Our Town North: June 1, 2024

$1,200,000 Spacious 3800 sq ft, 3 bed, 4 bath with bonus room that can be fourth bedroom or office/family room. Luxury home featuring the b of equestrian living with Salem only 11 miles away. Beautiful k island and top of the line appliances. Geothermal heat pump. Pr landscaped yard with underground sprinkling. Pastures are fully The barn has three stalls & shop plus room for additional parki MLS# 815952 Linda Webb 503-508-7387

IN

Nestled along Oregon’s scenic Silver Falls Tour Route on Hwy. 214 in Mount Angel. Our secure and hospitable home provides level-three care. We are dedicated to our residents and strive to create meaningful experiences that consider each unique care need. (503) 877- 7565 185 Alder St Mt Angel, OR 97362 serenegardensafch com serenegardensafch@ outlook com

And with our recent $37 million expansion, which includes an additional 21,000 square feet of space and a new emergency department, we’re making sure this community gets the quality health care it deserves.

Aurora Grant making chocolate-strawberry cheesecake bites at a recent cooking contest held at Robert Frost Elementary.

On the Cover

The Silverton High equestrian team, which participated in the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams state championships May 9-12 in Redmond. Four of the team members advanced to the Pacific Northwest regionals in Moses Lake, Washington. SUBMITTED

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MELISSA WAGONER

City Hall debut

By James Day

An opening celebration has been set for 6 p.m. Friday, June 7 for the new Silverton City Hall.

The $19 million project is replacing the old City Hall about a half mile south on Water Street. The city has run out of room in the old building and it is seismically unsafe. The new structure will house the Silverton Police Department and most city departments, with the exception of Public Works.

The building will not be finished or furnished in time for the celebration. The furniture is scheduled to be installed the week of June 10 and the “punch list” of small items that still need to be resolved by contractors and the project management team, likely won’t be completed until the end of the month.

Community members will be allowed to tour the building, with city staff, Mayor Jason Freilinger and city councilors on hand to answer questions and brief individuals about the building’s features.

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Councilor Marie Traeger is organizing the program.

Three former mayors – Ken Hector, Rick Lewis and Kyle Palmer – are scheduled to be on hand as special guests as well as former Councilor Dana Smith, who played a key role in the project.

The Silverton Children’s Choir will sing the “Star Spangled Banner,” the Oregon National Guard will present the colors and there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

City Manager Cory Misley told the City Council at its May 16 meeting that he hopes the council’s July 1 meeting can be held in the new City Hall.

“A lot of needles still need to be threaded, but we’re getting there,” he said.

The new building originally was scheduled to open last July and the project has exceeded its $14.75 million construction budget by about 5% or approximately $750,000.

Reduction in force Silver

By Stephen Floyd

The Silver Falls School District (SFSD) has laid off 62 employees including 20 teachers in the first round of staffing reductions amid efforts to cut $8.8 million from next year’s budget.

Staff were notified May 22 and 23 after the SFSD Board voted unanimously May 20 to authorize Interim Superintendent Joe Morelock to begin reductions in force (RIF).

The RIFs totaled 91 positions including 29 eliminated through attrition after they were left vacant due to resignations or retirements.

At the school level, 15% of positions were reduced including 17.5% of licensed teachers, 14.6% of classified staff and 14% of administrators. At the district-wide level 23% of positions were cut including one director, three supervisors, one confidential secretary and three classified staff.

Morelock told Our Town May 23 additional RIFs were expected “in the next couple of weeks” as the district continues to fine-tune next year’s budget. This is expected to include additional school-level administrators such as principals, which Morelock has said could not be performed until after initial RIFs were complete.

On May 20, Morelock told the board some positions could possibly be restored as the district finds an equilibrium between reducing staff and adjusting programs and class sizes. If laid-off employees are recalled, Morelock said union agreements would dictate the process.

While the RIFs are expected to reduce expenses in the 2024-25 budget by roughly $8 million, that does not meet the district’s $8.8 million goal.

Additional cuts are being explored including changes in contracted services such as food and busing, which could save more than $900,000 combined. Morelock has also proposed a reduction in districtwide discretionary spending of $305,000 (25%), and a reduction in athletics at Silverton High School of $120,000 (13.5%).

The board has until June 30 to determine additional cuts and pass a balanced budget for next year, though Morelock said further adjustments are likely past this date. In a budget calendar approved by the board May 20, the Budget

Cuts by job category

School-level (15% total)

17.5% of teaching staff (22 by attrition, 20 by layoff)

14.6% of school-level classified staff (39 layoffs)

14% of administrators (2 by attrition)

District-wide (23% total) 50% of supervisors (2 by attrition, 1 by layoff)

25% of directors (1 by attrition)

25% of confidential staff (1 by attrition)

13% of classified staff (2 by layoff, 1 by attrition)

Committee will meet June 12 and 13 to craft a proposed budget, followed by a board work session June 24 and a public hearing June 26.

One significant factor is a likely increase in unemployment claims resulting from the RIFs, which could cost the district as much as $2 million. Interim Director of Finance Kim Doud told Our Town actual unemployment payments will depend on how many employees file and how long they remain unemployed.

The board was first notified of the need for reductions in the 2024-25 budget on Nov. 27, 2023, to rebuild depleted cash reserves. The target at the time was $3 million. Then-superintendent Scott Drue said the plan was to begin with a hiring freeze and reduce discretionary spending.

On Feb. 26 the board was informed of an anticipated $825,000 cash shortfall this year threatened the June payroll and there was a possible need for a short-term loan to cover the gap.

On March 11 the Silver Falls Education Association accused Drue of “financial negligence” and informed the board it was filing a formal complaint against him. Drue resigned March 13, and as of April 3 the district has been under Morelock’s interim leadership. Drue’s stated reason for his departure was a need to address “extremely difficult” challenges in his personal life.

Falls School District lays off 62 in first round

Prior to his resignation, Drue had given assurances that jobs would be protected as the district looked for ways to cut the budget. During a special meeting of the board March 21 then-Acting Superintendent Dan Busch said it was becoming clear layoffs and furlough days were necessary to balance the budget.

On April 8 the board received an updated forecast that placed the cash shortfall at $1.3 million with a total budget deficit of $4 million for this school year. They were advised to cut $1.2 million this year and $8.8 million next year to better-align spending with revenue and to rebuild financial reserves.

To balance the books for 2023-24, on May 13 the board authorized a $3.82 million bridge loan against upcoming property tax revenue. Staff also agreed to a series of furlough days including the closure of all schools for seven days between May and June.

On May 8, Morelock proposed steep RIFs across all job classifications among

other spending cuts for next year. He said he was working with principals and union reps to determine how many positions could be cut from which schools or programs.

During the May 20 meeting, board members expressed dismay and regret over the need for RIFs, with Chair Jennifer Traeger coming to tears as she called for the vote. Traeger said they knew cuts would be difficult for teachers, families and the community and that it was “going to be hard for everybody.”

“Sorry to the students for losing the people that make a difference in your life,” said Traeger.

She has said that, after the board completes budget reductions for next year, it will direct district staff to unravel how SFSD specifically found itself in this position. In the April 8 report, analysts found SFSD has overspent its budget by increasing amounts every year since 202122 and has failed to adjust to declines in revenue and increases in expenses.

Planning Commission

Affordable Housing Task Force

By Stephen Floyd

When the Silver Falls School District (SFSD) proposed temporarily closing Evergreen and Pratum schools as a cost-saving measure, parents from those communities organized to push back.

During the May 13 meeting of the SFSD board, several hundred residents were in attendance in-person and online, many of whom wore T-shirts bearing Evergreen Eagles and Pratum Pirates.

Their message was clear: closing these schools, even if for one year, would erode the communities built around them and prompt dozens of families to pull students from the district.

The district has since backed off of the proposal and as of May 20 is pursuing an open transfer policy that would help balance out class sizes across schools. No official decision has been made and closing the schools remains among the potential cost-saving strategies

proposed by Interim Superintendent Joe Morelock.

When Morelock first proposed the option May 8, he said closing Evergreen and Pratum could reduce district expenditures by up to $919,000 during the next school year. Morelock has since clarified that district-wide reductions in force were part of this calculation and savings unique to closing the schools would be $52,000 for lower utility and maintenance costs.

SFSD is currently attempting to cut $8.8 million from the 2024-25 budget to bring expenses in line with revenue and restore depleted cash reserves.

On May 13 Evergreen parent Harmony Moore, speaking on behalf of the Evergreen Parent Teacher Club (PTC), said any potential savings may be canceled out by students being pulled from the district.

She said parents from both schools

were surveyed and asked whether or not they would disenroll their kids from the district if the schools closed. At Evergreen 61% of students would be pulled and 13% would stay, and at Pratum 37% of students would be pulled and 5% would stay, said parents. The remainder were undecided or strongly favored leaving the district.

Moore also said the emotional and social upheaval of the kids who stayed with the district would be on the scale of the remote learning closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. She told board members this further cancels out any savings and, even though the district must look somewhere for cuts, there’d be too much lost by closing Evergreen and Pratum.

“Communities are not something to suspend or disrupt or throw away,” said Moore. “Please do not inflict another COVID-like disruption on the students of these schools.”

Parent Andrew Martin added that the PTC provides significant support including tens of thousands of dollars raised for projects such as the Pratum gym. He said these events “bind the community together and help our students thrive” and cannot be overlooked.

Parents also spoke of the cultural identity these schools give to students and families and that many are concerned a temporary closure would become permanent.

The current alternative favored by the district would extend the window for intradistrict and interdistrict transfers, allowing SFSD to target lower-enrolled classes at specific schools. Morelock said during the May 20 board meeting the increased enrollment revenue and classroom efficiencies would eliminate the need for closing Pratum and Evergreen, with a target of 84 transfers.

Gervais passes facilities bond, avoiding closure

The Gervais School District (GSD) has passed a much-needed facilities bond, avoiding a potential closure that could have sent its students to the Silver Falls and Mount Angel school districts.

As of election results published May 24 by the Marion County Clerk’s Office, 72.61% of voters supported Bond Measure 24-498 during the May 21 election.

The bond would raise $28 million for critical repairs and upgrades at the district’s three schools including a $16.3 million expansion of Gervais Middle School.

This was a dramatic departure from similar recent bond efforts, including a $31 million bond in 2022 that failed by 57.16% and a $24.5 million bond in 2023 that failed by 56.71%.

