RECIPIENT OF SIX AWARDS 2024 BETTER NEWSPAPER CONTEST
OREGON NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (Associate Member Publications Category)
Feature Writing
FIRST PLACE
“Giving a Familiar Face a Story: The Life and Loss of Joe Keeton” by Melissa Wagoner Sept. 1, 2023
Graphics
FIRST PLACE
Editorial Column
FIRST PLACE A Slice of the Pie by Melissa Wagoner Jan. 15, March 15, Sept. 15, 2023 editions reviewed
Editorial Column
SECOND PLACE
Our Town Sports by James Day
March 1, Aug. 1, Oct. 1, 2023 editions reviewed
“Migrating Your Media” by Tavis Bettoli-Lotten Feb. 1, 2023
News Writing
THIRD PLACE
“Homeless Summit: Governor in Silverton for ‘Listening’ Sessions” by James Day July 1, 2023
Community picnic Silverton event going strong after 31 years
By Melissa Wagoner
The Silverton Community Picnic was the first family event Silverton Together hosted after the organization was created in 1993 to strengthen and support families and facilitate community cooperation.
“Jan Holowati [the program coordinator] was the one who came to Kiwanis and said, we’re putting on this community picnic and wondered if you would cook the meal,” Terry Thomas – a member of the club since he moved to Silverton 33 years ago – recalled. “But it soon evolved, and we took over the whole thing.”
Free to the community since its inception, the Community Picnic has featured various activities over the past 31 years including family photography, Bingo, music, a cakewalk and face painting but the menu – a picnic of hot dogs, watermelon, ice cream and fresh corn –has largely stayed the same. “We go out the day before to Schlechter Farms to pick corn,” Thomas said. “It’s a
fun event. We go out and everyone picks a dozen or two dozen. This year we’re planning on 500 ears.”
That means 500 community members are expected at this year’s event – an increase of over 100 from last year and several hundred from the first picnic in 1993.
“It started out with very few people, and it’s slowly grown,” Thomas confirmed.
“Other people joined it.”
Including the Silverton Methodist Church, which now provides the ice cream and the Silver Falls Family YMCA, which offers free open swim from 7 to 9 p.m.
“It’s kind of a fun event,” Thomas said. “It’s Silverton. People are getting together, having fun, the kids are playing in the water, people are relaxing and renewing friendships. There isn’t any pressure on anyone.”
It’s what has made the event a continued success despite the ebb in membership of the Silverton Kiwanis Club and the dissolution of Silverton Together in 2022.
CITY OF SILVERTON
“We’ve had times when our club was large but right now, we’re at the smallest we’ve been in my 30 years,” Thomas said. “But we’re good people and we like to work.”
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Senior Center Project Update
In January 2024, the Senior Center at 115 Westfield Street experienced extensive damage due to the freezing of the sprinkler system. The reconstruction of the Senior Center, to restore the building to its original form, is 75 percent completed and is expected to re-open on Sept. 1, 2024.
2024 Silverton Street Overlays Project
Which is how, despite low numbers, the club has still managed to put together the picnic. This year’s event will be held on Friday, Aug. 23, 5 to 8 p.m. at Coolidge McClaine Park. It will include a free picnic dinner, Bingo, family photos, crafts, games and a family swim time at the neighboring pool.
Silverton Community Picnic
Friday, Aug. 23, 5 to 8 p.m.Free picnic dinner, Bingo, family photos, crafts and games at Coolidge McClaine Park.
Free family swim at the Silver Falls Family YMCA Pool 7 to 9 p.m. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a person 16 or older. No flotation devices or water toys.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Thomas said. “My favorite part is meeting the people. I usually work in the background getting stuff prepared, but when the day comes, I am the one at the front taking the tickets. I still enjoy seeing people come in. I find out where they came from and ask them, why did you select Silverton? I encourage them to get involved in the community. The idea is to encourage our younger citizens to get involved and make our community better.”
The City will provide information here each month on important topics. Upcoming agenda items are subject to change and meetings subject to rescheduling or cancellation due to the COVID-19 Emergency. Please check the website for remote participation options.
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The City of Silverton contracted with K&L Industries to start the Silverton Street Overlays project in September 2024. The project consists of paving on Silver Loop, High Street, and Adams Street. The expected completion date is Oct.15, 2024. 410 S. Water St., Silverton Friday, Aug. 16, 10am – 6pm Items are 50¢ to $1
Saturday, Aug. 17, 10am – 4pm
Option to fill a bag for $5
Cash and checks only. Exact change appreciated. Sales benefit Friends of the Silver Falls Library.
PHOTO BY TIMM O’COBHTHAIGH
Senator in town Wyden makes a two-stop visit to Silverton
By James Day
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden visited Silverton on Aug. 7, taking a tour of the Habitat for Humanity subdivision off of Pine Street and hosting his 1,095th Oregon town hall at Silverton High’s theater.
About 60 or so residents were on hand for the town hall. The visit marked the 2024 Marion County stop on Wyden’s “perpetual tour.” Wyden, 75, vowed when taking office in the Senate in 1996 that he would host a town hall every year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. And he has kept his word.
The format was simple. After a brief introduction from the moderator, Silverton Mayor Jason Freilinger, Wyden began taking questions, with a drawing determining which participants got a chance to direct a question to the Senator. That said, Wyden found ways around the system to try to elicit as many questions as possible.
