The Mountain Times April 2024

MOUNT HOOD MOVING TO JAPAN

Mount Fuji Headed To America

By Jake Fakey

For The Mountain Thames

In a move that has left geographers scratching their heads and mountaineers questioning their maps, an unprecedented swap deal has been struck between the sister communities of Mt. Fuji in Japan and Mt. Hood in the United States. Yes, you read that right — Mt. Fuji is packing its bags (or should we say, its rocky slopes?) and heading over to the Pacific Northwest for a change of scenery.

In what can only be described as a monumental logistical puzzle, the iconic mountains will be disassembled, piece by piece, and packed into over-

sized shipping containers. It's a task that makes moving house look like child's play.

While some may argue that Mt. Fuji is simply tired of being Japan's poster child and yearns for the laid-back vibes of Oregon, others speculate that it's all just a case of sibling rivalry gone wild. "Mt. Hood has always been envious of Mt. Fuji's status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site," one expert in mountain diplomacy quipped. "This is its chance to steal the spotlight."

But what about the cultural significance, you ask? Fear not, dear reader, for every cherry blossom and Shinto shrine will be carefully cataloged and transported alongside the mountain.

It's like a giant game of Jenga, except instead of wooden blocks, we're dealing with sacred landmarks.

Local residents are both excited and bewildered by the news. "I can't wait to wake up and see a new mountain outside my window," exclaimed one resident of Welches. "Although I hope they remembered to pack some wasabi for our sushi joints."

Meanwhile, Japanese officials are scrambling to ensure that Mt. Hood arrives in Japan with all its majestic evergreen forests intact. "We can't have Mt. Hood feeling homesick now, can we?" chuckled a government spokesperson, while frantically searching for a manual on how to reassemble a moun-

tain.

Environmentalists, however, are expressing concerns about the carbon footprint of shipping entire mountains halfway across the globe. "Surely there must be a more eco-friendly way to satisfy Mt. Fuji's wanderlust," remarked one activist, shaking their head in disbelief.

As April Fool's Day approaches, the world watches with bated breath to see if this outlandish exchange will truly come to pass. In the meantime, let's all raise a glass (of sake or craft beer, take your pick) to the absurdity of it all. After all, life is too short not to embrace the occasional mountain-sized prank.

Interview With a Mountain Rescue Dog

By Herbert Alfred The Mountain Thames

In the quirky mountain village of Welches, where the clouds dance with the trees and the snowflakes sing merry tunes, there exists a tradition as peculiar as a three-headed llama wearing a top hat: the annual April Fool's interview with the legendary St. Bernard mountain rescue dog, Sir Woofington.

Sir Woofington is no ordinary pooch. With a majestic mane of fur that rivaled a lion's and a penchant for dramatic pauses that would make

Shakespeare blush, he was the canine embodiment of whimsy and heroism in Welches. And so, armed with a notepad and a healthy dose of skepticism, I set out to interview this esteemed four-legged philosopher.

As I approached Sir Woofington's cozy mountain lair, adorned with banners of bones and squeaky toys, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation mixed with a dash of absurdity. What pearls of wisdom would this noble beast impart upon me today? Would he share tales of daring rescues or perhaps enlighten me with

his thoughts on the meaning of life?

Upon entering the lair, I was greeted by the sight of Sir Woofington reclining on a velvet cushion, a miniature barrel of whiskey hanging delicately from his black leather collar. With a regal nod, he signaled for me to begin the interview, his bushy eyebrows raised expectantly.

"What was the most harrowing rescue you ever did?" I inquired, trying to maintain a straight face amidst the surreal spectacle.

Sir Woofington let out a melodra -

Mt. Hood and Mt. Fuji preparing for “the ol’ switcharoo”. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia.

“Webster’s Dictionary defines wedding as ‘the fusing of two metals with a hot torch.”

Coffee House 25 & ¾ Introduces ‘Invisible Coffee’

By Chuck Wheatah The Mountain Thames

In a bold move sure to shake up the local coffee industry, our beloved Coffee House 25 & ¾ (formerly Coffee House 26) in Welches has announced the launch of its latest creation: Invisible Coffee.

According to the cafe’s owner, Amber Ford, this innovative beverage boasts all the rich, robust flavor of traditional coffee without any of the guilt. How is this possible, you ask? The secret lies in the cafe’s revolutionary brewing process, which extracts the essence of

coffee beans and infuses it into a crystal-clear liquid, rendering it completely invisible to the naked eye.

“We wanted to offer our customers a guilt-free way to enjoy their favorite caffienated beverage,” Ford explained. “With Invisible Coffee, you can savor every sip without worrying about calories, stains, or spills.”

Initial reactions to the announcement have been mixed, with some customers expressing skepticism about the concept of “invisible” coffee. However, early taste tests have reportedly yielded positive results, with many drinkers praising the beverage’s smooth, full-bodied flavor and clean finish.

“I was skeptical at first, but after trying it, I have to admit,

it’s delicious,” says local resident Edith Nigma. “Plus, it’s perfect for those times when you want a caffeine boost without anyone knowing.”

In addition to its zero-calorie benefits, Invisible Coffee is also being touted as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional coffee, as it eliminates the need for disposable cups and reduces waste associated with spills and stains.

25 & ¾ plans to roll out Invisible Coffee in various flavors, including classic espresso, creamy latte and refreshing iced coffee, with hopes of revolutionizing the way people enjoy their favorite pick-me-up.

For now, curious customers can stop by the cafe to sample this groundbreaking beverage for themselves, with the first 100 visitors receiving a complimentary taste test. Just be sure to keep an eye out for your cup — or rather, don’t!

RESCUE

From Page 1

matic sigh, his deep voice echoing off the walls of the cavernous lair. With a flourish of his paw, he launched into a tale of a daring rescue atop Mount Hood, where he single-handedly saved a group of stranded hikers from an army of mischievous squirrels armed with acorns.

But as the interview progressed, the questions took a turn for the delightfully absurd.

"And what was the silliest rescue you've ever under-

taken?" I asked, barely able to contain my laughter.

Sir Woofington's eyes twinkled mischievously as he recounted the time he had to rescue a wayward fox who had mistaken a ski lodge mailbox for its cozy den. With a wag of his tail and a snort of amusement, he described how he had sledded down the mountainside on a makeshift toboggan, accompanied by a chorus of howling wolves and a kazoo-playing goat.

Finally, I posed the most preposterous question of all, "What's your advice to the

mountain?"

Sir Woofington's response was as unexpected as it was nonsensical. With a twinkle in his eye and a gleeful bark, he proclaimed, "Always carry a spare pair of socks!"

As I bid farewell to Sir Woofington and made my way back to the village, I couldn't help but chuckle at the sheer absurdity of it all. In a world filled with seriousness and solemnity, perhaps a little whimsy was exactly what the doctor ordered, even if it came from a St. Bernard with a penchant for the peculiar.

Publisher’s Grandfather Art Nelson and his brother Fern Nelson question Publisher’s crazy antics...we’re not sure if they would approve.

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”

MOUNTAIN VENUES with MENUS

“The Most Read Paper on the Mountain”

Sandy Girls Win Second Straight Ski Racing Title Sandy DMV Reopens After Nearly Two Years

By Adrian Knowler The Mountain Times

The Sandy, Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles office has reopened in a limited capacity after being closed for nearly two years.

The office will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The Sandy office was among a group of offices statewide that were shuttered in 2022 due to staffing shortages and is the last one to reopen, according to officials.

Even with re-opening the Sandy office, DMV officials recommend customers conduct their transactions online.

“We recommend going online to DMV2U,” DMV Administrator Amy Joyce said. “Every time you need a DMV service, see if you can get it done at DMV2U.Oregon.gov. We’ve added over two dozen services in the past three years.”

Some services, like adding the Real ID option to your license, must be done in person.

Although the department has hired sufficient staff to open the office three days a week, officials say they are still hiring, although no open positions at the Sandy DMV were listed on the state's job board at the time of writing.

“The people working at your local DMV live in your community and could use your help,” said Joyce in a statement.

Hiring and retaining workers has been difficult for the department, according to spokesperson Michelle Godfrey.

By Ty Walker

The Mountain Times

The Sandy High School girls ski racing team won the Mt. Hood League championship for the second straight season. A core of returning seniors – Elle Schreiner, Nia Hamalainen and Sophia Brown – led the charge as the team finished strong at Mount Hood Meadows last month.

Schreiner took second place in the slalom and Hamalainen finished second in the giant slalom. Despite having its first two meets canceled due to low snow levels, the team was skiing in top form by the end of the six-meet season.

“The beginning of the season got off to a rocky start, pun intended,” Head

Ski Coach Josh Kanable said. “But by the end of the season it was awesome. We had plenty of snow.”

“They fought hard to clinch the number one spot for the Mt. Hood League for a second season in a row,” Kanable said. “Due to the offseason training and extra practices, returning seniors Nia Hamalainen, Sophia Brown

and Elle Schreiner kept the girls team one step ahead of Hood River and Grant High School this season.”

First place was not guaranteed until the last of six races. Some incredible runs made by sophomores Anika Wipper and Anna Nguyen helped Sandy win the conference by two points.

The eight-team Mt. Hood League includes The Dalles, Hood River, Grant, Cleveland, St. Mary’s, Barlow, Reynolds and Sandy High School.

The boys team took fourth place in the Mt. Hood League competition. With a promising group of returning athletes, Kanable expects them to be even better next year. The boys team

Locals Concerned About Hoodland Clinic Closing

By Adrian Knowler

The Mountain Times

About a thousand patients served by Adventist Medical Group Hoodland Clinic must look for primary and urgent medical care elsewhere following the closure of the Welches facility in April.

The Hoodland clinic was among three Adventist rural clinics statewide that closed in the last month, with officials saying they weren’t able to staff the facilities adequately.

Patients and medical providers learned about the closure only a few weeks before doors were set to shut for good, and said they have felt shocked and saddened by the closure, as well as by the daunting task of reestablishing care with new doctors. Patients will

now have to travel to Sandy, Estacada or further to receive primary and urgent care.

“It’s devastating,” said Andrea O’Neil, who has been bringing her family to the clinic for years. “I guess I’ll go to Estacada for emergencies and stop seeking regular care. I don’t even know where I would go; the Sandy doctors’ offices are overrun. When they’re that busy what kind of quality of care are you getting? I don’t have faith in the system anymore.”

“I’ll probably have to go to Estacada or change to a different [provider] or just not get care at all,” said Diane Dowell, another longtime patient. Dowell is 65 years old and has received treatment for multiple conditions at the

clinic over the years. “There’s people up here older than me who don’t travel and don’t drive. How do they get a ride?” she asked.

The closure came shortly after the February announcement that Dr. Reed Epstein would be leaving the clinic.

According to Adventist spokesperson John Hay, the medical group could not find any replacement for Epstein, even on a temporary basis. As a rural health clinic, the doctor’s office received increased Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates, but was mandated to have a doctor or other licensed provider on site at least half of the time it was open, as well as offer urgent care services.

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503-622-6837

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Zacatecas, Mexico

How long on the Mountain? 40 years, 20 of them cooking at The Whistle Stop

If you were not brought here as a child, what brought I came at the age of 14 with an older brother.

Landscaping, but mostly cooking

Favorite movie/and or musical? Movies that are action

Favorite Actress/Actor? No favorites but I like the

Sports shows.

I prefer playing on my phone.

Favorite type of music? Mariachi music is always

A good, well-roasted chicken. I enjoy family time with my dad, many siblings, my five kids and six

Italy, because Marc and Deb (Accuardi) make it sound so amazing and beautiful. Or back to Mexico with my Dad to visit

Defining moment in your life or your greatest accomplishment? Raising my grandchildren. Every year for my mom’s birthday, we would always throw a huge party. It

Too many funny moments to pick from but

If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner, who would it be, and why? My Mom

When you’re not reading The Mountain Times, what book/author/magazine/other do you

If your life were made into a play or movie, what would the title be? “Action Chef” where I save the pretty lady.

Pet peeve? Whiners

Bad habit you’d like to break? I am proud to say that I’ve broken my worst habit: Smoking! Famous person(s) you have met, and the circumstances? If I’ve met any famous persons, I did not know it. But Moon Mullins was “mountain” famous and we were good friends.

Favorite quote? “Asi es la vida” (Such is life)

Favorite part of The Mountain Times? The Mountain Profile.

Meet the Athlete: Megan Ameele a Tennis Smashing Success

By Ty Tilden The Mountain Times

For Megan Ameele, tennis has morphed from a casual elementary-era pastime to a therapeutic core of her life.

Ameele is a senior at Sandy High and a member of the varsity girl’s tennis team. Her tennis career is about having fun alongside friends and teammates while continuing to hone her skills.

“I’ve played on the [high school] team for all four years

but I did summer camps since like fourth grade,” Ameele said. “But since high school and working with [coach Tom Delaney] that’s when I kind of got good.”

Ameele began playing tennis in her younger years to fill her time, but she has enjoyed developing as a player and as a fan of the sport.

“I want to continue [after high school] for fun. Tennis has become like my therapy; I spend four hours a day at practice just playing – so that’s where my head’s at,” Ameele said.

The opportunities Ameele has had at SHS have also helped expand her athletic horizons.

“We have a couple [coaching staff] who are pros or ex-pros. Tom Delaney is an ex-pro and he has a helper who was semi-pro and competed in a lot of tournaments. They’re implement -

ing a lot of new things in the practices like teaching us more about strategy in the game. Hopefully that’s gonna elevate our game,” she said.

Another unique aspect of Ameele’s tennis experience is her family ties.

“My dad is the head girl’s coach this year. He coached boys last year and the boys’ coaches help coach the girls too. It’s kind of like one big coaching staff for both teams,” she said.

This meshing of teams is another factor that keeps Ameele going.

“The team aspect is great, everybody on the team is super supportive. And it’s not like you really have varsity and JV – you technically do, but it’s about everybody. It’s not a girls’ or boys’ team either; they all mix together,” Ameele said of the team dynamic.

Now, early in the season, Ameele has only a handful of matches under her belt but she aspires to go far. She has high hopes, but keeps at the sport for fun; from her humble beginnings in fourth grade to her reasoning for starting in high school:

“It’s a no-cut sport, so why not?”

Don’t Wait for Summer! Prepare for Wildfires

Create a noncombustible area at least 5 feet wide around the base of your home. Clear brush and debris 30 feet from structures. See Hoodlandfire.us for info on preparing your home for wildfires. Click on the Prevention tab, select Fire Information, then Firewise Safety.

Outdoor burning? Call: Hoodland 503-622-3256 / Sandy 503-742-2945 (Clackamas Fire District now operates the Sandy fire department.)

Hoodland Fire District # 74 C.E.R.T. HoodlandFire.us È 503-622-3256

By Ty Walker

The

Mountain

Times

Newcomers to the area may not have heard of her, but Mount Hood longtimers remember her well. Her name was legend on The Mountain. Her name was Joie Smith.

For 60 years, this strong, independent woman became a local legend, leaving a big impression across a landscape as rugged as her pioneering spirit. Those who knew her still tell stories of this notable woman with a hands-on, can-do attitude.

This March 29 marked the 10th anniversary of her 2014 death at age 85, but memories of her live on. Mt. Hood photographer Gary Randall, who became a longtime friend, remembers the day he first met Smith. She

and another woman came to his house to deliver a cord of wood he ordered. Being a gentleman, he offered to give the ladies a hand.

Smith replied, “You know, if you stand back and just let us work, we’ll get this done a lot quicker.”

Telling that story today makes Randall laugh. If you knew Smith like he did, you would understand.

“She was awesome,” Randall said. “She was a very hardy, capable woman. There wasn’t anything that she set her mind to that she couldn’t do. She was very tough.”

Smith boasted many talents. To say she led an active lifestyle would be a gross understatement. She did it all. She was a pilot. She was a Mt. Hood ski patrol member. She towed semi trucks out of ditches. She hauled wood. She loved her horses. She stood tall in the saddle.

Smith was selected as the first woman ski patrol for the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics. She ran her own ski shop and then owned and operated Alpine Towing company in Rhododendron, where she lived most of her life.