After the failure of last year’s bond, Superintendent Dandy Stevens said the district would need to seriously

consider dissolving because they had no other options to improve failing facilities. On March 21 she told the GSD board, if the May 21 bond failed, the district would need to start making plans to close by the end of this coming school year.

This could have resulted in parts of GSD incorporating into neighboring school districts including Silver Falls, Mount Angel and Salem-Keizer.

Stevens told Our Town GSD leaders were “ecstatic” to see the bond passing. She said voters took to heart the issues facing the district and now instead of planning to close next spring they’re planning to start construction.

“I’m just so incredibly thankful and excited for what’s going to happen next,” said Stevens.

– Stephen Floyd

THE FORUM

Letters to the editor can be directed to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com or mailed to Editor, Our Town, P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362. It is recommended submissions be limited to fewer than 350 words, 500 words for Guest Opinions. Our Town reserves the right to edit for clarity and space. Anonymous letters will not be published, nor will letters that include personal attacks, hate speech or advocate discrimination or violence.

Staff criticize SFSD Board for ‘bait and switch’

By Stephen Floyd

Teachers and staff expressed anger, frustration and disappointment as the Silver Falls School District (SFSD) Board recently approved steep personnel cuts to balance next year’s budget.

During a special meeting May 20, board members voted to authorize reductions in force (RIF) to help eliminate $8.8 million from the 2024-25 budget, with 91 positions eliminated as of May 23.

Before the board’s unanimous decision, a handful of employees spoke during public comment and offered frank impressions of the budget crisis and district leaders.

Teacher Lynette Cortez called the crisis an “embarrassing fiasco” and accused district leaders of ignoring “clear signs” of developing problems. She said she has seen little accountability from district administration as teachers “bear the brunt of this atrocity.”

Sara Beyer, a Title I reading teacher, said the negligent mismanagement of public funds “should be considered a crime” and that she was still waiting for clear answers as to what happened. She told board members they work for the community rather than the district and that the community will struggle to move forward without more genuine expressions of remorse from the board.

Holly Jaynes, a part-time classified employee, said she was sure she would

be “RIFed” and instead spoke up for the employees who would still have jobs next year. She said these workers will be “suffering, struggling, overwhelmed, overstretched” and asked the board to consider mental health resources for staff as they planned next year’s budget.

Special Education Teacher Sheldon Lesire also spoke of the farther-reaching impacts of the RIFs and the unintended consequences of attracting more-qualified teachers this year.

Lesire said a new union contract included higher pay rates that attracted an exceptional number of experienced teachers, who left positions of seniority at other districts to teach in Silver Falls. Furlough days to balance this year’s budget wiped out that pay increase, he said, and the policy of first-hired/firstfired meant they sacrificed their seniority to be “first on the chopping block.”

“This is the ugliest bait-and-switch I’ve seen our district do in the last 35 years,” said Lesire. “Board, I am angry, I am disgusted and I am embarrassed by what our district’s leadership has done.”

Lesire said the district’s financial challenges cannot be undone and he “can only hope for appropriate accountability and that enough learning occurs that this is never, ever repeated here.”

By Melissa Wagoner

On April 23 five fifth grade contestants entered the kitchen at Robert Frost Elementary School, donned aprons and toques and began baking a host of delicious desserts hoping to impress the panel of judges.

“It’s all going to be fun,” Kenneth Sanchagrin said as he began mixing the ingredients for his grandmother’s devil’s food cake. “I’m going to have to be multitasking for when the cake’s cooking and I have to start on the icing… but it tastes wonderful.”

Inspired by the Sodexo National Future Chef’s Challenge, held in schools around the country during the month of March, Robert Frost’s cooking contest was created by head chef Paul Scoville.

“I hope some of these kids ask their parents, ‘Can we cook together?’” Scoville said. “I want them to understand that doing things like this can be great.”

It’s a concept that Karis Guyer has already grasped.

“Usually every Christmas we have [thumbprint cookies],” she said, describing the recipe she chose for this year’s competition – a peanut butter cookie topped with a single Hershey’s Kiss. “My family makes a bunch of them and shares them with friends. They’re really good.”

Also honoring a family tradition, Reed Arbuckle made “disgustingly rich” brownies.

“My sister has always made them,” Arbuckle said. “It’s really pretty easy, it’s just trying to get it cooked all the way.”

But while Arbuckle may have been worried about his recipe not turning out as he had hoped, Scoville was far less concerned.

“I was amazed at the skills shown throughout the entire competition,” he said. “I learned some great new ideas

and ways to prepare a few new desserts.”

Such as Aurora Grant’s chocolate-strawberry cheesecake bites – suggestied by her grandmother, a professional baker. “I thought they sounded amazing,” Grant said.

Similarly, Lukia Hansen used her grandmother’s recipe to make lemon glazed donuts, which won the competition.

“One time we came home from church and she made a lot of food,” Hansen recalled. “It was really good, so I asked for the recipe.”

Assisting the contestants in the kitchen, alongside Scoville, was food service coordinator Elizabeth Little and food service director and Sodexo representative, Tim Lemke.

“It’s just an awesome event,” Lemke said when asked about his decision to help. “It’s something I wanted to do because I love cooking with my boys.”

Evaluated on taste and presentation, the first, second and third place winners received a variety of prizes including cookbooks, mixing bowls and cooking utensils. But the real value, according to Scoville, was in the cooking itself.

“I hope the students have a good time and see that we as staff will always try our best to give them the education they deserve, and the experiences we desperately want to teach,” he said.

Paul Scoville helping Kenneth Sanchagrin and Aurora Grant make their cooking contest submissions. MELISSA WAGONER

Helping Hands

Food for furloughs Moms

take action to supply food during school closures

By Melissa Wagoner

There was no shortage of concern when a group of six Silver Falls School District moms got together to discuss the negative effect the early closure of nearly all SFSD schools will have on students.

“One of the immediate concerns about the furlough week was that students wouldn’t have access to the free lunch program that many children depend upon,” Michele Finicle – a former teacher and previous candidate for the SFSD board – said. And so that is where the group chose to start. “We decided that this was a place we wanted to harness our energy because the notion of hungry children is not acceptable to any of us…”

Focusing on both the furlough week and the week following – which is not covered by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) – the women went to work, initially identifying those already established groups and organizations that would best aid their endeavor.

“I connected with the Elizabeth Ashley Hoke Memorial Trust, and they have donated $1,000 to our cause,” Melissa Seifer Briggs – a former SFSD committee member, board candidate and a current moderator for the Facebook group, Supporters of Silver Falls Schools –said. “And as a SACA Board member, I also connected with SACA to discuss the project and how SACA could help…”

With additional donations rolling in – including $200 from Hartley Insurance – and a partnership with SACA secured, the women turned their attention to finding volunteers, initially recruiting a group referred to as the “Soup Ladies.”

“They’re made up of Jamie Fuhrman, Vivienne Frankel and Ann Haviland,” Finicle said. “Their mission is food insecurity, so they fed the community during the ice storm and the wildfires... They’ve been quiet a few years, but they’ve been remobilized and they’re actually doing most of the heavy lifting. They’re organizing volunteers, doing logistics and setting up distribution because they are used to feeding a large amount of people.”

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313 N. Water St. Silverton, OR 97381

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That knowledge will come in handy when it comes time to put together the 1,500 lunches the group estimates they will need to feed around 115 students each day – a number provided by NSLP.

“With the help of four churches in our town, volunteers will prep and assemble sack lunches each morning,” Finicle said. “A small army of grannies are even making homemade cookies to put into each lunch each day. We will have nut-free options, gluten-free options, and low sugar (diabetic) options... Prepared sack lunches will be transported to two locations: Coolidge McClaine Park and the [Scotts Mills Elementary School] for distribution. Lunches will be passed out from 12 to 1 p.m. by volunteers Monday through Friday, June 10 through 14 and… 17 through 21.”

Food for Furloughs

Free lunch distribution for students in the Silver Falls School District.

Lunches will be available at Coolidge McClaine Park and Scotts Mills Elementary School, June 10-14 and 17-21 from 12 until 1 p.m.

For the link to donate or to volunteer email  michelestonefinicle@live.com

While organizing for the event is already well underway, volunteers and donations are still needed.

“We are halfway to our financial goal of $4,000…” Finicle said, adding that as little as $15 can provide an entire week’s worth of lunches, $30 will cover both.

“We also have an Amazon Wish List for supplies like sacks, sandwich bags, and gloves. If you would like to donate your time, we are still in need of lunch preppers, transporters, and distributors. You can email me to get on a volunteer list:  michelestonefinicle@live.com.”

An educator for 18 years, Finicle is aware that this free lunch service will not fix the issues that the community currently faces, but she also knows that school lunch is sometimes the only meal a child receives during the day. “Times are hard right now,” she pointed out. “For many families, the budget is extremely tight. If we can feed kids and take some financial pressure off of struggling families, it is a success. We are also concerned about SFSD staff who will be experiencing layoffs this month. We hope we can help ease the burden in some small way for their families as well. It won’t be enough, but it is something.”

PHOTO BY MELISSA WAGONER

Silverton sends FFA teams to nationals

By James Day

Silverton High’s FFA program will be sending a strong contingent of students to the 97th FFA nationals this fall.

Silverton’s agronomy and ag mechanics teams won first place at the state convention in Redmond on March 21-24. Both units had to advance through district and sectional competition to get to state, and only state champions advance to the national convention, set for Oct. 23-26 in Indianapolis.

Silverton’s agronomy (crops) team consists of Matthew Bielenberg, Nathan Dettwyler, Brandon Schurter, Carter Lanz, Kidron Schurter, Lucas Schurter, and Travis Kuenzi. In this event team members evaluate an agronomic scenario and develop a crop management plan that includes crop selection, production, problem-solving and marketing.

Individually, the team members also complete an agronomic knowledge exam, identify and analyze plant and soil types, evaluate commodity quality, demonstrate pest management and equipment knowledge, and discuss an agronomic issue important to crop production.

The ag mechanics team was comprised of David Tribbett, Lanz, Brandon Schurter, Kidron Schurter, and Bielenberg. In this event, competitors have to complete a written exam that covers five agricultural technology and mechanical areas: compact equipment, electricity, environment and natural resources, machinery and equipment, and structures. They had to demonstrate a mastery of systems areas, subject matter, effective communication skills, superior problemsolving techniques and an understanding of modern technology.

