate Abigail Anderson was third in steer daubing.

Kuenzi also took 15th in trail equitation and 16th in western horsemanship. Other top 20 individual finishes were Sydney Rogosin (20th in dressage), Sidney King (16th in reining), Grace Kuenzi (14th in western horsemanship), Danielle Velasco (tenth in steer daubing and 15th in figure 8), Talus Miller (13th in individual flags), Madison Bailey (eighth in steer daubing) and Brooklyn CoulbournSanchez (tenth in driving).

In team events Bailey, Velasco, Miller, Charlise Sperle and Adeline Kuenzi led the way by taking fifth in freestyle 5-plus. Other teams in the top 20 were Rogosin, Velasco, Coulbourn-Sanchez and Adeline Kuenzi (16th in the in hand obstacle relay) and Rogosin, Velasco, Wylie Blamer and Adeline Kuenzi (ninth in team versatility).

On the high point performance list Adeline Kuenzi was 12th with 35 points. On the timed event list Anderson tied for 15th with 14, Bailey and Velasco tied for 17th with 10 and Miller was seventh with 7. The contributor list featured Velasco (48 points, tied for 30th) and Adeline Kuenzi (42, tied for 33rd).

Football: Longtime coach Joe Panuke and Kennedy will be playing in a new district for football in the fall. The Trojans, who were 12-1 a year ago and finished second in their first year at Class 3A while playing in Special District 2, move into Special District 1. Also in the league are Banks, North Marion, Rainier, Valley Catholic, Warrenton and YamhillCarlton.

Kennedy opens with a nonleague game Sept. 1 at Stanfield, then comes home to play Siuslaw on Sept. 8. The league season begins with road games Sept. 15 at Yamhill-Carlton and Sept. 22 at Warrenton. Kennedy hosts Sisters on

Silverton

takes seventh in state championships

Sept. 29, then returns to league play for its final three games, home vs. Banks on Oct. 6, at Valley Catholic on Oct. 13 and home for the Oct. 20 finale vs. North Marion. Banks, Warrenton, Y-C, Siuslaw and Sisters all made the Class 3A playoffs a year ago, with Kennedy downing Banks 15-7 in the semifinals.

Silverton, meanwhile, was 7-4 overall a year ago under first-year coach Dan Lever and advanced to the Class 5A quarterfinals before falling to eventual runner-up Wilsonville.

The Foxes were 6-2 in the MidWillamette Conference and shared the title with Dallas and Central. Silverton remains in the ten-team MWC and the size of the league means the Foxes will not face a nonleague opponent.

Silverton opens with three consecutive home games at McGinnis Field, Sept. 1 vs. Dallas, Sept. 8 against Woodburn and Sept. 15 vs. Central. Three road games follow, Sept. 22 at South Albany, Sept. 28 at Corvallis and Oct. 6 at Crescent Valley. The Foxes host McKay on Oct. 12 for homecoming, visit West Albany on Oct. 20 and close at McGinnis with Lebanon on Oct. 27, senior night. Note that the Corvallis and McKay games are Thursday nights.

Academic All-state: Kennedy had 12 of its sports teams finish with grade point averages above 3.0, while Silverton produced nine such teams in OSAA activities.

The Trojans’s class 2A-1A state championship baseball team was second statewide with a 3.76 GPA, although the top JFK GPA went to girls cross country, which finished seventh at 3.88. Kennedy’s girls basketball squad was first in Class 2A at 3.84. Other 3.0-plus squads included football (sixth at 3.25), girls swimming (sixth in 3.82), boys swimming (sixth in 3.70), boys basketball (fourth at 3.63), volleyball (fourth at 3.77), boys cross country (ninth at 3.11), boys soccer (28th at 3.03), girls soccer (tied for 24th at 3.16) and wrestling (fourth at 3.37).

The Silverton girls basketball squad was the Foxes’ top performer (third at 3.85), while the softball squad was third at 3.70. Other teams above 3.0 were girls swimming (18th at 3.60), boys swimming (22nd at 3.11), boys basketball (20th at 3.25), dance and drill (8th at 3.73), girls tennis (14th at 3.67), boys tennis (11th at 3.56) and baseball (18th at 3.16).

Coaching Honor: Steve Ritchie, the veteran cross country and track and field coach at Kennedy High, has been honored by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association for his 30 years of coaching service. The coaching honor was announced at the OACA’s annual banquet May 27 at Autzen Stadium.

