Camas Community Advantage Magazine December 2022

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant Donovan Darling, Content Manager

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Stacy Benner, Sr. Graphic Designer

Holly Darling, Sr. Graphic Designer Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTING

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Peppermint & Ginger The History of Christmas Treats

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

German choir boys, Egyptian pharaohs, the Brothers Grimm, and Queen Elizabeth I all shaped our Christmas treats and their storied past.

Decorate your Christmas tree, stir your hot cocoa, or eat a classic treat, because candy canes are the most versatile and best-selling non-chocolate candy during December, with almost 2 billion produced every year. But did you know that candy canes were likely invented for fidgety German choirboys?

Data suggests the candy cane goes back to 1670, when the Cologne Cathedral choirmaster in Germany needed to quiet down his choir boys during the Living Creche ceremony (live nativity scene). Carly Schildhaus of the National Confectioners Association says “[he] handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet.” It’s rumored the church elders were upset because sweets were inappropriate in church, so the choirmaster shaped the sugar sticks into shepherd crooks (like the nativity scene) to appease the church elders. This could be a coincidence, however, as candy canes were likely hung on Christmas trees during this time, along with fruit and cookies.

11th century Europe when the Crusaders brought ginger back from the Middle East. Once ginger became more affordable, gingerbread gained popularity.

Early European recipes for gingerbread called for ginger, sugar, rosewater, stale breadcrumbs, and ground almonds, which were mashed into a paste and pressed into wooden molds. These work-of-art molds made a storyboard that told the major news and took the shapes of kings, queens, emperors, and more. Cookies were sometimes decorated with edible gold or flat white icing.

Interestingly, candy canes used to be only white for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until the early 20th century and the advent of mass production that the iconic red-striped peppermint candy cane came into existence.

According to Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Germanic mythology, honey was a gift of the gods with the power to heal, give life, and banish demons. Gingerbread, in its early form as spiced honeybread, was found in pharaohs’ tombs dating to 1500 BC. Later, a more modern gingerbread appeared in

In 16th century England, flour replaced the stale breadcrumbs, and sweeteners and eggs were added. Incredibly, Queen Elizabeth I is credited for creating the first gingerbread man, which shocked visiting dignitaries who were given cookies made in their likeness. At fairs, gingerbread was tied with a ribbon and exchanged as a token of love. The gingerbread house gained popularity in Germany after the Brothers Grimm published their fairy tales, including “Hansel and Gretel,” in the 19th century. Later, German immigrants brought this lebkuchenhaeusle to America.

Today, gingerbread is often made with ginger, anise, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweetened with honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, or molasses. It comes in many forms, such as gingerbread people, houses, ginger snaps, and more. So when you’re munching on a gingerbread man or hanging candy canes on your Christmas tree, remember the countless individuals who quite literally shaped these fascinating treats!

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Klaus (2019)

A SpanishAmerican movie written and directed by Spaniard Sergio Pablos, this is a wonderful alternate origin story of Santa Claus. In the movie, Klaus is a reclusive toymaker living in a fictitious 19th-century island town in the Far North who’s befriended by a mail man misfortunately stationed there. The animations are slick and fantastical, the characters well-voiced and sympathetic, and in this moody yet romantic world a heartfelt mystery unfolds. And the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the first animated Netflix film to ever be nominated. Starring Jason Schwartzman, J. K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Norm Macdonald, Joan Cusack, and more. This is a newer must see for the whole family. Rated PG.

Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

One of my all time favorites, this Ron Howard flick stars Jim Carrey in yet another “how did he do that?” stellar performance. Based on and expanding from the book,

this movie brilliantly recreates the Who world in all its magic, humor, and whimsy. We learn the Grinch’s new origin story as a bullied child who retreats to his mountain cave, and many years later he returns as he’s nominated to be the Holiday Cheermeister. A classic Us vs. Them, it’s also a tale of love, inclusion, community, and redemption, and a lovely expansion from the original movie and book. This star-studded cast also includes Taylor Momsen, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, Jeffrey Tambor, Bill Irwin, and more. A classic movie that’s great for the whole family. Rated PG.