No partisan politics were allowed. Wyden, a Democrat, did not criticize actions by Republicans or former President Trump. He offered his views on a wide range of issues and at a couple of junctures, stopped, and said “let me think about that one.”
The only tense moments of the 80-minute session came when Wyden fielded questions on Israel’s continuing military attacks in Gaza. Two audience members criticized Wyden for not agreeing to call for a cease-fire. One told Wyden that her voting for him depended on his answer. He explained his position, she said “no vote” and walked out.
A second audience member, Pastor John Friedrick of Silverton’s Oak Street Church, framed the question differently: “How many Palestianians have to die before you quit blaming Hamas and call for a cease-fire and a Palestinian state?”
“I wish I had a three-point plan. It breaks my heart,” said
Wyden of the conflict that began with Hamas killing approximately 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel responding with an invasion that has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, a small enclave along the Mediterranean Sea which borders Israel and Egypt.
Wyden noted his own Jewish heritage and said that he has been among the American politicians most critical of the tactics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Wyden also noted the divisiveness that the Israel-Hamas war has created in the U.S., comparing that public anger to that which existed during the Vietnam War.
“Some of these are really tough calls,” Wyden said. “I don’t have all the answers folks.”
Wyden also answered questions on health care, the Supreme Court, the national debt, putting serial numbers on ammo, wildfires and forest management, election certification, presidential inauguration security, wilderness
protection, pesticide use, education, the Interstate 5 Bridge in Portland and social services such as programs for those with disabilities.
Wyden also engaged in a poignant exchange with Aurora Mayor Brian Asher. The mayor encouraged Wyden to find a way to help keep small towns such as Aurora (in northern Marion County) going by providing $500,000 or $1 million per year for infrastructure needs.
When asked by Wyden what he would spend the money on, the major replied: “water, storm water, sewers and paving roads.”
Earlier in the day Wyden had similar infrastructure discussions with Freilinger and Habitat for Humanity as he toured Peters Garden, the ambitious 18-unit subdivision that the local Habitat chapter is building off of Pine Street.
Dan Haun, executive director of the local chapter, thanked Wyden for the $1 million he and fellow U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley arranged for that helped Habitat get underway at Peters Garden with street and utility work.
Freilinger noted that the city had approved a Habitat request for a waiver of systems development charges, the money that builders usually pay for the streets and sewers in their projects. He also said that the waiver “left a hole in the city budget because we’re just a small town. We would love to have five Habitat projects like this, but we can’t afford it.”
One home has been completed in the Habitat build and three more units, a duplex and a five-bedroom single-family home, are underway. Haun said Habitat hopes to finish the project by 2027. He voiced particular enthusiasm about a six-unit piece of the project that will consist of small houses, some with just one bedroom. The houses will be built at street level to maximize access and will have the affordability price point that Freilinger has been encouraging in Silverton.
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden speaks to Silverton residents during a town hall on Aug. 7 at the Silverton High School theater. JAMES DAY
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$949,000 10.41 acres in the Silverton Hills on Powers Creek. Custom home with 5bd, 3 ba, 3218 sq. ft. High ceiling, large kitchen. 4 farm bldgs. Mature timber. 3999 Timber Trail Rd., Silverton. MLS#818488
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Butte Creek Estates, custom built home, 2bd, 2ba, on 0.54 acre lot, 1563 sq. ft. Open floor plan, plank flooring. 2 primary suites. Propane fireplace. 160 Parkside Ct., Scotts Mills. MLS#818489
$475,000 4.650 acres zoned EFU. Ideal for agriculture development. High traffic location. Seller financing available. Monitor Rd., Silverton. MLS#820110
$450,000 0.45 ac. Beautiful Santiam River frontage. Fisherman’s Paradise. 1 bd., 1 ba. 39 ft. trailer and bunk house. 10x12 shop, & 10x10 Bldg on slab. 40474 Shoreline Dr., Lyons. MLS#814406
$437,000 Dual living, log home, 3bd. 2 ba. & MFG home with 3bd. 1.5 ba., on 1.06 ac parcel, sm. wood shop/ garden shed. 215 Fourth St., Scotts Mills MLS#804645
Price Reduced! $300,000 Rosemary Way lots: 601, 605 & 611 MLS#810425; 615, 619 & 623 MLS#810404. Builder, Developer! Located in Monitor Road Estates. These lots will require wetland remediation. Buyer must have a development plan. $299,000 2 acres buildable! Approved for standard septic. Water well. Seller will carry contract. 7685 Dovich Ln SE, Turner. MLS#778883
By James Day
Design work for new Silverton park facilities for pickleball and hiking are 60% of the way there.
The Silverton City Council heard a presentation on Aug. 5 from Jon Champlin, a landscape architect with NV5 in Portland. Champlin showed plans for six pickleball courts on property next to the skatepark and also debuted maps that show a projected trail system at Pettit Lake, which is adjacent to The Oregon Garden.
The pickleball project, which is tentatively budgeted at $1.9 million, would include relocation of the dog park to the east and adding a new parking lot. The parking lot was virtually the lone point of contention for the council. Councilors were split on whether the 47 spots proposed for the lot are the right amount. No votes were taken, and the city still is hoping for a $750,000 state grant that would help pay for the courts. Councilors also discussed adding lights or covering the courts. Both amenities are not in the current budget plan.
