Employees of Santiam Hospital & Clinics and the Oregon Department of Human Services organize food relief stocks during the federal shutdown.
HOSPITAL & CLINICS
Stayton players celebrate after claiming the Class 4A boys soccer title with a 1-0 win against North Marion on Nov. 15. The win marked the third state title for the Eagles under coach Chris Shields.
Six months ago we reached out and let our readers know Our Town needs your help to continue its work building community. The response has been heart-warming.
To all those who have contributed to the Our Town fund through the Oregon Public Information Partnership 501c3, thank you. To our advertisers, thank you. To those who offer words of encouragement and support, thank you. It’s a three-legged stool – each part is important for balance.
Our Town - Santiam, Our Town (Silverton), and The Canyon Weekly Our Town edition –all our publications – raised roughly $14,000.
Those funds go directly to keeping reporters focused on local stories and providing them with the tools they need to expand the papers’ reach and relevance as the way readers access news changes.
Our mission is to provide context and information so readers can connect with their community. Some stories are fun, others important, a few even potentially lifealtering – all have a role Our Town I’ve said it before, and it’s still true: asking is hard. There are a variety of needs and good
causes in our world today. Our Town reports on many of them. And that’s one reason why we must ask. Having a resource like Our Town slip away is not an option that’s good for the community.
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– Paula Mabry
Our Town has been bringing you the stories that matter to your family, your business, and your community for more than 20 years. Now, we need your help to continue this important work for the next generation.
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By James Day
A public meeting will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, at Detroit City Hall to discuss the planned drawdown of Detroit Lake.
The meeting is set for 10 a.m. to noon at 345 N. Santiam Ave. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials will be on hand to answer questions and gather public feedback that will inform a planned supplemental environmental impact study (SEIS) that must be completed before the drawdown can occur in the fall of 2026.
Corps officials are under a court order to improve fish passage in the North Santiam River basin, with the drawdown aimed at making it easier for winter steelhead and spring Chinook to navigate the dam.
For those who can’t participate in Detroit there also are two Salem sessions set for Wednesday, Dec. 10, at noon and 5:30 p.m. at Broadway Commons, Room 307, 1300 Broadway St. in Salem.
In addition comments can be emailed to willamette.eis@usace.army.mil or
mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CENWP-PME-E / Willamette SEIS, P.O. Box 2946, Portland, OR 97208-2946.
The current draft of the SEIS can be viewed at https://www.nwp.usace.army. mil/WVS-EIS/.
The public comment period ends Dec. 29.
“We encourage everyone to participate in the public comment period and help us make informed decisions about the future management of the Willamette Valley dams,” said Col. Dale Caswell, commander of the Portland District.
The Corps is trying to comply with a 2024 National Marine Fisheries Services biological opinion that mandated the Detroit drawdown to ease fish passage issues of endangered spring Chinook and winter steelhead stocks.
Corps officials told a May 31 public forum in Detroit that earlier drawdowns on the South Santiam at Green Peter were much more extensive than the one
planned in Detroit and that the Green Peter drawdown exposed more than four times as much sediment as Detroit’s will.
The Green Peter drawdowns in 2023 and 2024 produced massive kokanee fish kills and water quality problems. Lebanon and Sweet Home have filed lawsuits over the damages.
The biggest downstream Canyon customer is Stayton, which has grave concerns about keeping its slow sand filtration ponds operating amid high turbidity (sediment in the water).
“We have been working on this consistently,” Stayton city manager Julia Hajduk told Our Town. “We have been
meeting with staff and representatives at the state and federal level to convey our concerns and the risk to our water system.”
Stayton’s strategies are:
Avoidance: Eliminating exposure through regulatory, political, and legal means.
Minimization: Reducing the likelihood of interruption by developing alternative source-water options and evaluating pretreatment methods.
Mitigation: Lessening the potential impact through improved operations and demand management.
Elsewhere, Aumsville, Mill City and Sublimity use well water, which is unlikely to be affected. Gates, Jefferson, the LyonsMehama Water District, the Santiam Water Control District and Turner also face the possibility of poor water quality in the North Santiam River overwhelming their water treatment systems.
Detroit and Idanha won’t be affected, although officials are concerned about possible economic impacts.
By Melissa Wagoner
Holiday traditions, especially those handed down from one generation to the next, can feel as though they are set in stone. Putting up the same decorations every year, cooking the same recipes and listening to the same music can reinforce that feeling. But traditions are always shifting – sometimes subtly, sometimes seismically – with the regular events of life. We cannot know, as we box up the decorations at the end of the holiday season, what changes will be wrought when we unpack them at the beginning of next.
That was certainly the case for Nat Randall who, during last year’s holiday season, was pregnant with her first child, a son she and her husband, Ben, would name Luke.
“Luke was born prematurely at 31 weeks and a few days…” Randall – who unexpectedly suffered from preeclampsia and high blood pressure – recalled. “I was hospitalized for eight days. Luke was in the NICU for seven weeks… He was on a CPAP machine and feeding tube. Luke’s birth weight was three pounds and eight ounces.”
said, “which is good timing as he started crawling, and we have so much more room for him to play.”
The family also has more room to decorate for the holidays, which they haven’t done in several years.
“I’m so excited to see our little guy’s reaction,” Laura said. “Everything I’m doing to decorate, is for him. Even though he may not remember much, it’ll be very memorable for us. I’m baking cookies for the first time in a few years, too!”
But not all new additions are infants, sometimes weddings bring families together in an equally monumental way. Such is the case for Jessica Spence and her soon-to-be husband, Thomas Ostrander, who will collectively merge five children when they wed this year.
“I am most excited to have all the firsts as a married family…” Jessica said. She just moved with her new blended family into a new house, said. “I am so excited to decorate for Christmas and make it our home… Having a blended family is one of the best things I’ve done.”
But despite those early challenges, Luke thrived, eventually moving with his parents to a new home in Sublimity, where they are now excited to celebrate their first holiday season as a family of three.
“[I’m looking forward to] introducing Luke to the magic of Christmas,” Nat confirmed. “How people light up their houses for Santa’s arrival on Christmas Eve. How beautiful the season of giving truly is.”
Similarly, the Bradshaw family, Laura and Jason, also welcomed a new baby, Elliot, and subsequently moved into a new home in Gates.
“We moved into our new home when our baby turned seven months,” Laura
Christmas gatherings were all about sharing meals, playing board games and opening a lot of presents.”
Now, without David joyfully playing with the young grandkids and helping to prepare for the big holiday celebrations, Poppy speculates that, despite everyone’s best efforts, the holidays won’t be quite the same for the family or for her.
“[T]his is the first time in my life I’ve lived alone, so not just the holiday season is a new experience for me…” Poppy confirmed, “the quiet of home is daunting. I’m so glad I still have little ones to spend time with…”
Similarly, Christina McDonald will also be spending the holidays without her husband, Derek, who died unexpectedly in August or her mom who passed away in March.
“Christmas was just our own family… pretty laid back…” Christina – mom to four children, three still at home – said.
“At this point I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like this year…I haven’t let myself think about it yet… because this one’s hard.”
almost none of the previous customs are possible.
