Our Town South: May 1, 2022

Not so fast Farmers Against Foster Farms asks for moratorium on chicken ranches

By Stephen Floyd

Community organizers pushing against industrial chicken farms have called on Gov. Kate Brown to issue a moratorium on such developments until the state can craft legislation addressing the environmental hazards they pose. Farmers Against Foster Farms (FAFF) has reached out directly to Brown’s office for a moratorium that could halt large-scale chicken farms planned for Jordan, Stayton and Scio.

FAFF co-organizer Kendra Kimbirauskas said this would allow lawmakers to carefully consider the impact industrial farms have on local water, soil and air, and the communities where they are built.

“We are calling on Gov. Kate Brown to hit pause and stop the proverbial feeding frenzy of the expansion of these operations,” she said.

While they have yet to hear back from Brown’s office, Kimbirauskas said they are already working with state

Jordan with a 4.5-million-chicken annual capacity, and a 2.2-million-chicken farm near Aurora.

Kimbirauskas said all four of these operations were developed without direct notifications to neighboring residents, and this is one of the changes they would like to see at the state level. They also hope the state will craft regulations that look not only at the impact of a single industrial farm, but consider the larger consequences of multiple such farms in the same region.

“That’s a pretty big deal,” she said of the numbers. She said a lot of comments during the hearing were technical, and little attention was given to the local hydrology and human impact of approving the permit. She said comments from FAFF supporters helped provide that perspective. She hopes regulators will take them into account. EQC, which oversees DEQ, met April 6 for a regular public comment hearing, and around 20 FAFF supporters were involved. So many people had comments to offer that EQC had to limit those who could speak, said Kimbirauskas, but FAFF was still able to share their concerns over the lack of regulations protecting people from pollution and other risks.

To start making waves among state regulators, FAFF encouraged community members to attend recent hearings for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). DEQ met April 5 to consider a stormwater construction permit for J-S Ranch, and Kimbirauskas said around 30 people attended in

Some of the FAFF supporters to get involved are Lucie Gouin and Art Poulos, owners of La Terra Vita in Scio, down the road from Evergreen Ranch, one of the proposed 4.5 million-chicken capacity farms. Gouin recently published a guest column in The Oregonian equating the proposed industrial ranches to an Amazon warehouse being built in an urban neighborhood.

“These are going to be very, very large operations,” she said of the proposed ranches. “I think that’s something we’re not understanding really well at a community level.”

“These are going to be very, very large operations. I think that’s something we’re not understanding really well at a community level.”

– Lucie Gouin

the proximity of Evergreen Ranch to Lourdes Elementary School and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She said ammonia emissions from the farm could impact the health of students and elderly parishioners

Poulos said he is surprised schools and school boards are not more vocal about the impact the farms will have on school operations, including sports which could be canceled on a day an event is downwind from an industrial chicken farm. He said the proposed Stayton operation, within two miles of the city, could be particularly impactful on local athletics.

“If that operation ends up going ahead, those schools are going to have to think carefully about their sports programs,” he said.

Both Gouin and Poulos were concerned about the potential for runoff in Oregon’s wet weather, possibly contaminating an already-fragile aquifer.

“These massive barns will be built over a layer of gravel, and that’s porus and I think that could be some seepage through that,” said Gouin.

“Everyone’s concerned that although these chicken farms plan to be self-contained, that just won’t be the case due to our winters and spring rain, there’s a real worry [about] runoff,” said Poulos.

And it isn’t just farmers and those near the ranches showing

concern. Bob Pendleton, a friend of Gouin and Poulos, attended a community meeting organized by FAFF April 7 at the Stayton Community Center.

More than 50 people were in attendance, and the majority of concerns were about environmental degradation. But Pendleton said he was surprised there wasn’t more conversation about animal cruelty, given the extreme conditions under which chickens live in industrial farms.

“I understand they’re raised for food, but the way they’re raised seems inhumane,” he said. “I understand there are a lot of hormones injected into these chickens to make them grow faster and bigger.”

Even though he’s not as directly impacted as others, Pendleton said he still felt compelled to take home a FAFF sign protesting the industrial farms.

“I brought a sign home and nailed it up in my big maple tree,” he said. “I want to spread the word and get people interested in it.”

As more community members become aware and get involved, Gouin said she hopes people understand this is not a political issue, but something that affects all residents and, even if you don’t agree with FAFF, is worth researching.

“It does have an impact on youth and health, I think it’s worth looking into,” she said.

Public defender files to challenge Marion DA

By Stephen Floyd

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson is being challenged by a public defender for her role as top prosecutor.

Spencer Todd, of Salem, filed for the May 17 primary to unseat Clarkson, also of Salem, who was first elected DA in 2018 while running unopposed. Because only two candidates filed for the nonpartisan office, they will automatically move on to the Nov. 8 general election.

Todd has served as a court-appointed lawyer since graduating from Willamette University College of Law in 2013, first in Polk County and then in Marion County starting in 2015. Beforehand he worked as a clerk with the Marion County Circuit Court and with private defenders.

Clarkson worked as a deputy district attorney for Marion County for 20 years before becoming DA. She has since served on the Public Safety Coordinating Council, Children & Families Commission, SB 111 Steering Committee, and Criminal Justice Advisory Council.

503-510-5480

apexexcavationc@gmail.com

Ballot measure

Voters to decide on fluoride in Sublimity

By Stephen Floyd

Voters in Sublimity will decide whether or not to continue adding fluoride to the city’s drinking water during the May 17 election after officials and residents spent two years examining the issue.

Measure 24-460 was added to the ballot following a series of City Council discussions and community input that began after the matter was raised during a community forum in 2020.

A vote in favor of the measure supports the continued use of fluoride. If the measure is voted down, the city will discontinue fluoridation.

Sublimity’s water system serves 860 hookups for the city’s 2,760 residents, according to the most recent information reported to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

The issue was first brought before the City Council during a community workshop in January 2020, when residents were encouraged to discuss goals they wished the city to pursue. The City Council researched the matter and sought public input, receiving feedback from residents both for and against fluoridation.

Two finalists

NSSD narrows down superintendent candidates

Because residents were split, the council chose to place the issue on the Nov. 2, 2021, general election ballot to let voters decide. However the cost to add a measure to this election was prohibitive and the council opted instead for the upcoming primary election.

The council has not taken an official position on the issue, with Mayor James Kingsbury instead expressing gratitude to the many residents who provided input.

“We appreciate all your feedback about adding fluoride in the city’s water,” said Kingsbury in Sublimity’s November 2020, monthly newsletter.

A majority of municipal water systems in the US add fluoride as a public health measure against tooth decay, according to the Centers for Disease Control. OHA describes fluoridation as “a proven, safe and low-cost” way to prevent dental cavities.

However, fluoridation has received criticism since its early proliferation in the 1950s by individuals who claimed it was an invasion of medical privacy, or who blamed fluoride for disease. Both state and federal courts have ruled that fluoridation at recommended levels is legal, comparing it to the use of chlorine to sterilize water.

By Stephen Floyd

The North Santiam School

Board was scheduled to present two finalists for superintendent at a community forum to meet the candidates on April 26, after the Our Town press time.