The Pettit Lake hiking and cycling trail would extend for 1.25 miles, starting at a trailhead just inside The Oregon Garden entrance and extending around the lake. Future phases of the project could include camping, picnic areas and kayak and paddleboard rentals. The preliminary pricetag on the project is $890,000, with a grant potentially reducing the city’s outlay.
Timelines for breaking ground or completion are not available for either project.
In other council news...
Fire District: The meeting opened with a special meeting that included the Silverton Fire District Board. Topics discussed included the possibility of placing a substation on city park property off of Ike Mooney Road, urban renewal and emergency planning. The session included a video demonstration that showed a high-tech basement room in the new City Hall that could be used as an emergency operations center.
Affordable Housing: The council heard a brief presentation from Kevin Chavez of Hacienda Community Development Corp. Hacienda is the leading contender for the contract to build an affordable
housing complex on land adjacent to the skatepark. Hacienda and the city currently are working on a memorandum of understanding that would move the project forward.
Mayor’s plans: Mayor Jason Freilinger has retired from his “day job” with Maps Credit Union. Freilinger said that he hopes to use some of his free time moving forward to have coffee chats with residents about community issues.
Senior Center: Mike Dahlberg, the Public Works operations manager, told the council that repairs on the flooded Silverton Senior Center are 80% complete and that the work should be done before Sept. 1. The center was flooded when a pipe burst during the January ice storm. Simone Stewart, executive director of the center, told Our Town she does not have a target date for reopening because of furniture issues, repainting and coordinating the return of materials. The center has been running its programs at a variety of locations because of the repairs.
Water Storage: The council also discussed plans to augment its current water security with an aquifer storage reservoir (ASR). Silverton has received a $250,000 state grant to do a feasibility study, including test wells. City Manager Cory Misley told the council that the ASR project is perhaps as much as a decade away from coming to pass.
Drop Box: The city has installed a new drop box for city utility payments on the First Street side of the new City Hall. The old box at the previous City Hall has been removed.
Up Next: The council meets next at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 at City Hall, 410 N. Water St.
City land near the Silverton Senior Center that is planned for six pickleball courts. JAMES DAY
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Something to Think About
Wildfire risk State debuts new draft maps that rank hazards
By James Day
The Oregon Department of Forestry has released new wildfire hazard risk maps.
This is the second iteration of the project, which is being coordinated by the ODF and the Oregon State University College of Forestry. The wildfire risk project was mandated by Senate Bill 762, the 2021 legislation that aimed to improve wildfire preparedness and resiliency after fires plagued the state, including the Labor Day 2020 blazes that affected huge swathes of the Santiam Canyon.
The original ODF/OSU work produced maps that included wildland-urban interface boundaries and five fire risk classes. The maps debuted in June of 2022 but were recalled amid criticism from residents and legislators. Concerns were raised about the accuracy of the maps, whether the process was fair, and possible insurance challenges for property owners.
ODF and OSU began gathering feedback on the new map-making effort in August of 2022. The 2023 Legislature, meanwhile, passed Senate Bill 80 that made several changes to the map project, including changing the name from a “risk” map to a “hazard” map, reducing the number of hazard classes from five to three, and changing the appeal and notification requirements.
Residents still have a chance to offer feedback, but time is running out. Comments can be sent to hazardmap@ odf.oregon.gov but must be received by Sunday, Aug. 18. The new rules are scheduled to be approved in October.
“The maps are still drafts,” said Andy McEvoy, wildfire
The Local Angle
The map shows that Silverton and Mount Angel are “safely” in the green or low-risk area of the new wildfire hazard risk maps. Scotts Mills lies in the moderate (purple) region but even in the heavily wooded hills above town you don’t reach any orange areas for more than five miles (lower right corner). Mount Angel faces the lowest overall risk. The hills southeast of Silverton mirror Scotts Mills in terms of having large areas of moderate risk.
Source: Oregon Department of Forestry, enhanced by Our Town.
research scientist at Oregon State. “The maps won’t become final until we receive input from counties on potential local anomalies, administrative rules are adopted by the Board of Forestry, and we evaluate input from the public.”
Explore the Map
To view the state wildfire hazard map go to https://tinyurl.com/orwildfireriskexplorer/.
(full URL: https://oregon-explorer.apps.geocortex.com/ webviewer/?app=665fe61be984472da6906d7ebc9a190d)
You can enter an address in the “address search” box at the left side of the website to receive information on the risk of any address in the state.
A series of open houses about the program were held from June 3 to July 1. The key piece of information for property owners is which of the three categories your property occupies because that will affect any requirements from the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Creating defensible space around your home and hardening it with fire-proof materials might be required, depending on where you line up in terms of the risk maps and whether your property is in the wildland-urban interface.
Andrew Stolfi, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, noted in a press release that “once the map is finalized, we will then initiate rulemaking to adopt the home hardening standards, which will be followed by a six-month phase-in period for education and outreach.”
Stolfi added that “the standards will not apply retroactively. They
Library book sale set for Aug 16-17
The Silver Falls Library is hosting its annual book sale on Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17 at 410 S. Water St. in Silverton.
