& WHITES
BREWS REDS
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
DOORS OPEN AT 5 PM SANTIAM GOLF CLUB
DOORS OPEN AT 5 PM SANTIAM GOLF CLUB
$50 PER PERSON INCLUDES DINNER PROVIDED BY THE HICKORY SPOON, WINE AND BEER TASTINGS, AND SILENT AUCTION
$50 PER PERSON INCLUDES DINNER PROVIDED BY THE HICKORY SPOON, WINE AND BEER TASTINGS, AND SILENT AUCTION
Tickets available online at
Tickets available online at https://stayton-area-rotary-foundation.square.site
https://stayton-area-rotary-foundation.square.site
Proceeds benefit
Proceeds benefit
Scholarships
STAYTON AREA ROTARY
STAYTON AREA ROTARY
Pride • Integrity • Respect • Loyalty • Thrive
Since 1974, John's has aimed to embody five core values; pride, integrity, respect, loyalty, and the ability to thrive. This month we would like to highlight local Mount Angel High School Student Jazzmein Pericho Jazzmein is being recognized for exemplifying the value; Loyalty.
Jazzmein is a three sport athlete who brings joy wherever she goes. She is a loyal and dedicated friend for all, choosing to lead through kindness and to earn the respect of her peers. She puts others before herself, and truly excels in both school and sports.
Left
Santiam Hospital & Clinics in Stayton, which has merged with Salem Health. JAMES DAY
On the Cover
Staff and donors of Doris’s Place came together to celebrate the grand opening of the new building on January 15. MELISSA WAGONER
Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil, 5:00 pm, Sunday, 8:00 am, 10:00 am English, 12:00 pm Spanish
Adoration: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2:30-3:30 pm Tuesday, 1:00-5:00 pm, Thursday, 7:00-10:00 pm
All Night Adoration: First and Third Fridays, 9:00 pm to 7:00 am Saturdays Nocturnal Adoration: First Saturdays, 10:00 pm to Sundays at 6:00 am Confession: Saturday, 11-11:30 am, 3:30-4:30 pm, Thursday, 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm, or by appointment
GENERAL
MT. ANGEL SENIOR CENTER
is a non-profit consignment store for artisans over 50, a community center, home to Meals on Wheels, and serves as a food bank. Volunteers welcome! 195 E Charles St. 503-845-6998 or mtangelcommunity@gmail.com
PASTOR CHUCK BALDWIN Liberty Fellowship, Kalispell, Montana satellite group Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Kristen, 503-990-4584
RENTALS
RENT EVENT SPACE AT THE SILVERTON GRANGE HALL
291 Division St, Silverton. Affordable hourly, half day, full day rates. Family gatherings, classes, yoga, dances, meetings, baptisms, weddings and more!
Fully equipped kitchen, plenty of parking. Hall seats up to 70. For rental information call Silverton Grange, at 503-516-5722
ROOM FOR RENT: $650 mo. In Lyons, please call 503-383-4398
SERVICES
GOT STUFF YOU WANT GONE?
From yard debris to scrap metal, garage sale leftovers to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse, or donate what we can. Call to find out what we can do for you. $20 min. Call Keith 503-502-3462
SOUNDS GOOD STUDIO BANDS, Sounds Good Studio Bands, Artists, Personal Karaoke CDs, Books, Restoring Picture Slides & VHS video to DVD. Old Cassettes, Records, Reel to Reel & 8 Track Cassettes restored to CD. Call Harold 503-391-7406 . A Magic Carpet Cleaning & More Service
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 Place your ad in Marketplace 503-769-9525
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
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
LOST & FOUND
LOST WALKING CANE
Light wood, thick black shoelace on handle. Silv/MA area. Reward. 541-417-1289
2010 Linden St., Mt. Angel PAIR OF TRI FOCAL GLASSES Lost at Visions Salon. Desperately needed. Please call 503-873-4589 or 503-873-6363
The deadline for placing an ad in the March 1 issue is Feb. 20.
Calendar listings are free for community events. Submissions must include date, time, location and cost. Submissions for the March 1 issue are due Feb. 20. Email calendar items to: datebook@mtangelpub.com
Our Town is mailed free to residents and businesses in the 97383, 97385, 97358 and 97325 zip codes. Subscriptions outside the area are $48 annually.
By James Day
Santiam Hospital & Clinics and Salem Health have announced an agreement to merge their operations.
Maggie Hudson, president and CEO of Stayton-based Santiam Hospital, and Cheryl Wolfe, president and CEO of Salem Health, announced the proposal at a Jan. 22 press video conference.
No financial terms were discussed, and the merger requires the approval of the Oregon Health Authority, a process Wolfe said would likely take about nine months.
The two hospital systems hope to have their new structure in place by Sept. 30, Wolfe said.
Santiam Hospital had been seeking a financial partner for nearly two years. An earlier proposal to join forces with Samaritan Health Services, which was announced in May of 2024, was officially pronounced dead in June of 2025.
Of the current plan with Salem Health Hudson explained, “It’s a transfer of assets. We’re both private and not for profit and there are no shareholders. We agreed to a capital infusion for this organization and for them to take over our debt.”
“Salem Health is an ideal partner for us,” Hudson added. “They share our commitment to the local community and have demonstrated their ability to invest in rural health care. Together, we aim to strengthen our communities through a collaborative, community-driven partnership.
We’re excited to explore what we can build together.”
Hudson said that she will remain in her role at Santiam, with the local leadership remaining in place. Hudson also said that instead of the merger being one focused on services and products being eliminated and resulting in job losses, the two entities are looking to expand.
‘This is for the future viability of this hospital for the residents of the Santiam Canyon. Getting by is not thriving.’
Maggie Hudson Santiam Hospital President & CEO
big advantage for us, because Salem is far easier.”
“We understand the needs of the Canyon. We have been working on this for a year and we are completely committed to improving those services. We will be working to ensure that we maintain the footprint at Santiam Hospital but we also need to look at longterm needs and use our financial capital wisely.”
Santiam’s governing board will be allotted two seats on Salem Health’s board and Santiam board members also will be eligible to participate in the Salem board committees, Hudson said.
“We want to at least offer the services we have now and grow those services,” she said.
Hudson said that the hospital’s network of clinics in the Santiam Canyon, including outlets in Aumsville, Sublimity and Mill City, will continue as currently structured. She said plans to add a pharmacy to the Mill City clinic are on track, with an opening projected for this spring. Grant funding is paying for the new pharmacy.
Salem Health offers services that Santiam does not, giving Santiam Canyon residents treatment opportunities they did not have previously.
Hudson noted that 50% of Santiam’s emergency room transfers wind up in Salem. The other 50% wind up in Portland.
