Scio, Oregon

Most people can’t pronounce the name of my town, unless they’ve been here. Even people who live in Scio, love to tease about this little town’s name. The most common nickname we call it is SC10. In fact, a man in town actually has a custom license plate declaring SC TEN.

The sign coming in to town say 690 people live within the city limits. What it doesn’t say is that about 1500 live in the surrounding areas. Unlike some other small communities in the Willamette Valley, Scio has remained small. Some people would like to change that. Others are adamant that it should remain the small, unassuming town that it is.

Scio doesn’t have much industry. Except for a couple in West Scio, there actually isn’t any. But, we do have one thing. We have farms, farms and, did I mention farms? Kids in Scio work at the canary or drive combine each summer. Come to think of it, so do some of their teachers!

More than its name makes Scio a unique place to live. We have the Lamb and Wool Fair-yes it features sheep. It’s quite an honor to be crowned the Lamb Fair Queen. Just ask my daughter! We have Big Red. How many towns can claim a town rooster? He walks down Main Street every morning, getting handouts along the way. His ultimate goal is to reach the grocery store where the bread deliveryman waits to feed him.

We have five covered bridges within just a few miles of our little town. All, by the way, still in use. Scio has these great signs that declare it the ‘Covered Bridge Capital of the West.’ We are very proud and protective of these visions of yesteryear. A number of years ago, the county actually tore down one. Scio had a fit. It was reassembled in nearby Stayton and later, gasp, burned to the ground. They rebuilt it, but trust me; it’s not the same. The ones that remain in place provide wonderful photo ops and half of them offer great swimming holes each summer.

Then, of course, there are the people. Audie runs the local feed store. He’s also the president of the Lamb and Wool Fair board. He also has a lovely auburn pony tale. His fifteen minutes of fame comes when Portland television stations, tourists and CNN show up to talk about and look at Big Red.

Our mayor won the last election with something like twelve votes. Dean’s a good guy who, a number of years ago, was a top ten finisher in a national contest for people who make a difference in their community.
We have a hometown vet, who makes house, or should I say barn calls. We have a great little school district with some excellent teachers. Just about everyone in Scio is on at least one committee or board or hold an elected office. Most of us are active in more than one group in town.

Scio is also the home to one of the best small school track stars in Oregon history. During his just completed high school career, he won a total of nine state titles. Speaking of sports, we have one of the most modern and fanciest stadiums in the state. Larger schools drool over the great facility made possible by a Scio alumnus.

Now, our school’s nickname is the Loggers, which, considering we are in the heart of what used to be logging country really fits. We have also won nine state titles for forestry skills.
Forestry and track are not the only thing Scio’s kids excel in. We had six valedictorians this year, with over half of the class planning to continue their education. Our girls’ track team had the highest grade point average of all schools in Oregon, regardless of size. Our FFA program has produced a huge number of State Degree recipients and even some American Degree winners and is one of the largest chapters in the state.

We’re also a Tree City USA recipient for the third year in a row. Our lovely Main Street is lined with trees and, in the summer months, hanging baskets.

I love my little town. Sure, we could live elsewhere, but where else would it take over an hour to run to the store for a gallon of milk? It’s my little town and I love it!

Kay

Submitted: Friday 11th June 2004, 3:29 AM

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