Silverton also qualified two different agriscience teams. The first, made up of Jenna Schurter and Mason Snook worked in plant systems and the other, Peyton Smith and Adeline Kuenzi in animal systems. Additionally, Snook placed first in cooperative quiz, which encourages agriculture students to become familiar with the purpose, organization and function of agricultural business management curriculum. Kidron Schurter also took first in state with his proficiency in agriculture maintenance and repair.

Silverton FFA students had great success in many other areas at the state convention as well, said advisor Scott Towery

“All of our students are top notch,” Towery said. “We had lots of kids bring home banners this year.”

For instance, in public speaking, Jenna Schurter placed second in extemporaneous speaking, Levi Schurter second in creed speaking, Chase Stoddard third in sophomore public speaking, and the parliamentary procedure team (Joanne Noordam, Quinton Powell,  Logaan Gray, Tribbett, Bielenberg, and Aubrey Leao) placed fourth.

Silverton celebrated the success of its FFA program, which is in its 94th year, at a May 14 awards banquet on campus. FFA officials encourage members of the community to get involved with the program, either by judging, sharing knowledge and resources, or donations to support participation in events. If you want to help, reach out to Silverton FFA or its alumni, the Friends of Silverton FFA.

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Silverton’s FFA state-champion agronomy (crops) team. From left are Matthew Bielenberg, Nathan Dettwyler, Brandon Schurter, Carter Lanz, Kidron Schurter, Lucas Schurter and Travis Kuenzi. SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Melissa Wagoner

Creating backyard gardens that coexist with nature, commonly known as naturescaping, is a great way for birders to encourage the birds they love to come to them.

“It’s one of the easiest things because we’re working with what’s already here,” Ron Garst – a retired biologist for the Department of Fish and Wildlife who now volunteers with the ODFW’s Naturescaping program – said. And backyard trees are the best place to start.

Plant and Maintain Trees

“If you’re fortunate enough to have large, old trees, start protecting them,” Garst said. “But if you don’t have any, you’ll still have birds that come from your neighbor’s yard.”

Or from nearby parks and schoolyards where trees function as apartment buildings for birds with top nesters like crows sitting above mid level species like woodpeckers and ground birds like juncos.

“They offer the most diverse area of space,” Garst said of large trees like white oaks, “for birds using all different levels.”

Add Water

“The second most important feature… if you want to attract birds, is water,” Garst noted. “Water is hugely attractive. They love the sound of flowing water.”

This step might sound tricky, and it can be if you want to add a complicated fountain, but it can also be as simple as adding a small, recirculating bubbler or a bird bath that captures the rain.

“Even the classic, shallow dish, the robins, sparrows and juncos will fly up and use it,” Garst said. “Even if it’s raining the birds will fly up and take a bath.”

Plant Natives

“There are plants adapted to the local climate and soil. They have better survival and provide conditions the local wildlife is adapted to,” Garst explained. “In terms of a food source, the nectar, pollen, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries… these are natural sources.”

And native plants are easier than ever for gardeners to find.

In fact, a collaboration of conservation educators throughout Marion County created a free guide, “Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards,” that can be downloaded or requested at

Lilies. BRENNA WIEGAND

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE HAZEN

Published By Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc.

401 Oak St., Silverton, OR 97381

Mailing address: P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362

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BIRDS

continued from page 1

www.oregonmetro.gov/nativeplants, and which features dozens of native plants along with the birds and insects they attract.

Feed the Birds

“A lot of people put up bird feeders, especially in the wintertime,” Garst said.

And that’s a good thing because many species overwinter in the Willamette Valley including song sparrows, juncos and even Anna’s hummingbirds.

“Black oil sunflower seeds are eaten by most birds and are easy to clean up,” Garst said when asked about the most attractive feed.

“Suet is another good one. It’s rendered fat, but most of it is sold with insect parts or seeds. That’s popular with woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches.”

And for hummingbirds a brightly colored feeder filled with sugar water is the best choice.

“If you put up a hummingbird feeder in the winter, they’ll find it,” Garst said. “But, as with any of the feeders, you need to keep it clean.”

Avoid Chemicals

“If you get rid of insects, you’ll get rid of birds,” Garst said, relaying the story of a

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family friend whose backyard bird population dropped off after he began applying chemical insecticides and weed killers. “Literally in three to four years he said, ‘Where did all of our birds go?’”

Instead, Garst recommends using natural methods to get rid of pests and weeds.

“Let mother nature’s hand play itself out,” he said. “Because you’re doing it collaboratively.

Provide Nesting Space

“Nest boxes provide cavity spaces,” Garst said, describing a structure also commonly known as a bird house that can be mounted on a pole or even attached to a tree. “Many of our birds

are cavity nesters and cavities are by and large missing because we don’t allow snags.”

But to attract birds, structure and location are key. Specific plans and tips can be found on the National Wildlife Federation’s website,  www.nwf.org.

Observe

Now that the birds have started using your backyard as a part of their habitat, it’s time to start learning their names. Thankfully, there are dozens of easy-to-use identification apps including iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID, which allow users to identify birds both by sight and sound and there are bird books and brochures like Sibley’s Backyard Birds for those who prefer to leave their phones behind.

“And you can participate in [Project] FeederWatch,” Garst said, referencing the annual data collection program by Cornell University that takes place between Nov. 1 and April 30 that allows backyard birders to monitor which birds they are seeing.

“Thousands of people do that,” Garst said. “They are participating and contributing to citizen science.” Right in their own backyards.

The Best Plan is To Plan Ahead

When putting in a garden or new landscaping it’s easy to get ahead of yourself by simply buying plants and putting them in wherever there’s room. But that kind of haphazard horticulture can quickly become problematic according to Ben Hare, owner of Garden City Landscapes in Silverton.

“If you don’t have a plan, your landscaping will come out disorganized and unappealing,” Hare said. “You may also find yourself wasting time, money, and resources on mistakes that could have been easily avoided by making a detailed plan in advance.”

One of the most common errors novice gardeners make is not looking to the future.

“In terms of landscaping mistakes, this is a pretty major one,” Hare pointed out. “Not taking maintenance into account can lead to unnecessary expenses, wasted time, and frustration. Additionally, certain plants may require more maintenance than others. Thus, they may not be suitable for your lifestyle or budget.”

After working in landscape maintenance and design for the past 19 years, Hare has witnessed a fair share of gardens gone wrong – plants placed too close together, too close to structures or allowed to grow too big – all errors could have been avoided had the owners taken the time to design, or hire someone to

design for them, first.

“Having a landscape architect design your landscape can be very helpful for many reasons,” Hare said. “You will have a clearer idea of what the finished landscape will look like and a better idea of what to budget for. It can also be helpful when looking to get quotes from landscape contractors.”

“Just like a car or house, regular maintenance helps prevent costly repairs. For example, if shrubs become overgrown, they may not be able to be pruned and will have to be removed and replaced. If weeds get out of control it will lead to a more labor intense clean-up which can be more expense than regular weed control,” Hare added.

Once again, it all comes down to planning.

“Even if you are going to be installing your landscape in phases,” Hare said, “make sure you have an overall plan so the whole landscape looks cohesive.”

And so, get the most from your outside space.

“The options are endless,” Hare said, “but you need to prioritize…Depending on your space and budget you might be able to create a space that has it all…” But you may just need a little help.

– Melissa Wagoner

Waxwing. JIM ESCH

Covering New Ground Learn what

By Brenna Wiegand

Ground covers have been called “the next best thing to cement.”

For a more carefree, weed-free yard –barring the installation of a basketball or tennis court – try a good ground cover.

In the spirit of “going green,” we’ll explore some tried and true ground covers hardy to the mid-Willamette Valley. These plants are prized for spreading quickly, forming a dense cover that chokes out most weeds, keeps water usage to a minimum and prevents erosion. Many are able to grow – and flower –where nothing else can.

Most gardeners contend with challenging “microclimates” where temperatures, soil conditions, moisture, and/or exposure to sun or wind make it difficult for most plants to subsist.

“With ground covers the first thing you need to do is look at your location and determine whether it’s wet or dry most of the year; how much sun it gets and other considerations,” said Patti Harris who, with husband George, owns Silverton’s Garden Thyme Nursery.

A uniform carpet of ground cover provides a flowing transition between garden areas and along borders. You’ll spot them trailing from containers and crevices in rock walls, encircling stepping stones and emerging from cracks in concrete or between pavers. They can provide fragrance and attract bees, birds and butterflies, and some don’t mind foot traffic.

Of course, a grass lawn is the original groundcover. Despite the maintenance, a lawn provides things no other ground cover can. Kids gravitate to lawns for frolicking; in good weather it’s a living outdoor carpet right for lawn chairs, picnics and croquet.

Ground-covering options include herbs, ornamental grasses, succulents, perennials and low-growing woody shrubs. These may include riotous ground cover roses, the intoxicatingly fragrant dianthus or scented (hardy) geraniums.

“A ground cover that’s not used often enough is called Brass Buttons or Leptinella,” Harris said. “It forms a tight, dense mat of leaves that look like tiny ferns – and it stays nice and low so our dogs can walk across it and it’s no big deal.”

Secure steep banks or slopes with rugged, fast-growing plants, plant shallow-rooted ground covers under trees to retain moisture in and encroaching grass at

bay. Begin to think of that parched slope as though it were part of the French countryside.

“Once it’s established, something like lavender needs almost no water – perfect for a long driveway strip where you’re not going to irrigate,” Harris said, “and thyme is a great companion to it. Thyme likes the hot sun and hot soil and keeps the weeds down – and since deer don’t like the fragrance of lavender, they won’t eat the thyme.”

For a perennially soggy spot, try vinca, a fast grower able to weather almost any conditions. Harris says the variegated foliage of ‘Sunny Skies’ is plenty pretty –apart from its lovely blooms…

“Corsican mint or Irish moss will take hold where it’s shady but not too wet,” she said, “and it can handle heavy clay.”

As you can see, reading plant labels will serve you well in any gardening endeavor; further research even better. Keep an eye out for specimens toting such descriptions as “vigorous grower,” “very aggressive” –or anything with the word “rampant” in it. This may be indication of a monster in plant guise, poised to consume everything in its path. We want our ground covers to grow rapidly, self-propagate and crowd out other plants – but only those we consider weeds.

Here are some top performers that thrive in our region.

Ajuga (A. reptans), or carpet bugle, while vigorous, makes an excellent ground cover that can be controlled by periodic “discipline” – yanking out handfuls where it is unwanted. This evergreen perennial forms a 4-inch-high mat of green, bronze or variegated foliage that in spring

insignificant fruit made up for in large and/or colored flowers. Useful among perennials and below shrubs, they are delightful scrambling through rocky areas and prefer full sun and moist, welldrained soil.

Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), while commonly used in rock gardens, makes an effective ground cover just about anywhere. Its mossy foliage, two-six inches high, reaches out some 12-20 inches and in spring is alive with masses of pink, purple or white flowers. It persists in poor soil and full sun while draping itself attractively over neighboring stones. It’s creeping phlox – not creepy phlox – and wouldn’t dream of choking out its neighbors. Nestle a few handfuls of bulbs beneath its stems for a happy duet.

sends up spikes of blue, pink or white flowers. A top performer, said Harris, is ‘Burgundy Glow.’ Ajuga’s extensive root system prevents erosion in short order: Set 12-15 inches apart, ajuga can cover the ground in one season flat.

Vinca (V. major; V. minor – a.k.a. periwinkle), is a tough, easy to grow plant that’s a boon to shaded slopes, under trees and shrubs and the north side of buildings. Its evergreen foliage gets richer in partial shade, but the sun will coax out more of its lavender-blue flowers. Normally spaced 12-18 inches apart, at a distance of six inches it can produce a complete cover in a year’s span.

Ornamental strawberries, hybrids of the strawberry family (Fragaria), are low, spreading plants that produce small,

Epimedium thrives in dry shade, blanketing the garden through the year in the subtle, changing hues of its sturdy heart-shaped leaves, each held aloft on its own sturdy stem. Its low-growing habit and delicate flowers work wonders in otherwise bare areas beneath trees and shrubs. Depending on type, it grows five-24 inches high and eight inches to three feet in width.

Creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) always looks great, its woody stems decked in needle-shaped leaves of blue and green. This vigorous grower is capable of covering a large area with foliage 1-2 feet high and is made for hot, dry situations. Excellent for slopes and bank, plant them 5-6 feet apart. For faster results, set them 3-4 feet apart, prune growing tips lightly, and when they begin to crowd, remove every other one.

Leptinella squalida (New Zealand Brass Buttons). BRENNA WIEGAND

Still Time to Plant

It’s only June and there is still time to plant a garden if you’re one of the many who didn’t get it done last month. The summer is expected to last long into fall, so the growing season will still be long enough for lots of flowers and vegetables. There are some tips for success in warmer weather.

Instead of plowing soil and bringing dormant weed seeds to light, consider planting in containers or small raised beds filled with compost or a potting mix. Planters will heat up less if painted a light color; black pots can become kettles that cook roots. Containers for flowers or vegetables can be almost anything that holds soil, but the deeper the better. How about turning that old barbeque into a unique planter? Have any scraps of lumber three feet long or longer that can be cobbled together with braces at the corners to make a lettuce box? Tuck some radish seeds in there too, for a salad in about three weeks. One zucchini is enough for most families, and it could thrive in a container if you put it near a water source. Potatoes sprouting? Bury them in big pots. After the foliage grows up and dies down, just up-end the pot on a tarp and pick out the little spuds.

It’s not too late to plant. Some greens that tend to bolt and flower in heat can be planted under a shady tree if they have a raised bed of fresh soil that does not compete with the tree roots. Most common vegetables enjoy sunny days if

they have enough water. Planting near a water source makes caring for them easier for the gardener. A little shade cloth cover is appreciated by plants, and keeps the deer from nibbling them too.

Cucumbers, melons, squashes and many more can be planted successfully by seed in warm soil, three seeds to a hill. Try new varieties like lemon cucumbers, Minnesota midget melons, spaghetti squash, little pie pumpkins or other interesting things to watch and add to your menus. Kids can be involved in growing fun things, then they will be more likely to eat them too. Tomatoes and peppers need longer growing times from seed, but if you missed the rush at the garden store there may still be time to start some seeds of varieties that have shorter harvest times on the package, like patio tomatoes. Forecasts suggest that we’ll have good growing conditions well into October.

If vegetables are not on the planting list, brighten your life with colorful flowers. Annuals are going on sale everywhere because they need to get into the ground before the little grower’s pots get rootbound. Annual flowers that reseed themselves and come up again next year will save money in future years, but need to be placed where they won’t become a nuisance. Perennials that die back in winter and surface again in the spring are popular with gardeners who prefer “one and done” without repeating the whole planting process every year.

Gardening and watching plants grow are great therapy in many ways. Everyone can have a little garden of some kind to nurture and enjoy through the summer. It’s time now to plan the fall garden that can be planted in July and August.

These may be planted elsewhere. In Shakepeare’s day, they used sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) to make May wine. With fragrant, lasting blooms and leaves that smell like hay when crushed, it continues to delight the senses. Despite its delicate appearance and well-mannered clumps, sweet woodruff is tough and well suited to wooded areas. It will spread as far as you let it, rarely getting over a foot high.

Pachysandra, or Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis) is an evergreen sub shrub that adds to the mystery of a shaded landscape and is one of the few plants that will grow satisfactorily under evergreens and in dense shade. It makes a good transition between walks or lawns and attains a uniform height of ten inches in deep shade; six inches where it’s dappled. Rich green leaves tinged purple produce occasional clusters of tiny, offwhite blossoms of little ornamental value.

Lamium (Lamium maculatum) is an excellent, easy care groundcover. Most types produce clusters of pink or white flowers through the summer, but even when not in bloom, lamium’s 8-inchhigh, silver-marked foliage can really brighten up a shady corner.

Let us never forget Sedum, a member of the succulent family encompassing more than 300 species and 500 cultivars ranging from inch-high mats to twofoot specimens like Sedum ‘Autumn Joy.’ The group brings a wealth of foliage colors to the table: red-tinged greens; blood reds; vivid yellows, blues, bronzes – and a spectrum of greens. Mix and match them for an intriguing quilt to blanket your garden, borders, slopes

and stepping stones. With its cactus-like water-storing leaves, sedums are of the rare breed that continues to shine through the dog days of summer and most will root from broken branches or fallen leaves. All they ask in return is a place where their “feet” aren’t mired in moisture.

Ornamental grasses add texture, architecture, year-round interest and movement to the landscape while decisively combating erosion. With heights ranging from under one foot (blue fescue) to over 10 feet (fountain and maiden grasses), myriad colors and forms, chances are ornamental grasses will have a member to fit any landscape situation, many of the statuesque varieties worthy of specimen plant status.

Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) is best known for the way a drop of dew sparkles when cradled in one of its downy leaves. In early summer, expect clusters of chartreuse blooms. The plant prefers sun to part shade and well-drained soil, but can hang in there against overwhelming odds, though its growth will be stunted.

Grandmother’s quirky hens-andchicks (Sempervivum) once tumbling from a pair of Grandpa’s old boots were precursors to a dazzling array of descendants. These range from tiny to large; smooth or fuzzy; green, red, bronze and more. They remain among the most carefree groundcovers and in full sun and well-drained soil will thrive and send little chicks of their own into the world. This succulent is a perfect companion for sedums and is at its best in rock gardens and crevices – both horizontal and vertical.

By James Day

Silverton has instituted a new pilot program for downtown parking and has hired a new employee to run the system.

Parking is now free for four hours during business hours Monday through Friday. New signs have gone up on the streets, and the meters, and the program essentially took effect Memorial Day weekend. It is intended to last four months.

Todd Easton is the new code compliance officer for Silverton. He came to Silverton from a similar position in Corvallis, coming west after nearly 25 years in fire prevention in Bloomington, Indiana. The city also is currently without a meter enforcement employee and has been vexed with struggles to acquire parts to repair meters which are damaged or malfunctioning.

Parking is a hot-button issue in town, with many in the business community

complaining that the lack of parking spaces is hurting local businesses’ ability to thrive and grow. In addition, a visitor to the May 6 council meeting, Karolle Hughes of Books N Time, expressed concerns that business owners were parking their own cars in downtown spaces that should be set aside for customers.

Easton said early on in the program he plans to work to educate the public about the changes, with “the key goal being voluntary compliance.” He also noted that the city will be more energetic about enforcing loading zone and disabled zone infractions.

Easton’s position also involves enforcing solid waste, trash and vegetation violations, life and safety issues “that need to get resolved immediately.”

“We wanted to try something different,” said Silverton City Manager Cory Misley of the parking approach. Misley also noted that plans to use urban renewal

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Continued from page 13

money to remodel Main Street between First and Water streets likely will provide city officials with potential parking approaches that might work throughout downtown.

A key driver of the four-hour limit was the sense that for many shoppers, two hours just was not long enough. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacey Palmer noted during her regular monthly appearance at the May 6 council session that a hair appointment might consume two hours, leaving the person no meter time to do additional shopping. Here is a look at other council highlights: Republic Service Rates: Councilors received a 23% rate increase request from Republic Services at its May 20 meeting. The service has not raised rates since Jan. 1, 2021. Republic officials presented the council with two options, a 23% rate increase that would take effect Aug. 1 or two 11.5% rate increases that would take effect Aug. 1 and February, 2025. Councilors were scheduled to discuss the options on June 3 and make a decision June 17.

A 23% rate increase would raise the monthly charge for a 35-gallon trash cart, the most widely used by Silverton’s Republic customers, from $32.01 to $39.37. A 65-gallon cart would increase from $39.70 to $48.83 monthly, while the 95-gallon container would go from $42.47 monthly to $52.24. Republic’s rates are based on the size of the trash cart. All customers have the same-size carts for yard waste, recycling and glass bottles.

Republic Services officials said that as part of the new rate structure they will organize two bulky waste events in Silverton, enabling Silverton residents and businesses to dispose of items such as mattresses, furniture, appliances, electronics, and scrap metal, free of charge.

Republic officials at the meeting cited the 10% return on revenue target that is contained in the company’s franchise agreement with Silverton as the reason for the increases, in conjunction with the more than three years that have passed

Quality Dental Care in a Friendly Environment

since the previous increase.

Councilor Eric Hammond was sharply critical of the rate requests, noting that Republic’s top six executives reportedly earn approximately $29 million combined per year.

Cindy Rogers, municipal sales manager for Republic, countered that not getting its 10% return was not a “sustainable business practice.” Hammond responded that paying execs that much also was not a “sustainable business practice.”

Senior Center: Councilors approved a $258,000 contract with Buildskape of Portland to repair the damage done to the Senior Center in the January ice storm. The city also has set aside $50,000 in contingency reserves to assist with the project, which is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 1.

