Something to Celebrate Class of ‘25
By James Day
Area high school students are getting set to engage in that great rite of spring, commencement, with the three Stayton-area schools all holding ceremonies the first week in June. Here is a look at the nuts and bolts of the three events.
Cascade: Graduation for the 204 seniors is set for 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 4 at Federico Field on campus.
Valedictorians for the Class of 2025 are:
Lily Acker, Allison Course, Lucy Hoover Moll,
Ananiah Johnston, Samantha Leeth, Kyle Main, Layla Morett, Jaci Nixon, Benjamin Oliva and Blake Woellmer
The salutatorian is Cash Butler
Stayton: The 174 seniors from Stayton High and the Options Academy will graduate at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6 at the Salem Armory Auditorium, 2310 17th St. NE, Salem.
Valedictorians are: Laina Atiyeh, Landon Berning, Haley Butenschoen, Brooklyn Dean, Hyatt Dirkx, Kenzi Hollenbeck, Lucas Joyce, Caden Moore, Brookelynne Morley, Kendall Van Handel and Elizabeth Young
The salutatorian is Aubrey Hall
Regis: Graduation takes place in the school gym at 550 W. Regis St. on Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m. Twenty-five students will receive diplomas.
Community Health Impact
MIKE STUDER, Neurologic physical therapist
the
set for area high schools
Luke Castillo is the valedictorian and Mya Schumacher is the salutatorian.
The school’s baccalaureate event will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5 at Immaculate Conception Church, 1077 N. Sixth Ave., Stayton.
Alex Pelayo, the student body president, will be the baccalaureate speaker.
Preliminary results
Local races on May 20th ballot
Numbers are current as of press time May 27. Counties have until June 16 to certify election results.
Chemeketa
Community College
Zone 4: Ken Hector, 98.40%
Cascade School District Position 3: Spencer Rockwell, 56.94%;
Michael Cross, 42.63%
Position 4: Aaron Lee, 37.29%; Eric Diehl, 62.35%
Position 5: Brett Stegall, 99.20%
North Santiam School District
Position 1 Zone 1: Mackenzie Strawn, 98.71%
Position 3 Zone 2: Brunk Conley, 99.44%
Position 7 At Large 2: Alisha Oliver, 52.15%; Jeff Stutrud, 47.51%
Aumsville Rural Fire Protection District
Position 1: Nicolas Schrock, 99.27
Position 2: Rachel Fellis, 99.14%
Position 3: Vanessa Swenson, 99.26%
Lyons Rural Fire Protection District
Position 2: Eric Whisman, 97.80%
Position 3: 44 write-in votes
Stayton Fire District
Position 1: Eric Fery, 99.18%
Position 4: Kenneth Rich, 99.28%
Position 5: Thomas Etzel, 99.45%
Sublimity Rural Fire Protection District
Position 4: Michael Boschler, 100.00%
Position 5: Jeff Gallinger, 99.72%
Lyons-Mehama Water District
Position 2: Zachary Holman, 99.17%
Position 4: Brent Dolby, 99.21%
Position 5: Don Trahan, 98.88%
Santiam Water Control District
Position 1: Gary Butler, 98.46%
Position 2: Randal Gilbert, 99.05%
Position 3: Marty Dozler, 99.42%
Position 4: Bob Koenig, 99.43%
Measure No. 24-512
$1.6 million operations levy for Aumsville Rural Fire Protection District
Yes: 55.64% No: 44.36%
Measure No. 24-511
$2.7 million operations levy for Stayton Library
Yes: 55.91% No: 44.09%
Chemeketa bond appears to pass
By Stephen Floyd
A $140 million facilities bond for Chemeketa Community College is passing in early May 20 election results. The same proposal was voted down last November.
According to results published May 22 for the May 20 election, Measure 24-513 was passing with 53.16% approval.
This compares to 56.7% voter opposition for an identical measure during the Nov. 5, 2024, election.
Votes were still being tabulated as of press time, with ballots scheduled to arrive at local county clerk’s offices through May 27. Counties have until June 16 to certify election results.
Measure 24-513 was put before voters in Marion, Linn, Yamhill and Polk counties. The largest degree of support came from Marion County where, out of 55,326 ballots cast, 55.66% voters were in favor.
Bond funding would allow the college
to improve and expand buildings related to career and technical education (CTE) programs, as well as improve safety measures at all campuses. This includes building a new CTE Trades Center to address the local need for those trained in HVAC, sheet metal and similar apprenticeship programs.
The bond would also allow renovations to Building 7 to create a new Community Health Education Center & Resource Site. The bond would be paired with $8 million in state grants to re-develop Building 7 to also be used as a community resource and command center during natural disasters such as an earthquake or wildfires.
The bond is projected to cost property owners $0.27 per $1,000 of assessed value over 21 years, which replaces an existing property tax at a similar rate. This would cost a property owner with a house valued at $300,000 approximately $81 per year.
Stayton on the move
Council eliminates sidewalk vendor fees
The Stayton City Council has eliminated a permit and fee for businesses operating on a public sidewalk after local business owners complained the fee was excessive.
During the council’s May 5 regular meeting, officials voted unanimously to repeal a permit required for restaurants, merchants and vendors to operate within a street right-of-way.
Such businesses must still abide by regulations for sidewalk vendors and sidewalk cafes, and instead of a permit the city will ensure compliance through Code Enforcement.
The permit was originally enacted by the council in 2019 as a way to ensure sidewalks remain usable by the public when a business displays merchandise or provides customer seating outside. Provisions included keeping doorways and entrances unblocked, providing a two-foot buffer from a curb, and use of fixtures that could easily be moved for those requiring handicap access.
The permit carried a fee of $2.50 per square foot of occupied sidewalk space, to be renewed annually.
The permit was enacted shortly before the COVID19 pandemic, which saw many disruptions in local businesses and in city staffing. According to a memo by city staff for the May 5 meeting, the sidewalk permits “were not actively administered or enforced, and associated fees were not collected” during the pandemic.
Last year the city began enforcing the permit requirement and sent invoices for permit fees to businesses who were conducting sidewalk activities. Individual fees ranged broadly from $180 to more than $550.
Multiple business owners believed the fees were excessive and brought their concerns to the council, and a work session was set to explore potential alternatives, according to the memo.
During a work session Feb. 18, staff proposed an initial permit fee of $100 and an annual renewal fee of $20. During a second work session March 17, the council decided to eliminate the permit and fees altogether in the interest of treating businesses and residents fairly.
– Stephen Floyd
Community improvements receive $14K in
awards
By Stephen Floyd
The Stayton City Council has awarded $14,000 in Community Improvement Grants for local projects to beautify the town and promote community engagement.
During the council’s April 7 meeting, officials awarded four grants for projects submitted by local residents, business owners and nonprofits.
Nine applications were received seeking a total of $37,775 in funds, with $14,587 budgeted by the council for the program. Applications were evaluated by a committee of city staff, and the council awarded grants based on the strength of applications and their impact on the program’s budget.
Awardees have until June 30 to expend the funds. Awards included:
• $5,000 to Juli Bochsler for creation of a mural titled “Flowing Through Time” on the Odd Fellows building on N. Third Ave. The mural will depict more than 175 years of Stayton history, from the original Kalapuya peoples to the founding of the city, to the industrial and agricultural heritage of the area.
The grant will allow the building to be cleaned and the base mural to be added, depicting the Santiam River and city streets, with additional details added in later phases. Bochsler committed a $3,000 match, while $5,000 will be provided in donated labor and equipment.
• $3,500 to Teri and Jon Mesa for a mural on the southfacing wall of the 505 Men’s Collective at 427 N. Third Ave. The goal is to depict “vintage” Stayton, with a classic car driving toward the iconic Stayton-Jordan Bridge currently located in Pioneer Park.
The Mesas have tapped Salem artist Karli Duisen to compose the mural. Duisen previously painted a window mural at 505 Men’s Collective last winter, which won the “People’s Choice” award for the holiday window decorating contest.
• $3,500 to Spotlight Community Theater to remodel the stage greenroom at their performance venue at 383 N. Third Ave. This will include the addition of large storage bins for costumes, props and set pieces beneath the stage. The renovation is expected to increase the safety and stability of the stage and increase the longevity of the theater. The renovations will also create better lines of sight for the audience, according to the applicants.
• $2,000 to Stayton Kiwanis to repair and maintain lighted Christmas wreaths used to decorate the town during the winter. The Kiwanis will provide a $1,400 in-kind donation toward the project.
Arts Commission pursues specific goals for 2025
The Stayton Public Arts Commission has set a vision for itself with an official mission and specific goals, marking a major threshold since the committee was revived last winter.
As the commission has been active throughout 2025, it has pursued the official mission of “Enhancing community engagement through the arts.”
The commission set nine specific goals to achieve this including:
• Increase public engagement with the arts.
• Integrate public art into community spaces.
• Create a Public Art Map and Tour Program.
• Establish an annual Public Art and Cultural Heritage Festival.
• Support and develop local artists.
• Host community art events.
• Increase accessibility to public art
• Strengthen partnerships with local businesses and cultural organizations.
• Launch an Arts Incubator Program.
This comes after the city revived the commission in January of 2024 amid broader community development efforts. The commission was first formed in 2021 but saw participation lapse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After reviving the committee, the City Council struggled to find volunteers to appoint to the board, as participation was limited to those who reside within the city limits. On Oct. 7, 2024, the council voted to expand eligibility to include those who own a business or property within Stayton.
The commission currently has three members: Mark Kronquist, Nick Raba and Kimberly Dwyer. Two positions remain open.
