Jason Krawczyk, a 2002 graduate of Scio High School, really had no idea what he wanted to do following graduation. Three months later, he made the commitment of a lifetime. After sitting his parents, James and Debbie, down at their Scio area home, young Krawczyk announced to his stunned parents that he had joined the US Army and would be working as a journalist.

I was just enjoying my Thursday evening meal of 99 cent tacos on the sunny front porch when I noticed a flurry of activity in the corner. At first I thought it was just a shadow of a butterfly or small bird and then I saw a tiny hole about the size of a pinhead on the front post.

After 29 years, the annual Green and Gold Gala Auction continues to be Regis Catholic High School’s largest fundraising effort. While generous donors are the lifeblood of the auction, more than 200 hard-working volunteers are its heart.

Some are parents of Regis students. Others are parents whose children have long since graduated. Still others have never had a child at Regis.

A steaming plate of lightly boiled turnips that have been sliced, sautéed in butter and sprinkled with a little sugar is a tasty thing to behold – as are big pots of winter stews and soups laced with rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, potatoes (and more turnips) and other ugly root vegetables that get a bum rap because of their looks.

Nicole Miller and Allison Ford McKenzie compare the new project they’re involved with to an old-time barn raising.

“Each one brought the tools and skills he had” and contributed to the building effort whether it was design expertise, carpentry work or making lunch for the crew. “Essentially that’s what we’re doing, only we’re raising a business,” said McKenzie.

School starts this week, and that occurrence brings to mind something of a breakthrough at our house. For the first time since, oh, about 1842, we aren’t homeschooling any kids. This, in turn, brings to […]

I was minding my own business, I really was. Then a bespectacled, curly blue topped, (not unlike Hallmark’s Maxine) great-grandmother sort, walked up to the cashier that was ringing up my purchase.

“Excuse me,” she said softly to the checker “do you know of anyplace local to stay for the night.”
When the cash register stopped clinking away the clerk looked at her a bit blankly. The woman persisted and filled in the quest with the details that she and another gal were returning to Idaho from down south and had detoured through Bend and onto Highway 22.

By Dave Hopfer

Mt. Pleasant School was built in 1854, southeast of Stayton. It has not been used as a school for many years.

The new owner of the property has had a new roof put on the building as well as installing basic wiring. Foundation work and a paint job are on the schedule of things to be done.

By Mary Owen

What could possibly be more all-American than a hot dog?

A hot dog made from buffalo meat!

Buffalo, also called bison – an integral part of American history, are great to eat – and even more fun to watch, said Alice Metz, who runs Cascade Buffalo Ranch with her husband, Eldon.

By Mary Owen
Joan Jaussaud loves creating garden havens at her Scio home for others to enjoy.
The latest addition is a 450-pound bronze statue of Jesus beckoning to a child. The pieces arrived June 21. Plans for the life-size figures began two years ago between the sculptor and Jaussaud, a 73-year-old former school teacher from California.