“The holidays were magical in the 90’s…” Aleashia Dimich said, recalling her own childhood spent in Mill City. “We got our Christmas tree from Kirsch’s True Value every year and... couldn’t wait to see the lights on the bridge lit up…”
Raising her own children near her childhood home, Aleashia enjoyed sharing these traditions with them until, in the Beachie Creek Fire of 2020, her home burned to the ground.
“We started over completely...” Aleashia said. “The only thing left in Mill City for us was mom and dad.”
Then in June 2025, only 12 days apart, both her parents passed, leaving Aleashia and her sisters unsure of what the coming holiday season would bring.
“My only plan is to make sure that my sisters and I are together along with our families we have made…” Aleashia said. “[W]e will not go to Mill City, which seems so wrong, but we will celebrate
But not all changes are good ones or come from a choice we have made.
That is the case for Poppy Shell – who unexpectedly lost her husband, David, in February, and is now facing the holidays alone for the first time in 48 years.
“The holidays for the big Shell family was a time to gather as many of our relatives that could come together…” Poppy said of Christmases past. “There were five Silverton-born children…and these five created 12 grandkids. Add in some aunts, cousins, in-laws, friends, sometimes an exchange student and sweethearts, it becomes a very big and noisy and rambunctious group. Our large
A regular attendee of GriefShare, a support group offered at Foothills Church in Stayton, Christina is hoping to learn tips that might help her and her children get through the coming months.
“I want to keep things the same, but I know it’s not going to happen…” she said.
“You just have to figure out new traditions and what you hold on to.”
Sometimes life changes so much that
and we will miss them together. I do not foresee that changing.”
But it will refocus her family’s traditions, homing in on what is truly important in a way not dissimilar to what will be experienced by all those whose lives have changed during the past year. Because, while not all Christmas firsts are for joyous reasons, they do all have the potential to create a new and unique bond between those who celebrate them – and some new traditions as well.
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By Stephen Floyd
The City of Stayton is planning a community meeting for mid-December to learn why voters largely rejected a recent pool and parks levy, and whether or not a followup levy is viable.
During the Nov. 4 election, Measure 24-515 received 57.18% voter opposition, according to the latest results published by Marion County. Voter turnout was 29.26%.
The levy would have raised $4.8 million over five years through a property tax of $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed value.
This would replace an existing levy of $0.50 per $1,000 that expires in June of 2026. Voters passed this levy in 2021 with 71.21% approval.
City Manager Julia Hajduk said the council wants to hold a stakeholder meeting in the coming weeks to gather feedback before deciding next steps. Officials hope to hear from local residents, community partners and pool and parks users, said Hajduk.
“The goal of that discussion is to help inform the City Council on potential options moving forward, including whether to place another levy on a future ballot,” she said.
By Stephen Floyd
Stayton Mayor Brian Quigley has appointed Budget Committee member and retired mental health therapist Leonard “Len” Hays to an open seat on the Stayton City Council.
State Farm, Bloomington, IL
Quigley’s appointment was confirmed by the council during its regular meeting Nov. 3. Hays was sworn in that night.
Quigley said Hays stood out as a candidate because he has attended council meetings regularly as a citizen and served on the budget committee for two years.
“Leonard’s been there, he’s committed himself, he’s
engaged himself,” said Quigley.
In his letter of interest for the position, Hays said his experience on the committee and in his personal and professional life will help him do his “absolute best” to represent citizens. He also said, as a retiree, he will be able to give the position adequate time and focus.
Hays assumes the position vacated June 24 by former Councilor Luke Bauer, He will serve the remainder of Bauer’s term through 2026. Bauer himself was appointed to a vacancy in January after former Councilor David Giglio resigned the month prior due to increased personal commitments.
Before confirming Hays, Councilor Jordan Ohrt said she was encouraged by the fact that Hays was already civically engaged before seeking a seat on the council.
Oregon’s K-12 spending ranks 15th in the nation, however the state is 50th in reading and 49th in math when adjusted for demographics, and ranks among the lowest in regular attendance.
The Oregon Journalism Project (OJP) has started a new series asking why so many tax dollars are doing so little for students, and why lawmakers seemingly shrug at the problem.
OJP’s full articles are available at ourtownsantiam. com, and future articles in the series will be published there as well. Readers are also encouraged to take OJP’s survey (bit.ly/ojpeducation).
In an article published Nov. 13, OJP shared an interview with education policy expert Christine Pitts, president and CEO of Portland-based nonprofit Open School Inc.
Pitts said current reading standards are outdated and it is no longer enough to hand a child a book and expect them to absorb the written word as they would spoken language. She said children need to be shown the basics like sound patterns and how to decode words, and that the state should be equipping teachers to understand and implement these standards.
An article published Nov. 19 highlighted Oregon’s continuing struggle with chronic absenteeism since the COVID-19 pandemic. One in three Oregon students missed significant class time last year.
Sarah Pope, executive director of Stand for Children Oregon, told OJP Oregon discontinued truancy officers in 2021 without a backup plan and needs to find an effective alternative. The state also announced Nov. 18 it was cutting funds for Every Day Matters, a program that provides attendance support resources to school districts.
– Stephen Floyd
By Melissa Wagoner
Carmelle Bielenberg has worn many hats during the decade she spent working for the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce.
“I was first associated with the local Chamber as member,” Bielenberg recalled.
Then, in 2015 she began working as an event planner, followed by a position as the Membership and Communications Director and finally, in 2017, as the Chamber’s CEO. Now she is moving on.
“There is no other work quite like Chamber work,” Bielenberg said.
“The biggest challenge for a small Chamber is simply capacity. The CEO is responsible for the daily operations, nonprofit management, familiarity with all levels of government, economic development, budgeting and resource allocation, marketing, communications, event planning, tourism development,
accounting, sales, fundraising, and human resources. I actually love that diversity and breadth of this work… no two days are ever the same, and it requires strategic thinking, solution-oriented ideas, and the integration of logic, collaboration, and creativity.”
She said she’s proudest of her advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic and her efforts to source grants for businesses struggling during that time, as well as the subsequent Women-inBusiness initiative and her ongoing work with the Santiam SummerFest.
“This place is part of me, and I will always carry it with me,” she said.
But because she was unable to find a home that fit her needs when she was looking to buy in 2024, she made the difficult decision to move to Albany. Then when Janet Steele – CEO of the Albany Chamber of Commerce – announced her retirement, she made the equally challenging decision to leave the Stayton Sublimity Chamber.
relationships with businesses and community leaders.”
In the meantime, as the board of directors for the Stayton Sublimity Chamber prepares to “launch a competitive search for a high-caliber successor” the duties of the CEO are being divided amongst the board members.
“We consider this an opportunity to reimagine the Stayton Sublimity Chamber’s next chapter – with member involvement at its core…” Chamber Board President Beth Morey said.
Bielenberg has been a staunch supporter for both the hometown where she was raised and those living and working there.
“I am really excited to lead, not only an organization, but a team, at the Albany Chamber,” Bielenberg said. Her last day with the Stayton Sublimity Chamber was Oct. 24. “I look forward to building
“We consider this an opportunity to receive input from our members in structuring the duties and focuses our next leader will have… If you have skills or ideas to share – whether in event planning, communications, outreach, or administration – we welcome the involvement. Engagement will be key in keeping the growing momentum of our vibrant Chamber going.”