“We want to keep more of them here or in Salem instead of Portland,” she said. “It’s a
Looking at the big picture Huson noted that “the health care climate is very challenging. Wages and costs are rising. Reimbursement is a challenge. And then there is the fact that Medicaid at the federal and state level is at risk. It’s hard to meet the growing need.
“It is good for the industry for us to collaborate together. Collaborate and not compete … that’s a positive shift for patients.”
Addressing the bottom line, Hudson said that Santiam “has been financially strong for the last two years, but we don’t have enough cash reserves to grow into the future. We needed a financial partner. We were very interested in ensuring our future. We want this to be a thriving institution for decades to come.”
Wolfe said that the goal of the merger in terms of providing health care to Stayton and the Santiam Canyon is to increase the opportunities for rural residents.
“We get it,” she said at the video conference.
Hudson and Wolfe both noted challenges ahead in the healthcare because of HR1, the tax and spending bill promoted by President Trump and passed by Congress on July 3, 2025. While many of its provisions don’t take effect until 2027, the cuts in Medicare, Medicaid and nutrition and food stamp programs are expected to seriously affect rural Oregon.
During a visit to Santiam Hospital’s Aumsville clinic in July of 2025 Hudson told visiting U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas that 65% of the patients the Aumsville clinic serves are on Medicare or Medicaid.
Hospitals are built on a series of systems –supply chains, IT, infrastructure, billing and the software it requires.
“This is really, really complicated and hard work,” Hudson said “This is not just flipping a switch. This is for the future viability of this hospital for the residents of the Santiam Canyon. Getting by is not thriving.”
Governor ’s race
Stayton-area Rep. Ed Diehl announces run
By James Day
State Rep. Ed Diehl, whose district includes Stayton and the Santiam Canyon, has joined the crowded field of Republican candidates for governor. Diehl, who is in his second term representing District 17, announced his bid on Jan. 21 at Snowpeak Brewing in Stayton.
“I’m running for governor because I believe Oregon should work for the people who do everything right and still get left behind,” Diehl wrote in an email exchange with Our Town He joins a Republican primary field that includes former Trail Blazer Chris Dudley, who lost a close race to John Kitzhaber in 2010 (49.3% to 47.8%) and state Sen. Christine Drazean, who lost 47% to 43.5% against Tina Kotek in 2022. Also in the Republican field are Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell and David Medina, a social media figure from Sherwood who was charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol before being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
“This is personal for me,” Diehl said. “I’m doing this for my wife, my kids, and my grandkids, because I want them to inherit an Oregon that is affordable, safe, and thriving. I’m also doing this for the thousands of volunteers who stood in the wind and rain to gather signatures against an unpopular tax policy that was pushed through without listening to the public.
Stayton levy Council considers May ballot measure
By Stephen Floyd
The Stayton City Council is set to discuss whether or not a parks and pool levy should be added to the May 19 ballot. A similar measure failed in November.
The council is scheduled to deliberate on the topic during a workshop Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. before their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.
at “status quo” and a lower rate would force the city to reduce levels of service.
Democrat Kotek announced in December that she will run for a second term. The primary election is May 19 and the general election is Nov. 3.
Diehl, a Scio resident and Stanford University engineering graduate, played a prominent role in a recent bid to overturn a state transportation package passed by the Legislature. The bill included new gas taxes. A coalition that featured Diehl pulled in 250,000 signatures, although changes Kotek is hoping to make might render a vote moot.
“And I’m doing this for the more than 250,000 Oregonians who signed the No Tax Oregon referendum – because they spoke clearly, and their voices matter.”
Drazen and Dudley are certain to raise far more campaign money than other Republican candidates. Diehl downplayed the importance of that issue.
“I’m running an issues-focused campaign centered on what matters most to Oregonians: government accountability, the cost of living, education, and public safety,” he said. “I’ll also emphasize the practical experience I bring to the job.
I’m an engineer, a business owner, and an entrepreneur, and that background shapes how I approach problems – by looking at what’s working, what isn’t, and how to fix it in a way that actually delivers results.
“This is also a grassroots campaign. I’m fortunate to have an enthusiastic team of volunteers who care deeply about the direction of the state and are willing to put in the time and effort to be heard. That energy and engagement says a lot about the kind of campaign this is – and who it’s for.”
Possible outcomes include proposing the same levy as before, amending the levy to a different rate or scope, or declining to propose a levy.
Possible changes include splitting the levy into two measures – one for parks and one for the pool – not necessarily in the same election. The council could also propose a lower levy rate to match a levy set to expire in July.
The council has until its regular meeting Feb. 17 to make a decision in time to place a measure on the May ballot.
During the Nov. 4, 2025, election, 57% of voters rejected a levy for $1.10 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The levy would have generated $4.3 million over five years to fund operations at city parks and the Stayton Family Memorial Pool.
This would replace a current levy of $0.60 per $1,000 of assessed value expiring in July. The failed levy was higher to account for rising costs for materials, contracts and personnel, according to the city.
She said, if voters are more willing to support a levy of $0.60 per $1,000, parks could maintain basic maintenance and operations but would struggle to replace equipment or expand facilities. The pool would struggle with even normal operations at this rate and would continue to depend on the city’s general fund to provide basic levels of service.
During 2025, the city spent more than $340,000 from the general fund to supplement pool operations.
If no levy is passed, the city would struggle to provide basic park maintenance and may not be able to perform services like landscaping and repairs of playground equipment.
Without a levy, pool operations would be unsustainable and the pool may be forced to close, said Hajduk. When asked if the city could close the pool and re-open once voters are more willing to support a levy, Hajduk said this would be “really challenging” given the age of the facility.
If the council proposes $1.10 per $1,000 for May, Hajduk said the city plans to engage in a public information campaign to address concerns raised during the last election.
She said one misunderstanding was the difference between a property’s market value and its assessed value. On average the assessed value of a home in Stayton is roughly half its market value.
Diehl listed key issues as the cost of living, education and economic development.
During a public meeting Jan. 22, City Manager Julia Hajduk said expenses have risen across the board, particularly as older equipment becomes harder to maintain. She said the proposal of $1.10 per $1,000 would allow the city to maintain parks and the pool
Hajduk also said voters should be aware of how parks and the pool are used, particularly by schools and community groups who otherwise would not have access to a pool.
Rep. Ed Diehl. SUBMITTED
Grants Stayton awards $20K
By Stephen Floyd
The Stayton City Council has approved $20,000 in community improvement grants for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with projects ranging from art displays to CPR classes.
The council awarded grants to seven recipients during its Dec. 1 meeting. They have until June 30 to expend funds.
The city received 14 applications seeking a total of $57,072 for projects to benefit local residents and businesses. Applications were scored using criteria such as the number of people who would benefit, the funding needs of the project and existing project support.