The board met during a special session April 9 and selected Lee Loving, principal of Ridgeview High School in Redmond, and Dr. Jose Silva, principal of Kermit R. Booker Elementary School in Las Vegas, Nevada out of a pool of 18 applicants.

The board also selected Patrick Coen, superintendent of Burlington Community School District in Burlington, Iowa. Coen withdrew his candidacy April 12.

Current Superintendent Andy Gardner submitted his resignation Feb. 4 to join the Greater Albany Public Schools as superintendent. Gardner began his teaching career with North Santiam School District in 1990 and his last day will be June 30.

The board planned to select a single finalist following the forum, and after contract negotiations hopes to make a firm job offer no later than May 5.

Loving has 20 years of school

administration experience, and in 2019 was honored as Oregon Secondary Principal of the Year by Oregon Association of Secondary School Administrators and Coalition of Oregon School Administrators. He holds a master of science degree in educational leadership from Portland State University.

Silva has been principal at Kermit R. Booker since 2019, with prior experience in high school and elementary administration in Nevada. He has a doctorate of education in K-12 leadership from Argosy University, and a master of arts in elementary education from Sierra Nevada College.

Loving and Silva were selected after the board interviewed candidates and took recommendations from a 22-member search advisory committee made of parents, students, district staff and community members.

Dr. Jose Silva. SUBMITTED PHOTO Lee Loving. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Kubota’s

Meet Probie Sublimity fire dog provides therapy for first-responders

By James Day

Emergency calls can take quite a toll on first-responders such as police officers and firefighters.

A new program is using therapy dogs to assist with the mental health of first-responders, with Oregon’s lone participant headquartered in Sublimity.

Probie, a 2.5-year-old golden retriever, is based at the Sublimity Fire District, but he goes all over the state to assist first-responders. He’s been to Central Oregon, to Lakeview for the 2021 Bootleg Fire and in the fall of 2020, he was deployed repeatedly in the Santiam Canyon for the series of wildfires that plagued the region around Labor Day 2020.

“For fire service this is brand new,” said Amber Cross, Probie’s handler. Probie lives with Cross and her husband, Brent in Sublimity. Both Crosses volunteer with Sublimity, while Amber also serves as a supervising deputy with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office in Salem.

“I wear multiple hats,” she said of her duties. During the Beachie, Lionshead and Riverside fires, Cross, Probie and retired Hillsboro fire chaplain Steve Brodehl were constantly on the job.

“He knows the alert tones,” Cross said. “He’ll hear the

alert and run to the front door. We would load him in his crate and off we’d go. We would show up at 5:30 a.m. at the Beachie command post at Chemeketa, we’d visit the crews and try to lift up their spirits. It was a very stressful time.

“He always was happy to see the volunteers. After a tough call we’d sit on the floor and de-stress and he’d be right there with us.

First-responder therapy dogs are given credit for assisting with a wide range of health issues:

• Reducing stress and anxiety

• Lowering blood pressure and slowing breathing

• Improving overall mood and mental state

• Increasing productivity due to better mood and mental state

“Firefighters might not want to talk about a tough call, but they’ll pet a dog,” Cross said. “When you are working with mental health for first-responders each person reacts differently.”

The first-responder therapy dog program got started in California, and they now have 30 certified teams in ten states.

Probie was the runt of a litter at just 13 ounces and in early life was called Survivor. The name Probie refers to the one-year probationary period for fire district volunteers.

In a bit of eye-dropping coincidence, he and Cross share a July 11 birthday.

“The stars just aligned,” she said.“It has been an incredible adventure.”

Handler Amber Cross and Probie, the first-responder therapy dog, are shown at the Sublimity Fire District station. Probie is the first such certified therapy dog in Oregon. JAMES DAY

The biochar solution

Freres to aid Microsoft’s carbon plan

By James Day

The Microsoft Corporation will use a carbon removal technology developed by Lyons-based Santiam Canyon lumber company Freres as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

ACT Commodities will serve as the “broker” in the deal, selling Freres’ biocharbased carbon removal credits to Microsoft. The program is part of Microsoft’s efforts to be carbon negative by 2030, said Elizabeth Willmott, the software giant’s carbon program director.

ACT commodities helps organizations around the world reduce their carbon footprint by backing high-impact climate projects that generate renewable certificates and carbon credits.

Biochar is the solid, carbon-rich product produced when biomass is converted to energy. A byproduct of Freres’ biomass cogeneration operations, biochar helps companies decrease their carbon footprint using carbon offsets.

Biochar production provides the opportunity to treat underused biomass, such as forest fuel load reductions, slash from tree harvest and mill residuals, in an economic and environmentally beneficial way, Freres officials said.

“We intend to continue developing applications for our biochar,” said Kyle Freres, vice president of operations.

“We believe wood products are a key element to combating climate change and we have a three-pronged approach to respecting our environment: develop sustainable and recyclable construction products, adhere to sustainable forest management practices, and produce energy and carbon reducing byproducts from wood products that have reached the end of their usable lives.”

Here is how the process works:

A boiler is fed with a wide range of local biomass, including bark and waste from the production of timber products.

During production, part of the biomass volatilizes into combustible gases that are used to produce bio-energy, producing enough electricity each year to power approximately 5,000 homes and provide thermal energy for Freres’ manufacturing facilities.

Odd Kloset New boutique now open in Stayton

By Mary Owen

Looking for that special something for that special someone?

With Mother’s Day coming up, Odd Kloset, a new trendy thrift boutique in Stayton might just be the place to find it, said co-owner Kayla Delfino.

“Odd Kloset is a thrift boutique that has things like clothes, shoes, accessories, home decor and lots of others merchandise at a fair price and great quality,” Delfino said. “We use the term boutique because we also carry high-end items that still hold a great price without the hassle of online selling or paying full price.”

The Odd Kloset team consists of mom Krista Russell, daughters Kendra Russell, Kylee Russell, Kayla Delfino, and longtime family friend, Traci Ferrando.

The “c” in closet was replaced with a “k” as most of the group’s names begin with that letter, and, additionally, Delfino said, “We have all been known to be a slightly rambunctious and quirky group of women that have a passion for the better part of retail, which of course, is the shopping, and we show it in our styling in all aspects. Each one of our styles is very different but we believe it to be a benefit to our store, as it gives variety.

Even trinket-type things as well as vintage items and high-end merchandise.”

Currently, the team is not doing consignment, but have considered it, according to Delfino.

Feedback, she added, has been “absolutely amazing.”

Anissa Bosch posted on the Odd Kloset Facebook page, “Had the best experience here, and you gals are the kindest!”

In addition to the excess energy created during the production process, two byproducts result from biomass combustion in a boiler: first, a noncombustible ash product, which is essentially dirt and sand that can be absorbed by trees during their lifecycle, and also biochar, a latticework of thermally altered, stabilized carbon. Carbon stored in the biochar was removed originally from the atmosphere through the photosynthesis of the tree. Biochar binds minerals and nutrients, increases water holding capacity, encourages microbial and fungal life in soils, and helps to form soil aggregates. Biochar also is used as a soil amendment or greenhouse additive to increase soil fertility, to remove pollutants from stormwater and wastewater, to remediate contaminated soils, to reduce odor emissions from composting operations and to filter drinking water.

