In brief: George Puentes memorial set, Pioneer Trust names new president

Salem Statesman Journal
·3 min read
George Puentes in 2010 after Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods was named Business of the Year by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. He was president of the company at the time.
George Puentes in 2010 after Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods was named Business of the Year by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. He was president of the company at the time.

George Puentes memorial set for Wednesday at Queen of Peace and Illahe

Family, friends and the Salem community are invited to gather Wednesday in memory of the late George Puentes.

Puentes died Oct. 13 peacefully in his home in Hailey, Idaho, after a long battle with cancer. He was a longtime Salem resident and co-founder of Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods.

A memorial Mass will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a celebration of life from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Illahe Hills Country Club.

— Capi Lynn

Pioneer Trust announces new president with familiar ties

Brad Compton has been named president and chief operating officer of Pioneer Trust Bank.

Compton, previously the vice president and COO, succeeds John Willburn as president. Willburn remains the bank's chief executive officer.

"Brad is an exceptionally talented individual and we're very pleased to see him take on this new leadership role in the bank," Willburn said.

Brad Compton has been named president and chief operating officer of Pioneer Trust Bank, effective Nov. 1, 2023.
Brad Compton has been named president and chief operating officer of Pioneer Trust Bank, effective Nov. 1, 2023.

Compton has been a member of the senior management and lending team for many years at Pioneer Trust, Salem's only locally owned national bank and a member of the Federal Reserve System. He also is an active supporter of the greater Salem community, currently serving as the committee chair for Young Life in West Salem.

"Pioneer Trust Bank's legacy of exceptional care to our colleagues, clients and community will remain our guiding light, treating people the way they want to be treated, with dignity and respect," Compton said.

— Capi Lynn

Volunteers needed for hanging holiday lights in downtown Salem

Salem Main Street Association is looking for volunteers to help hang more than 70,000 holiday lights in downtown Salem the next couple weekends.

Volunteers shifts are from 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, and Sunday, Nov. 12, and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 18.

Volunteers also are needed to help out before the holiday parade, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.

To sign up, go to the salemmainstreetassociation.org, click "Holiday Events" under the main menu, then scroll down and click "Volunteer," which will take you to a form to fill out.

— Capi Lynn

Durant Olive Mill's annual Olio Nuovo Festival returns

The annual Olio Nuovo Festival hosted by Durant Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room plus Olive Mill tours return for weekends throughout November in Dayton.

The festival showcases Durant Olive Mill's extra virgin olive oil and brings live music, a holiday marketplace, tasting bar and food vendors to the property.

Olive Mill tours, exclusive dinners and food-paired tastings also are available for additional costs.

The new dinners include feast olio, a farm-to-table, seven-course experience on Saturdays. The new tasting sessions, Olio Festa Wine & Olive Oil Tastings, also are on Saturdays. To see more details and book reservations, check out the online schedule.

For more information on the festival, check out the website, durantoregon.com/events/olio-nuovo-festival-2023.

Address: 5700 NE Breyman Orchards Road, Dayton.

— Em Chan

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: George Puentes memorial set Pioneer Trust names new president