“I have some pretty interesting memories of adventurous times in the middle of the

night with her pulling semi trucks over Mount Hood,” said Randall, who rode shotgun with her for a while at Alpine Towing.

Randall said Smith was a fixture on the mountain for a very long time. Everybody from the mountain knew her.

“Some of the new people moving up have no awareness of the mountain,” he said. “They may not know about her. But anybody who does know the area up here knows Joie Smith. Her reputation and name live on up here.”

“She was a staple on the mountain. She was a very capable, very rugged, very durable woman. I liked the heck out of her.”

Oregon State Police officer John Rizzo, speaking a decade ago at Smith’s memorial service, remembered when he asked Smith to help police with horse patrols to catch thieves burglarizing Mt. Hood cabins.

“She got real excited,” Rizzo said. “She got her gun and horse and was ready to go. We did a few horse patrols, and don’t you know, we caught them in the act. She was tickled to death that her horses were involved.”

Joie Smith

By Amber Ford

The Mountain Times

While the Mt. Hood corridor is known for its historical highways, hillsides, natural beauty and legendary ski resorts, the old log buildings nestled along highway 26 hold some of the more unique and timeless stories associated with this beautiful area. Many of these historical buildings were used to host and house miners, loggers and those who helped build and create our current highway. From the Zigzag

Inn to The Barlow Trail Roadhouse, history enthusiasts flock to these locations for a glimpse into what life was like long before the Mt. Hood National Forest became the popular tourist destination it is today.

These landmarks and buildings have become so fascinating that many travel media outlets have reached out to business owners, like Rick Exley of The Barlow Trail Roadhouse, for interviews that reflect upon the rich

history and culture that has shaped their businesses over the years. On Friday, March 1st, Exley met with the production crew of “Destination Oregon,” (a media group out of Bend, Oregon) for an interview addressing the history of his building and restaurant for their television program.

“This wasn’t my first interview about my restaurant,” Exley said. Having owned The Barlow Trail Roadhouse for 20 years, Exley is no stranger to interviews, articles and programs focusing on the history and legends that have surrounded not only his historical building, but the Mt. Hood Villages as a whole. “The producer met me early that morning and we discussed a lot of the history of the building as well as our menu and some of the local food favorites,” Exley said.

According to Exley, many of these travel media outlets are interested in the stories associated with buildings such as his. Constructed in 1925, the current Barlow Trail Roadhouse once served as a general store for loggers and miners working in the area and by

1926 became a restaurant with a bordello operating on the second floor. Exley claims that when the city of Portland began to crack down on illegal prostitution, many of those in the industry relocated to places like the Mt. Hood Villages, looking for clients among the crews stationed here while building the current highway.

While brothels and booze may primarily comprise the historical lure, other unique mysteries also reside within the walls of the Barlow Trail Roadhouse. According to Exley it’s not just his staff and patrons that can be seen and heard throughout the building, but ghosts of residents past who also call The Barlow Trail Roadhouse home. Exley claims that over the 20 years he has owned the restaurant, he and his staff have witnessed everything from apparitions to items flying off the walls and shelves. “I’ve seen a television come

flying off the wall and shortly after that happened I heard pots and pans being knocked over in the storage closet while no one was in there,” Exley said. Legends of these mysterious beings have become so popular that several paranormal investigative teams and shows have set up cameras and other recording devices to catch what Exley claims has been haunting his restaurant for decades. “One of our resident ghosts, Jean, has her own booth that she regularly sits at and has been recorded by one of the paranormal teams as saying ‘don’t touch me.’” Exley added.

The official air date for the episode on Destination Oregon is yet to be determined but those interested in more on the history of The Barlow Trail Restaurant and the interview with Destination Oregon can visit centraloregondaily.com.

By Ty Walker

The Mountain Times

Jim Jarvis used to get paid to travel all over the world and burn things down. He worked for a company that manufactured fire retardant and foam that firefighters drop from airplanes onto major fires.

As a technical service and sales representative, it was Jarvis’ job to demonstrate and train clients how to use the product. For the past 38 years, he also has volunteered with the Hoodland Fire District to fight fires on the mountain. Although he retired two years ago from his paying career, he still is involved in the firefighting business as a volunteer at the Welches fire station.

“I love helping people,” he said. “It’s the only job that you can get that little kids come up and give you hugs.”

At 70, Jarvis is still going strong fighting fires in the Mount Hood area. When on duty, he usually drives the water tender and other rigs to the scene of a fire or medical emergency.

Not long after moving with his family to Welches because his wife took a teaching job at the elementary school, the Portland native became a volunteer firefighter in January 1986.

Hoodland firefighters were visiting the neighborhood one day to train at a learn to burn site. Jarvis caught the attention of firefighter Pat McAbery, who invited him to participate in the training exercise. Jarvis took the first step in what led to decades of service with the Hoodland Fire District.

“My career was going out doing house burns and training people all over the

country,” Jarvis said. “Then I became a volunteer firefighter. It was the best of both worlds.”

Jarvis, whose son Evan is a paramedic firefighter on the Hoodland staff, said he loves being a volunteer firefighter. He enjoys the excitement.

“You’re always ready to go,” Jarvis said. “That’s what makes it fun though. You don’t know what you’re going to do. Is it a car wreck? Is it a house fire?”

Jarvis has seen people come and go at Hoodland Fire District. The lack of volunteers is the biggest change he has seen over the years.

“I love what I do,” he said. “I love the people. I’ve gone through many different fire chiefs. Everybody who comes into this business has to love people and firefighting. Otherwise they don’t last long.”

“We used to have a lot of volunteers but over time, with all the regulations and time commitments, people just don’t volunteer like they used to. When I was first starting, we were 20 or 30 people all the time. The volunteers have dropped way off. But that’s happening everywhere in the county.”

Before he retired, Jarvis spent much of his time on business trips out of the country. He spends most of his time at home these days, but still manages to take vacations in Europe about twice a year.

“I’m old now but still having a good time,” Jarvis said. “That’s why I drive the water tender because I’m too old to climb up and down ladders and go in front doors of burning houses, but I can still drive the rig safely to the scene.”

For more information about volunteering at the Hoodland Fire District, phone 503-6223256 or go online hoodlandfire.us/volunteer-firefighter.

Evan Jarvis (left) with his father, Jim Jarvis (right).

SKI

From Page 3

was anchored by returning athletes Ethan Van Hee, Dylan Brown, Ansel Ofstie and Mario Heckel.

Freshmen Beck Schreiner and Grant Messenger came out of nowhere and pulled more than their weight to help the team earn a spot at the state finals.The boys team will miss Senior Cameron Jones next season.

Kanable had high hopes for Sandy as the teams went on to the state ski racing championship March 7-8 at Mt. Hood Meadows. But they fell short of expectations.

“Our regular season was phenomenal,” Kanable said.

“But we didn’t place as high as we wanted at state. We took some falls.”

Hood River, a team that Sandy had beaten in the league season, came in second in the state championships.

The Sandy girls placed eighth out of 19 teams at state, while the boys finished 16th. In the giant slalom, Wipper took 23rd, Schreiner 32nd and Nguyen 70th for the girls. In the slalom, Nia Hamalainen took 16th, Wallace Hamalainen 46th and Schreiner 54th.

Schreiner was invited to compete at the Western U.S. High School Championships at Mammoth Mountain, Calif., which brings the top athletes from the western United

States together.

“As a coach the best part of this season was watching the group effort by the girls team,” Kanable said. “When one athlete faltered another would step up at every race.”

“The first place finish also belongs to Freshman Wallace Hamalainen, who ran at the back of the varsity lineup all season. Her consistent racing managed to secure points in three out of six races.”

VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN

From the publisher’s desk

HELLO, MOUNTAIN TIMERS,

One of my favorite times of year has always been spring, the season of renewal. The days start getting longer and the temperatures become warmer, and we come out of our collective in-home hibernation.

Spring awakens all our senses, with the smell of sweet flowers, the sight of vibrant green leaves filling the branches, the soft touch of newborn chicks, the sound of baseball practice — merely feet from our office — and the taste of homemade burgers on the grill. This time of year, you can also sense a bit more pep in folks’ steps as they embark on outdoor activities and adventures.

As nature’s grandure unfolds in front of us, it is my hope we all take the time to take a well-deserved deep breath and truly appreciate the season’s change.

I also hope you take the opportunity to get out and patronize local businesses. In fact, I challenge all of you — myself included — to

DEAR MOUNTAIN TIMES,

Mountain area residents who are Clackamas County voters are invited to a public, nonpartisan forum to meet the County Commissioner and Sheriff candidates. Join us!

Do the Clackamas County Commissioners consider how their decisions affect us as residents in this special place we call home? Are you facing issues preventing you from the peaceful enjoyment of your home or property? Has your small business been suffering? Is the school your children attend facing cutbacks to educational programs? Are you worried about the lack of housing to buy or rent, increasing crime and fear of the upcoming fire season? We hear you. And we want the candidates and incumbents for Clackamas County Commissioner and Sheriff, to hear you too.

The Mt. Hood Livability Coalition (MHLC), Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO), and the Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) invite you to a free, nonpartisan Candidate Forum to meet the candidates and incumbents for three seats up for election for Clackamas County Commissioner and the Sheriff for the May 21 Oregon Primary Election.

The issues we all face here on the mountain in unincorporated Clackamas County differ from those in incorporated cities and towns. We need commissioners who will learn about life up here and consider livability for our residents. Our forum is also perfect for listening to what the prospective commissioners and sheriff would advocate for our unincorporated area.

This is your moment. Ask the hard questions you have been mulling over and meet the candidates in person. Engage with your neighbors and extend

stop by that business you’ve never visited, the one you meant to check out all winter long. Whether food, merchandise, supplies or services are at the heart of the business, it feels good to support your community, almost as good as the arrival of spring. Here’s to you, your family and any sunny adventures ahead.

Sincerely,

Matthew Nelson

Publisher, The Mountain Times.

If you have an idea for a story, have a classified, transition or an event you would like to have published, or if you own a business and would like to advertise with us, please give us a call at 503-622-3289.

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER

the invitation. Carpool with those who don’t drive. As mountain residents, we understand the power of unity in making a statement of support for our community, regardless of our political affiliations. There is strength in numbers, and a wellattended forum conveys that voters are actively involved in their community. A message that candidates and incumbents need to comprehend to support all Clackamas County residents. Join us. We eagerly await your participation!

DATE AND TIME Free Event, Saturday, April 6, 2024, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION Mt Hood Oregon Resort, 68010 E. Fairway Ave., Welches

PARKING Free, follow signs

OR VOTER REGISTRATION SIGN-

UP Pick up a voter registration form or register online

Light refreshments will be hosted by MHLC, HWC, and HCPO.

EVENT QUESTIONS info@mthoodlive.com

DEAR MOUNTAIN TIMES, The Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) Community Fund is available to Hoodland neighbors to help those in our community meet immediate physiological needs. Physiological needs are biological requirements for human survival, examples include, but are not limited to, food, water, shelter, or medication. If approved and as funds allow, up to $500.00 can be provided per household annually.

Funds are available to support our community. To submit a HWC Community Fund request, complete the Community Fund Request Form on the HWC website: https://hoodlandwomensclub.org/ community-fund/

Once a request is completed, a member will contact you to confirm eligibility and share more information

about the process. If you have questions about eligibility or need help completing the form, email INFO@ HOODLANDWOMENSCLUB.ORG.

Kindly share this information and encourage those who might benefit to complete a request or contact us for more information.

The Hoodland Women’s Club, a 501(c)(3): Women with visionempowering each other to achieve a better community.

With admiration and appreciation, Emma Galligan Welches, OR HWC Community Fund Committee Chair

DEAR MOUNTAIN TIMES, Mike Ward/project manager and I were at the Hoodland CPO meeting last night to talk about the Welches Road Pedestrian Improvements Project.

This project came out of The Villages at Mt. Hood Pedestrian and Bikeway Implementation Plan in 2016 (advisory and technical committees were involved). This project was elevated as a priority in that plan. It is moving forward due to the Community Road Fund, a consistent source of local, countywide revenue to complete projects most important to our residents and businesses that increase safety, relieve congestion and maintain local roads (active advisory committee involved — a couple members from Sandy area!).

Our ask right now is for people in the community to complete an interactive survey telling us how they walk or bike on Welches Road in between Highway 26 and Birdie Lane, along with their preferences, ideas and concerns. While we have a sense of what people said in 2016, we want to make sure we have an

accurate picture before we start design (estimated to start in Aug.). We want to engage people to weigh in because the more we know before design starts, the more we may be able to fit community needs into the design. After engineering design starts, we will check in with the CPO during project milestones.

Survey: open through April 21. QR code below; url is http://bit.ly/ welchesroad

Project webpage: https://www. clackamas.us/engineering/welchesroad. Sign up for an email list to be notified of CPO meetings and feedback opportunities.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Cameron Ruen, Community Relations Specialist

Clackamas County Department of Transportation & Development

DEAR MOUNTAIN TIMES,

My name is Patricia Gomes and I live in Sandy. Recently my granddaughter, Joslynn, who has lived in Sandy until she finished graduate school, has received the Carla Overbeck Leadership Award for 2023. She has also received the Adapt and Thrive Disability Award for her work with the disabled. Joslynn graduated from La Salle High School, Concordia University, and Portland State, where she received her Master’s in Special Education and a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is an outstanding young woman and a credit to our community.

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Dr. Melanie Brown DC, Milt Fox, Robert Kelly DMD, Lloyd Musser, Gary Randall, Steve Wilent

PO Box 1031, Welches, OR 97067 503.622.3289

www.mountaintimesoregon.com

The Mountain Times is an independent monthly newspaper serving Sandy, Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron, Wildwood, Government Camp and Boring. 8,500-plus copies printed and distributed monthly.

Printed at Eagle Web Press in Salem, Oregon.

Photo of the beginnings of spring at the beautiful waterfalls at Krka National Park from my recent visit to Croatia.

Inside Salem Opinion

Legislator’s Letter: An Update from Rep. Jeff Helfrich

About a month ago, we wrapped up the 2024 Legislative Short Session. I made clear that I believe the intent of the voters when they created the short session was to make budgetary adjustments, and to address the emergencies facing our state. It was clear going into February the drug epidemic, as well as the housing crisis were two of the biggest issues that required immediate attention. We also had a once in a lifetime opportunity to tackle

WHERE TO WRITE

PRESIDENT / Joseph Biden (D)

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave

Washington DC 20500

202.456.1111 (comments)

202.456.1414 (info/switchboard)

www.whitehouse.gov/contact

GOVERNOR / Tina Kotek (D)

State Capitol Building

900 Court Street NE, Ste 160 Salem, OR 97301

503.378.4582 (msg line)

503.378.6827 (fax)

http://governor.oregon.gov

U.S. SENATOR / Ron Wyden (D)

District: 0S1 - United States Senate

223 Dirksen Senate Off. Bldg

Washington, DC 20510

202.224.5244 (tel)

202.228.2717 (fax)

http://wyden.senate.gov

Portland Office:

911 NE 11th Ave, #630

Portland, OR 97232

503.326.7525

campaign finance reform, an issue that voters have wanted addressed since the passage of Measure 107 in 2020. We were able to work together and get the ball rolling on these issues. Here is my take on the session.

On the issue of Measure 110 reform, I am happy we could recriminalize drugs but feel like more should have been done. My biggest frustration is we were not able to empower parents to compel treatment for addicted children. I am a

U.S. SENATOR / Jeff Merkley (D)

District: 0S2 - United States Senate

313 Hart Senate Off. Bldg

Washington, DC 20510

202.224.3753 (tel)

202.228.3997 (fax)

http://merkley.senate.gov

Portland Office:

121 SW Salmon #1400

Portland, OR 97204

503.326.3386 (tel)/503.326.2900(fax)

US REPRESENTATIVE

Earl Blumenauer (D) / District: 003

U.S. House of Representatives

1111 Longsworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

202.225.4811 (tel)/202.225.8941 (fax)

http://blumenauer.house.gov

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Jeff Helfrich (R) District: 052

900 Court Street NE, H-473 Salem, OR 97301

503.986.1452 (tel)

rep.JeffHelfrich

@oregonlegislature.gov

firm believer that the responsibility of a parent to provide proper care for their child is a sacred responsibility. To that end, if a parent is witnessing their child struggle with addiction, should they not be able to compel their child into treatment? Our current laws do not give them that option.

