Tanner Russ/News-Register##Jesse “Duh Duh” Maxwell takes a big swing as striker. The arbiter had threatened to fine Maxwell for having a beard that “interfered with the plate.”

Back, and Forth: A day of aces and A’s

The occasion was the annual Vintage Base Ball game against the Portland Pioneers crew, held at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center, sponsor of both the game and the McMinnville Gristmillers Club. The game, ...

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##McMinnville’s Andrew Anderson, left foreground, listens as Rep. Lucetta Elmer, right, speaks in her town hall Aug. 23 at Union Block Coffee. The audience was small but the discussion was lively.

Back, and Forth: Despite turnout, town hall maintains traditional spirit

There’s an irony to the term “town hall,” as it can refer to both a gathering and a building. “An event at which a public official or political candidate addresses an audience ...

Back, and Forth: Bouncing around those moments of meaning

Hoops is my hobby, and I plan to keep weaving as long as I can. After a long time away, I’ve gotten back into playing against other guys — competing, sometimes. No matter what happens between ...

Back, and Forth: Criticism is fine, but our content is original

Words challenge us. They do so in trying to find the right ones — the ones to craft a news story or feature that is interesting, informative and, where appropriate, evocative. Our news staff works ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##Josh Sager wears the first-issue Mac Locals T-shirt and holds stickers with images including the signature motif (for now) and a black-and-white one inspired by the “you are here” map dart.

Back, and Forth: MacLocals creator inspires McMinnville state of mind

After talking with Josh Sager, I got to thinking — for reverse reasons — of a line from a 1989 James McMurtry song, “I’m Not From Here.” “I’m not from here/I ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##Anthony Schuh, Carlton Legion Post commander, gets his turn at a Sonora dog, served up by vice commander and cook Nathan McMullen, right.

Back, and Forth: Finding the fun in the nooks and crannies of Carlton

In my two years in Yamhill County, I have gradually come to appreciate the small joys that make up Carlton. The number of pleasures packed into the downtown of a 2,100-population town is remarkable. My ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##“Tunnel” is made of scrap wood and adorned with newsprint designed “to melt away,” according to art major Marissa Nagano of Hawaii. The work stands in a row of art walk sculptures along the Linfield University wellness trail near Keck Avenue.

Back, and Forth: Sometimes outdoor art features an inside story

One of my favorite things about McMinnville is the art walk on the Linfield University campus. I have found one of the walk’s newest works, installed two weeks ago, particularly dynamic. It got ...

Rachel Thompson/News-Register##Celebrating the life-giving properties of earth-bound insects is Todd Severson of McMinnville as “bearded peacock-feather space fly guy” on the Chapul Farms float.

Back, and Forth: Bearded space-fly guy comes in peace

Town festivals based on flowers, rodeos, derby races or other themes are always full of possibilities. But after seeing my second full-on version of the McMinnville UFO Festival, held May 19-20, I think ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##A vehicle decal spotted in McMinnville shows a Venn diagram illustrating the intersection of a trio of prominent works of dystopian literature.

Back, and Forth: May the pendulum swing away from bans and bots

“Read or listen to an entire book in a weekend.” That’s a reading challenge issued by Linfield University’s Nicholson Library, in a pamphlet I picked up on campus last week. I ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##Storey Park plaque, next to Cozine Creek, is one of two places honoring Professor Ralph Storey, the longtime faculty member and Linfield graduate, Class of 1895.

Back, and Forth: Linfield campus plaques keep history grounded

Not all archives are dusty documents in some closet or digital files stored in the cloud. Some archives you find at your feet, in the form of brass or marble markers, and when it comes to Linfield University’s ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##Chachalu Tribal Museum and Cultural Center on Grand Ronde Road in Grand Ronde, a former school facility, welcomes visitors Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Back, and Forth: Healing power of art felt upon return visit

Editor's note: Dakota Zimmer's work was credited to another artist in the original version of this column. -- KN-R   Places with a full sense of history also keep up with the times. I was reminded ...

Submitted photo##Pie baker Laura Cattrall has taught at Patton Middle School for 11 years and, with her husband, Brian, finds ways to support community projects.

Back, and Forth: Pie auction serves to dish up a healthy taste of community

Pi Day is coming up March 14. But however you plan to observe it, I think I have you beat, thanks to my involvement in a recent pie night. A key lime came our way courtesy of the drama program at Patton ...

Back, and Forth: The night a fine fellow did a favor with fervor

I saw him only twice, but I considered Bill Schonely my friend. We met under unique circumstances, allowing me to see the beloved Voice of Blazer Nation for the showman and gentleman he was. His Jan. ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##Kevin Curry, right, speaks after the Pubs and Profs events with Bryce Madison, Linfield 2010, and Jennifer Rauch, professor and chair, journalism and media studies at Linfield University. Madison is a writer-producer with Fox12 TV in Portland.

Back, and Forth: Slow-thinking our way to fastening connections

My college days seem close at hand, living in McMinnville. Slow-thinking, I recently had the chance to sit in on a lecture by a Linfield University professor for the first time in 43 years. This was ...

Kirby Neumann-Rea/News-Register##The Tracks to ‘26 team, who started with the project as kindergartners, gather for their first group photo, in November in front of Hood River Valley High School. From left are Jess Aubert, Jack Miller, Nicholas Tuttle, Diego Bustos, Sophie Rodriguez, and Jayden Evans.

Back, and Forth: Ten years now and counting: a project about metamorphosis

A bit of unfinished business, of the happy kind, connects me still to the community of Hood River, where I lived from April 2000 to April 2021. Make what you will of the fact that I started work at both ...