Mt. Hood Race Team Builds a Community of Competition
By Marie Kennedy
The Mountain Times
The state is actively planning to relocate the Mount Hood rest area in Government Camp, prompted by traffic issues and space constraints at the current site. The existing rest area, located near the east end of Government Camp Loop and Highway 26, contributes to congestion and creates navigation challenges for semis and larger vehicles. Additionally, it shares parking with the Summit Pass Ski Area, further complicating access.
In 2021, Governor Kate Brown brought a team together to evaluate the move, and discussions have continued since. Over the past three months, the team has sought input from the community and travelers. An initial project survey was open to all interested parties from November through the end of January. In addition, a “popup” community event was held on January 10 at the Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum in Government Camp. A second survey during this planning process will be available in March.
According to Sandra Hikari of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), the popup event succeeded in drawing attention to the survey, and sparked conversations about what is needed most
By Justin Andress The Mountain Times
Last week, members of the Mt. Hood Race Team posted two firstplace finishes at Mt. Bachelor’s annual Wrangler Cup. The wins are one more jewel in the crown of this prestigious mountain program that has shepherded the ski community since its infancy.
Though there are multiple race teams on Mt. Hood, few have the pedigree of the Mt. Hood Race Team and Academy. Started in 1965, the Race Team has developed countless
talented skiers in a quest to fulfill its overarching mission of “Community, Skiing, and Education.”
Karen Lundgren is the Program Director for the Mt. Hood Race Team. In that role, she organizes the students’ schedules and oversees their academic progress. Though Lundgren has been with the program for 11 years, her passion for the work remains as bright as it was on her first day.
“I love this program and I love what we’re doing,” she says. Speaking to her, it’s clear that the program’s
commitment to community building isn’t just for show. She’s passionate about nurturing her charge’s mental, emotional and physical well-being. Mt. Hood Race Team and Academy is split into the Academy and Club Skiing.
Club Skiers range in age from 6 to 14. Every weekend, more than 120 kids flock to Mt. Hood to learn the ropes from Lundgren and her team of professional trainers. They also promote friendly competition among the kids by sponsoring the Mt. Hood
Hooked On Each Other
By Marie Kennedy
The Mountain Times
Mount Hood sweethearts Danny and Brigette Regan met in 2014 when Danny, a customer at the Still Creek Inn, crossed paths with Brigette, the owner. “It was Ladies’ Night,” Brigette chuckles. “I didn’t recognize him at first because he’d grown a beard since his last visit.” But as they
talked, she remembered him.
“It was a cozy little place. I’d get a good sandwich, fries, and it was a short walk home,” Danny recalls. He became a regular, and before long they quietly started dating. “Some friends spotted us walking hand in hand on Still Creek Road,” says Brigette. “After that, our secret was out.”
Brigette, a wellknown chef on the mountain with experience in some of its best kitchens, is the culinary talent in the relationship. Danny jokes, “I cook Italian sometimes,” earning a quick side-eye from Brigette before he admits, “I just pick up Sparky’s pizza.” One of their favorite activities is fishing — whether surf fishing at
Sandy, Welches, Wemme, Wildwood and Zigzag
Danny and Brigette Regan.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Izzy Bielen, Haakon Nervik, Ian Rizvi and Jonas Strohlein.
A Retirement Note from Susie & Tom Anderson
Tom and I are overwhelmed by the love and support we have received over the past 30 years and most recently as we end this chapter in our lives. We are extremely excited about passing the torch to Tim and Alex. We are also appreciative of their friendliness and compassion towards us and the community as this transition takes place.
There are two incredibly special people who need to be included in all the notoriety of the success of the Rendezvous – Kathryn Bliss and her husband Joel Swink.
From the beginning, when we ran the ad reading “Tom & Susie Anderson and Kathryn Bliss are expecting a restaurant,” a partnership with amazing promise was unfolding.
Kathryn retired after 20 years with The Vous, and her legend lives on in so many of the recipes and desserts she created.
Her husband Joel built most of the interior of the restaurant and was called upon countless times over the years to fix one thing or another.
Kathryn was the one to find the bowling alley lane for sale that became the top of the bar! Next time you’re in, look for the pin marks on top!
Once again, thanks to all our “Vous” family and thank you Kathryn and Joel!
Tom and I look forward to seeing you all on the other side of the counter now as we move forward in life!
3–8pm,
one year as
Kathryn’s incredible culinary “back of the house” talent combined with Tom’s equal talent for running the “front of the house” operations and taking on all the office details, made The Rendezvous the success it is today.
Cheers !
Susie and Tom Anderson
Former owners of The Rendezvous
Mountain Profile Mountain Profile
Dr. Jason Clement Brown
PLACE OF BIRTH? Dundee, WI.
HOW LONG ON THE MOUNTAIN? 6 years.
IF YOU WERE NOT BROUGHT HERE AS A CHILD, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE MOUNTAIN?
Moved to Welches to raise our five boys, spent time on the mountain over the years and fell in love with the area.
PROFESSION? Doctor of Chiropractic and co-CEO of Pure Life and Mountain Life Clinics OTHER PROFESSIONS? Basketball Coach, Rancher and Father.
FAVORITE MOVIES? Legends of the Fall
FAVORITE ACTRESS/ACTOR? Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.
FAVORITE TV SHOWS? Green Bay Packers (don’t watch much TV).
FAVORITE BOOK? The Bible and books about Western US History.
FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC? Most.
owners! thank you for all your patronage!
Karaoke Every other Sunday feb. 2nd and 16th, 8pm–12pm Trivia every Tuesday @ 7pm valentine’s sweetheart steak & prawn dinner feat. Ms. Kaye’s famous peanut butter pie! fri. feb 14th it’s
FAVORITE FOOD? Salmon.
FAVORITE HOBBIES? Skiing, basketball, golf, hunting, fishing and travel.
IF OFFERED A DREAM VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO, AND WHY? Bora Bora looks very secluded and relaxing
BEST LESSON LEARNED AS A CHILD? Show up every day ready to work hard and good things will happen.
DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE OR YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? Marrying my wife Melanie and the birth of each of my five boys.
A MEMORABLE DINNER? Final dinner with my Grandfather before I moved out West.
A FUNNY MOMENT FROM YOUR LIFE THAT YOU CAN SHARE? During the peak of COVID, I shaved both my beard and head, in the middle of the night, shocking and surprising my entire family the next morning.
FAVORITE PART OF THE MOUNTAIN TIMES? “Well Adjusted” by Dr. Melanie Brown, of course! 66674 EAST HIGHWAY 26, WELCHES 503.622.3440
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANYONE (PAST OR PRESENT) TO DINNER, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHY? My best friend Derek who died in a car accident 20 years ago.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD? Contemplative.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT READING THE MOUNTAIN TIMES, WHAT BOOK/AUTHOR/MAGAZINE/OTHER DO YOU READ? The Bible.
IF YOUR LIFE WERE MADE INTO A PLAY OR MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE TITLE BE?
The Western Adventures of Doc Brown and his Gang.
PET PEEVE? Drivers who are in a rush.
BAD HABIT YOU’D LIKE TO BREAK? Thinking I can get more done in a day than is realistic.
FAMOUS PERSON(S) YOU HAVE MET, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES? Liz Berlin of Rusted Root in Fargo, ND after a show..
FAVORITE QUOTE? “Have a great day, and don’t let anybody ruin it for ya.”
—Grandpa Leo Brown
Nighttime Thrills Await at Skibowl
By Justin Andress The Mountain Times
Mt. Hood’s action sports fans don’t need to quit the slopes after dark. When the sun goes down, Mt. Hood Skibowl turns on the lights for a few more hours of fun on the slopes with Cosmic Tubing.
It’s a beautiful drive up winding mountain roads to Mt. Hood Skibowl East in Government Camp. Right off the snow-covered parking lot, families and groups of friends begin lining up about half an hour before the 5:30 pm start time of Skibowl’s Cosmic Tubing.
With the sun (mostly) set behind the looming figure of Mt. Hood, the neon lights and music come on. A rough line forms beside an orderly stack of one and two-person innertubes.
(Yes, tandem tubing can be for adults, and yes, it’s fun.) Once they’ve picked their ride, tubers choose between the two available conveyors and ride – tube in hand – up the hill to the starting point, where 16 distinct lanes have been carved out of the snowy landscape. At the starter’s call, a wave of tubers lunges forward and lets gravity take care of the rest.
Every year, more than 90,000 visitors flock to Skibowl to enjoy the crisp mountain air, the stunning scenery, and, of course, the inner tubing. Between Thanksgiving and the end of March,
tubers can enjoy unlimited runs during one of three 90-minute sessions between 5:30 and 10:30 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It’s a perfect way to wind down after a day on the slopes, and it’s well worth the trip up the mountain at the end of a weekend day.
In a climate where the official start of ski season can change depending on the year, Skibowl’s Cosmic Tubing has remained a fixture for 15 years. According to Skibowl employee Mike Quinn, a lot of prep goes into ensuring a smooth tubing season.
“In 2021, we purchased an all-weather snow-making machine. It’s our lifeline to get our tubing hill open on a set schedule. We also farm the snow in our parking lot. When we plow the parking lot, we move it all over to utilize it for the tube park layout.”
The result is a consistent, fun-filled activity regardless of your age.
At first glance, Cosmic Tubing may seem to appeal exclusively to families. It’s true that if your youngsters are old enough to meet the 36-inch height requirement, they shouldn’t be too intimidated by the size of Skibowl’s Cosmic Tubing hillside. However, there’s still enough zip in the downhill run to invigorate everyone who plops face-down on
for Cosmic Tubing, you should check out skibowl. com to purchase your ticket online and read the quick list of things to know before you show up. For example, this is an innertube-friendly zone; no sleds are allowed at Skibowl.
a tube to take a turn. As a result, the activity attracts people from all age groups looking to inject a little thrill into their weekend.
You can get in quite a few runs, as well. Quinn explains, “People average between six and eight runs per session, but I’ve seen up to fourteen.”
For activity participants who want to extend their stay on the mountain before or after a session, Skibowl East provides a variety of food options and a full bar.
“The Multorpor Lodge and the 70 Meters Bar and Grill are both open,” says Quinn. “[They have] a full complement of food and beverage and a full bar.”
Between the cookedto-order food and the grab-and-go options, Skibowl East has something for every taste and budget. And, as Quinn says, “They’re all right there on the hill.”
Before heading out
While Cosmic Tubing is consistent, it is also somewhat dependent on the weather. They will occasionally shut down tubing runs due to inclement weather.
For anyone curious about traveling up to Skibowl, it’s important to remember that it’s cold up on top of the mountain, so you’ll need to dress in your warmest, driest clothes to make the most of it. Finally, it’s advisable to tack on some additional drive time, because the road gets icy once you enter the national forest.
Cosmic bowling starts at 5:30, but you can also purchase tickets for some daytime tubing. Sessions begin at 10:30 am. Having a birthday? Planning a team-building event? You can rent the tube hill out for private events. Just reach out to Skibowl, and they’ll handle the rest.
Tickets are $39 per rider and can be purchased immediately.
Fire Focus Volunteer Gives Back to Hoodland FD
By Ty Walker The Mountain Times
including the threealarm fire that destroyed the Golden Poles Chalet condos in Government Camp in 2015. But about 80 percent of the calls to which she has responded have been medical, she said.
“We save houses, we save lives, we save property,” she said of her experiences with Hoodland..
Hoodland Fire District relies heavily on volunteers and is always looking for new ones, Sinz said. The district is made up of about 30 volunteers and 11 paid career firefighters.
Debra Sinz joined the Hoodland Fire District as a volunteer firefighter in 2010. She wanted to give back to the community that has helped her in times of need when responding to medical emergencies in her home.
for the Welches community she has called home for 38 years.
“You get a lot of experience and you can help your community,” Sinz said. “There’s always a need for more volunteers because if we have a call and it takes a couple of volunteers then we get another call, there’s no one to respond.”
“I called 911 a number of times at my house to help me with my daughter, who had medical issues,” Sinz said.
After her daughter died at age 10 – the same year her mother passed away – Sinz decided she wanted to do something
“Prior to joining the fire district, they had helped me through multiple calls,” Sinz said. “I felt like I had to give back. They helped me a lot.”
“I decided to look for a new family,” Sinz said, referring to Hoodland Fire District as that new family. “I heard they were looking for new volunteers.”
So she decided to train to become a volunteer firefighter.
She has fought some big fires over the years,
Sinz said she doesn’t fight fires anymore as she has gotten older. She is a trained community emergency response team (CERT) member, responding to disaster situations. She also takes part in the trauma intervention program (TIP). which helps people get through the first few hours after an incident with a death.