Ritchie’s girls track and field team took second in the state in 2013 and first in 2014. The boys squad finished second in 2001. In addition, Ritchie coached Alejandra Lopez to a state cross country individual title in 2018.

Alumni Watch: Alejandra Lopez, a former state cross country champion at Kennedy who is now running at Southern Oregon University, turned in two sterling 10,000 meter performances this spring. First, at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic in San Francisco on March 30, she ran 37:24.97 while finishing 15th in a field of 35.

It was her first 10K and just her second track race in four years. Later, on May 24, she ran 37:17.16 to finish ninth in the NAIA championships at Indiana Wesleyan in Marion, Indiana.

All-star Baseball Series: Four players from Kennedy’s twotime Class 2A-1A champions participated in a small school allstar series June 10-11 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

Trojans Ethan Kleinschmit, Andrew Cuff, Luke Beyer and Charlie Beyer played for the West team, which won all three games by scores of 15-6, 13-7, and 5-1. In the final contest Kleinschmit, who was named the series’ most outstanding player, pitched seven innings, allowing no runs, one hit and struck out 16. Cuff closed out the game and struck out three. For the series Kleinschmidt went 4-for-5, walked two times and scored three runs. Charlie Beyer went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, scored two runs and stole two bases. Luke Beyer was 1-4 with a walk.

“I got to coach them for the last time,” said Kevin Moffatt, the JFK coach, who has won state titles in 2012, 2022 and 2023 while taking second in 2019 and 2021. “It was pretty sweet, sad but sweet.”

Kennedy coach Joe Panuke addresses his squad after the Trojans fell to Cascade Christian in last fall’s Class 3A title game. The Trojans are moving to a new district this fall and have five playoff teams on the schedule. JAMES DAY

Andrew Cuff

Ethan Kleinschmit

Luke Beyer

Charlie Beyer

PHOTOS BY JAMES DAY

Rodeo, teaching star

Stacy Barker proves expert in two paths

By Naiya Brown

Stacy Barker is the math teacher at Sequoia Falls Academy in Silverton, but she has other strong interests, as well as a second career in rodeo.

Barker, who grew up in Oregon City and graduated from Canby High, has been breakaway roping for 32 years and competing for 30 of them after initially enrolling at the University of Portland on a basketball scholarship.

What is breakaway roping?

“The calf is not tied or thrown during the event,” Barker said. “The rope the rider uses to catch the calf around the neck is tied to the saddle’s horn by a piece of nylon string. The roper must swing and then throw the rope in a loop around the calf’s neck.... the roper pulls her slack, drawing the loop up tight around the calf’s neck.” Barker has competed on the pro-circuit rodeo trail and traveled throughout the Pacific Northwest. There have been years in which she has entered and competed in as many as 75 rodeos, including jackpot competitions in which winners split all or part of the entry fees collected from the participants, and belt buckles are awarded. “I became interested in breakaway roping after college,” she said. “The breakaway event was making its debut in the regional rodeo associations. I was drawn to it because it was a quick, fast-paced event.”  Barker has been a teacher in the Silver Falls School District for 29 years and just finished her second year at Sequoia Falls, an alternative high school program. Barker

believes working at roping and teaching have helped her grow.

“Being a school teacher has helped me become a good roping instructor,” she said. “To be a successful teacher, regardless of the subject, requires making connections with students and breaking down the concepts, then explaining those concepts by using language and examples that students can understand.”

Barker gives roping lessons at the end of the day at outdoor and indoor arenas on her property. There, she gives private breakaway lessons in groups of four or five, something she has done for the past 25 years. Private lessons in small groups allow for quality one-on-one instruction, she said.

Last year Barker gave a roping class at Sequoia Falls and taught the students to rope a dummy cow in the school’s parking lot on North Water Street. The new activity was one of the most popular classes. Barker attributes her love of horses and the rodeo to her father, who used to compete in steer wrestling. He also instilled the passion in her brother, Mike, who competes in team roping events.

“My dad taught me to swing a rope at a very young age. I wanted to be the person helping my dad steer wrestle, and win,” she said.  “It also taught me... how to work as a team, and what it took for a team to be successful.”

Editor’s note: Brown, a senior at Silverton High/Sequoia Falls Academy in the fall, worked as a reporting intern at Our Town this spring with support from an Oregon Youth Development Division Future Ready grant.