The commission meets the third Thursday of each month in the Planning Conference Room, 311 N. Third Ave., Stayton.
– Stephen Floyd
A walkway mural commissioned in 2024 by Revitalize Downtown Stayton was one of Stayton’s first public art displays. JULI BOCHSLER
Safe Routes to School Grants to help with Stayton school safety
By James Day
Stayton school safety will benefit from a pair of state grants that are part of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program.
The City of Stayton received a $542,000 grant to assist with work on Fern Ridge Road, while a Marion County grant of $1.6 million will pay for work on First Street, which is a county highway.
Stayton Elementary School is the “primary” beneficiary of the improvements, said Stayton City Manager Julia Hadjuk, who added that the work “will provide benefits to all students traveling to any school as well as pedestrians in general.”
The grants were part of a set of 28 awards to communities statewide that totaled $31 million. The program focuses on projects that will make travel safer within a two-mile radius of schools and prioritizes underresourced communities. ODOT received 89 applications for this round of funding, totaling $138.2 million. ODOT and its Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee
weighed available funding with projects that addressed the highest safety risks, removed barriers for students at low-income schools, and were likely to be completed within five years.
First Street
Erin Burt, a communications coordinator with Marion County Public Works, said
that the work will take place at intersections along North First Avenue, from Shaff Road south to West Locust Street.
The intersections will be upgraded to meet current ADA standards and make them more accessible. The project also includes a rectangular rapid flashing beacon crossing at West Locust Street, increasing visibility of pedestrians utilizing this crossing that also
connects to Stayton High School.
The main goal of the project is to increase safety, Burt said. Other hoped-for outcomes are improved accessibility, especially for students and the disabled, encouraging students to walk or ride their bikes to school and reducing traffic congestion.
Burt said ODOT hopes to begin and complete the work in the summer of 2027.
Fern Ridge
Hadjuk said that the project will construct a new pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing at the intersection of Fern Ridge and North Third Avenue. In addition, the project will upgrade ADA ramps, striping and signage at the Fern Ridge-North Third intersection. Hadjuk said the city hopes to complete the project in the summer of 2026.
The safe routes program has paid for 104 projects since 2019, ODOT officials said, with nearly half of those projects completed and the other half in construction or design.
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,
Wildfire safety Certificate back
By Stephen Floyd
When a state bill to create a wildfire safety certificate was introduced to the Oregon House in February, opponents were concerned the proposal unfairly shielded power companies from lawsuits.
HB 3666 would have created a legal presumption that a utility “is acting reasonably with regard to wildfire safety practices” by virtue of possessing the certificate. Some lawmakers saw this as a “get out of litigation fee card.” The bill died in the House Committee on Rules April 11.
On May 22, an amended version of the proposal was added to SB 926, a separate bill banning power companies from charging ratepayers for legal losses from wildfires.
The amendment was published online minutes before a workshop by the House Committee on Judiciary. The committee suspended rules to consider the amendment.
SB 926 retained its original scope, banning utilities from charging ratepayers to recover settlements, court judgments, civil penalties or other litigation costs for wildfires caused by negligence. The amendment also added language allowing the Oregon Public Utility Commission to determine if a utility can issue dividends or initiate a stock buyback if it has outstanding wildfire judgments.
Committee Chair Rep. Jason Kropf (D-Bend) said the amended safety certificate language makes it clear a utility is not shielded from legal responsibilities to fire survivors. The revised proposal says issuance of a safety certificate “does not establish immunity” for a utility and does not relieve it of the obligation to prevent wildfires.
Kropf was a co-sponsor of HB 3666, and said the goal of the proposal is to prevent utility-caused wildfires by giving utilities clear expectations.
As with the original proposal, the revised safety certificate plan raised concerns.
Committee member Rep. Farrah Chaichi (D-Beaverton) said, if the certificate is used in a negligence trial as evidence of a utility’s reasonableness, it “is still going to color some of the outcomes of litigation.”
Chaichi voted against adding the language to SB 926, but then voted in favor of the amended bill because “we can’t do nothing” for wildfire survivors.
Also voting against the amendment was Rep. Thuy Tran (D-Portland). The bill passed the committee unanimously after
being amended, with a recommendation for passage on the House floor and a referral to the House Committee on Ways and Means. If the bill is approved by the House, it would return to the Senate due to the significant revisions. If the Senate approves the House version, the bill would be sent to the governor’s desk for a signature. If the Senate rejects the changes or proposes its own revisions, a conference committee of both chambers will decide the fate of the bill.
Legislators have until the end of the 2025 session on June 29 to pass the bill.
The resurrection of the safety certificate did not surprise Sen. Fred Girod (R-Silverton), who was the original sponsor of SB 926. After SB 926 passed the Senate, Girod said members of the House were “pretty insistent” on passing HB 3666 and that it was likely to come up in amendments.
He said HB 3666 was “pretty much the opposite” of SB 926, in that the former offered protections for utilities while the latter prioritized fire survivors. Girod is himself a survivor of the Santiam Fire and a litigant in a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp over the fire.
He said lawmakers are “trying to make sausage” and that the reintroduction of the safety certificate program gives SB 926 a better chance of clearing the House.
Girod said the goal was a compromise between giving utilities clear expectations for wildfire preparedness, and crafting regulations that prompt utilities to make good on wildfire judgments.
“What we’re trying to do is find some middle ground,” he said.
Jury awards $50M in May PacifiCorp trial
A Portland jury has awarded $49.7 million to 10 fire survivors in the latest trial in a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp. A similar trial for another ten survivors starts June 2.
On May 21 in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the jury’s decision was read in James et al vs. PacifiCorp following five days of testimony that began May 13.
The jury awarded $5.28 million in economic damages, $30.25 million in noneconomic damages, $8.89 million in punitive damages and $5.28 million for a wildfire caused by recklessness.
This brings total damages in the case to $373.5 million for 69 plaintiffs across seven trials. More than 1,550 claims remain pending before the court with six additional damages trials scheduled throughout 2025.
PacifiCorp was found liable in 2023 in an initial trial for negligently causing the Santiam, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and 242 fires over Labor Day 2020. The company denies wrongdoing and has appealed the verdict.
The May 13 trial was the sixth damages trial and, as with previous damages proceedings, the main focus was on non-economic damages for emotional and psychological harm. Jurors heard testimony from fire survivors who described fleeing from the disaster and losing homes, possessions and a sense of safety.
A major difference in this trial was the number of witnesses called by PacifiCorp. Six individuals testified in the company’s defense May 19 including three psychologists and
three appraisers. In the past PacifiCorp has called no more than two witnesses, if any, for a damages trial, building the bulk of its case during cross-examination of plaintiff witnesses.
During the May trial defense witnesses testified at length about the psychological histories of individual plaintiffs, with some stating that certain fire survivors had already moved beyond their trauma.
Appraisers also testified that some plaintiffs who had rebuilt had increased their property’s value since the fires. PacifiCorp argued the company should only be liable for the difference between pre-fire values and current property values.
During closing arguments May 20, PacifiCorp asked the jury to award $2.93 million in total economic damages and $3.34 million in total non-economic damages, arguing these sums reflected the evidence and would be the most fair to the company.
Plaintiff attorneys told jurors, if a fire survivor had rebuilt or proved to be mentally resilient, this was not thanks to PacifiCorp and that the company should still be held accountable.
The June 2 trial will feature seven survivors of the Santiam Fire in addition to three from other fires. Additional trials are scheduled for July 7, Aug. 15, Sept. 8, Oct. 6 and Dec. 12.
Parties also plan to meet Aug. 15 to discuss assigning plaintiffs for continuing trials in 2026.
Access to court proceedings provided through cvn.com. – Stephen Floyd
Nature tour A first-hand look at a new reserve near Stayton
By James Day
“This is cool,” says Travis Williams. “This is a bloom I haven’t seen out here yet.”
Williams is in his element. A long-time environmental activist with the Willamette Riverkeepers, he is now engrossed in a new initiative, the Willamette River Preservation Trust.
Williams, a Scotts Mills resident, is the founder, CEO and president of the trust, which closed on buying its first property last fall. The 270-acre Oak Meadows Natural Area, located about halfway between Stayton and Scio, was purchased for $295,000.
The property, Williams said, is wet prairie habitat and he is an excellent guide. On May 9 he gave a personal tour to Our Town, showing off the parcel’s flora, fauna, riparian areas and pollinators.
Clad in shorts and sporting a hat advertising OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, Williams leads the way at a brisk space, stopping here and there to point out a wildflower, note a bird song or tell a story about the parcel.
Oak Meadows Natural Area is not Silver Falls or Yosemite. It doesn’t overwhelm you with natural beauty. It is a quieter, more subtle avenue into nature. Off in the distance, below wisps of spring clouds, you see what appears to be just a grass field. But as you get closer – or more accurately as you follow and listen to Williams –you see monkeyflowers here and camas there and sea blush over here and take part in Williams’ search for Bradshaw’s lomatium, a rare flower that only exists in the Willamette Valley and Southwest Washington.
“The paramount thing for us is protecting the habitat while still doing organized trips so people can enjoy the site and learn about it,” he said.
No major amenities are planned for the site except perhaps a kiosk with interpretive markers. Williams is particularly enthusiastic about the way Oak Meadows
ABOUT LAND TRUSTS
A land trust or land conservancy is a communitybased, nonprofit organization that works to permanently conserve land. In some cases, land trusts acquire land outright. They also partner to conserve land that remains the property of willing landowners using a tool called a conservation easement. Land trusts also manage or restore land once it has been conserved and often provide recreational opportunities.