On housing investments, I believe we did well by investing so heavily on the infrastructure side of the issue. Anything that the state can do to lower the cost of build -

STATE SENATOR

Daniel Bonham (R) / District: 026 900 Court Street NE, S-316 Salem, OR 97301 503.986.1726 (tel)

Sen.DanielBonham @oregonlegislature.gov

http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/ bonham

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Ellen Rosenblum

Oregon Dept of Justice 1162 Court Street NE Salem, OR 97301 503.378.4400 (tel) www.doj.state.or.us

STATE TREASURER

Tobias Read (D) 350 Winter St. NE #100 Salem, OR 97301 503.378.4329 (tel) Oregon.Treasurer@state.or.us

ing, from covering the cost of sewer systems and electrical lines to giving local jurisdictions more flexibility to decide where they can build, will yield results when it comes to creating affordable housing. We have got to get this state building again, and this is just the start.

I wouldn’t normally say campaign finance reform is a short session issue. However, Oregonians trust in their government has been eroding as they have seen our

SECRETARY OF STATE

LaVonne Griffin-Valade 136 State Capitol Salem, OR 97310 503.986.1500 (tel) oregon.sos@state.or.us https://sos.oregon.gov

CLACKAMAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Tootie Smith (Chair)

Commissioners: Ben West

Paul Savas

Martha Schrader

Mark Shull (e-mail: bcc@co.clackmas.or.us) 2051 Kaen Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045 503.655.8581 (tel) 503.742.5919 (fax)

elections get more and more expensive. We have seen big money work its way into politics, and for that reason voters passed Measure 107 in 2020. This gave the Legislature and local jurisdictions more flexibility to adopt more meaningful campaign regulations. I am proud to say we have taken a good step in that direction. Working with my colleague Rep. Julie Fahey (now Speaker Fahey), we were able to come up with a bipartisan package that provides more transparency on campaigns and puts in place contribution limits to try and get big money back out of our politics.

I believe we accomplished what Oregonians expected of us. We made progress on some of the biggest issues facing our state and our country, and we did so together. With a balance of power in Salem, it is incredible what can be accomplished. We found solutions that move the whole state forward, and don’t favor one population set over another. My hope is that Oregonians see value in this bipartisanship and that we can carry this momentum into the next legislative session!

COUNTY SHERIFF

Angela Brandenburg

2223 Kaen Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045

Emergency No. 9-1-1

Non-Emergency to Report a Crime 503.655-8211

503.655.8549 (fax)

CITY OF SANDY

City Manager, Jordan Wheeler

Mayor Stan P. Pulliam

Councilors:

Chris Mayton

Laurie J. Smallwood (President)

Richard Sheldon

Kathleen Walker

Carl Exner

Don Hokanson

39250 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy, OR 97055

503.668.5533 (tel) ci.sandy.or.us

Mountain Representative Jeff Helfrich keeps the community updated with an exclusive look at the legislative process.

By Ty Walker

The Mountain Times

Christian Kopp first began painting houses in the Mount Hood area in 1989. Shortly after graduating high school, this industrious young man from Minnesota moved to Oregon, trying his hand at many jobs before finding his forte.

He was a restaurant cook. He was a rigger, building communication towers up and down the west coast. He was a roof cleaner, cleaning acres and acres of rooftops on local homes. He worked in the skiing industry, holding various jobs at three different Mount Hood resorts.

Over the years, he learned that painting is the trade that has given him the most gratification. Today Kopp is the owner of Crystal Springs Painting & Pressure Washing, a Sandy-area contractor operating under that business name since 1996. Counting the years before getting the Crystal Springs name, Kopp has been painting homes for 35 years.

“Painting is in my blood,” Kopp said. “I didn’t think when I started that I would enjoy it as much as I do. There’s not much in the trades business that gives you that instant gratification like painting. I can see a house that’s in disarray and within a week or two’s time, make it look like new again. It’s nice to see them smile after I’m done.”

Kopp remembers fondly one of his first painting projects in Welches. He and his business partner at the time

painted Mountain Building Supply in its entirety. They hand brushed and roll-painted the interior and spray painted the exterior. They made a three-color stripe along the ceiling line that is still there today.

“That was quite an endeavor for a young 20-year-old,” Kopp said of one of his first major contract projects. He also repainted a house in Rhododendron some 30 years after his original job. Impressed that it had held up so well, he called it a “testament to longevity, to how long my paint jobs last.”

Crystal Springs Painting & Pressure Washing is pretty much a one-man business. Kopp prefers working alone to having partners or subcontractors.

“I’m a one-man band and I like it that way,” Kopp said. “It’s trouble free. It’s drama free. I don’t have to wait for someone to show up for work in the morning.”

His constant companion nowadays is his trusty 10-year-old yellow lab. A

mellow dog, Decker goes on most jobs as Kopp’s worksite caretaker.

Kopp said he feels blessed to be able to work in the community that’s been so good to him. A true outdoorsman, he often finds himself doing projects by a river or creak on the mountain, where it’s nice and quiet.

He lives in a ranch house on a hobby farm just east of Sandy. Most of his jobs are 20 minutes away in Welches, but he generally takes on projects from Sandy to Government Camp.

Kopp breaks up paint jobs with deck work and window washing to keep things interesting. Exterior house painting is a major staple of his business and restaining homes and decks is a specialty.

Several years ago, he landed a major contract to refinish window sills on the exterior of Timberline Lodge. He has done some big projects on the mountain but prefers smaller ones, such as two or three-story homes.

When he’s not on the job, Kopp enjoys the great outdoors, camping, fishing, gardening and working on his craftsman home.

Girls Basketball Building a Legacy On The Mountain

When

Sandy High School Girls Varsity Basketball team finished their season last

Thursday, Feb. 22, they had the chance to look back on a season that wasn’t just wins and losses, but a chance to build something more: legacy. Head Coach Matt Gist noted that while he has always tried to imprint the importance of being a family as a team, he also wanted to see a greater connection form throughout the Sandy basket-

ball program this year. That included the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen teams in attendance to cheer on two of the Oregon Trail School District’s middle school girls’ teams, the middle school teams cheering on the varsity squad against David Douglas and get to visit the locker room during halftime, and a holiday party put on by the varsity team’s six seniors: Sydney Perry, Aubrey Perry, Payton Holman, Layla Harmon, Megan Ameele and Olivia Tippett.

“It made me happy seeing the basketball program connect with the older and younger teams as we supported each other every way we could,” said Sydney Perry, who played

wing. “My little sister plays on the Welches middle school team and she loved it when me and my teammates came to her games. She wants to be just like us and it’s great to see the impact we’ve had on her and other middle school players.”

“By supporting the middle school girls at their game, I hoped the girls would see how proud we are of them and excited that they'll be playing for the Sandy team soon,” guard Aubrey Perry said. “The program will build the legacy by continuing to improve each year. Teams will look back on this season and remember how much effort we put into it and how far we’ve come.”

Gist noted that he intends to build on the momentum built this season by expanding the relationships between teams, including possibly holding joint practices with the middle school program that will be run

by the high school seniors. He also wants to expand the team’s impact with the community, by possibly offering a community night, a veteran’s/first responder’s night and even a scrimmage versus firefighters.

Holman, a shooting guard/ wing, sees a bright future for the girls’ program.

“The basketball program is going to build back up stronger than ever after what we have done this season,” she said. “The legacy to better each other, make each other accountable for our actions and the ability to love one another no matter

See BBALL Page 37

By Clackamas Soil & Water For The Mountain Times

The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce our newest staff member in the WeedWise program, Brendan Fordyce! Brendan joins our team as a WeedWise Specialist and as the new Coordinator for the 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) and Columbia Gorge CWMA

Brendan grew up in Clackamas County but left to receive his undergraduate degree in Ecology from Seattle Pacific University. Serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer inspired him to pursue

a graduate degree in Natural Resource Management and a certificate in Forests and Climate Change at Oregon State University.

Before joining the WeedWise team, Brendan gained experience working as a natural resource technician for Metro. He also worked on a burn area trail crew with the U.S. Forest Service in response to the 2020 Labor Day Wildfires. His new post on the WeedWise team is a complex but rewarding position. In this capacity, he not only helps to support invasive weed management in Clackamas County but also serves as

a resource for invasive weed management and coordination throughout the region.

Brendan will be leading much of our work in the Sandy River watershed and has already helped with a regional conference in his first few weeks with the District!

In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and paddling across the West with his wife. When he is not outside, Brendan enjoys new food carts and board game cafés.

Welcome Brendan!

Learn more about Brendan and other staff members on the WeedWise staff page.

Welches PTCO Parent Teacher Corner

By Cassie Kanable

For The Mountain Times

Hello Welches Families! In March, students and parents came together for our first ever Music, Math & Muffins event! Guests enjoyed math games, jazzy tunes, and delicious muffins generously donated by Tollgate Bakery in Sandy. It was certainly a memorable morning of connection for Welches students and their families! Looking ahead to April, the WPTCO is focused on making this year’s Bid & Bloom Spring Auction a smashing success and hosting another wonderful Scholastic Book Fair at Welches Schools.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 8–12 Scholastic Book Fair at Welches Schools: You’re invited to shop the Welches Schools Scholastic Book Fair online from April 8-12. All purchases benefit the school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series and more. All purchases ship direct to you. Visit the Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started: https://www.scholastic.com/ bf/welchesschool1

Saturday, April 27th

WPTCO Bid & Bloom Spring Auction at Camp Arrah Wanna! Help give Welches students room to bloom at our annual auction! Join us for an unforgettable evening packed with delicious food prepared by local chef Jason Hornor, silent & live auction, plant sale and exciting raffles. All proceeds go directly to

supporting Welches students. This is a 21+ only event, doors open at 5:00pm, dinner service from 5:30-7:00pm, silent auction from 5:307:00pm and the live auction begins at 7:30pm. Event Tickets are $35 and include dinner, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer, wine, and cocktails will be available to purchase a la carte.

Ready to skip the line? Purchase tickets in advance on our website at welchesptco.org/auction or via the QR Code at the end of this article.

Each person who purchases a ticket in advance will have the chance to win a $100 Silent Auction Credit! Unable to attend? Don’t worry, you can still make a one-time or recurring donation to support Welches students by following the link to purchase tickets. This year, we’re setting our sights higher, aiming to raise over $30,000 for Welches Schools to provide some much needed tech upgrades in each of the elementary classrooms! Your generous support at our upcoming auction will directly contribute to much-needed

STUDENTS OF MERIT

tech upgrades in the Welches Elementary classrooms. These upgrades include essential equipment like projectors, document cameras, and smart boards, along with the necessary labor to complete each installation. With an estimated cost of $3,000 per classroom and eight classrooms in total, your contributions will pave the way for a modernized learning environment that enhances the educational experience for our students.

If you are interested in volunteering for the auction or making a donation, please

visit our website or email our auction chair at auction@ welchesptco.org by April 5th.

The WPTCO is a nonprofit that serves & supports the students of the Welches Schools and the greater Welches community. To keep up to date on events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities, make sure to visit our website at www.welchesptco. org. If you have any general questions, reach out at info@ welchesptco.org.

STUDENTS OF MERIT

Sponsored by Marti Bowne, Broker,

TOP ROW ( Ella Wagner, 7th Grade | Jaylnn Smith, 8th Grade| Charlee Baker, 4th Grade

Xavier Rosoury, 3rd Grade

MIDDLE ROW (l to r) Ava Mattoon, 4th Grade | JJ Harrell, 3rd Grade

Jax Reed, 5th Grade | Emerson Moreno, 2nd Grade

BOTTOM ROW (l to r) Jade Banik, KG, Ardin Hatter, KG, Calum Kayser, KG

Daniel Martinez-Olmos, KG

ABSENT (right) Soleil Freeman, 2nd Grade

Merit Properties Group

BOTTOM ROW (l to r) Kingston Glenn, 3rd Grade

Reese Hutchinson, 2nd Grade | Brynn Fischer, 2nd Grade

Layla Lynch, 1st Grade | Autumn Hanifin, 4th Grade

FRONT ROW (l to r) Julian Martinez-Ruiz, KG | Paisley Galloway, KG

“PIzza Fractions” by Mrs. Nobel’s 4th grade class.

Museum Chatter: On The Mountain 50 Years Ago

By Lloyd Musser For The Mountain Times

Fifty years ago, in 1974, my wife Maureen and I were living in Government Camp on Mount Hood. We were living full-time in a cabin on Blossom Trail, just two blocks off the business loop road. We had purchased this 1937 era cabin in the previous year for $25,000, fully furnished. I sold my sports car for the down payment and financed the mortgage with the Oregon Military Veterans Home Loan Program. I worked for the U.S. Forest Service at the Bear Springs Ranger Station, 21 miles southeast. Maureen was selling real estate for S & A Realtors, in Rhododendron. We had a small black & white TV with an antenna that picked up three or four Portland channels on a good day. We tried to heat the cabin with wood as the electric baseboard heat was quite expensive. We cut 10 -12 cords of firewood each fall to fuel the fireplace and wood burning furnace.

One had to be physically fit to live in Government Camp, especially when there was no snow removal on the side streets. Prior to the late 1990s the only snow plowing of roads was by ODOT on US 26, the business loop and the street to Multorpor Ski Area, now Skibowl East. Everyone, both full time residents and weekend cabin folks, parked along the business loop. On weekdays we parked on alternating sides of the street, so ODOT could remove the snow efficiently. The parking rules were strictly enforced by the State Police, who would ticket your vehicle if it was not moved by 6:00 PM, and Joie Smith would tow it to her impound lot in Rhododendron where it would cost $175.00 to retrieve it. Vehicles parked along the business loop were vandalized. One time someone needed a fan belt for a VW Beetle, so they helped themselves to the belt from our VW. Another time someone took the battery from my pickup truck by cutting the

cables and breaking the holder, which complicated the replacement of a new battery. Today vehicle parking and vandalism are a non-issue for cabin owners as we pay contractors to plow the snow from the streets and our driveways.

More people live full time in Government Camp today than did in the 1970s. Only eight people lived full-time on Blossom Trail in 1974. We tried to minimize what we packed into the cabins as it was a one-half mile trek on snow to the cabin.

The snowpack in 1974 in Government Camp was over twelve feet: we had to climb up several feet to exit our cabin, duck under the power lines, walk on top of the snowpack to the highway and then somehow get down the twelve feet drop. Sometimes we had a ladder chained to a telephone pole for that purpose.

It is interesting to compare the price and availability of goods and services in 1974 and 2024. Gasoline cost about $0.50 in 1974 and today in 2024 it’s $3.75 per gallon. There were four sources of gasoline in Government Camp in 1974 including Darr’s Chevron at the west end, Union 76 fuel at Huckleberry Restaurant, Richfield fuel at the Village Store (now Glacier House), and the Shell station at the east end of the village. Today the only source of gasoline is Chevron at the east end of the business loop. There were also two gas stations in Rhododendron in 1974.

The Huckleberry Inn was a busy restaurant as Hill’s Place had burned down in 1969. Albie West operated a small café in the Summit House at the east end of the village. The Rats-

keller served pizzas, but was mainly a tavern. Eating and drinking places were limited in 1974, but today there are six dining establishments that serve both food and drink.

The major difference in Government Camp between 1974 and 2024 are the housing options and the price or value of goods and services. That $4.00 Skibowl night lift ticket now costs $64.00. Our $25,000.00 cabin in 1974 is now worth at least $750,000.00. Condominium was a new word in 1974, but today there are hundreds of condominiums in Government Camp. Today there are no vacant building lots available and builders are now buying lots with older cabins, for about $200,000.00. The old cabins were then replaced with large modern dwellings and sold immediately for about 100,000.00.

The depth of the annual snowpack in Government Camp has dramatically changed in fifty years. A snowpack of six feet is more the norm now than the 12 feet in the past.

Another new thing related to Mt. Hood is a podcast dedicated to the mountain. Andy Poorman just started a podcast titled Mt. Hood Podcast. He has three episodes posted so far with many more to come. His

first podcasts are interviews with a geologist, a historian, and a meteorologist. Search for Mt. Hood Podcast and you will find this new source of information about our favorite mountain

Lloyd Musser is the volunteer curator at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum. The Museum is located at 88900 E. US 26, Government Camp, Oregon. Open every day, 9-5 www.mthoodmuseum.org ph. 503-272-3301.