Grants awarded this cycle included:
• $4,925 for upgrades to Spotlight Community Theater including new lighting and an ADA sink.
• $4,825 for the installation of outdoor table tennis and corn hole games at Pioneer Park.
• $4,350 for three new murals on the Odd Fellows building celebrating themes such as Stayton’s history, the Kalapuya peoples, and community creativity.
• $2,000 to restore and maintain landscaping around the Brown House.
• $2,000 for a series of community CPR and AED classes provided free to local residents.
• $1,200 to support the ongoing programs of North Santiam Service Integration Team including emergency aid and services.
• $1,100 for improvements to an ADA ramp at the Santiam Teen Center.
This was the third cycle of grants since the program was revived in 2024. Officials are still fine-tuning the application and award process. This year the application window opened earlier to create and the timeline to use the funds was also extended, said Community & Economic Development Director Jennifer Siciliano.
Looking Back Brown House hosts Saturday talks on local history as part of 250th celebration
The Brown House in Stayton has set up a program of historical presentations to assist with national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Eight historical societies from throughout eastern Marion County and the Santiam Canyon will participate in the series, which begins Feb. 21.
The Brown House, the site of all eight programs, received grants from the Oregon Historical Society and the Marion Cultural Development Corporation (MCDC) to pay for the series.
All of the programs are free and light refreshments will be served.
March 21: The Aumsville Historical Society on local early Oregon pioneers
April 18: The Scio Historial Society will feature the history of the Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair
May 16: The North Santiam Historical Society will present on the history of railroads in the Santiam Canyon
June 20: The Silverton Country Historical Society will showcase vocational and agricultural programs at Silverton High
Aug. 15: The Santiam Historical Society will discuss Basques in Oregon
Sept. 19: Yesterday in Turner will feature “How to Restore Historic Houses 101”
Officials also discussed possibly adding considerations for whether or not an applicant has received a grant in the past. The council took no action that night to alter the rules of the grant program.
“Each organization will introduce the work they do, and present a talk on a topic that is a specialty of their area,” said Steve Poisson, vice president of the board of the Santiam Heritage Foundation, which operates the Brown House. “Our goal is to mutually support these local history organizations, and broaden the reach of each of us. We are very excited about it.”
Each of the eight programs will all take place on a Saturday, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Brown House, 425 N First Ave. in Stayton.
Feb. 21: The Jefferson Historical Society will present “Building of Jefferson: The Conser Family”
Nov. 14: St. Boniface Community Archives & Museum in Sublimity will cover the beginnings of the Sisters of St. Mary in Oregon
For additional information see the Brown House website at www.brownhouse. org, call 503-769-8860, or direct an email to cmbrownhouse@gmail.com.
The Oregon Historical Society worked with Oregon’s America 250 Commission and Oregon Heritage on the grant programs. Goals included inspiring Oregonians to participate in the work of forming a more perfect union and highlighting the importance of civics and history education in building a better future.
Teen center
By Stephen Floyd
The Santiam Teen Center is still recovering after learning former executive director Steven Reed allegedly embezzled $34,000 from the nonprofit.
Reed has been charged in Marion County Circuit Court with aggravated first-degree theft and six counts of first-degree forgery. He was arraigned Dec. 12, 2025, and is due back Feb. 11 to enter a plea to the charges. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on the highest count. He remains released on his own recognizance.
The amount allegedly stolen equals six months worth of operating expenses, according to Tricia Frizzell, chair of the board that oversees the center. She said this was a significant blow they will be recovering from for the foreseeable future, including being unable to fill Reed’s former position for the time being.
At the same time, she said, volunteers and staff are rallying to show their support.
“We want the community to know that we
‘Wounded
but not broken’ after theft
are wounded but not broken,” said Frizzell. “...The youth are still showing up with smiles on their faces, and that overshadows the intense anger and frustration.”
Reed, 49, of Salem, served as executive director from November 2023 to July 2024 when he left to become athletic director for Santiam Christian Schools. He allegedly stole from the teen center throughout this time, including six alleged instances of fraudulent checks written between January and August of 2024.
Frizzell said there were a number of “red flags,” such as operational expenses ballooning as revenue fell. According to federal tax filings, revenue between 2023 and 2024 fell from $146,122 to $107,334, while building and office expenses rose $1,763.
While charging documents did not describe a motive, Reed was struggling to repay large debts when he was hired at the teen center. These included a $16,573 judgment in October of 2023 for an unpaid credit card, and a $37,751 judgment in November of 2023 for unpaid rent on a commercial lease.
Because the teen center specializes in serving vulnerable youth, Frizzell said she struggles to understand why anyone would steal from the program. The center is open to high schoolers and provides social activities, homework support, on-site meals, food to take home, and laundry facilities, all for free.
Though the court may order restitution upon a conviction, Frizzell said the board is not counting on this to make the teen center whole. She said they are focusing instead on working with the resources, staff and volunteers they have, and on strengthening public support.
Frizzell said she has a message for Reed that may seem counter-intuitive: “You are forgiven.” She said this is central to the faith-based goals of the teen center and presents an opportunity to display a gracious attitude for teens who may be more accustomed to hostility from adults.
For current teen center information, including programs and opportunities to volunteer or donate, go to santiamteencenter.org/.
For additional crime and courthouse coverage, go to ourtownsantiam com. Recent headlines include:
• Suspect in toddler death charged with child abuse
• New gun charge for Aumsville resident
• New charges for Lyons burglary
• School district checks forged
• Drug, weapon charges for Stayton man
• Warrant issued in burglary case
• Probation for DUII pursuit
- 7 years for drugs, vandalism
• Judge upholds HP Civil verdict as owners delay payment
Updates are published as cases develop. See ourtownsantiam.com for the latest.
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. 503-769-4088
Santiam Senior Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Seniors 50 and older. Daily, weekly, monthly events. 503-767-2009, santiamseniorcenter.com
Senior Meals, 11:30 a.m., Stayton Community Center. Congregate dining or delivery. Age 60 and older. Serves Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Marion, Mehama. Repeats Wednesday & Friday. $3 donation suggested. For delivery, call Ginger, 503-769-7995.
Bingo, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Cards $.05-.10 per game. Bring a can or box of non-perishable food for Stayton Food Bank, get a free card. Seniors 50+. Free. Repeats Thursday. 503-767-2009
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Repeats Thursday & Friday.