KEY GOALS OF TRUST
• Purchase or receive donated ecologically healthy lands for permanent protection.
allows you to see the seasons reflecting nature’s annual cycles. Just as crocuses give way to daffodils then tulips and irises in the bulb world, out at Oak Meadows something is always coming into season or fading or providing surprises.
“Things are always changing here,” Williams said.
He has installed “game cams” throughout the parcel.
Wild turkeys, lots of deer, coyotes and gray foxes are common, although elk also have been seen.
“A while ago one of the game cams came up with a
photo of an elk,” Williams said, “and a month later a whole herd of females came through, crossed the road and moved on.”
A huge swath of prairie runs down the center of Oak Meadows, with the north rim dominated by an oak woodland with sword fern and Oregon grape. A creek runs through the south end amid a marshy riparian corridor that includes ash, alder and cottonwoods.
• Enable people to learn about these places via educational trips by land and water (walking tours, canoe and kayak trips and more).
• Create access to these places, when it makes sense, for low-impact recreation. This includes public opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and just enjoying the peace and quiet of nature.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
To volunteer, participate on a tour, or contribute to the Willamette River Preservation Trust, go to wrtrust. org or send a tax deductible check to Willamette River Preservation Trust, PO Box 117, Scotts Mills, OR 97375.
• Purchase or receive donated land in need of habitat restoration where we can then take restoration action.
Evidence of “wet prairie” is everywhere, with bare, dry plots giving evidence of recently dried pools. By following the curving dry sections of what was a “temporary stream” from the higher elevations in the center of the pool, and winding down to the creek, you can imagine how wet Oak Meadows can get.
Williams said that it is only in the past few weeks as things have dried up a bit that he has not brought muck boots with him to the site.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has done some seeding on the parcel and also organized a controlled burn to help cut down the invasives last summer. Mowing the perimeter to help with fire lanes is about the only other manmade intrusion into Oak Meadows.
“There is always a little bit of trial and error with a site like this,” Williams said.
Travis Williams of the Willamette River Preservation Trust gets up close and personal while photographing wildflowers. JAMES DAY
By Ellen Schlesinger
A passion for daylilies can be dangerous because there are so many of them – a staggering 30,000 named varieties – and that number increases with every passing year. Popular and ubiquitous, daylilies are grown by the dozens, even in small, suburban gardens.
What accounts for daylilies, members of the liliacae family, being so remarkably popular? They are unfussy, diseaseresistant perennials that are easy to divide and maintain; they have beautiful flowers; grass-like foliage; a graceful, mounding habit; and they bloom profusely over a long period. ‘Stella d’Oro’, a yellow cultivar and an old favorite, flowers for more than 200 days.
The genus Hemerocallis consists of about 15 species of lily-like herbs native to Central Europe and Asia. In general, the various species are less showy and harder to obtain than the named hybrids. Hemerocallis is from the Greek and means “beautiful for a day.”
Only one day? But a single, well-grown plant can sport five to ten blooms on Monday and a dozen on Tuesday and so on and so on. And, these garden workhorses usually continue producing new flowers for weeks and weeks.
Most varieties bloom heaviest in late spring and summer and almost all continue to flower sporadically throughout the season. If you plant early and late flowering kinds, you may be able
to have lush displays of daylilies from June through August.
Daylily flowers come in a range of colors, sizes and forms. Some are as frilly as petticoats and as large as dinner plates. Others are almost as delicate and finely divided as orchids. The blooms can be circular, triangular, double, spider-shaped, trumpet-shaped or star-shaped. Colors include creams, yellows, pinks, oranges, reds, maroons and purplish blacks. Some hybrids are monochromatic while others are two-toned. Most commonly, they have a dominant color with a contrasting eye. And some hybrids have petals that are bordered by a deeper colored edge called picotee.
Richard Akers, co-owner of Rogers
Gardens Nursery in Springfield, has been hybridizing daylilies for years.
“My wife gave me an illustrated guidebook of daylilies and I fell in love with the pictures,” Akers said. “I got hooked, especially when I learned that daylilies were so easy to hybridize.”
Akers sounds more like a kid with a new toy than an experienced propagator when he rhapsodizes about the plants he grows and loves.
“Daylilies readily lend themselves to experimentation,” he said. “You can play around with them forever. The plants you get are like little Christmas presents. The results, the new colors of the babies, are always a delightful surprise.”
Daylilies
continued from page 1
Akers says that he and other hybridizers have been striving to improve the colors of daylilies.
“The goal is to rid the flowers of their muddiness,” he said. “We want to produce clear yellows and pinks; true reds; vibrant purples, and some people are working on developing daylilies that are as blue as blue jeans.”
Available in so many sizes and colors, daylilies are one of the easiest plants to place in a garden. Few perennials are as versatile. They make great companions growing alongside tall sun lovers such as penstemons, Shasta daisies, salvias and delphiniums. Their arching, grassy foliage makes them prime choices for landscaping around pools or ponds; they’re perfect as edgers for borders and beds, and they can also be used effectively as foils for low growers such as petunias, marigolds, zinnias, sweet Williams and carpet roses.
Showy and long blooming, daylilies are good for growing in pots on a deck or patio. Closely cluster several different varieties and you’ve got a striking, living bouquet. Daylilies also make beautiful cut flowers and, like roses and camellias, look especially elegant floating in a bowl of water.
Tough and heedless of neglect, daylilies will grow just about anywhere except deep shade. But with proper care, they’ll flower longer and more profusely. Give them rich, well-drained soil, ample water while they’re blooming and feed them a balanced fertilizer in spring and midsummer. The rule of thumb is to divide crowded plants every three to five years in early spring or late fall. Protect juvenile foliage from snails and slugs.
And how does one decide which daylilies to grow? Unless you’re a collector and/or a person with an unlimited budget, you should probably pass on the latest cultivars. New introductions tend to be a lot more expensive than older varieties and, at least to most amateurs, deadringers for their venerable cousins.
If you’re like most other gardeners, your enthusiasm for
daylilies will far exceed your available planting space and you’ll quickly find that choosing daylilies is a delicious dilemma.
Ellen Schlesinger is the author of A Gaga Gardener’s Guide to Nearby Nurseries, a directory for the Eugene/Springfield area. This story was originally published in Mt. Angel Publishing’s Home and Garden Journal.
By Brenna Wiegand
Just what catnip does to cats is a mystery, though not all are born with the gene to appreciate it. However, mine love it and joyfully abandon their customary dignity for an encounter with this mint family member.
Research has proven that all felines – from the wild mountain lion to the domestic tabby – are attracted to this species with results that are often strange and hilarious.
Undisturbed, this herb grows to two to three feet and nearly as wide, becomes highly branched and forms a concentrated root clump that divides –and reseeds – well. Best to cut it back before it goes to seed.
even amorous behavior is the chemical compound nepetalactone taken in through the cat’s olfactory nerves. They will frequently rub their faces – or throw their entire bodies – on the plant. They will chew it, eat it, embrace it or buffet it about in a determined effort to release the essential oil from the microscopic bulbs contained therein.
When it comes to humans, catnip has a history of use as both beverage and medicine. In fact, before the English got so choosy with the importation of fine Eastern tea, it was a favorite among the tea-loving residents of the British Isles.
small patch of skin to see whether it creates irritation. Catnip may be cut and dried, then crumbled up and sewn into cat toys; nice gifts for fellow cat people.
If you like seeing your cat act silly (don’t worry; it is a harmless “high” that wears off in an hour or so and leaves no lasting toxicity), direct sow catnip in a sunny spot in your garden. This plant is almost carefree – it is a member of the mint family after all – and does not need much water.
There are probably 75 other Nepeta species, most grown as ornamentals. Some of the showier ones include N. grandiflora, larger and most lush than true catnip with dark green leaves and dark blue, almost purple flowers.
Felines are the only animals affected by catnip, though they do not seem to acquire a taste for it until around three months old. What causes the silly, wild, drunken,
A cup of catnip tea is an age-old remedy thought to calm the nerves, as well as a remedy for colic, minor aches and pains in the gums and teeth, indigestion and many other ailments, though not authorized as such by formal medicine. It is a known insect repellent, but before actually rubbing it on your skin, apply it to a
N. x faassenii is a much smaller hybrid and is almost a ground cover. It has grayish-green flowers and light purple flowers.
Another species grown widely as an ornamental is N. racemosa. The cultivar ‘Walker’s Low’ has appeared on the Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year list for its beauty.
Daylily varieties come in many colors. COURTESY RICHARD AKERS
OSU Gardener’s June Chores
Fruit Crops
First week: Spray cherry trees for cherry fruit fly, as necessary, if fruit is ripening. Spray for codling moth in apple and pear trees as necessary. Continue use of pheromone traps for insect pest detection. After normal fruit drop in June, consider thinning the remainder to produce a larger crop of fruit. Pick ripe strawberries regularly to avoid fruit-rotting diseases. If indicated, spray cherries at weekly intervals for fruit fly. Last week: second spray for codling moth and scab in apple and pear trees.
Flowers, Shrubs & Trees
Plant dahlias and gladioli. Learn to identify beneficial insects and plant some insectory plants (alyssum, phacelia, coriander, candytuft, sunflower, yarrow, dill) to attract them to your garden. Check with local nurseries for best selections. Spray with Orthene to control adult root weevils in rhododendrons, azaleas, primroses, and other ornamentals. Or, use beneficial nematodes if soil temperature is above 55 degrees F. Birch trees dripping means aphids are present. Control as needed. Remove seed pods after blooms have dropped from rhododendrons, azaleas. Prune lilacs, forsythia, rhododendrons and azaleas after blooming.