CERT members of the Hoodland Fire District are trained and educated on how to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. CERT members are deployed to support various events and activities, including wildfires, search and rescue operations, and firefighter rehab support.
When she’s not busy helping the Hoodland Fire District respond to emergencies, she works as a sales clerk at Hoodland Bazaar. She also makes silver and copper jewelry, which she sells at local shops and at the Mt. Hood Museum in Government Camp.
She enjoys gardening, camping and hiking with her husband. She and her husband worked together in the property management business for 10 years before she joined the fire district as a volunteer.
Food Focus Travel Inspires Chicali Cantina to Mix Up the Menu
By Ty Walker
Chicali Cantina owner Robin Parker said she finds inspiration for her high-end Mexican restaurant in her travels. She has explored the Southwestern United States and Mexico to get new perspectives and new ideas for Chicali’s all-gourmet menu.
As she looked forward to taking a trip to Arizona this winter, Robin talked about some of the seasonal changes she has made to keep things fresh at her restaurant, where
everything is made from scratch. Infusing her business with new ideas may be part of the reason business at Chicali has increased every year since opening four years ago in Welches.
Originally from Los Angeles, Robin has lived in Oregon for more than three decades, moving to the mountain with her family nine years ago. She runs the restaurant with her husband and Chicali co-owner David Parker. Her travels have taken her to Southern California and Baja California,
Mexico. Chicali Cantina serves cuisine from the Baja California Peninsula with Southern California influence. (“Chicali” is a shortened nickname for Mexicali, the capital city of Baja California, Mexico.)
“I try to change the menu for fall and summer,” Parker said. “I’ll swap new items around. I have more soups on right now. In the summertime, I’ll change out the salads and bring some new salads in.”
Chicken chile verde tortilla soup is a big hit
with customers this season. Of course, everybody wants these timeless dishes on the regular menu: quesa birria taco (braised beef), surf and turf burrito, and carne asada.
Returning this summer by popular demand will be the grilled romaine Caesar salad. A papaya avocado salad will also be added to the list.
Like the food, Robin has made changes to Chicali’s decor, keeping it fresh and new. The spacious 3,000-squarefoot restaurant seats 150, including a full bar, and has a heated patio with fireplace.
“We have new couches, redid the patio tables outside that were custom designed and made for us,” Robin said. “I’m constantly keeping everything new and fresh.”
Robin gives credit to her 18 employees, especially her cooks, Evelia and Pablo. Evelia Torres specializes in sauces and salsas. Pablo Saldavar, who makes great chile rellenos and homemade chips, sets up and opens the restaurant every day.
Robin got her start
in a catering business 30 years ago. She then began a career in restaurant consulting and menu development. She and David have been married 36 years and have two grown daughters, who also live on the mountain.
Chicali Cantina is located in the Hoodland Shopping Center at 68256 U.S. Highway 26, Welches. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and closed Monday and Tuesday.
For more information about Robin Parker’s restaurant, see www. chicalicantina.com.
The Mountain Times
The Historic Paths of Barlow Trail Road and Lolo Pass Road
By Gary Randall For The Mountain Times
Have you ever driven along Barlow Trail Road or Lolo Pass Road and wondered where they came from? These quiet, winding roads are more than just roads we take to come and go — .they’re living pieces of history.
Long before cars or bicycles rolled over these paths, there were game trails and pathways used by the area’s first inhabitants. Later, they became lifelines for Oregon Trail pioneers. Over time, they evolved into crucial connections for residents and the modern communities we know today.
From Wagon Wheels to Hackett Road
Back in the mid-1800s, the original Barlow Trail was a rugged but vital
By Adrian Knowler
The Mountain Times
A group of local business leaders trying to resurrect the M.t Hood Area Chamber of Commerce are filing paperwork with the county to reactivate the group.
At a January 7 meeting, local business leaders, including former chamber president Jeri McMahan, agreed to sign off on necessary forms that could kickstart the process of reestablishing the group that advocates
route for settlers completing the Oregon Trail. As pioneers descended from Mount Hood, they followed the north side of the Zigzag River to its meeting point with the Sandy River. At the big bend of the Sandy, they crossed using a log bridge built by settlers. Later, the trail shifted to the south side of the Sandy River, leaving remnants of its earlier path behind. Eventually, parts of the old trail were reworked into rudimentary roads for local use, including one that became Hackett Road. Named after early settlers in the area, the memory of them lives on in the name of nearby Hackett Creek.
The McIntyre Bridge: A Critical Connection By 1910 access to the
road on the north side of the Sandy River was a challenge for settlers. Simple, primitive, early bridges would come and go depending on the water levels of the Sandy River. In that year J.T. McIntyre, an early settler in the Brightwood area, built a sturdy bridge over the Sandy River at Brightwood, creating access to the road on the north side of the river. This new bridge not only facilitated travel for those living in the area but also laid the groundwork for the road’s later development and naming. Without McIntyre’s efforts, the settlers on the north side would have remained isolated from the growing Mt. Hood automobile road nearby.
The Road to The
Truman Farm
Around the time that the McIntyre Bridge was built, Ezra and Eliza Truman homesteaded on the north side of the Sandy River, near Zigzag Ridge. Ezra, a mountain guide and farmer, used the newly connected road to access their homestead and to deliver milk and produce to their neighbors.
Over time, this road became known as Truman Road, named after the family who lived at the very end. The route remained essential even after Ezra’s death in 1917, as it provided critical access to settler’s homes, and to cabins and lodges servicing a newly forming tourism industry that would develop in the area with the increase of automobile traffic on the old automobile road to Mount Hood.
DeVeny Road: A Valuable Connection
In the early 20th century, Dr. William DeVeny, a local Zigzag cabin owner and civic leader from Montavilla, now a part of Portland, saw the need for further improvements to the local roads. With support from the Mount Hood Improvement Association, formed by DeVeny and other locals who would benefit from the
new road, in combination with local government funding, he spearheaded the construction of DeVeny Road linking the Mount Hood automobile road on the south side of the Sandy River to the east end of Truman Road on the north. By 1913, the project was complete. Bridges over Bear Creek, the Zigzag River, and the Sandy River were built. DeVeny Road became a vital road for settlers, forest rangers, and visitors exploring the Mount Hood wilderness.
A Modern Legacy Time moved on, but these roads kept serving the community, adapting to new needs while preserving their historical roots. In 1979, the Clackamas County Historical Society renamed Truman Road to Barlow Trail Road, paying homage to
Efforts to Revive Mt. Hood Chamber
for the mountain’s business community, according to Lori Cabantoy of Mt. Hood Oregon Resort. Spearheaded by Cabantoy and resort General Manager Christopher Skipper, a couple dozen business representatives have attended three meetings over the last few months to discuss restarting the chamber, according to Cabantoy.
Last year, Cabantoy went in person to local businesses from Government Camp to Brightwood to see if business
owners were interested in re-establishing the chamber.
According to Cabantoy, the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the chamber’s leadership, but now seems like the right time to pick up where the group left off.
“The [chamber of commerce] officially closed in 2022 due to a lack of participation, people moving and people passing away,” Cabantoy said in an interview.
“People were trying to survive, and taking care of the chamber wasn’t
a number one priority. We’ve seen new businesses come up and thrive and we see some local mom and pop shops that are not, so we want to unite this community on the mountain,” she said.
A newly organized group could take advantage of marketing grants and promote local events meant to benefit a variety of area businesses, Cabantoy said.
Cabantoy has recently joined the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce and says she will learn
from her experience there to help with the Mt. Hood group. She says restarting the group should be easy enough on paper, with all the required paperwork already on file with Clackamas County.
The challenge now is finding committed business leaders to make up the Chamber’s board and executive positions.
“I wish there were more people [attending the preliminary meetings],” Cabantoy said. “I went out personally and delivered all these fliers and it can get forgotten.
the pioneers who forged the original trail. Meanwhile, DeVeny Road became part of what we now know as Lolo Pass Road and its original name faded from memory.
Roads Worth Remembering Today, whether you’re coming home, heading out, visiting a neighbor, or simply enjoying a scenic drive, you’re traveling through history. These roads are more than asphalt and gravel — they’re stories of ancient times, courage, determination and, ultimately, community. So next time you’re driving down Barlow Trail Road or Lolo Pass Road, take a moment to appreciate the history beneath your wheels. You’re following in the footsteps — and wagon tracks — of those who came before us.
We need to do our best to help our community. It hurts my heart to see certain local businesses struggling.”
At the group’s January 7 meeting, there was unanimous support to reactivate the chamber by filing the necessary paperwork, collecting dues, and then holding an election to fill the chamber’s board positions.
The group will meet again February 4 at Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, and all interested parties are invited to attend.
Youth Ski League. This annual competition series culminates in the Oregon 4-way. The 57-year-old competition sees young racers try their hand at cross-country skiing, slalom, giant slalom, and a jump.
The Oregon 4-way isn’t just a fundraising effort for the Mt. Hood Race Team. It’s a way to give Club Skiers a taste of competition before they branch out and begin skiing in regional Pacific Northwest competitions.
Once students reach the 8th grade, they can apply for admission to the Mt. Hood Race Team’s Academy. This intensive six-month program allows kids between the ages of 14 and 19 to hone their skills on the slopes while balancing the academic requirements of high school. Nine teens are currently
enrolled.
“I think the program is pretty unique,” says Lundgren. “We all live in this really big house, and [the kids] don’t just learn about skiing and teamwork and teammates. They cook their meals. They do their laundry. They have to keep the house clean and take out the trash and they learned so many life skills.”
These skills rub off, too. After having her child returned at the end of an Academy session, one mother was shocked to report, “My son unloaded the dishwasher and I didn’t even ask him to.”
Throughout the year, the Academy team travels to ski landmarks such as Big Sky and Jackson Hole. They also start their season skiing near Calgary, where the snow falls early in the year.
The team will occa -
sionally pop over to Timberline to train, but for most of the year, the members of the Mt. Hood Race Team call Skibowl home. “We have a team building over there,” says Lundgren. “And they work really well with us and support us with training venues. We want hard snow that’s not gonna get rutted out so we can take lots of runs on it, and the surface is still good.”
Though skiing seems like the sole focus of the program, meeting the kids’ academic requirements remains a top priority. “Two days a week, we have a teacher come in all day and work with the students so that they’re not just staring at their computers.”
While wins in competition are wonderful, for Lundgren, the purpose of the Academy remains the same as it was when it opened its doors. It’s about building commu -
nity and fostering a family.
As Lundgren explains, “One of the goals of our program is to build this community. There’s something pretty cool about the skiing community on Mt. Hood. When we talk to our students, we hear, ‘Yay! I can’t wait to be back with my skiing family, my winter family.’”
That commitment to family and community not only makes the Academy a lot of fun to participate in, it also makes the kids better skiers and it feeds into the Academy’s other goal. “Our other goal is just building good human beings. Making good kids by helping them be off their phone, care about other people, be aware, and support each other.”
You can find out more or donate to the Mt. Hood Race Team by visiting their website, MtHoodAcademy.org.
the beach, drifting on rivers, or deep-sea fishing. They have a nice boat, and Danny loves catching big fish. Judging from some of the photos, they’ve caught quite a few very big fish. She calls him “the Captain,” and Brigette is the “First Mate.” When asked about their fishing success, Danny grins and says, “Rule number one is that the Captain is always right.” Brigette shakes her head and laughs.
In the summer of 2020, they had planned to rent a big house at the beach for their wedding, but due to COVID restrictions limiting gatherings to 25 people, they shifted plans. Instead, they married locally at longtime friend Carol Burk’s home, with a small group of guests,
while some watched remotely on a Zoom call.
“Carol was so gracious. We had a really good time,” Danny says with a smile. Unsurprisingly, Brigette catered her own wedding. Their secret to a happy marriage? Danny answers quickly: “When you get into a disagreement — and we do sometimes — you have to get over it fast. It’s not worth staying mad.”
He adds, “The thing about Brigette is she always has my back.”
Brigette smiles, pauses for a moment, and then says, “I really appreciate his sharp wit – he doesn’t miss much. And sometimes we just have to agree to disagree. ”
Both work full-time, Danny as a mechanic for the Postal Service and Brigette as the Food Service Director
at Cascadia in Sandy. When they retire in a few years, what’s the plan? “To stay right
here,” Danny says, “and maybe travel a bit.” Where to? Lincoln City — for fishing, of course.
VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN
From the publisher’s desk
HELLO MOUNTAIN TIMERS,
As we prepare to go to press on our February issue, snow is in the forecast for the first half of the month. Let’s hope we avoid the wind and ice storms this year and instead enjoy a pristine blanket of snow that makes the mountain look even more stunning. The kind of snow that lets us ski, sled, snowboard, and snowshoe to our hearts’ content. The kind that calls for a steaming bowl of soup after a day of exploration. The kind that hushes the forest and draws travelers, helping local restaurants and businesses thrive on their patronage. Fingers crossed, we’ll also see careful drivers on Highway 26 who respect speed limits and keep a safe distance from others on the road.
As I’m sure many of you have, or soon will, we received our Certified Letter from the Department of Forestry informing us that our cabin is within the Wildland-Urban Interface and is in a high-risk zone for wildfire. While I knew the letter was forthcoming, it was still somewhat of a welcomed awakening.
I say welcomed awakening, because now other mountain residents are being alerted to the fact that their dwellings are also within the wildfire hazard zone. While this shouldn’t come as any surprise –after all we all live in the forest – I find it hard to believe how many residents think they should appeal the decision. In my opinion it would be counterproductive to appeal the designation.
As a member of the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership, the topic of home hardening and creating defensible space has been discussed in great length at our meetings. If you are unfamiliar with the Partnership, visit the web site at: www. mthoodwildfirepartnership. org.
We who reside in the forests of Mt. Hood must realize that we run the inherent risk of wildfire in our area. Geographically, our area is very similar to that of Paradise, California, a community that, if you recall, was devastated by wildfire. What the actions in the letter call for are efforts to mitigate the effects of a wildfire and lessen the possibility that our area will become another Paradise.
Up here on the mountain, over the past couple of
LETTERS POLICY
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Here’s wishing everyone a safe and delightful February!
Sincerely,
Matthew Nelson
Your Publisher, The Mountain Times.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
years, in collaboration with the Partnership, there have been several education sessions on defensible space and home hardening. While these sessions have been lauded as excellent by those who attended, unfortunately, attendance at those education sessions has been relatively minimal.
And while the letter may seem somewhat threatening, it is understood that no actions will be initiated by the Department of Forestry for at least the next several years. Instead, the next few years will be used by various groups, including the Partnership, to offer additional education seminars on home hardening and creating defensible space to minimize the effects of wildfire in our area and how to comply with the new regulations.
The Department of Forestry letter emphasizes that it is up to all individual property owners to get educated and take the necessary actions to protect their property. We all must do our part, work together, and be proactive in protecting our homes and neighborhoods from the devastating effects of wildfire. Creating defensible space does not necessarily mean the removal of numerous trees. What it does mean is the removal of ignition sources near your home and removal of “ladder fuels” that could contribute to a major conflagration.
As stated in the letter, there are several agencies offering Wildfire Risk Assessments. They will evaluate your property and make suggestions on how
to create a defensible space around your home. The Ant Farm and Hoodland Fire have been especially helpful in assisting with property assessments to determine what actions need to take place for properties to be compliant with the new regulations. Some agencies may even offer to do the work for you.
Also, several local communities have become FIREWISE® or are in the process of seeking FIREWISE® designations. Support those efforts!
Because when, not if, a wildfire strikes our area, it will take everyone working together to help our precious mountain community survive.
Steve Graeper, Rhododendron CPO
HELLO,
I really appreciated your covering all the effort that went into saving the pig in Mt. Hood National Forest.
I hope your coverage of so many people helping this pig can mean maybe we can extend our compassion to the millions that don't get a happy ending because we see them only as bacon.
All the best,
Sara Crane Toronto
Allow me to share where we are with rate increases in our household. First of all, let me describe what`s in place. We have a PGE good cents home which consists of: double wall 2x6 construction, dual pane low E windows, LED bulbs throughout, even
in the refrigerator and the microwave, storm doors, extra insulation in ceiling and floor, heat pump, smart thermostat, wood stove, water heater timer that shuts off heater for 14 hours in a 24 hour cycle, low setting on water heater. You get the picture. Short of covering our home with an insulated plastic bubble, there isn`t much more we can do to keep usage at a reasonable cost. When we moved here our average monthly bill was $80. Recent bill, $341, up $100 from December.
Prior to retirement, I worked for a public entity whereby for 8 years we took a wage freeze. Wasn’t easy but the powers to be and the union felt it was necessary to keep costs down. Really didn’t work but was a nice gesture at the time. A nephew of ours lives in Hermiston and lives in a large, new home with a total of five family members. They are with a PUD and their bill is $80 a month?
The list of employees at PGE is enormous and it begs the question, has the time come for PGE to start making some serious concessions on the part of the rate payers to reduce costs? Aside from the lineman whose jobs are dangerous and work under horrible weather conditions, I have a hard time believing that it takes that many paper pushers and computer people to run a utility. Also, take a look at what the President and CEOs are making. Also, why is it necessary to have all those lights on in Portland overnight and have you seen the lighting at the Capitol in Salem on a given night? And are we really
benefiting from selling all of that energy elsewhere, such as California?
The legislature is supposedly looking at the subject of high utility rates. The Utility commission, who as far as I`m concerned is in bed with the utilities and has no understanding of what is needed for change, has done nothing to address reality when it comes to setting rates. There are now close to 10,000 residents who have had to disconnect from the grid because they can no longer afford electricity for their homes.
In closing let me suggest that the public and the powers to be need to consider a PUD and whether or not rates would be less. Also, PGE and utilities in general need to start downsizing their corporate footprint and start making some realistic and meaningful sacrifices in an effort to keep rates from increasing at such a fast pace. Firing all of the people on the Utility Commission might be a place to start as well.
Apparently the three stooges as I see them; Widen, Merkley and Blumenhauer weren’t able to be effective on behalf of rate payers over time. After all folks, what good is it if you have all of those energy saving bells and whistles in your home and find out someday you can`t pay the bill. Some folks are already there.
Most of us are familiar with the Motel 6 commercial where they end by saying, “We’ll leave the light on for ya.” They may have to consider using a candle.
Bob Decker Welches, Or
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Inside Salem Legislator’s Letter
A few weeks ago, I was privileged to be sworn in once again as your House Representative for Oregon House District 52, and to have my family with me while taking my oath of office. Over the next few months, the members of the 83rd Legislative Assembly will be called to tackle some of Oregon’s most pressing
issues. From housing to public safety, we will be tasked with charting a new path forward. And with a keen eye on what our needs are back home, I will get to do this not only on the house floor, but also in the committees I am a part of.
Rising costs in every sector have made creating a future in this state
nearly impossible for so many young Oregonians. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in our housing markets, where decades of prioritizing environmental aspirations over the needs of Oregonians has led to a housing shortage. Last session when I was Leader, we passed a housing package proposed
by the Governor that invested in infrastructure to reduce the cost of housing. This was just the start. I am excited to be a member of the House Housing and Homelessness committee, where I can continue to engage in legislation building a brighter future for young families in Oregon.
I served for many years as a police officer in the Portland Police Bureau and know firsthand how critical public safety is. This is why I requested to be on the Joint Ways and Means Sub- Committee on Public Safety. The damage to our communities in the wake of Measure 110 has been devastating, and law enforcement got a
front row seat. We must give our brave men and women, who put their lives on the line to uphold law and order, all the resources we can muster to protect our citizens. It’s the very least we can do.
I was also pleased to have been named a member of the Joint Committee on Transportation. This critical committee will be discussing how best to update and upgrade Oregon’s transportation system as well as discovering ways to fund our transportation endeavors in the future. With several aging infrastructure needs in our district, I am glad to be able to elevate our concerns to such an important committee.
MOUNTAIN VENUES with MENUS
If we are to chart a new path forward in all these crucial areas, it will require working together on issues and finding bipartisan solutions, not just having bipartisan discussions. I will continue to work on finding a path that benefits all Oregonians. I look forward to and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
As always, you can reach me at Rep.JeffHelfrich@oregonlegislature. gov or 503-986-1452. My office and I would love to hear from you. If you happen to be in Salem during Session, swing by my office H-371. My office and I will do all we can to sit down and chat.
Mountain Representative Jeff Helfrich keeps the community updated with an exclusive look at the legislative process.
AntFarm Expands Mission with $50K Grant
By Justin Andress
You’d be hard-pressed to find a local who doesn’t consider AntFarm a community institution. However, few people realize the extent to which this youth-oriented nonprofit has become a force for good in its community. Now, a new grant from the Hood-Willamette Resource Advisory Committee will help AntFarm extend its community-building efforts.
Most people who live on the mountain have some familiarity with AntFarm thanks to the Cafe that sits in the heart of Sandy and serves a delicious
assortment of drinks, pastries, and sandwiches.
The AntFarm Cafe is just the tip of the iceberg for AntFarm Youth Services, though. It’s easy to spot evidence of its good work throughout Mt. Hood community, whether you’re hiking or riding on one of the trails they’ve cleaned or you happen to be one of the seniors for whom they do chores.
Within and without, however, AntFarm’s highest priority is inspiring the community’s youth to build a brighter world through discipline, hard work, and imagination.
AntFarm’s Director of Workforce Development, Neal Hatley, is the person charged with harnessing
these values and using them to prepare kids for future careers. It’s a daunting task, but it’s one that Hatley is clearly passionate about. He’s jovial, informed, and enthusiastic when talking about his work.
“Man, I’m having a ball!” Hatley exclaims over a cup of coffee at AntFarm Cafe.
He’s here to discuss a $50,000 grant bestowed on AntFarm by the Hood-Willamette Resource Advisory Committee. In the last several months, the Hood-Willamette RAC has funded 45 projects that focus on improving roads and water quality, rehabilitating ecosys -
tems, and supporting trail maintenance.
Hatley and his team won their share of the Hood-Willamette RAC’s disbursement with a pitch that was critical to the long-term health of the mountain. The Forest Cleaning Initiative will fund the cleanup and trash removal of illegal dump sites all over the Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.
“All we’re trying to do is clean up trash on the mountain, which we all agree is a good idea,” says Hatley. “So, we put together a proposal and said we’d operate a crew a couple of days a week to be on standby and start responding to those calls.”
The organization also has QR codes that mountain explorers can use to pinpoint the location of illegal dump sites so that AntFarm crews can log it and add it to their list. Thanks to this influx of funding, it won’t be long before you see crews hiking into the woods to clean up spots where people have dumped their unwanted garbage.
The National Forests are just the first step in AntFarm’s trash cleanup efforts. “We hope to get
funding from the County, private foundations, and even private citizens,” says Hatley. “Then, we can open it up to enough days a week to serve all the locations in the Mt. Hood corridor and ideally the 224 corridor as well.”
There’s an enormous job ahead, but Hatley is firmly focused on the benefits his work delivers both to his community and its kids. “To me,” he says, “The most valuable way to teach a youth [the value of] a work ethic is to show them what their work can do,” says Hatley.
The Workforce Development program is designed to do just that.
“It’s a way for [youths] to get a step into their career, get some professional experience, get something to put on a resume, make some money, of course, and then hopefully set themselves up for a career.”
If they want to stick around the organization, AntFarm has programs to teach the kids a huge variety of skills from construction to arboriculture. Even better, several of these programs include internships that provide “paid on-the-job training.”
Making sure that his kids get paid is a priority for Hatley. Several program participants fall into the “at risk” or “opportunity youth” categories. They frequently come from homes with low incomes.
“If we only have it as a volunteer opportunity, it’s not realistic for [a lot of our kids],” Hatley explains. “A lot of them contribute to their fami-
lies. It becomes a barrier if we don’t have any wage associated with these positions. It’s a modest wage, but it can eliminate that barrier and also give them a taste of the real professional world.”
It all feeds back into harnessing the power of the community to build a brighter world. And he’ll take all the help he can get. As he says, “We want to take youth out to public lands, we want to clear trash, we want to leave our lands better than we found them, and we want to build skills while we’re doing it. And whoever supports that effort and wants to be a part of it, we will take support from any organization, institution, or individual.” That’s not just money. AntFarm is always hunting for experts to contact them to provide training and guidance for its programs. At the end of the day, Hatley remains committed to the underlying aspirations of AntFarm. “Every time someone comes to us, we will try. If the community has a need we try to fill it. We may not always be the best at it. We ask for grace in our failings. But, we’re going to give it our best shot. And we’re lucky to have had a lot of success and community support.”
You can provide financial support or lend a hand by reaching out through the organization’s website, AntFarmYouthServices.com.
The Mountain Times
Ken and exhuberant, youthful helpers.
Part of the crew lounging in a nearby tree.
Local News
Meet the Artist: Laura Strudwick
By Amber Ford
The Mountain Times
A resident of the Mt. Hood Villages for seven years, local resident and artist Laura Strudwick is making a professional name for herself through her art, projects and the shows she has participated in throughout the last several years. Selftaught during the Covid19 pandemic, Strudwick has been practicing the art of watercolors for the last four years and acrylics for the last two.