Little Cynthia loved Christmas. She loved it! But what she really loved about Christmas was all the wonderful Christmas gifts she expected to get each year. She loved Christmas presents so much she couldn’t stop thinking about them. What might she get this year? It was always such a great surprise. What could it be?
Her mother and father had been very busy, sneaking their purchases into the house through the garage, and then back into the big walk-in closet in their master bedroom. There, Cynthia knew, she would find a growing treasure trove of Christmas presents yet to be wrapped.
“Wouldn’t it be great to peek inside that closet?” she thought to herself, “And what harm would that do?” The temptation grew in her mind until she couldn’t think about anything else.
And so, she decided she would wait until her father was at work, and her mother was out shopping, to slip into the bedroom and open that wonderful closet door. When the moment arrived she made her way there and reached out to grasp the doorknob. She turned it slowly when suddenly a voice spoke out from behind her.
“What are you doing, Cynthia?”
It was her older brother Caleb, standing there with an incriminating look in his eyes. “Nothing!” Cynthia said, taking her hand quickly off the doorknob. “It doesn’t look like nothing.” He said. “You’re trying to peek at the Christmas presents, and I’m going to tell Mom and Dad as soon as they get home.”
“No!” cried Cynthia. “Don’t tell them. I didn’t get to see hardly anything. Please don’t tell.” But Caleb just smirked at her. “I’m gonna tell. I’m gonna tell,” he said in that annoying way that makes anyone angry. Her face turned as red as her hair as she grabbed the closest thing near her off the chest of drawers and threw it at Caleb as hard as she could. Before she knew what she had done the bottle of perfume struck Caleb in the head, breaking skin beside his eye and sending a trickle of blood down his cheek.
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry,” she cried. “I’m so sorry!” Caleb held his hand over his bleeding eye and scowled at her with the other. “Look at what you’ve done, you brat!” he snapped. “You are in sooo much trouble now.” And he was right. When Cynthia’s mother came home, she was immediately informed by Caleb. His eye had stopped bleeding and, thank God, the injury was only on the side and not on his eye itself. Cynthia sat crying in the corner of the family room, sobbing about how it was just an accident, and how she didn’t mean to hurt Caleb, and how he made her so mad, and how it wasn’t any of his business what she was doing in the bedroom.
After tending to Caleb’s wound, Mother sat down beside Cynthia. “Sweetheart,” she said softly,
By Gregg Harris
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ That’s in 1 John 1:9. But I don’t see how God, or you, or especially Caleb, can ever forgive me.” Cynthia said, her voice still trembling. “I feel terrible.”
“Yes, it is hard to believe, especially when we need to believe it most. But you see, when Jesus was born on Christmas Day, it was so that He could save us from the punishment we deserve because of our sins. Later, three days before Easter Sunday, when Jesus died in our place on the cross, it was to pay for our sins. Not just for the ones we committed before we knew Him, but for all the sins we will ever commit in the present, and in the future. Jesus paid for them all. And to prove it worked, God raised Jesus from the dead. That is the greatest gift anyone can ever receive: salvation — the forgiveness of our sins.”
“I think I understand that,” Cynthia said, “but why would it be ‘just’ for God to forgive me when I don’t really deserve it?”
“What you did was wrong. Don’t try to make excuses. You were wrong. You were angry. What you did was terrible. You could have put Caleb’s eye out. He could have been permanently blinded in that eye. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” Cynthia said through her tears. “I’m so sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to.”
“You didn’t mean to do as much harm as you did, Cynthia, but you did mean to hurt Caleb in order to stop him from getting you in trouble. Do you know what the Bible calls that kind of thing?”
“It’s called sin.” Cynthia whispered.
“And do you remember what God tells us to do when we sin?” Her mother asked.
“I remember a Bible memory verse that Nana taught me. It says ‘If we confess our sins, God is
“That is a very good question,” Mother said, “and the answer is the very reason we call it ‘Good News.’ You see, it would now be unjust for God the Father to refuse to forgive you when you confess your sin, because Jesus has already paid for it.”
“Does that mean I’m not going to get punished for what I did?” Cynthia asked.
“Because Jesus has already paid for it?”
“No, Sweetheart.” Mother smiled. “Moms and dads still have to discipline their children. God’s forgiveness settles the debt we owe to God, but it doesn’t cancel our obligations toward others. You’ll need to go to Caleb and ask for his forgiveness. When someone commits a crime, they can be forgiven by God if they repent of their sin and trust in what Jesus did for them on the cross, but they may still have to go to jail. Their debt to society will still need to be paid.”
“What will happen when Dad gets home?” Cynthia wondered. “Will I get a spanking?”
“Well, you know the routine.‘Three harmless swats without anger, and then a big long hug.’
That’s the way your father and I deal with your misbehavior. We’ll let him decide what he thinks is best. But I do know that your father loves you, and I love you, and most of all, God loves you.
Caleb may take a little longer to decide what he thinks. You dinged him pretty hard.”
They both laughed at this, but then Caleb chimed in, “I still love you too, Cynthia.” He’d been listening in the hallway. He wiped a tear from his cheek and said, “You’ve got a pretty good pitching arm there, little sister.”
They all laughed and had a group-hug.
“Well,” Cynthia announced, “My best Christmas gifts are not in the closet after all. They’re in my faith in Jesus, and in my family’s love.”
Later that evening Cynthia’s father did come home. After he heard what happened, she got her “three harmless swats without anger” with the rice paddle Dad used to give spankings. Then she got her “big long hug” from the man she knew loved her with all his heart. At the dinner table everyone went on as though nothing had happened, because Cynthia’s repentance, and God’s forgiveness, were both very real.
So ends my Christmas story for children. I hope it has helped you understand a little bit better how God’s forgiveness actually works when we repent and put our trust in Jesus Christ.
To learn more, or to offer feedback, please call or text me at 971-370-0967. I’d love to meet you.
Santiam Senior Center 41818 Kingston-Jordan Road, Stayton Stayton Community Center, 400 W Virginia St.
Stayton Public Library, 515 N First Ave. Weekly Events
Monday
Stayton Community Food Bank, 9 a.m. - noon, 1210 Wilco Road. Repeats Monday - Friday. 503-769-4088
Santiam Senior Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Seniors 50 +. Daily, weekly, monthly events. 503-767-2009, santiamseniorcenter.com Senior Meals, 11:30 a.m., Stayton Community Center. Congregate dining or delivery. Age 60 and older. Serves Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Marion, Mehama. Repeats Wednesday & Friday. $3 donation suggested. For delivery, call Ginger, 503-769-7995.