Lawn Care
If green lawns are being maintained through the summer, fertilize near the end of the month. Set mower blade at .75 to 1 inch for
bentgrass lawns; 1.5 to 2.5 inches for bluegrasses, fine fescues, and ryegrasses.
Fresh Vegetables
Fertilize vegetable garden one month after plants emerge by side dressing alongside the rows. Harvest thinnings from new plantings of lettuce, onion and chard. Construct trellises for tomatoes, cucumbers, pole beans and vining ornamentals. Use organic mulches to conserve soil moisture. An inch or two of sawdust, barkdust or composted leaves will minimize loss of water through evaporation. Blossoms on squash and cucumbers begin to drop: nothing to worry about. Control garden weeds by pulling, hoeing or mulching. Control aphids on vegetables as needed by hosing off with water or by using insecticidal soap or a registered insecticide. Watch for cabbage worms, 12-spotted beetles on beans and lettuce, flea beetles in lettuce. Remove the insect pests or treat with labeled pesticides. Spray peas as first pods form, if necessary, to control weevils. Late this month, begin to monitor for late blight on tomatoes.
Late June
Move houseplants outside for cleaning, grooming, repotting and summer growth. Make sure raised beds receive enough water for plants to stay free of drought stress. Plant sweet corn, other tender vegetables.
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Mailing address: P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362 503-845-9499 ourtown.life@ mtangelpub.com
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• BOGO registration if you mention ad. Drop by or call 503-926-1388 to book your class today! • Amazing History • True Science
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Upcoming Bloom Tours
Brooks Gardens (peonies), 6219 Topaz St. NE, Brooks. Now – June 8
Adelman Peony Gardens, 5690 Brooklake Rd. NE, Salem. Now – June 15. Wooden Shoe Summer Flower Festival, 33814 S. Meridian Rd., Woodburn. July 24 – Aug. 24.
Swan Island Dahlia Festival, 995 NW 22nd Ave., Canby. August – September.
Plants in
Available: Basil, Berry, Cuke, Herb, Lavender, Pepper & Squash
By Melissa Wagoner
Shopping at a produce market a couple of years ago, the clerk who was scanning my purchases suddenly stopped, holding a bag of vegetables aloft.
“What is this?” he asked, puzzled.
“Parsnips,” I answered, taken aback. After all, this was a produce market, specializing in all things vegetal and these taproots were by no means the most unusual thing in the store – at least not by my standards.
“I’ve never sold any of these,” the clerk continued, as he placed them in my bag.
Now I was worried. How long had these parsnips been sitting in the display? But because parsnips have a long shelf life – lasting four to six months in a cool, dry place, like a root cellar and two to three weeks in a refrigerator – I wasn’t that concerned. Plus, these parsnips didn’t look old. They had yet to soften and wrinkle with age. And so, I paid for them and left, baffled by the experience. But it turns out, I would eventually become accustomed to this exchange. I buy parsnips often. Close relatives of carrots, cilantro, parsley and fennel (all members of the Umbelliferae family), parsnips are nevertheless an uncommon part of today’s American diet. But that hasn’t always been the case.
Brought to this country by European colonizers, the parsnip was once the most popular starchy vegetable on both continents. Unfortunately, although the parsnip is still lauded by British cooks, in America the vegetable fell out of favor when the potato was introduced.
Now, when they are served, parsnips in the US are often mistaken for a “white carrot,” an error swiftly corrected
with just one taste, because a parsnip not only has more sweetness, it has spiciness as well.
And while the two vegetables are nutritionally similar –with comparable water and carbohydrate content – when it comes to minerals – especially magnesium – parsnips are the clear winner.
So, what happened? Why did Americans switch to potatoes, which are far less nutritionally dense, with far less flavor?
I don’t believe the answer lies in versatility. Parsnips lend themselves to a variety of cooking methods including, most commonly, roasting and mashing, with (if I do say so myself) an even tastier outcome than potatoes. And parsnips can be utilized in at least one way potatoes simply can’t – in baked goods like cakes and muffins
where, once they are grated, they can be used like a carrot with comparable results.
And I don’t believe storage is the issue because, as I mentioned before, parsnips, carrots and potatoes are stored in a root cellar or another cool, dry, dark space, with a shelf life of several months.
Which brings me to cultivation. Here is where the challenge may lie. Because, while potatoes are considered easy to grow – propagated from seed potatoes, just one many-eyed potato can produce a handful of new potatoes grown quickly in a wide range of soil types – parsnips are not.
Grown from true seeds that exhibit a short viability period, parsnips require well-drained, stone-free soil and four to six months of growing time with a bit more consistent care. In other words, parsnips are a more difficult commodity crop to grow, making this the most likely reason parsnips have fallen out of favor, relegated to a tiny corner of the produce section in most American markets.
But I am out to change all that one parsnip at a time, starting with growing them in my own garden, which I have found is surprisingly easy. In fact, I have experienced more success growing parsnips than carrots.
And while this year’s planting window has passed for those home gardeners who would like to grow their own – parsnip seeds are typically sown in early spring, then harvested in late fall. It is still possible to find parsnips at your local farmers’ market or produce store. Then you too can discover how wonderful cooking with this vegetable can be. Just don’t be surprised if you get a few quizzical looks.
By Melissa Wagoner
Shopping at a plant nursery a few years ago, my husband – a park ranger who struggles with invasive species control on a regular basis – was horrified to see Scotch broom, potted and tagged for sale.
A member of the pea family, Scotch broom is just one of a handful of broom varietals. There are also brooms native to Spain, Portugal and France. But in Oregon it is the Scotch variant that is most common.
Introduced in the early 1800s as domestic sheep fodder or as a part of the ornamental plant trade –depending on the reference – Scotch broom became widespread in the wildlands of Oregon when it was planted along the Pacific Coast
Highway in the early 1900s as a part of a somewhat misguided effort to prevent soil erosion.
A deciduous bush bursting with fragrant yellow blossoms in late April to early May, Scotch broom is a decidedly attractive plant that does have some redeeming qualities, including its medicinal use in the treatment of ailments like hemophilia, kidney stones and even snakebite prior to modern medicine and its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
But it is the plant’s more negative attributes – its tendency to spread quickly thanks to the production of over 20,000 hardy, explosively dispersing seeds annually and the shear density of its stands (references state that even quail cannot make their way
inside) – that have made Scotch broom one of the most discussed and costliest invasive species in Oregon.
Found across the state – especially in areas that have been disturbed like pastures and roadways – Scotch broom hinders native and beneficial plant growth and hampers reforestation efforts, its seeds and flowers are toxic to humans and animals and densely packed bushes are highly flammable, increasing the risk of wildfire where it grows thickest.
Removal of the plant is difficult and costly, but the alternative – the ongoing loss of native species, habitat and even personal income to the tune of $40 million annually, according to the OSU Extension Service – is far worse.
Which is why invasive species experts
recommend landowners immediately remove all Scotch broom plants upon notice by pulling small plants, digging larger plants or cutting down stands between seed cycles. Also recommended is the replanting of native species like the Oregon Grape, which can help shade out future Scotch broom seedlings.
It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation and everyone in Oregon must do their part to remove previously introduced plants and stop the spread. So, if you see a Scotch broom plant – on a neighbor’s land, or even in a nursery –say something. After all, not everyone knows that beneath those pretty yellow blossoms lurks an invader of the worst kind.
© MIKOLAV / 123RF.COM
The perfectly palatable parsnip. MELISSA WAGONER
Perfect arrangement
By Melissa Wagoner
From the outside, the building that houses the showroom of For the Love of Pete – a company providing wedding rentals, celebration decorations and photography props – looks like a typical warehouse.
But the moment you set foot in the door you are transported to a place where vases in every color of the rainbow are grouped by hue from floor to ceiling alongside centerpieces befitting hundreds of party themes, lighting for every occasion, place settings, linens and carefully curated vignettes that provide ideas for baby showers, bridal and bachelorette parties and, of course, weddings.
“We wanted it to be immersive so people can see it,” owner Dorri Wassom said of the arrangement. “People are really visual. And I wanted to put things in groups because I’ve never seen that.”
In business for the past 15 years, For the Love of Pete began shortly after Wassom and her husband, Steve, adopted their son, Pete.
“I didn’t want to put him in daycare,” Wassom said, recalling the lightbulb moment that happened after a friend asked her to help decorate for a wedding. “She said, ‘I love how you decorate your house. Can I borrow some things?’” Wassom remembered.
And that’s how it began, for the first two and a half years from their home, then –after Steve got tired of having decorations stored in every nook and cranny – from a warehouse on Liberty Street in Salem.
“We still have that,” Wassom said. “We use the front to rent out for events, and we do dishes and linens in the back.”
Providing party planners everything they need
But after only five years the rental side of the business had outgrown the space.
“We started looking and found a space by the fairgrounds,” Wassom said. But the fit wasn’t quite right. “Our dream has always been to own a place and not move all our stuff.”
Then, in the summer of 2023 they stumbled on a three-and-a-half-acre parcel with both a warehouse and an office building in Aumsville.
“I was nervous going out of my customer area but it’s actually quicker than the fairgrounds,” Wassom said. “And it has creek frontage for events eventually.”
Moving in was challenging, with eight people loading and unloading thousands of fragile decorations over a six-day period. Once the dust settled, however, it wasn’t long before Wassom’s vision began to take shape.