The event benefits the Friends of Silver Falls Library and runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Items for sale are generally from 50 cents to S1, with an option to fill a bag for $5 during Saturday’s sale. Payment must be in cash or checks. Exact change is preferred.
During the summer the library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The library resumes Monday hours in September.
– James Day
will be required only in new construction, major additions, and such things as replacing a roof or siding if the home is in both a high wildfire hazard zone and the wildland-urban interface.”
One of the changes made during this second evaluation process is that the scientists modified their calculations on irrigated agricultural land after concluding that irrigation reduces the likelihood and intensity of wildfires. Ultimately, all ag property that has been irrigated at least once in the past five years automatically was placed in the low-risk category. The change affected 2.7 million acres statewide.
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LaDella A. Farmer
LaDella Ann Farmer, aged 83 and 11 ½ months, passed away on July 25, 2024. She was a beloved sister, wife, mother, and friend who will be deeply missed by those who knew her.
LaDella was born on Aug. 2, 1940 to Cleo and Mildred Smith in Twin Falls, Idaho, where she grew up on the family farm. She and her family moved to Bend, Oregon her sophomore year in high school. There she met the love of her life, Jim Farmer, her junior year in high school. She went on to attend Bend Community College.
Aug. 2, 1940 – July 25, 2024
LaDella worked full time from 1977-1991 as an administrative assistant, first at Salem Academy High School, Western Baptist College and then Silverton Christian School.
LaDella and Jim married in August of 1960 and moved to Portland, Oregon. Ladella enjoyed a career as a bookkeeper at the Equitable Building in downtown Portland. When Jim accepted his first high school music teaching job, they moved to Seaside, Oregon where Tamra Ann was born in 1962. Todd Robert followed in 1964. LaDella loved being a stay at home mother.
Jim’s teaching career next took them to Silverton, Oregon where they made their home for 53-plus years. LaDella was involved in the Silverton Christian Women’s Club and with the Silverton Friends Church, where she and Jim attended for over 50 years.
But more than anything, LaDella was a devoted wife and mother. She loved spending time with her family and children, reading stories, playing table games, and watching everything they were involved in. LaDella also enjoyed working in her huge vegetable garden, her many friendships, volunteering at her church, and was always eager to share her knowledge and wisdom with others. LaDella is survived by her husband, Jim Farmer; her children, Tamra Ann Walter (Gary) and Todd Robert Farmer (Cherith); and her grandchildren, Danielle Brandtjen, Jessica McSpadden, Kailia Gramlich, Joseph Farmer, Jordan McLing and Joshua Farmer, brothers; Jerry Smith (Dana) and Don Smith (Gayle). LaDella had also been excited to welcome her first two great-grandchildren this October.
A graveside service was held on the day of her 84th birthday, Aug. 2 at Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahomah. Words of encouragement may be left on the Fitzgerald Funeral Service obituary page at fitzgeraldfuneralservice.com/.
Stephen E. Wiley Aug. 4, 1954 – July 11, 2024
Stephen E. Wiley passed away on July 11, 2024 in the presence of his wife Lisa Wiley in Silverton, Oregon. He was surrounded by his loved ones the past few months prior to his passing, including all of his sisters and brothers. Stephen passed from peritoneal carcinomatosis cancer.
Stephen married and had four children, Rachel, Benjamin, Rebecca and Sean. Years later, he married the love of his life, Lisa Wiley, and gained two more children Kerri and Kathy. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend and he will be missed.
He enlisted in the military, owned his own tree business, helped create the Silverton Fallen Heroes War Memorial
at the Town Square Park and had a love for the outdoors and his family. His faith was a part of his daily life as a Christian.
He had many talents like painting and drawing. His hobbies included collecting antique tools, and doing extensive research on plants and trees.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa Wiley; his children, Rachel, Benjamin, Rebecca, Sean, Kerri and Kathy; grandchildren, Ryan, Jared, Gavin, Jeremiah, Addison, Derek, Zachary and Caiden. He is preceded in death by his father, Frank Wiley and his nephew Robert Wiley.
A funeral service was held Aug. 10 at Wichita Avenue Evangelical Church.
Mary (Molly) Loyer Murphy
May 25, 1952 – April 20, 2024
Mary (Molly) Loyer
Murphy was born May 25, 1952 in San Francisco, California. After a long cancer illness she passed away April 20, 2024 at Silverton Hospital with her husband, Kevin, at her side.
They had known this ending was coming, but were still looking forward to their 51st wedding anniversary in August.
Molly moved to Oregon in 1970, living in Corvallis until 1986. She completed her bachelors and masters degrees while there.
Relocating to the Silverton area in 1986, she continued her work in the food and poultry industry.
Her management experience, along with her life-long love of history and the arts were a perfect fit for the rest of her working careeer as general director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Gordon House
in Silverton, until her retirement.
Molly was also an active member of the Silverton Country Historical Society, the Silverton Arts Association, the Silverton Poetry Association, and the Oregon Native Plant Association. She will be missed for the wonderful enthusiasm she brought to any task taken on. She was also a life-long dog-owner.
Molly was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Stanfield Siekert; her father, L. Laurence Bart; and her brother, V. Gregory Bart.
She was survived by her husband, Kevin Murphy, and his many brothers, their wives and children.
