Marcus Larson/News-Register##Dan Homeres often paints in his home office, which he also uses when writing poetry and fiction. Zelig, a Cairn terrier-dachshund mix, is his assistant.

Stopping By: 'Light is everything'

If you look closely at the scoreboards in Joe Dancer Park, where hundreds of McMinnville’s young people play ball each year, you’ll see more than just numbers indicating the number of runs, ...

Rockne Roll/News-Register##Jessica Solis, left, high-fives David Knuts during McMinnville High School’s Unified Sports basketball game against Forest Grove at The Furnace on Feb. 17.

Stopping By: Hustle and heart

Both unified sports basketball teams — the home team from McMinnville High School and the visitors from Forest Grove — cheered as an announcer introduced the players on a recent Wednesday night. Starting ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Lance Nuttman describes his love of theater and music — and, often, musical theater. He’s been seen and heard in “Oklahoma,” “Into the Woods,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and other shows at Gallery. He says he enjoys the camaraderie and spirit of collaboration he’s found in the theater world.

Stopping By: Into character

Acting is a challenge Lance Nuttman loves. “Music is easy,” said Nuttman, who has been seen in several musicals and other shows at Gallery Theater since 2011. “Acting, I have to work ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Danny Wilser said he loves working in his new bakery’s kitchen, which glistens with stainless steel. The open space also makes it easy for him to chat with customers while he’s working.

Stopping By: Flour, yeast and magic

Danny Wilser placed a slab of butter atop a rectangle of dough, beginning the lengthy process of folding and rolling that would eventually create numerous layers of crisp pastry. He eased the ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Despite lifelong health problems, McMinnville s Marguerite (Elkington) Keiffer became an accomplished musician and teacher.

Stopping By: Embracing a life full of thorns

Marguerite (Elkington) Keiffer, a gifted musician whose natural talents were discovered when she was 5, has suffered a lifetime of health problems, including a stroke that left her unable to play her piano. But ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Chelsey McFalls and her favorite cow, Lola, have been in the show ring at many county and state fairs. McFalls is a member of the Homesteaders 4-H Club in Yamhill.

Stopping By: Farming is a ruling passion for dairy princess

Despite what many children think when they hear her title, Yamhill County Dairy Princess Chelsey McFalls doesn’t live in a castle. Yes, she has a crown and a sash. But no, she tells youngsters during ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Haley Winkelman and Lizzy Trickey are back at their hometown bike shop, Tommy’s, after riding 10,000 miles through 48 states.

Stopping By: States of wonder

Everywhere they pedaled on their six-month tour of the U.S., Haley Winkelman and Lizzy Trickey met nice people. People who opened their homes and their washing machines. People who offered them food, ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Robbie Sturm, who became a pilot because of her work at the McMinnville Airport, has flown to many destinations in the U.S. She said she prays before each take-off.

Flying free

Robbie Sturm never planned to become a pilot. In fact, she was reluctant to fly at all, even after her husband, the late Dave Sturm, bought an airplane. Stopping By Starla Pointer, who is ...

Submitted photo##When Aida Iranzo visited her childhood home in Puerto Rico this fall, she saw many lighted Christmas displays, including large poinsettias.

Stopping By: A cultural medley

As a child, Aida Iranzo enjoyed warm, tropical breezes as she gazed at the elaborate Christmas light displays in Puerto Rico. As a teen, she shivered in the cold winters of Valencia, Spain, and ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Clement Hossaert, who is spending the year in McMinnville on a Fulbright scholarship, is looking forward to returning home to Lille, in northern France, to spend New Year’s with his family.

Holiday traditions: Foie gras and champagne for Noel

With Christmas and New Year’s coming up, Clement Hossaert has been thinking about how he grew up celebrating the holidays with his family in northern France. Enjoying capon, foie gras and his dad’s ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Norma Huettl and Lupe Villa share a love of cooking, children and community. Lupe and her husband recently retired from their Dayton cafe, Lupita’s; new owners Norma and her husband call it Lonestar Barbecue.

Holiday traditions: Different countries, many shared experiences

DAYTON — They grew up many miles apart, and in different countries, but Lupe Villa, a native of Mexico, and Norma Huettl, a native of Texas, have similar memories of their childhood holidays. Music, ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##
Janet Pilling, a native of Scotland, decorates the Christmas tree in her McMinnville home. She moved to Oregon from Florida earlier this year. The weather here reminds her of her childhood home in Dunoon.

Stopping By, Holiday Traditions: Scotland, where everything's better with brandy butter

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS This is the first story in a series about how local residents with backgrounds in other countries observed holidays back home, and how their roots affect them as they celebrate ...

Starla Pointer/News-Register##Ellen McMurray keeps a positive outlook, no matter what happens. “Don’t hold a grudge,” she advises. The 90-year-old is a regular volunteer at the Yamhill-Carlton Food Bank.

Stopping By: Helping others and holding no grudges

Ellen McMurray has plenty of stories to tell. “My life has been an adventure,” the Yamhill resident said. “My life has not been tranquil, but I’ve had an interesting, varied life. ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##McMinnville’s Anita Sterrett created numerous art pieces as part of her healing process in the 12-week “Phoenix Project.” Now she wants to help others.

Stopping By: Creative healing

After trying many other ways to work though her grief and resolve other painful episodes in her life, Anita Sterrett found healing through artistic expression. “I was a wreck,” said the McMinnville ...

Marcus Larson/News-Register##Marv Worden at the McMinnville Vets Club, where he’s a frequent visitor. After WWII, Worden operated McMinnville Concrete for 50 years. His blocks went into many local buildings.

Stopping By: A life built on service, hard work

Marv Worden plays down his service during World War II, deflecting thanks by pointing out the thousands of men and women who entered the war earlier and thus were thrown into combat overseas. It was 1945 ...

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