“If it can be an event campus, how cool
Our Town is seeking a Graphic Designer Bring your creativity, talent and technical skills and help our advertising clients reach their audience both in print and digitally. This is a part-time position, usually 20- 25 hours per week. We place a high value on customer service. Skills with InDesign and the Adobe Suite necessary. While primarily an advertising design position, there may be magazine design and page pagination opportunities. We’re flexible, cordial, and interested in what kind of contribution you can make to expanding and enhancing our community. Resumé, portfolio link or samples and cover letter to paula.m@mtangelpub.com.
would that be?” she said of the one-stopshopping service she is working toward providing for her clients. “And the Lord blessed us with great vendors already.”
Those vendors, housed in the adjacent office building, include Apogee Event Productions, offering DJ services and photo booths; Holt and Heart, providing design planning and event coordination; and Lavender and Linen, featuring floral designs, clothing alterations and custom bridal veils.
“I’m still looking for a photographer and I’d love a hair and makeup person,” Wassom said, relating her plans for the space, which include a specialty cake bakery so that her clients never have to leave the campus to get what they need.
“We just want people to have the events they’ve always wanted,” she said. Adding, “My favorite part is when they send me pictures.”
For the Love of Pete
Wedding rentals, celebration decorations and photography props.
• Showroom open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• 220 South Eighth St., Aumsville
• Onsite DJ, photo booths, event planning, floral arrangements, alterations and custom bridal veils.
• Event Rental Space, 3800 Liberty Road South, Salem
• An event showcase, “For the Love of Summer,” will be held during the Aumsville Corn Festival on Aug. 16. www.fortheloveofpeterentals.com
“I worked with Mike & Whitney Ulven as buyer’s agents and they were wonderful to work with. Very communicative, pleasant and worked hard to make it a win-win for all.” – Elizabeth
Steve , Dorri and Pete Wassom at For the Love of Pete event rentals service.
Two tableaus at For the Love of Pete, event rentals, in Aumsville. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Who Is Writing Your Story?
We all love a good story. Whether it be a novel, a movie, or one of our grandfather’s silly yarns around the campfire. We are drawn into the plot and caught up in the flow of a great story. The movie industry and the publishing industry demonstrate how much we love stories. And those stories, for good or ill, affect us deeply. What Makes a Great Story?
By cracking open my old English Literature textbook, I am reminded that the most important elements of a great story include: Compelling Characters, a Gripping Conflict, a Clear Structure with a beginning, a middle, and an end, Meaningful Themes (like love, sacrifice, and justice), Realistic Dialogue, Vivid Setting and finally, a Satisfying Resolution to the conflict. This will not necessarily be a “happy ending.” It may, in fact, be very sad. But it must actually end the conflict of the story, one way or another. These are the basic elements that go into writing any great story, including yours and mine. If you look closely, you will see that all of these literary elements are part of the story we are living through right now.
and
Friendship with God (Gen. 12:1-25:11), Moses and the Escape from Slavery (all of Exodus), the Story of David (1 and 2 Samuel), Entering Into the Promised Land (the Book of Joshua) — all of these are true, historically factual events that reveal, not only the existence of God, but also His ways of dealing with us.
We are each the Main Character in our own unique story. We are part of a Great Conflict between Good and Evil. The evil one, Satan is tempting us to reject all that is good and wise, lying to us, telling us that anything is better than doing things the the way God intended. All the while, God is speaking to us as well, through His Bible, by His Holy Spirit, and through people around us who know and love God, telling us to turn back before it is too late. The Themes in our story are in fact love, sacrifice and justice. The Setting of our story is wherever we are at any moment. We are in every scene, and we see everything from our own perspective. We are somewhere in the middle of our story’s Structure, and our stories will one day end. The Dialogue of our story is also real. Every word we say, every word we hear, and every thought we have, is part of our story. This is our life-story, and it is very real. What’s more, it’s going to go down in history, regardless of how it ends for us.
God is the God of All Stories
When you read the Bible you will discover that God reveals Himself and the reality of all that is really true primarily through stories. They are “His-story” (history). God uses actual history to make His point. The Creation Week (Gen. 1-2), Noah’s Flood (Gen. 6:5-9:18), the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:3-8), Abraham’s Faith
By Gregg Harris
fallen angel who had previously rebelled against God), deceived Eve, (the first woman). He raised doubts in her heart concerning the goodness of God. So, she ate of the fruit that God had forbidden. She also convinced her husband, Adam, to eat of it as well. Eve was deceived, but Adam knowingly disobeyed God. You can read all about it in Genesis 3. When this happened, God Himself had to punish Adam and Eve for their sin. He pronounced their sentence and cast them out of the Garden of Eden. From that point on, the world was under Satan’s thumb. All Adam and Eve could do was produce more sinners like themselves, and that, unfortunately, includes us today. We are all fallen sinners, deceived by Satan, and under God’s sentence of judgment. Why does Satan hate us? He hates us because we’re made in the image of God, and because God loves us. But even though God loves us as His children by creation, He must nevertheless render justice. We all fall short of the glorious purpose for which He created us (Rom. 3:23). So, it is not God’s fault. Nor is it Satan’s. It is our fault. We have all sinned.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
When we come to the New Testament it begins with four Gospels, four stories concerning the Lord Jesus Christ; His birth, His life, His teaching, His crucifixion and His resurrection. Then we have the history of the early church and the Acts of the Apostles. Why does God speak to us primarily through such stories? It is because reality is a set of stories. All we get to take with us into heaven will be our own unique stories of how we responded to God, and how dealt with us.
Our stories continue even to this day. We are all living out our narratives. But who is actually writing them? Is it us? No. Not really. It’s God.
God Writes Our Stories, but We Get to Influence What He Writes.
The Bible reveals that God is the One writing every story. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9). Our choices influence what God writes. We get to make real decisions that really matter and make a real difference. But God is the One Who ultimately decides where our choices will take us, and by what steps we will get there. As I said, in our story we are caught up in a battle between good and evil, between God and Satan. Our stories begin when Satan, (a
God is writing our stories in ways that prove the wisdom of loving Him and the foolishness of rebelling against Him. When we are stubborn, our stories do not end well. When we humble ourselves, He graciously forgives and saves us. What is God’s Preferred Ending?
God does not want anyone to perish (Ezek. 33:11). In spite of our sin, God has shown mercy on us by sending Jesus into this world to rescue us. By believing in Jesus, and in what He has done for us by dying in our place on the cross, and then rising again from the dead, we are born again. We receive everlasting life, and our new story begins. That is the ending that God prefers. If you are fed up with the sad story of your life in rebellion against God, stop rebelling! Turn to God. Believe in Jesus. Your new story will begin. But let me warn you, life as a Christian will include great joy, but also deep sorrow. God will require you to suffer for your faith. People who hate Jesus won’t like you either. But remember; your Heavenly Father is writing your new story, and whatever He writes will be “for your good.”
If you enjoy reading these articles, please let me know by calling or texting me at 971-370-0967.
How Can We Influence the Way God
Writes Our Story?
For better or for worse, God responds to the way we respond to Him. Consider the following statements from the Bible; “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him” (Psalms 32:10).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). This is the most famous verse in the Bible.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31).
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
So, we see that God resists those who proudly refuse to believe in Him and in the good news concerning His Son, Jesus. But He works “for the good of those who love Him,” — those who embrace His purpose for their lives; to live for His glory. In all these ways we are able to affect the way God writes our stories. We make our own decisions, but then, He directs our steps.
#2 Rated PG First Come, First Served. Bring Your Family & Friends! Sponsored by NobleMenOfOregon.org Attention Noble Men! Join us every week for our Noble Men’s Prayer Breakfast at Noble Inn 409 S. Water St., Silverton, OR 97381 Thurs. mornings from 7 to 8:30 AM For info go to NobleMenOfOregon.org Join us as we seek to have an impact on our community for Christ.
Gregg Harris, Teaching Pastor at GraciousCross.org
Hospital Service Integration Team to open operation in Jefferson
By James Day
Santiam Hospital & Clinics has received a $20,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation that will help it to open a service integration team operation in Jefferson.
The money from the foundation, said Melissa Bauer, director of integrated health and outreach, allows the hospital to hire a part-time service integration administrative assistant for Jefferson.
Bauer added that the hospital also is seeking grant funding from the state Department of Human Services that would provide the hospital with the funds to boost the staffing to full-time.
“This braided funding will strengthen our program and allow us to meet the increased needs in our community,” Bauer said.
The hospital hopes to launch the Jefferson service in September 2025 and
is looking into possible shared space with the Jefferson School District.
The service integration model at the hospital began in 2017. Its service area also connects with the North Santiam School District, the Santiam Canyon School District, the Cascade School District and the Scio School District.
Service integration means an approach to health care and wellness that works via partnerships between the hospital and school districts, faith groups, nonprofits, social service agencies, clubs, government agencies, businesses and community members.
The Oregon Community Foundation grant for the hospital was one of 248 totaling $5.8 million that was announced on Dec. 3, this year’s “Giving Tuesday,” which is noted on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Santiam Hospital & Clinics is part of the foundation’s North Willamette Valley region. The region received 30 grants worth $700,000.
“Our family serving yours”
Serving proud Americans and Veterans with American-made caskets.
The area’s only locally-owned and owner-operated funeral home
Hilton Family, Owners
Hilton Family, Owners
Foundation receives another grant to restore historic piano at Brown House
The Santiam Heritage Foundation has received a $1,500 grant toward restoration of a historic 1908 upright piano at the Brown House Event Center.
The grant, through AgWest Farm Credit’s Rural Community Grant program, brings total funds raised or committed to roughly $18,000, leaving $5,000 to be raised to fully fund the project.
Other monies include a $10,000 Kinsman Foundation grant, $3,000 in matching funds, $1,200 in donations and a pending $2,500 grant through the Marion Cultural Development Corporation.