Jingle All the Way (1996)

Produced and co-written by Chris Columbus (Home Alone), this is a lesser known cult classic begging to be watched. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson, Jake Lloyd, and cameos from Jim Belushi and Robert Conrad, the uncanny cast carries the thinly-plotted movie about sell-out toys and the commercialization of Christmas. Howard (Arnold), a father and husband who chooses work over his family, soon learns his lesson when he delays and discovers his son’s Christmas toy of choice has sold out. From there, it’s a hyperbolic romp of Howard and Myron (Sinbad) maniacally running all over town in a flurry of hijinks, pranks, and fatherly desperation. It’s fun, silly, and emphasizes the importance of family over material goods for Christmas. A tad violent in a cartoony way, it’s rated PG but views like a soft PG-13.

Fatman (2020)

Pitch black, violent, and cynical, it’s a gritty postmodern Christmas movie just for adults. Chris Cringle (Mel Gibson) is a down-andout Santa barely surviving–kids have become so ruthless that half of them are on the naughty list, toy production has succumbed to outsourcing, and the U.S. government has halved their subsidy. This forces Chris to take on a shocking new government contract of production to pay the bills. After Christmas, a ruthless rich kid who, after justifiably receiving coal, hires a hitman (Walter Goggins)–who eerily and obsessively collects and stores Santa-made gifts–to kill Santa. All culminating in an ultimate showdown. It’s dark, serious, and surprisingly entertaining. Not for the faint of heart. Rated R.

Christmas movies to also include in your movie marathon: Die Hard (1988, R), Scrooged (1988, PG-13), Home Alone 2 (1992, PG), The Family Man (2000, PG-13).

Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library, or rental kiosk.

Matter of Taste

By Hilary Berg, Staff Writer

What you choose to put on your pizza remains sacred. Toppings are personal, and, frankly, there is no wrong way to dress up your pie.

As you might guess, pepperoni reigns supreme at practically every pizzeria in America, and that includes Camas Slices.

Camas Slices/Camas Brewing co-owner John Strocko confirms the preponderance of “pep.” At his Vancouver eatery, the topping tops the chart. “It makes up 40% of our pizzas. There’s something nostalgic about pepperoni pizza…” not to mention mouthwatering, especially when the spicy, delicious disks — or cups — become crispy. For Americans, it stands among other culinary icons such as the burger and apple pie.

According to Strocko, Camas Slices’ next most ordered pie is the plain cheese — no surprise there — followed by the meat lover and what we’ve all come to know as “supreme,” which includes pepperoni, sausage, red onion, green pepper, mushrooms and black olives. These classic pizzas remain popular because people know what to expect.

The opposite is true for Camas Slices’ most unusual pie: “The Pickle.” Unlike the previously mentioned

options, this specialty pizza trades traditional red sauce for a garlic aioli base and is topped with mozzarella, bacon, red onion, pickle slices, dill, honey mustard and a sprinkling of Parmesan.

“It’s quite wonderful, to be honest,” Strocko says. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to be received, but quite a lot of people who aren’t even pickle fans actually enjoy this pizza. It has a bit of a cult following, you could say.”

Garlic lovers should also try Camas Slices’ chicken bacon ranch, which uses the same aioli but is topped with — you guessed it — chicken, bacon, housemade ranch dressing and red onion.

For fans of heat — capsaicinophiles to be exact — the Buffalo chicken pizza sizzles with marinara, mozzarella, cheddar, chicken, hot sauce, and jalapeÑo. A little less spicy but zippy nonetheless, is the barbecue chicken pizza. On a base of Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce, Strocko layers mozzarella, chicken, red onion and pickled jalape

Oftentimes, one topping is just right, but again it is a matter of taste. “We’ve had people order just straight black olives, which is kind of a weird [order].” But Strocko agrees, “To each their own.”

No judgment here. Just delicious pies for every taste.

More Than Relieving Pain

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer Photos by Hayley Starkey

Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief, a regenerative medicine practice owned by Dr. Tom Opdahl, recently opened its 4th location in East Vancouver with Shannon Schwartz, ARNP. Just minutes from Downtown Camas, the clinic offers consultations, diagnostic imaging, and regenerative therapies that relieve pain, help heal tissues, and in many cases negate or postpone surgeries.