Bingo, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Cards $.05-.10 per game. Bring a can or box of non-perishable food for Stayton Food Bank, get a free card. Seniors 50+. Free. Repeats Thursday. 503-767-2009
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Repeats Thursday, Friday. Santiam Canyon Community Chorus, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway St., Mill City. Anyone is welcome. JoAnn, 503-859-2502
Tuesday
Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore early literacy through songs and rhythms, stories and rhyme. All ages welcome. Free. 503-769-3313
English, Citizenship, GED Classes, 6:30 - 8 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Classes free; $20 workbook. Repeats Thursday. Join class anytime. Mary, 503-779-7029
Wednesday
Stayton/Sublimity Chamber Business Network, 8:15 a.m. Network-building event for local businesses, non-profit professionals. Location varies each week. For location, call 503-769-3464. St. Boniface Archives and Museum, 9 a.m. - noon, 370 Main St., Sublimity. Learn about Sublimity; family history. Free. 503-508-0312
Intermediate Tai Chi, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Members are free. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Toddler Storytime: Stay & Play, 10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore early learning and literacy together with infant or toddler; stay for different activities and stations for play. Older siblings welcome. Free. 503-769-3313
Beginner Tai Chi, 11:15 a.m. - noon, Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Stayton Area Rotary, noon, Santiam Golf Club, 8724 Golf Club Road, Aumsville. staytonarearotary.org
Cascade Country Quilters, 12:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50+. 503-767-2009
Beginner Line Dancing, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Pinochle, 1 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Single deck. Seniors 50+. Free for members. 503-767-2009
Beginner Line Dancing, 1:45 - 2:45 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Alcoholics Anonymous, 6 p.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton.
Thursday
Sublimity Quilters, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Make quilts donations and charities. Everything provided. New members welcome. Point Man Ministries, 6 p.m., Canyon Bible Fellowship, 446 Cedar St., Lyons. Veterans support organization. 503-859-2627.
Friday
Pinochle, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Double deck. Seniors 50+. Free for members. 503-767-2009
Saturday
Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 a.m., All Good Things Cafe, 190 Main St., Aumsville.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 10 a.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Indoor Winter Market, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wavra Farms, 7882 SE Jordan St., Salem. Baked goods, produce, jams, crafts, pottery, plants, more. Free admission. wavrafarms.com
Aumsville Historical Society, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Aumsville Historical Museum, 599 Main St. Not open holiday weekends. Ted Shepard, 503-749-2744 Revival Youth Hangout, 5 - 6:30 p.m., New Hope Community Church, 657 N Second Ave., Stayton. Follow “Revival_ Heartbeat” on Instagram and Tiktok. revivalheartbeat@gmail.com
Sunday
Community Lampstand, 5 -7 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Learn how the Bible inspired works of Founding Fathers in the creation of the US and its founding documents. Free. 503-881-6147
Alcoholics Anonymous, 6 - 7:15 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville.
Monday, Dec. 1
Christmas Storybook Land
10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Linn County Fairgrounds, 3700 E Knox Butte Road, Albany. Repeats 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and 4 - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday through Dec. 23. Free; donations of non-perishable food items accepted. christmasstorybookland.org Magic of Lights
5:30 - 9 p.m., Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 NE 17th St., Salem. Repeats 5:30 - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 5:30 - 10 p.m. Friday - Sunday through Jan. 3, 2026. magicoflights.com
Stayton City Council
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. 503-769-3425
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Stayton Lions Club
Noon, Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Club and new members are welcome. Repeats Dec. 16. staytonlionsclub.org
Toys for Joy Signup
1 - 4 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Sign up for Toys for Joy and a Christmas dinner box. Must live inside the boundaries of the Stayton or Sublimity fire districts. Appointment links at staytonfire.org. Repeats 1 - 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and 3 - 6 p.m. Dec. 4. 503-769-2601
Stayton Parks and Rec Board
6 p.m., Stayton Planning Building, 311 N Third Ave. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-3425
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Poinsettia Sale
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Visit the hospital lobby and pick up poinsettias and See’s Candy. Poinsettias $16. Christmas box of See’s Candy $10. Large See’s Candy box $20. Proceeds benefit scholarships, and hospital and clinic needs. Repeats Dec. 4-5. Genny, 503-507-9450
Coffee & Connect
9 - 10 a.m., Cascade Family Resource Center, 574 N 11th St., Aumsville. Santiam Service Integration event to bring community members, partners together. Build relationships, ask questions and connect with local resources. 503-769-9319
Aumsville Senior Social Circle
10 a.m. - noon, Riverview Bank, 112 Main St., Aumsville. Join Aumsville’s senior community for cards, dice and conversation. Feel free to bring your own games. Free. Sponsored by Aumsville Exchange Club. Repeats Dec. 17.
Silverton Christmas Market
5 - 9 p.m., The Oregon Garden, 895 W Main St., Silverton. No tickets at door; must be purchased in advance by 3 p.m. daily. Cashless vendors. Runs through Dec. 31. Closed Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 24-25. Tickets at silvertonchristmasmarket.com.
Friday, Dec. 5
Christkindlmarkt & Hazelnut Festival
4 - 8 p.m., Mt. Angel Festhalle, 500 Wilco Hwy. Local hazelnut products, brews, wines, artisan craft vendors. Repeats 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Free admission. hazelnutfest.com
Christmas Open House
5 - 8 p.m., The Lovin’ Oven, 240 E Ida St., Stayton. Free cookie decorating for all ages. Free samples, hot cocoa and coffee. Carolers singing 6:30 - 7 p.m. Enter to win a gift basket. Sweet treats available for purchase. 503-769-5538
Stayton Tree Lighting
6 p.m., Community Center Park, 400 W Virginia St., Stayton. Lighting of Christmas tree. Stayton High choir performance. Hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, holiday story readings, games and ornament decorating. Free. 503-769-3425
The Wizard of Oz
7 p.m., Cascade High, 10226 NE Marion Road, Turner. Drama students from Cascade High present The Wizard of Oz. Cascade student tickets are $6. General admission is $8. Repeats 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13. 503-749-8020
Saturday, Dec. 6
Santa Cruise and Christmas Breakfast 8 - 11 a.m., Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Enjoy breakfast, make a Toys for Joys donation and view vehicles. Cruise-in registration is at 8 a.m. Entry fee is a new, unwrapped toy. Breakfast is served from 8 - 11 a.m. $10/adults, $8/seniors and youth ages 6-12. Youth under age 5 are free. For cruise-in information, contact Russ Strohmeyer, 503-930-8976. For breakfast information, call 503-769-2601.
Children’s Christmas Shop
9 a.m. - noon, Aumsville Community Center, 555 Main St. Children ages 3-9 can shop for parents at Aumsville Exchange Club’s Christmas Store. Children must be accompanied by an adult who will sit in waiting area. aumsville.us
Holiday Bake Sale & Bazaar
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Homemade baked and canned items, local vendors. Free hot beverages. Benefits St. Boniface Altar Society. Stayton Holiday Craft Bazaar
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Stayton Middle School, 1021 Shaff Road. Handcrafts, direct sales, baked goods, food trucks. Free admission. Vendor fees gifted to youth groups in the community.
Merriment at the Monastery
2 p.m., - 3:30 p.m., Queen of Angels Monastery, 840 Main St., Mt. Angel. Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa and cookies. All ages. Free; donations of nonperishable food items to support Mission Benedict Food Pantry.
Christmas Light Parade
6 p.m. Christmas light parade through downtown Sublimity. After the parade, Santa will light town Christmas tree at Early Settlers Park. Cookies and crafts at Sublimity Fire Station follows. Parade entries
$5. Forms available at cityofsublimity.org. 503-769-5475
Sunday, Dec. 7
KofC Breakfast
Developmental Disability Services
7:30 - 10 a.m., St. Mary Catholic Church, 9168 SE Silver Falls Hwy., Aumsville. Knights of Columbus breakfast featuring french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, applesauce, drinks. $10 for ages 13 and older. $2 children aged 12 and under.