The Senior Center has been offering classes and events at churches and other sites since its building closed. Executive Director Simone Stewart told Our Town that she is “elated” that the repair bid has

been approved. Stewart said it is too soon to establish a date for the reopening of the building, but she added that a grand reopening would be planned and that the remodeled building also will be the site of one of the weekly Silverton Chamber of Commerce business meetings.

“Since we will have been without rental income for about eight months,” Stewart said, “we’d like to show the community our building and be able to start booking out our spaces for rent as soon as possible. We have lots of lost revenue to make up in the fourth quarter of 2024.”

Speed: Councilors approved an ordinance May 20 that will change the speed limit on local streets in residential districts from 25mph to 20mph. The new rules take effect June 20, but there will not be any enforcement on a street until it has new signs. The ordinance does not affect county or Oregon Department of Transportation streets as well as higher use arterial and collector streets.

How My Father Got Pranked by God By

Since Father ’s Day is coming up on the 16th of June, I thought it would be good to tell a story about my own Dad. Eugene Harris was a good man by most measures. He worked hard at the Frigidaire Plant near Dayton, Ohio and provided well for my mother and his three kids. Most of our social life orbited around the Union Hall where my father was active as a Union Member

My father would not have anything to do with Christianity, even though it was the most important thing in my mother ’s life. Dad had been offended when some folks in a Sunday School class at the Baptist Church innocently laughed at his attempt to pronounce a few difficult Old Testament names. He was embarrassed and swore secretly to never return. It broke my mother ’s heart and it ushered her into nearly fifty years of trying to maintain peace with her unbelieving man.

Gregg Harris, “Just a sinner saved by grace!”

Fast Forward to the Mid-70s

After retiring from Frigidaire, my father was able to do what he had always wanted to do: own and train his own harness race horse. Its name was Geadon Creek. In harness racing the jockey is pulled behind his horse in a sulky cart. My father loved horse racing and this was his dream come true.

At that time I was about to move to Harlingen, Texas to lead a church planting team. My dad and I were standing out by the training coral watching Geadon Creek go through his paces when my dad spoke.

“I tell you what I’m gonna do, Gregg. I’m gonna send you 10% of whatever that colt wins to help you in your little church down there in Texas.”

“Thanks dad.” I responded. Now 10% of nothing would be nothing and the odds of an inexperienced race horse winning anything within three years was nigh impossible. So, I just smiled and thanked him for his generosity. I could tell by the twinkle in his eye that it was all just a joke. But we announced the deal to the family that night at dinner table and everyone had a good laugh.

So, off to Texas we went with just $750. That was quickly gone and though the new church was growing, it could not afford to support us. So I found a job painting billboards. But a few weeks into that I received an envelope in the mail with a check for $1,500! Attached was a note from my mom. "Gleadon Creek won his first race! Don’t worry. I won't let daddy forget what he promised.” In 1976, $1500 was a lot of money. But two weeks later we got a check for $3,000. “Don’t worry.” Mom wrote. “I’m not letting Daddy bet. This is just the purse.”

My church plant was being supported by horse racing! I didn’t know what to think, but I was glad to see my father succeeding in his new venture. It must have been thrilling. The checks just kept coming and so I was able quit my sign-painting job to put my full time into evangelism and pastoral care. The church grew up to around 75 by the end of that year

As we served in the church, my wife and I began to realize that my lack of a High School education was a real hindrance to my ministry. I had my Bible College degree, but that left major gaps in my understanding of many things. So, after much prayer, we decided to return to Ohio so that I could go to college. We arranged to merge our little congregation of new Christians into a much larger Bible believing church there in Harlingen, and started making our plans to move back home.

Gregg Harris

“Dang it,” he thought, “God has a great sense .” He realized that as long as his crazy Christian son needed the money, his horse was going to beat all the odds and win over and over again. But as soon as his son was moving back home, the party was over “Dang!” he thought. “What do you think of that?” In that moment my father bowed his head and prayed. He asked God to forgive him, not only for his sins in general, but for his sin of being so proud and so stubborn as to vow never to go to church again.

He had known the gospel all along. He had grown up in Birmingham, Alabama and was surrounded by Christians who constantly talked about what one must do to be saved.

My father knew that Jesus Christ is God the Son. He knew that Jesus came into this world to live the perfect life that we were all supposed to live, but haven’t. He knew that we have all sinned against God by rebelling against Him and that Jesus died the terrible death that we all deserve for our rebellion.

““Dang it,” he thought, “God has a great sense of humor.” He realized that as long as his crazy Christian son needed the money, his horse was going to beat all the odds and win over and over again. But as soon as his son was moving back home, the party was over.”

hearing in one ear when a shell went off as he stormed Okinawa.) The funny thing is, I never knew he was deaf on his right side until I was 40 years old. I always thought he was just ignoring what I said. As a child I hated him for that. It was only when I got him to open up and tell a few stories of his life to my kids that I realized I was living with a hero.

Try Celebrating With Stories

This Father ’s Day, why not set aside some time to gather all the kids and the grandkids to honor your father and/or grandfather for whatever you can be grateful. No father is perfect. But by asking questions and listening to their stories, you’ll gain better perspective. Keep it light, but If painful emotions do arise, don’t shut down. Instead press in to a place of understanding and forgiveness. Think of all that you need to be forgiven for, and then grant the same forgiveness to your father

The Noble Men of Oregon are all fathers. We come from various churches, but we gather each Thursday morning at 5:30 to 7 am at 409 S. Water St. to pray together and plan how to have an impact on our town for Christ. If you’re a guy, and you like what we are doing, man up! You’re invited to join our team and help make good things happen.

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That’s When Disaster Struck!

Within a few weeks of making that decision Gleadon Creek sprained an ankle during a race. How could this happen?! My father proceeded to pour hundreds of thousands of dollars of his winnings into trying to rehabilitate his horse, but all to no avail. Eventually, Gleadon Creek was “put out for stud” as they say. With his winning record he continued to be a profitable asset for my father, but the thrill of standing in the Winner ’s Circle was over. It was wonderful while it lasted, but then it was just a memory

Dad Is Diagnosed With Cancer

Many years later, my father received the diagnosis that he had stage-4 liver cancer He immediately went into the hospital for treatment. As he told the story, while lying in his hospital bed he began to laugh.

My father knew all along that Jesus rose from the dead as proof that His sacrifice worked. He knew all this but he just never believed it. But then, in that hospital room, with just nine months left to live, he believed. He laughed and cried and then laughed some more as he was born again into the family and kingdom of God. When my father called my mom that night he said he was so sorry for not coming to Christ sooner, and that now he was going to try to make it up to her

Welcome to Your New Husband!

For the first time in their marriage my mom and dad prayed together. My dad started telling all of his union buddies the story of Gleadon Creek and how God had such a great sense of humor. Now he was a happily born-again believer in Jesus Christ.

My mother told me, after Dad had passed, that those were the happiest nine months of her marriage. Now she could look forward to being with him forever in heaven.

I didn’t get to be there when my father died. I was there for the military funeral. (My father was a Marine who earned a Purple Heart for his service in the South Pacific. He lost his

The Palace Theater Tuesday, June 11th Showing Back to the Future Rated PG, 7PM First Come, First Served. Bring Friends!

Join Us for Our New Weekly Lunch-time Prayer Meeting!

Every Tuesday from 12:05 to 12:55 PM at The Den, 311 N. Water St., Silverton Bring your lunch and join area business men and women alike to meet, eat and pray together for God’s blessing and provision. Men Only are still invited to our Thurs. 5:30-7 AM Noble Men’s Breakfast at 409 S. Water Street every week. Please RSVP by text to 971-370-0967.

Frequent Addresses

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

Monday

Low Impact Aerobics, 9:30 a.m., Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 303 N Church St., Silverton. Silverton Senior Center members free. Non-members $5. Repeats Wednesdays & Fridays.

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

Silverton Recovery AA, noon - 1 p.m., 302 N Water St. Seven days a week. Free Monday Dinner, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Oak Street Church, 502 Oak St., Silverton. Sitdown or to-go dinner. All welcome. Free. 503-873-5446, oakstchurch@gmail.com

Tuesday

Scotts Mills Food Boxes, 9 - 11 a.m., Scotts Mills Community Center, 298 Fourth St. Residents in Scotts Mills/Butte Creek/Monitor rural areas welcome. Food donations welcome. Niki, 503-873-5059 Mt. Angel Senior Meals, 10:30 - 11 a.m. Delivery only. $3 donation suggested. Repeats Thurs. Ginger, 503-845-9464. APPY Hour, noon - 1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Drop in for technical assistance for electronic devices. All ages. Free. 971-370-5040

Silverton Mainstay, 1 - 4 p.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 203 W Main St. Community space and activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Repeats Thursdays. silvertonmainstay.org

Stories & STEAM, 4 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Listen to a story about the theme of the week, join in a project. Snacks. Ages 5-12. Free. 971-370-5040

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

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

Wednesday

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

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

Silverton Senior Center Knit Wits, 10 a.m. - noon, Silvertowne Apartment Clubhouse, 115 Mill St., No. 47, Silverton.

Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Songs, stories, crafts. Age 25 with family members. Free. 971-370-5040

Indoor Playtime, 11 a.m. - noon, Mt. Angel Public Library. Play with toys, spend time with friends. Free. 971-370-5040

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

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

Line Dancing, 1 - 1:55 p.m. (advanced) 22:55 p.m. (beginners), Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 303 N Church St., Silverton. Silverton Senior Center members free; $10 donation nonmembers. silvertonseniors.org

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

Italian Conversations, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. All levels. 503-873-8796

Thursday

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

Thursday Painters, 10 a.m. - noon, Silverton Arts Association. Open studio. All art forms welcome. Free. 503-873-2480

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

Friday

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

Mt. Angel Model Railroad, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Depot, 90 W College St., Mt. Angel. Lionel (O-gauge), HO-gauge, N-gauge model layouts. All ages welcome. Free. Silvertones Community Singers, 10:30 a.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 203 Main St., Silverton. Open to all. Tomi, 503-873-2033

Silverton Senior Center Pinochle, noon - 4 p.m., Otto’s, 1176 S Water St., Silverton. silvertonseniors.org

Saturday

Ageless Yoga, 9 a.m., Total Body Health Club, 1099 N First St., Silverton. silvertonseniors.org

Silverton Farmers Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Silverton United Methodist Church, 204 W Main. silvertonfarmersmarket.com Al-Anon Families, 10 a.m., Zoom. For families and friends of alcoholics. Zoom link: Janet.h.salem23@gmail.com

Oregon Crafters Market, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., 215 N Water St., Silverton. Repeats noon - 5 p.m. First Friday session 6 - 9 p.m. only. oregoncraftersmarket.com

Silverton Country Museum, 1 - 4 p.m., 428 S Water St. Open for public viewing. Free admission. Repeats Sundays. 503873-7070, silverton.museum@live.com Creciendo juntos/Growing Together Storytime, 1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. ¡Atrévete a acompañarnos aprender juntos! ¡Atreves de leyendo libros bilingües podríamos hacer lo! Después abrirá una actividad para la familia. Through bilingual books and activities, learn simple words and phrases that help us communicate and grow together. 971-370-5040

Sunshine Fitness, 10 a.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Teens and adults explore different types of workouts using followalong videos. Free. 971-370-5040

Peaceful Heart Meditation, 2 - 3 p.m., Silverton Community Center. Yoga breathing, kirtan and yoga philosophy. Free. peacefulheartkirtan@gmail.com

Just for Today AA, 6:30 p.m., Silverton Coffee Club, 302 N Water St., Silverton.