“Regenerative medicine is about more than just relieving pain,” says Kolton Opdahl, Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief’s business manager. “Its focus is regenerating the tissue associated with the joint problem. We want our patients to receive long lasting results and be able to continue doing the things they love for as long as possible.” If you go to Shannon at the East Vancouver clinic with an injured or painful shoulder, neck, back, knee, etc., she will utilize the body’s primary process of relieving pain by helping it heal and regenerate the damaged tissue, whether that’s a ligament, tendon, or muscle. Based on the injury, the regenerative therapy employed will assist with repairing the tissue and joint back to strength—a far cry from the prevalent use of pain medication which simply helps mask or manage pain while not actually fixing the problem.

therapies are a one-time treatment, while others may require a series of treatments. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions that need a series of injections. Sports injuries (depending on age and severity of injury) tend to heal faster and may not need a series of treatments. Follow-up schedules also vary based on the treatment provided. With PRP and Orthobiologics, which continues for months regenerating and strengthening the treated area, the practitioner will track and monitor that process over time.

Commonly, patients come to Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief with knee, lower back, shoulder, or neck pain. Knees, shoulders, hips, or other joints that are popping, don’t move right, are sloppy or painful, could be good indicators that something is wrong with the joint. A pulled muscle, torn rotator cuff, or torn meniscus are all good candidates for regenerative medicine. Partial tears to tendons or ligaments are great candidates for PRP and Stem Cell therapies. (Patients with severe or full tears will be referred out to surgery.) Those with partial tears who are considering surgery, regenerative therapy can be a great alternative to surgery, or in some cases postpone the need for surgery to a much later date. Patients also come to the clinic because they want to avoid a knee replacement, or they are too young for a knee replacement, so they seek relief through regenerative therapy. In addition to Shannon’s regenerative medicine practice, the East Vancouver location offers Chiropractic Care, Physical Therapy, and Rehabilitative Therapy to assist with improving joint function and strengthening the muscle tissue.

The first thing the provider will do is perform an orthopedic exam to determine a precise diagnosis. Based on that diagnosis, Shannon will specify a treatment plan that could include therapies such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Trigger Point Therapy, Regenerative Cold Laser Therapy, or Orthobiologics, for example. These therapies work with the body’s natural repair process to help accelerate healing and recovery. Some

Insurance coverage for any medical treatment is always a consideration. At Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief, a consultation, exam, and imaging are usually covered by major medical insurance. If you provide your insurance card, the clinic will verify insurance benefits usually within 24 hours. “We are more than happy to do that for them,” Kolton relates, adding, “It is important to note that some of the services we provide are not covered by insurance.” Once the initial visit is completed, the patient will be informed if the recommended treatment is covered. In working with auto accident cases, the majority of all related treatments will be covered by auto insurance.

Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief hosts Patient Appreciation Days twice a year to focus on giving back to their patients. Free exams and other services are awarded to patients’ friends and families so they can be seen and checked. Every November they hold a ”Help Homeless Kids Promotion,” gathering food, toiletries, and clothes to donate to kids in need. They also contribute charitable donations and givebacks throughout the year, particularly around Mother’s and Father’s Day, and donate to local charities and businesses every Christmas. Dr. Opdahl also speaks at events and local businesses to help educate the

public about joint pain and how to keep their bodies healing. If your joints are causing you pain, visit Shannon Schwartz, ARNP at Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief in East Vancouver where, “We believe there are three parts to providing expert care to our patients. Accurate Diagnosis. Accurate Treatment. Accurate Execution.”

Visit one of Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief four locations; Battle Ground 105 N Parkway Ave.; East Vancouver -16904 se 1st ave: Vancouver 318 ne 99th st. #L : Woodland 650 Goerig st. # A. Give them a call at 360-338-3029, email info@ jointandarthritispainrelief.com, or visit their website at jointandarthritispainre

Doo Wop Delicious

By Angie Helvey, Contributing Writer | Photos by Hayley Starkey

There’s nothing quite as nostalgic as walking into a ’50s diner. The walls covered with vintage posters and photos, doo-wop tunes humming from the jukebox, the aroma of fresh french fries wafting through the air, and seeing smiling faces are all reminiscent of “the good old days.” If you’re craving a blast from the past with an old-fashioned milkshake on the side, look no further than Stardust Diner.