“During the Covid lockdown, I started teaching myself how to paint. I began with watercolor, watching YouTube, Let’s Make Art.com, and Anna Mason’s tutorials,” Strudwick said. “I painted for hours everyday. I took many online watercolor classes with Leslie Barnum through Mt. Hood Community
College. After lockdown, I began attending a weekly Friday art class/open studio in Portland with Ketty Miller through MHCC; they are my art family and support group,” Strudwick added. An emerging artist in the Mt. Hood Villages, Strudwick has become dedicated and disciplined in not only creating pieces that captivate audiences, but also in the other forms of art she practices. “I have loved and practiced photography since I was young. This is my first year selling my photographs,” Strudwick said. An artist in every sense of the word, Strudwick has dabbled in everything from music to the written word. “I’m also a musician who can play trumpet, piano, and guitar,” Strudwick said. “I am a writer who has published
academic articles and a doctoral dissertation. I’m currently working on a creative nonfiction manuscript. I’m a trained SoulCollage® facilitator, which is an art form that also functions as a therapeutic tool. I’ve taught many SoulCollage® classes to mountain folk. It’s an easy art form that yields beautiful products as well as deepens our inner wisdom,” Strudwick added.
With the help of artists who have come before her, Strudwick has examined and studied the works of other artists with whom she finds connection to the types of artwork she creates. From other self-taught artists to legends past, Strudwick finds passion in her work while studying the craft of other artists. “I’ve recently started a project called
the “Dream Portfolio” where you choose your top ten favorite paintings of all time and then reproduce them to dive into the other artists’ techniques. The project is supposed to help you deepen your artistic voice,” Strudwick said. “So far, I’ve included paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall, the abundant fruit and flower still life paintings of Severin Roesen, Cornelis Mahu, and Rachel Ruysch, and three contemporary painters, John Cosby (California impressionist), the translucent citrus paintings of Dennis Wojtkiewicz, and Kitipong Maksin (Thai botanical watercolorist),” Strudwick added.
Inspired by the beautiful Mt. Hood Forest that surrounds her, Strudwick is constantly finding ways to add character to her work from her own backyard. “The ordinary up here is extraordinary,” Strudwick said. “When people come to my booth at the Hoodland Farmers Market or the holiday markets, they are often drawn to my photographs for sale, and we start talking about the Western Pasque flower or the hiking trails to Burnt Lake and Paradise Park. Almost all of my photographs that I sell are from day hikes and backpacks on Mt.Hood,” Strudwick added.
Those interested in viewing Strudwick’s work for purchase, please visit www.laurastrudwickart.com .
Exploring the Origins of Our Community Names: Part Two
By Marie Kennedy
The Mountain Times
If you live in one of the communities between Rhododendron and parts of Cherryville, according to the federal government you live in Mount Hood Village. This is not to be confused with the Villages at Mt. Hood, which is a county thing. We have two very similar terms for this area, and it can be confusing: Mount Hood Village and the Villages at Mount Hood.
Mount Hood Village
The Villages at Mount Hood
The “Villages at Mount Hood” was created in 2006, when Mount Hood residents voted in favor of forming a village under the county’s Complete Communities ordinance part of the Hamlets and Villages program. Government Camp elected to do so at the same time.
The county ordinance allows for the formation of quasi-governmental entities in unincorporated areas, like the Mount Hood corridor, to allow rural residents to have more control over issues that directly affect them.
David explained, “[The CPO and the Villages] had two different missions. The villages were to advise the county and be a conduit from the community to the county on all issues.” Lythgoe continued, “The CPO deals strictly with planning issues at the county’s request. But lately we have gone beyond planning issues, informing the community on local issues, much like the Villages used to do.”
CDPs have been used in census counts going back to 1980, to allow for the gathering and tracking data from smaller unincorporated communities in the U.S. CDPs are not used for any legal purpose other than census information gathering.
Just a quick note about census taking, for the uninitiated. As outlined in the U.S. Constitution, every 10 years since 1790, the
The name Mount Hood Village comes from our national census. In order to better count residents in unincorporated communities, they create what is called a Census-Designated Place (CDP). Mount Hood Village is the CDP for the unincorporated towns in the Mount Hood corridor.
US Government has conducted a decennial census. We’ve had twenty-three Federal Censuses in all since then. Of course, they’ve changed in scope. Initially, they only counted the heads of household. That changed in 1850 when the census began collecting the names of all members of a household and included additional data in the results.
The Decennial Census of Population and Housing is designed to count every resident of the country and where they live on April 1, every ten years ending in zero. The census questionnaire
collects information on race, ethnicity, migration, immigration, housing, health, education and other factors. House seats are determined by population, and budget planning and community projects depend upon the data that this census collects.
We’re about halfway to a new population census in 2030. Who knows what surprises we’ll see in the Mount Hood Villages’ profile.
Other CDPs in Clackamas County include Beavercreek, Clackamas, Jennings Lodge, Oak Grove and Oatfield.
Initially, the local group was active, and by 2015 there were several projects planned, including bike and pedestrian paths and a Neighborhood Watch program. By 2016, sharp political divisions in the group led to the county dissolving the formal local committee.
Today we have an active Community Planning Organization, or CPO, that reviews and makes recommendations to the county on many local livability issues and land planning. The former CPO was dissolved due to litigation issues over 10 years ago. David Lythgoe was instrumental in working with the county to revive the local planning organization, Hoodland CPO.
While the “Villages at Mount Hood” name remains in informal use, the county website shows no active villages currently, countywide, and just three active hamlets, which were confirmed by county staff. However, the Hoodland CPO is an active and engaging group, working with the county to help keep the community informed on key issues.
Next time we’ll cover the towns along Highway 26.
Land Surveyors & Planners Associates
Donald E. Marx, Jr. Daniel R. Bauer Jason Sorenson, Office Manager Thomas P. Beinhauer, PLS 503.667.5550 don@marxassocs.net
18615 E Burnside Portland, OR 97233
MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 565 Gresham, OR 97030
Museum Chatter: Which Mt. Hood Ski Area was Developed First?
By Lloyd Musser
For The Mountain Times
The sport of snow skiing began rather late in Oregon, compared to the east coast of the United States and other places around the world. Archeologists have determined that skis were being used for hunting and travel as early as 4000. Using skis for sport and leisure started about 1890. The first documented Oregon use of “Norwegian snowshoes,” as skis were called in those days, took place that same year. A group of Portlanders took the train to Hood River and proceeded in horse-drawn vehicles to the snowline above Parkdale. Here the party donned skis and shuffled on up to Cloud Cap.This outing took three days but only provided a few hours of skiing.
The sport of snow skiing languished in Oregon for many years due lack of access to snow covered areas. All this would change quickly in 1926, when the Oregon
Highway Commission began plowing snow on the road to Government Camp daily.
The oldest winter sports area on Mount Hood, came about due to two lost skiers on New Year’s Day, 1927. A massive search located one skier, but the second skier was never found.
The Portland Advertising Club thought to prevent lost skiers, the creation of a defined area with boundary signs and some facilities was the answer. Subsequently, the Advertising Club got a US Forest Service permit to create a winter sports area at the east end of Government Camp.
When the area opened for use in December 1927, it included a ski jump, a toboggan slide, ski runs, ski and toboggan rentals, a lunch counter, and an outdoor fireplace. The area became known as the Summit Ski Area and is still operating today. Recently acquired by the operators of Timberline
Lodge, the area is now named Summit Pass and is folded into the Timberline Lodge Ski Area. Skiers can now ski on groomed runs from Timberline Lodge to Summit Pass for a vertical drop of 4540 feet, the largest in the United States.
The Mount Hood Ski Club worked hard during the summer and fall of 1927 to create a ski area at Swim. Swim was a small community about a mile east of Government Camp; Ole Langerud was the primary force in creating a ski jump and a toboggan run. The hill was perfect for a ski jump; it faced southeast, however, and the snow became too soft to for jumping when the sun came out. The site was abandoned after 1930, becoming Mount Hood’s first lost ski area.
Cooper Spur Ski Area got its start in 1927 when members of the North Slope Ski Club built a basic ski jump. The area grew slowly over the years, and today is owned by Mount Hood Meadows and has a 1300’ chairlift.
A group of Norwegians ski jumpers, disappointed with the Swim Jump Hill, created the Cascade Ski Club. The club worked fast and in January 1929, 3600 spectators attended the first tournament on the new ski jump on the north side of Multorpor
It’s
Mountain.
America entered the great economic depression in 1929, and it would be several years before new or expanded ski facilities would be implemented on Mount Hood. At this point in time, no one in the world has an uphill conveyance system for skiers. The sport of snow skiing changed fast once the rope tow was invented in 1934. Rope tows represented simple equipment that was inexpensive to purchase; they would appear in 1936 at Summit Ski Area and the new Ski Bowl Ski Area. The Ski Bowl rope tow was in the upper bowl, which is located about a half mile from the parking lot. The rope tow was powered with a gasoline engine – skiers who carried five gallons of gasoline from the parking lot uphill to the rope tow got to ski for free. Ski Bowl would install their second rope tow in the lower bowl in 1937. There is still a small rope tow in the lower bowl that is free to use.
The Ishams and Albie West bought the private property next to the Summit Ski Area in 1938. They built three rope tows on the hill behind the Summit House; these rope tows were called the Red Devil Ski Area and served skiers until 1970. Housing units now occupy the former ski slope and Red
Devil Ski Area is just an interesting history.
The Magic Mile Chairlift at Timberline Lodge opened in November 1939. Today, skiers are served by eight chairlifts, two snowcats, a magic carpet, and several shuttle buses. A gondola from Government Camp to the lodge is in the planning phase.
Sometime in the late 1940s George Beutler installed a rope tow on US Forest Service land where Glade Trail meets Blossom Trail Street in Government Camp. He called the venture Windy Point and charged five cents per ride. Skiers had to walk over one mile uphill to reach the rope tow, and the terrain was rather flat. This short-lived ski area is barely mentioned in the local history.
George then moved his rope tow to Multorpor Mountain in 1946. He was more successful here as the terrain next the Cascade Ski Club was steeper. A lightning strike in 1950 destroyed his equipment. Everrett Darr acquired Beutler’s permit from the US Forest Service, and over the years built several ski lifts and eventually merged the area with Ski Bowl. The original Multorpor Ski Area is now known as Skibowl East. All the Mount Hood ski areas expanded, upgraded, and grew during the 1950s and 1960s, but no new areas were developed. Finally, in 1967, Mount Hood Meadows began operation and would become the largest ski area on Mount Hood. Today, 98 years after the first Mount Hood ski area was established, there are four ski areas operated by three companies. Three former ski areas, Swim, Red Devil, and Windy Point have reverted to other uses. Lloyd Musser is a volunteer of the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum.
Nearly Here, Ski the Glade on Mt. Hood, March 1, 2025
By Meredith Frigaard
For 23 years, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum has hosted “Ski The Glade” as a living history event. This downhill ride has been a popular activity for over 100 years. It allows skiers and boarders to take advantage of three miles of groomed mountain terrain. The
trail begins at Timberline Ski Area and ends in Government Camp. On this special day, participants ride shuttle buses from the end of the trail back to Timberline, skiing as many laps as they wish. Under a permit from the US Forest Service, the trail is groomed by Timberline Lodge. Skiers and boarders enjoy a full day of skiing and are accompanied by local guides and the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol. A continental breakfast starts the day at 8:30 a.m. Shuttle buses operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A delicious lunch is offered at the Mt. Hood Museum &
Cultural Center from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. An apres-ski reception concludes the day with beverages and door prizes.
This year, wear your favorite retro ski gear – wool knickers, Kangaroo-pocket windbreakers, neon, one-piece suits, windshirts -- be creative. Come prepared to tell a story! Win the prize for “Best Outfit and Story of the Day.”
Contact the museum to purchase tickets: (503) 272-3301. A limited number of tickets will be sold. Prices: Museum members: $150 each, Non-Members: $150 + Membership
(Individual membership = $30), Non-Skiers: $75, Youth (12 and younger): $75 each.
The Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of Mt. Hood through interpretive exhibits and educational programs. The museum features six galleries that highlight the history of the mountain’s early exploration, winter sports, settlement, and natural history. It is in the center of Government Camp, and operates the Mt. Hood Information Center and a unique gift shop, open seven days a week.
A rope tow at Multorpor Ski Area, 1955.
Mount Hood Ski Jumper_Jumping tournaments drew lots of spectators in the 1920 – 40’s.