Candy Cane Breakfast
8 - 11 a.m., Sublimity Fire Station, 115 NW Parker St. All-you-can-eat biscuits and gravy with a donation of three nonperishable items or money for holiday food baskets. 503-769-3282
Family Movie Matinée
2 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Watch an animated story of lovable animal friends and the first Christmas. Free; snacks included. All ages. 503-769-5700
Jingle Jam
4 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Games, prizes, Christmas story and family activities for kids of all ages. Free. 503-769-2731, foothillsstayton.org
Monday, Dec. 8
Sublimity City Council
6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-5475
Women’s Christmas Connection
6 - 8:15 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Worship, teaching, light dinner, dessert. For middle schooler and older. Free. 503-769-2731
Lyons Fire District Board
6 p.m., Lyons Fire Station, 1114 Main St. Open to public. 503-859-2410,
Stayton Fire District Board
6 p.m., Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Open to public. 503-769-2601
Winter Choir Concert
5:30 - 7 p.m., Stayton High, 757 W Locust St. Music from Stayton Middle and Stayton High choirs. Free admission. All welcome.
5:30 - 7 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Marion County is hosting an information session for NSSD parents to learn more about County Developmental Disability services. Linn County will also have representatives available to support families who may live in Linn County. Dinner and childcare are provided, and information will be in Spanish as well. Register at nssd29j.org. 503-769-6924
Cascade School Board
7 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-8010, cascade.k12.or.us
Aumsville City Council
7 p.m., Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us
Tuesday, Dec. 9
STEAM Days
3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore the ins and outs of beginning coding. Repeats every day through Dec. 12. Free. 503-769-3313
Stayton Staff Caroling
5:30 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Stayton Elementary staff will ride around town in a horse-drawn carriage driven by Santa from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Families can join staff at the school at 6:30 p.m. for more singing, hot cocoa, cookies and a free book from Stayton Public Library. 503-769-2336
Wednesday, Dec. 10
RDS Board Meeting
5 p.m., Beauchamp Building, 278 E High St., Stayton. Revitalize Downtown Stayton monthly meeting. Open to public. 503-767-2317, downtownstayton.org
Thursday, Dec. 11
Red Cross Blood Drive
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767
Aumsville Food Pantry
Noon - 4 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open to people in need of food items. 503-749-2128
Santiam Heritage Foundation
6 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Board of trustees meeting. Open to public. 503-769-8860
Aumsville Fire District
6:30 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-749-2894, aumsvillefire.org
Lyons Library Board
7 p.m., Lyons Public Library, 279 Eighth St. 503-859-2366
Friday, Dec. 12
Community Play Group
10 - 11:30 a.m., Doris’s Place, 574 N 11th St., Aumsville. Free opportunity to spend time with your children, socialize with other families and build support with the community. For families with children 0-5 years of age. 503-769-1120
Fiber Arts Connection
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Join other fiber arts enthusiasts of all ages and abilities for crafting and conversation. Free. 503-769-3313
Old Time Radio Show
7 p.m., Spotlight Community Theatre, 383 N Third Ave., Stayton. The Bishops Wife. Repeats 2 p.m. Dec. 13-14. $10. spotlightct.com
Saturday, Dec. 13
Christmas Craft Bizarre
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Lunch includes hamburgers, potato salad, deviled eggs, dessert, coffee and pop. Free admission. Free parking. 503-859-2161
Stayton Leaf Clean-up
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stayton City Shop, 1820 N First Ave. Bring yard debris and leaves to dispose of with canned food donations for Stayton Community Food Bank. Call Stayton Public Works, 503-769-2919, if you are in need of assistance or would like to volunteer to help.
Holiday Festival at Silver Falls
10 a.m. – 4 p.m., South Falls Lodge, Silver Falls State Park, 2004 Silver Falls Hwy., Sublimity. Celebration of winter season. Free activities include wreath making, building bird nest boxes, guided walks, paper bird crafts, discovery tables. $10 per vehicle day use fee. Repeats Dec. 14. Friendsofsilverfalls.net
Aumsville Christmas in the Park
5 - 7 p.m., Porter-Boone Park, 1105 Main St. Holiday festivities, refreshments and entertainment. Annual tree lighting. Free. 503-749-2030
Sunday, Dec. 14
Brown House Tour
Noon - 2 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Tour the historic Charles and Martha Brown House. $5/person. Children under 18 are free. For a special reserved guided tour, call 503-769-8860.
Monday, Dec. 15
Stayton Friends of the Library
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. New members welcome. 503-932-2733. Stayton City Council
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Santiam Masonic Meeting
7 p.m., Santiam Lodge #25, 122 N Third Ave., Stayton. All Masons welcome. New members encouraged to drop by. “Santiam Lodge #25” on Facebook.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
American Legion Post #58
6 - 7:30 p.m., Weddle Funeral Service, 1777 N Third Ave., Stayton. All veterans and all branches of service are welcome. Post #58 will pay first year’s dues for all who join. 503-508-2827
Winter Band Concert
7 p.m., Stayton High, 757 W Locust St. Stayton High’s band performs. Free admission. 503-769-2171
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Stayton Library Board
6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Open to public. 503-769-3313
Winter Band Concert
7 p.m., Stayton High, 757 W Locust St. Stayton Middle school’s band performs. Free admission. 503-769-2198
Thursday, Dec. 18
Red Cross Blood Drive
8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cascade High. 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767
Sippin’ into Social Hour
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Sip, explore and connect through new experiences and conversation. Sink into comfort with seasonal music and demonstrations. Free. 503-769-3313
NSSD Board
6 p.m., District Office, 1155 N First Ave., Stayton. Board meeting for North Santiam School District. Open to public. Agenda available. nsantiam.k12.or.us, 503-769-6924
Stayton Public Arts Commission
6 p.m., Stayton Public Works Building, 311 N Third Ave. Help plan and organize local art events. Open to public. Jennifer Siciliano, 503-769-2998, JSiciliano@ staytonoregon.gov.
Friday, Dec. 19
Winter Reading Challenge
Find your version of comfort and cozy for the darkest time of the year with this year’s Winter Reading Challenge at Stayton Public Library. All ages. Free. Visit the library for more information or visit staytonlibrary.org.
Christmas Maze
6 - 8 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Enjoy activities and snacks. Free admission. Free parking. 503-859-2161
Hygge in the Dark
5 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Find ways to light up the night, kicking off this year’s Winter Reading Challenge with some Scandinavian-inspired comfort, fun and style. All ages. Free. 503-769-3313
Saturday, Dec. 20
Bethel Clothing Closet
9 a.m. - noon, Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Clothing from newborn to 2x. Free. 503-749-2128
Gingerbread House Build
10 a.m. - noon, Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Bring a bag of candy to share and a box of graham crackers. Families with kids of all ages welcome. Free. 503-769-2731, foothillsstayton.org
Joseph´s Storehouse of Hope
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mari-Linn School, 641 Fifth St., Lyons. Food boxes. 503-881-9846
Living Nativity
5 - 7 p.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 SE Fern Ridge Road. Drive by the Living Nativity or stop for a closer experience and have hot chocolate and cookies! Canned food accepted for the Stayton Community Food Bank. Repeats 5 - 7 p.m. Dec. 21 & 24. www.staytonumc.org
The Nutcracker
5 p.m., Cascade High, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Santiam Ballet performance. Repeats 3 p.m. Dec. 21. 541-521-7601, santiamballet.com
Alcoholics Anonymous
6 - 8:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open meeting. KYAC Concert Series
7 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway St., Mill City. John Nilsen performs. Nilsen was selected as a Yamaha Piano Artist in 2022 and inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2024. Tickets are $30 and available at kyacfm.org.
