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