Snowfall from 2023 at The Museum.

The typical snowpack at the Mt. Hood Museum, in Government Camp, has been less than six feet since the Museum opened in 2001.

By Steve Wilent For The Mountain Times

It’s early March as I write this and several inches of late winter snow blanket the woods around my home. Spring will have sprung well before April Fool’s Day. Since the vernal equinox on March 19, the sun shines on us longer each day until the summer solstice on June 20. No doubt some of our spring days will be warm and sunny, coaxing this year’s crop of skunk cabbage plants to emerge from dormancy and display their brilliant yellow flowers.

Western skunk cabbage is named for the odor it emits, especially when the leaves are broken or bruised, but the smell is far milder than that produced by its namesake critter. It’s a welcome scent that heralds fine weather to come. According to the US Forest Service, skunk cabbage leaves can grow to 53 inches long and more than 31 inches wide, making them the larg -

The Woodsman: Spring on the Mountain: Not-So-Stinky Skunk Cabbage Awakens

est leaves of any native plant in the Pacific Northwest. The plants, which can be as tall as five feet, are found in swamps, marshes and other wetlands. You’ll see lots of skunk cabbages from the boardwalk at the Wildwood Recreation Site during spring and summer. I didn’t see any on a March 5 walk on the stillsnowy path.

The authors of Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast write that most Indigenous people in the region used skunk cabbage leaves as liners for berry baskets, drying racks, and steaming pits, but they didn’t eat skunk cabbage, except in times of famine.

However, the Oregon Encyclopedia, which is published by the Oregon Historical Society, reports that some Indigenous peoples relished the rhizomes, which they roasted before eating:

Some sources report that Native people regarded skunk cabbage as an emergency food, and some say that the roots were cherished. In an interview with linguist J. P. Harrington in 1942, Hanis Coos Elder Lottie Evanoff said that she very much liked skunk cabbage and found it curious that settlers did not eat it. “Bear eats skunk cabbage, are just crazy for it,”

she said. “So it must be good eating, everything the bear eats is good eating.”

Skunk cabbage rhizomes and leaves contain oxalic acid, which is toxic to humans, but roasting or boiling them and changing the water several times breaks down the acid.

Skunk cabbage flowers, harbingers of warmer latespring weather, form before the large leaves emerge. The flowers consist of a yellow sheathing bract or pair of bracts around a spadix, a spike covered with tiny flowers closely arranged around a fleshy stem. Their brilliant yellow color has led some folks to call skunk cabbage flowers the swamp lantern.

Red elderberry is another spring bloomer and is one of the first shrubs to begin leafing out; I saw several of them breaking bud on my March 5 wander at Wildwood. By mid-spring, the branch tips will be adorned with bunches of fragrant white flowers that are both showy and important sources of nectar for butterflies and bees. By mid-to-late summer, these flowers will turn into small, bright-red berries. Although seeds of the berries are mildly toxic, the berries can be safely eaten or made into syrup or wine after cooking. According to Plants

of the Pacific Northwest Coast, red elderberry was and is “a highly important food for the [Indigenous peoples] of the central and north coast.” Blue elderberry, a related shrub, produces blue berries that are edible and delicious (the stems and leaves are toxic). According to the US Natural Resources Conservation Service, “The blue or purple berries are gathered and made into elderberry wine, jam, syrup and pies. The entire flower cluster can be dipped in batter and fried, while petals can be eaten raw or made into a fragrant and

tasty tea. The flowers add an aromatic flavor and lightness to pancakes or fritters.”

Some folks enjoy pancakes with ripe blue elderberries as much as they enjoy flapjacks with wild huckleberries or blueberries. In any form, blue elderberries are high in vitamin C and also contain vitamin A, iron, potassium, and antioxidants. Sláinte!

Have a question about skunk cabbage or elderberries? Want to know what other common plant in our area contains oxalic acid? Let me know. Email: SWilent@ gmail.com.

Western skunk cabbage in bloom. Photo US Forest Service.

Fore! Remembering Rich Lujan and Randy Russ

By Bradford Bixby For The Mountain Times

Welcome back, Dear Reader, to this year’s first issue of Fore. I come to you this month with a heavy heart. Both of those smiling rascals in the photo passed away recently within a couple of weeks of each other. I understand I’m

at that time of life where I will be losing people I care about but this was a real double whammy. These two guys were very high on my list of favorites in the Mount Hood Golf Club. I smiled every time I came to the course and saw these gentlemen because these were happy guys you want to hang out with. Laughing, smiling and

Welches PTCO Auction to Upgrade Classroom Tech Local News

By Ty Wallker The Mountain Times

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. It’s springtime on the mountain. It’s a good time to help give school children room to bloom by bidding at the biggest benefit of the year for Welches School — the WPTCO’s annual auction.

The 2024 Welches Parent Teacher Community Organization’s Bid & Bloom Spring Auction is the fitting name for this year’s main event. Tickets are $35 each for the dinner and auction set for Saturday, April 27, at Camp Arrah Wanna, 24075 E. Arrah Wanna Blvd., in Welches.

Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served 5:30 to 7 p.m., silent auction is 5 to 7 p.m., and the live auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Former Oregon Trails School District board member DJ Anderson will be the emcee and auctioneer for the occasion.

The WPTCO has high hopes of the auction raising $30,000 to go toward technical upgrades for the eight elementary classrooms at

enjoying every day is how they live in my memories. Both of them were generous with their time both as club members and friends. Rich Lujan served as President of the club and (as I’m sure I’ve mentioned more than once) is the man that shanghaied me onto the board. Apparently his grasp of the language was a little weak because he clearly misinterpreted “let me think about it” to mean “gee I’d love to.” But to be fair I couldn’t have turned him down anyway. I loved the guy too much and his enthusiasm was too infectious. And let’s not forget his not-forprofit club technician hobby. We all know he lost money on it but good luck making him take any.

The other smiling imp in the picture is Randy Russ, a tire-

less volunteer for the club. He took over the rules committee when we lost Dave Olson. He dressed up hilariously every chance he could. His Fourth of July outfits were legendary. He was my supervisor last year when he took over as Head Marshall. Typical of Randy was the time I was sharing a cart with him and after I hit my shot I looked around and he was nowhere to be seen! When I put my club away I saw him kneeling down trimming the overgrown grass from a drain with a linoleum knife. But that was typical of Randy… taking pride, responsibility and care for something he loved. Our heartfelt condolences to the incredible women that these two adored, Nancy Lujan and Marti Bowne. Requiescat in Pace, Brothers, Rest In Peace.

I do have some club news to share, as the Men’s Club will be starting up the first Tuesday in April and the Women’s Club will begin play on the first Wednesday in May. There’s always room for new members so come on down. Our fearless leader Tom Franklin is adding events on Monday and Wednesday evenings that are open to the public using the ever popular and equalizing scramble format. On the Resort side Altitude is closed ‘til late May for remodeling so Mallards is the place to dine. GM Chris Skipper told me they plan on having live music on Fridays at Mallards all summer. Can’t wait!

Well that’s it for this month, so come on out to join us, and remember when you do to “Hit ‘Em Straight.”

Welches School. Funds would help pay for smart boards, projectors and document cameras, essential needs in the modernized learning environment.

“It’s going to be a great time,” WPTCO Marketing director Cassie Kanable said. “We’re trying to max out capacity and go as big as possible. We need the participation from the community to come through and support Welches School.”

The auction will feature some exceptional items, including annual passes to the Aladdin Theater and other True West venues, gift certificates to local restaurants, World Forestry Center tickets, hotel stays on the mountain and on the Oregon coast.

Dinner will feature Pacific Northwest cuisine by Jason Horner, former longtime chef at the Skyway Bar & Grill. Delectable desserts will be made by Kanable, the pastry chef at Rendezvous. Both Kanable and Horner are donating their personal time for the cause.

Individual tickets, available for $35 online at welchesptco.org/auction, include

dinner, dessert and non-alcoholic drinks. Local beer, wine, and a few signature cocktails will be available to purchase a la carte. This event is open to guests 21 years of age and

older. Last year was the first year back for the WPTCO annual auction since it was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. The community organization is bidding on an even bigger show of support in 2024 by building on the success of its 2023 event, which raised more than $23,000.

Left to right: Rich Lujan and Randy Russ.

Women in Business: Mt. Hood Insurance Going On 25 and Going Strong

By Ty Walker The Mountain Times

Joan Kiefer’s mother was one of the first women to own her own independent insurance agency back in the 1970s. Joan followed her mother’s footsteps into the insurance industry, work -

ing for the family business in Bellingham, Washington.

When her mother retired, Kiefer decided she needed a change of scenery and moved to Oregon. She got a job working for someone else at another agency, but found out that the company didn’t have the same ethics and morals of her family agency.

She concluded that she would either have to get out of the insurance business or open her own office and run it with the values she’d learned from her mother. So on Sept. 27, 1999, Kiefer opened her own Mt. Hood Insurance Agency in Sandy, where she is celebrating its 25th year of selling customers property and casualty insurance.

“I sold everything I had and opened the agency in Sandy, with enough money to carry me for one year and knowing only two people in

Author Mark Pomeroy.

By Donovan Darling

The Mountain Times

In his newest novel set to publish in late March, local author Mark Pomeroy gives us a compelling story of aspiration and, perhaps, a new take on the American Dream.

Very much a visual storyteller, Pomeroy allows you to feel utterly immersed in the minds and lives of the three Garrison sisters and their

all of Clackamas County,” Kiefer said. “Within the first 10 months, the office started paying for itself. Whenever a local came to the office, I’d ask them for a referral.”

Kiefer said she treats everybody the way she would like to be treated, with respect and kindness. She finds joy in being able to help people.

“I really think I’ve stayed in business all these years because my priority is to be kind to people and not judge them, and to treat all people with kindness no matter what side of the tracks they come from,” Kiefer said.

When she opened Mt. Hood Insurance, very few women owned their own business in the insurance industry. Kiefer called it “the old boys club.” Over the years, she said, “It has been a true delight watching more women taking the reins and running

with it.”

Kiefer’s kindness extends to animals as well as people. She has a real compassion for animals and runs a small rescue operation on the side, where she cares for three horses, one goat, one pig and a cat.

Two of the horses suffered abuse at the hands of humans and a third was homeless before Kiefer took them under her care. One abused horse lost an eye and the other is impaired by eye damage.

“It has been a delight watching the horses regain some trust in humans,” Kiefer said.

One of the horses, named Capt. Morgan developed the amusing ability to unlock doors and gates.

“He is a professional locksmith,” Kiefer said. “Everything must be double-locked. He was in the habit of letting

Local Author Releases Compelling

New Novel “The Tigers of Lents”

family. Set mainly in the Lents neighborhood of Portland, Oregon — with scenes taking place in Welches, Downtown Portland and North Portland — the novel shows a family’s struggle with poverty and existential persistence. Sara, the oldest and a soccer star; Elaine, struggling with weight and mental health; and Rachel, a bibliophile and writer — all aspire to a better if unimaginable life. Full of bittersweet hope, we find the Garrison sisters’ love and support for each other is what’s needed to overcome the life and trials they are dealt. Emotional and detailed, a slice of life and deep exploration of place, this is an exciting read you won’t want to miss. Thanks to the University of Iowa Press for the advance reader copy.

Pomeroy was kind enough to provide some insight into

his daily life, what he enjoys to do, his writing life and some of his favorite books and authors.

“Well, I was born and raised in NE Portland, where I now live with my family. Apart from writing and teaching, I try to get some exercise each day. It’s a key part of the writing life, I feel. A little jogging, cycling, hiking, and now and then some soccer with my teenage son, who plays competitively. (Yeah, it’s getting harder to keep up with him.) My family and I love to spend time on and near Mount Hood. Some favorite hikes: anywhere on the Timberline Trail, which I hiked in its entirety in 2013 with some writer friends, Chinidere Mountain, White River Canyon, McNeil Point, the Mazama Trail. As for books that I seem to reread the most, here’s a partial list:

himself out and letting his playmates out.

In her spare time, Kiefer also enjoys being active outdoors, gardening, hiking, camping and off-road riding.

She offered some advice to women starting their own business.

“Being your own boss is not a 9-to-5 or Monday-throughFriday job. If you have the drive to dig in and push on, it is very rewarding.

“If you post hours, you have to be true to the hours you post. It is imperative that you are consistent so you can build the trust of prospective clients.

“Treating people well and doing what you say you will do is the best advertisement anyone could ever have.”

“The Remains of the Day,” “Cold Mountain,” “The Shipping News,” most of Larry Brown’s work, “Plainsong,” Luis Urrea’s “The Devil’s Highway” and “True Grit.” I also often return to Langston Hughes’s classic story “Thank You, Ma’m,” and poems by William Stafford, Pablo Neruda, Naomi Shihab Nye and Jim Harrison. I begin each writing day by reading a couple of poems, to quiet down a bit, steep myself in language and get my head right for the work.”

Mark Pomeroy leads creative writing workshops in Portland Public Schools. He is author of “The Brightwood Stillness” and a recipient of an Oregon Literary Fellowship for Fiction. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

“The Tigers of Lents” is available for pre-order through University of Iowa Press or

bookstores nationwide. There will also be a book launch reading for “The Tigers of Lents” at Broadway Books in Portland, Wednesday April 3 at 6 p.m. Other events and appearances will be posted on Pomeroy’s website, www. mpomeroy.com.

Joan Kiefer.

Alpine Events & Busy Bee Catering

73365 E Highway 26 Rhododendren

Pop-Up Dinner: Carnivores Delight! | 5 pm

$30 for Adults | Buffet Style Service

Reservations Required | Call 503.622.4618

Skyway Bar & Grill

Sarah Clarke & Galen Clark | 6 pm

Soul, Funk & Jazz

International Beaver Day No Housework Day World Health Day

Sandy Farmer’s Market Lot 38600 Proctor Blvd | Sandy, OR Tree, Shrub & Plant Sale | 10 am

Fundraiser

Whistle Stop Bar & Grill Karaoke | Varies

14

Look up at the Sky Day

21

Kindergarten Day

Passover Candle Lighting | 7:52 pm

Whistle Stop Bar & Grill Karaoke | Varies

28

International Astronomy Day Great Poetry Reading Day

International Tatting Day

Children’s Book Day National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day Reconciliation Day Wraptitude

Sandy Public Library Teen Library Advisory Board | 4 pm Community Room

Draw a Picture of a Bird Day Zoo Lover’s Day

15

Income Taxes Due

Titanic Remembrance Day World Art Day

| Varies**

Passover Eve Candle Lighting | 7:45 pm

22

Earth Day (U.S.)