For The Mountain Times
Environment The Woodsman: LA Fires Remind Us of Fire Danger Here
By Steve Wilent
For The Mountain Times
It’s painful to see that so many homes and businesses were burned by wildfires in the Los Angeles area in January. People killed — 27, so far — and injured. Lives, businesses, and livelihoods ruined or disrupted. But LA is far away and is so very different from our relatively remote mountain homes. What happened in LA couldn’t happen here, right? Wrong.
The recent fires in the LA area were driven by very strong Santa Ana winds — with some gusts reportedly reaching 100 miles per hour. These are warm, dry winds from the east that are familiar to Angelenos — they happen every year, as do wildfires. Way back when I was a wildland firefighter in the Sierras in California, crew members sometimes made friendly bets on whether we’d be called to a fire in the LA area in the autumn. I never was deployed on such a fire, but I knew members of another crew that fought a fire over the Thanksgiving weekend and even had a turkey dinner instead of the usual fare.
This year the Santa Ana winds came later than usual and in the midst of a months-long period with very little rainfall (see tinyurl. com/2rnrzpb5). Grass, brush, and trees were bone-dry and ignited easily. So were houses, schools, churches, businesses and other buildings. More than 12,000 of them burned.
LA has seen destructive wildfires in the past. For example, in November 1961, the Bel Air- Brentwood Fire destroyed 484 homes and 21 other buildings.
We have such winds, too, now and then. They’re called East Winds here, and they occur when high-pressure weather systems to
the east or northeast — over Montana, for example — blow wind toward low-pressure systems over the Pacific. These East winds can come at any time of the year. One winter a decade ago or so, a strong East wind blew down a large Douglas-fir tree on Lara’s and my property. It missed our house by 30 feet or so — a close call. I had my revenge bit by bit: I cut that tree into firewood and burned it over one winter in our wood stove.
East winds visit our area in the summer, too.
I’m sure you remember the Riverside Fire in September 2020. Whipped by a strong East wind, a small fire along the Clackamas River exploded into a massive wildfire that burned 17 miles down the canyon in a single day, destroying dozens of structures and nearly engulfing Estacada. Imagine a wildfire starting near Welches and burning all the way to Sandy in a single day. It could happen. Other wildfires in 2020 and in years gone by were driven by East winds. For example, the Tillamook Burn, a series of large wildfires in the Coast Range west of Portland between 1933 and 1951, burning a total of 355,000 acres (554 square miles), were influenced by East winds.
Why did so many homes in LA burn?
Homes in suburban areas far from forests, chaparral, or other more-natural areas? A video from the New York Times offers some clues. The Times was granted permission to attach a camera to the nose of a Los Angeles County firefighting helicopter as it flew over areas burned by the Eaton Fire. The few minutes of video show swaths of burned homes, often in groups of a few or a few dozen, with nothing left but the foundations and charred debris. Around these ruins, some homes and other structures appear to be undamaged. Remarkably, although numerous trees were burned, there are far more green ones still standing, often near homes reduced to ashes.
This wasn’t a forest fire, it was a house fire. That is, the fire
burned from house to house: houses were the fire’s main fuel. The photo accompanying this article shows a scene from the Palisades Fire, where a house is beginning to burn as it is ignited by another house that is fully engulfed in flames. The flames and embers appear to be moving sideways, driven by a strong wind. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the fire continued marching from one house to the other down that street.
With a giant blowtorch like that, there’s little hope of saving homes a few feet apart. But what about groups of homes separated by wide asphalt avenues? How did the fire cross such barriers?
What flames couldn’t reach, flying embers did.
The same could happen here, in Timberline Rim, for example, or the neighborhoods around the golf course in Welches. Or anywhere in our area.
Houses in the path of a fire driven by an East wind won’t stand much of a chance. The best thing to do is to grab your “go bag” of valuables and essentials — you have one, right? — and evacuate.
What about houses not directly in the path of a raging wildfire? I’ve written before about how you can make your home or business more resilient to red-hot embers. Keep your gutters and roof clean, don’t store firewood next to buildings, remove flammable vege-
tation near your house, remove “ladder” fuels that can let fires move up into tree crowns, and so on. Hoodland Fire District’s web site has a wealth of information on creating a defensible space. Go to hoodlandfire.us, click on Prevention, Wildfire Information, and then on Creating Defensible Space. See also FireWise.org.
I’ve also written about AntFarm Youth Service’s Community Wildfire Defense Program (tinyurl. com/bdhbdfxw), which offers home wildfire hazard assessments and fuels-reduction treatments, often for free. AntFarm crews have been focusing on Timberline Rim as well as other areas. Oregon Public Broadcasting recently wrote about the program (tinyurl. com/y45ajah9).
I had intended to write about the State of Oregon’s wildfire hazard map (tinyurl. com/3ye4penv), which was finalized in January, and related regulations, but the LA fires made me shift topics. I’ll look at the wildfire hazard map next month. Have a question about wildfire hazards or defensible space? When is the best time to create a defensible space around your home? Let me know. Email: SWilent@gmail. com.
Glenn Jones
Flames spread from one house to another during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, California, in January.
Photo: CalFIRE.
February Mountain Times Events
Plant Swap | 12pm
Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Karaoke Sunday | Varies Whistle Stop Bar & Grill
Pop-Up Dinner | 5pm
Reservations Required | Call 503.622.4618
Alpine Events
Men’s Book Club | 7pm The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Check Below for Reccuring Sunday Events Check
Creation Station | 10am Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Teen Advisory Board | 4pm
Karaoke Sunday | Varies Whistle Stop Bar & Grill
Fingers and Chilly | 5pm Chicali Cantina
Microsoft Word | 10am
Registration Required call 503-668-5537
Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25
Introduction to iPad & iPhone | 10am
Registration Required call 503-668-5537
Registration Required with rhanset@ci.sandy.or.us
Sandy Library Community Room
Creation Station | 10am Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room French Conversation Group | 2:30pm Hoodland Library
Kids Club - Legos | 4pm Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Teen Hangout | 4pm Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Artisans Guild |
Kids Club - STEM | 4pm Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
26
*Please call Wraptitude for more information at 503.622.0893 | ^Please call Al Forno Ferruzza for more information at
^^Please call Chicali Cantina for more information at 503-564-9091 | ~Please email Wy’East Zen Center for more information at info@wyeastzencenter.org
Alcoholics Anonymous | 9am
St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Mondays
Narcotics Anonymous | 6pm Hoodland Lutheran Church Mondays
Meditation & Discussion | 6:30pm Zoom Meeting~ Mondays
Live Music | Varies* Wraptitude Mondays
Fiber Arts Circle | 2pm
Sandy Library Fireplace Room Tuesdays
Read to a Dog | 4:15pm Sandy Library Kids’ Room Tuesdays
Al-Anon | 5pm St. John in The Woods Church Tuesdays
Trivia | 7pm Whistle Stop Bar & Grill Tuesdays
Locals & Industry Day: 15% Off Your Meal Chicali Cantina Wednesdays
Alcoholics Anonymous | 9am St. John in the Woods Catholic Church Wednesdays
Narcotics Anonymous | 7pm Sandy AntFarm Cafe & Bakery Wednesdays Storytime |
Events & Activities Calendar
| 4pm Community Room
Digital Book Club | 7pm Funny Story by Emily Henry Contact Kat at kaden@ci.sandy.or.us for Zoom Link Zoom Meeting
CPO Board Meeting | 5:30pm Zoom Meeting
Women’s Book Club | 6pm
Mrs.Lewis by Marie DeBatty Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Ball | 7pm Tickets $35 Online & at the Door | 21+ Alpine Events
Candle Making Class | 5:30pm with Luna and Craft Cooper’s Wine Bar & Shop
CPO Community Meeting | 7pm Zoom Meeting
Candle Lighting | 5:06pm Shabbat
Billy D & The Hoo Doos | 7pm Chicago Blues Skyway Bar & Grill
Candle Lighting | 5:16pm Shabbat
Featured Tasting | 6pm Purple Hands Winery Cooper’s Wine Bar & Shop
Candle Lighting | 5:26pm Shabbat Deja 2 + | 7pm Folk/Rock Skyway Bar & Grill
Candle Lighting | 5:36pm Shabbat
Eric Leadbetter Duo | 7pm Bluesy Rock Skyway Bar & Grill
Mahjong | 2pm Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room
Woodbrain | 7pm Rock/Blues Skyway Bar & Grill The Resolectrics | 7pm Rock & Soul Power Trio Skyway Bar & Grill
Moon Music | 7pm Psychedelic Soundscapes Skyway Bar & Grill
North, Someplace Wild by Gary Brumbelow Sandy Library Hoyt Community Room Community Sound Bath | 7pm $5-25 Sliding Scale | Bring Comfortable Seat Hoodland Bazaar
Author Talk | 3pm
Blueflags & Blackgrass | 7pm American Roots Music Skyway Bar & Grill
Lasagna Drice Thru Dinner | 5:30pm $20 at the Door Mt. Hood Lions Club
Ski the Glade Benefit | 8:30am Contact Museum to Purchase Tickets Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum
Timothy James Trio | 7pm Pop/Rock Skyway Bar & Grill
Do you have an event that you would like to promote? Email kaity@mountaintimesoregon.com. Space is limited and not guaranteed. Event details may be edited for simplification. Due Date is the 15th of prior month. Events are subject to change without notice.
Mountain Matters: Mt. Hood’s Free Food Market Feeds Community
By Amber Ford The Mountain Times
While the holiday season is traditionally known as the season of giving, many individuals and families find themselves in need regardless of what month is highlighted on the calendar. The Mt. Hood Villages is no exception when it comes to food shortages and members of the community are dedicated to ensure these needs are met.
For over the last six years, The Neigh -
borhood Missions has hosted and sponsored the free food market to the Mt. Hood Villages residents. Using donations from The Oregon Food Bank and contributions from their own organization, The Neighborhood Missions feeds as many individuals and families as possible all year round. Neighborhood Missions and free food market volunteer Steve Carlson has been a driving force within the organization and feels that events such as the
food bank are extremely important in communities like The Mt. Hood Villages. “Being a rural community, it is special to be able to provide this opportunity locally,” Carlson said.
Unlike other organized food giveaways, The Neighborhood Missions and the free food market have no requirements or registration needed to receive donations. “Everyone who lives approximately within the Welches school district in need of food is welcome; no qualifications are necessary,” Carlson said. “The food market takes place on the last Monday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. or until the food is gone,” Carlson added.
The Neighborhood Missions and free food market also strive to provide individuals and families with an array of options. While many free food drives and organizations typically carry only canned and nonperishable food items, The Mt.
Meet the Athlete
Hood free food market aims to give locals a variety of foods. “We usually have dry goods, canned food, milk, eggs, bread, fruit, vegetables and sometimes frozen meat,” Carlson said.
According to Carlson, on average, The Mt. Hood free food market and Neighborhood Missions serve anywhere from 60-90 households, roughly 200-250 Mt. Hood Villages residents. With 15-20 volunteers each month, the hard work and dedication to feeding those in need within the community has become a priority for The Neighborhood Missions and their partner agency, the Oregon Food Bank.
The Mt. Hood Villages free food market is held in the parking lot of the Hoodland Lutheran Church the last Monday of each month, 9am-10am or until food runs out. For more information please call The Neighborhood Missions at 503-622-9213.
Anika Wipper Carves Her Way to Success
By Joe O’Leary
The Mountain Times
We live in an area where folks are born into snow sports. In Sandy and other communities around the mountain, there are lots of kids that start skiing or snowboarding with their parents shortly after they learn to walk. Great mountain access gives the Sandy High School ski team an undeniable upper hand over their competition.
“I’ve been skiing since I was like 18 months old, every year,” junior skier Anika Wipper explained. “It’s defi -
nitely cool, since I’ve been doing it for so long that I can kind of teach people little things that I know.” One thing about ski teams is that, unlike many other high school sports, there are countless new people every year that have never skied before joining the team. This creates an additional need for mentorship from head coach Josh Kanable and experienced skiers like Wipper.
Even those who aren’t new to the sport seem to look towards Wipper for guidance.
“I watch her, how
she races and her form and I try to mimic that a bit. It makes me better watching her practice and seeing the way she races. She also just gives everyone a lot of solid motivation.
She’ll remind us ‘you guys can do this’ and then after races she’ll tell us how good we did and give good feedback,” senior skier Anna Nguyen explained. As her high school career has progressed, Wipper has focused heavily on improving her times to help her team as much as possible.
“Last year was my best season for sure.
In most league races I got around sixth place, in the range from like eighth to fifth,” Wipper said. For reference, in league races, there are about 100 other girls Wipper is competing against to try and get the best time possible.