“We wanted to have an environment that was inviting, friendly, and completely family oriented. Plus, we want to love our job, not dread it. Shopping second hand is a thrill to us because finding all kinds of things new and old can make purchasing truly exciting for us.”

Overtime, the five women collected enough to finally open a shop in March of this year and share their finds with the community, Delfino said.

“We also unfortunately lost the family father last year which has given us a chance to really come together as a family and take advantage of an opportunity that scares us but also excites us,” she added.

The women specialize mostly in women’s clothing but are trying to work on generating a better men’s section.

“We do take donations,” Delfino said. “We also do in-store credit for what we take in, if interested! We also carry other things like accessories including jewelry, hats, scarves and all sorts of home décor.

Alana Starr loved her first “trip in.” She plans to be a regular customer, saying, “Cute things and very reasonable.”

The women had been looking for locations all around different areas before deciding on Stayton.

“We were unsuccessful mostly because of pricing or the area was not a fit for us,” Delfino said. “We found an ad for the location we are currently in within downtown Stayton and took a look.

We immediately fell in love and knew that it would be a great place to start. We absolutely love the building owners because they have been wonderful during the entire process and incredibly kind, and we give thanks to them for the opportunity they truly gave us.”

Odd Kloset is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 193 N. Third Ave., next to Napa Auto. Odd Kloset’s Facebook presence updates clients on offerings, times and latest changes. For information, call 503-4090271.

Wood waste transferred to a furnace at the Freres Lumber facility in Lyons (top). The resultant biochar (above) is a by-product of biomass combustion in a boiler. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Odd Kloset in Stayton. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Community Health

Workers

Santiam Hospital invests in rural healthline

By Mary Owen

At the start of this year, Santiam Hospital initiated a new program to help patients at three area clinics navigate their healthcare options.

Community Health Workers were placed into SH clinics in Aumsville, Sublimity and Mill City. Each CHW serves as a liaison between medical and social services and the community, improving access to the quality of care by addressing basic patient needs.

“When a new, or not recently evaluated, patient comes to the medical clinic for evaluation, they are presented with a form asking about basic needs such as safe housing, adequate food supply, and ease of transportation,” said Kim Klotz, who oversees the program. “CHWs reside in the clinic environment so that when a patient identifies a need, they can meet with that patient to further explore the situation and start the process of identifying resources and referrals to help them.”

Klotz said CHWs are also embedded in the communities they serve, attending such activities as vaccine clinics or resource fairs.

“Our goal is to have a CHW in each of our six identified Rural Healthcare Clinics,” Klotz said.

Melissa Baurer, who heads disaster services and community engagement for SH’s Santiam Services Integration, agrees that CHWs are instrumental in bridging care.

Baurer credits Erin Cramer, Director of Medical Clinics, for helping to develop the program.

“A new program needs to be supported by leadership,” Baurer said. “I appreciate the

support this program has received. Kim Klotz has been wonderful in the direct oversight and securement of grant to hire the three community health workers we currently have.”

Each week, CHWs discuss patient needs and ways to find resources with Santiam Service Integration Coordinator Kim Dwyer, Colleen Bradford with ODHS Self Sufficiency, Klotz and Baurer.

“This is another program that utilizes our Service Integration model to support families,” Baurer said. “It’s great to see crossover amongst programs to meet the needs of our growing communities.”

Klotz said despite the proven value of CHWs, the move toward implementing them into a “traditional healthcare model is still being built out.”

“Funding for these positions is often soft, such as coming from grants, which is not reliable,” she said. “Our focus now is to have secured funding for the three positions by June and build out the team in 2023.”

Current team members are Josie Crocker with the Women’s Clinic and Santiam Medical Clinic, Crystal Filbey with Sublimity Medical Clinic, and Hannah Nelson with Aumsville Medical Clinic.

“Our team has weathered the growing pains of a new program marvelously and all state they ‘aren’t going anywhere,’” she said.

“The clinics they work in have adopted them into their workflow and also state that they ‘aren’t going anywhere.’ Patients are very grateful, and this is the part that makes the job so rewarding.”

For more information, call Santiam Hospital and Clinics at 503-769-2175.

Community Health Workers Josie Crocker, Crystal Filbey and Hannah Nelson SUBMITTED PHOTO

Frequent Address

Santiam Senior Center, 41818 Kingston-Jordan Road, Stayton. Stayton Community Center, 400 W Virginia St. Stayton Public Library, 515 N First Ave.

Weekly Events

Monday

Stayton Community Food Bank, 9 a.m. - noon, 1210 Wilco Road.

Repeats Mon. - Fri. 503-769-4088

Santiam Senior Center, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Seniors 50 and older. Daily, weekly, monthly events. 503-7672009, santiamseniorcenter.com

Senior Meals, 11:30 a.m. Delivery only. Age 60 and older. Serves Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Marion, Mehama. Repeats Wednesday, Friday. $3 donation suggested. For delivery, call Ginger, 503-769-7995.

Free Covid-19 Testing, noon – 6 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. No physician’s order required. To avoid wait times, pre-register at labdash.net, 503-769-3230

Walk-In Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic, 2 - 5 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Adult and children age 5 and older vaccines available. Free. Drop in or schedule an appointment at santiamhospital.org.

Bingo, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Regular games $.05 a card. Blackout $.10 a card. 50 and older. Repeats Thursdays. 503-767-2009

Community Yoga, 7 p.m., St. Patrick’s Hall, 362 Seventh St., Lyons. Suggested donation $5 - 15. All levels welcome. Repeats Wednesday. Kathy, mail2reed@gmail.com

Tuesday

Senior Gardening with Diane Hyde, 10:30 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009, santiamseniorcenter.com

Storytime, 11:05 s.m.. For children and family members of all ages. Takes place outside. No registration required. Rain or shine.

503-769-3313

ESL, GED, Citizenship Classes, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. No cost for class. Workbook is $20. Runs through June. Repeats Thursdays. Mary, 503-779-7029.

Wednesday

Stayton/Sublimity Chamber

Business Network, 8:30 a.m. Network building event for local business, nonprofit professionals. Location varies each week. For location, call 503-769-3464.

St. Boniface Archives and Museum, 9 a.m. - noon, 370 Main St., Sublimity. Learn about Sublimity and possibly your family history. Free. 503-508-0312

Tai Chi for Intermediates, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009

Tai Chi for Beginners, 11:15 a.m.noon, Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009

Stayton Area Rotary, noon, Santiam Golf Club, 8724 Golf Club Road, Aumsville. Guests welcome. 503-5089431, staytonarearotary.org

Cascade Country Quilters, 12:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009

Beginner Line Dancing Class, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009

Advanced Line Dancing Class, 2 - 3 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50 and older. 503-767-2009

Thursday

Mama´s Community Market, 1 - 6 p.m., Aumsville Pentecostal Church, 10153 Mill Creek Road. Food Pantry. 971-710-5665

Point Man Ministries, 6 p.m., Canyon Bible Fellowship, 446 Cedar St., Lyons. Veterans support organization. 503-859-2627

Friday

Cars & Coffee, 8 a.m., Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Bring your classic vehicles for coffee, breakfast.