Girl Scout Leader Day Passover begins at sundown *

Wraptitude Live Music | Varies**

Hoodland Lutheran Church

Neighborhood Missions Free Food Day | 9 am

Kiss Your Mate Day International Dance Day April Fool’s Day

29

Sandy Community Center AARP Safe Driving Class | 9 am

Sandy Public Library Computer Basics | 10 am Community Room

Sandy Community Center Sandy Bee City USA Action Meeting | 5:30 pm

National Library Workers Day –Tuesday of Library Week in April

Hoodland Public Library Hoodland Staff Member Retires | 10 am Community Room

Don’tGotoWorkUnlessit’sFunDay* Find a Rainbow Day National Walking Day*

Chicali Cantina Eric Kallio | 5 pm

National Bookmobile Day*

National Siblings Day Safety Pin Day

Sandy Community Center FREE Financial Education Class | 10:45 am

Hoodland Public Library Hoodland Book Club | 4 pm Community Room

16

30 April

Sandy Public Library In Bloom Reception | 6 pm

Do

Zoom

Sandy

Presented by Embold Credit Union Deer

Bat Appreciation Day Blah, Blah, Blah Day Herbalist Day

Lover’s Day

National Picnic Day National Zucchini Bread Day

Sandy Public Library Google Tools | 10 am Community Room | RSVP at 503.668.5537

Sandy Public Library Library Advisory Board Meeting | 6 pm Community Room | Zoom A Stategies Community

Administrative Professionals Day (Executive Admin’s Day, Secretary’s Day) * Pig in a Blanket Day

Presented by Wy’East Artisans Guild 68211 Hoodland

Calendar Artwork is “Spring

*Denotes that the date changes

**Please call Wraptitude for more

***Please call Cathy or Ken for International Jazz Day National Honesty Day National Mahjong Day

Sandy Public Library Digital Book Club | 7 pm Zoom | Contact kaden@ci.sandy.or.us

Shabbat Candle Lighting | 7:23 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill Deja 2 | 7 pm Folk - Rock

Sandy River Trail 38250

REPEAT EVENTS

Sandy Library In Bloom | Group Art Exhibit March 7th - July 3rd

Sandy Library Fireplace Room Fiber Arts Circle | 2pm Tuesdays

School Librarian Day Walk Around Things Day World Rat Day

Sandy Public Library

Sandy Women’s Book Club | 6 pm Community Room

11

Barbershop Quartet Day

National Pet Day

Sandy Public Library Culinary World Tour Extravaganza! | 6 pm Sandy Library Community Room

Shabbat Candle Lighting | 7:32 pm

12

Mt. Hood Oregon Resort Nonpartisan Candidate Forum | 1 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill

Bob Voll Band | 7 pm Rock and Roll

4 5 6

Hoodland Public Library Hoodland LEGO Club | 1 pm Community Room

Skyway Bar & Grill Countryside Ride | 7 pm Honky Tonk

13

National Submarine Day Int. Plant Appreciation Day

1937 Steiner Church 68825 E Barlow Trail Road Steiner Church Tours | 10am Every First Saturday

Sandy Historical Society Museum Sewing Class | 10am $5 Entry*** Every First Saturday

Sandy Public Library Family Storytime | 10am Saturdays

Hoodland Library Community Room Mahjong | 2pm Every Second Saturday

Sandy Library Community Room Kids Club | 4pm Grades 1-5 Every Second & Fourth Tuesday

Sandy Library Kids’ Room Read to a Dog | 4:15pm Tuesdays

Coffeehouse 26 Al-Anon | 5pm Tuesdays

Sandy Public Library A Celebration of Poetry | 6 pm Fireplace Room

Church on the Mountain 68211 E Highway 26 | Welches, OR Community Meeting | 7 pm

18

Hoodland Community Planning Organization

Sandy Public Library Stategies for Estate Planning | 6:30 pm Community Room | RSVP at 503.668.5537

Cooper’s Wine Bar & Shop Feature Tasting | 6 pm RoxyAnn Winery

19 20

Skyway Bar & Grill Police Cars | 7 pm Pop-Rock | Cover Band

Shabbat Candle Lighting | 7:41 pm

25 26

Shabbat Candle Lighting | 7:50 pm

National DNA Day World Penguin Day

“Spring to Life,” by Becky Hawley changes each year more information at 503.622.0893 for more information at 503.668.3378

Skyway Bar & Grill RoseBolt Band | 7 pm Rock | Cover Band

Volunteer Recognition Day World Circus Day*

Sandy Public Library Children’s Day | 10 am Bilingual Celebration!

27

Skyway Bar & Grill Moon Music | 7 pm Rock, Funk & Jazz

Global Astronomy Month

Lawn and Garden Month

National Frog Month

National Poetry Month Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sandy Library Community Room Spanish Class | 3pm Sundays

Sandy Library Community Room English Class | 4pm Sundays

St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Alcoholics Anonymous | 6pm Sundays

Sandy Library Community Room Spanish Storytime | 1pm Sundays

St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Alcoholics Anonymous | 9am Mondays

Sandy Library Community Room Creation Station | 10am Every Second & Fourth Monday

Sandy Library Community Room Teen Hangout | 4pm Every First & Third Monday

Hoodland Lutheran Church Narcotics Anonymous | 6pm Mondays

Whistle Stop Bar & Grill Trivia | 7pm Tuesdays St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Alcoholics Anonymous | 9am Wednesdays

Sandy Community Center Teen Makerspace | 4pm Every Wednesday

Sandy AntFarm Cafe & Bakery Narcotics Anonymous | 7pm Wednesdays

Sandy Library Community Room Storytime | 10am Thursdays

St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Overeaters Anonymous | 6pm Thursdays

Hoodland Library Community Room Storytime | 10:30am Fridays

Mt. Hood Lions Club Bingo | 6pm No Outside Food or Drink | Fridays

St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Alcoholics Anonymous | 6pm Women’s Meeting | Fridays

Sandy Pool Demolition To Be Completed Local News

By Adrian Knowler The Mountain Times

The Olin Y. Bignall Aquatic Center will be completely demolished and the site readied for potential redevelopment by the end of April, according to Sandy Parks and Recreation Department officials.

The pool facility was slated for demolition by the city council, but elected officials opted not to replace it with a new aquatic center, citing cost as

the reason.

The facility was purchased by the city in 2018 and operated for about a year before the decision was made to close the pool due to significant electrical and plumbing issues and high operational costs. The building was constructed in 1963, and much of the infrastructure had deteriorated, according to a video published by the city.

The building also needed a new roof and improved wheel-

chair access, officials said.

After it was closed, the city undertook an evaluation of the facility and found that repairing the issues didn’t make financial sense, considering that the aquatics center wasn’t large enough for Sandy’s long term recreational needs.

To pay for a larger, new facility, the city would need to raise property taxes or create a special funding district, officials say.

The facility recommended in the 2021 report would cost an estimated $26.6 million, and an additional $1 million every two years to pay for operations, on top of fees charged to swimmers.

Parks and Recreation Department head Rochelle

Anderholm-Parsch said she understands that many in the community are feeling the loss of the pool.

“We as the city of Sandy understand the importance of aquatics and we don’t want to minimize the importance of the Olin center to the community,” she said in an interview. She said that swimmers should consider taking the plunge at the Mount Hood Athletic Club, or at pool facilities in Gresham or Oregon City.

“We’re happy to connect

people with those resources, if they need,” she said. The city is working on a program to help Sandy residents access nearby pools, according to the video published by the department.

10 acres adjoining the pool facility campus is currently being developed into a park that will feature a 20,000 square-foot skate pump track, among other recreational opportunities, Anderholm-Parsch said.

Trajectory NW Auction Supports Forestry Education

By Ty Walker

The Mountain Times

Trajectory NW Chief Executive Officer Austin Ernesti has a vision. With a start-up grant from Clackamas County, he founded this nonprofit organization in December 2022 full of big ideas of creating a k-12 education program that connects students with a network of forest industry professionals.

In January 2023, Trajectory helped launch the first Sandy High School Forestry Club in decades, and by the end of the school year, there were two full programs at different Clackamas County high schools, providing them a new outdoor career specialist almost every week. So far Trajectory has visited five schools and served hundreds of local students.

“We are passionate about showing youth there are many paths to fulfilling careers and love to highlight the outdoor and trades works,” Ernesti said.

Now Trajectory NW has its sights set on its first Scholarship Dinner and Auction, scheduled for April 27 in McMenamins Edgefield Ballroom, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale. Tickets are going fast and available online at trajectorynw.org. Cost is $75 per individual and $750 for a table of eight. Doors open for the silent auction at 5:30 pm, dinner is served at 6:30 pm, and the live auction starts at 7 pm.

The event benefits education in forestry, natural resource management, heavy machinery, production and other careers. Funds raised go to fund k-12 educational programs and at least one $5,000 scholarship to an inbound freshman headed to a relevant program of study.

Some of the items up for the live auction include: a private South Dakota pheasant hunting and salmon fishing trip, cosmetics and beauty supplies, gift baskets, outdoor gear, saw-carved artwork, and more.

Ernesti, who runs Trajectory with the help of a five-member board that includes a teacher, a logger, an arborist and a heavy machine operator talks about the organization’s mission with great enthusiasm.

“Kids are engaged and care what happens so they get to see this much bigger picture,” Ernesti said. “Our mission is to invigorate the community by tying historical identities to modern workforce needs. In Oregon that means timber. Almost every single one of these towns was created by forestry or logging. We need to combine modern science sustainability with traditional ecological knowledge and old school logger gumption.”

The Trajectory program brings professionals into the classroom and classes to the woods to expose students to forestry-related careers, such as natural resource management, heavy machine operation, and wood production. For example, a Sandy High School natural resource management

class recently took a field trip to a local fishery and a fish biologist visited the school.

Ernesti is a member of the Association Of Oregon Loggers (AOL) and Bark, an environmental watchdog for the Mt. Hood National Forest. He grew up on a farm in the midwest, served two tours of duty for the U.S. Army in Iraq to help pay for college, and earned a

master’s degree in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. In 2019, he moved with his family to Sandy, where he sits on the board of the Sandy Historical Society Museum.

For more information about the Trajectory NW Scholarship Dinner and Auction, email info@trajectorynw.org

Photo Friends of Sandy Pool Facebook, July 2018.

Local News

The Log Lodge Restoration Makes Progress

By Ty Walker The Mountain Times

Significant progress is being made on the Log Lodge restoration project in Rhododendron. Built in 1929 by William “Bill” Lenz from hand-hewn Douglas fir logs felled on the site, the historic Mount Hood building has become a local icon.

Over its 95-year history, The Log Lodge has seen things come and go. In the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, it was the place to go after skiing, or, quoting former owner Doug Kinne, the “Apres ski locale.”

It was a community hub, a bar, restaurant and lounge, music venue and dance hall. Locals have fond memories of the building. When the area flooded in 1964 and all the bridges washed away, many gathered at the Log Lodge for Christmas. For Portlanders, it was a day trip to that “hopping place on the mountain.”

When it was Don Guido’s Italian Restaurant, it was voted best place to kiss in a survey of romantic U.S. restaurants. A cozy double-sided fireplace and large exposed logs added to the ambience. With a lot of hard work, the latest owners want to see to it that

dancing days are here again.

The new owners, Anita Wisloff and Erik Menteer, a Portland couple who have relocated to Rhododendron, have ambitious plans of returning the venerable lodge to its original luster. The Log Lodge has become their life’s work as they have invested “pretty much everything we have,” they said.

They started by replacing the leaky roof with a metal one better suited for the climate. The main parts of the 4,000 square-foot-structure were intact, but the bottom rows of logs were beginning to rot from exposure to weather conditions.

They also had to rebuild the chimney and double-sided fireplace. To help repair the structure itself, they received a "Diamonds in the Rough" grant from Preserve Oregon, which will help restore facades that have been heavily altered.

“Our vision is to restore it to its historic appearance, and revive the ambience of the tales told from back when it was a bar and music venue,” Wisloff and Menteer said in a joint email.

They spent a year planning the log repairs with someone who became a dear friend, local log expert David Rogers.

“It was a major heartbreak when he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away four months into starting the actual work, and it set us back both financially and mentally,” Wisloff and Menteer said. “He really was irreplaceable, and we eventually realized that we had to shift gears and come up with a new plan for the main structural repairs. But we learned a lot from David, and he played a big part in this project.”

Over the summer, they painstakingly stripped layers of paint, brushed, sanded and polished the logs, then added a fresh stain. They said the result is beautiful.

“We've both always had a dream to do something like this, to create a place where you'd want to hang out yourself,” Wisloff and Menteer said.

Menteer is a musician who plays guitar for the Portland band Blitzen Trapper. Wisloff is a native Norwegian who has worked in the music industry as a booking agent for bands.

When Kinne owned and operated Don Gudo’s at the Log Lodge restaurant for 15 years, from 1992 to 2007, it was a popular destination. But he said the high cost of heating it was “a nightmare.” To keep

it warm in the winter, he had to run two large 250,000 BTU furnaces full time and burn a cord of wood a day.

After he closed Don Guido’s, he rented the lodge to several restaurants that didn’t last. Mt. Hood Daycare Center was the last tenant before he decided to sell the building. Kinne moved to Texas and was excited to hear through the Mt. Hood grapevine that it was being restored by the new owners.

“Now a serious rejuvenation effort is going into the building,” he said. “The magnitude of the restoration is going to be relatively epic. It’s expensive to replace logs.”

He said the substructure of the building is rock solid with hand hewn 14 by 20 inch logs on top of concrete rocks for the foundation. Some pretty interesting technology went into the building, such as a floating floor separate from the building.

One of his favorite details is the large fireplace headstone cut in the shape of the southern exposure of Mt. Hood. The fireplace and the Log Lodge that houses it will live again.

For information about supporting the Log Lodge restoration project, go to Theloglodge.net. Follow the progress of the project on insta-

Clackamas County Elections May 21, 2024

Get VOTE Ready for 2024

● Sign up for Track Your Ballot.

● April 30, 2024 is the Voter Registration and Party Choice Deadline. Register to vote, update your information, or choose your political party at oregonvotes.gov.

● Visit our elections office and be an election observer.

● Become a temporary election worker and get hands-on democracy experience.

OPEN POSITIONS

Position

County Commissioner, Position 1, Chair - 4 Year

Term: Tootie Smith, Craig Roberts

County Commissioner, Position 3 - 4 Year Term: Martha Schrader, Joanna Harbour (withdrawn 1/23/2024), Amy Nichols, Dana Hindman-Allen County Commissioner, Position 4 - 4 Year Term: Rae Gordon, Mark Shull, Melissa Fireside, Tina Irvine County Sheriff - 4 Year Term (Candidates who file for Sheriff are required to submit a Sheriff Candidate Eligibility Review to DPSST): Angela Brandenburg (DPSST certi-

The following is a list of positions for which Clackamas County is the filing officer. The filing period for these positions is from September 14, 2023 until 5 p.m. on March 12, 2024. Before filing please review the Candidate Filing Information for information on qualifications, forms, deadlines, campaign finance, and voters' pamphlet statements. You may contact our office with additional questions.

fication received 9/18/2023), Lynn Schoenfeld (DPSST certification received 10/18/2023), Paul Moore (DPSST certification received 10/26/2023)

Please note: There are some positions that will be up for election in May 2024 for which the Secretary of State is the filing officer, including District Attorney and Judge of the Circuit Court. For more information on these positions, please contact the State Elections Division.

Contact Clackamas County at 503-655-8510 (Fax 503-6558461), elections@clackamas. us, or visit them at 1710 Red Soils Court, Suite 100 Oregon City, OR 97045. Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Election Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

By Cathy Lavin

For The Mountain Times

The Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) was in its infancy in the 1960s and 1970s. But even then, it balanced social events that brought local women together with promoting and improving the vast geographic area that comprises the Hoodland community.

A community gathering place ultimately christened the Dorman Center was the site of many of these events. While that site no longer exists, HWC continues to support the community with activities geared to 21st century needs. In the fiscal year ending last July, that included charitable giving of $16,313 for scholarships, Welches schools, Spook Alley, Hoodland Christmas baskets, Meals on Wheels, Mt. Hood Unida and individual

hardship requests.

Local resident Jean Bevilacqua remembers seeing the Dorman Center being built and the role her grandmother Florence Simmons (a past HWC president who lived to be 101) played in founding the club. She said she spent every other weekend in ZigZag as a child and recalls hours sorting through items for the annual rummage sale.

In February, HWC recreated a Sweethearts Ball, which was one of the earliest activities of the club. In March, club members gathered at Cooper’s Wine Shop for a night of cards and socializing. Member Anne High has begun hosting a weekly crafting group that will sell its creations at Hoodland block parties (the first is scheduled for May 11 from 3-6 p.m. in the Cooper’s parking lot behind Thriftway) and holiday

bazaars. On April 9 beginning at 10 a.m., HWC members will pick up trash along Salmon River Road as part of its twice yearly Adopt a Highway activity.

HWC has also expanded promotion of its community fund availability to remind Hoodland neighbors that they can request assistance from the club if they are experiencing hardships that impact their immediate physiological needs, including food, shelter and/or safety. Hardship Assistance forms are available electronically on the HWC website and in paper form at the Hoodland Library, the Hoodland Senior Center and Neighborhood Missions.

While winter is a recent memory, members have already begun preparing for HWC’s major fundraiser of the year, a golf tournament sched-

uled for Thursday, August 15, at the Mt. Hood, Oregon Resort. Members are contacting community businesses and individuals to let them know how they can participate.