Private arrangements were made in Molalla.
In Memory Of
Garett Vinson Feb. 23, 1999 — July 15, 2024
Kristi Rumely Sept. 22, 1955 — July 26, 2024
Sandra Dewlad Nov. 1, 1940 — July 29, 2024
Always honoring your request for traditional fire cremation, eco-friendly aqua cremation, celebration of life and funeral services involving earth burial.
We offer pre planning alternatives to control costs. Make your wishes known and we will do our best to relieve family distress. www.ungerfuneralchapel.com
Norbert John Schmitz
Nov. 2, 1935 – July 15, 2024
Norbert John Schmitz was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on July 15, 2024.
Norb was born to John J. and Anne G. (Wavra) Schmitz on Nov. 2, 1935, at the home of his Grandfather Wavra, located at the foot of Mount Angel Abbey Hill. He was the eldest of nine children.
The Schmitz family lived at Crooked Finger, where Norb started elementary school. They moved to Mount Angel, where he finished grades three – eight at St. Mary’s Catholic School. His family of 11 lived on a farm north of Mount Angel, and Norb was a willing helper to his father with farm chores and the family firewood business.
Norb attended Mount Angel Prep School at Mount Angel Abbey, where he excelled in academics, sports, and leadership. He was Student Body President his senior year. Norb graduated in 1953 and received the “Athlete of the Year” award at commencement.
He joined the Oregon Army National Guard and served for seven years while continuing to help his father cut timber and firewood. On Oct. 4, 1958, Norb married Katherine Jean Nonneman. They built a home north of Mount Angel near his parents, where they raised their three children, Greg, John, and Sara. They lived in their home for their 66 years of marriage.
Norb and Kathy were also business partners; in 1960, they founded Schmitz Logging. With Norbert in the woods and Kathy managing the business, they worked in concert to build their successful contract logging company. Known as a leader in the timber industry, Norb saw many changes and innovations in the field. He received accolades and awards for outstanding stewardship of timber lands, excellent forest practices, and safe logging methods. He was an early member of Associated Oregon Loggers and served as a chapter chairman for several terms. He was also on the board of directors for the Oregon Logging Conference.
A devout Catholic, Norb was a life-long member of St. Mary Parish. He served on the board of trustees for the Mount Angel Abbey Foundation and always felt a special communion with their vocation. Norb was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
A natural athlete, Norb continued his love of sports and played on a local men’s baseball team for many years. He loved to dance and would swing any willing partner around the dance floor. He avidly enjoyed his children’s and grandchildren’s games and performances. Norb was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Anne; his brother, Gene; his sister-in-law, Mary Nonneman; and his son-in-law, Steve Ledoux. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Katherine; his son, Greg, and his wife, Mary; his son, John, and his wife, Lori; and his favorite daughter, Sara.
He was so happy and proud to become a grandfather to Elizabeth, Alexander, and Daniel Ledoux; John and Andrew Schmitz; and Joseph, Thomas, and Helen Schmitz, who loved Grandpa Norbert dearly.
He is also survived by his siblings Laura Fessler, Patricia O’Leary, Arlene Harris Smit, Jack Schmitz, Joanne Sowa, Doug Schmitz, and Virginia Schmitz.
Norb was a charitable, fair, honest, and true gentleman. His funeral mass with rosary was celebrated on July 25 at St. Mary Church in Mount Angel, Oregon, followed by a burial at Calvary Cemetery in Mount Angel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Mt. Angel Abbey at www.stbenedict.org or St. Mary Parish in Mount Angel. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
New year, new team
Former Silverton star Ratliff looking
Whoever said “change is good” should have taken into consideration the Oregon State University football program. The Beavers finished 8-5 a year ago after starting 8-2. In the offseason they lost coach Jonathan Smith, their top two quarterbacks, a slew of other players – and their conference.
“I think it made everyone closer among those who stayed,” said Beavers defensive back and special teams player Austin Ratliff of Silverton. “It’s more like a family. We’re closer.”
for example. The game is Aug. 30, but that is too late to publish in our Sept. 1 edition. So any updates on that game must wait until Sept. 15, by which time the Foxes will have played two more games.
The Beavers open the season Saturday, Aug. 31, at Reser Stadium vs. Idaho State. The Beavers were 5-1 in the newly remodeled Reser a year ago, with the lone loss by two points to eventually national runner-up Washington. At least one sports website rated Reser as No. 9 in college football for game day atmosphere.
Reser can be tough on opponents, and according to Ratliff it’s the toughness of the team that will play the key role in OSU’s fortunes in 2024.
In just a brief Our Town question and answer session on the field after an Aug. 7 training session, Ratliff used the word over and over again, particularly in describing new coach Trent Bray, a former Beavers linebacker who served as defensive coordinator under Smith.
“He’s a great guy. He’s tough,” Ratliff said. “He was our D-coordinator before, a defensive guy and you have to be tough to play for him. He was a linebacker. He’s tough.”
So here is how we try to keep things fresh for Silverton-Mount Angel area football fans. Every game where I am present I will post scores and updates throughout on my Twitter account (@jameshday). By Saturday afternoon I will have posted a story, with statistics, quotes and photos on the Our Town.SMASM Facebook page. During the week I will preview the upcoming Silverton and Kennedy games, also on Facebook. I still will write about football in my column, but I will use that space mainly to note trends as well as publish information on the other fall sports of soccer, volleyball and cross country.