Once fundraising is complete, a six-month restoration process will begin on the vintage Ludwig piano by NW Piano Services to repair damage and bring the instrument back to vibrant life.
Once completed, the foundation said renters of the Brown House may feel free to play the piano, while the instrument is also expected to be a centerpiece of future concerts at the house.
Donations can be made at brownhouse.org or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 161, Stayton, OR 97383. Checks should be made out to Santiam Heritage Foundation with “piano fund” in the memo line.
– Stephen Floyd
Glenn has personally served the community for over 29 years.
Glenn has personally served the community for over 30 years. – Locally-owned and owner-operated funeral home –
Funeral
224 N. Third Avenue, Stayton (503) 769-9010
The Brown House. SHELDON TRAVER
Frequent Address
Santiam Senior Center 41818 Kingston-Jordan Road, Stayton Stayton Community Center, 400 W Virginia St.
Stayton Public Library, 515 N First Ave.
Weekly Events
Monday
Stayton Community Food Bank, 9 a.m. - noon, 1210 Wilco Road. Repeats Monday - Friday. 503-767-4088
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. Delivery only. Age 60+. Serves Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Marion, Mehama. Repeats Wednesday, Friday. $3 donation. Ginger, 503-769-7995.
Bingo, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Cards $.05-.10 per game. Bring non-perishable food for Stayton Food Bank, get a free card. Seniors 50+. Free. Repeats Thursdays. 503-767-2009
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Open meeting. Repeats Thursday and 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
Griefshare, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Free class open to all who need support because of the loss of a loved one. 503-769-2731, griefshare.org
English, Citizenship, GED Classes, 6:30 - 8 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Classes are free; $20 for workbook. Repeats Thursdays. Join class anytime. Mary, 503-779-7029
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, 198 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Open meeting. Follow the path on right of building; use side entrance to church.
Wednesday
Stayton/Sublimity Chamber Business Network, 8:15 a.m. Network building event for local business, 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 and possibly your family history. Free. 503-508-0312
Intermediate Tai Chi, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Fridays. 503-767-2009
Beginner Tai Chi, 11:15 a.m. - noon, Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Fridays. 503-767-2009
Stayton Area Rotary, noon, Santiam Golf Club, 8724 Golf Club Road, Aumsville. Guests welcome. 503-508-9431, staytonarearotary.org
Cascade Country Quilters, 12:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center, 41818 KingstonJordan Road, Stayton. 50 and older. 503-767-2009
Beginner Line Dancing, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Fridays. 503-767-2009
Pinochle, 1 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Single deck.
Advanced Line Dancing, 1:45 - 2:45 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Fridays. 503-767-2009
Stayton Farmers Market, 37 p.m., downtown Stayton. Shop for homemade and homegrown items. downtownstayton.org, rdsmarkets@ gmail.com
Alcoholics Anonymous, 6 - 7:15 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, 198 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Open meeting. Follow path on right on building and use side entrance to church.
Thursday
Sublimity Quilters, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Make quilts for local community donations and charities. Everything is 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. North Fork Farmers Market, 4 - 7 p.m., North Fork Station, Highway 22, Lyons. Browse homemade and handcrafted items. Free admission. Vendors wanted; $30 per market. Email lulabirdsweets@gmail.com for an application.
Saturday
Alcoholics Anonymous, 10 a.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Open meeting. 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. Youth of the area are welcome. 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 the works of the Founding Fathers in the creation of the United States and its founding documents. Free. Diannah, 503-881-6147
Alcoholics Anonymous, 6 - 7:15 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open meeting.
North Fork Farmers Market, 4 - 7 p.m., North Fork Station, Highway 22, Lyons. Browse homemade and handcrafted items. Free admission. Vendors wanted; $30 per market. Email lulabirdsweets@gmail.com for an application.
Monday, June 2
Sublimity City Council
6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Work session. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org
Stayton City Council
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Biennial budget public hearing and state revenue sharing. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Tuesday, June 3
Stayton Lions Club
Noon, Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Club and new members are welcome. Repeats June 17. staytonlionsclub.org
Mari-Linn 8th Grade Promotion
6 p.m., Mari-Linn School, 641 Fifth St., Lyons.
Stayton Parks and Rec Board
6 p.m., Stayton Planning Building, 311 N Third Ave. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-3425
Wednesday, June 4
Aumsville Senior Social Circle
10 a.m. - noon, Riverview Bank, 112 Main St., Aumsville. Join Aumsville’s senior community for a morning of cards, dice and conversation. Feel free to bring your own games. Free. Sponsored by Aumsville Exchange Club. Repeats June 18.
Storytime in the Garden
10:30 a.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Join Stayton and Silver Falls Library for a special storytime at The Oregon Garden. Afterwards, choose a free book to keep and explore the garden. Entrance is free for those with a CCRLS library card. 503-873-5173
Cascade High Graduation
7 p.m., Cascade High, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner.
Thursday, June 5
Sublimity 8th Grade Promotion
7 p.m., Sublimity School, 376 E Main St.
Stayton Middle School Promotion
7 p.m., Stayton High, 757 W Locust St.
Friday, June 6
Regis High Graduation
6 p.m., Regis High, 550 W Regis St., Stayton.
Stayton High Graduation
7 p.m., Salem Armory, 2310 NE 17th St., Salem
Saturday, June 7
Santiam Hospital Fun Run
8:30 a.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. 3K run/walk, 5K run/walk and 10K run. Food, beverages, music. Preregistered adults are $15; children $10. For race-day registration, add $5. Families of four can register for $40. Register at santiamhospital.org.
Bulky Waste Collection
9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Accepted: dishwashers, stoves, dryers, water heaters, couches, mattresses, scrap metal, tables, chairs and clean, untreated wood. No trash, appliances with freon, construction debris, propane bottles or canisters, paint, batteries, solvents, thinners, tires. Free.
Car Wash Fundraiser
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Get your car washed and help Foothills send its youth to camp. Donations accepted via cash or Venmo. Aumsville Saturday Market
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Porter-Boone Park, 1105 Main St., Aumsville. Fresh produce, specialty food, baked goods, flowers, gardening and more. Free admission. Repeats June 28. 503-749-2030
Canyon Restaurant Crawl
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Visit restaurants in Mill City, Gates and Lyons to receive a sample. Tickets $20 per person. For tickets, contact NS Chamber of Commerce President Gina Brewster at 209-996-5668 or message the Chamber on Facebook.
Sunday, June 8
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, June 9
Ancestry Detectives
10 a.m. - noon, Silver Fall Library, 410 S Water St., Silverton. Scanners available and people who can help use them. Bring materials and a thumb drive to store scanned items. Bring a portable computer and you may be able to scan directly to it. All welcome. ancestrydetectives.org
St. Mary Graduation
6 p.m., St. Mary Catholic School, 1066 N Sixth Ave., Stayton.
Stayton Fire District Board
6 p.m.,. Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-2601, staytonfire.org
Sublimity City Council
6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org
Aumsville City Council
7 p.m., Aumsville Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us
Lyons Fire District Board
7 p.m., Lyons Fire Station, 1114 Main St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-859-2410, lyonsrfd.org
Tuesday, June 10
Cascade School Board
7 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-8010, cascade.k12.or.us
Wednesday, June 11
Wheels of Change
Noon, Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Learn skills to live well, whether your goal is prevention or improving your ability to manage chronic conditions. Light lunch provided. Free. Register: CHW@santiamhospital. org, 503-769-9319
Expand Your Longevity
4 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Neurologic physical therapist Mike Studer, author of The Brain That Chooses Itself, gives insight and practical strategies to help lead to improved health and an extended lifespan. Free tickets at salemhealth.org.
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
Cascade Jr. High Promotion
7 p.m., Cascade High, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner.
Thursday, June 12
Red Cross Blood Drive
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-3767.
Aumsville Food Pantry
Noon - 4 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open to people in need of food items. Repeats June 26. 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. Open to public. 503-749-2894
Friday, June 13
Community Play Group
10 - 11:30 a.m., Doris’s Place, 574 N 11th St., Aumsville. Free Community Play Group sponsored by Family Building Blocks. Includes complimentary snacks. RSVP: 503-769-1120, familybuildingblocks.org.
Fiber Arts Connection
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Join other fiber arts enthusiasts of all ages and abilities for crafting and conversation. Bring a project or try one provided. Free. 503-769-3313
TGI Friday Fest
5 - 9 p.m., downtown Stayton. Food trucks, farmers market, free Kid Zone, sidewalk sales and specials from local shops. Live music with Never2Late from 6 - 8 p.m. Presented by Revitalize Downtown Stayton.
Saturday, June 14
Flag Day
Flea Market
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Lunch available. Free admission. Table available. 503-859-2161
Sunday, June 15
Father’s Day
Monday, June 16
Red Cross Blood Drive
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-3767.
Veteran Benefit Expo
11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Salem Armory, 2310 NE 17th St., Salem. A statewide, one-stop event for veterans and their families to connect with the full spectrum of federal, state, and local benefits. Hosted by Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, now in its 80th year. Free. Kathie Dalton, 503-9316644, kathie.dalton@odva.oregon.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.
Stayton City Council
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Tuesday, June 17
Alzheimer’s Education
1 - 2:15 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Managing Money: A caregiver’s guide to finances, presented by Alzheimer’s Association. Free. Register: 800-272-3900
Summer Reading Kick-off
2 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Join for games, crafts, magic performance by Louie Foxx and sign up for the summer reading challenge. All ages. Free. 503-769-3313
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
North Santiam
Watershed Council
6 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. For Zoom link information, call 503-9308202 or email council@ northsantiam.org.
