Category Community
Explore taiko drumming, earthquake preparedness, history as Salem Reads 2022 kicks off
The Salem Reads flyer for 2022 (Salem Public Library Foundation) The Salem area was once home to a thriving community of Japanese farmers who grew most of Oregon’s celery. Though the community is less well-known today than large Japanese-American communities in Portland, Hood River and…
“The Little Mermaid,” awash with melody and heart, opening at North
Kaydence Gillespie as Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and her best friend in the play, Flounder, (Jemma Casem) take a break at rehearsal (Helen Caswell/Special to Salem Reporter) A lively, tuneful evening is in store for Salem theatergoers when “The Little Mermaid” opens at North Salem…
Local production helped Salem businesses supply protective equipment
Nadia Kifyak and Russ Monk, managers at WaterShed, Inc., try on new medical gowns that their company has recently begun producing in response to the shortage of personal protective equipment. (Caleb Wolf/Salem Reporter) Russ Monk said his manufacturing company’s claim to fame is a military…
Salem councilor pushes for street art program to brighten neighborhood asphalt
Graffiti artist Eric Tautkus paints a mural Saturday, June 19 at the state fairgrounds in Salem (Courtesy/Salem Health) Salem residents could soon see colorful murals brightening the asphalt of their residential streets. The Grant neighborhood on the north end of downtown Salem hopes to create…
Far-right “Reawaken America Tour” will bring former Trump officials to Salem
A poster for the Reawaken America Tour conference in Salem Organizers of the far-right Reawaken America Tour moved a conference slated for Redmond to Salem following a conflict with Deschutes County officials over enforcement of Oregon’s mask mandate. The conference includes guest speakers who have…
Salem Symphonic Winds postpones Sunday show to May
Salem Symphonic Winds musician Alicia Rasmussen tries to play through her “flute boot,” a device intended to minimize the spread of aerosols (Courtesy/Alicia Rasmussen) John Skelton knew putting on the Salem Symphonic Winds at the Elsinore Theatre Sunday would be difficult after one of his…
Salem woman and dog offer comfort to people on hospice as therapy team
Daphne, the therapy dog, giving a woman a kiss. (Courtesy/ Rhonda Herbert) When Rhonda Herbert visited her ailing father in an assisted living facility with her dog, Daphne, she witnessed the comfort and smiles Daphne brought to the residents and staff. As a puppy, Daphne…
PHOTOS: Volunteers help build trails in Silver Falls State Park
Park ranger Matt Palmquist works with volunteers to rake rock onto the new North Rim trail at Silver Falls State Park on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Park rangers Matt Palmquist and John Hilbert give an orientation to work party volunteers before working…
Salem faith leaders aim to lift spirits, ease omicron concerns through worship
The historic Oak Grove Church in west Salem at sunset. Some area churches and congregations are again shifting their worship services in response to the omicron surge. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Brian Craker said he’s seen his congregation at Salem First Presbyterian Church have more anxiety…