Visitors walk the Baltic circle mandala created by the Circles in the Sand artists at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter).
As the sun fell Thursday evening, hundreds of Salemites gathered at Riverfront Park to reflect, grieve and share stories.
The annual Reflections on the River event, organized by hospice provider Willamette Vital Health, included 4,600 luminarias to memorialize family and friends who have died.
The luminarias made a mandala spiraling across the park’s grass, lighting up the night as a cappella performers with the Threshold Singers serenaded the crowd.
Willamette Vital Health staff welcome Caylynne Bartel, left, with her father Shawn Barker and grandma Darlene Cordell to Reflections on the River at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. Bartel’s brother Gerrad Barker died of a fentanyl overdose in February and the family attended to celebrate his life. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Luminaria at sunset at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Visitors walk the Baltic circle mandala at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to
Salem Reporter)Cindy Musgrove holds the luminaria she bought in remembrance of her neighbor and friend Oscar Hughes at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. Oscar was Cindy’s neighbor for 23 years and was the “neighborhood watchdog.” Everyone knew their property was safe and looked after with Oscar around. When Oscar’s health declined, Cindy became a caregiver until Oscar passed away as Oscar did not have any close family. Cindy misses Oscar and his gruff, kindhearted ways. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Cheryl Davis points to her father’s luminaria at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. Lloyd Davis was a detective for the Eugene Police Department for over 25 years and was “a tough guy, but very soft hearted.” Lloyd has three grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and was enormously proud of Cheryl becoming a teacher, she said. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Amy Jarvie holds her mother’s luminaria at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter).Violette Bathke and Christine Lindsey sit together and have a moment to remember their brother and son Jacob Bathke, and their grandfather John Stevenson at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. Jacob died by suicide in 2019, and John died from cancer in 2020. The family would like people to be aware of suicide prevention and that their grandfather was a teacher and brilliant person. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter).Olivia Bushnell and Mark Eastwood share a laugh remembering Olivia’s grandmother Diane Addicott at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. Olivia said Diane was loving and warm, loved to laugh, was positive and kind, and was supportive of Olivia and was strong in her faith all her life. Olivia felt like she was “the most loving grandma ever.” (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter).Tara Adams, Yael and Mateo Salvo, and Crystal Mitchell hold Riley Adams’ luminaria and talk about what a kind and special cousin, nephew and son he was at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. Riley Adams, 19, was stabbed repeatedly at Wallace Marine Park in July 2024 and later died from his injuries. He was a good artist, loved nature, would do anything for his family, and is missed dearly by all, his family said. “Riley also loved to scooter, helping and spending time with his family and loved babysitting his cousins. He was amazing with children. He was kind, generous and very considerate of others. He would do anything for anyone,” Mitchell said. The crime is currently under investigation and people with information can contact Salem police at 503-588-8477. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter).Denny Dyke, an artist from Circle in the Sand and creator of the Baltic circle mandala, holds the luminaria for his wife Lita Dyke at the Reflections on the River event on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Visitors walk the Baltic circle mandala created by the Circles in the Sand artists at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Threshold Singers, a group of compassionate a cappella singers who offer performances for people who are dying, seriously ill, or grieving, sing in front of the Baltic circle at the Reflections on the River event at Riverfront Park on Sept. 5, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter).
Correction: This story originally incorrectly identified Riley Adams as an uncle in a photo caption. Salem Reporter apologizes for the error and has updated the caption with additional information from Adams’ family.
STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].
A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE.
Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