Years on the slopes also seem to have shown Wipper that skiing is not only something you need to technically refine over years of practice, but also an
ever-challenging mental battle.
“I don’t really talk to anyone at the top of the mountain.I just want to get focused. On race days I make sure I’m eating and drinking water, obviously. Getting my body prepared and getting sleep and that kind of stuff. But otherwise, there’s not really much to prepare outside of getting my mind ready,” Wipper said. Beyond dryland preparation and grueling leg workouts, Sandy’s ski team is tightly bonded.. Wipper epitomizes this.
“State is always really fun… it’s really fun to just bond with the girls for three days. Having those nights to hang out before [competing] is really nice,” Wipper said. Sandy may not quite be a “ski town,” but their snow sport culture is strong. So it’s fitting that the high school’s team has people that live and die by that culture, having as much fun as possible while on the ride.
New Year’s resolutions from first graders.
Welches Parent Teacher Community Organization
By Cassie Kanable, WTPCO
For The Mountain Times
Hello, Welches families! January brought a fresh wave of energy as students returned to school after winter break, ready to dive into new learning adventures. Winter sports are now in full swing, and our Welches Snow Sports program at Timberline has begun, offering students and families exciting evenings on the slopes.
Behind the scenes, our WPTCO is already hard at work planning our 2025 Auction & Gala, scheduled for April 26. This year’s event will be a fun night out for our community with a silent auction, wine pull, and delicious food — all in support of vital programs for Welches Schools. We can’t wait to share more in the coming weeks!
Looking ahead, we’re excited to connect with you at upcoming community events and continue working together to support Welches Schools. Stay tuned for
more opportunities to get involved! Here are some important dates to mark on your calendar:
Friday 2/21 Welches PTCO Movie Night: Join us for community movie night on Friday Feb. 21st in the Welches Elementary Multipurpose Room! The kiddos are still deliberating on their movie of choice so check back at welchesptco. org or ParentSquare to see which movie we’re playing! Doors open at 5:00 PM, movie starts at 6:00 PM. Bring chairs, floor pillows or blankets. $1 per person, concessions available for purchase. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.
Let’s Get Ready for Our Annual Spring Auction & Gala! Mark your calendars for our biggest fundraiser of the year — the Bid & Bloom Spring Auction & Gala on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Camp Arrah Wanna! This event helps fund essential programs like technology, supplies, field trips, and more.
Here’s How You Can Help:
• Build a Destination Package: Help create getaway bundles for popular spots like Mt. Hood, Sunriver, Hood River, the Oregon Coast, Disneyland, Seattle, and more! Team up with friends or family to sponsor an incredible experience.
Share Talents and Resources: Donate lessons (music, art, cooking, sports), experiences (concert tickets, games), wine for our Wine Pull, gift cards, handmade art, jewelry or other unique treasures. Become a sponsor! Sponsorships offer excellent visibility for businesses and monetary donations have the most immediate & direct impact for our schools. Visit welchesptco.org/ auction or scan the QR code at the end of this article for more information. Every contribution — big or small — makes a difference. To get involved, contact
JANUARY 2025 Honor Roll
our Auction Chair at auction@welchesptco. org or join us at our next meeting!
Join us at our next WPTCO Meeting!
The WPTCO is a non-profit group that supports Welches Schools and our broader community. Everyone is welcome! Join us on Tuesday, February 18th at 4:30 PM in the Elementary School Library — child care is provided. We’d love to see you there!
Stay Connected: Don’t miss out on upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. Join our email list at welchesptco. org or reach out anytime at info@welchesptco.org for more information.
Thank you for your continued support. Let’s make 2025 a fantastic year for our schools and students!
STUDENTS OF EXCELLENCE
WELCHES ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL
BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT
Amlie Hoopes, 7th | Helen Stoller Smith, 7th
Grey Patrick, 8th | Brady Caruso, 7th | Ariana Graves, 6th Vivian Eaton, 8th
MIDDLE ROW LEFT TO RIGHT
Gael Gallardo, 5th | Lilly Gunderman. 4th Isabella Villarreal, 3rd | Glenyx Melgar Sandoval, 5th
Bryan Califf, 6th | Jaxon Arnell, 3rd | Oliver Ostrander, 3rd
FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT
Sauvie Garrity, 2nd | Cade Parks, 1st
Dominic Dean, K | Matix Reeths, 1st
ABSENT (PICTURED BELOW) James Ortiz, 4th
SPONSORED BY GINA SHINGLER
By Dr. Robert Kelly, D.M.D.
General Dentist, McKenzie Dental
Well, some dental news from an unlikely place this month – jail. A man is suing a Pennsylvania corrections department and health contractor for problems associated with tooth extractions he had when he was in jail, according to a story recently in the Bucks County Courier Times.
According to the story, the former inmate had to have two teeth removed while in jail. Due to complications, the patient needed antibiotics after the surgery to help treat infection. Unfortunately,
The Whole Tooth: Correctional Dentistry
his problem persisted and further follow up revealed a problem that needed correction by an oral surgeon, so the dentist referred him to an oral surgeon for that treatment.
Up to this point, because he was an inmate, he was covered for any surgeries. But just before the surgery date, he was paroled! The medical insurance company that the corrections facility contracted with consequently denied any coverage for the upcoming oral surgery, forcing the former inmate to cancel the surgery. Apparently, he was only covered under this plan while actually physically in jail.
This reminded me of a memory of dental school 20 years ago. During my oral surgery rotations at the clinic and hospital there were rotations that involved treating inmates from jail. These were always extractions and did
not involve any other dental treatments. It was hard to stay calm at first when the inmate walked in, fully shackled and with a dedicated guard accompanying him at all times. I worked on a number of inmates and despite some initial apprehension, they all turned out to be fairly respectful and very appreciative to be out of pain when the procedure was over.
I’ll never forget one of the inmates that I had the luck of drawing to my chair. He was by far the biggest guy there. He was giant, I mean a mountain of a man, with a very stern look and too many tattoos to count. It was like something out of a movie. He looked like he could squash me like an ant. My fellow dental students just looked at me with the look of “good luck buddy, it was nice knowing you, thank god it’s not me.”
To top it off his name was “Snakes.” I’m sure
that wasn’t his real name, but he said to call him “Snakes” and I was more than willing to oblige. “Ok Snakes, how can I help you?”
He needed 2 teeth pulled. The procedure started and I was surprised to find that he was actually terrified of me! He was on the verge of tears as I got ready to administer the anesthetic. Luckily for both of us, his teeth came out
no problem, he thanked me profusely, and off he went in his shackles with his prison guard. We both lived to tell the tale – who would have guessed he was probably the person most afraid of anything that day!
I’m not sure if it is still common practice for dental residents to do teeth extractions on inmates, but it certainly made for an out of the
ordinary experience. Getting back to the story of the inmate in Pennsylvania: the outcome of the case has not been decided yet. However, in what can only be described as “convenient irony,” the former inmate has now found himself back in prison for a parole violation. It remains to be seen if he can finally have this corrective surgery after all.
Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership to Host Monthly Events
By Melinda McCrossen
For The Mountain Times
The Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership will be hosting a monthly sciencebased series, Mt. Hood Science Night, and the first speaker will be on March 5. Andy McEvoy, Faculty Research Assistant, Oregon State University, will be talking about Wildfire Risk in Western Oregon: Understanding the Present and Planning for the Future. McEvoy will explain
why the Mt. Hood area is considered high hazard and will help residents to understand what type of fires are possible in the future. Participants will be able to ask an OSU scientist questions about these trends.
The Mt. Hood area is in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and the mountain environment is rapidly changing. This series will delve deep into the science behind the changes specific to Mt.Hood. The Wildfire Partnership
has provided information on home hardening and fire mitigation through the Homeowners Workshops and the Burn Events in the past.
Mt. Hood Science Night will be held on the first Wednesday of the month, from 6-7:30 PM.
Rendezvous Grill (67149 US 26, Welches) is hosting these events. Mt. Hood Science Nights are free and all-age events, sponsored by the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership.
Well Adjusted: Organized Spaces, Healthier Places
By Dr. Melanie Brown Chiropractic Physician, Mountain Life Clinic
Clearing clutter from your home isn’t just about tidying up — it’s about creating a space that enhances your physical and mental health, improves your daily routines and elevates your quality of life.
Embracing the art of letting go can feel daunting, but it’s profoundly liberating. Whether you’re sorting through old clothes, your vehicle, or a chaotic pantry, the benefits extend far beyond a clean space.
One of the biggest hurdles is deciding what to keep and what to let go. A helpful mindset is that objects don’t need to be physically present to hold meaning. If you struggle to let go of sentimental items like your children’s projects, consider taking pictures of them before recycling them. This way, you preserve the memory without the clutter. It’s about freeing your space and mind simultaneously.
Start by focusing on the area that excites you the most for transformation. For me, it was my laundry room, which had become a dumping ground. Once cleared and organized, it felt like a weight had lifted every time I walked in. Next, I tackled my pantry and kitchen cabinets, where disorganization often led to frustration — clearing out unused or duplicate items and rearranging made cooking and meal
prep easier and more enjoyable.
Tackling clutter-prone corners can be incredibly impactful. For instance, I noticed my kitchen table often became a gathering place for games, papers, and random items. To curb this, I added placemats to give the space purpose and make it less tempting to pile things up. I also had a corner of my kitchen where things accumulated - the junk corner. I would clear it out, and it would be full within days. I repurposed it into a snack station with jars for grab-and-go options. Now, instead of being a source of stress, it’s an area that adds convenience and functionality to our daily lives.
Clutter also has a surprising impact on health. Physically, an organized home reduces stress, encourages creativity, improves focus and can even foster
healthier behaviors. For example, you’re more likely to prepare nutritious meals when your kitchen is clean and organized. Mentally, rejuvenating your space can reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, creating a calmer environment where you can recharge and rest. Organize your books, and you can find
your favorites. Find an accessible place for your favorite art supplies or music equipment to jump into creative time more easily.
With so many people getting sick this season, focusing on immune health is vital. Pair your clutter-clearing efforts to support healthy habits. Clear out your fridge and
stock it with fresh fruits and vegetables. Make immune-boosting elderberry syrup in your clean kitchen, and drink more water because you can find your water bottle in your organized and decluttered cabinets! Wash your sheets and clear around your bed for a more restful sleep.
By Dr. Lyon of Orchid Health
For The Mountain Times
The start of a new year offers an ideal opportunity to evaluate your health and well-being. Evidence suggests that small, sustainable lifestyle changes can significantly improve both mental and physical health outcomes. Here are some medically supported strategies to help you begin the year with a focus on wellness:
1. Set Realistic, Measurable Goals
Research highlights the importance of setting specific, achievable objectives to promote adherence to health changes. For instance, instead of committing to daily exercise, start with 20 minutes of moderate activity three times per week and gradually increase. Success is more likely when goals
are incremental and realistic.
2. Address Mental Health Proactively
Mental health is a critical component of overall health. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and journaling can reduce cortisol levels and improve focus. For those experiencing persistent stress or emotional challenges, engaging with a licensed mental health professional can provide tailored interventions to improve resilience and well-being.
3. Incorporate Regular Physical Activity
Physical activity is essential for cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal strength, and mental well-being. Even moderate-intensity activities, such as brisk walking or yoga, have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression while
enhancing sleep quality. Identify an activity that aligns with your interests to increase long-term adherence.
4. Adopt Nutritional Strategies for Optimal Health
Diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining energy levels, supporting immune function, and regulating mood. Emphasize the consumption of nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables,
lean proteins, and whole grains. Staying hydrated is equally important: even mild dehydration can impair cognitive function and exacerbate fatigue.
5. Cultivate a Supportive Environment
Social connections are integral to emotional health and can reinforce positive health behaviors. Surround yourself with individuals who support your goals. Additionally,
professional guidance from a counselor or wellness coach can provide evidence-based strategies and accountability to maintain progress.
At Orchid Health, our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs. From mental health counseling to holistic wellness programs, we offer resources to support your journey toward opti-
mal health. Whether your focus is stress management, physical fitness, or achieving a better worklife balance, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Take the first step toward improved health today. Visit Orchid Health’s website or call us at (971) 333-0494 to schedule an appointment. Let’s work together to make this your healthiest year yet.
Hoodland Women’s Club Highlights
By Cathy Lavin, HWC
For The Mountain Times
On October 22, 1962, 18-year-old Dale Wedge and 19-year-old Barry Crotty were married. Two years later, the newly formed Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) hosted its first Sweetheart’s Ball. Last year, these two milestones converged when Dale (now an HWC member) and Barry were honored
at the resurrected HWC Sweetheart’s Ball as the longest married couple in attendance.