Saturday

Silverton Farmers Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 204 W Main St. Fresh produce, plants, flowers. Every Saturday. 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. Sundays. oregoncraftersmarket.com

Aumsville Historical Museum, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 599 Main St. To visit by appointment, call Ted Shepard at 503-749-2744.

Sunday, May 1

May Day

Shaw Knights of Columbus

Breakfast

7:30 - 10 a.m., St. Mary Parish Hall, 9168 Silver Falls Hwy., Shaw. Homemade biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fruit cup, coffee, juice. Cost: $8 adults, $3 children 12 and under. 503-362-6159

A Bench in the Sun

2 p.m., Spotlight Theatre, 383 N Third Ave., Stayton. A Spotlight Community Theatre production. Repeats 7 p.m. May 6 & 7; 2 p.m. May 8. Tickets $15 at spotlightcommunitytheatre.com.

Monday, May 2

Stayton Budget Committee

6 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Budget documents available at staytonoregon.gov. Open to public. Also, online at youtu.be/ ZeQMqi4S1o8. 503-769-3425

Tuesday, May 3

Stayton Parks and Rec Board

6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-3425

Sublimity Parks and Rec Board

6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson St. Open to public. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org

Lyons City Council

6:30 p.m., Lyons City Hall, 449 Fifth St., Lyons. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-859-2167, cityoflyons@ wavecable.com

Wednesday, May 4

Star Wars Day

Bicycle Camping

6 p.m., Fall Line Sports, 302 Lewis St., Silverton. Get introduced to bicycle camping through talk, question and answer period and looking at equipment. Planned two-night ride from Silverton June 3 - 5. 503-873-0977

Thursday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo

Friday, May 6

Master Gardener Plant Sale

10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 NE 17th St., Salem. Gardening tips and demos. More than 10,000 plants available. Buy a plant and a pot, and get it planted for free. Free parking and admission. Repeats 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 7. Marioncomga.org

Red Cross Blood Drive

10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sublimity Fire Station, 115 NW Parker St. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Mother’s Day Barn Bazaar

1 - 6 p.m., Chic and the Cow, 38580 Gilkey Road, Scio. More than 20 crafters. Bath products, home decor, furniture, homemade baked goods, accessories and plants. Free admission. Repeats 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 7.

World Labyrinth Day

1 p.m., Queen of Angels Monastery, 840 S Main St., Mt. Angel. Celebrate World Labyrinth Day and take steps for peace. A brief explanation of the Peace Walk on the labyrinth is at 12:45 p.m. Free. Refreshments afterward. To register, call Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer, 503-845-2556.

Saturday, May 7

Cascade Car Show

9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cascade High, 10226 NE Marion Road, Turner. Vendors, cars, food trucks, silent auction, 50/50 drawing. Car registration $15 at the gate. Russ Strohmeyer DJs. Proceeds support Cascade High class of 2022. Jeff Schnepp, 503-602-2520, jeff.schneep@ emergyandsons.com

Saturday Market Plant Sale

9 a.m. - 1 p.m., downtown Scio. House plants, seeds, garden accessories, starts for vegetables, flowers, herbs and house plants. Free admission. Vendors welcome; email sciosaturdaymarket@ yahoo.com. Repeats May 14.

Mother’s Day Wine Tasting

Noon - 4 p.m., The Shabby Shed, 493 S Center St., Sublimity. Sample Colton Wintery wines and choose from a large selection of Mother’s Day gifts. 503-769-1213

Sunday, May 8

Mother’s Day

Brown House Tour

Noon - 2 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Tour the historic Charles and Martha Brown House. Free. Open to public. 503-769-8860

Monday, May 9

Stayton Budget Committee

6 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Budget documents available at staytonoregon.gov. Public hearing regarding state shared revenues. Open to public. Also, online at youtu.be/ nwUvw1YPp9Y. 503-769-3425

Sublimity City Council

6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Open to public. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org

Cascade Budget Committee

6 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Deliberation of the budget with public comment period. Copy of budget may be inspected or obtained on or after May 5 at the district office. Open to public. 503-749-8010, cascade.k12.or.us

Aumsville City Council

7 p.m., Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us

Lyons Fire District Board

7 p.m., Lyons Fire Station, 1114 Main St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-859-2410, lyonsrfd.org

Stayton Fire District

7 p.m.,. Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-2601, staytonfire.org

Lyons Library Board

7 p.m., Lyons Public Library, 279 Eighth St. 503-859-2366

Tuesday, May 10

Stayton Budget Committee

6 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Budget documents available at staytonoregon. gov. Open to public. Also, online at youtu.be/ FRGj8F0qyho. 503-769-3425

RDS Board Meeting

6 p.m., Beauchamp Building, 278 E High St., Stayton. Revitalize Downtown Stayton monthly meeting. Open to public.

503-767-2317, downtownstayton.org

Cascade School Board

7 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-8010, cascade.k12.or.us

Wednesday, May 11

Chamber Business Network

8:30 a.m., Skyline Video Productions, 102 S Center St. Ste. B&C, Sublimity. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Sponsored by Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. 503-769-3464

Red Cross Blood Drive

11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Caregiver Connection

1 - 2:30 p.m. For family caregivers and/or unpaid family caregivers. Free. To register, contact Suzy, 503-304-3429, suzy.deeds@ nwsds.org.

Stayton Budget Committee

6 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Budget documents available at staytonoregon. gov. Open to public. Also, online at youtu. be/o9h2pDIS2il. 503-769-3425

Thursday, May 12

Kindergarten Round Up

5 - 6 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Meet teachers, principal, district nurses. Register for school. Sign up for transportation. Information on food services. 503-769-2336

La Reunión para Estudiantes

6 - 7 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Conozca a las maestras de Kinder y a la directora y las enfermeras del distrito. Inscribir a su hijo(a) en la escuela. Registrarse para el servicio de transporte. Recibir información sobre servicios de alimentos. 503-873-2336

Aumsville Fire District

6:30 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-749-2894, aumsvillefire.org

Friday, May 13

Detroit Lake Fishing Derby

6 a.m. - 4 p.m., Detroit Lake. Fish the lake stocked with thousands of rainbow trout, and possibly win a prize. $20 adults. $15 children 13 and younger. Register at detroitlakeoregon.org. Repeats 6 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 14; 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. May 15. Prize ceremony 3 p.m. May 15; participants must be present to win.

Saturday, May 14

Spaghetti Dinner

5 - 7 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert and drinks. Dine-in or to-go. $10 per person. 503-859-2161

Sunday, May 15

Pancake Breakfast

8 a.m. - noon, Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Stayton Volunteer Firefighters’ pancake breakfast. Age 13+, $10. Age 6 - 12, $8. 5 and under, free.

Jam Session

1 p.m., Snow Peak Brewing, 280 E Water St., Stayton. Grab your instrument and jam with a group of local musicians. Or just sing along. All ages. Free. 503-767-2337

Monday, May 16

Red Cross Blood Drive

1 - 6 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Appointments needed by visiting redcrossblood.org.

Stayton City Council

7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. Agenda available. 503769-3425, staytonoregon.gov

Tuesday, May 17

North Santiam Watershed Council

6 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. For Zoom link information, call 503-930-8202 or email council@northsantiam.org.