Ratliff, a 6-1, 206-pound redshirt freshman, was a two-way standout at wide receiver and defensive back for the Silverton squad which won the 2021 Class 5A state championship. His best bet to get on the field amid the talented Division I roster at OSU is special teams.
“I’m just trying to get every rep I can on the special teams,” Ratliff said. “That is how I am going to get a chance to get on the field.”
High School Football: Players start practicing in pads on Aug. 19, with Aug. 30 the first contest date for games or jamborees. Silverton opens at home against Summit of Bend, while Kennedy visits Blanchet Catholic in Salem. Football is a challenge to cover at Our Town because of our publishing cycle. We hit the homes in Silverton, Mount Angel and Scotts Mills on the first and 15th of each month. Let’s look at that Silverton-Summit opener
I am responsible for seven high schools: Silverton and Kennedy plus Santiam and Scio for The Canyon Weekly and Stayton, Cascade and Regis for the Our Town Santiam edition that publishes for Stayton, Aumsville and Sublimity.
So if you don’t see me on the sidelines at Silverton or Kennedy, I am likely somewhere else on the east side of the county. I’ll be around, rain or shine.
Foxes to Put on Show: The Silverton football team is honoring the recent Paris Olympic games with a demonstration of their water skills. The team will descend, en masse, on the Silverton Community Pool on Aug. 19, and from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. or so the football players will engage in relays, a big splash contest and even some synchronized swimming. Third-year coach Dan Lever has promised “celebrity” judges and said the program is “a great way to celebrate the start of fall camp.” When asked who came up with the idea Lever told Our Town “I don’t know. It just kind of happened.”
Equestrian: Two Silverton riders participated in the Pacific Northwest Invitational from June 14-16 at Moses Lake, Washington. The meet brought together the top 5 individual performers and relay teams from the Oregon and Washington state championships. Jessni Morris finished fourth in individual flags with a time of 9.067, while Danielle Velasco was eighth in figure 8 in 19.499.
Austin Ratliff. JAMES DAY
International meet
Silverton lifter Piper Jones heads to Ecuador
By James Day
Piper Jones, a champion weight lifter from Silverton, will be competing for the USA in the Pan American Youth Championships from Aug. 26 through Sept. 1 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Jones qualified for the U-15 American squad by virtue of her performance and rankings in recent competitions. She will compete in both the snatch and the clean and jerk in the under-49 kilogram (108 pounds). Her best snatch mark is 55kg (121 pounds) and her best in the clean and jerk is 70kg (154 pounds). Yes, she is exceeding her body weight in both lifts.
Jones said she has been around weightlifting “my whole life” because her parents, Matt and Mandy, run Silver Creek Crossfit on Lewis Street. Piper tried gymnastics for awhile but settled on weightlifting about three years ago and has shown steady progress, increasing her snatch mark from 39kg (86 pounds) and the clean and jerk from 56kg (123.5 pounds).
“I’m going to try this,” Piper said in an Our Town interview at the gym while noting that at the time she was not inclined to compete in a school sport. She joined the Silverton track and field team this spring, “mainly for the social benefits,” she said. She competed in the javelin, the shot put and the pole vault.
One of the key pieces of the crossfit training model is “cardio” work that boosts an athlete’s aerobic capability via running, walking, indoor rowing or even swimming. Piper, however, “doesn’t like to run” and only does cardio reluctantly. She’d rather lift. And because the type of lifting she does during crossfit work matches the ones used in Olympic lifting, well, success in the one
THE FORUM
can breed success in the other.
“Most weight lifters started with crossfit but most don’t like to do cardio,” she said.
Jones, 15, will be a sophomore at Silverton High in the fall. She and her coaches know that lifters usually just keep getting stronger the longer they train and that international success can come much later than, say, for a gymnast or a basketball player.
Jones describes her ambition thusly:
“I want to continue to be on Team USA, win a lot of competitions and go to the World Championships and hopefully get to go to the Olympic Trials and be an Olympian.”
Our Town will report on the results of Piper’s competition in Ecuador Sept. 15.
Congratulations to the organizers of the Homer parade
This year, the parade was fun fun, fun. We laughed uproariously at the Oregon gnomes and their dunce – no – their gnome hats that bring luck and a closeness to the good earth. We applauded with Olympic-like fever at the skills of our gymnasts and we marveled at the precision of the Shriner motorcycle precision. All that in our little town of Silverton brings a true Americana and a joyful toetherness. Now, we look forward to next year’s parade. Thanks for all who must have worked tirelessly and diligently to get the job done. It was absolutely a gold medal winner.