Saturday, June 1

Storytelling Event

2 p.m., Silver Falls Library. People who experienced homelessness share stories of courage, resilience. All welcome; adult topics might not be suitable for all ears. shelteringsilverton.org

Family Movie Night

3 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Watch Chicken Run (G) with the family. All ages. Free. 971-370-5040

Monday, June 3

Silverton City Council

6:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Work session and regular council meeting. Open to public. 503-873-5321

Mt. Angel City Council

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

Tuesday, June 4

Mt. Angel American Legion

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

Wednesday, June 5

Caregiver Connection

1 - 2:30 p.m., Zoom. Free support group for unpaid family caregivers caring for a loved one 60 years of age or older, or caring for a person living with dementia. For Zoom invite and register, contact Julie Mendez, family caregiver support specialist at 503-304-3432. Scotts Mills City Council

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

Thursday, June 6

Red Cross Blood Drive

Noon - 6 p.m., Safeway, 301 Westfield St., Silverton. Visit redcrossblood.org for appointments.

Silverton Kiwanis Club

Noon, Main St. Bistro, 201 E Main St., Silverton. New members welcome. Repeats June 20. silvertonkiwanis.org

MSWord Basics

1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Learn to create text-based documents using Microsoft Word. Adults only. Registration required by calling 971-370-5040.

Yums Around the World

6:15 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Share thoughts on May’s spice kit from Poland. Bring a sample if you want. Be the first to receive June’s spice kit. Teens & adults. Call 971-370-5040 to reserve a spot.

Music on the Lawn

5:30 - 8 p.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Live music, food, drinks, after-hours admission to The Oregon Garden. $10/age 13 and older. $5 garden members, $50 season pass. Ages 12 and under free. Today: Inner Limits, blues, funk, rock. June 27: Syco Billy’s, string band bluegrass, Americana. Tickets at oregongarden.org.

Silverton High Graduation

7 - 9 p.m., McGinnis Field, 714 Schlador St., Silverton. Must have a ticket to attend. Will be broadcast live. Details at silvertonhigh. silverfallsschools.org.

Critique Night

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

Silverton City Hall Grand Opening

6 - 8 p.m., Silverton City Hall, 410 N Water St. Ribbon cutting for the new Silverton City Hall. Presentation of flags, National Anthem performed by Silverton Children’s Choir, guided tours. Questions: Marie Traeger, mtraeger@silverton.or.us

Silverton First Friday

5 - 9 p.m., downtown Silverton. Car show, outdoor dining, Night Crafters Market, shopping, vendors.. Music on Main Street featuring Ben Rue & Move the Needle at 6 p.m. silvertonchamber.org

Kennedy High Graduation

7 p.m., Kennedy High, 890 E Marquam St., Mt. Angel.

The Mousetrap

7 p.m., Brush Creek Playhouse, 11535 NE Silverton Road, Silverton. Agatha Christie’s mystery, The Mousetrap. Repeats 7 p.m. June 8, 14-15, 21-22; 2 p.m. June 9, 16, 23. Tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors 60+, students, children; available at onthestage. tickets/brush-creek-players.

Lunaria First Friday

7 - 9 p.m., Lunaria Gallery, 113 N Water St., Silverton. Meet the artists for June showings. Main Floor Gallery is “Oregon Garden Inspirations,” member’s artwork inspired by The Oregon Garden. Loft Gallery features “Common Ground,” watercolor paintings by Becki Hesedahl. 503-873-7734

Saturday, June 8

Free Fish Day

8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Silverton Reservoir. Free poles and bait, or bring own. Free shuttles from Roth’s, Robert Frost School, Silverton Museum, Nazarene Church. Gates closed to vehicles. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by adult. Jan, 503-873-4809

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Birthday

11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Gordon House, 869 W Main St., Silverton. Self-guided tours of the Usonian home. $5/adult. Under 18 free. Tour guides tell stories, answer questions. 503-874-6006, thegordonhouse.org

Sunday, June 9

Scotts Mills Historical Museum

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

Monday, June 10

Mt. Angel School District

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

Silver Falls School District

7 p.m., Silverton High, 1456 Pine St. Open to public. 503-873-5303, silverfallsschools.org

Tuesday, June 11

Silverton Summer Reading Registration

Silver Falls Library. Read books, attend library programs, earn Friends of the Library book sale coupons. 503-873-5173

SASI Board Meeting

10 a.m., Silverton Elks Lodge, 300 High St., Silverton. Board meeting for Silverton Area Seniors Inc. 503-873-3093

Ancestry Detectives

10 a.m. - noon, Silver Falls Library. Meet with speakers about Brick Wall Breaking. Membership: Kathy V., 503-508-4251

Ukulele Play & Sing-along

6 - 7:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. First 30 minutes is ukulele lesson followed by play and sing-along time for all skill levels. All welcome; children must be accompanied by adult. Music provided, but bring a ukulele. Free. 503-873-5173

Silverton Planning Commission

7 p.m., Silverton High, 1456 Pine St. Open to public. 503-874-2207

Wednesday, June 12

Red Cross Blood Drive

Noon - 5 p.m., Silverton First Baptist Church, 229 Westfield St. Appointments at redcrossblood.org.

Retiring Joyfully

4:30 p.m., At Easel Art, 301 E Main St., Silverton. Register by email to annettejensen@retirejoyfully.com.

Thursday, June 13

Red Cross Blood Drive

1 - 6:30 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 303 N Church St., Silverton. Visit redcrossblood.org for appointments.

Diamond Painting

1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Create hanging ornaments. Adults & teens. Space is limited; call 971-370-5040 to register. Repeats at 6 p.m.

Friday, June 14

Mount Angel Next Friday

5 - 8 p.m. Music, vendors, cars, shopping. discovermtangel@gmail.com

Sidewalk Chalk Art

5 - 7 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Come down to the Sidewalk Chalk Art event. All ages. Free. 971-370-5040

Flag Day Celebration

6 p.m., Silverton Town Square Park, 111 W Main St. Silverton Elks Lodge presentation. Open to public. All-Ages Game Night

6 - 9 p.m., Silverton Grange, 201 Division St. Bring your favorite games. Children under 13 must be accompanied by adult. All ages. Free admission. 971-267-9364

Movie at Fisher Park

Dusk, Fisher Park, 110 Spruce St., Mt. Angel. Watch Wonka (PG). Free snocones. Bring chairs, blankets. Free. All ages. 971-370-5040

Saturday, June 15

Daddy Dash

10 a.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. $40/10K and 5K run/walk. $15/Kid’s Run. Kids/babies are free. . 50% of proceeds go to Bizon family to help with Sawyer’s medical bills. Sign-up at discovermtangel.org/daddydash.

Art Show Registration

11 a.m. - noon, Coolidge McClaine Park, Silverton. Registration for the second annual People’s Art in the Park, scheduled for July 13 at Silverton Arts Center. Cost is $25 for a 10x10 space to show and sell hand-made creations –clothing, knitting, woodwork, ceramics, paintings. Joe Craig, 503-873-8779. Sponsored by Silverton Arts Association.

Sunday, June 16

Father’s Day

Silverton Strawberry Festival

11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Coolidge McClaine Park, Silverton. 73rd annual event featuring a strawberry shortcake and ice cream. $8/each. $15/for 2. Free for children 2 and under and seniors 80 and older. homerdavenport.com

Monday, June 17

Red Cross Blood Drive

11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mt. Angel Fire Department, 300 Monroe St. Visit redcrossblood.org for appointments. Silverton City Council

6:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Work session and regular council meeting. Open to public. 503-873-5321

Tuesday, June 18

Silver Falls Book Club

6:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. Discuss The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell. Everyone welcome. 503-873-5173, silverfallslibrary.org

Affordable Housing Task Force

6:30 p.m., Council Chambers. Open to public. 503-873-5321, silverton.or.us

Habitat for Humanity Benefit

4:30 p.m., Peters Garden, 1459 Pine St., Silverton. A celebration of achievements made and gathering to raise resources for the next home. RSVP by June 14 at nwvhabitat.org/events.

Sunday, June 23

Habitat Community Open House

Wednesday, June 19

Juneteenth

Dementia Care Conversations

1 - 2 p.m. Zoom. Free group for unpaid caregivers providing support to a loved one living with dementia. To register, contact group facilitator Julie Mendez at 503-304-3432.

Teen Hangout

5 - 7 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Hang out, line dance, play games. Light snacks. Free. 971-370-5040

Thursday, June 20

Book Discussion for Adults

1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Discuss The World Without US by Alan Weisman. All welcome. 971-370-5040

Silver Falls Writers Group

6:30 p.m., Silver Falls Library. Share what you are working on or just see what others are writing. Ron Drake, 503-873-8796

Mt. Angel Planning Commission

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

Friday, June 21

Spirit of Aloha

5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Coolidge McClaine Park, Silverton. Hawaiian dinner, entertainment, auctions, drawings. Advanced tickets $25/adults, $10/kids 6-13. Children 5 and under free. $30 at door. Tickets at silvertonseniors.org.

Saturday, June 22

Oregon Women’s Connection

10 a.m., Silverton Assembly, 437 James St. Learn about basic food preservation. Free. Cathy Prince, 503-999-2291

Noon - 3 p.m., Peters Garden, 1459 Pine St., Silverton. Food trucks, face painting, games. Free. nwvhabitat.org/events

Monday, June 24

Lego Lab

2 - 4 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. All ages. Repeats June 28. 971-370-5040

Vigil for Peace

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

Music Mondays

6:30 - 8 p.m., Old Mill Park, 412 S Water St., Silverton. Silverton Friends of Music presents Billy & The Rockets. Free.