NSSD Budget Committee

7 p.m., District Office, 1155 N First Ave., Stayton. Public meeting to discuss North Santiam School District 2022/23 budget. 503-769-6924, nsantiam.k12.or.us

Wednesday, May 18

Stayton Public Library Board

6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Open to public. 503-769-3313

Thursday, May 19

NSSD Board

6 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Board meeting for North Santiam School District. Open to public. 503-7696924, nsantiam.k12.or.us

Friday, May 20

Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair

Noon - 10 p.m., Scio. Events include Lamb Trot 5K run/walk, porch parade, tractor show, Fat Lamb Fiber Arts Show, vendors, food trucks, youth sheep show. Complete lineup at lambfair.com. Repeats 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. May 21; 8 a.m.3 p.m. May 22.

Saturday, May 21

Armed Forces Day

Flea Market

9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Crafts, collectibles. Lunch available to go and limited seating. If mandated, masks will be required. Free admission, parking. 503-859-2161

Silverton Pet Parade

10 a.m. Silverton. Hundreds and pets and their owners dressed in outrageous and fanciful costumes take part. Parade travels down Coolidge Street, along Main Street to First Street and ending at the old Eugene Field School site. See silvertonpetparade. com for more information.

Bethel Clothing Closet

10 a.m. - noon, Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Clothing from newborn to 2x. Free. 503-749-2128

Joseph’s Storehouse of Hope

11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mari-Linn School, 641 Fifth St., Lyons. Food boxes. 503-881-9846

Regis Alumni Baseball

1 p.m., Regis High, 550 W Regis St., Stayton. Multiple games if numbers allow. Some bats and helmets provided. Warmup begins at noon. Barbecue/ concessions available. Registration fee $40, includes hamburger lunch, T-shirt. Registration deadline May 15. Registration forms at regisstaymary.org. rra@regisrams.org

Monday, May 23

Sublimity Budget Committee

6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson St. Open to public. 503-7695475, cityofsublimity.org

Monday, May 30

Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 31

Stayton Planning Commission

7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. 503-769-2998

Flea Market

9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Crafts, collectibles. Lunch available to go and limited seating. Free admission, parking. 503-859-2161

Submission Information

To get your events and fundraisers published in Our Town and The Canyon Weekly, send your releases – including date, time, location, activity, cost, contact information – to datebook@mtangelpub.com. Or drop them off at 2340 Martin Dr., Stayton.

Back in the Spotlight Community theatre returns to live performances

By Mary Owen

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, a popular performance art theater is back in the spotlight.

“I am very excited for the theater to come back alive with laughter, creativity and people connecting with each other,” said Sonja Persey, director of Spotlight Community Theatre’s A Bench in the Sun and video and photography creator with Pixie Forest Films & Photography.

Having premiered on April 29, the production will be performed at SCT, 383 N. Third Ave. on May 1 and May 6-8. A Bench in the Sun was written by Ron Clark and is produced by special permission from Samuel French, Inc.

The play is a charming comedy about two longtime friends residing at Valley View Gardens, “a retirement community with no valley, no view and not much in the way of a garden,” Persey said.

“The play at its core is about relationships and that often enough, attitude is what determines happiness and fulfilment,” she said. “This is a play filled with funny one-liners, quick-witted humor and laughter, but it also touches on the loneliness and disconnect that can happen as we age.”

The three-person cast includes Burt (Matt Spenner) and Harold (Mike Engberg) who are longtime friends, spending their days at Valley View Gardens, sharing their favorite bench, and bickering over the small things in life. But when Adrienne (Stephanie Husk), a once famous actress moves into the retirement community, they have something new to argue about.

Persey wants people to take away that everyone has a choice on how to respond to circumstances in life.

“That friendships and connections to others are a huge part in our emotional well-being, especially as we get older and can become more isolated and feelings of loneliness can set in,” she said. “And most importantly, I want people to be entertained and to laugh during this play. It’s been a hard two years, and we are all in need of some laughter.”

Persey believes audience members – those aging themselves or those having an aging parent or grandparent – will easily identify with the characters.

“Most likely you’ll take sides with one character over another, but I believe in the end you’ll fall in love with all three,” she said. “Speaking of love, this play shows us that we are never too old to experience love.”

Persey expects some of the dates to be sold out and encourages people to get tickets early. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $8 for youth. For more information, call 503-302-0936, go to the SCT website or Facebook. To purchase tickets, go to www.spotlightcommunitytheatre. com.

“Last but not least, I think this play would be a wonderful outing to take that special mom to for Mother’s Day,” she said.

Mike Engberg, left, as Harold, Stephanie Husk and Matt Spenner. SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Melissa Wagoner

When Pam Russell and her husband purchased their home in Silverton in May 2021, they were excited to have a place of their own for the first time in 15 years. Newly retired empty-nesters, the couple thought they might take up gardening on the small plot of land. That’s when they discovered an interloper that just would not go away – the tree of heaven.

“The neighbors have a tree that was damaged in the ice storm,” she said of the first time the parent tree caught her eye.

Then spring came and tiny seedlings started popping up everywhere, even inside patio pots.

“Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

is a highly invasive broadleaf tree,” Brooke Edmunds – the community horticulturalist for Marion and Polk County – confirmed. Noting that, because of these invasive tendencies,

she and her colleagues are continually answering questions, directed toward the Master Gardener Help Desk, about how best to deal with unwanted seedlings.

“The root system of tree of heaven is also known to invade sewer and septic systems. It can crack building foundations,” she said listing the many issues the plant’s unchecked growth can cause. “The tree has a ‘weedy’ growth habit and sends up root sprouts. And to top it off, it smells bad and the branches are prone to breaking off in the wind and ice.”

But how did it get here in the first place?

“The tree of heaven... is native to China, where its leaves, roots and bark were used in traditional herbal medicine,” Ana Farris, the Botanical Curator and Horticulture Supervisor at The Oregon Garden, said of the plant’s origin story. “It was introduced to Europe in the early 1700s

Ailanthus or the “tree of heaven.” © VILLI45 / 123RF.COM

Tree of Heaven

continued from page 1

because of its appeal as an attractive ornamental. By the late 1700s it had been brought to the United States; the first documented sighting in Oregon was in Wasco County in 1904.”

And since that date it has continued to spread, popping up in yards and gardens across the state, including at The Oregon Garden where continued vigilance by the horticulture staff is required to keep the plant in check.

“At The Oregon Garden we control it by cutting down the stalk and applying an herbicide to the freshly cut stem, making sure to apply it directly to the cambium layer of the plant to ensure it is absorbed into the vascular system,” Farris described. “This prevents the plant from suckering after being cut down. We typically use a product called Tordon which can be found at your local farm store such as Wilco.”

It’s the most effective method for the tree’s removal, according to both Farris and Edmunds who cautioned, “just cutting the tree down does not mean that you are rid of the problem.”

Rather, parent trees can continue to produce shoots

along a root system up to 100 feet away.

And for those – like Russells’ neighbor – whose property already boasts a mature tree, Edmunds stressed the importance of hiring a certified arborist because there is never an instance where continued growth of this tree should go unchecked.

“This plant is on Oregon’s Noxious Weed list and should not be planted,” she stated, going on to suggest that, once the trees and seedlings have been removed, planting a native tree would be a more appropriate choice.