Santiam Canyon Community Chorus, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway St., Mill City. Anyone is welcome. JoAnn, 503-859-2502
Tuesday
Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore early literacy through songs and rhythms, stories and rhyme. All ages welcome. Free. 503-769-3313
English, Citizenship, GED Classes, 6:30 - 8 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Classes free; $20 workbook. Repeats Thursday. Join class anytime. Mary, 503-779-7029
Wednesday
Stayton/Sublimity Chamber Business Network, 8:15 a.m. Network-building event for local businesses, non-profit professionals. Location varies each week. For location, call 503-769-3464. St. Boniface Archives and Museum, 9 a.m. - noon, 370 Main St., Sublimity. Learn about Sublimity; family history. Free. 503-508-0312
Intermediate Tai Chi, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Toddler Storytime: Stay & Play, 10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore early learning and literacy together with your infant or toddler, then stay for different activities and stations for play. Older siblings welcome. Free. 503-769-3313
Lyons Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Lyons Public Library, 279 Eighth St. Read, play, sing, rhyme, make friends. Free. 503-859-2366
Beginner Tai Chi, 11:15 a.m. - noon, Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Stayton Area Rotary, noon, Santiam Golf Club, 8724 Golf Club Road, Aumsville. Guests welcome. 503-508-9431, staytonarearotary.org
Cascade Country Quilters, 12:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. 50+. 503-767-2009
Beginner Line Dancing, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Pinochle, 1 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Single deck. Seniors 50+. Free for members. 503-767-2009
Advanced Line Dancing, 1:45 - 2:45 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Friday. 503-767-2009
Alcoholics Anonymous, 6 p.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton.
Thursday
Sublimity Quilters, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Make quilts for local community donations and charities. Everything provided. New members welcome.
Point Man Ministries, 6 p.m., Canyon Bible Fellowship, 446 Cedar St., Lyons. Veterans support organization. 503-859-2627.
Friday
Pinochle, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Double deck. Seniors 50+. Free for members. 503-767-2009
Saturday
Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 a.m., All Good Things Cafe, 190 Main St., Aumsville.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 10 a.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton.
Indoor Winter Market, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wavra Farms, 7882 SE Jordan St., Salem. Baked goods, produce, beef, jams, jewelry, crafts, pottery, plants and more. Free admission. wavrafarms.com Aumsville Museum & History Center, 599 Main St. Open 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. April - October, except holiday weekends. Open by appointment NovemberMarch. Free admission. 503-749-2744, aumsvillehs.com
Revival Youth Hangout, 5 - 6:30 p.m., New Hope Community Church, 657 N Second Ave., Stayton. Follow “Revival_Heartbeat” on Instagram and Tiktok. revivalheartbeat@gmail.com
Sunday
Community Lampstand, 5 -7 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Learn how the bible inspired works of 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.
Sunday, Feb. 1
KofC Breakfast
7:30 - 10 a.m., St. Mary Catholic Church, 9168 SE Silver Falls Hwy., Aumsville. Knights of Columbus breakfast featuring French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, applesauce, drinks. $10 for ages 13 and older. $2 children aged 12 and under. Benefits the Knights’ charitable giving causes. Joe, 503-871-4874
Mt. Angel Volksfest
11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Festhalle, 500 NE Wilco Hwy., Mt. Angel. Family-friendly event celebrating food, music and community. $15 admission. Under 21 is free. mtangelvolksfest.com
Family Movie Day
2 p.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road. Watch an animated film about adventures of a retired balloon salesman, a wilderness explorer, lovable dog and flightless bird. Free, snacks included. All ages. 503-769-5700
Monday, Feb. 2
DAR Chapter Meeting
10 a.m., Stayton United Methodist Church, 1450 SE Fern Ridge Road. Daughters of the American Revolution Abigail Scott Duniway Chapter. Open to all. Refreshments. Jan, 503-931-4112
Stayton City Council
5:30 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Work session followed by regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
VFW Post 5638
7 - 8:30 p.m., Stayton Fire Department, 1988 W Ida St. Veterans of Foreign Wars monthly meeting. New members welcome. Jim Bennett, 503-983-9110
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Stayton Lions Club
Noon, Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Club and new members are welcome. Repeats Feb. 17. staytonlionsclub.org
Stayton Parks and Rec Board
6 p.m., Stayton Planning Building, 311 N Third Ave. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-3425
Wednesday, Feb. 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 Feb. 18.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Scio Saturday Market
9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lamb & Wool Fairgrounds, 38999 NE First St., Scio. sciosaturdaymarket.com.
Toastmasters International
7 - 8 a.m. Toastmasters International Mid-Day Club meets virtually to deliver and evaluate prepared and impromptu speeches in an effort to improve as speakers and leaders. Meetings stream at https://tinyurl.com/zoomwithmidday and https://us02web.zoom. us/j/9239283290. Agenda for role signup is at https://4139.toastmastersclubs.org. Repeats 7 - 8 a.m. Feb. 21; 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Feb. 10 & Feb. 24. 855-402-8255, jsamuel12@comcast.net
Saving Lives in Stayton
1 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Classes to educate citizens in CPR/AED and choking for adults, children and infants, Narcan for opioid overdose, epinephrine for severe allergic reactions, Stop-the-Bleed for life-threatening hemorrhage and understanding the Oregon Good Samaritan Laws. Supported by a grant from the City of Stayton, only people who live, work and do business in Stayton are eligible. Cost is $15 using a code provided with online registration. Register at medproed.com/ course-2/saving-lives-in-stayton-e5dcy. Other dates are 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Stayton Fire Station and 8 a.m. Feb. 28 at Stayton Community Center.
Sunday, Feb. 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, Feb. 9
Sublimity City Council
6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. Open to public. Agenda available. cityofsublimity.org
Aumsville City Council
7 p.m., Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us
Lyons Fire District Board
6 p.m., Lyons Fire Station, 1114 Main St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-859-2410, lyonsrfd.org
Stayton Fire District Board
6 p.m., Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-769-2601, staytonfire.org
Cascade School Board
7 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-749-8010, cascade.k12.or.us
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Ancestry Detectives
10 a.m. - noon, Silver Falls Library. Presenter Rik Vigeland shows how to get started on your family history research. Open to public. Free. ancestrydetectives.org
Wednesday, Feb. 11
RDS Board Meeting
5 p.m., Beauchamp Building, 278 E High St., Stayton. Revitalize Downtown Stayton monthly meeting. Open to public. 503-767-2317, downtownstayton.org
Thursday, Feb. 12
Cancer Support Group
11 a.m. - noon, Silverton 50+ Center. For those affected by cancer or those who are adjacent to those affected by cancer. Open to all. Free. Repeats Feb. 26. 503-873-3093
Aumsville Food Pantry
Noon - 4 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open to people in need of food items. Repeats Feb. 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. Agenda available. Open to public. 503-749-2894, aumsvillefire.org
Spotlight Community Theatre
7 p.m., Spotlight Community Theatre, 383 N Third Ave., Stayton. Take a trip to Agrabah with Aladdin Trouble, a panostyle musical. $15 general admission. $12 seniors 60+ and college students. $10 teens 14-17. $8 youth 4-13. Tickets at the door or at spotlightct.com. Runs 7 p.m. Feb. 13, 19-20, 26-27; 2 p.m. Feb. 14-15, 21-22, 28, March 1.