Individuals interested in getting to know others while supporting the Hoodland area are encouraged to become HWC members. Membership dues are $25/year. Members are both fulltime and part-time residents of the community. More information is available on the HWC website (just search for Hoodland Women’s Club) or by emailing board@hoodlandwomensclub.org.

Those interested are also invited to attend one of the club’s monthly meetings. The April meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 1, at 3 p.m. at Alpine

Events Center where HWC member and local attorney Paula Walker will speak about wills and trusts. Anyone wanting to attend who did not receive an evite can contact board members at the address listed previously.

Mt. Hood Lions Club: Mountain Roar

By Lion, Milt Fox For The Mountain Times

Please plan to attend our Mt. Hood Lions Club Scholarship Dinner on Saturday April 13th. Happy Hour begins at 6:30pm, with dinner at 7.00pm. This year’s dinner will include spaghetti, Italian sausage, Italian bread and salad (using some of Lion Jim Turin’s famous recipes). Price at the door is $8 for kids 10 and under, and $18 for adults. Special Adult Presale tickets are available for $15 at Welches Clackamas County Bank, Welches Mountain Building Supply, Coffee House 26, and the Whistle Stop Tavern - or ask any Lion. Our Scholarship Committee Chairwoman is Lion Cindi Sempert, with

Muffins, Music and Math in March

DMV

From Page 3

“Retention of staff remains a challenge,” Godfrey said in December.

“Salaries have not increased. The customer-facing nature of DMV frontline positions does not allow for remote work and the increasing availability of telework throughout other state agencies and the private sector makes it difficult for DMV to compete for qualified candidates and retain experienced staff.”

By OR Trail School District

For The Mountain Times

The Welches School kicked off March with a new event: Muffins, Music & Math on Wednesday, March 6. With muffins, fruit, coffee and juice provided by the Welches Parent Teacher Community Organization, 130 students and parents got the day started with some grade-level stations featuring math activities that families could do together.

“It was a smashing success,” said Kendra Payne, Welches School Principal.

Every student in attendance received a free double dice and a DecaDeck (flashcards), while free math guides, parent resources and children’s books about math were also available. School staff helped families while jazz music set the mood.

“It had a busy, jazzy coffee shop vibe,” Payne said.

Next up for the school will be a similar event, Books & Bagels, on Friday, April 12.

Lion Craig Calvert heading up the kitchen crew. Our club’s scholarship program began in 1998. So please come out in support of this very important Lion’s Club project. Thank you!

Remember, Bingo continues every Friday night through May 10th, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and Bingo starting at 7:00 p.m.

April is a busy month for us with club elections to be held at our April 10th meeting. We will hold our new member initiation at our April 24th meeting. New members will be treated to one of our great steak dinners. Our next big club project is our Swimming Lessons program which will be held at Camp Arrah Wanna again this year. Lion David Buoy is our chairman and he is helped by

a great crew of Lions. We are planning to begin registration for this year’s lessons by mid-May. We are also making plans to be able to instruct up to 90 kids this year. Then on Saturday June 1st we will be having a Mexican Dinner to help with the funding to support this year’s lessons. Lion Nolberto Perez is our Dinner Chairman. Lessons will begin starting on the week of Monday June 17th, and continue through the week of Monday June 24th.

This year’s Chuckwagon Breakfast will be held on Saturday July 6th and Sunday July 7th.

We’ll keep you informed on these and other events in future columns.

It’s great to be a Lion.

Thank you for supporting your local paper!

Photo from Google Maps.

By Dr. Robert Kelly, D.M.D.

General Dentist, McKenzie Dental

I’m always up for learning about new research and new treatments outside of the box. I recently read an article in a dental journal by Melissa Busch who explained some new research with Cannabidiol (CBD) by professor Jack Windsor, PhD at Indiana University School of Dentistry.

CBD is the nonpsychoactive compound in cannabis and it was found to inhibit the growth of the periodontitis pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Whew, that was a mouthful: we can refer to it by its nickname P. gingivalis.

P. gingivalis is a gram negative anaerobe which

By Amber Ford The Mountain Times

As with many other small vacation towns across the United States, the presence of alcohol and addiction can be seen in a variety of different forms, and driving under the influence charges clearly illustrate this. In the last several months alone, a heavy police presence has been felt throughout the Mt. Hood Villages and several DUIs have been issued to drivers impaired by the effects of alcohol. Most of these citations were issued in instances that did not involve harm to person or property; others addressed significant damage to the vehicle and driver.

Health

The Whole Tooth: CBD in Dentistry

means it lives and thrives in conditions with no oxygen. It can negatively influence our oral health by contributing to tissue destruction in periodontal disease. If our mouth was a superhero, it is the bad guy. It contributes to the destruction of oral tissues through the production of proteases. What this means in our mouths is it contributes to destruction of the foundational support of our teeth.

The research conducted looked at the effects of different concentrations of CBD on the bacteria. They found that even small concentrations of CBD both inhibited bacteria growth and also inhibited the proteases which were responsible for damage to the tissue.

In conclusion, Windsor wrote “CBD has antibacterial effects against P.gingivalis and can inhibit some of the virulence factors related to the ability of host tissue invasion.”

I don’t recommend running out just yet to use this as definitive treatment; it still requires further study. But the fascinating conclusion is that it does appear to show in the lab, microscopically,

that CBD has some beneficial effect against the chronic inflammatory condition of periodontal disease.

The CDC estimates that over 50% of the adult population has periodontal disease whether it is stable or active.

So once again, they haven’t quite recommended cannabis for treatment yet but I’ll keep you posted!

ROBERT KELLY, DMD, GENERAL DENTIST

Health Concerns On Driving Impaired

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in 2020 alone there were over 11,600 people killed in motor vehicle crashes that involved alcohol-impaired drivers. That accounted for 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.

The CDC further states that over the last several years, alcohol-impaired deaths have continued to rise as statistics showed a 14.3% increase in fatalities from 2019 to 2020.

While these statistics are nationwide numbers, drinking and driving has an unfortunate tendency to plague small towns with a larger impact as taxis, ride-share programs and public transportation are limited.

In the state of Oregon the legal blood alcohol limit is .08%, which is the equivalent of “four standard” drinks. According to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), those “four standard” drinks are dependent on how much a person has eaten and how quickly those drinks are consumed. While bartenders are required to hold OLCC licenses (obtained through a state-sponsored online class), overconsumption must be monitored with each drink served. According to the OLCC, overconsumption can be very costly, and not just for the intoxicated individual who presents the potential for a DUI. Both bartenders

and bar owners can suffer heavy fines and even lose their liquor license for overserving a patron.

According to the CDC, over one million DUIs are given out each year in the United States; while many of those do not involve serious incidents, the data is clear as to how damaging and deadly driving under the influence can be. While servers and bartenders do their absolute best to ensure patrons leave responsibly, it is ultimately up to the driver to ensure they not only keep themselves safe, but their community and other drivers as well. Planning ahead, securing a designated driver, consuming a meal before drinking and monitoring how many drinks consumed are all ways community members can remain safe.

Health

Well-Adjusted: Harnessing the Power of Fire Cider, A Homemade Elixir for Immunity and Cold Relief

By Dr. Melanie Brown Chiropractic Physician, Mountain Life Clinic

In the realm of natural remedies, fire cider stands out as a potent elixir celebrated for its immune-boosting properties and ability to combat cold symptoms. Originating from folk medicine traditions, this homemade concoction packs a punch with its combination of raw, natural ingredients. Let’s delve into the process of making fire cider and explore its myriad benefits for colds and immunity.

Crafting Your Fire Cider

The beauty of fire cider lies in its simplicity of ingredients and ease of preparation.

To start, gather a variety of immune-boosting staples such as garlic, ginger, onions, horseradish, fresh thyme and rosehip, lemon, lime, turmeric and chili peppers. These ingredients are flavorful and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants known for their immune-boosting properties.

Next, chop the ingredients and pack them into a clean sterilized jar. Fill the jar with raw apple cider vinegar, ensuring that all the ingredients are

fully submerged. If desired, add honey to sweeten the mixture. Honey also contains antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that fight viruses and treat colds and symptoms. Seal the jar tightly and let it infuse at room temperature out of the sun for at least two weeks, allowing the flavors to meld and the vinegar to extract the beneficial compounds from the ingredients.

The Benefits of Fire Cider

Fire cider is revered for its ability to ward off colds and flu, thanks to the potent combination of ingredients it contains. Garlic, a key component, is renowned for its antimicrobial properties, while ginger and chili peppers provide a warming effect that can help alleviate congestion and sore throat symptoms. Horseradish and onions add an extra kick, enhancing the elixir’s potency.

Regular consumption of fire cider can bolster the immune system, helping the body fend off illness more effectively. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a go-to remedy for those seeking

natural alternatives to overthe-counter cold medications. Additionally, raw apple cider vinegar in fire cider offers its own health benefits, including aiding digestion and supporting gut health.

Incorporating Fire Cider Into Your Routine

Fire cider is incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into your daily routine in various ways. Some prefer to take it as a daily tonic, either by a spoonful or diluted in water. Others use it as a salad dressing or marinade to add flavor while reaping its health benefits.

During cold and flu season, increasing your intake of fire cider can provide an extra layer of protection against illness. Taking a shot of fire cider at the onset of symptoms can help shorten the duration and severity of a cold, allowing you to bounce back more quickly.

In a world inundated with pharmaceutical remedies, fire cider offers a natural, holistic approach to supporting immunity and combating colds. By harnessing the

power of raw, natural ingredients, this homemade elixir is a potent ally in the quest for optimal health. Whether

taken as a daily tonic or used as a remedy during illness, fire cider has become a staple in natural remedies.

By Amber Ford

The Mountain Times

As spring descends upon the mountain so does the second annual art show held at Pub 26 on Saturday, April 27th. Featuring local artists from the Mt. Hood Villages, the event will showcase a variety of artists who specialize in a variety of different and unique forms of photography.

Local artists and photographers Ben Kohmescher, Arlan George, Sean Jacks, Metcalf and Michael Foushee will all showcase their artistic talents with the help of Pub 26. “The art show at the

pub is a unique experience,” Kohmescher said. “Most of us are skateboard or sports oriented photographers so you’ll get to see art which isn’t normally showcased on the mountain,” Kohmescher added. While many local restaurants, gift shops and cafes sell art that is Mt. Hood centric, the art show at Pub 26 will expand artistic horizons with sport-related photography and art.

While many of the artists have significant backgrounds in skateboard photography, other forms of photography and art will be showcased as well. George, who is the

content team manager and videographer for We Are Camp (formally known as Windells) is not only known for his skateboard photos, but also his mountain bike photography. “My journey began when I came to We Are Camp (Windells) when I was 16,” George said. “Photography became my passion and I’ve been with the camp ever since,” George added. George’s work can be seen through the lens of students at the camp with whom he works, but he also finds photographing mountain bikers in the Mt. Hood area an exciting part of his trade.

“I enjoy shooting for local mountain bikers because of the elements I’m constantly in,” George said. “I get to get dirty and use nature as my backdrop while telling a story of nature and the athlete.

Having your talent in the shot is important, but showing the environment in which you’re in tells the complete story,” George added.

Winter sport and land -

scape photography will also be showcased at the art show with the help of Jacks and Foushee. A staff photographer for Mt. Hood Meadows, Jacks specializes in capturing the art of winter sports in all their powdered glory. Having worked in Alaska and now residing in the Mt. Hood Villages, Jacks’ photography captures a variety of landscapes and action shots. Keeping to the traditional camera by trade, Jacks has also been known to use his drone for more specific and unique photography in his backyard, The Mt. Hood National Forest.

For a more unique experience with photography, Foushee will provide a more digitally enhanced artistic experience with his showcased work. Known more to his friends as an “adventure photographer,” Foushee enhances his photos digitally, giving a story to his art. Primarily a landscape photographer, Foushee’s ability to use the lens and his skills in

digital arts allows enthusiasts to experience a world far beyond the camera.

While photography may be the backbone of the art show, creation and modern art will also be showcased with the help of Metcalf. Using old photographs of action skateboarding shots, Metcalf repurposes the pieces to fit onto an actual skateboard, allowing viewers to experience the entire sport in one unique piece. An artist for more than 20 years, Metcalf’s designs are unique to the art as he designs his pieces based on how the photograph and the board mesh, telling an entire story of both the athlete and the board. Using donated boards from friends, Metcalf transitions the sport to modern art: art with an entire history behind it.

The art show at Pub 26 will be held Saturday, April 27, at 7pm with a second show this year at the end of summer. Photographs and all artwork will be for sale.

Local News

MHCC’s New Dental Hygiene Clinic Offers Free Care

By Mt. Hood Community College

For The Mountain Times

Mt. Hood Community College’s (MHCC) renovated dental hygiene clinic is open for business. The newly revamped space is now light and bright and has upgraded state of the art dental equipment. The renovations, driven by the need to meet accreditation standards and enhance the learning space for students, were done in conjunction with local design firm SRG Partnership. The students have already made good use of the

space, completing 148 dental cleanings in the first term the new clinic was open.

The upgrade doubled the clinical space and outfitted it with modern equipment. “We gained a restorative lab and expanded our radiology learning area, providing students with enhanced learning opportunities in these areas,” dental hygiene instructor Jennifer Aubry said.

The clinic offers many free dental hygiene services including intraoral and extraoral exams, cancer screenings, peri-

odontal assessments, x-rays, dental exams (performed by licensed dentists on staff), fluoride treatment and prescriptions, cleanings, nitrous oxide sedation (if needed), sealant application and fillings.

Embracing innovation is a pillar of MHCC’s dental hygiene program. “We’ve introduced advanced technologies like Biolase Diode Lasers and Dexis 3800 Intraoral Scanners,” instructor Amber Phillips said. “These tools not only enhance patient care but also prepare students for the evolving landscape of dental healthcare.”

At the heart of the MHCC dental hygiene program lies a commitment to serving the community. Through partnerships with local organizations, students gain hands-on experience while delivering oral health services to groups of people in need.

“These rotations include partnerships with local healthcare providers, ensuring students gain hands-on experience while serving diverse communities,” Phillips said.

From off-site rotations at public health clinics to Compassion Clinics and elementary school sealant programs, students promote oral health awareness and education.

“Our curriculum emphasizes exposure to diverse patient populations,” instructor Ilya Babiy said. “Our students are trained to provide culturally sensitive care to all.”

MHCC’s dental hygiene clinic will offer free services to community members at

least through May 2024 and MHCC student hygienists are trained to treat all patients from children to seniors. Call 503-491-7176 to schedule an appointment. Please plan to spend about two and a half hours at the clinic to allow time for the students to clean your teeth depending on your needs. You may need several appointments to complete everything, depending upon your oral health.

Outdoors

The Angle: Salmon Capitol of the World

By Lucas Holmgren

The Mountain Times

When you compare the numbers of salmon today in the Columbia River to conservative historical estimates of 15 million salmon per year, it can appear bleak. The Columbia River has been affected greatly by hydropower and habitat loss, yet it still produces hundreds of thousands of returning adult salmon and steelhead each year. Despite

CROSSWORD by

massive environmental impacts, with the help of hatchery supplementation, the Columbia River remains the most popular salmon river in the world.

POPULAR SALMON DESTINATIONS ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER

April 2024

With diverse runs of Chinook Salmon and steelhead, there is a chance at catching an ocean-run fish in the Columbia every day of the year. There are certain times when the “run” is most dense. Spring Chinook, the most prized table-fare of all, used to be the most robust population, Fall Chinook have now overtaken as the biggest run. Upper Columbia River’s Summer Chinook run has recovered from near extinction, while others like Lower Columbia Winter Chinook are trending downward.

Margie E. Burke

During peak times of year, the Columbia can have thousands of boat and bank anglers trying their hand for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, bass, walleye and a number of other species.

The mouth of the Columbia at Astoria Oregon, often known as the “Buoy 10” fishery, is the “Salmon Fishing Superbowl” and usually kicks off August 1st. Columbia River salmon are heavily regulated and divided between sport, tribal and commercial harvest, so there are constantly changing regulations to keep from over-harvesting quotas. As a result, throughout AugustNovember, many guides will fish from the mouth up through the Gorge.