“Check out the OSU Extension guide ‘Selecting, Planting, and Caring for a New Tree’ for ideas to fit your location,” she recommended.

Similarly, Farris added, “If you are looking for an alternative to tree of heaven that will also have beautiful fall color, consider staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), black walnut (Juglans nigra) or sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua).”

Just don’t “for heaven’s sake” continue to let them spread.

Need a flavor boost in your cooking without adding salt? Try growing favorite herbs in your garden, a porch container or in a sunny window. Many herbs, like rosemary and thyme, are perennials that will thrive in our “Mediterranean” climate. Annual herbs, like basil and dill, grow and bloom in one season then die, and are often cultivated indoors in the winter. Biennial herbs, like parsley, bloom their second year and may reseed themselves. Parsley is the most-grown herb, used mostly as an edible garnish. Herbs are not just culinary. Some are grown for their aromatic qualities, like mint and lavender. Herbs have interesting foliage and are used in fresh or dried arrangements. Some herbs, like garlic may have medicinal or health purposes. While medical practitioners recognize some herbs have healing qualities known since ancient times, a health care professional should be consulted because they may interact

with prescription or over-the-counter medications.

Nearly all herbs can be grown from seed. Cilantro, dill and fennel should be sown directly in the garden or container because they do not transplant well. Cuttings or divisions are easier ways to propagate oregano, chives, mint and marjoram. French tarragon is supposedly only started from a cutting or division, but seems to reseed prolifically and appear everywhere if allowed to bloom. Herbs grow best in well-drained fertile soil. Drainage is a key

to success since most herbs struggle or die in soggy soil. Compost is ideal; fertilizer encourages excessive foliage and reduced flavor. Some herbs, like mints, must be contained or they will spread and take over the garden.

Herbs require lots of sunlight to produce their flavors. Growing them indoors, even in a window, may require supplemental light. Without enough light they may stay alive but may stop growing, especially in winter. Indoor herbs may need weak weekly feeding with a liquid fertilizer to grow actively.

Very few insects attack herbs. Some herbs, like garlic and chives, are used as companion plants in the garden because they seem to repel pests. Deer do not like aromatic plants, generally. Aphids may be attracted to anise, caraway, dill, fennel and curly-leafed parsley, but can be washed off with a hose.

Certainly wash herbs before drying, eating or using them in food preparation. Fresh leaves can be picked as soon as the plant has enough foliage to absorb sunlight and grow actively. Cutting to one-third of their size will leave enough foliage to thrive. Herbs have their best flavor and aromas when harvested in the morning, and before flowering. Air-drying is the most common way to preserve herbs, but they may be frozen. Some, like basil, lose their flavor when dried and are best saved when chopped and frozen in an ice cube tray. For more information on herbs and other gardening advice, visit http://extension. oregonstate.edu . Master Gardeners have written some helpful one-page summaries available at www.cmastergardeners.org. Master Gardeners are available by phone most business hours at extension offices (in Tangent and Salem).

© ILUZIA / 123RF.COM

OSU Gardener’s May Chores

Oregon State University Extension Service encourages sustainable gardening practices. Always identify and monitor problems before acting. First, consider cultural controls; then physical, biological and chemical controls (which include insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, botanical insecticides, organic and synthetic pesticides). Always consider the least-toxic approach first.

Recommendations in this calendar are applicable to Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

PLAN & PREPARE

Prepare and prime irrigation system for summer. Place pheromone traps in apple trees to detect presence of codling moth. Plan a control program of sprays, baits, or predators if found.

If needed, fertilize rhododendrons and azaleas with acid-type fertilizer. If established and healthy, their nutrient needs should be minimal. Remove spent blossoms.

PLANT

Plant dahlias, gladioli, and tuberous begonias in mid-May.

Plant chrysanthemums for fall color. When selecting new roses, choose plants labeled for resistance to diseases. Fertilize roses and control rose diseases

such as mildew with a registered fungicide. Plant most vegetables now; check with local gardeners. Use a soil thermometer to help you know when to plant vegetables. Wait until the soil is consistently above 70 degrees F to plant tomatoes, squash, melons, peppers and eggplant. Prevent root maggots when planting cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, collards and kale), by covering with row covers or screens, or by applying appropriate insecticides.

PUT PESTS OUT

Manage weeds while small and actively growing with light cultivation or herbicides. Once the weed has gone to bud, herbicides are less effective.

Trap moles and gophers as new mounds appear. Leaf-rolling worms may affect apples and blueberries. Prune off and destroy affected leaves. Monitor aphids on strawberries and ornamentals. If present, control options include washing off with water, hand removal, or using registered insecticides labeled for the problem plant. Follow all label directions. Promoting natural enemies (predators and parasitoids that eat or kill insects) is a longer-term solution for insect control in gardens. Spittlebugs may appear on ornamental plants as foam on stems. In most cases, they don’t require management. If desired, wash off with water or

use insecticidal soap as a contact spray. Read and follow label directions.

Control cabbageworms in cabbage and cauliflower, 12-spotted cucumber beetle in beans and lettuce, maggot in radishes. Control can involve hand removal, placing barrier screen over newly planted rows, or spraying or dusting with registered pesticides, labeled for use on the problem plant. Read and follow label directions when using insecticides.

Tiny holes in foliage and shiny, black beetles on tomato, beets, radishes, and potato indicate flea beetle attack. Treat with Neem, Bt-s, or use nematodes for larvae. Read and follow label directions when using insecticides.

Monitor rhododendrons, azaleas, primroses and other broadleaf ornamentals for adult root weevils. Look for fresh evidence of feeding (notching at leaf edges). Try sticky trap products on plant trunks to trap adult weevils. Protect against damaging the bark by applying the sticky material on a 4-inch wide band of poly sheeting or burlap wrapped around the trunk. Mark plants now and supply beneficial nematodes when soil temps are above 55 degrees F. If root weevils are a consistent problem, consider removing plants and choosing weevilresistant varieties.

Control slugs with bait or traps and by removing or mowing vegetation near garden plots.

Cabbage worm nibbling on kale. © DIGIHELION / 123RF.COM

Ladybug hunting aphids. © SANDERMEERTINSPHOTOGRAPHY / 123RF.COM

Something to Celebrate

Hall of Fame Regis St. Mary establishes way to recognize alumni, staff

By Mary Owen

For seven decades, many Regis High School graduates have gone on to make outstanding contributions to their communities.

“A group of former alumni, former teachers, current teachers and administrators decided the time had come to recognize some of those individuals,” said Mike Bauer, who began his own career almost 50 years ago, including coach, teacher and counselor. He continues to teach business at the Catholic high school and helps out with sports.

Bauer formed a committee in the fall of last year to carve out a Hall of Fame for Regis St. Mary Catholic School. Committee members joining Bauer were retired athletic director, coach and teacher, Don Heuberger; parent and alum, Jim Gries; parent and alum, Nikki Voltin; advancement

director and parent, Steffanie Piccirilli; evangelization director and theology teacher, Jim Tabor; parent and alum, Travis Lulay; and current principal Candi Hedrick.

“By-laws were crafted to guide the committee and program to ensure functionality and sustainability,” Bauer said.