Lyons Library Board
7 p.m., Lyons Public Library, 279 Eighth St. 503-859-2366
Friday, Feb. 13
Community Play Group
10 - 11:30 a.m., Doris’s Place, 955 E Santiam St., Stayton. Free opportunity to spend time with your children, socialize with other families and build support with the community. For families with children 0-5 years of age. 503-769-1120
Saturday, Feb. 14
Valentine’s Day
Flea Market
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Free admission. Burger lunch with potato salad, deviled eggs, desserts, coffee, pop available for purchase. 503-859-2161
Monday, Feb. 16
President’s Day
Stayton Friends of the Library
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. New members welcome. 503-932-2733.
Santiam Masonic Meeting
7 p.m., Santiam Lodge #25, 122 N Third Ave., Stayton. All Masons welcome. New members encouraged to drop by. “Santiam Lodge #25” on Facebook.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
North Santiam Watershed Council
6 p.m., Old Mehama School, 22057 SE Emma St., Lyons. Open to public. For Zoom link information, call 503-930-8202 or email council@northsantiam.org.
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
Stayton City Council
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Noon - 1:30 p.m., Silverton 50+ Center. Facilitator Drew Miles, trained by Parkinson’s Recovery of Oregon, leads. All welcome. All ages. Free. 503-873-3093
Stayton Library Board
6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Open to public. 503-769-3313
Thursday, Feb. 19
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. NSSD Board
6 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N First Ave. Board meeting for North Santiam School District. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-769-6924, nsantiam.k12.or.us
Friday, Feb. 20
Community Play Group
10 - 11:30 a.m., Santiam Chapel Assembly of God, 440 Fifth St., Lyons. Free opportunity to spend time with your children, socialize with other families and build support with the community. For families with children 0-5 years of age. 503-769-1120
Expungement Clinic
2 - 6 p.m., Public Defender’s Office, 198 SE Commercial St. #100, Salem. Expungement allows people to clear up their past criminal record. $33 fee applies when eligible. Free parking at Liberty Square parking garage, levels 1-2. 971-332-5332
Saturday, Feb. 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
Harp Workshop & Concert Noon, Silver Falls Library. Handson harp workshop for ages 12+. Reservations required by calling 503-873-8796. Celtic Harps, Rare Instruments & Wondrous Stories concert at 3 p.m. Reservations not required.
History Talks
3 - 4:30 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. “The Building of Jefferson: The Consor Family,” presented by Jefferson Historical Society. Learn how the Consor family contributed to the establishment of Jefferson. Light refreshments. Free. 503-769-8860, brownhouse.org
Spaghetti Dinner
5 - 7 p.m., Santiam Valley Grange, 1140 Fifth St., Lyons. Spaghetti, salad, rolls, garlic bread, coffee, juice. $10/person. 503-859-2161
Alcoholics Anonymous
6 - 8:30 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Open meeting.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Chesterton Academy Open House
2 - 4 p.m., Chesterton Academy of the Willamette Valley, 900 S Main St., Mt. Angel. Tour school, meet students and faculty, learn more about its classical, faith-filled education. Presentations begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. Registration appreciated at chestertonwv.com.
Monday, Feb. 23
Vigil for Peace
2:30 - 3:30 p.m., Towne Square Park, Silverton. Silverton People for Peace gather to advocate for peace, social justice issues on all levels of society including a focus on issues of current concern. Open to all. 503-873-5307
Stayton Planning Commission
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open to the public. Agenda available. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
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, Feb. 24
Aumsville City Council
6 p.m., Chester Bridges Memorial Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. Work session and training. Open to public. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us
Lyons City Council
6:30 p.m., Lyons City Hall, 449 Fifth St. Open to public. Agenda available. 503-859-2167, cityoflyons.org
PFLAG Silverton
7 p.m., Oak Street Church, 502 Oak St., Silverton. Everyone welcome. Under 18 must have parent/guardian. Christy, 541-786-1613, silvertonpflag@gmail.com
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.
Are You “Lookin’ for Love?”
Valentine’s Day is Sunday, February 14th. So, once again “love will fill the air.” Bouquets of flowers, Valentine’s Day cards, and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will appear. Better set an alarm.
Saint Valentine's Day actually originated as a Christian feast day honoring a third-century martyr named Valentine. He helped young lovers get married during the persecutions. In 18th-century England, his day grew into a holiday for couples to express their love to one another. So, what better time to look at what God has to say about “romantic love?”
In the second chapter of Genesis, verses 18 through 25, we find God encouraging romantic love, and also establishing marriage as the only moral context in which to have sexual relations. In chapter 1, verse 28, God commanded the newly married couple to “be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth…” with children. This is God’s Creation Order for fulfilling all the wholesome romantic desires He Himself has placed in men and women. So, God is clearly not a prude.
But after the Fall of Man in Genesis, chapter 3, romantic love got distorted. Love turned to lust. Sex ran out of bounds. How is that?
Let’s begin with the country song “Lookin’ for Love” recorded by Johnny Lee in 1980. Its lyrics provide a window into what has gone wrong with the way most people understand romantic love today. It goes like this:
“Well, I spent a lifetime lookin' for you. Single bars and good time lovers were never true. Playing a fool’s game, hopin' to win, tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again.”
“I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places. Lookin’ for love in too many faces. Searchin’ their eyes, Lookin' for traces of what I'm dreaming of. Hoping to find a friend and a lover. I'll bless the day I discover another heart, Lookin’ for love.”
The saddest thing about Mr. Lee’s song was his assumption that sex outside of marriage could ever deliver the “love” that the author says he is “lookin’ for.” He knew it wasn’t working. But he kept “hopin’” anyway. Been There and Done That Now, before you think I’m being judgmental or self-righteous, believe me, I’m not. I was saved out of this stupidity. I was a hippie in the “Free Love Movement.” That was “sin.”
Which raises the question, “What makes a sin a sin?” Sin is sinful because it is evil. It defiles God’s Creation Order. It does harm to others, and to oneself. God is good, and so He hates sin because of the harm it does.
of shooting yourself in the foot. They are all harmful. As hard as it may be for us to admit it, the sexual morality taught in the Bible has had it right all along. When God says “No!” to any kind of sin, sexual or otherwise, it is because He loves us, and He wants us to enjoy the good life.
believing and obeying God. It requires us to do the kinds of things God wants them to do, going to the kinds of places He wants them to go. (This, by the way, is where (if we are single) we can expect to find them.) As we are building some medical clinic in the jungle, we might reach for the same brick, and, boom! the match is made. And, when we do find them, we will be ready to be the kind of person they have been hoping would one day find them. It’s all very beautiful!