Initially built in 1999 and owned by Tom Moyer, the Pacific Northwest movie chain magnate, Stardust Diner was sitting vacant in 2008 due to the recession and needed a fresh start. Tracey Williams and his wife Phetmala had been past customers at Stardust. They were ready to take a leap and try something new, so they purchased the restaurant and haven’t looked back.

“We re-opened in November of 2008 and it has grown a lot under us. We’ve gone from 12 employees to 48 and the place has become something of a neighborhood icon,” says Tracey. Located on SE 164th and close to Mill Plain, Stardust Diner is right on a Vancouver main drag and lovingly nicknamed “The Silver Twinkie” by locals.

Stardust Diner offers an extensive selection of authentic diner fare and specials with huge portions at affordable prices. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served all day along with milkshakes, malts, old-fashioned sundaes, banana splits, and homemade pies that Phetmala bakes from scratch. Breakfast is their most popular meal and has all the classic choices including omelets, pancakes, waffles, skillets, and eggs benedict. Customers especially love the Giant Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs, 12 ounces drenched in homemade country gravy, served with eggs made to order, a side of potatoes, and toast or biscuit. Lunch and dinner offer a large selection of burgers, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches. Blue Plate Specials include Homemade Lasagna, Hot Roast Beef Dinner, the Footlong Chili Dog, and a Prime Rib Dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

Tracey and Phetmala strive to maintain the ’50s old-fashioned experience for their customers, and they take pride in providing excellent service with friendly staff and a casual ambiance that makes patrons feel right at home. “My wife and I were both servers in college and we believe really good service is the key to a great

We keep lots of people on staff and are very attentive, really trying to anticipate what our customers need before they know they need it themselves,” says Tracey. “The old-fashioned service goes with the old-fashioned ambiance and that’s what keeps people coming back.”

Stardust Diner is undoubtedly doing something right as they cultivate an impressive local following. “The majority of our customers are regulars and come in at least once a week,” Tracey says. “It’s kind of a second home for people.”

Visit Stardust Diner for a timeless and authentic dining experience with classic meals and an oldfashioned ’50s diner vibe, complete with tableside jukeboxes and old-fashioned milkshakes with the extra silver tin on the side.

Stardust Diner is located at 1110 SE 164th Ave. in Vancouver. Give them a call at (360) 828-1648.

CAMAS-WASHOUGAL COMMUNITY CHEST TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT

The Camas-Washougal Community Chest launched its annual fundraising drive October 1, 2022 with a goal of raising $120,000 for 2023 grants. In a continuing partnership with CWCC, the CamasWashougal Rotary Foundation will provide an additional $10,000 in grant funding. These monies are used to fund grants to local nonprofit organizations that serve Camas and Washougal residents in need, at-risk youth programs, address natural resource conservation, foster education, and strive to enhance diversity, equity and inclusivity in Camas and Washougal. Since 1946, the CWCC has been all about helping local charities thrive. In this third year of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, local needs are greater than ever – please help if you can.

The CWCC and CWRF just wrapped up a successful 2022 campaign which saw them fund 35 grants for a total of $140,290. Programs and projects funded in 2022 included support of the local food bank run by Inter-Faith Treasure House, funding for family support programs run by Children’s Home Society of Washington, funding a portion of Family Promise’s Cares program to help homeless and disadvantaged youth maintain their grade level, funding habitat improvements in the Gibbons Creek watershed conducted by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, and funding for food and food service supplies for the local Meals on Wheels People program.

Other grants provided funding for cancer treatment costs and living expenses not covered by insurance, funding for several local reading programs, funding pregnancy supplies for the local pregnancy clinic, and for temporarily housing at-risk youth in a secure facility.

