
Starla Pointer
"Stopping By:" A reporter who knows that everyone has an interesting story to tell welcomes suggestions.

Stopping By: The Beckwiths' Call
Kathy Beckwith and her husband, Wayne, are looking forward to returning to India, where they started their marriage as Peace Corps volunteers and where they have spent time helping at a school on several ...
Stopping by: Kindness first
McMinnville Realtor and civic booster Beth Caster lives her philosophy of treating others respectfully Beth Caster always focuses on the positive. “Life is good,” reads the T-shirt ...

Yard of the month: Couple’s garden alive with fish, flowers, art
Susan and Mark Gorrie won’t be the only hosts welcoming guests during the McMinnville Garden Club’s annual garden tour this Sunday, June 12. Visitors also will be greeted by the koi ...

Stopping By: Just add talent
National competition next on the list for two Mac High students who cook for culture and family For Allen Fernandez and Ire Staten, cooking and serving food is about family and culture. Both ...

Yard of the Month: Uncommon garden
Nurturing edible and unusual plants is hobby, therapy for Mac woman Ruby rhododendrons, orange and yellow ranunculus — and the most impressive garlic ever — make passersby pause at ...

Stopping by: Mac mayor moves on
Scott Hill leaves for Utah, with a fond look back at years of service to a town he’s loved for three decades For Scott Hill, McMinnville will always be home. He and his wife, Donna, soon ...

Stopping by: Robin’s swan song
Retiring McMinnville High School music teacher Robin Pederson said she’s looking forward to seeing — and hearing — former students at her final concert in May. Pederson, ...

Stopping by: Competitive camaraderie
Navy and Coast Guard veterans served up bacon, biscuits and gravy, and a hefty serving of humor at their edition of the McMinnville American Legion’s Battle of Branches breakfast April 2. “I’m ...

Stopping By: Ready to dig into gardening
Edible education sprouts for Jan Allen, as a love of plants grows along Alpine Avenue Jan Allen is looking forward to planting and tending one of Edible Yamhill’s big container gardens along ...

Stopping by: Spokes of giving
Why does Cami Nyquist devote her time to a company that collects used items, sells them to raise money for charity and, in doing so, trains individuals and nonprofits how to use the Internet to ...

Stopping by: The struggle to be seen, heard
Linfield University master’s degree candidate Ray Crain, who goes by “Ray Ray,” likes to carry his research materials and other belongings in his backpack. It’s handy, and he always ...

Stopping By: Beauty by turns
Dan Heins shapes wood, restores vintage furniture and creates new items using talent that he says is not his own. Rather, he said, it’s God who’s responsible for his ability to cut and build ...

Holiday Traditions: French native brings traditional Bûche de Noël log cake to Oregon Christmas
Series looks at traditions shared by local residents who grew up elsewhere

Stopping By: On history’s cutting edge
Railroad enthusiast Gary Brooks faithfully crafts working replica sawmill and other miniatures