Dale and Barry grew up together in Malden, Massachusetts and lived in Texas, Maryland, South Carolina and Florida. During their long careers with the National Security Agency (NSA), they were also posted to England, Italy and Hawaii. In retirement, they ulti -
mately ended up in Welches, Oregon, to be near daughter Tracey Kays.
Dale and Barry will again be part of the 61st anniversary Sweetheart’s Ball on February 13 from 7-10 p.m. at Alpine Events in Rhododendron. The evening will feature a DJ, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The cost is $35/ person. While a limited number of tickets will
be available at the door, community members are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance on the HWC website (hoodlandwomensclub.org) to ensure plenty of food and beverages for everyone.
HWC is also planning to add color to the Hoodland Community this spring with its annual flower basket fundraiser. A choice of million bells, petunias or mixed flower baskets are once again available for $30 each on the HWC website. The baskets themselves will be available for pickup at the parking lot across from Welches Schools on a weekend day in May (the actual date will depend on weather and the growing season).
HWC will use email to notify those who have ordered baskets of the exact date and time to pick up their flowers.
The deadline for orders is April 30.
Proceeds from both the Sweetheart’s Ball and the flower basket sale support the HWC community giving fund which provides community support in the form of scholarships, community events and financial aid to help Hoodland
SUDOKU
residents meet immediate physiological needs. Details and help request forms are available on the HWC website mentioned previously. In addition, help request forms are available at the Hoodland Library, Hoodland Senior Center and Neighborhood Missions.
February 2025
Work is also underway for HWC’s major fundraiser of the year: its annual golf tournament, auction and raffle. This year’s event will be earlier in the summer than in the past, so mark your calendars for June 26 to save the date and participate in the fun.
Community events are open to everyone, but HWC also regularly
hosts social events open only to its members. One of these was December 17 when members rolled the dice while enjoying snacks and bubbly refreshments at its “Bunco and Bubbles” event. New members are always welcome to become part of HWC. Those interested can join via the website (dues are just $25 per year). They can also “test drive” membership by attending one of HWC’s monthly meetings to learn more. The next meeting will be held at Ivy Bear Pizza on Tuesday, February 4 at 6 p.m.. Contact board@hoodlandwomensclub,org for details.
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
to
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)
Bubbles and Bunco 2024.
Dale and Barry
Crossword by Margie E. Burke
CROSSWORD by Margie E. Burke
SUDOKU by Margie E. Burke
Mt. Hood Flowers of the Month
By Madeline Bombardi For The Mountain Times
This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of fresh, local blooms from Mt. Hood Flowers. Whether you’re celebrating with a romantic partner, a friend, or simply treating yourself, our arrangements are designed to brighten any occasion with beauty and heart. From classic red roses to cheerful mixed bouquets, we offer a wide variety of flowers that convey love, admiration and warmth.
Locally sourced and carefully crafted, our Valentine’s Day flowers reflect the natural beauty
MT. HOOD FLOWERS
Bouquets | Weddings | Events
of the Mount Hood region. Each bouquet is made with the freshest seasonal blooms, ensuring long-lasting freshness and vibrant color. Choose from elegant rose arrangements, romantic tulips, or whimsical mixed flowers that perfectly suit your loved one’s personality.
Order Now: Don’t wait until the last minute — order your Valentine’s Day flowers early to ensure availability and on-time delivery. Visit www.mthoodflowers. com today and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with a beautiful bouquet.
Locally Sourced From Oregon Flower Farms
WEB: MTHOODFLOWERS.COM
EMAIL: MTHOODFLOWERS@GMAIL.COM
INSTAGRAM: @MTHOODFLOWERS
Local News
Hoodland CPO
By Pat Erdenberger, Hoodland CPO
For The Mountain Times
We’re just a month away from March! For those of us who do not ski but instead tend our gardens, the nearness of Spring is always a joy.
Most of you know that the goal of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring County information to our Hoodland community and have a voice back to the County.
The CPO will hold another virtual meeting on February 20th via Zoom, the third Thursday of the month as usual, so that no one need travel too far at night in the cold weather.
Hoodland CPO is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Speaker Topic: TBA Time: Feb 20, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 890 1684 3731 and Passcode: 726644
The January 16th Zoom meeting, titled “Weathering Winter in
Hoodland: Resources You Need and Support” was very successful. That success is owed entirely to the wonderful speakers, community members, and the planning efforts of Lisa Massena, Board Vice Chair. There are a wide variety of support systems run locally by volunteers. We heard from some of the local 501(c)(3) organizations and other volunteer groups, including: Steve Carlson, Neighborhood Missions; Neal Hatley, Ant Farm; Dave Hunt, National Association of Mental Health Orgs (NAMI), and Hoodland Women’s Club. Community Members also added their strong support for the Hoodland Library (potential warming shelter), the Church on the Mountain. (firewood ministry), the Senior Center (education and social support) and the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership (emergency support).
Do you have an interest in emergency communication? We speak to
one another quite often in our mountain corridor about emergency evacuation and planning efforts. The power goes down, or there’s an earthquake affecting roads, a tree falls across a driveway, you have no cell service or internet. What will you do? To that end, Marti Bowne, Board Secretary and Chair, Land Use Planning Committee, outlined an effort we will be making to organize a voluntary radio communication group or club with members across the corridor using GMRS radios and repeaters. Some
groups already exist here, but we need more people to be involved. For a small equipment cost and an hour or so of effort per month, we can join in the communication pyramid that runs up from your street to a HAMM radio operator to emergency services, or just to convey situational information. Please contact us at: hoodlandcpo@gmail. com if you are interested in more information or you are gung-ho to get this going.
On March 20 th 2025 the CPO is looking forward to hearing from Aaron Bayer, Superintendent, Oregon Trails School District.
“It Takes This Village”
ADOPTION OF THE MONTH
This fantastic feline is Eve, a 7 year old, female, domestic shorthair. She has a sleek coat, and a gentle disposition. Like many cats, she enjoys playing with toys, and taking a cat nap wherever she can find a cozy spot (especially if that spot is your lap, she’s a big cuddler!) Unlike every cat, Eve looooves receiving kisses from her foster parent, and returns the love by grooming their hair when they get a chance.
Eve is on a weight-loss journey right now, and needs a family that will take her health and diet seriously. Eve would be best suited to a home with no other cats or dogs. If you think that Eve is the girl for you, fill out our cat adoption application today! She will join your home spayed, microchipped, and vaccinated for an adoption fee of $120.
MHCC Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Equity and Community Resource Center
By MHCC
For The Mountain Times
Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) has unveiled its new Equity and Community Resource Center (ECRC), a transformative space designed to support students by
improving access to vital resources, fostering community partnerships, and creating a welcoming environment.
The ECRC officially opened on Tuesday, Jan. 7, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring
MHCC’s Kane St.mJazz Combo, a viewing of a video celebrating the college’s first-generation students, and remarks from college and community leaders.
“This center represents years of planning and dedica -
tion,” said Dr. Lisa Skari, MHCC president. “It’s incredible to see it come to life.”
The ECRC consolidates key services for students, including assistance from the Department of Human Services, TriMet, housing and technology support, and more, all under one roof. It also features a significant expansion of Barney’s Food Pantry, which now distributes two 3,000pound shipments of food weekly, offering fresh produce, frozen meats, and essential staples.
More than 60% of MHCC students have reported struggling with basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation. The
ECRC was designed as a lifeline for firstgeneration, low-income, and traditionally underrepresented students, providing vital resources while fostering advocacy and community.
“We wanted every student to feel welcome and have a space to grow,” said MHCC student Alejandro Guzman Leon, who emphasized the accessibility and inclusivity of the new center.
The ECRC was made possible through public investment and support from Oregon’s elected leaders, including Rep. Ricki Ruiz, who celebrated the center’s launch.
“This is the power of
collaboration and what happens when we invest in our community,” Ruiz said.
MHCC President Dr. Lisa Skari emphasized the importance of this collaborative effort, stating “The ECRC is a prime example of what can be achieved when we invest in education. The upcoming bond proposal is our next opportunity to expand on this success, continuing to support our students and strengthen our community.”
The ECRC is a testament to MHCC’s commitment to equity and student success, ensuring all students have the tools they need to thrive.
Native Plants: the Perfect Way to Beautify Your Yard This Spring
By Lisa Kilder Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District
For The Mountain Times
It is that time of year when we start dreaming of sunny days and warm weather. This is a great time to plan how your yard will look when summer arrives. Do you want a beautiful yard filled with singing birds and buzzing pollinators, but you’re worried about spending hours on maintenance or paying high water bills? Or you do not want to use a lot of your well water? Here is an idea: try using native
plants in your yard!
Will I find many native plants?
If you think there are not many native plants to choose from, here is some good news: there are tons of native plants in our area! You will have no trouble designing a beautiful yard full of native plants you can enjoy for years.
Will I have to tear up my whole yard?
If you are worried about pulling out your favorite flowers or trees, do not stress! You do not need to replace everything at once. Even if
you add a few native plants here and there, over time you can make a big difference for birds, bees, and other pollinators.
Why are native plants so great?
Native plants and local animals, birds, and insects have cohabitated for a long time, so native plants provide exactly the food and shelter local wildlife needs. Plus, native plants are used to our wet winters and hot, dry summers. This means they look nicer with less fuss, saving time, water, and money.
If your yard is your escape from a busy life, adding native plants is worth the effort. They offer a habitat that will attract native birds. You can feel calmer and happier just by sitting and watching birds, listening to their cheerful songs. Spending time outside enjoying nature is great for your body and mind.
How do I start?
First, learn about the growing conditions in your yard. Watch during the day to see which areas get sun and at what time. Try
to remember if there are spots that stay wet all summer or areas that are always dry. Look for places where water might not reach because something is blocking a sprinkler.
Once you know your yard’s conditions, you can explore resources about native plants. One great guide is Native Plants for Willamette Valley Yards, which you can find online: https:// www.oregonmetro. gov/native-plants-willamette-valley-yardsbooklet.
When planning, look at plant bloom times so
your yard can have flowers for every season. Pollinators, beneficial insects, and hummingbirds will love it! Also, include plants of different heights — from ground covers to tall trees. Don’t forget to check how tall and wide plants will get when they are fully grown. You don’t want a tree pushing into your gutters or blocking your windows. Just have fun. Your yard does not have to be perfect. It can be readjusted and changed as you go along. Part of the fun is in dreaming and planning!
Outdoors
The Viewfinder: Alder Creek Bridge
By Gary Randall For The Mountain Times
Highway 26. What can I say? The highway that bisects our communities connects us with the world, and the world to us. I say communities because we are more than Welches. We are Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Zigzag and Rhododendron. At one time each of our little communities were autonomous but still
connected, typically socially. We now identify as a single community.
I have been learning a lot lately about the development of the road to Mount Hood.
From the ancient days of Native trails to the immigrant wagons to the early automobile period. From Sam Barlow’s days with the Mt Hood Toll Road, E. Henry Wemme’s
purchase and upkeep of the road and the eventual improvements made when the road was deeded to The Oregon State Highway Division in 1919, when a road was envisioned that would encircle Mount Hood.
I read recently about a traffic jam in Brightwood at McIntyre Hill in 1912, when the old road, and the cars attempting to travel it, were very primitive. It was estimated that, on one sunny Saturday, between 300 and 400 automobiles were stacked up waiting for the others to climb, or be pulled by John McIntyre’s horse team, up the notorious McIntyre Hill, the worst part of the old road between Sandy and Government Camp. Apparently, traffic jams really are nothing new.
I remember the days before four lanes. I remember how, during ski season, the traffic would stop on the highway and people would get out of their cars for an impromptu snowball fight before the traffic started moving again. Busy traffic days are nothing new to Highway 26, but the amount of traffic and the speeds have increased since the four lanes have been constructed. It has truly turned into a freeway.
When the Highway Department was having obligatory public meetings during the widening project, several different plans were presented to subliminally slow the flow of traffic, even a slightly meandering road instead of one that is as straight as an arrow. Signs and features installed along the way to show that people are entering or leaving communities. None were of any interest to the highway department. Their first objec -
tive was to create a straight highway that would increase the flow of traffic to the ski resorts, and that is what we got. Our communities were in their way, the widening took place, and the road is increasingly more dangerous.