Major support for the 2022 fundraising campaign came from Georgia Pacific employees and the Georgia Pacific Foundation. Other major donors in 2022 included HP employees and the HP Corporation, Camas School District employees, City of Camas employees, Port of CamasWashougal employees, Watercare Industrial Services, Columbia Rock Products (Sauer Holdings LLC), and Waste Connections. The following foundations provided major support: Windermere Foundation, George and Ellen Fund, the Tidland Christian Development Fund, The Fontenette Family Charitable Fund and the Hinds Charitable Fund.

To reach its $120,000 goal for the 2023 campaign, the CWCC needs donations from individuals and businesses in Camas and Washougal. More information and donation forms, please visit the CWCC’s website at CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org. Individuals and

businesses can also donate by participating in Fred Meyer’s Community Rewards program and Amazon’s Smile program. Details and electronic links to the two community support programs can be found at the website listed above.

The CWCC is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization for federal charitable tax deduction purposes. Says CWCC President Deanna Rusch, “giving to the Community Chest is an easy and efficient way to help people in need in our hometown.”

Local nonprofit organizations planning to apply for a grant can download the 2023 application form from CWCC’s website after October 15, 2022. Applications for 2023 grants are due by no later than December 15, 2022. Applicants will be informed during March 2023 as to whether their project or program is funded and at what level. Grant payments are made quarterly beginning with initial payments in March 2023.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must provide services in Camas and/or Washougal, be a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and provide service in one or more of the following areas: education, youth activities, aid to people with special needs, natural resource conservation, health and welfare programs, crisis and emergency services diversity, equity and inclusivity.

Please support the CWCC and help it reach its $120,000 goal to support these wonderful programs aiding the Camas-Washougal community. More information and donation forms can be found on the CWCC’s website at CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org.

Living The LEGO Dream

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

by Hayley Starkey

“Buy, Sell, and Trade LEGO® products! At Bricks & Minifigs, we build our customers’ dreams brick-by-brick with our extensive knowledge and endless selection of anything LEGO.”

LEGO: Just the brand name alone brings a smile to our faces. It sparks a flourish of creativity in our minds, and whether we’re eight or eighty-eight, we’re never too old to enjoy the almost endless possibilities within. Bricks & Minifigs, an independent LEGO retailer located in Vancouver, is your one-stop LEGO toy shop! This location is just one of a growing chain which buys, sells, and trades all things LEGO branded. From complete sets, minifigures, loose LEGO pieces, and accessories; their selection is unmatched! And because they are the largest store of their kind, they have the widest selection of new, pre-owned, and retired LEGO sets on the market! There is one limitation, and one limitation only when it comes to Bricks & Minifigs: your imagination!

Current owner, Kevin Wanner, has owned this location for over 2 years, having first managed their flagship location in Canby before this opportunity presented itself. An avid lifelong builder himself, he frequented the Canby store numerous times as a

customer before discovering they were looking for a manager. He jumped at the opportunity and has never looked back since. Kevin is now quite literally “living the dream.” He is doing something he loves, and his enthusiasm for both LEGO and Bricks & Minifigs as a business is infectious!

Of course, it’s not just about buying, selling, and trading at Bricks & Minifigs. They understand that at its core, the central appeal of LEGO brand toys is actually getting to play and create! So if you have a youngster (or a youngster at heart!) who loves playing with LEGO bricks, there’s no better place to hold a Brick Party! At the Vancouver location they have a special Party Space reserved for just such an occasion! You provide the food and drinks and they’ll provide the LEGO fun! Adults take note: There is no such thing as “too old” when it comes to this kind of good clean fun! Just make sure to call and arrange your party in advance.

Bricks & Minifigs is the premier store of choice for true LEGO aficionados. They carry many items that can’t be found anywhere else. Like most collectibles, LEGO sets and minifigures are only available for a short time before being “retired.” If you don’t pick them up in a timely manner, you can miss out. At Bricks & Minifigs, because they are constantly buying, selling, and trading both new and pre-owned items, it’s often possible to find some of those sets you

Photos

thought would never be available again!