Sunday, Dec. 21
Christmas Carol Sing
4 - 5 p.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 SE Fern Ridge Road. Join a sing-along of Christmas Carols.
Everyone welcome. Free. Cookies, hot chocolate, and see the Living Nativity afterwards. www.staytonumc.org
Monday, Dec. 22
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Lyons City Council
6:30 p.m., Lyons City Hall, 449 Fifth St. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-859-2167, cityoflyons.org
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Services
Red Cross Blood Drive
Noon - 5 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1077 N Sixth Ave., Stayton. For appointments, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.
5 & 7 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. All welcome. Cartoon/early seating at 4:30 & 6:30 p.m. 503-769-2731, foothillsstayton.org
Candlelight
Worship Service
7 p.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 SE Fern Ridge Road. Sing carols, hear the story of Jesus’ birth in scripture and listen to an uplifting Christmas message. All welcome. www. staytonumc.org
Thursday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day
Monday, Dec. 29
Sublimity Planning Commission
4:30 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson St. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-5475, cityofsubllmity.org
Stayton Planning Commission
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to the public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Wednesday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve
Red Cross Blood Drive
9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.
To get your events and fundraisers published in Our Town, send your releases – including date, time, location, activity, cost, contact information – to datebook@ mtangelpub.com. Or drop them off weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and noon at 2340 Martin Dr., Stayton.
Since 1974, John's has aimed to embody five core values; pride, integrity, respect, loyalty, and the ability to thrive. This month we would like to highlight local Mount Angel High School Student Lupita Beccea. Lupita is being recognized for exemplifying the value; to thrive.
Lupita began her journey in high school, carrying many obstacles on her shoulders, including learning English. Over the years, she has worked incredibly hard, staying late to study, as well as uplifting others who face similar challenges. Her level of compassion is inspiring and refreshing to see.
By Stephen Floyd
A Stayton man has been charged with allegedly beating and kidnapping his girlfriend as police look into the suspicious death of her two-year-old son after the boy was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
Alexzander Israel Bentley-Lopez, 23, was charged Oct. 30 in Linn County Circuit Court for the alleged repeated assault of the mother of Kyrie Anthony Glisan, two, of Albany, who died Oct. 20.
Bentley-Lopez was taken into custody in Medford Nov. 5 and as of press time remained held in the Linn County Jail on $500,000 bail.
The toddler was admitted Oct. 20 to Albany General Hospital with “suspicious injuries,” according to a report from the Albany Police Department. The report said, while being treated, the child’s heart stopped and he could not be revived.
His family has since set up a GoFundMe page to collect donations for Glisan’s funeral expenses, available at gofund.me/47dac36c6/.
Glisan’s three-year-old brother was also hospitalized with “visible injuries,” according to police.
The Linn County Medical Examiner’s Officesaid the cause and manner of Glisan’s death were still under investigation as of press time.
The police report said Glisan’s mother, a 21-year-old Albany woman, told detectives she met Bentley-Lopez on Tinder in mid-August and after their first date he said he was moving in with her. He then allegedly began physically and emotionally brutalizing the woman, including repeated assaults and threats of calling child protective services if she reported him to police.
In one instance described by the mother, Bentley-Lopez allegedly beat her in front of her two children and told them “this is what you do when b*****s
don’t do what they’re supposed to.” The report also said Bentley-Lopez allegedly forced the woman to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to hide bruises. When police examined her arms they were “covered in extensive bruising.”
The woman also told police she had to keep buying new cell phones because Bentley-Lopez allegedly kept destroying them. The phone she had at the time of the interview was less than a week old. He also allegedly reversed the doorknob on her bedroom so it would lock from the outside, and he would not allow her to leave her apartment unless he could track her phone.
In an incident documented on video, the woman attempted to leave her apartment building Oct. 4 to find help leaving Bentley-Lopez. The report said Bentley-Lopez allegedly took the video and, as the woman was running down the stairs, said in the video this was evidence of child abandonment.
The report concluded there was probable cause to charge BentleyLopez with multiple domestic violence offenses dating from Sept. 1 to Oct. 20.
Charges filed Oct. 30 included firstdegree kidnapping, coercion and three counts of fourth-degree assault. The kidnapping charge carries a mandatory minimum of 90 months in prison.
With regard to possible assaults on the children, the woman said BentleyLopez allegedly threatened to attack her boys “on more than one occasion,” according to the report.
On Oct. 18, two days before toddler’s death, the mother said she found a mark on Glisan’s forehead and BentleyLopez allegedly said the child fell and hit his head. The mother told police she did not ask for more information because she was afraid Bentley-Lopez would beat her for questioning him.
For the first time since being established in 2022, Sublimity convened its Municipal Court to adjudicate a local fine for door-to-door soliciting without a business license.
On Oct. 27, Judge Gary Milliman heard a case involving Victor Esquivel, 21, of Salem, who had been cited for selling services on behalf of Bright Side Windows without a city business license. Court is held as-needed and this was the first instance in almost four years that Milliman’s services became necessary, said City Recorder Myrna Harding. Sublimity established a municipal court in January of 2022 to handle local code enforcement issues.
A Stayton man with multiple pending drug cases is facing new charges after allegedly selling methamphetamine near a local school, with a trial pending in December.
Anthony “Tony” Delose Adams Jr., 57, was arrested Oct. 27 by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly selling “substantial quantities” of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.
During an initial court appearance Oct. 28 Adams was ordered held on $160,000 bail. As of press time he remained lodged in the Marion County Jail.
Prosecutors are seeking a lengthy prison sentence due to Adams’ continued involvement in criminal activity and long criminal history dating back to 1986.
A Sublimity woman and former Oregon State Police (OSP) employee has been sentenced to probation and community service after pleading guilty to altering audit records.
Leah Brooks Bernards, 44, pleaded guilty Nov. 3 in Marion County Circuit Court to three counts of ID theft, two counts of firstdegree official misconduct and one count of tampering with public records.
According to Harding, Esquivel was observed selling door-to-door by city staff Sept. 22 and was advised to acquire a business license. Esquivel continued without a license and was cited by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Harding said the city had no reason to believe either Esquivel or Bright Side were engaged in illicit activities and the only issue was his lack of a license. Esquivel was fined $500 for the infraction, of which $300 was paid to Milliman for his services as per a contract with the city. Milliman serves as judge for five rural cities, all of which share costs associated with his training and membership fees.
– Stephen Floyd
completes probation, the fines will be suspended and her charges treated as misdemeanors.
The records related to Lane Transit District, Oregon Physical Therapist Licensing Board and the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. Bernards used the login credentials of employees of these agencies to conceal her actions.
A Lyons woman has been arrested for allegedly passing counterfeit bills at a Stayton business, which may result in revocation of her probation for a recent vehicular assault conviction.