Wednesday, June 18
Stayton Library Board
6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Open to public. 503-769-3313
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, June 24
Minecraft vs Angry Birds
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Test your building skills with a series of challenges. Lyons City Council
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth
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.
Aumsville Planning Commission
7 p.m., Aumsville Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us
Friday, June 20
Trade & Swap
10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Stop in anytime throughout the day to try simple crafts and swap your gently-used puzzles. Free. All ages. 503-769-3313
Saturday, June 21
Bethel Clothing Closet
9 a.m. - noon, Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Clothing from newborn to 2x. Free. 503-749-2128
Joseph´s Storehouse of Hope
11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Mari-Linn School, 641 Fifth St., Lyons. Food boxes. 503-881-9846
Alcoholics Anonymous
6 - 8:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open meeting.
Monday, June 23
Red Cross Blood Drive
Noon - 5 p.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1077 N Sixth Ave., Stayton. For appointments visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-3767.
6:30 p.m., Lyons City Hall, 449 Fifth St. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-859-2167, cityoflyons.org
Wednesday, June 25
Storytime in the Park
10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Meet behind the library for storytime and stay afterward to play at Stayton Community Center Park. All ages. Free. 503-769-3313
Stayton Book Club
4 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Discuss Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra. Tea, treats and book talk. All adults welcome. 503-769-3313
Sublimity Parks & Rec
6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org
Thursday, June 26
Summer Reading Program
4 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Embark on a storytelling journey to Habiba Addo’s homeland, Ghana, West Africa. All ages. Free. 503-769-3313
NSSD Board
5:30 p.m., District Office, 1155 N First Ave., Stayton. Budget hearing followed by regular board session of the North Santiam School District. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-6924, nsantiam.k12.or.us
Saturday, June 28
Superhero Carnival
Noon - 3 p.m., Porter-Boone Park, 1105 Main St., Aumsville. Heroes of all ages can play old-fashioned carnival games to win prizes. Free. 503-749-2030
Monday, June 30
Stayton Planning Commission
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to the public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Datebook Submission Information
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 at 2340 Martin Dr., Stayton.
As your local State Farm® agent, I’ll be there whenever you need me with Good Neighbor service you can count on. Give me a call.
Proudly Serving all of Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons and Mehama! Always offering Free Consultation & Quotes and Service with a Smile!
Biggerstaff Ins and Fn Svc Inc
Larry Biggerstaff, Agent
112 S 1st Street
Silverton, OR 97381-1610
Bus: 503-873-8331
www.larrybiggerstaff.com
larry@larrybiggerstaff.com
State Farm, Bloomington, IL
By James Day
Most of the fire agencies in Stayton and the Santiam Canyon have received a $35,000 boost from the state. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has announced more than $6 million in grants for the 2025 wildfire season. This is the fourth year that the state has provided the funding to agencies statewide.
The funding helps local fire agencies, many of whom rely on volunteer crews, bring on extra firefighters during wildfire season. The seasonal staff boost emergency response in 200 agencies across the state, from wildfire calls to everyday emergencies.
“The wildfire season staffing grant is one of our most impactful tools to help local fire agencies respond to emergencies faster, protect communities, and support each other through mutual aid,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in a press release issued by the OSFM. “We’re thankful to our legislators for continuing to invest in the safety and resilience of our communities.”
Local fire agencies were eligible to apply for up to $35,000 to increase staffing levels during the fire season. Each summer, this grant adds more than 1,500 firefighters across Oregon. Winning grants in this cycle were the Aumsville Rural Fire Protection District, the Gates Rural Fire Protection District, the Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire Protection District, the Lyons Rural Fire District, the Scio Rural Fire Protection District, the Stayton Fire District, the Sublimity Rural Fire Protection District and the Turner Fire District.
Canyon districts are joining forces to help make the grant funding go even further.
Sublimity Chief Alan Hume noted that with so many districts on the list “this provides all of our agencies the unique opportunity to respond more aggressively across all districts with increased capacity. For the past two years we have operated collaboratively using overlapping response bubbles for all wildland-related calls. This assures that each fire call is bringing two or three departments on the initial report while also putting the remaining departments on notice.”
Sublimity also is working directly with Stayton Fire on managing the grant program.
“Last year,” Hume said, “Stayton and Sublimity Fire Districts partnered to hire six seasonal firefighters. By jointly hiring and sharing these firefighters, we were able to create a rotating schedule to have two additional firefighters on staff at both stations each day of the week. This model proved to be a great success last year, so we plan to do the same this year.”
Stayton Fire Chief Jay Alley noted other benefits from the grants.
“This grant which many local fire districts received will provide the region with immediate response with additional personnel to emergency incidents,” Alley said. “We work cooperatively with our surrounding agencies to provide the best coverage and response during the fire season. This grant
also allows us to send resources out of the area and across the state, on state conflagration mobilizations. The seasonal personnel also assist with summer projects around the fire district.”
Turner Fire District Chief Jordan Donat said that “we will be using the funds to hire two to three wildland firefighters to upstaff weekdays over the summer. I am not sure yet on scheduling. We have received this grant before and we typically will hire current volunteers to work over the summer. It is a great opportunity for us to have funding for this and has proven to make a difference.”
At Idanha-Detroit, said Lieutenant Laura Harris, firefighters hired using the grant “will work ten-hour shifts five days per week, and will primarily respond to wildland fires.”
One of the key challenges at Idanha-Detroit is the agency’s responsibility for Highway 22, with Harris noting that “they will also respond to EMS calls, motor vehicle crashes, and other incidents to bolster our response. Summer is our busiest season, with nearly 50% of our total annual call volume occurring in June, July and August.”
Idanha-Detroit also uses its wildland staffers to inspect recreational fire pits.
“This is a program that our district started several years ago, and we’ve had great success with it. Open burning is normally shut down during the summer months, but we have come up with a permitting program that allows our residents to have recreational fires as long as they meet our requirements, which are listed on our website (idanhadetroitfire.com). Our program allows our firefighters to meet our community members face-to-face, and talk about other safety topics such as address signs and driveway access for emergency vehicles.
“We are very grateful to be the recipients of the wildland staffing grant again this year. As most people who live in the Santiam Canyon know, the Detroit and Idanha communities are at an increased risk of wildfires due to our very rural location and lack of resources. Having the ability to hire full-time staff to cover our district during the height of the wildfire season is extremely beneficial to our community.”
Former Division Chief Brad McKenzie, left, and current Fire Chief Alan Hume are shown last summer in front of the Sublimity Fire District’s new type 3 engine that came via a program from the Oregon State Fire Marshal. JAMES DAY
& Recreation
Spring roundup
Stayton High senior Isaac Laro captured the Eagles’ first district golf title since 2018 when he played his way to victory in the Class 4A Special District 2 event at Tokatee Golf Club in Blue River.
Laro shot 71-77 in the May 12-13 event and helped lead the Eagles to a fourth place finish and qualification for the state tournament at Tokatee. Stayton finished ninth at state, with Laro taking fourth as an individual with a 152 two-day score. Also participating for the Eagles were Ean Dillingham (16th, 165), Tanner Starbuck (46th, 188), Ethan Whieldon (56th, 196) and Caden Moore (57th, 197).
Cascade, meanwhile, finished fifth at state, led by Grant Hemelstrand, who was 13th at 162. Also golfing for the Cougars were Kaiden Ford (21st, 169), Clark Clayton (24th, 170), Cruz Shank (31st, 175), and Cameron Wilson (51st, 191). Earlier, the Cougars finished second at the district meet.
Track & Field: Cascade’s girls took second at the Oregon West Conference district meet at Philomath. The host Warriors won both the boys and girls team competitions. Stayton finished third in the girls, while Cascade was fourth and Stayton fifth in the boys.
Cascade athletes swept the shot put and the discus in both the girls and boys competition. Kaline Seachao of the Cougars won the shot in 41-10.75 and the discus at 117-11, while teammate Liam Baker won the boys shot in 53-11 and the discus at 172-1. Also claiming district titles for the Cougars were Lillian Picket (400, 56.96) and the 4x100 relay
Laro brings home district golf title for Stayton
team of Julia Duncan, Makenna Fraser, Allison Course and Picket (48.66).
Stayton also had a double-winner, with Evelyn Welch winning the 100 hurdles in 17.27 and the 300 hurdles in 46.60. Also claiming district titles for the Eagles were Haley Butenschoen (800, 2:18.52), Madelyn Olson (triple jump, 34-8.5) and Mila Morley (javelin, 119-0).
State qualifiers for both schools participated in the OSAA championships May 30-31 at Hayward Field in Eugene. See the July 1 Our Town for those results.
Baseball & Softball: At presstime, only Regis softball among Stayton-area teams still was alive in the playoffs. Cascade softball fell 9-7 to Marist Catholic and Henley edged Stayton 6-5 in 4A softball. Stayton dropped a 4-1 decision to Scappoose in 4A baseball and Crosspoint Christian blanked Regis in 2A-1A baseball.
A highlight of the season was the three-game series Cascade and Stayton played during the Oregon West softball campaign. The Cougars won the first game 10-0 on April 21, with the Eagles returning the favor 14-4 on May 1. The rubber matchup came on May 14, senior Day for the Cougars, with Cascade pushing across a run in the bottom of the 7th to win 1-0 and claim the OWC title.
Girls Tennis: Cascade and Stayton both had athletes score at the Class 4A-3A2A-1A state tennis tournament at Oregon State University. The Cougars, led by the doubles teams of Rachel Suelzle and Kate Withers and Samantha Sandall and Kenzie Clausen, finished 7th with 8 points, while Stayton singles player Laina Atiyeh scored four points for the ninthplace Eagles.