So, if we want to be married (and remain married for life) to someone who is kind, trustworthy, and eager to love and serve us as a faithful spouse, we have to start being that kind of person for them right now.
What makes a really great lover is when both the guy and the gal love God more than they love one another. That’s right! It’s because when they both love God, they won’t want to offend God. They will love one another in a morally pure way before marriage, and after marriage they will keep their wedding vows.
We Have to Be Real
“What makes a great lover is when both the guy and the gal love God more than they love one another. That’s right! It’s because when they both love God, they won’t want offend God, and they will love one another purely before marriage, and after marriage they will keep their wedding vows for life.”
Mr. Lee’s sad song pretty much sums up the chaos surrounding romantic love that we see around us today. If we stay on that path long enough we can expect to not only have a broken heart, but also a few STDs, one or more abortions, several failed marriages (often due to cheating), several divorces, and perhaps a lot of broken and angry children. Then, we’ll probably come to the end of our life alone at the very time when we most need someone to be there for us. It’s sad, but we can turn away from all this foolishness.
Lookin’ in All the
Right Places
God’s way of finding romantic love begins with the Golden Rule (see Matt. 7:12). Only in this case it’s a matter of being for that other person what you hope that other person will be for you. The strategy is to start being the kind of person we would hope to be married to. It starts with our own willingness to believe and obey God in the way we hope our future spouse (or our current spouse), is
This brings us to a very important issue. In order to really be the kind of person that we want to be married to, and by that I mean having the godly qualities of moral character that come by being a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ, we have to be a true believer and follower of Christ ourselves. It won’t do for us merely to act like we are a Christian in order to win the guy or girl. That would be hypocritical. So, no, we have to be a truly born-again believer ourselves.
Acting like a Christian won’t last for long. In order to be the kind of person we need to be over the course of a lifetime, we have to have God’s Holy Spirit living inside us, helping us to say “no” to pornography and adultery, and “yes” to keeping our wedding vows. Don’t misunderstand me. Even as Christians, we are tempted to give in to sexual temptations. We all need the Holy Spirit’s power.
But receiving the Holy Spirit can only happen when we are “born again.” Being born again can only happen when we believe in our heart that Jesus died in our place for our sins and then rose from the dead. It is believing that Jesus rose from the dead that actually changes everything. That is when our true conversion takes place. Being the kind of
By Gregg Harris
person that we would want to marry is only possible by believing in and following Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. That comes first. Romantic love is downstream from having a right relationship with God.
Be Sure to Put First Things First!
Our life of sin has come at a cost. Our debt to God has to be paid. Someone will have to die for our sins. It will either be us, dying for our own sins without the Savior and being cast into the punishment of hell we deserve. Or it will be Jesus who voluntarily agreed to die in our place on the cross. He paid for the sins of all those who trust in Him. Then, in order to prove it worked, Jesus rose from the dead. He is alive right now, and He calls everyone to repent, believe, and be saved.
If that describes you, welcome to the family of God. As a believer you can now be the kind of person you want to be married to. You can be a prize for that one who is “lookin’ for love” in all the right places. That is the best way to show true love to your “Valentine.”
To learn more, please call or text me at 971-370-0967, 24/7. I’d love to meet you. Gregg Harris is a Teaching Pastor at GCRC in Salem, OR. Go to www.graciouscross.org
Family-Friendly Movie The Palace Theater Tues., Feb. 10th, 6:30 PM Shrek Rated PG First Come, First Served. Door Prizes! Sponsored by NobleMenOfOregon.org
Attention Christian Men! Join us every Thursday for our Noble Men’s Breakfast at The 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.
The views expressed by this advertiser do not necessarily represent the views of Our Town or its staff.
Gregg & Bonnie Harris — Mutual Valentines!
Amy Jo Hilgers Nov. 15, 1961 – Jan. 2, 2026
Amy Jo (Clemens) Hilgers was born Nov. 15, 1961, in Bloomington, Indiana, to parents Richard and Anne Clemens. She attended high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she excelled in her studies and cheerleading. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and her master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University. She specialized in head, neck and TMJ disorders. Her compassionate care served many patients over the years, but most significant among them was Tim Hilgers, the man who would become her husband.
their family was complete. Amy and Tim enjoyed 17 years of marriage before she started showing symptoms of Huntington’s disease in 2009. It ended her career and devastated her family.
Amy held a second degree in Christian counseling from Denver Seminary. She possessed a quiet wisdom and brought peace and integrity into the lives she touched. Throughout her battle with Huntington’s, she never lost her faith.
She is survived by her loving husband, Tim, her son, Luke, her stepdaughters Kelli and Traci, her brother, Marc, and mother, Anne. She was preceded in death by her father Richard.
Lawrence Fisher
Lawrence was born on Jan. 20, 1930, to Eric and Clarice (Downing) Fisher. He was born in the house of his grandparents, Everett and Nettie (Read) Downing in Stayton, Oregon. Shortly after his birth, he moved to the family farm on Waldo Hills Dr., where he lived for most of his life.
Jan. 20, 1930 – Dec. 11, 2025
Amy and Tim were married in 1991. She embraced Tim’s daughters, Kelli and Traci, and loved them as her own. In 1996, Amy and Tim welcomed their son, Luke, and
A memorial service will be held Feb. 7, 2 p.m. at Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton.
Delbert Ditter Nov. 12, 1928 – Jan. 2, 2026
Delbert Ditter born in Sublimity, Oregon, Nov. 12, 1928 to Eugene and Grace (Hottinger) Ditter. He was best known for owning and operating Ditter’s IGA Store in Sublimity. The store was in operation for four generations, lasting 105 years. Delbert was also a member of the Sublimity Fire Department and Santiam Hospital Ambulance for many years.
He was a member of the National Ski Patrol and enjoyed traveling. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Yvonne Williams; second wife Bernadine Clark and two sisters. He is survived by his children: Gene (Carol) Ditter and Brenda (Shawn) Campbell; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral Service.
Glenda Nelson Nov. 6, 1950 – Dec. 29, 2025
Glenda Margarette Nelson was born in Baker City, Oregon, to Richard and June (Dotson) Sills on Nov. 6, 1950. She married Emil Nelson. They shared four children.
Glenda worked as a daycare provider. She had a love for gardening and her kids. She lived in Mill City and Mehama prior to moving to Stayton.
Glenda was preceded in death by her
daughter Katie Nelson, granddaughter
Aunie Nelson, five brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her husband: Emil Nelson; her children: Lisa Swint, Chris Powell, and Sandie Carpenter; her sister, Ronda Cooley; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral Service, Stayton.