Tuesday, June 25

Silverton Planning Work Session

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

Wednesday, June 26

Water Wednesday

1 - 3 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Enjoy outdoor fun with water toys. For children ages 2-5 and families. Free. 971-370-5040

Thursday, June 27

Sip & Paint Watercolor

1 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Sip, paint and let your creativity bloom in this guided watercolor floral class. No experience needed. Teens & adults. Free. Space is limited; call 971-370-5040 for reservations.

Teen Advisory Board/Book Club

4:30 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Teens (grades 6-12) help collaborate with library on programs, collections, games. Snacks. Book Club meets for first 30 minutes to discuss Out of My Mind by Sharon M Draper. 971-370-5040

Writers Workshop

6 p.m., Mt. Angel Public Library. Gather, chat with fellow writers. Bring up to three pages of work to read, get feedback on. Teens & adults. Free. 971-370-5040

Saturday, June 29

Food Co-op Pop Up

1 - 5 p.m., Geercrest Farm, 12390 NE Sunnyview Road, Salem. Silverton Food Co-op, Love Our Pollinators, event. Food Co-op open for business, activities, educational activities. silvertonfood.coop

Barbara Maxine Reinhart Hupp

Sept. 20, 1936 – May 4, 2024

Life-long Silverton Hills resident Barbara Maxine Hupp passed away at her home on May 4, 2024. She was 87 years old. Barbara was born on Sept. 20, 1936, in Silverton, Oregon to John and Cedelia “Grace” Reinhart. She was the second youngest of five children and grew up in the Silverton Hills. She graduated from Silverton High School in 1954.

In the summer of 1953, at age 16 she met the love of her life, Delbert Theron Hupp, who was living and working on his aunt and uncle’s farm in the Silverton Hills where she babysat. He was smitten and wished to marry her at Christmastime, but she made him wait until the next summer. They married on July 10, 1954. Together they had four children and enjoyed 58 happy years of marriage and farming, working tirelessly as wonderful partners in business, marriage and parenting.

In January of 1954, Delbert bought their first farm on 27 acres in the Silverton Hills at Drakes Crossing. She and Delbert began farming strawberries and then raised grass seed. As a young mother, she would drive her 1942 Chevy coupe to the strawberry fields. Barbara created a makeshift playpen, lining two bushel boxes with heavy quilts, where her two young daughters played while she worked all day. Barbara remembered fondly, “Life wasn’t easy but we did what we had to do.”

Barbara was raising four children, attending college in Mount Angel and working on a nursery near their farm when a local nursery inspector advised her to enter the emerging market. In 1967, she and Delbert decided to open a commercial nursery focusing on bareroot seedlings, Drakes Crossing Nursery. Barbara worked in the nursery during the days while Delbert worked as a welder, then they would spend their evenings and weekends working more on the nursery. The couple soon decided to raise Christmas trees as well and opened Hupp Farms. Over the years, Drakes Crossing Nursery and Hupp Farms grew and continues to be a family farm today. To her death, Barbara loved spending time out on the farm. In her free time, she loved playing pinochle, competitive games and puzzles, flowers and gardens, watching sports of all kinds, playing along with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune each evening, spending time with her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, vacationing in Hawaii, and enjoying dinners out with family and friends.

For years, Barbara was an active member of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association (PNWCTA) and the Oregon Association of Nurseries. In 1999, Barbara and Delbert were awarded the Herb and Helen Plumb Award for Distinguished Service to the Christmas Tree Industry by the PNWCTA. And in 2021, Barbara was awarded the Barney Douglass Research Award for Outstanding Services in Advancement of Christmas Tree Research Programs by the PNWCTA.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy LeCompte, and her husband, Dave, of Brooks; her daughter, Karen Hupp of Salem; her son, Jan Hupp, and his wife, Cindy, of Silverton; ten grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her son, Don Hupp.

Barbara spent the last few weeks of her life surrounded by many family members, farm team members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Drakes Crossing Volunteer Firefighter Association and the Oregon Nurseries Foundation.

A memorial service was held on May 14 at The Oregon Garden Pavilion in Silverton.

James Kenneth Opitz

March 27, 1983 – May 14, 2024

Jamie was surrounded by family at his home when he left to be with Jesus.

He packed a lot of living in his relatively short life. From an early age he learned to operate and repair all kinds of farm equipment and this translated to heavy equipment operation when he worked for excavation companies. Jamie used to say: “Give me five minutes and I can figure out how to operate anything.”

His real love was farming and working on vintage farm equipment with his Dad. He loved music and was a great singer, although he wouldn’t admit it. Jamie was a great cook, especially on his Traeger BBQ. He also loved animals, especially his dogs Fancy and Fritz, who preceded him in death.

Jamie had many friends from all walks of life and he would do anything to help a friend. Jamie is survived by his parents, Jim and Debbie Opitz; his sister, Jessica Opitz; and niece, Jordan.

A sincere thank you to all the friends who visited him in the hospital and at home, you made his last days meaningful and were a great support to the family. Thanks also to Providence Hospital and Providence Hospice for all their care.

A celebration of life will be held at Willamette Mission State Park, 10991 Wheatland Rd. NE, Gervais in the Filbert Grove Shelter on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 1 - 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers or memorials, hug a farmer or contribute to your favorite charity.

In Memory Of

Jill Adams Jan. 12, 1943 May 9, 2024

Joseph Baxa Oct. 30, 1941 May 14, 2024

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

Your local funeral chapels serving Mt. Angel since 1919 & Silverton since 1924. Always available at your time of need

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

Gary Lynn Boehmer

June 30, 1946 – May 4, 2024

Gary Lynn Boehmer passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024 after a courageous fight against cancer.

Gary was born June 30, 1946 in Silverton Hospital to Elmira Haugen Boehmer and Harold Boehmer. He attended St. Paul Grade School in Silverton, Mount Angel Prep and Merritt Davis College in Salem.

He was a resident of Mount Angel and Silverton his entire life, and a lifetime member of St Paul’s Catholic Church in Silverton. Gary was a proud member of the Elks Lodge for 50 years and that is where he met his beloved wife. As a volunteer firefighter he won volunteer fireman of the year in 1975. Gary was a hard worker; he was a parts salesman at Cascade Farm Machinery and retired from Ernst John Deer in St. Paul.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Michelle Boehmer; and son-in-law, Ben Kelsey.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Shirley Parks Boehmer; his five children: daughters, Jennifer (Eric) Fleck, Kimberly (Dave) Collado, Amanda Kelsey; sons, Brian and Aaron (Ashley) Boehmer; 14 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; his St. Bernard, Bella; sisters, Diane (John) Bizon and Connie (Jerry) Mothersbaugh; and many nieces and nephews. Gary was profoundly loved and will be dearly missed.

Services were held May 9 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Silverton, followed by graveside services at St. Paul’s cemetery.

The family wishes to make a special thank you to Brighton Hospice and Salem Oncology.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s name to EWTN or Mount Angel Abbey. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton.

Submissions welcomed: Our Town appreciates the opportuity to share life’s Passages with our readers. If there is a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, college graduation or obituary of a local resident you’d like to share, please send it to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com or mail it to Editor, Our Town, P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362, or drop it by our office at 401 Oak St., Silverton any weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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503.874.9700

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Big variety of fabrics! Previously owned furniture place in Silverton. Will come to you & quote cost for repair.

Dr. Daniel Côté, DC

Dr. Jennifer Martin, DC Licensed Massage therapists available 503-873-8099

Conference champs

Silverton won the MidWillamette Conference girls golf championship and took fifth at the Class 5A state championships at Trysting Tree in Corvallis. Members of the squad are Ellie Traeger, Kansas Brister, Amelia Broyhill, Brynn Kelsey and Marina Cheremnov

to the Pacific Northwest Regional meet on June 14-16 in Moses Lake, Washington. The regional meet includes the top 5 from the Oregon and Washington state meets.

Traeger, who was named player of the year in the MWC, took 22nd at state in 2023, and fifth in 2022 when the Foxes earned second. Wilsonville won the 2024 title with 680 strokes, followed by Summit (716), North Eugene (763), La Salle Prep (771) and the Foxes (815). Traeger finished 20th with a two-day score of 187.

Equestrian: Silverton finished 11th in the large team category at the Oregon High School Equestrian Teams state championships held May 9-12 at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. Three individuals and one four-person team from the Foxes finished in the top 5 in their events and advanced

Adeline Kuenzi (fifth in saddle seat equitation), Danielle Velasco (fifth in figure 8) and Jessni Morris (fifth in individual flags) will be heading to regionals. Also participating will be the fourperson team versatility combo of Velasco, Kuenzi, Wylie Blamer and Brooklyn Coulbourn-Sanchez, which took third.

Other top 10 finishes at state included Kuenzi (sixth in trail equitation), Morris (seventh in keyhole) and Charlise Sperle (tenth in pole bending).

In the high point individual rankings Kuenzi scored 24 points to finish 19th. In the timed high point rankings Morris scored 22 to take 9th, Kuenzi was credited with 26 points in the versatility high point competition to take 6th and Velasco and Kuenzi both scored 42 points to tie for 30th in team contributor.

Boys Volleyball: The first-year Foxes squad won a conference title in year one, are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A and at Our Town presstime was on the verge of participation in the state championships in Hillsboro. Coached by Benson Short, the Foxes use a nine-man rotation that consists of three seniors: outside hitter and co-captain Cohen Mulick, outside hitter Jack Winters and defensive specialist Emmett Limbird. The three juniors are outside hitter and co-captain Elisha Short, middle blocker Tristan Keopadapsy, and middle blocker

Trevor Redman-Brown. The three sophomores are libero Aden Bradford, setter Nolan Horner and setter Terence Short

Track & Field: The Silverton boys squad accumulated 28.5 points and finished ninth in the OSAA Class 5A state championships May 17-1 8 at Hayward Field in Eugene. The girls squad, meanwhile, scored 13 points and tied for 18th.

Top finishers for the boys were Elijah Willis (second, javelin) and JD Arthur (second, 800). Also scoring points for the Foxes were Tyler Pooleon (fifth, 300

hurdles, sixth long jump), David Hari (fifth, long jump) and Tristan Keopadapsy (tied for seventh, high jump).