“The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to establish and maintain recognition for the individuals and groups that have served as clear examples of what it means to pursue excellence through participation, support, dedication, organization, and commitment to the ideals of Catholic Christian life at Regis St. Mary School and its community.

“It is hoped that the Hall of Fame serves as a vehicle to engage alum and share the successes of our graduates and keep our alumni

connected,” he added. The Regis St. Mary Hall of Fame honors alum, faculty/staff, patrons and community members who have distinguished themselves in a specific field of endeavor, in civic affairs, in humanitarian affairs, or in activities deemed by the Hall of Fame Committee to merit special recognition.

This year’s initial class of inductees includes members of the 1966 Regis State Championship Baseball Team, winners of the first state title in the school’s history. Other inaugural inductees include Doug and Karen Highberger, co-chairs of the first Regis Auction; Dr. James H. Duffy, who represents the school’s founders; Sister Marcella Parrish and Sister Catherine Trtek, both prominent in the formation of the school; Monsignor Greg Moys, a priest, teacher, counselor and super supporter

(fan); and posthumously, Joe Spenner, a Regis icon.

About 230 people were expected to attend an awards ceremony to honor these distinguished individuals on April 30 in the Regis High School student center.

“The inductees believed in the mission of Regis High School and it’s our privilege to recognize their outstanding contributions,” Hedrick said.

“The history and success of Regis rests on the shoulders of many incredible staff, students, and supporters.

“Mike Bauer initiated our Hall of Fame,” she added. “He certainly belongs in the annals of Regis history and recognition!”

For more information, call the RHS office at 503-769-2159.

Passages

Gary Roy Olson Nov. 16, 1970 – April 15, 2022

Gary Roy Olson, 51, of Sublimity, Oregon, passed away on April 15, 2022 from congestive heart failure with the comfort of his family surrounding him.

Gary was born on Nov. 16, 1970 to Robert and Donna Olson in Silverton, Oregon. Donna invested in him by homeschooling Gary for part of junior high as well as for his high school years. He went on to receive his GED.

He lived in Silverton most of his life before moving into Marian Estates in Sublimity.

Silverton Assembly of God was his home church where he was well known and loved by his friends and family.

Gary loved to do crafts and make bracelets for his nieces and friends. He loved worship music and would often send family and friends songs he found that touched his heart.

He was known for his infectious laugh and his teasing. His family lovingly referred to him as “Uncle Goob.”

Gary was also well known for his love

of chocolate but even more for his love of Jesus and his family.

He loved a good chess match with his nephews and never missed a chance to be around those he loved. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the pleasure to know him.

He was receiving Compassionate Comfort Care while residing at the Edward F. Torkarski Home in West Salem, Oregon. The family thanks the team for taking care of their “Uncle Goob.”

He is survived by his father, three siblings and their spouses, 12 nieces and nephews, a great-niece and greatnephew. He was predeceased by his loving mother, Donna Olson.

A graveside funeral service was scheduled for April 30 at Valley View Cemetery in Silverton, to be followed by a Celebration of Life at Silverton Foursquare Church.

Georgia Cummings Oct. 30, 1955 – Feb. 25, 2022

Georgia Fay Cummings, 66, died Feb. 25 in Stayton.

She was born in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky to George and Thelma Hague. She moved to Lyons from Kentucky 48 years ago. She worked at the Chicken Hatchery in Mehama for over 20 years and later as a pharmacy tech at Safeway for over 20 years.

Georgia married Larry Cummings on April 27, 1991 in Stayton.

She was well known and loved in the community for her heart of gold.

Georgia enjoyed collecting and watching movies and her rabbits.

She is survived by her husband, Larry; children, Shane (Deb) Vincent and Jennifer (Ryan) Longfellow; sisters, Sherry (Jeff) Millay and Pam (Lew) Gooch; grandchildren, Jade Vincent, Ian Vincent, Leah Longfellow, Noah Longfellow and Kaitlynne Vincent; greatgrandchildren, Jackson Vincent, Alexis Vincent and Aspyn Vincent.

Georgia was preceded in death by parents, and brother, Bobby Hague. A Celebration of Life was held at St. Patrick’s Hall in Lyons. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral Service, Stayton.

Submissions welcomed: Our Town appreciates the opportuity to share life’s Passages with our readers. Send to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com or mail it to Editor, Our Town, P.O. Box 6, Stayton, OR 97383.

Whitney & Mike know more than just real estate!

They met on a blind date many years ago and will be celebrating their 20th anniversary this summer!

If you’re looking for someone to be there long after selling or purchasing your house, give them a call!

Whitney & Mike Ulven

32 years later Cascade’s Stevens retires after glittering coaching career

By James Day

Baker High downed Cascade 50-39 on March 11 in the elimination round of the Class 4A girls basketball tournament in North Bend. The second-ranked Cougars left the tournament with a 19-5 mark after what proved to be the final game for legendary coach Mark Stevens.

In his 32 years coaching the Cascade girls Stevens advanced to the state championship game seven times, winning it all in 2011. His approach oozed stability. He always wore a long-sleeve shirt and a necktie at games and he spent much of the game gesticulating and passionately coaching his players. He won 583 games since taking over the program in 1990. But all those years and road games and scouting reports and practices and summer leagues and camps added up and took a toll.

“Once I decided what I was going to do I said to my wife ‘this is my last year,’” Stevens said. “I had never said those words out loud before, but I never felt so happy.

“It’s a grind. It’s a long season. And it starts

By the numbers

Years coaching: 32

Wins: 583 Losses: 223

State titles: 2011

State runner-up finishes: 1997, 1998, 2004, 2011, 2016, 2018

It felt good. I enjoyed the kids and I enjoyed the competition.”

But when practice ends, the routine shifts. “I let the girls talk first,” he said. “Otherwise they would just mimic what the coach is saying.”

And everyone responds to coaching and criticism differently, he said. “We have rules in here, but we always bend them a little bit. The girls figure it out. And if you show kids you care they will go to town for you.”

right now.”

Indeed. When asked how he will fill his time once retired from coaching Stevens noted opportunities for camping and fishing that he could not take advantage of before because he was working every June. June? Yep, that’s when the summer leagues and camps fill up the calendar.

“It goes quick,” Stevens said. “One year after another... it just flows. I had great assistants.

Stevens’ eyes just lit up when he talks about practice. “I never had wins and losses goals,” he said. “It’s more how much do you kids improve. And you know it when a practice isn’t working. So you learn to do things in small pieces. They want to be coached, they do.”

And athletes expect a coach to spend a lot of time talking to them.

“If I’m really quiet I might have a player come up to me and ask if I’m OK,” he said. “When you’re in the gym you should be talking 24/7. You’ve got 4 coaches and 12 players... you can get a lot of coaching done. There is a great opportunity here.”

Stevens’ final team was unusual in that the roster included ten seniors. He could not recall working with such a veteran squad.  “Everybody got along and practices were great,” he said. “They definitely exceeded my expectations. Were we the No. 2 team in the state? Maybe we are No. 2. I don’t know.” Stevens also said he preferred to work with athletes who wanted to work rathr than a more skillful player who was disruptive.

“If you are a good listener and work hard I can coach you. You don’t need great talent, but if you work hard I’ll coach you up and we’ll get results. And these are all things employers are looking for, too.”

