Starla Pointer

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

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Sakile Fraser shovels plant material into the top of a commercial grinder at Chapul Farms, where it will be pulverized into bite-size pieces for the black soldier fly larvae that create fertilizer.

Stopping by: Powered by insects

In terms of sheer numbers, Chapul Farms is the largest employer in Yamhill County. Its thousands upon thousands of workers don’t get rewarded with paychecks or 401K plans, though. But they do enjoy ...

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Ja’Kai Taylor and his mother, Heather Gasca, recall how sick he was three years ago and how healthy he keeps himself these days, thanks to changes in diet and lifestyle, insulin and careful monitoring of his blood glucose. “Diabetes is my super power,” said Ja’Kai, who makes sure to consume extra carbs before playing soccer and football.

Stopping By: ‘Diabetes is my superpower’

Young shoe designer and his mom discuss how he thrives despite health challenge

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Mac Plaza owner Diana Perez, a native of Mexico City, wants to share her culture and learn about other cultures.

Stopping By: Friends with all the world

Mac Plaza owner folds love of people, food and dancing into a welcoming place

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Les Toth, who has been in the McMinnville Kiwanis Club longer than any other current member, talks with Dawn Owens during a work party meeting in Toth’s barn.

Stopping By: Longtime Kiwanis Club member loves the focus on helping youth

Les Toth, who joined the McMinnville Kiwanis Club in 1980, is the longest-serving member of the service organization. “I wanted to be part of things, to help the community and help kids,” ...

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Framed by a moveable arm that keeps power tools within easy reach, jewelry artist Amber Joy Dutchuk selects pieces for her latest project. She created the workshop at her McMinnville home, adding a desk that’s just the right height for her work.

Stopping By: Joyful about jewelry

McMinnville artist’s ‘earthy vs. classic’ creations will be one bright stop on Art Harvest tour

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Lexie Denman happily shows Carlton Police Officer Tim Jordan her latest tattoo, which she had done in his honor as well as in celebration of her success in dealing with anxiety and depression. The tattoo includes his call number, 873, along with the words, “To the one who saved me,” in recognition of the day she hit bottom and he talked her into getting help.

Stopping By: A caring voice made all the difference

Lexie Denman was having the worst day of her life when she met Tim Jordan, a Carlton Police officer who offered her understanding and help. He changed her life for the better, she said, and six years later ...

Rusty Rae/News-Register
Rusty Rae/News-Register##Lori Robertson holds an example of a part made at Cutting Edge Metals of McMinnville, whose clients include the aerospace industry and other businesses. Hunter Roth, behind her, processes customers’ drawings on a computer in order to create directions for the company’s cutting machines. Signs on the wall reflect the set of core values Robertson and her husband, Dennis, identified from the day the company was created.

Stopping By: Mettle in metal

McMinnville company is young and growing, always seeking to be Cutting Edge

Starla Pointer/News-Register##McMinnville artist Erin Hanson puts the finishing brushstrokes on a 10-by-6-foot oil painting inspired by her recent trip to France and places impressionists lived and worked. Hanson, whose style is called “open impressionism,” said she was amazed to see Monet’s waterlily garden and other sites. A collection she painted upon returning home will be on display at her gallery starting on Sept. 14

Stopping By: Artist finds new inspiration in the footsteps of the great impressionists

Visiting France was an “amazing experience” for McMinnville artist Erin Hanson. “Being where those great artists were, seeing through their eyes …. They saw the beauty and captured ...

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Nancy Schick, a retired educator, enjoys working with plants in pots and in the ground in her garden. Each morning, she checks to see what’s changed overnight, such as which plant has started blooming. Her efforts led to her winning the August Yard of the Month award from the McMinnville Garden Club.

Stopping By: Here’s to hue

Gardens around the world inspire the colorful instincts of McMinnville’s Nancy Schick

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Sandy and Dennis Parr have shared an interest in vintage cars, such as this 1956 Thunderbird, since they met as seniors at McMinnville High School. They enjoy driving their T-Bird to local events, including this Saturday’s Cruising McMinnville.

Stopping by: Classic love story

The first time Sandy (Cook) Parr saw her future husband, Dennis Parr, she was sitting in the Palm Cafe on Third Street. Dennis cruised by in his 1930 Model A Ford with a big Chevy V-8 engine, his high ...

Rusty Rae/News-Register##After nearly 50 years installing and selling carpet and flooring, Larry Richie will close his McMinnville store, Wilson’s Carpet One, at the end of August. He and his wife, Cindy, took over the store from Kent and Charla Wilson in 1996; the shop has been a landmark on Highway 99W across from Linfield since 1979.

Stopping By: Feet on the floor

Closure of Wilson’s Carpet means retirement and end of ‘a good career’ for Larry Richie

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Landon Munoz holds up the yellow covering for the lemonade stand he and his brother, Max, are creating. Helping are their dad, Israel Sanchez, their mom, Maria Sanchez, and baby brother, Benjamin.

Stopping By: Young entrepreneurs plan to squeeze the most out of Lemonade Day

It’s been more than a century since Elbert Hubbard published the first version of what is now a common phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Whether or not they’ve ...

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Helicopter and fixed-wing pilot Jerry Trimble completed his first solo flight in February 1974. This year, he won a Wright Brothers award for 50 years dedicated to aviation.

Stopping by: The Wright stuff

FAA award winner Jerry Trimble looks back on a long career as pilot and teacher

Rusty Rae/News-Register##Howie Harkema, who grew up in Newberg, heard about the need for feeding the homeless when he started attending St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. He became director of the soup kitchen there, then went on to work on the county’s 10-year plan and to found several other helping programs, including Encompass McMinnville, which works to address multiple issues such as the need for affordable housing, transportation and centrally located services.

Stopping By: Homeless advocate retires after years of putting sense of altruism to good work

Someone needed to help marginalized people — those without homes, transportations, without much, if any, income, without much, if any, hope, Howie Harkema realized almost two decades ago. Not that ...

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