– Dianne Litherland
$1,000,000 Update…. multiple offers submitted, still negotiating final terms. Silverton. Donna Paradis 503-851-0998 MLS#818779
$799,000 One owner gem on the edge of town, 5 acres. Solid home, 2430 sqft, paved driveway and parking, 2 story barn, shop, chicken coop and RV parking. Silverton. Amy Price 503-856-4948 MLS#818789
Back on Market
$850,000 Abiqua Creek Frontage w/amazing views & swimming hole located on 1.04 acre! Silverton. Donna Paradis 503-851-0998 MLS#819671
$794,000 New Construction
3 bed/2 ba, 1836 sqft, single level floor plan, LVP flooring, White Oak Cabinets and clean line design, Large 3 car garage. Silverton. Robin Kuhn
503-930-1896 MLS#818396
Back on Market
$776,000 Mt. Angel home with a Shop 4bd/4ba~ 2560 SF~ Single level~ 2 primary suites~ Private office~ 4 bay shop w/3 roll up doors. Valerie Kofstad 503-871-1667 MLS#814663
$554,900 Custom 1 level with 12x14 shop w/power~3bd/ 2ba~ 1818SF~ Covered patio, gazebo, garden area w/fruit trees. Rosie Wilgus 503-409-8779 MLS#815924
$775,000 Located on Evergreen Golf Course! Rare find, 2313 Sqft on 2 acres. Should be ready late August. Mt. Angel. Valerie Kofstad 503-871-1667 MLS#819659
PENDING $532,950
Single level home with attached ADU Korinna Barcroft 503-851-1283 MLS#816371
COMING SOON $525,000 1974 built home w/ nostalgic touches, built-ins and fireplace. Nice treed setting. 1767 sqft. Silverton. Donna Rash 503-871-0490, co-list Etta Hess 503-507-5786 MLS#817714
Angela DeSantis, Broker
She is an experienced aerospace auditor, she brings the same meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical background to her real estate practice.
503-851-9286
email: Angela.D.Desantis @gmail.com
$559,900 Single level home with 11 ft ceilings, 3-car garage, 3 bedrooms plus a den. Wood Flooring and quality cabinetry. Pioneer Village, Silverton. Valerie Kofstad 503-871-1667 MLS#819628
$250,000 Cutest little House, 1 bed, 1 bath. Recent Updates. Salem. Valerie Kofstad 503-871-1667 MLS#819891
Four Buildable lots in Pioneer Village Phase 6 Subdivision
Pick a lot to build your dream home on in one of Silvertons most sought after neighborhoods Contact Robin Kuhn for more details! 503-930-1896
MLS#810514 $195,000 • MLS#810513 $199,900 MLS#810400 $225,000
and
AUCTION
Piper Jones of Silverton works on her weight lifting technique at Silver Creek Crossfit. JAMES DAY
In June a group of nine women –Michele Finicle, Sarah Weitzman, Jaime Fuhrman, Joy Flowers, Ann Haviland, Karyssa Dow, Laura Beville, Bri Hupp and Vivienne Frankel – combined their talents in order to provide over 1,400 lunches to kids living in the Silver Falls School District during the two-week gap in the federally funded lunch program caused by the one week furlough of the district’s schools.
Coined, “Food for Furlough,” the project had volunteers collecting donations and raising funds in the amount of $5,500, sourcing supplies, baking cookies and muffins and bagging lunches from June 10 to 21.
“[The] food Distribution Team carried between 120 to 200 lunches from Trinity Lutheran to the park,” Frankel wrote in a Facebook post thanking the enormous group of Food for Furlough volunteers.
“I still can’t believe how it all came together, and it worked so smoothly,” Frankel said. “Every day the kids got milk
or water, chips, fruit and veggies… We had prep session the Sunday nights before each week started to give a head start [then] we rolled through the week, always prepping ahead a little for the next day.”
With a weekly rotation that included pizza donated by Domino’s and sandwiches donated by Lou’s Kitchen in Mount Angel, Frankel was surprised to find the most popular days were Tuesdays when the crew served string cheese, pita wedges and hummus.
“No one saw that coming,” Frankel said, adding that Mondays and Fridays – peanut butter and jelly sandwich days –were the days the team dreaded because, “it takes a long time to assemble 140 to
150 sandwiches!”
In addition to the usual provisions, the group also produced 15 specialty lunches each day – an assortment of low-sugar, gluten-free and nut-free options – and 40 lunches for the students of Scotts Mills and Butte Creek.
“The City Manager in Scotts Mills told me the second day that a woman left crying, she was so grateful for the food for her kids,” Frankel said.
That story was proof that what the organizers of the Food for Furlough’s program suspected was indeed true –that without weekly lunches during the summer, there are families in the SFSD who would have to go without.
“Today we served 155 kids sack lunches,” Michele Finicle – a former educator and the initiator of the Food for Furlough concept – wrote in a Facebook post during the final week. “They were gone within 15 minutes of setting up. It is kind of like Thanksgiving every day for two weeks: the hours of planning, shopping,
Dan Wilgus Owner
coordinating, making, and packing, all to disappear within a half an hour… I felt the importance of this mission today. A month ago, this was an idea a few moms had to help our community during a difficult time. What has happened since is a whole lot of hustling, connecting, asking and this community has shown up in big ways…”
So big that when the lunch program ended, volunteers were additionally able to donate cases of fruit and grape jelly to Oak Street Church, Sheltering Silverton and St. Edwards Church and financial contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church, Silverton Area Community Aid and to 15 SFSD teachers who lost their jobs.
“Thank you to all who contributed to this project…” fellow organizer, Sarah Weitzman, wrote in her own Facebook post. “It was a huge undertaking but the loads of volunteers we had, and our core team made this an exceptionally smooth project… [I’m] honored to be among some amazing women who get the important stuff done!”
