Blending theology with creativity, Aumsville artist Don White loves to find ways to use his passion for art in his ministry.

In 1819, Donald McKenzie was exploring the Snake River for the Hudson’s Bay Company when he came to its confluence with another river. Unsure of its origin, he sent three members of his fur trapping expedition to further explore the river. They never returned.

The Contreras family owns a small bakery but bakes traditional Mexican goodies with a big heart. “We love what we do,” says Maria Contreras, who runs Pilos Mexican Bakery in Corvallis with her parents, Celestino Contreras Padilla and Marcelina Lopez de Contreras, and brother Alberto Contreras.

Like most teens in the mid-1960s, Robert Santelli found himself glued to the television as Ed Sullivan introduced the Beatles. And, like so many, it was a life-changing experience. On that day — Feb. 9, 1964 — 12-year-old Santelli made an emphatic decision – he would be a musician.

Every Saturday since 1970, rain or shine, vendors have set up booths to sell their wares in downtown Eugene. Little did Lotte Streisinger, founder of The Saturday Market, know that 48 years later her idea would have such staying power. It’s now the oldest weekly open-air crafts festival in the United States.

“Slow down” are two words Alice Carter does not keep in her verbal dictionary. “I like being very active,” says the 88-year-old, who finished two years of Peace Corps service last year. “The Peace Corps is a good way for seniors to serve in a meaningful way, making connections of a good kind with another country and its citizens.”

What form of exercise equals walking five miles in a single evening, but packed with more fun, health and social benefits?

For some older adults, the connectivity of personal computers, smartphones and Facebook changed their lives for the better. According to AARP, 76 percent of adults over age 50 own a desktop, laptop or tablet. Those aged 65 and younger, and those with higher incomes, are more likely to have access to the internet at home, as well as have a device and consistently use it.

Greenhill Humane Society runs two shelters — the smaller 1st Avenue Shelter, and the larger one, commonly known as Greenhill, on Green Hill Road in west Eugene. Greenhill staff does a great job of keeping the facility clean and inviting to the public, and as comfortable for the animals as possible. But the facility was built in the 1950s with very little updating over the years.

Andrea and Curtis Ryun sold their boat and bought a recreational vehicle, so they could have a fun vacation without worrying about where to stay or what to eat.

For many people, the start of a new year is a time to leave some habits behind and face the upcoming year with fresh motivation and a set of new commitments. For those living with a chronic disease or chronic pain, it can be hard to escape the daily challenges. The good news is, regardless of the type of illness, you can build skills and confidence for managing your health, staying active and enjoying your life.

Celebrating your birthday never goes out of style. “I don’t think there’s ever an age to stop celebrating,” says Dawn Keeney, owner of Unforgettable Service and Events. “Every birthday that you’re alive is a reason to celebrate.”

Oregon’s labor market is doing great. “Jobs are being added at a very good rate,” says Nick Beleiciks, a state employment economist with the Oregon Employment Department. “In fact, Oregon has been adding jobs faster than the nation since 2013. The unemployment rate this year is the lowest it’s been in 40 years, which is as far back as comparative figures exist. These are signs that Oregon’s economy is doing well.”

The little town of Crawfordsville houses a celebrity named Tommy Nelson, a man who has lived in the area for more than 40 years.

Is this the year that you’re finally going to quit smoking, save more money or lose 10 pounds? If so, you’re not the only one.

According to “60 Minutes” journalist Leslie Stahl, the crowning achievement of her life wasn’t her four decades of reporting, covering news from the White House or interviewing heads of state. It was becoming a grandmother.

It’s a Sunday morning at Unleashed Community Church in Eugene. Members of the congregation start arriving and find their seats.