For visitors looking at a chance at a high-quality salmon, fall is by far the best time for action. Spring Chinook in March and April are a sought-after fish, but there are usually a lot less bites per trip.

Cities like Longview, Scappoose, Portland, Kalama, Troutdale, Ridgefield, Vancouver and Camas have boat launches on the lower river before the famous Columbia Gorge. The Willamette River itself has a very popular Spring Chinook fishery, not to mention excellent catch-andrelease Smallmouth Bass and walleye.

As you venture up the Gorge, there are some popular areas like the mouths of the Klickitat and Deschutes Rivers, where cold water attracts salmon and steelhead near these rivers in the

mainstem Columbia. Farther up in Tri-Cities, Snake River and beyond, various times of year can be excellent fishing, while other parts of the year still offer world-class walleye and Smallmouth.

For those living in the Lower Columbia, there is more freshwater opportunity than many think, beyond just the popular salmon runs. The forecasts for 2024 Upriver Spring Chinook (121,000 fish) are below ten average (152,289), but if fishing conditions are right, it could still result in some epic days of salmon fishing. Fall Chinook forecasts are looking brighter, and last year was a promising return. Make sure to put a date on the calendar to get out with a guide or on your own for salmon this year!

Edited by Margie E. Burke

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

HOW TO SOLVE

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

(Answer appears elsewhere in this issue)

Coho salmon are aggressive fall run fish.

Outdoors

The Viewfinder

By Gary Randall

For The Mountain Times

I was not the best student in school. In most cases I was a C+ student because I was not one to apply myself. I was just not inspired and I liked to daydream. It was when I became an adult that I realized how much I like to write.

I am certainly not prolific and am more prone to short

stories, reflecting my short attention span, I am sure. I am not skillful and so it is easy for someone who is more knowledgeable to pick apart the mechanics of my rambling essays, but that does not discourage me from writing. If someone criticizes your writing, they have an issue with what you have written, not how it is written.

“The number of people following me and my photography online has increased tremendously since I have been writing and sharing with others. And with that increase in my following comes an increase in my overall exposure, resulting in more success for my business.”

Writing has less to do with proper grammar than it does the message you are trying to convey. A lot of people think that, before they can become a writer, they must be perfectly skilled in writing. Do not let your skill, or lack thereof, stop you from writing down what you have to say.

Although I am motivated to write for several reasons, such as explaining photography and art, documenting local history and recounting the experiences in my past, I write the most to help other artists and photographers. I enjoy helping others and this is a terrific way to do that. I write about things that I know well and am enthusiastic about sharing. I keep a blog, like a diary, on my website. It is there that I save and share what I have written.

The number of people following me and my photography online has increased tremendously since I have been writing and sharing with others. And with that increase in my following comes an increase in my overall exposure, resulting in more success for my business.

An added benefit of my writing is that it allows me to focus and block out everything else. It gives me an almost meditative time alone in my office as I type my thoughts. When I stopped stressing about whether my writing was

Today writing is much easier than it was in the past when one needed to use a typewriter or even paper and pencil. The introduction of modern computers and word processing software makes writing much easier. It will even help with basic sentence structure and spelling, a feature I know well.

grammatically perfect and forgot about what other people might feel about it, I started enjoying it more. It no longer became a chore or something to avoid. When that barrier was gone, I started writing more.

Don’t worry about anything, just put your thoughts down. Once you’ve written it, share it on your chosen form of social media or even your own website. You’ll be surprised how many people will enjoy what you have to say or will benefit from what you know. Then print it out and put it into a folder for yourself. There’s just something about holding a photo or a story that’s been put to paper and held in your hand that feels good. Extra credit goes to those who choose to use a pen and paper.

I encourage everyone to write, especially my artist friends. Taking the time to write has helped me to relax, contemplate my work, and feel inspired about my art even more. It has helped build a community centered around my art as well as an interest in me as an artist.

I cannot stress enough how important writing has become in my life. I encourage you to take some time to get started. Write about something you love or feel passionate about. No matter what it is, start writing today.

Your Hoodland & Sandy Public Libraries

Hoodland Staff Member Retires

Tue, April 16, 10am - 12pm.

Hoodland Library Community Room

Long-term Hoodland Library Staff member

Dianne Downey to retire in April. The public is welcome to join us in celebrating Dianne Downey’s many years as a library employee for the Hoodland community. Refreshments will be served.

Teen Take & Make

Mon, April 1, Sandy Library Lobby

Pick up materials to make a Flying Butterfly Prank!

Sandy Men’s Book Club

Mon, April 1, 7 - 8:30pm,

Sandy Library Community Room

“Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolver

Mouse and Keyboard Basics

Tue, April 2, 10 - 11am,

Sandy Library Community Room

Space is limited. Registration is required. Call the library at 503-668-5537 to register for a class. Contact Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Digital Book Club

Thur, April 4, 7 - 8pm, Zoom

Contact Kat Aden kaden@ci.sandy.or.us to be added to the email list for a zoom invite.

Culinary World Tour Extravaganza!

Fri, April 5, 6 - 7:30pm

Sandy Library Community Room

A program planned by teens for teens. Join us for a culinary world tour! Explore seven countries using your taste buds and then vote for your favorite! Registration required. Go to https://cityofsandy.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs to register.

Hoodland LEGO Club

Sat, April 6, 1 - 2pm

Hoodland Library Community Room

Visit the library after school to make LEGO creations that will be displayed at the library! Kids Club is for grades 1-5.

Computer Basics

Tue, April 9, 10 - 11:30am

Sandy Library Community Room

Registration is required. Contact the library at 503-668-5537 to register for a class. Contact Maureen Houck mhouck@ ci.sandy.or.us

Kids Club - LEGOs

April 9, 4 - 5:30pm

Sandy Library Community Room

Visit the library after school to make LEGO creations that will be displayed at the library! Kids Club is for grades 1-5.

Sandy Women’s Book Club

Thur, April 11, 6 - 7:30pm

Sandy Library Community Room

“The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese. This hybrid event occurs both at the library and on Zoom. For further information please email Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Mahjong at the Hoodland Library!

April 13, 2 - 4pm

Hoodland Library Community Room Beginners welcome.

Teen Library Advisory Board

Mon, April 8, 4 - 5pm

Sandy Library Community Room

Join us for this youth leadership opportunity and act as a youth voice for Sandy area teens. Registration required. Go to https://cityofsandy.activityreg.com/ selectactivity_t2.wcs to register.

Internet Basics

Tue, April 16, 10 - 11am

Sandy Library Community Room

Space is limited. Registration is required. Contact the library at 503-668-5537 to register for a class. Contact Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Hoodland Book Club

Tues, April 16, 4 - 5:30pm

Hoodland Library Community Room

Join us to discuss “How Much of These Hills is Gold” by C Pam Zhang.

Library Advisory Board Meeting

Wed, April 17, 6: - 7:30pm

SL Community Room and on zoom. Join the meeting to hear about current library issues and events. Look for an updated zoom link on our library calendar.

A Celebration of Poetry

Thur, April 18th, 6 - 7:30pm

Sandy Library Fireplace Room

Let your inner poet shine in the company of fellow poetry enthusiasts. Don’t miss this lyrical gathering.

Creation Station

April 22 , 10am - 12pm

Sandy Library Community Room

We will be making Seashell Sensory Bottles. For more information contact Katie Murphy kmurphy@ci.sandy.or.us.

Kids Club - STEM

April 23, 4 - 5:30pm

Sandy Library Community Room

For April we’ll be making and using 3D printed bubble wands. #D printer demo included.

5 Strategies for Estate Planning

Thur, April 25th, 6:30 - 8pm

Sandy Library Community Room

“5-Common Strategies for Estate Planning, “ by CEO, and Q & A bonus session! This seminar is educational only, no sales. Please RSVP at 503-668-5537

Dia del Nino/Children’s Day

Sábado, 27 de abril, 10am -12pm

En la Biblioteca Pública de Sandy ¡Una celebración bilingüe! Manualidades, juegos, libros gratis y más.

Sat, April 27th, 10am - 12pm

Sandy Public Library

A bilingual celebration! Crafts, games, free books and more.

Google Drive and Google Tools

Tue, April 30, 10 - 11:30am

Sandy Library Community Room Registration is required. Call the library at 503-668-5537 to register. Contact Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

ONGOING EVENTS

Dungeons and Dragons * New *

2nd and 4th Wed. of each month. 6pm9pm *check the library calendar, dates are subject to change. Following old-school D&D rules from 1980. Seats are limited. Registration is required. Info: Dungeon Master Steve Williamson at gaming@ruc erworks.com. Teens (13+) and Adults. Read to the Dog NEW TIME!

Tuesdays, 4:15 - 5:15 pm

Sandy Public Library.

Reading Tutors

The Sandy Library offers free weekly reading tutoring for grades 1-3 students. Please contact Monica Smith msmith@ci.sandy. or.us if you have any questions or want to sign your child up for this program.

Fiber Arts Circle

Tuesdays, 2 - 4 pm

Sandy Public Library.

ODHS Drop-In Assistance

**New Time*

Tuesdays 10:30am – 3pm

Thursdays 10am – 3pm,

Need food or healthcare assistance? Meet an ODHS representative (Oregon Department of Human Services) at the library. Contact Maureen Houck at 503-668-5537 or mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us.

Creation Station

2nd and 4th Mondays, 10am - 12pm

Sandy Library Community Room

Creation Station is a twice-monthly interactive program that welcomes adults with disabilities on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. Art Lab, on the 2nd Monday, will offer several arts and crafts stations with various materials to accommodate different interests and abilities. For info,email kmurphy@ci.sandy.or.us.

Storytimes

Sandy Public Library

Thursdays, 10am

Hoodland Public Library

Fridays, 10:30 -11am

Molly Espenel mespenel@ci.sandy.or.us

Family Storytime

Saturdays, 10am

Virtual Storytime

Miss Monica records a storytime each week for you to watch from the comfort of your home! Sandy & Hoodland LibrariesStorytime Parents Group on Facebook.

April 2024

New Hours!

Sandy Public Library (SL)

Monday: 10 am to 7 pm

Tuesday: 10 am to 7 pm

Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm

Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm

Friday: 10 am to 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm

Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm

Hoodland Public Library (HL)

Monday 10 am - 4 pm

Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday 12 pm - 7 pm

Thursday 12 pm - 6 pm

Friday 12 pm - 6 pm

Saturday 12 pm - 5 pm

Tech Help

Have a question about using your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Call the library at 503-668-5537 to schedule an appointment with a librarian.

Help is available on such topics as

• email

• social media

• Microsoft Word

• PC Basics

• using the Internet

The Sandy and Hoodland Public Library’s newsletter is emailed on a monthly basis. Call or email libraryassistants@ci.sandy.or.us if you want to be added to our mailing list, or follow our blog at sandylibrary. blogspot.com

Request a Book Bundle

Don’t know what to read next? Let us pick something out!

The more you can tell us, the better the recommendation will likely be. Visit www.ci.sandy.or.us/library for the form, or email libraryassistants@ ci.sandy.or.us and we will send the form to you. www.ci.sandy.or.us/library

Contact us

Hoodland Public Library

24525 E. Welches Rd. Welches, OR. 97067

Info: hoodlandlibrary@ci.sandy.or.us or 503-622-3460.

Sandy Public Library

38980 Proctor Blvd, Sandy, OR 97055

Info: libraryassistants@ci.sandy.or.us or 503-668-5537

Directions

1

1

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tablespoons milk or cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla Ingredients

1. Preheat oven 400 °F. 2. Lay sheet of parchment paper on baking sheet. Set aside. On a different sheet of parchment, unroll the crusts. Cut as many rectangles (approximately 3 by 5 inches) as you can from each crust -- use an index card as a guide. Knead together remaining crusts and roll out into another large, thin piece (just under 1/4 inches). Cut remaining rectangles. 3. Beat egg in small bowl. Lay out 8 rectangles on parchment-lined baking sheet, adding 1

tablespoon of desired jam to each. Brush edges with egg wash. Then place another rectangle with jam. Gently pinch edges to seal. Use fork to crimp edges. Poke some holes in top of pop tarts. Brush entire tops, including edges, with egg wash. Continue with rest of pop tarts. 4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool. 5. Whisk powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla. Spread over each pop tart. Top with sprinkles or whatever you desire.

Clackamas County ADU and RV Zoning May Be Amended Oregon Battle of the Books Winner

Clackamas County is considering amending its zoning code to provide access to more affordable housing in unincorporated residential areas of the county. The proposed amendments would allow property owners to do the following.

Build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on rural residential properties that are outside of an urban growth boundary (UGB) and outside of an urban reserve.

Use a recreational vehicle (RV) as a second dwelling on certain residential properties if the site is either inside the

Portland Metro UGB, or is both outside of a UGB and outside of an urban reserve.

The public is invited to learn more and express their views about the proposed amendments.

Go online to read or watch a video presentation and then take the survey.

Go directly to the survey: Proposed Second Dwellings: ADUs in Rural Areas, and RVs in Rural and Urban Areas Survey. The survey will be open through April 10.

Questions? Contact Principal Planner Martha Fritzie at mfritzie@clackamas.us or join

Dean’s List

Local Resident Named to Dean’s List at Biola University

Approximately 1,600 students were named to the Biola University Dean’s List in Fall 2023. Biola students are placed on the dean’s list

Bahai.us

to honor those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits and whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.2.

The following local residents were named to the dean’s list:

her for an online Q&A session from 6-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 2. The link to this Zoom event will be available on the project website.

The public will also have a chance to comment on the proposed amendments at a Planning Commission public hearing at 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 22, and a public hearing with the Board of County Commissioners at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 8. More details about the hearings, including how to submit testimony in advance or at the hearings, is also online.

Welches Elementary OBOB (Oregon Battle of the Books) 4th grade Team the Clever Clovers has progressed, for the first time ever for Welches, beyond Regionals in the 3rd-5th grade division and will

proceed to the State competition in Salem April 13. Let's give a big congrats to the Clever Clovers — Maizie Hornor, Autumn Hanifin, Erin MacInnis, Meadow To — and wish them good luck in Salem!

Bahai Faith

Nairi Sarkissian from Sandy, OR (OR) majoring in Nursing.

Charles Bailey from Boring, OR (OR) majoring in Cinema and Media Arts.

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Full-time/ Part-time Front Desk: Please contact us at 503-272-3051/ info@CollinsLakeResort.com for more information!

MT. HOOD OREGON RESORT

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR OUR SPRING & SUMMER SEASONS

Come join our awesome team and work at one of Oregon’s premier mountain resorts. Great benefits and long-term opportunities available. Apply in person at: The 3 Nines Pro Shop Mallards Restaurant Hotel Front Desk Send a resume to: Christopher. skipper@mthood-resort.com

WHISPERING WOODS RESORT HAS POSITIONS AVAILABLE!

Housekeepers- In charge of cleaning condominiums to resort standards

Manager. Contact the

with any questions via phone 503-622-3171 or by email abby@ whisperingwoods.net.

Rhody DQ is hiring 14+! Flexible schedules, no experience needed. Applications in-person or scan here:

WORK WANTED

Pest, insect and rodent control. Affordable, friendly, honest and efficient. Locally owned and operated since 2004. For an evaluation, call Glenn at 503-784-1669.

FREE STUFF

Free horse manure - I load, you haul. Great for gardens or building up soil. Call 503-260-4993 for more info. Brightwood.

SERVICES

Roof, gutter, moss/treat, windows & power washing. We do it all. Great current, verifiable references. Licensed & insured. 503-504-1523. juddwaibel@gmail.com

CASCADE YARD WORKS Landscape Maintenance & Snow Removal

Now accepting new accounts!!!  Create and maintain a defensible space. Call today for pricing!!!  503-806-2122

JOE’S SCRAPPING. Unwanted cars, trucks and motor homes. Free removal. Put a little $ in your pocket. Call Joe at 503-622-6392

TNT CARPET CLEANING

Residential and Commercial Carpet and upholstery cleaning. Dryer vent cleaning 503-705-0504 Tntcarpetcleaning.com

A TOUCH OF CLASS CLEANING, INC.

We clean your house with integrity and excellence, while you experience a quality of life spending time doing what you love! Licensed, bonded, insured. www.toccleaning.com. 503-407-7329

COMPUTER GOTCHA STUCK?