Submissions welcomed: Our Town appreciates the opportuity to share life’s Passages with our readers. If there is a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, college graduation or obituary of a local resident you’d like to share, please send it to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com or mail it to Editor, Our Town, P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362.
Growing up, Lawrence worked alongside his father and grandfather on the family farm. They raised strawberries, hops, oats, and feed for the horses. They also raised milk cows, sheep, chickens and pigs. In the late 1940’s, grass seed was becoming an important crop. Most of this continues to be part of the family farm today.
In 1952, Lawrence married Mabel Zimmerman of Salem. He was drafted into the Army shortly after their wedding. After basic training, Lawrence was stationed in Hawaii for duty. When they returned, they built their home together and raised their four children, Beverly, Ralph, Donna and Christina. In 2005, Lawrence married Betty (Harris, Robbins) King of Silverton. Lawrence and Betty spent several years traveling together and eventually moved to Lincoln City. In 2016, Lawrence moved into Mt. Angel Towers, where he lived the remainder of his life.
He was dedicated to his community by being a long-time member of the Victor Point Elementary School Board, The Silverton Union High School Board, and the Santiam Hospital Board. In addition, he served on the Highland Bentgrass Commission and the Oregon Seed Council. He was also a part of starting the Silverton High School Alumni Association. Lawrence was a longtime member of Stayton Church of Christ, serving as an Elder, and on the Winema Christian Camp Board of Directors.
Lawrence is survived by his children, Beverly Wold, Silverton; Ralph (Sue) Fisher, Sublimity; Donna (Jeff) Kestek, West Linn; Christina (Jerry) Blackwell, Angier, North Carolina; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Douglas, Betty Fisher and her extended family. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Mabel, sister and brother-in-law; Alice Jean and Richard Barnes; and son-in-law, Palmer Wold.
The family would like to thank all staff at Mt. Angel Towers for his excellent care. It is greatly appreciated. Celebration of life will be on Saturday, March 28, at 1 pm.., at Emmanuel Bible Church, 8512 Sunnyview Rd. NE, Salem. Remembrance in lieu of flowers can be made to Silverton High School Alumni Association and Santiam Memorial Hospital.
Something to Celbrate
Doris’s Place
By Melissa Wagoner
After spending 15 years moving from one leased location to the next, Doris’s Place – a branch of the relief nursery, Family Building Blocks (FBB) – has a permanent and much larger home.
“It was a $4.4 million project we raised the funds for in less than two years,” Executive Director Patrice Altenhofen said. “We opened debt-free thanks to several lastminute match donations.”
Massive in size compared to the original 2010 location, the new multi-story building on East Santiam Street includes not only five full-sized classrooms, but a food pantry, a clothing closet, a kitchen, a reception area and an entire floor devoted to the support of staff and volunteers.
“We built it as big as we could so we could offer as much quality early childhood education space as possible,” Altenhofen said.
Doris’s Place not only serves the community of Stayton but also those living as far away
as Idanha to the east and Aumsville to the west.
“We serve 37 to 45 families with home visiting services,” Tanya Hamilton, FBB’s Therapeutic Early Childhood Program Director, said. “That’s why we want to make sure we have someone real strong in the position of family engagement.”
Unlike a typical preschool FBB provides support for entire families.
“Children look up to their parents and caregivers,” Hamilton explained. “So, if you want to help those kids, you have to help the people they look up to.”
FBB does this through home visits, parenting education courses, family mental health services and therapeutic classrooms where 32 children (an increase from 16) ages six weeks to five years are provided a safe environment that nurtures healthy development and healing from trauma. The
FBB mission recognizes that it is in the first five years of life children require the most support.
“From prenatal to age three 80 percent of a child is developed,” Hamilton explained. “By age five, that’s 90 percent. So, if you want the best investment into the future, investing early is where it’s at.”
But FBB cannot do it all, which is why the family support piece is so crucial. That’s where the five-person staff of Doris’s Place (soon to be eight) aim to help.
“Our goal is to alleviate stressors so families can focus on attachment,” Hamilton said.
“It’s important to our board to serve people close to where they live…” Altenhofen added. “Now, many families should be able to walk to our site.”
And into the newly built reception area.
“We didn’t have a receptionist before,” FBB
employee Dawn Hill said at the opening celebration on Jan. 15. “Now people are showing up in the space… and I feel really grateful.”
She also shared feeling amazed that this project, which required the FBB team to raise more than $4 million in a small community, received so much support.
“At the first recruitment event… person after person said, ‘We’re so excited. How can we help?’” Hill recalled.
And then the donations poured in, from major supporters like the Doris J Wipper Fund, the Larry and Jeanette Epping Family Foundation and Ted and Diane Freres, and from individuals as well.
“There were so many community funders… and we’re so grateful…” Altenhofen said in her welcoming speech. “But I also want to thank the staff…who make sure the meals are prepped and the children are loved.”
To learn more, visit familybuildingblocks. org/location/doriss-place/.
The new home of Doris’s Place on East Santiam Street. MELISSA WAGONER
Basketball standouts
Regis basketball has been putting on a show all season.
The Regis girls squad is 17-1 and ranked No. 1 in Class 2A. The Rams’ boys squad, despite losing Isaiah Koehnke, the leading scorer in Oregon high school basketball history to graduation, is 15-2 and ranked third. Both teams are unbeaten in the TriRiver Conference despite stiff competition from perennial power Western Christian.
Second-year girls coach Tim Manning has the squad running at a frenetic pace. The Rams are averaging 68.7 points per game and giving up just 32.2. They have scored nearly 300 points more than the nexthighest 2A club, Nestucca.
“We’re wearing teams out,” Manning told the OSAA. “We’ve got really good speed and stamina. We get a lot of deflections, a lot of steals, because we do a lot of trapping. We just try to disrupt other teams, get to them before they can set up an offense.”
The Rams are balanced, deep, experienced and youthful. Freshmen Frankie Koehnke and Lexi Lulay have been instant contributors. Versatile guard Clara Persons returned to Regis for her senior year after helping lead Salem Academy to a 2A title a year ago. Post Hadley Foster does everything well: she averaged a doubledouble as a sophomore at the 2024 state tournament in Pendleton where Regis took fifth. Mylah Etzel, Olivia Adams, Mayla Manning and Azzilin Smith provide depth. Regis’ lone loss was in a non-league game at Class 3A Amity.
Coach Jason Koehnke’s boys team looks just as strong. And they run at even a faster pace than the girls. The Rams are averaging 79.4 points per game and giving up 52.6.
Their 1,351 points are nearly 175 more than second place Trinity Lutheran. Regis, fifth at Pendleton a year ago, has lost only to Trinity and Class 3A No. 1 Valley Catholic.