Also, as the name suggests, they have an incredible selection of stand-alone minifigs (many which have been retired, are collectible and difficult to find!) with stands to display them on, not to mention a wide array of accessories to complete the ensembles of minifigs you may already own. Missing a hat, a crate, or a treasure chest? They’ve got ‘em all! And of course, their massive bins full of random loose pieces allows you to dig until your heart’s content! These bins are ideal for creating something new or completing those old sets which you’ve owned for years, but couldn’t display due to missing parts!

This is a locally-owned and operated business run by passionate people who consistently fuel the flames of our

collective inner children. Kevin is enamored with the work and is sincerely appreciative of his staff. It’s obvious the minute you walk into the store, with the bright colors and amazing displays (done by various customers and staff members), this is a labor of love. In the same way they have since 1932 when LEGO toys were originally introduced, these amazing little bricks continue to ignite creativity, encourage interaction, and bring people together!

Next time you’re looking for the perfect party place, call Bricks & Minifigs in Vancouver at 360-723-5032! Or stop on by and peruse the shelves; you just might find that long-retired LEGO set you always wished you’d purchased but thought was gone forever!

Bricks and Minifigs Vancouver is located at 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Dr. #236, or visit their website at bricksandminifigs.com/vancouver-wa.

A legacy of vision and hope

The History of Timberline Lodge

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

What trip to Mount Hood is complete without a visit to Timberline Lodge? As an Oregonian you are likely familiar with this iconic landmark nestled at the base of the state’s most prominent mountain, but are you aware that this historic alpine retreat was developed as a symbol of hope during one of the bleakest periods in American history?

Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established in 1935 as a program to boost the economy by funding state and city projects. These public works projects generated jobs for millions of unemployed Americans victimized by the catastrophic economic downturn triggered by the stock market crash of 1929—known today as the Great Depression.

Timberline Lodge was conceptualized by a number of individuals including Jack Meier of the Mount Hood Development

Association, Francis E. (Scotty) Williamson Jr. of the United States Forestry Service, and Emerson J. Griffith, the WPA Director for Oregon. Timberline Lodge was envisioned as a triumphant symbol of the WPA, and a shining example of what it could achieve.

After funding approval from the WPA in December of 1935, Gilbert Stanley Underwood was selected as the lead architect for the project. Underwood had already successfully designed lodges at many national parks, including Yosemite and Bryce Canyon. Similar to the other lodges Underwood had completed, Timberline was planned as a rustic, asymmetrical structure with a rough-hewn style reminiscent of the region’s early pioneers. Underwood also suggested the lodge incorporate native materials, and that decorative elements be implemented honoring both the area’s Indigenous peoples and the pioneer settlers who had arrived on the Oregon Trail.

Constructed between 1936 and 1938, the total cost of Timberline Lodge was $695,730, of which 80 percent of the cost went to labor. Skilled trade workers made ninety cents an hour, and unskilled laborers received fifty-five cents an hour. A number of

Timberline Lodge, summer

Ironwork at Timberline, Courtesy Oregon State Library

the stonemasons were Italian immigrants and had been brought over from their homeland to work on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Workers were housed in a nearby tent city at Camp Zig Zag and Summit Meadow.

Two key goals of the WPA were to foster independence through training and to encourage private enterprise. Ray Neufer, who was in charge of the Oregon WPA woodworking shop, explained that many of the men who crafted the newel posts (support pillars for stairwells) were inexperienced as carvers. Neufer recalled: “Most of the men came in from construction projects and they didn’t know they could do some of the things they did. Most of them had been out of work a long time, then on construction jobs, and they had lost their self-confidence.”

Material costs for the lodge were kept to a minimum by utilizing recycled materials. Female seamstresses wove upholstery, drapery, and bedspreads. Hooked rugs were fashioned from old Civilian Conservation Corps camp blankets. Discarded cedar utility poles became lodge posts, their crowns hand-carved in the shape of seals, birds, and bears. Tire chains were welded into fireplace screens. And the signature iron work, as well as andirons, were crafted from railroad tracks.