Help is just a phone call away: Let Wy’East Computer Solutions proven software, hardware, and networking experience save the day!

The area’s MOST TRUSTED COMPTIA A+ Certified computer support professional at the area’s MOST REASONABLE rates!

No charge for idle time related to downloads or running processes.

CLIENT REFERENCES AVAILABLE. Call 503.622.9183 or Email ryan@wyeastcs.com TODAY!

CAROL’S COMPLETE CLEANING. Cleaning from Sandy to Government Camp since 1991. Specializing in Residential and Commercial. 503-622-1142

ANIMALS

Farm Cats. Natural Rodent Control. All neutered. Donations accepted. 503-816-7620

Beware of Puppy Mills

Know where your puppy came from. If you or someone you care about has purchased a dog in a pet store or over the internet, it may be your puppy came from a Puppy Mill. If you think there may be a puppy mill in your community, call 1-877-MILL-TIP

If you are considering getting a pet, please consider adopting a pet from your local animal shelter, or choose a responsible breeder.

NOTICE: People selling or giving animals away are advised to be selective about the new guardians. For the protection of the animal, a personal visit to the animals new home is recommended. Please remember to spay and neuter –prevent unwanted litters!

Solutions to Crossword and Sudoku from Page 24

1953–2024

Randy Russ passed away on February 15 at the age of 71 following complications from heart surgery. Born on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in California to father Havis Russ and mother Elaine Campbell, Randy was a quiet man by nature who blossomed with family and friends.

Randy and his wife, Marti Bowne, moved permanently to Welches in 2015, where they were members of the Mt. Hood Golf Club and active community members. Living on the golf course, where he could hone his game and walk the course with friends, was a dream for Randy. Randy was a Marshal at the course, giving freely of his knowledge of the game, organizing tournaments, and instructing other Marshals in the nuances of guiding guests to a successful experience. His friends in the MHGC will miss his gracious manner on the course and dedication to the game.

Randy was known as an excellent chef and French wine connoisseur, frequently hosting friends and family while planning each meal and wine selection with time and care. He was also passionate about fishing and camping in his “Big Ass Tent” (as per Glamping criteria). He was a neatly and stylishly dressed man who showed panache for every special occasion. Randy

Transitions

sisters, Avis Earls of Welches, Beverly Swiztler and husband Robert of Crescent City, CA, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. His brother, George Russ, his mother, and father preceded Randy in death.

Donations may be made in Randy’s name to Doctors Without Borders, to which Randy donated monthly support for over 10 years.

A Celebration of Life will be held over the summer.

Please join us for a Celebration of the Life of Winnie Hunter on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 1-4pm at the Lions Club 24730 E Woodsey Way, Welches

Share your memories of Winnie with her family and many friends.

Pizza, Beer & Wine will be available following the sharing time.

TRANSITIONS

was also extremely proud of his native heritage and identified as a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe of northwestern California.

Randy was a 20-year conductor with Union Pacific Railroad, retiring in 2018. While with Union Pacific, he represented his union as President for many years and served as the Union Legislative Director to the Oregon House. Following his retirement, he continued his commitment to his fellow railmen by working as an investigator with Rossi Vucinovich Law Firm in Seattle, where he conducted interviews and documentation for union members injured on the job.

Randy is survived by his wife, Marti Bowne, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a large and loving family who are a source of strength and love to Marti and who welcomed “Grandy” as a cherished family member. These include daughter Tracy Lind and her daughters Emily and Melody; son Brian Richardson, his wife Leah Woods and their three children Owen, Hazel and James; stepdaughter Lorie Bowne and her wife Laura Romig; stepdaughter Michelle Bowne-Daun, her son Aaron, and her daughters Allie and Shelby; stepson Brad Bowne, his wife Christy, their son Bradley, and four great-grandchildren.

Randy also leaves his beloved

The Mountain Times accepts obituaries, birth announcements, engagements, weddings and other announcements.

Residents of the Hoodland area and non-residents with significant ties to the mountain community may submit. There is no charge, but space is limited.

Please email submissions to donovan@activemediausa.com

Randy Lee Russ

Hoodland Clinic Closure Stuns Community

By Ty Walker

The Adventist Health Hoodland Clinic (placed under the umbrella of Adventist Health Tillamook in 2014) has announced that April 1 will be the last day for patient visits before the Welches clinic closes its doors permanently.

Many in the Mt. Hood community were shocked when patients received a letter about the impending closure, addressed three weeks before the clinic’s final day.

“Due to challenges associated with recruitment of associates and qualified providers, we regret to inform you that the Adventist Health Hoodland Clinic will be closing,” physician and Adventist Tillamook Clinic executive Gina Seufert wrote in the letter.

Clinic staff will stay on site

through April 15 to handle prescription refills and follow-up appointments relative to diagnostic results. Adventist Health Tillamook encourages patients in need of medical attention to visit its other clinics in Estacada or Sandy.

Meanwhile, John and Caryn Tilton, owners of the Salmon River Professional Center, are trying to find another healthcare provider to fill the vacancy in their building. The lease with Adventist Health Tillamook expires at the end of July.

“We are making good progress towards replacing the Adventist clinic with another healthcare provider,” Caryn said. “We have interest from more than one direction, and we are pursuing the possibilities with urgency. We want to get the best fit for our community.”

Like many in the Hoodland

area (where the couple has lived for 49 years), the Tiltons were surprised by Tillamook Adventist Health’s abrupt decision. “After discussions with hospital representatives, we thought we were moving successfully toward a renewed five-year lease in July,” Caryn said.

As landlords, the Tiltons said they received official notice of the closure in their mailbox on March 11. Although the time frame meets the notice requirement in the lease agreement, Caryn said she would have preferred an earlier notification out of common courtesy and consideration for the impact on the community.

“In addition to losing our family doctor and urgent care service, like you, the community, we are also losing our cornerstone renter,” Caryn said. There is no other urgent care provider in the entire Mt. Hood corridor.

The Tiltons were well on their way to reaching their goal of making their professional building the healthcare hub of Welches. With the Hoodland Clinic as their anchor, they landed tenants like AMR Ambulance 11 years ago and a chiropractor and autism specialist more recently. Then Adventist Health Tillamook pulled the plug.

“I can understand that the medical industry and hospitals

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Amenities at the park are ample, including pool, hot tub, sauna, party room, gym and cable TV!

are in crisis mode due to insurance, due to COVID, due to the enormous amount of people at their emergency room doors,” Caryn said.

“And I can understand that in order to achieve a more financially lucrative business model during crisis times, dropping a community like Hoodland and picking up rural hospitals like the Dalles would make sense. What I don’t understand is why they would pull the rug out from under a 40-year practice in a community, with just threeweeks notice. To me, that’s unforgivable. It’s a sudden and shocking departure from their advertised image of ‘community caring.’”

Dr. Murlan Grise, founder of the Hoodland Health Clinic, was the family doctor in Welches for almost 40 years. He started his private practice in 1983, then sold it to Portland Adventist in 1997 but remained the doctor there until December 2022, when he moved to Utah. For the last six years of his tenure, clinic management had changed hands to Tillamook Adventist.

Dr. Grise said he would probably still be in Welches if it weren’t for some of the issues going on with Tillamook Adventist. “But it’s all water under the bridge now,” he said.

“Portland Adventist was wonderful to work for,” Grise

said. “I can’t say the same for Tillamook. I had a difficult time with Tillamook Adventist.”

Differences over the way things were run weighed in his decision to move to St. George, Utah, where he volunteers, continues to practice medicine part-time, and is closer to his terminally ill grandson.

Grise said he was “very, very disappointed” to hear about the Hoodland Clinic shutting its doors. “It’s a huge loss for that community. A lot of the patients are housebound. It’s difficult for them to get around and the clinic is close by. I’m very sad that they’re losing the clinic.”

“I put my heart and soul into that clinic and raised my family there,” he said. “I’m indebted to the community. They supported my clinic for almost 40 years. I had a great staff.”

After Grise’s departure, Dr. Reed Epstein took over the helm at Hoodland Clinic. He stepped down less than a year into the job.

The Tiltons are holding onto their dream of having a hub for healthcare in Hoodland at their Salmon River Professional Center at 24461 E. Welches Road. As part of their marketing campaign, they launched a new website, https://www. healthcare4welches.com/. You can check their progress at https://nextdoor.com/ under Caryn Tilton.

Blythe Creek Broker

Selling Properties on Mt. Hood Since 1985

The Mountain Times

CLINIC

From Page 3

Hay said that the medical group found that doctors, physician’s assistants, and nurse practitioners were not willing to live in the area.

“It came down to provider preferences on where they want to live,” Hay said in an interview. “Rural communities are really difficult.”

Epstein, who has lived in the Mt. Hood corridor for nearly a decade, will soon begin a job at a community mental health center in Happy Valley. He cited differences with the Adventist administration as the reason for his resignation.

“It was not a good match between management and my personal values and ethics,” Epstein said in an interview, though he declined to go into further detail.

Epstein said the closure will affect many in the mountain community, pointing out that access to local health care has allowed many residents to stay in the area later in life.

“I feel terrible for the community and I feel devastated,” he said. “People were

BBALL

From Page 13

what has become so strong and I am positive it will become even stronger in the future. I see them going to more middle school games, campaigning and fundraising, and collaborating with the middle schoolers.”

As the last four minutes ticked off the clock in their final game, Gist made sure to have an all-senior lineup on the court. While it marked

able to live longer on the mountain because of the clinic.”

Hay said that patients requiring help with transportation to further clinics would have to seek assistance through their insurance.

Epstein said that other local clinics may not have sufficient capacity to handle a potential influx of new patients, with only about a dozen providers spread between clinics in Sandy and Estacada.

“I don’t know if they really grasp the implications of closing these clinics,” Epstein said. “I can tell you there are not many providers [in the area].”

Clinic staff, who asked to speak anonymously to avoid potential retaliation, said they were also shocked and upset to learn that they only had about three weeks before they would be out of a job.

Adventist spokesperson Hay said that current employees had been offered available positions, although at least one person had been laid off. Clinic staff said that they had instead been invited to apply for publicly posted open positions, but not offered new jobs. Many had been working at the

their final moments for this season, their impact on the Sandy basketball community will continue.

“I hope for everyone to always work hard and keep improving themselves on and off of the court, along with being responsible and respectful players,” forward Olivia Tippett said. “I see the upcoming seniors and all of the basketball program building and adding onto the legacy to improve

clinic for years, and said they viewed their coworkers and patients as family.

“I thought I was going to be here for a long time,” said one employee.

“I was planning on retiring here,” said another.

The clinic had been open for about 40 years, mostly under Dr. Murlan Grise, and treated many local patients as well as some who traveled from as far away as Maupin and The Dalles, according to Epstein.

The Salmon River Professional Center, which owns the building housing the doctor’s office, posted a sign in front of the clinic addressing the closure.

“[We] are actively seeking a private practice or another hospital to reopen the clinic and provide healthcare services for our community,” the sign reads.

Epstein said the decision to work elsewhere was not an easy one.

“It was an honor and a privilege and truly a dream to be able to take care of this community that made me feel so welcome and appreciated,” he said.

themselves and each other.”

“I hope that I inspired the younger players to keep playing basketball even when times get tough,” added Sydney Perry. “The games may not always go the way you hope, but it doesn’t matter because the memories you create and everything you learned is more important. I hope the players will always show their care for the younger girls and never stop inspiring them.”

LEMON LAVENDER ITALIAN SODA

Topped with edible lavender petals

HUCKLEBERRY KISS FRAPPÉ

White chocolate with berry drizzle

CHUNKY MONKEY FRAPPÉ

Blended with choc espresso and real banana

CREAMSICLE FRAPPÉ (no coffee)

Blended citron frappe

SUMMER MEADOW ICED LATTE

Lavender and rose SMORES LATTÉ

NITRO CHAI

Nitro cold brew infused chai

BEE-STING LATTÉ

Honey, cinnamon and cayenne

BERRY ICED COLD BREW

Blackberry and vanilla

Toasted marshmalla and shortbread with choc drizzle and mini marshmallows

Local Community Outraged By Sun Setting Every Day Not-Quite-Local News

By Chuckle Scribblesworth The Mountain Thames

In a bizarre turn of events that even the most seasoned sci-fi enthusiasts would find incredulous, residents of the quaint town of Welches have found themselves up in arms

over what they perceive as a grievous offense: the setting of the sun. Yes, you read that correctly. Apparently, the golden orb that graces our skies with warmth and light each day does in fact disappear each night, much to the chagrin of the locals.

"It's an outrage, I tell you!" exclaimed Mildred Pumpernickel, a longtime resident known for her eccentric ski collection and fondness for light and woody teas. "We rely on that sun for vitamin D, for mood enhancement, for not stumbling over the cat on our way to the kitchen at night! This is simply unacceptable and there must be something we can do about it, like a set of giant mirrors.”

Indeed, the aversion to winter darkness in this community runs deep. Despite the days growing longer and the nights shorter with spring’s arrival, the

collective grumbling can be heard echoing through the misty valleys and moss-covered forests. Some have taken to carrying around makeshift sun replicas fashioned from glow sticks and reflective umbrellas in a desperate attempt to stave off the encroaching gloom, which is equally pointless yet hilarious.

As for the cause of this celestial betrayal, theories abound. Some blame climate change, while others point fingers at a clandestine society of nocturnal woodland creatures with a penchant for mischief. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for certain: until the sun sees fit to grace the skies once more, the residents of this Oregonian enclave will continue to weather the darkness with a healthy dose of sarcasm and snark.

Mount Hood's Wacky New River Ride

By Jane Riddles

The Mountain Thames

Hold onto your hats, folks, because Mount Hood just got a whole lot wilder! In a move that has left both nature enthusiasts and thrill-seekers scratching their heads (and grinning from ear to ear), the iconic mountain is now home to the most outrageous river ride you’ll ever encounter.

Picture this: a river, right over the very top of Mount Hood, complete with a waterslide and a splash-tastic boat ride on the way down. Can you say “splash-tacular?”

Yes, you heard that right — Mount Hood, known for its stunning peaks and breathtaking vistas, is now the proud new owner of Rapid River. But it’s not just any river. This one flows right over the tippy-top of the mountain, offering a view that’ll make your jaw drop faster than a snowball rolling downhill.

So how does it work? Well,

let’s start at the top. Picture yourself standing on the summit of Mount Hood, with nothing but blue skies and endless horizons stretching out before you. That’s right, folks — on a clear day, you can see for a whopping 500 miles from the tippy-top of this majestic mountain. But wait, there’s more!

As you take in the breathtaking views, you’ll notice something rather peculiar — a river flowing right over the edge of the mountain. But fear not, dear adventurers, because this isn’t your average river. Oh no – this river comes complete with a waterslide and a riverboat ride on the back side, straight out of your wildest dreams (or nightmares, depending on your level of bravery).

Picture yourself hurtling down the waterslide, wind whipping through your hair as you zoom past the snowy peaks of Mount Hood. And just when you think the fun

is over, you hop on board a riverboat for a splash-tastic ride through twists, turns and plenty of splash zones. It’s like the very well-known ‘splash on the mountain’ ride, only taken to 11 for adrenaline junkies everywhere.

But that’s not all! While you’re busy enjoying the wildest river ride of your life, don’t forget to stop by the top for a taste of fresh snow cream. That’s right, folks — freshly fallen snow, churned into creamy goodness right before your eyes. It’s like ice cream, but cooler (literally).

So whether you’re a nature lover, a thrill-seeker or just someone with a penchant for the absurd, Mount Hood’s newest attraction is sure to leave you grinning from ear to ear. Just remember to hold onto your hats — and maybe pack a poncho, because things are about to get wet and wild on Mount Hood’s wacky wonderland of a river ride!

ASKEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN

From the publisher’s desk

HELLO, MOUNTAIN TIMERS,

When we got ready to start our April edition, it was suggested that we do an outside wrap to our regular issue with an April Fool’s edition. We hope that you have gotten a chuckle out of our pretend stories. While we always take our regular job of reporting the news seriously, we appreciate you allowing us to have a little bit of fun with this national holiday.

Sincerely,

Matthew Nelson Publisher, The Mountain Times.