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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2016)
PAGE A6, KEIZERTIMES, MARCH 4, 2016 KeizerCommunity KEIZERTIMES.COM Weddlers leap into reading A D Students at Weddle Elementary School took part in a literacy event at the school on Leap Day, Feb. 29. Attendees played games, listened to story readings and crafted their own book boxes. A: Carrie Saucy-Bowersox performs as part of a book reading for Weddle students. B: Javier Garcia cuts out decorations for a book box. C: Lily Griffi ths takes part in a word scramble. D: Brayden Smith looks over story card words. KEIZERTIMES/Eric A. Howald B C Stumped no more KEIZERTIMES/Craig Murphy Roger Lorenz works on taking down a 300-year-old stump in front of the Keizer Lions Club building on Feb. 23, where Keizer Iris Festival events take place in May. Lorenz had a backhoe but fi rst had to use a chainsaw on the stump. Former councilor Al Miller remembered for baseball ties By CRAIG MURPHY Of the Keizertimes Al Miller was a longtime Keizer attorney and served on the Keizer City Council throughout most of the 1990s. He’s most remembered for his baseball connections, how- ever. Miller, known as Big Al, passed away suddenly at his Keizer home on Feb. 16 at the age of 68. A service will be held Sunday, March 6 at 5 p.m. at the Keizer Elks Lodge. All attendees are asked to wear Oregon Duck gear. Miller got his law degree from Willamette Law School in 1974 and opened his own law fi rm in Keizer in 1979, which he operated until his passing. But baseball was always a passion for Miller. Miller was born in Eugene in 1947 and played both base- ball and football at the Univer- sity of Oregon. He transferred to Eastern Oregon University for his senior year to focus on baseball and was on the 1970 championship team. Miller was drafted by the Philadel- phia Phillies and spent a year in the minor leagues in Walla Walla, Wash. as a pitcher be- fore heading to law school. Miller’s community service was highlighted by his time on the city council. He joined the council in 1991 and stayed on until January 1999. He served as council president in 1993 and 1994. During Miller’s time on council, he and former may- or Dennis Koho were key in bringing the Bellingham Gi- ants to Keizer. The team was rechristened the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes and started playing baseball at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer in 1997. “Al Miller was a good friend,” said Jerry Walker, Vol- canoes co-owner along with wife Lisa. “He, along with Dennis Koho, were the driv- ing forces behind the building of Volcanoes Stadium. Lisa and I were shocked to hear of his passing and are terribly sad- dened.” Walker was amazed by how well Miller delivered the Vol- canoes Stadium dedication address in June 1997. “This stadium is a tribute to the extraordinary efforts of all those who helped make it a reality,” Miller said on June 22, 1997. “It is truly our fi eld of dreams. It represents what our community stands for; dedication, hard work, strong family values, a commitment to our youth and the ability to work together to accomplish I was the only one against it. I a common goal, even in the didn’t think it was a good fi - face of seemingly impossible nancial deal for the city. But odds. It is with great pride Al was in favor from the start. that I hereby dedicate this He rented the Walkers offi ce stadium. May it long serve as space when they fi rst came an inspiration to others and as to town. He was very instru- a symbol of who we are and mental.” what we are.” McGee, who said he would Walker will honor Miller usually run into Miller once this season. or twice a year after they both “I can hon- left council, not- estly say, no one ed the two had did more than Al similar mindsets Miller to make while on the dais. Volcanoes Sta- “We were al- dium a reality,” most like a tag Walker said. “We team the eight plan to honor years we served his memory this together,” Mc- coming open- Gee said. “That ing night, Friday, was the only is- June 17 as the sue we differed Volcanoes open on. He saw it one their 20th season. way, I saw it an- Al Miller Al’s fabulous sta- other. We were dium dedication both fi scally con- speech will be read in its en- servative. Our votes quite of- tirety in a pre-game ceremony ten were similar. I viewed him and the Volcanoes, that night, as a good councilor.” will play on Al Miller Field at McGee is missing his old Volcanoes Stadium.” friend. Jerry McGee met Mill- “It was a loss of a good er when the two served on friend for me,” McGee said. council together. “Al will always be remem- “It was my fi rst, and con- bered for his activities with tinued impression, that he was the Volcanoes. For me, per- a hard worker,” McGee said. sonally, I would put it as com- “He read everything and was parable to the loss of Bob a very good student of any is- Newton.” sue that came up.” Miller is survived by McGee said the one thing daughter Lindsey Swine- he disagreed with Miller on heart, son Brock Miller and was the Volcanoes. their respective spouses, four “The fi rst meeting we had grandchildren, signifi cant with the Walkers, Dennis, other Barb Cooney and dog Al and myself met with the CharlieBill. Donations in lieu Walkers at Shari’s,” McGee of fl owers may be made in Al’s recalled. “Al and Dennis were name to the Oregon Duck enthused right from the start. Athletic Fund. Sam Goesch CLU, Agent Sam Goesch Ins Agcy Inc 3975 River Road North Keizer, OR 97303 Web: SamGoesch.com Bus: 503-393-6252 1211999 State Farm , Bloomington, IL WorshipDirectory These Salem-Keizer houses of worship invite you to visit. Call to list your church in our Worship Directory: (503) 390-1051 John Knox Presbyterian Church JOIN US FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP 452 Cummings Lane North 393-0404 8:30 am • 10 am • 11:30 am • 6 pm PEOPLESCHURCH 4500 LANCASTER DR NE | SALEM 503.304.4000 • www.peopleschurch.com Celebration Services Saturday Evening 1755 Lockhaven Dr. NE Keizer 503-390-3900 www.dayspringfellowship.com Rev. Dr. John Neal, Pastor Worship - 10:30 a.m. Education Hour - 9:15 a.m. Nursery Care Available www.keizerjkpres.org Jason Lee UMC 820 Jeff erson St. NE Salem OR 97301 9:00 am Dr. Jon F. Langenwalter, Pastor The church with the purple doors 10:45 am Worship at 9:30 am • Child Care Available 6:00 pm Children’s Programs, Student and Adult Ministries Father Gary L. Zerr, Pastor Saturday Vigil Liturgy: 5:30 p.m. Sundays: 8:15 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. La Misa en Español: 12:30 p.m. Sunday Morning and 503-364-2844 Faith Lutheran Church 4505 River Rd N • 393-4507 Sunday Schedule: 9:00 a.m. Children’s Church 9:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Children’s Activities Pastor Virginia Eggert 10:30 a.m. Worship with Communion