Olivia Boyd finished third in the high jump and seventh in the 100 hurdles for the Silverton girls. Also scoring were Greyson Glivinski (fifth, javelin), Ella Lulich (seventh, discus) and the 4x100 relay team of Brooklyn Schurter, Lexi Enzenberger, Joanne Noordam and Marley Wertz, which finished fifth.Silverton’s mixed unified 4x100 relay team of Nora Morrison, Braedon Reniere, Claire Kuenzi and Dayton Hall was sixth and Kuenzi and Logan Simar were fourth and eighth, respectively, in the shot put.

Kennedy’s boys, meanwhile, scored 22 points and finished 12th in the Class 2A meet on May 16-17. Isaac Berning led the way with a second-place finish in the javelin. Jonathan Kintz was third in the 3,000, while Cole Vogel (sixth, 110 hurdles), Elijah Traeger (sixth, javelin) and Manny Ramirez (seventh, discus), also scored points for the Trojans.

Kennedy’s girls scored 17 points and finished

tied for 16th. Alyse Williams took second in the long jump and Tia Allen finished third in the discus, while Yulissa Chavez Cortes took 98th in the 3,000 meters.

Girls Tennis: Silverton finished second behind eventual state champion Crescent Valley in the Mid-Willamette Conference district meet and then took ninth in the Class 5A meet. Paige Davisson and sister Ashlyn Davisson won the district championship in doubles, the first district title for the Foxes since 1998. Also moving on to state were singles player Audrey

Dan Wilgus

Owner

CCB#186393

Gardner (third at districts) and the doubles team of Kaitlyn Gehring and Maggie Davisson (fourth at districts). At state

Gardner won a consolation singles match, while Paige and Ashlyn Davisson, who were seeded third, advanced to the quarterfinals before falling in the consolation semifinals.

Baseball: Two-time defending Class 2A-1A champion Kennedy fell 11-6 to top-ranked Knappa on May 24 in the quarterfinals. The Trojans set a state all-classes record by winning 46 consecutive games, including the first eight of 2024. They finished 21-7.

THE SISTERS CLEANING SERVICE

The Silverton High girls tennis team qualified five players for the Class 5A state tournament. From left, Paige and Ashlyn Davisson, Audrey Gardner and Maggie Davisson and Katelyn Gehring. SUBMITTED

OK, it’s time for my annual joke.

My birthday is this month. Yep, I’ll turn 17. And other than a slight case of dyslexia, I feel pretty good.

With that out of the way, I have a few things to say about getting old.

In summary, it’s not too bad. Other than an occasional time-out for heart surgery, let the record show that I’ve never felt better.

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time working. And worrying. I was one of those workaholics you hear about. I’d put in 14-plus hours a day editing a daily newspaper, including weekends.

Then, one day, it occurred to me that I was missing out. I was missing out on the woman I had married and our kids.

So I quit. We sold our house, packed the kids into our 1988 Taurus and headed down the road.

Our goal: to visit as many national parks as we could.

While professionally what I did was suicide, personally, it was the best thing I ever did. In hindsight, I am amazed my wife went along with it. But she always amazes me.

We wandered around the West, living the life of vagabonds. We camped and visited friends and relatives, making up a plan as we went.

By the time fall approached, we started looking for a place to spend the winter. I saw an ad for a weekly newspaper in Minnesota that was in need of a publisher. I figured it would do as a temporary stopover.

I didn’t stay at the newspaper, but we did stay in Minnesota for seven years.  It was the best thing we ever did.

It reestablished my faith in people. Rural Minnesotans are hard-working, optimistic, earnest, stoic and honest. No whining allowed.

Having spent the previous 14 years primarily dealing with politicians – mainly blowhards and self-delusional crackpots –Minnesotans were awesome!

That stay recharged me. It was a time-out for looking into a new world of farming and finance – I worked for a few years as a stockbroker to pass the time.

I spent every free moment with my wife and kids. We worked on our 80-yearold farmhouse, grew a lot of food, raised chickens and learned all sorts of skills, from roofing to small engine repair.

And we traveled around the U.S., reminding ourselves of the wonders this great nation offers.

Every place we went we saw amazing things. A space shuttle blasting off in the middle of the night. The fury of a tornado

that missed our house by less than a mile. Another tornado that skipped over the South Dakota campground where we were staying. Checking out Washington, D.C., and the history of places like Philadelphia and Boston.

The birth of our third and fourth sons.

What a wondrous time it was.

When we moved to Oregon to be close to my wife’s folks, I thought we had arrived in the promised land. So beautiful. Wonderful weather (a little rain never hurt anyone). Good people.

And the politics? Meh. I make it my business not to pay any attention to that sort of thing.

So it’s been 71 years, and counting. And I’m convinced that life, which started out good, is getting better all the time. I feel blessed.

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

Independent and Assisted Living Country Meadows

With our campus of independent living and assisted living options, we are able to offer a wide array of activities and events that cater to everyone. Our communities are tailored to meet all of our residents’ specific needs rather than one inclusive model, meaning that if you need help with Activities of Daily Living, our assisted living Community offers exceptional senior care. Or, if you still live an independent life but would also like a community that offers amenities like meals, housekeeping, transportation, security, social events etc. we provide our independent living facility, and when it is time to transition to assisted living, you can do that easily.

What’s great about our community is our great staff, who have a very high retention rate. Our family owned and operated business understands the value of hardworking employees. They are friendly, reliable, and dedicated and it shows.

At Country Meadows, our Chefs also gets to know our residents by joining them each month to hear about what they want on future menus. We have a restaurant-style menu with more than a dozen different options, also included in our assisted living facility.

These may seem like little things, but they resonate big with our residents.

At Country Meadows Village in Woodburn, we work to make your Golden Years shine with a comfortable setting, dedicated employees and all the amenities. Come see us today.

GENERAL

MT. ANGEL SENIOR CENTER

is a non-profit consignment store for artisans over 50, a community center, home to Meals on Wheels, and serves as a food bank. Volunteers welcome! 195 E Charles St. 503-845-6998 or mtangelcommunity @gmail.com

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 2 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 8am and noon Monday through Friday.

SAVE THE DATE –ST. BONIFACE ALL SCHOOL REUNION Sunday, Aug. 11. Held this year at Sublimity Pioneer Park, across from Sublimity Fire Hall. Bring you brown chairs. See you then! 503-689-1478

SERVICES

HANDYMAN & HOME REPAIR SERVICE Installation and repair of fencing, decks,doors, gutter cleaning, moss removal, power washing, yard debris removal. CCB# 206637 Call Ryan 503-881-3802

JESSE’S LAWN SERVICE & HANDYMAN Pruning, edging, trimming, blackberry cleaning, gutter cleaning, arborvitae,

moss treatment, yard clean-up, stump grinding, powerwashing, haul-away. 503-871-7869

B&J JANITORIAL, INC. 20 years experience. References available. 503-313-5816

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

Robin Ekloff Owner

#T2826 LARGE LOT $627,000

Seller to contribute $8000 towards buyer’s closing costs, prorations, prepaids, and/or rate buy down!!!

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, and 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)

#T2825

NEW TO THE MARKET

$659,000 Built in ’95 home overlooks the HOA common area w/ pond An open floor plan w/ handicap amenities on main level, no step entry. Lower level has paver patio. Vaulted Great Rm. Large BR suite on main. Recent upgrades include: new carpet, LVP flooring, granite & quartz counter tops, sprinkler system, Hi-eff. HVAC, whole home surge protection, solar panels. Located on the east side of Silverton on a quiet / low traffic street. Short distance to downtown. Call Michael at ext. 314 (WVMLS#816834)

SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

#T2812 CHARMING HOBBY FARM 2 BR, 1 BA 1249 sqft. Aumsville. Call Kirsten at ext. 326 $699,900 (WVMLS#813960)

#T2817 GREAT LOCATION

2 BR, 2 BA 990 sqft. Independence. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322

$472,800 (WVMLS#815114)

#T2819 FIVE SEPARATE UNITS 6 BR, 5 BA 3172 sqft. Salem. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $847,000 (WVMLS#815616)

#T2821 WEST EUGENE

HILLS 3 BR, 2 BA 1892 sqft Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $450,000 (WVMLS#815799)

NEW! – #T2822 PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP 5 BR, 3 BA 2317 sqft. Mt. Angel Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $549,000 (WVMLS#816013)

NEW! – #T2823 WONDERFUL SINGLE LEVEL

3 BR, 2 BA 1334 sqft. Keizer. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $375,000 (WVMLS#815941)

NEW! – #T2824 GREAT LOCATION 3 BR, 2 BA 1397 sqft. Salem. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $386,700 (WVMLS#816394)

#T2820

BEAUTIFUL ACREAGE

PROPERTY $750,000 This beautiful acreage property has a little bit of everything. Over 9 acres of timber, more than 9 acres of pastureland and a great home site. 2 shops and a barn for all your hobbies and accessories. A chicken coop, gardens, and multiple fruit trees will keep you busy while enjoying the quiet property. House has a great room addition with tons of natural light. Storage throughout. New electric HVAC system. Put on your boots and get out to see this one! Call Becky at ext. 313 (WVMLS#815912)

#T2814 LOTS OF POTENTIAL $419,000 This home has lots of potential, needs some interior work to make it shine, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 1809 sqft, with some exterior updates done, newer roof, siding is not original to the home. Cash only, property sold “as is”. Great opportunity for some sweat equity. Carpet has been removed, ready for the new Buyer to install their flooring. Call Meredith at ext. 324 or Ryan at ext. 322 (WVMLS#814563)

SOLD! – #T2807

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM

HOME 3 BR, 2.5 BA 3024 sqft Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322

$799,800 (WVMLS#812246)

PENDING – #T2809 NEW CONSTRUCTION 4 BR, 3.5 BA 3275 sqft Call Michael at ext. 314 $699,000 (WVMLS#813139)

#T2813 55+ PARK

2 BR, 1 BA 1008 sqft Call Michael at ext. 314

$115,900 (WVMLS#814368)

#T2814 LOTS OF POTENTIAL 4 BR, 2 BA 1809 sqft Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322

$419,000 (WVMLS#814563)

NEW! – #T2825 NEW TO THE MARKET 3 BR, 2 BA 2264 sqft Call Michael at ext. 314

$659,000 (WVMLS#816834)

NEW! – #T2826 LARGE LOT 3 BR, 3 BA 2242 sqft Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $627,000 (WVMLS#816981)

LOTS .45 Acres