Santiam Hospital Run: The Santiam Hospital & Clinics Fun Run takes place Saturday, June 7, with all events starting and finishing at the hospital on North Tenth Avenue. There are eight events, a 5-kilometer walk, a 3K run, a 5K run and
a 10K run for adults and races of the same length for kids 12 and under. Adult races cost $15 and kids’ races $10. All races start at 8:30 a.m.
As always, the event will offer a morning of fun and fitness for the whole family with music, food, beverages and keepsakes.
Registration is open through Thursday, June 5 at tinyurl.com/ santiamhospitalfunrun (https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/ ?raceId=60062&eventId=978457).
Stayton Girls Hoops Camp: The Lady Eagles basketball camp for players entering first through ninth grades will be held June 17-19. Camp runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. each day, with first- through third-graders participating at the middle school and the older players at Stayton High. Camp costs $60 and includes a T-shirt and a basketball.
Camp director Tal Wold, who has coached the Silverton and Stayton girls to state titles, said “this camp will focus on shooting, ball-handling, passing, defensive and offensive footwork. We will focus on skills and use terminology that we use with our varsity players and want the girls to know as they enter high school. We will have a daily skills competition, mini games, and play 5-on-5 games.”
For more information email Wold at wold_tal@silverfalls.k12.or.us.
Got a news tip? Email me at james.d@ mtangelpub.com. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jameshday and Our Town on Facebook.
District golf champion Isaac Laro of Stayton is shown with Eagles coach Joseph Kiser at Tokatee Golf Club. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Quality over quantity Thoughts on another trip around the sun
By Carl Sampson
Here I go again. It’s time for my annual birthday joke. Bear with me.
So it’s my birthday. Yep, I turned 27, and other than a slight case of dyslexia, I feel pretty good.
I didn’t mean to get old, it’s just that after a while, there I was. Gray hair. Heart problems. Marathons turned into walks. But that’s OK. I – and everyone else – are allotted only so many trips around the sun. I feel as though a few decades are enough. After all, Napoleon Bonaparte was 51 when he died, and he helped shape Europe and, when he sold Louisiana, the United States. Mahatma
Gandhi was 78. He used nonviolence to help gain independence for India. Mother Teresa was 87. She dedicated her life to helping the “poorest of the poor.” Adolf Hitler was 56. He tried to take over Europe and is directly responsible for the deaths of more than 70 million people.
Good or bad, saintly or devilish, our ride on Planet Earth is limited. Whether we
GENERAL
GARAGE SALE Saturday, June 7. 9am-4pm 552 SE Arbor Court, Sublimity. NO early sales
Lots of good condition household items, brand new hitch-mounted motorcycle hauler, slab granite.
PASTOR CHUCK BALDWIN
Liberty Fellowship, Kalispell, Montana satellite group Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Call Kristen, 503-990-4584
AVON CALLING! Bi-Monthly campaigns. Personal delivery. Makeup, Skin Care, Fashion. Mention this ad for 10% savings on 1st order Arlene Caballero 503.720.5416 youravon.com/ arlenecaballero
COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
Oak Knoll Estates promises to offer the best garage and estate sale treasures in the Silverton area this June! Open from 8 am-4 pm
Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. Look for our signs at Oak Knoll’s entrance off Oak/Hwy. 213 at Norway Street.
HELP WANTED
YARD WORK Clean branches and debris. Mowing. $20/hour 503-383-4398
HOUSE CLEANER NEEDED Call 503-383-4398
GRAPHIC DESIGNER - Please see Our Town’s ad on page 11.
HOMES FOR SALE
$345,000 Pleasant home in Silverton. Soothing oval soaking tub and plenty of relaxing opportunities in pleasant home. Call Valerie Kofstad, Broker at Harcourts Silverton 503-871-1667
RENTALS
ROOM FOR RENT $550/month. 503-383-4398
SERVICES
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.
TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY
This is your lucky number! All Set Plumbing is standing by at 503-964-4965. Jason is ready to fix your plumbing.
MAGIC CARPET CLEANING & MORE Since 1992. Carpet & upholstery cleaning at its best. Free estimates. Residential & commercial. Located in Silverton. Call Harold at 503-391-7406
HANDYMAN & HOME REPAIR
SERVICE Installation and repair of fencing, decks,doors, gutter cleaning, moss removal, power washing, yard debris removal. CCB# 206637 Call Ryan 503-881-3802
help or hinder humankind is up to us. So much money and energy is devoted these days to helping people live longer. Researchers say that in the not-toodistant future people could live as long as 150 years.
I’m glad I won’t be around for that. I would much rather focus on quality of life over quantity. I’ve known people who lived into their 90s and for years were miserable. They didn’t feel good and imposed that on everyone around them.
I’ve known others whose lives were far too short. I had a friend years ago who was also a mentor. But he was more than that. He was an example anyone would do well to follow. He lit up a room when he walked in, and when he spoke, people leaned forward to listen. He was by turns funny, serious, thoughtful and silly.
Whether someone is around for 50 years or 150, he or she will be measured by what they did, not how long they lived.
I have a favorite song. You’re going to laugh when I tell you the title: “Man in the Mirror.” Michael Jackson (he died at 50 years old) made it popular in 1988. If you haven’t heard it, you can find it on YouTube, Spotify and any number of other sources.
It’s a real toe-tapper, but beyond the beat there’s a message. My favorite part of the lyrics is: “If you wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself ….”
GOT STUFF YOU WANT GONE?
From yard debris to scrap metal. From garage sale left overs to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse, or donate what we can. Call and find out what we can do for you. $20 Minimum. Call Keith 503-502-3462
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
WANTED
LOOKING for a Commercial Building in Silverton or Dallas Downtown. Two or three story building. I would also be interested in a warehouse. I will be in Oregon to look at potential properties this summer. Plan to move in the Fall. ONLY SERIOUS SELLERS. I AM A SERIOUS BUYER. Duke, 505-429-1523. email kd@dukerg.com
Michael Kenny was also a Catholic bishop. He died 30 years ago at age 57 during a pilgrimage to the Middle East. I think about him every day. Knowing him made me a better person.
Yes, take a look at yourself. What do you stand for? Are you part of the solution or part of the problem? That’s something I think about a lot. I hope other people do, too. Political fads will come and go, but becoming a better person will never go out of style.
Carl Sampson is a freelance writer and editor. He lives in Stayton.
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
Kathleen’s Pet Grooming
Professional Pet Groomer
Skin & Coat Care Specialist for Your Pet
Hair Cuts
Sensitive & Medicated Baths
Flea Funerals
Teeth
Pet Massage Pawdicure (Nail Trims)
Brushing
Blueberry Facials
Call for appointment: 503-769-4299
260 W. Locust, Stayton
kathleenspetgrooming@yahoo.com
Order pet medications online: www.kathleenspetgrooming.com
New
Installs Doors • Openers Preventative Maintenance Lubricate / Door Adjustments
Services
Springs • Cables Off Replace Damaged Sections & Product
Serving throughout the Willamette Valley HMOverheadDoors.com 503-829-8814 txt. 503-444-0522
We may owe you money. If you were a member of Stayton Cooperative Telephone Company receiving our services during the years 2003 and/or 2004, SCTC may owe you money. The Board of Directors of SCTC has authorized the forfeiture of all patronage distributions that have remained unclaimed for more than four years after approval of distribution. The date of forfeiture is May 13, 2026. Members must respond prior to that date to receive monies owed. Notices were mailed to the last known addresses on September 6, 2022, to all members entitled to a distribution. SCTC is making every possible effort to find those members that did not respond to previous notifications. SCTC has posted a complete list of members, as they appear on our records, on our website at https://www.sctcweb.com/unclaimed-checks/ . You can also visit our office at 502 N 2nd Ave in Stayton. Our business hours are M-F from 9:00 am until 5:00pm. If your name, or someone you know, appears on the list and payment has not been received, contact us immediately. You can email patronage@sctcweb.com, leave a message on our patronage hotline at 503 769-2724, or send a letter to SCTC, Attention: Patronage, PO Box 477, Stayton OR 97383.
Saturday, June 7th, 2025 5K Walk & 3K, 5K & 10K Runs
Registration: 7:00am - 8:00am
• Run Start: 8:30am
• Starting Line: Santiam Hospital & Clinics • 1401 N. 10th Ave. • Stayton, OR
• Course Closes: 10:00am
Registration Cost
$10 Children 12 and Under ($15 with T-Shirt)
$15 Adult Pre-Registration Entry ($20 with T-Shirt)
$20 Day of Event Entry ($25 with T-Shirt while supplies last)
$40 Pre-Registration Group Rate (up to 4 people, includes T-Shirts)
$50 Day of Event Group Entry (up to 4 people, includes T-Shirts while supplies last)
Register by May 22nd for guaranteed t-shirt
• Two $150 Stayton Sports Gift Cards (MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN)
• Prizes awarded to first place male & female runners in all age divisions.
Awarded Prizes & Raffle: Food, Beverages & Fun!
• Enjoy Coffee, Smoothies, Fresh Fruit & Delicious Scones
• Kids Court
• Get warmed up with energizing music
• Keepsake Prizes to all finishers
Special Thanks to our Sponsors: OMAC Advertising & Saalfeld Griggs
Additional sponsors & vendors: Our Town, Pacific Perks, Snow Peak Brewing, Stayton Road Runners Club, Stayton Sports, Ticos Coffee Roasting Chip Timing by Race Northwest