Mark Stevens reflects on his basketball coaching career at Cascade High. JAMES DAY

Equestrian stars Stayton scores well in district competitions

The Stayton High equestrian squad won two of its three district meets and has the highest point total in the Willamette district heading into the state meet.

The Eagles won the first and third district large team competitions while finishing second to Philomath in the second event. Stayton, Philomath and teams from the other 7 districts will compete May 12-15 in the state championships at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond.

Stayton earned 1,853 points in the district meets to lead the large schools, although the margin was just 13 points ahead of the 1,840 turned in by Philomath.

Tori Turner was the top performer for Stayton, scoring blue ribbons in 11 individual events and four team disciplines during the three district meets. Turner had strong support from Lauren Nagle (three individual wins),

while Stayton’s Gwen Cronin had two and Amelya Cronin, Megan Brownell and Ainsley Sauvageau claimed one each.

In team competitions Turner and Sauvageau played a role in three Eagles victories, with Nagle and Brownell accounting for two apiece.’

Cascade, meanwhile, which competed in the medium team category, finished third in the first district meet and fourth in the other two. The Cougars 873 points also were good for fourth overall in the division. Scio (1,131), Sweet Home (1,043) and Lebanon (1,007) comprised the top three.

Grace McNichols won three individual events over the course of the district meets, with Ellie McNichols contributed two and Shayli Bruce one. The two McNichols riders, Bruce and Carley Jenkins of Salem Academy teamed up to produce blue ribbons in two team events.

Softball: Cascade and Stayton are battling for first place in the Oregon West. At Our Town presstime No. 3 Cascade was 9-0 in league, with No. 5 Stayton just behind at 9-2. The Cougars claimed a 7-3 road win vs. the Eagles on March 31, with the second matchup set for Wednesday, May 4 at Stayton. The two teams close the regular season on Friday, May 13 in Turner. Barring a complete collapse both squads will participate in the Class 4A playoffs, with both teams also in line for first-round byes.

Baseball: Regis is off to an 11-0 start in Class 2A Special District 2 play, and the Rams’ 14-4 overall record have

earned them the No. 9 state ranking. Monroe, however, is 9-0 in league, and the Dragons and the Rams played a showdown doubleheader in Stayton on April 29, after Our Town presstime. Stayton, meanwhile, has burst out to a 10-1 start in the Oregon West, with the Eagles’ 14-4 overall mark earning them the No. 5 ranking in Class 4A. Second-place Philomath is 5-2, with the two closing the regular season with a 3-game series May 9, 11 and 12.

Correction: In my April column I inadvertently omitted Gavin Berning of Stayton from the honorable mention list for Oregon West Conference boys basketball. The 6-4 junior also was a strong contributor at the Class 4A state tournament. In the elimination round win against Marshfield, Berning scored 7 points and added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. My apologies, Gavin. Got a news tip? Email me at james.d@mtangelpub.com.

Sports Datebook

Monday, May 2

Baseball

3 p.m. Cascade vs Sisters (double-header)

Girls Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs Corbett

Tuesday, May 3

Softball

4 p.m. Stayton vs Newport

Girls Tennis

4 p.m. Cascade vs Philomath

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Regis vs East Linn Christian

Wednesday, May 4

Softball

4 p.m. Stayton vs Cascade TBD Cascade vs Stayton

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Stayton vs Philomath

Thursday, May 5 Boys Tennis

4 p.m. Stayton vs Madras

4 p.m. Cascade vs South Albany

Friday, May 6 Track & Field

4 p.m. Regis Twilight (Stayton, Regis)

Boys Tennis

4 p.m. Cascade vs Estacada

Monday, May 9

Girls Tennis

11 a.m. Special District 2 District Tourney (Stayton, Regis)

Softball

4 p.m. Stayton vs Woodburn

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Sweet Home

Tuesday, May 10

Girls Tennis

11 a.m. Special District 2 District Tourney (Stayton, Regis)

Wednesday, May 11

Softball

4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Sisters

Thursday, May 12

Baseball

4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Sweet Home

4:30 p.m. Regis vs St. Paul

Softball 4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Sweet Home

Large, MD Kelly Hanh Ramirez, PA-C

Fife, FNP-BC

W Leder, PA-C

Lissy, FNP-C

Muller, FNP-C

Cohen, FNP-C

Good to go! GoPros and crawdads

Some if you may know that I’ve been having close encounters of the medical kind during the last few months. And, no, it wasn’t COVID.

It was really nothing super serious, although, for the first time in my life, my doctor ordered me not to exercise. Every other time I’ve gone to a doctor I have been pestered to get more exercise, not less. Times change, I guess.

Among the most recent encounters was a colonoscopy, which, if I remember my Latin, means “peek-a-boo.”

I won’t go into the details of the procedure. Anyone over 50 should be pretty well familiarized with it.

Step one involved, shall we say, cleaning out the drain. In my case, that meant taking 24 pills and drinking 96 ounces of water. If I didn’t float away, the idea was to make everything clean and pretty for the photo session.

Some years ago, I had a similar experience.

It started in North Augusta, South Carolina, and involved a bucket of crawdads, a pitcher of beer and an airplane. I should explain.

I was at a business meeting and, as is often the case on such trips, that meant going out and playing with the gang. We happened to go to a North Augusta bar on “Crawdaddy Night.” Because I’ll do (almost) anything once, that meant partaking of the local cuisine before I had to fly back to Alaska the next morning. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all, including me.

But the next day presented a challenge few have overcome. I made it to the plane in Atlanta OK, but I knew something was

up. More accurately, I should say that something was down. After takeoff, I parked myself in the restroom and stayed there for most of the trip. The flight attendants checked on me, and I assured them that as long as I stayed put I’d be fine. And by the time I got to Phoenix I was rising – there could be a song title in there somewhere. I sat down in my “other” seat and had some lunch.

Unfortunately, my gastrointestinal track took this as “reloading,” I returned to the lavatory all the way to Seattle.

I’m sure Delta Airlines has a plaque with my name on it in that restroom for the most miles ever flown in that part of the plane.

When I landed in Seattle, I was cleaned out in every sense of the word. No amount of pills or water could ever compare to that.

The other part of a colonoscopy involves a tiny camera on a long thingamajig. I know all about those types of devices.

I have a couple of relatives in the sewer cleaning business. (Their motto: “Blood ain’t thicker than water where we work.”) They run a long thingamajig into a sewer pipe to see where the problem is. When they find it, they use a roto-rooter type tool to clear things out.

That may be a little too much for my delicate constitution. I went into Sampson Laboratories in my garage and took a bottle scrubber I found in the kitchen and attached a GoPro camera to it with duct tape.

The size may be a bit of a problem, but I have ten years to work on it before my next colonoscopy, and I’ll be able to do the whole thing myself.

All I have to remember is: step one, administer a bucket of crawdads and a pitcher of beer, and, step two, prepare the bottle brush and GoPro.

And I’ll be good to go!

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

GENERAL

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Saturday, June 4th

5K Walk

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Registration: 7:30am–8:30am

Run Start: 9:00am

STARTING LINE: Santiam Hospital

1401 N. 10th Ave. • Stayton, OR

Course Closes: 10:30am

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