Jessica Lee Pemberton, 38, was arrested Nov. 6 by the Stayton Police Department after allegedly passing a fake $100 bill that day at O’Riley Auto Parts.
Pemberton allegedly denied knowing the bills were fake and said she received them from others in unrelated transactions.
Prosecutors dropped these charges Nov. 17 in favor of pursuing a probation violation related to Pemberton’s April 30 jury conviction for second-degree assault. In 2022 she intentionally drove her vehicle into a woman causing non-life-threatening injuries, according to court records.
As of press time no changes had been filed in connection with the death.
She was sentenced to 18 months of probation, 240 hours of community service and $7,000 in fines. If she successfully
Pemberton was sentenced May 14 to six months in jail and three years of probation, to include mental health and substance abuse treatment. The new arrest could result in revocation of her probation.
By James Day
During just one week of operation, SIT Mobile served 530 individuals across 164 households, including multiple households in Idanha and surrounding rural communities before shutting down Nov. 10. Through partnerships with the Santiam Community Health Workers program, Mehama Community Church, and Oregon Department of Human Services outreach, food and grocery cards were delivered directly to those without access to local food banks.
SIT Mobile was activated just after the first of November to provide immediate relief to local community members, prioritizing those with children, seniors, and disabilities impacted by the delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Funding for the SNAP program was exhausted on Nov. 1, and the SIT Mobile unit went into action shortly thereafter.
“We are so grateful to everyone who volunteered, donated, and partnered with us,” said Melissa Baurer, Santiam Hospital & Clinics executive director of community development in a press
release. “Support from the community and Service Integration Team members allowed us to pivot quickly and respond to a pressing community need while continuing our core Service Integration Team functions.”
Food donations remain vital to community efforts to limit food insecurity, hospital officials said. Contributions can be dropped off at Santiam Hospital in Stayton as well as the Aumsville, Mill City, and Sublimity Clinics. Donations will continue to support local food insecurity needs.
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 2340 Martin Dr. #104, Stayton any weekday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Stayton High boys soccer squad took home the Class 4A title with a nail-biting 1-0 win against district foe North Marion on Nov. 15 at Liberty High in Hillsboro. The Eagles finished 17-0-1 overall and went virtually wire-to-wire as the top-ranked team in Class 4A. The championship was the third for veteran coach Chris Shields, following state wins in 2010 and 2020. Shields, in his 23rd year with the program, also has runner-up finishes in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. He passed the 250 win mark earlier this season.
Freshman Cesar Perez, who came on as a substitute, scored the title match’s lone goal in the 50th minute by slotting a pass from Johnny Garcia into the bottom left corner with his right foot.
“It was an excellent pass from Johnny Garcia which split the North Marion defense,” Shields told Our Town. “He (Perez) was in the right spot at the right time and put the ball under the goalie. It was his third game-winning goal this season.”
Stayton dominated the action throughout, notching 19 shots to just six for the Huskies, who finished 8-5-3. The title match marked the Eagles’ third win of the season against North Marion, following 2-1 and 2-0 wins during the Oregon West Conference season.
“We had the control from an offensive standpoint, (but) their goalie (Jaden Ortiz Paredes) is really good and kept things clean,” Shields said. “Against anyone else, I think we would have gone up by one or
The Cascade High football team, which rampaged through the Special District II season undefeated and was still alive in the playoffs at Our Town’s presstime, dominated the district all-star team.
The Cougars swept all of the major awards, with Bryce Kuenzi earning offensive player of the year, Matthew Hinkle receiving defensive player of the year, Bryce May taking home lineman of the year and Shane Hedrick receiving the coaching honor.
On the first-team offense were QB Cade Coreson, Kuenzi and Hinkle at running back, wide receiver/tight ends Josiah Hawkins, Jamison Walsh and Jay Erickson and offensive linemen May, Jace Johnson and Sabby Hlavinka. Hinkle and Walsh earned first-team line spots on defense, while Morrisen Craig and Vicent Medina were honored at linebacker and Hawkins and Dalton Kuenzi at defensive back. On special teams Hawkins was honored for returns as was specialist Walsh.
Second-teamers from Cascade included Max Park (DL) and Erickson (LB), punter Bryce Kuenzi and specialist Carter Clark. Wide receiver/tight ends Brody Anundi and Kaiden Bernards received honorable mention, along with Owen Wall and Jacob Roden (OL).
Defensively, the HM list included
two in the first half. We knew we had to hunt for a goal and keep the pressure on them (because) if they were able to score, they were good enough to keep that lead.”
Ortiz Paredes finished with six saves for the Huskies, while Ty Williams of Stayton stopped three shots.
Shields brought on just two subs, Perez and Josiah Dessieux, with eight starters (Yael Villazana Gonzalez, Jose Navarro, Garcia, Noah Klampe, Omar Villazana Gonzalez, Miguel Ceballos and Williams all playing the full 80 minutes. Ruben Bell played 79.
Shields offered praise for his team’s attitude and buy-in.
They had a “lack of ego, a willingness to get behind an idea, and (were) willing to
do whatever it took to win,” Shields said. The veteran coach said he had a good feeling about this year’s team after the 2024 season ended with a 2-1 semifinal loss to Henley of Klamath Falls.
“Yes, we had many of the key pieces off last year’s roster return, which gave us the needed playoff experience,” Shields said. “We had a ton of depth, which was huge, so when a player went down we were able to make an adjustment where in previous years that wouldn’t have been possible.”
A pleasant surprise, Shields said, was the performance of Perez.
“Cesar had some much-needed goals in some big moments this year, which was great, considering he is only a freshman,” Shields said.
defensive linemen Roden and Mason Coelho, linebacker Bernards and DB Cole Drager.
Stayton, which finished 7-3 overall and 2-2 in the district, earned eight spots on the first team. Honored on offense were RB Wyatt Kerrigan, wide receiver/tight ends Hunter Mollerstrom and Bryce Schaan and offensive lineman Abraham Richter. Linebacker Travis Conklin and defensive back Wyatt Black earned defensive slots, while place-kicker Carter Vinson and punter Owen Mitzel claimed special teams slots.
On the second team offense for the Eagles were QB Madden Hughes, wide receiver/tight end Charlie Benefiel and offensive lineman Ryan Thiessen Defensively, second-teamers for the Eagles included linemen Jake Lacey and Daniel Camacho, linebacker Mitzel and DB Mollerstrom. RB Wyatt Fred and offensive linemen Hunter Etzel, Ayden Coleman and Tyler Jentzsch received honorable mention on offense,
Defensively, the HM list included linemen Etzel, Collman and Richeter, LB Fred and DB Myles Emmert
Volleyball: Cascade made another strong run in the Class 4A playoffs, taking fifth place in the state tournament at Marshfield High in Coos Bay. The Cougars, who won the Oregon West Conference title with a 9-1 record, advanced to Marshfield with a 3-0 win against St. Helens and took the No. 4 seed to state. Cascade opened with a 3-1 quarterfinal win against league rival Philomath but fell in straight sets to eventual champion Marist Catholic in the semifinals. Cascade then lost to Henley 3-2 in the match for third place, losing 15-12 in the fifth to wind up 17-7 overall. Cougars senior Irene RochaIbarra was named to the alltournament first team, while the Cougars also took home the sportsmanship trophy.
mention for the Rams, who finished 14-8.