The veteran squad is led by seniors Jude Pokorny, Eli Silbernagel and Lucas Koehnke. All three filled up the scorebook in Pendleton a year ago, with Silbernagel (15.3 points and a tourney-leading 10 rebounds) a second-team all-tournament selection, while Pokorny shot 55.6 from the field and Koehnke hit 9 of 19 3-pointers.
Right next door the Stayton Eagles’ girls team is ranked second in Class 4A after winning the title a year ago in coach Tal Wold’s second year. Stayton’s 11-3 record includes a 41-35 loss to rival Cascade on Jan. 20 in the Oregon West Conference opener. The Eagles also have lost to Class 5A power Springfield and Baker, ranked third in 4A.
“Cascade played really well,” Wold said of the No. 8 Cougars. “They looked like an experienced group. (They have) three girls who are four-year starters who had some urgency and great leadership. We battled but missed some tough shots and had some turnovers that hurt us. We will get there. The girls show up daily with a great attitude and are working hard.”
On the boys side Stayton emerged victorious in the Cascade rivalry matchup by a 46-45 count on a half-court buzzer beater
Regis boys and girls dazzling the hardwood
by Ruben Reyes. The Stayton boys are ranked seventh, with the Cougars at 14th.
On Feb. 10 the two schools play another doubleheader, this time in Turner.
All-state football: Class 4A champion Cascade cleaned up in the all-state voting by the division’s coaches. Shane Hedrick won the coaching honor, while Cougars running back Bryce Kuenzi and defensive line teammate Matthew Hinkle earned offensive and defensive honors, respectively. There was more, too, for the 13-0 team.
Kuenzi was a first-team running back. Hinkle was a first-team defensive lineman and a second-team running back. Josiah Hawkins was a first-team wide receiver and defensive back and a second-team kick
Sports Datebook
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Swimming
4 p.m. Silverton vs South Albany
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Silverton vs Dallas
7 p.m. Kennedy vs Western Christian
Girls Basketball
5:30 p.m. Kennedy vs Western Christian
7 p.m. Silverton vs Dallas
Wednesday, Feb. 4
Wrestling
6 p.m. Silverton vs Crescent Valley
Saturday, Feb. 7
Wrestling
8 a.m. Jack Berger Invitational, Silverton
returner. Jace Johnson and Bryce May were first-team on the offensive line, while Morrison Craig made the first team at linebacker.
Jamison Walsh (DL), Vincent Medina (LB), and Dalton Kuenzi (DB) made the second-team defense. QB Cade Coreson was on the third team.
Stayton, which finished 7-3, placed RB Wyatt Kerrigan and tight end Bryce Schaan on the second-team along with punter Owen Mitzel. Offensive lineman Abraham Richter made the third team, while wide receiver Hunter Mollerstrom, place-kicker Carter Vinson, linebacker Travis Conklin and defensive back Wyatt Black received honorable mention.
All home games
Friday, Feb. 13
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Silverton vs Lebanon
Girls Basketball
5:30 p.m. Kennedy vs Sheridan
7 p.m. Silverton vs Lebanon
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Silverton vs Central
Girls Basketball
7 p.m. Silverton vs Central
Friday, Feb. 20
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Silverton vs Crescent Valley
Girls Basketball
7 p.m. Silverton vs Crescent Valley
Friday, Feb. 27
Boys Basketball
5:30 p.m. Silverton vs McKay
For complete schedules, visit osaa.org.
Cascade High football players and coaches shown after claiming the Class 4A state title on Nov. 29 with a resounding 52-0 win vs. Henley at Cottage Grove. Josiah Hawkins (center), holds the trophy. Coach Shane Hedrick is at far right. SUBMITTED PHOTO
A Grin at the End
Social insecurity
Congress likes drama. That’s why its members like to do crazy stuff like shutting down the federal government and playing chicken with the federal deficit, healthcare and Social Security.
And no one seems to want to do the hard work of fixing the problems. They just stand around pointing at each other, as though their mom caught them with their hands in the cookie jar. Mom, of course, can see straight through the lame excuses and who was really responsible – they all were.
Take Social Security, for example. According to the Social Security Administration, about 69 million Americans depend on their monthly check to make ends meet. The average Social Security payment is $1,975 a month. That totals about $1.6 trillion a year.
The problem – which Congress created – is the Social Security trust fund will run out of money in about nine years. The trust fund is added to the taxes that wage-earners pay to provide retirees with their monthly checks.
After the trust fund is empty, the size of the checks will have to be reduced by an estimated 23%. Either that or Congress will have to do its job and fix the problem.
Reducing benefits wouldn’t be fair to the retirees who receive a check. Like me. I have paid into the Social Security system for 57 years. Every paycheck I received during that time had a percentage of my pay subtracted from it. Most
recently, that percentage has been 6.2%.
Fair enough. The federal government gets a cut of my paycheck for 57 years, and I get help with paying my bills in retirement.
Except the way the law was written really isn’t fair. Social Security taxes are capped according to how much money someone makes. Everyone pays the taxes on their wages up to $176,100, but they don’t have to pay Social Security taxes on any amount higher than that.
Since I never made more than $176,100 a year in my life, that means every penny I’ve ever earned has been taxed for Social Security.
However, a estimated 6% of working people have gotten
a nearly free ride, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which has been crunching numbers on the Social Security crisis that Congress is creating.
To put this into perspective, billionaires like Elon Musk, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and millions of other people made way more than me last year. For example, Bill Gates made about $686 million last year, according to the Wage Indicator website. That means he paid no Social Security taxes at all on any of his earnings above $176,100.
No matter how you look at it, that’s not fair. You and I are taxed on every penny we earn, but rich folks get what amounts to a free ride.
It’s time to fix Social Security and make it sustainable. Doing it will require our hired hands in Congress to roll up their sleeves and get to work. As importantly, they will have to turn a deaf ear to the many rich people who will complain about being treated fairly.
In the meantime, stand by for even more drama, accompanied by lots of finger-pointing. It also might be worth sending a letter to members of your congressional delegation and urging them all to get their act together.
Carl Sampson is a freelance editor and writer. He lives in Stayton.
Register Today! shc.foundation/events
February 18th Forum
Elevated Blood Pressure
5:00 pm
Freres Auditorium 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton
Join us for our February Healthcare Forum, Februrary 18th, 2026 at 5:00PM. Dr. Benjamin Lee will be sharing about elevated blood pressure and hypertension.
Per Bunch While Supplies Last April 1st, 2nd & 3rd $10 9:00am–4:00pm
Proceeds benefit the Santiam Hospital & Clinics Auxiliary Scholarship Program, and fund the purchase of needed items for various Santiam Hospital & Clinics departments.
Benjamin Lee, DO, FACC Santiam Cardiology Clinic