
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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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. ...

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 ...

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 ...