The decorative and stylistic elements of Timberline Lodge were directed by Margery Hoffman Smith, the Oregon Arts Project Administrator for the Federal Arts Project. Smith created many of the beautiful patterns for the textiles and rugs, and she designed the iconic “Snow Goose,”

the 750-pound bronze weathervane perched atop the lodge. Smith’s inspiration for the forms and motifs resplendent throughout the lodge are derived from the art of the Tenino, an Indigenous people of the area. Smith, too, recalled how many of the workers on the project successfully transitioned their skills into new areas: “Carpenters became cabinet makers, blacksmiths became art metal workers, and sewing women became expert drapery makers.” For her work on Timberline Lodge, Smith earned the title of “Grand Dame” of the Arts and Crafts style, and in 1979 Governor Vic Atiyeh awarded her the Governor’s Award for the Arts.

While on tour of government projects in the Western United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Timberline Lodge on September 28, 1937, five months before its opening to the public. He and his First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, arrived at the lodge via an open touring car, escorted by a motorcade of forty vehicles. As they wound their way up the Mount Hood Loop Road, horsemounted Forest Service personnel lined the roadway to salute and wave. From the terrace overlooking the main entrance, Roosevelt addressed a gathering of 1200 community members. “This venture was made possible by WPA emergency relief work,” he said, “in order that we may test the workability of recreational facilities installed by the government itself.” To this day, Roosevelt’s dedication on a bronze tablet is set in stone on the lodge terrace.

Following completion, Timberline Lodge was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service in January 1938, and opened to the public on February 4th of the same year. The Magic Mile chairlift was completed by the Riblet Tramway Company, and the WPA built the Silcox Warming Hut at the top of the lift.

Timberline Lodge was closed during World War II, but reopened again in 1945. However, discovering that the lodge and ski facilities had not been maintained properly, the U.S. Forest Service revoked the operating permit. Months later, Richard L. Kohnstamm was awarded an operating permit. He successfully restored the lodge, re-established ski education programs, and oversaw the construction of an outdoor swimming pool. In 1975, convention facilities were also added, and in 1981 the

Wy’East Day Lodge was built across the parking lot to serve the recreational skiers. Although Kohnstamm passed away in 2006, his family continues to operate the lodge through R.L.K. and Company.

Not surprisingly, Hollywood also found Timberline Lodge appealing. The exterior views of Timberline Lodge were used in the movie The Shining. Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the bestselling Stephen King novel depicted Timberline Lodge as the fictitious Overlook Hotel.

In 1975, the Friends of Timberline organization was formed to celebrate and preserve the heritage of Oregon’s signature mountain retreat. Two years later, on December 22, 1977, Timberline Lodge was designated as a National Historic Landmark, and the finest example of WPA mountain architecture. The next time you find yourself bound for Mount Hood, be sure to stop by Timberline Lodge. Stand atop the terrace where FDR stood, and appreciate the vision, commitment, and labor of the many men and women who made this grand concept into a reality, which generations of Oregonians have held so close to their hearts.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Timberline Lodge on September 28, 1937, five months before its opening to the public.

Timberline Lodge interior

Timberline Lodge plaque

Brie in

Pastry

INGREDIENTS

CRANBERRY SAUCE

1 C fresh cranberries

6 T packed brown sugar

1 T orange juice

1/2 t grated orange peel

BRIE AND PASTRY

1 T butter or margarine

1/3 C sliced almonds

1 (17.3 oz) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 (14 to 15 oz) round Brie cheese

1 egg, beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. In 1-quart saucepan, mix cranberries, brown sugar and orange juice. Heat to boiling, stirring frequently; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and cranberries are tender. Stir in orange peel; remove from heat.

2. In 8-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook almonds in butter, stirring frequently, until golden brown; remove from heat.

3. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. On lightly floured surface, roll pastry into 16x9-inch rectangle. Cut out one 8 1/2-inch circle and one 7-inch circle from pastry.

4. Place cheese round on center of large circle. Spoon cranberry sauce and almonds over cheese. Bring pastry up and press around side of cheese. Brush top edge of pastry with egg. Place 7-inch circle on top, pressing around edge to seal. Brush top and side of pastry with egg. Cut decorations from remaining pastry and arrange on top; brush with egg. Place on cookie sheet.

5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour before serving.

Serve with assorted crackers or sliced fresh fruit.

bettycrocker.com/recipes/brie-in-puff-pastry-with-cranberry-sauce