GENERAL
YOUR RIGHT TO SELF
DEFENSE Saturdays, age 10-12 at 5 p.m.; age 13 & up 6:15 p.m.; Security & Correctional Officers 7:30 p.m. Private Lessons Available International Certification Curriculum available on request. Call Harold 503-391-7406.
HELP WANTED
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN
CHURCH OF SILVERTON IS HIRING! We are looking for a Worship Production Director to run our live stream and technology during our Sunday Worship Services. We estimate 7-10 hours a week with the opportunity for additional per diem amounts for other services and events. Please contact us for more information and to request an application at office@ immanuelsilverton.org or call 503-873-8656. We are also looking for a Youth Leader to provide leadership for the ILC youth group (middle and high school-aged youth). We estimate 12-15 hours a week. Please contact us for more information and to request an application at office@ immanuelsilverton.org or call 503-873-8656.
PUDDING RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL
seeking full or part-time job applicants. Position: Stewardship & Restoration Manager. Generous benefits. For details: https://tinyurl.com/ puddingjob/.
NOTICES
CAN YOU SPARE A COUPLE OF HOURS TO HELP SENIORS IN SILVERTON?
The Silverton Meals on Wheels organization is looking for volunteers. We are asking for people who can commit to two hours a week. Volunteer positions are available in the kitchen (to plate meals) or drivers to deliver food to people’s homes in the Silverton area.If interested, please call 503-873-6906 between 8 a.m. and noon Monday – Friday.
SERVICES
SOUNDS GOOD STUDIO
Bands, Artists, Personal Karaoke CDs, Books, Restoration for Old Cassettes, Reel to Reel & 8-Track Cassettes (Even if Broken). Call Harold 503-391-7406
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
MAGIC CARPET CLEANING & MORE Since 1992. Carpet & upholstery cleaning at its best. Free estimates. Residential & commercial. Located in Silverton. Call Harold at 503-391-7406
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 YOU WANT GONE? From yard debris to scrap metal-From garage sale left overs to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse, or donate what we can. Call and find out what we can do for you. $20 Minimum. Call Keith 503-502-3462
WANTED
LOOKING TO PURCHASE a Commercial Building in downtown Silverton or surrounding towns. Two Story or three. Serious buyer looks for a serious seller,only. Duke 505-429-1523
To advertise call
503-845-9499
#T2838 HOME ON THE HILL
$799,900
Rolling pasture with maple, fir, and oak. Gated private drive is paved up to the custom built one-story home. Built in Spanish Ranch Style only the 2nd Owner in 50 years. Wood burning fireplace, atrium entry, vaulted ceilings with T&G & exposed beams. Room for a shop and/or animals. Near Silverton Reservoir. Set off Silver Falls Hwy. near town but private. Call Michael at ext. 314 (WVMLS# 819011)
#T2833
MOVE-IN READY
$695,000 This 2-story colonial style home is in excellent condition. Located in Silverton’s Abiqua Heights! Custom built in 2009. The home has several nice features; an open great room w/ gas fireplace, vaulted MBR, soaking tub, quartz counter tops, hickory hardwood floor, additional office / den, and wonderful backyard with patio, sprinkler system, & gutter covers. Stainless steel Frig. Big common area has walking paths, play equipment, and pond. Call Michael at ext. 314 (WVMLS#818145)
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
#T2817 GREAT LOCATION
2 BR, 2 BA 990 sqft. Independence. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $462,800 (WVMLS#815114)
#T2819 FIVE SEPARATE UNITS 6 BR, 5 BA 3172 sqft. Salem. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $795,700 (WVMLS#815616)
#T2828 BEAUTIFUL HOME
$569,900 Beautiful well cared for, single level ranch style home in Mountain High Addition. Built in 1999, home includes 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with 1,546 sq. ft. of living space, gas fireplace in living room, granite countertops in kitchen, manicured landscaping, and fully fenced yard. Newer kitchen appliances and roof was replaced in September 2023. Nice deck off dining area to backyard in quiet neighborhood with seasonal views toward Mt. Angel. Call for an appointment today! Call Chuck at ext. 325 (WVMLS#817263)
#T2826 $598,000 BACK ON THE MARKET at no fault of the home or seller. Open concept home on large .23 acre lot in quiet cul de sac in newer neighborhood. Custom wood cabinets throughout, quartz countertops, laminate flooring, custom window coverings & stainless steel appliances. Large bonus room upstairs with full bath is currently being used as fourth bedroom. Room for RV. Easy access to 214. Only adjacent neighbor is to the South. Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 (WVMLS#816981)
#T2839 GREAT LOCATION
2 BR, 1 BA 1132 sqft. Salem. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $358,750 (WVMLS#819125)
SOLD! – #T2835 BEAUTIFUL TOWNHOUSE 2 BR, 2.5 BA 1100 sqft. Beaverton. Call Chuck at ext. 325 $409,900 (WVMLS#818024)
BARELAND/LOTS
#T2816 2 BUILDABLE LOTS .45 Acres Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $109,900 (WVMLS#814998)
#T2827 GREAT OPPORTUNITY 1.66 Acres Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $194,000 (WVMLS#817231)
#T2832 BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME 2.93 Acres Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $450,000 (WVMLS#817735)