Cross Country: The Regis boys cross country squad captured the Special District II championship in Lebanon and then moved on to take fourth in the Class 2A state meet in Eugene. Stuart McLaughlin took second in 17:11.52 at districts and 10th in 16:56.1 at state, while teammate Harper Stoops was fourth (17:21.92) at districts and 14th (17:16.7) at state.
Regis, meanwhile, fell one game shy of the Class 2A tournament, losing 3-1 to Myrtle Point in the round of 16. Hadley Foster and Abby Searles were named first-team all-TriRiver Conference by the league’s coaches. Lexi Lulay was placed on the second team and Mylah Etzel received honorable
Stayton, meanwhile, took second in the girls competition and third in the boys at the Oregon West Conference district meet at Philomath. The Eagles boys went on to finish 10th as a team at state, while the girls were 11th. Individual leaders were Brandon Wagar for the boys (5th at districts in 16:50.27 and 24th at state in 17:19.0) and Ruby Strawn (7th at districts in 20:41.66) and Amalia Bell (38th at state (21:09.1).
Alumni watch, Addison Samuell: The former Stayton boys soccer standout played in 11 matches and started five for Chemeketa Community College. Samuell scored two goals for the Storm, who finished 3-7-3.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Boys Wrestling
10 a.m. Stayton, Cascade at Perry Burlison Invitational @ Cascade
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Boys Basketball
7 p.m. Stayton vs Molalla
Friday, Dec. 12
Girls Basketball
5:30 p.m. Cascade vs Cottage Grove
Boys Basketball
7 p.m. Cascade vs Cottage Grove
Monday, Dec. 15
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Stayton vs Seaside
Girls Basketball
7 p.m. Stayton vs Seaside
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Girls Basketball
5:30 p.m. Cascade vs Crescent Valley
5:30 p.m. Regis vs Sheridan
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Swimming
4 p.m. Stayton, Cascade at Cascade Invite @ Stayton Pool
Saturday, Dec. 20
Boys & Girls Wrestling
10 a.m. Stayton SCTC Invitational
Monday, Dec. 22
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Regis vs Enterprise
Girls Basketball
7 p.m. Regis vs Enterprise
Saturday, Dec. 27
Swimming
TBD Stayton vs Cascade, Molalla, North Marion
Tuesday, Dec. 30
Boys & Girls Basketball
Stayton SCTC Holiday Tournament
Wednesday, Dec. 31
Boys & Girls Basketball
Stayton SCTC Holiday Tournament
For complete schedules, visit osaa.org. BASKETBALL: © ALEKKS / 123RF.COM
Daily Mass: Monday-Friday, 8:15 am, Saturday, 8:00 am
Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil, 5:00 pm, Sunday, 8:00 am, 10:00 am English, 12:00 pm Spanish
Adoration: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2:30-3:30 pm Tuesday, 1:00-5:00 pm, Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm
All Night Adoration: First and Third Fridays, 9:00 pm to 7:00 am Saturdays
Nocturnal Adoration: First Saturdays, 10:00 pm to Sundays at 6:00 am
Confession: Saturday, 11-11:30 am, 3:30-4:30 pm, Thursday, 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm, or by appointment
As we approach the end of the year, it’s time for me to catalog all of my accomplishments during 2025. Being my first full year of retirement, it was filled with thrills of all kinds.
I already mentioned becoming a grandfather, but I have to confess that I had approximately zero to do with that. As such, I like taking credit where none is due – kind of like a politician.
But there’s a lot more that I got done this year.
For example, I started another book, which will soon join my two other books on the New York Times Least Seller List. I have come to terms with the fact that people don’t want to read books about farming in Minnesota and post-war Alaska. I also assume they won’t want to read about drug-running commercial fishermen either. I suppose it’s their loss.
Then there was the marathon I didn’t run. Actually, I watched one of our sons run it. Look, I’m old and have a bad heart, so running 26 miles at a clip isn’t going to happen. But I did show up at the end to watch the runners finish their race. Many looked like they were finishing a Sunday morning jog, but most were a little wobbly and just followed my old philosophy of
“complete, not compete.”
Also on my list of accomplishments was starting an online store selling autographed photos of TV and movie stars. I am constantly amazed at what folks will buy. For example, an autographed photo of actors from any of the three million Star Trek shows and sequels sells like cold beer on a hot summer day. But photos of other movie and TV stars, not so much. Lauren Bacall, Jimmy Stewart – photos of these stars and others like them rarely generate even a bid.
However, my greatest accomplishment was something that many people thought to be impossible. It involved teaching our cat, code name Heidi, to roll over. I spent
many hours coaching, cajoling, pleading and pestering her to get her to roll over, all to no avail.
It’s not that Heidi was unable to roll on her back. She will happily do it whenever she wants. The key was to convince her that she wanted to.
She quickly figured out that when I paid attention to her was her cue to leave the room. This put us at a standoff of sorts. When I wasn’t paying attention, she would roll over. Whenever I looked her way she would run out of the room.
The breakthrough came the other day. I was sitting on the stairs putting my shoes on, and Heidi saw that I was distracted. She laid on the rug just as I saw her. I pulled the rug out from under her and hollered “Roll over!” She rolled right off it and ran out of the room.
I’m no expert at training animals. I gave up training service dogs because it became obvious that they were smarter than me and three of our kids.
But in this case, I’m going to take the win and add it to my annual list of accomplishments. As for next year, the only thing I know is 2025 will be hard to top.
Carl Sampson is a retired writer and editor.
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
PASTOR CHUCK BALDWIN
Liberty Fellowship, Kalispell, Montana satellite group Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Kristen, 503-990-4584
HOUSE CLEANING 20/hr. Computer tech help wanted 20/hr 503-383-4398
FOR SALE: TELESCOPE –
FirstLight N 130mm white tube Newtonian 2-speed focuser. $250. 503-769-3677.
ROOM FOR RENT: $650/mo. Scotts Mills. 503-383-4398
GOT STUFF YOU WANT GONE?
From yard debris to scrap metal, garage sale leftovers to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse, or donate what we can. Call to find out what we can do for you. $20 min. Call Keith 503-502-3462
MAGIC CARPET CLEANING & MORE Since 1992. Carpet & upholstery cleaning at its best. Free estimates. Residential & commercial. Located in Silverton. Call Harold at 503-391-7406
SOUNDS GOOD STUDIO Bands, artists, personal karaoke CDs, books, restoring picture slides, and VHS to DVD. Old cassettes, records, reel-to-reel & 8-track cassettes restored to CD. Call Harold 503-391-7406.
YOUR RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE
Saturdays Age 10-12 at 5:00, ages 13 and up. 6:15, Security and Correctional Officers. 7:30, private lessons available. International Certification Curriculum available upon request. Call Harold 503-391-7406
JESSE’S LAWN SERVICE & HANDYMAN Pruning, edging, trimming, blackberry cleaning, gutter cleaning, arborvitae, moss treatment, yard clean-up, stump grinding, powerwashing, haul-away. 503-871-7869
LOST WALKING CANE Light wood, thick black shoelace on handle. Silv/MA area. Reward. 541-417-1289 2010 Linden St., Mt. Angel