Silver Falls School District math teacher Stacy Barker participates in a breakaway roping competition at a rodeo. SUBMITTED PHOTO

I am sitting here staring at the pinwheel of death. It’s not my death, but the end of my trusty computer’s useful life.

Like me, everything it does these days is slow. Switching applications is a process. In the old days, it would sprint from one task to another, happily keeping up as I bashed my way through our taxes or editing stories.

Now, not so much. It chugs through its chores, spinning pinwheels as it figures out how to load an application.

My computer is 11 years old – a dinosaur in computer years. It’s ready for the boneyard.

Now comes the painful part. The time has come to shop for its replacement. Ugh. Just looking at computer ads makes me tired. They’re all gobbledygook. Here’s a computer with a “12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine.”

What does that even mean? Will it turn on when I hit the button? Will it do

what I want it to do?

Will it run for 11 years before I have to replace it?

These are important questions the ads don’t answer.

I remember the first computer I ever used at work. It was a state-of-the-art pile of junk. Temperamental, noisy –and it required its own air-conditioned room. That’s saying something because this was in Alaska.

And it needed to be “rebooted” several times a day. I don’t know what that involved but I imagine the computer tech stuck his boot up its random access memory.

It still didn’t help me with my jobs. One was compiling the television schedules for the newspaper’s TV magazine. I had to “draw” each line using computer code. To do a week’s worth of schedules took an entire afternoon.

Now I could do it in a few minutes, even on my old computer.

The next few computers weren’t much better. I would put them in the “barely adequate” category. All of them needed a lot of hand-holding.

One day, a plain cardboard box was delivered to my office. It was an Apple Mac SE.

It might as well have been a space ship. It had a tiny black-and-white screen and fit on my desk. All I could do is turn it on. There was no owner’s manual. (It was a hand-me-down from the computer wizards at the home office.)

I paid a friend $25 and he taught me how to it run. Then I spent a day on the copy desk at The Seattle Times learning how they used it to make color maps and other graphics.

Pretty soon, it became a valuable tool, a stark contrast to its predecessors, which were mainly a pain in the rear.

After that, I made my peace with computers. I didn’t play games on them, but they helped me get my job done. I could write stories, draw maps and even design pages with them.

Too cool!

These days, I do some heavy lifting with my computer, working with programs in the “cloud.” I can edit photos, massage spreadsheets and a hundred other things.

But my poor old computer just isn’t up to it anymore. Those pinwheels keep spinning.

Carl Sampson is a freelance writer and editor. He lives in Stayton.

For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. Mobile: Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. Line limitations may apply. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. Xfinity Mobile utilizes the network with the most RootMetrics® 5G data reliability wins in 2H 2022. Results may vary. Award is not endorsement. Xfinity customers will auto-connect to Xfinity WiFi when available and not use the wireless network. RootMetrics did not test WiFi networks. Results may vary. TV: Limited Basic service required to receive other levels of service. Streaming content limited to the U.S. Call to restrictions and complete details. © 2023 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA240941

#T2771 HOME WITH SHOP & BARN $570,000

Mini farm just minutes SE of Silverton. This one story home is 4BR, 2.5BA, w/ 2320 sqft. Major permitted remodel occurred in 2015. Solid surface flooring, vaulted ceilings in LV Rm. & BR. Attached one car carport. 33 x 30 Shop. Barn & Greenhouse. Whole property is fenced and cross fenced for animals. Deer fencing around garden and orchard. Peaceful setting for hobby farm. Call Michael at ext. 314 (WVMLS#802934)

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Wonderful park-like setting off Woodland Dr, this rural setting is impeccably maintained, 30 X 40 feet shop, 2 bays with a storage loft, plus 8 x 12 garden shed, firepit, paved driveway, metal roof, leaf guard gutters, newer windows, flooring and paint inside and out. This home is move in ready in a highly desired area. Hooked up to city water, with a previous well still on the property. Ready for the new owner to move right in! Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 (WVMLS# 805144)

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SURROUNDING

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Chuck White Broker 873-3545 ext. 325

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

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Micha Christman Office Manager 873-1425

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

Michael Schmidt Principal Broker GRI 873-3545 ext. 314

Tayler Whitaker Secretary 873-3545 ext. 300

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– #T2784 WONDERFUL 1920 CHARACTER