I realize that a fourlane highway was inevitable, especially when you have a steady increase in population, but I lament the way that this highway has taken away the identity of the communities that have been such an important part of Mount Hood’s history. I fear that our identity has been reduced to one of a strip mall on the side of a busy highway. I did not sit down to write an editorial or an opinion piece, but I feel deeply that our communities are suffering from a lack of identity and nucleic representation to the county and the state, representation that understands the character and the needs of our neighborhoods. I am not sure what we can do about it. I do not claim to have answers because it is a little late for any remedies that I might produce. The freeway is already built and the subdivisions from outside developers are knocking on our door, and the county is ready to issue permits and variances if needed. My plea to our mountain community is to realize that we live in a vibrant, beautiful community with a rich history and traditions. It is a beautiful place to live that needs to be defended to maintain the quality of life we enjoy. Highway 26 and how it has developed is emblematic of the challenges we are going to face in the future.
Ader Creek Bridge. Photo by Ivan Wooley.
What’s Happening At Your Hoodland And Sandy Public Libraries
Monday, February 17, 2025.
WEEKLY EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Fiber Arts Circle
Fiber artists, come join other handcrafters at an informal Fiber Arts circle. Weavers, spinners, knitters, crocheters, if your work is portable, you are welcome.
Tues, 2PM (Sandy Library Fireplace Room)
Saturdays, 2PM (Sandy Library Fireplace Room) Sat, Feb 8 & 22, 3PM (Hoodland Library Community Room)
Read to the Dog: Tuesdays, 4:15PM
Do you have a child working to improve their reading skills? Bring your child to the Sandy Library to read to Tanis! Tanis will be in the Sandy Library children’s area, and he would love it if you read him your favorite book! Read to the Dog is a great way for your child to practice their reading in a fun environment. We are partnering with DoveLewis’ Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams program to offer interactive reading sessions for readers looking to develop their confidence in reading aloud with a furry companion. Sandy Library Kids’ Room
Storytime: Thursdays, 10- 11AM
Miss Monica will read books and we will sing songs and learn rhymes together. Todos Juntos will provide a fun craft activity afterward. This program is for preschool children ages 2 - 5 and is designed to help your child learn the important early literacy skills needed to help them learn to read. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library
Storytime: Fridays, 10:30 - 11AM
Join us for Storytime at the Hoodland Library! We will be reading books, singing songs, and learning rhymes together. Hoodland Library Community Room
Family Storytime: Saturdays, 10 - 10:30AM
Storytime for the whole family! Miss Monica will read picture books and we will all learn some songs and rhymes together. Sandy Public Library
Spanish Class: Sundays , 3 - 4PM
Learn Spanish with teacher Maria Smith. This free class is intended for beginners. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library
Clase de inglés/English Class: domingos/Sundays, 4 - 5PM Clase de inglés para estudiantes principiantes o con un nivel intermedio de inglés. English class for beginner to intermediate English Language Learners. La Biblioteca Pública de Sandy/Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library MONTHLY & BI-MONTHLY EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
National Library Lover’s Month
Explore-Your-Library Challenge: Feb 1 - Feb 28
February is National Library Lover’s Month! Come show your library some love by participating in our Explore-Your-Library Challenge. Receive 5 stamps by exploring different facets of your library and win a prize! All ages are welcome to participate! Grab a card at the Sandy or Hoodland library or sign up via Sandy.Beanstack.org. Teen MakerSpace
We still have room in our free Teen Makerspace Group 2! Groups meet every other week. MakerSpace teens gather to design, create, and experiment with a variety of tools and materials in a creative and hands-on learning environment. Learn a new skill and make new friends! Teens in grades 6 - 12 are welcome. A maximum of 10 participants per group. Registration is required. Group 2 meets: Wednesdays, Feb 12 & 26, Mar 12 Sandy Community Center Info: Greg at gfox@ci.sandy.or.us
LEGO Club: Saturday, Feb 1, 1- 2 PM
Join us the first Saturday of each month and see what you can build with LEGO! For ages 5 - 10. Hoodland Library Community Room.
Plant Swap: Sunday, Feb 2, 12 - 1:30 PM
Come by the Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library between 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm on Sunday, February 2nd. Please bring a healthy, pest-free houseplant or cutting to swap. If you don’t have one to bring, that is ok, too. Please bring your own containers to take any new plant friends home.
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library
Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Teen Hangout: Monday, Feb 3 & 17, 4 - 6PM In this month’s edition of Teen Hangout the games are on!
Come try out Honey Heist, a one page RPG where you play a bear (or a honeybadger), try out some new board and card games like Exploding Kittens, and try your best to come out on top in Jackbox Party Games! To play Jackbox games, bring a mobile device or tablet!
This is a drop-in program that provides teens grades 6 - 12 a dedicated space to hang out, make friends, watch movies and YouTube on the big screen, play
Hoodland Public Library
24525 E. Welches Rd.
Welches, OR. 97067
Info: hoodlandlibrary@ci.sandy.or.us or 503-622-3460.
games, share interests, listen to music, get creative, and more! Themed crafts and events held monthly.
Snacks provided! Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Kris at kritchie@ci.sandy.or.us
Microsoft Word: Tues, Feb 4, 10AM
Need to compose a letter? Make a list? Write a resume? Take this class to learn basic formatting skills in Microsoft Word. Space is limited. Registration is required. Call the library at 503-668-5537 to register for a class. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Book Groups
Men’s Book Club: Mon, Feb 3, 7PM
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
Location: Hoyt Community Room, Sandy Library.
Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Digital Book Club: Thurs, Feb 6, 7:PM
Funny Story by Emily Henry (via Zoom).
Info: Kat at kaden@ci.sandy.or.us
Women’s Book Club: Thurs, Feb 13, 6PM
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Marie DeBatty.
Location: Hoyt Community Room, Sandy Library
Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Hoodland Library Book Group: Tues, Feb 18, 4PM
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger.
Location: Hoodland Library Community Room Info: Alex at asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us
Mahjong: Saturday, Feb 8, 2 - 4PM
Come play mahjong at the Sandy Library.
Beginners welcome. An introductory course will take place at 2:00 pm, followed by regular play at 2:30 pm. No set (game pieces) required to join, but, if you have a set, please bring it with you.
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library
Creation Station, Art Station: Mon, Feb 10, 10AM - 12PM
Chinese Lanterns & Valentines. Creation Station, a twice monthly interactive program that welcomes adults with developmental disabilities, offers several arts-and-crafts stations with a variety of materials to accommodate different interests and abilities. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Katie at kmurphy@ci.sandy.or.us
Teen Advisory Board: Mon, Feb 10, 4 - 5PM
Join us for a youth leadership opportunity and act as a youth voice for Sandy-area teens. TAB works with the teen librarian to provide input about how the library can be a welcoming environment for all teens, help plan teen programs/events, get volunteer hours, and more! Registration is required. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Kris at kritchie@ci.sandy.or.us
French Conversation Group: Mondays, Feb 10 & 24, 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Improve your French conversation skills in a friendly setting. 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. All levels welcome! Hoodland Library Community Room Info: hoodlandlibrary@ci.sandy.or.us or 503-622-3460
Introduction to iPad & iPhone: Tues, Feb 11, 10AM
Learn important skills for using your iPad or iPhone including navigating your device, connecting to wifi, common apps, and helpful settings. For this class, you will want to bring your own device and make sure you know your Apple ID and password. Space is limited. Registration required. Call the library at 503-6685537 to register. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Kids Club - LEGOs: Tues, Feb 11, 4 - 5:30PM
Visit the library after school to make LEGO creations that will be displayed at the library!
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library
Teen Dungeons & Dragons: Wednesdays, Feb 12 & 26, 6–8PM
Join a friendly group for an old-school D&D campaign inspired by the 1980s. Choose your adventure, roll dice, and enjoy in-person gameplay using “theater of the mind.” Open to players ages 13 and up (sorry, no liches!). Seats are limited; registration required. Location: Hoyt Community Room, Sandy Library Info: Dungeon Master Steve Williamson, gaming@ruckerworks.com
Puzzle Swap: Sat, Feb 15, 1 - 3PM
Have extra puzzles lying around? Come bring the puzzles you aren’t using and swap puzzles with other aficionados! Hoodland Library Community Room Info: Alex at asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us
Mouse & Keyboard Basics: Tues, Feb 18, 10AM
Are you a new computer user with little or no experience using a keyboard and mouse? If so, come to this class and learn how to left-click, right-click and use basic command keys as you prepare to enter the online world! Space is limited. Registration is required. Call the library at 503-668-5537 to register for a class. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Creation Station, Maker Lab: Mon, Feb 24, 10AM - 12PM
Puzzling Puzzles. Creation Station, a twice monthly interactive program that welcomes adults with developmental disabilities, offers several arts and crafts stations with a variety of materials to accommodate different interests and abilities. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Katie at kmurphy@ci.sandy.or.us
Author Talk: Sat, Feb 22, 3PM
Someplace North, Someplace Wild by Gary Brumbelow As a youth, Gary loved ranch life: riding, checking cattle, doing chores. In his twenties, he spent two years in British Columbia in a region of huge mountain ranches. He writes about a young Texan who pursues his dream of ranching in the Canadian wilderness. Cody lands a mountain ranch job, meets a beautiful girl, then out of the blue is arrested because he’s been framed for murder. And the county attorney is crooked; he can’t trust the system. What does he do? That’s what happens in Someplace North, Someplace Wild. When a young Texan is framed for murder, he has one week to track down the killer or forfeit his wilderness-ranch dream forever. Join us to hear Gary discuss his journey of writing Someplace North, Someplace Wild. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Craft Swap: Sun, Feb 23, 12 - 2PM
Bring craft supplies you are no longer using and browse the materials donated by others. Please present your donated supplies in an organized manner. If you don’t have anything to donate, you are still welcome to come and choose some items - there is always more that comes in than goes out. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Katie at kmurphy@ci.sandy.or.us
Computer Basics: Tues, Feb 25, 10AM
New to computers or been awhile since you used one? Come to Computer Basics and learn how to start and shut down a computer; create, save, and open a file; create a folder; and rename files and folders. Space is limited. Registration is required. Contact the library at 503-668-5537 to register for a class. Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library Info: Maureen at mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us
Kid’s Club STEM Workshops
Fantastic Freshwater Ecosystems: Tues, Feb 25, 4:00–5:00 PM
Kids in grades 1–5 will learn about freshwater ecosystems, explore differences between wetlands and backyard standing water, and discover how to create wildlife-friendly habitats while stopping invasive species. Location: Hoyt Community Room, Sandy Library Info: Monica at msmith@ci.sandy.or.us
Helpful, Hungry Bats: Wed, Feb 26, 4–5:30 PM Discover how bats eat their body weight in insects, their amazing adaptations, and the vital roles they play in ecosystems. Enjoy hands-on activities like making bat masks and exploring echolocation.
Location: Hoodland Library Community Room Info: Alex at asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us
ONGOING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
The Hoodland and Sandy Libraries offer free reading tutoring for students in grades 1 - 3. The program is run by volunteers who meet with students once a week for one-on-one tutoring in reading. We’re always looking for volunteers to tutor, too! Info: Monica at msmith@ci.sandy.or.us
Art Exhibits at the Libraries
Visit the Hoodland Library to view a beautiful quilt created by a member of the local group, The Piecemakers, and rotating exhibits from the Clackamas County Arts Alliance, which change quarterly. At the Sandy Library, explore the current group art show by Creation Station members, on display through March 16, 2025, as well as the watercolor exhibit Treasures of Florence, Italy by Cheryl Butterfield, on display through March 11, 2025.
Sandy Public Library
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:
Monday
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:
SOCIAL MEDIA
MICROSOFT WORD
PC BASICS
USING THE INTERNET
Curbside Delivery of hold items is available. Call us from the parking lot during our open hours, provide your library card number, and we will check your items out and bring them to you. Mobile Printing is available from your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Send what you need printed to the library using one of our mobile printing options, then come to the library during our open hours to print your documents. Info: ci.sandy.or.us/ library/page/mobile-printing-princh
The Sandy and Hoodland Library’s newsletter is being emailed on a monthly basis. Call us or email libraryassistants@ ci.sandy.or.us if you would like to be added to the mailing list. Or follow our blog at sandylibrary.blogspot.com/2024/ eCards: If you don’t already have a LINCC library card, you may apply for an eCard by visiting lincc.org. An eCard grants immediate access to on-line resources, including eBooks and eAudiobooks. You may also place up to five physical items on hold, but must upgrade to a full library card with your current photo ID and proof of address (if not on your ID) to check them out. eCards are available to all residents of the LINCC Library District (Clackamas County, Oregon), ages 13 and up.
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.
The Cultural Pass program offers passes to cultural venues so you can treat the family to a free or discounted adventure. Visit culturalpassexpress.quipugroup.net/. Some SAM/STAR and MT HOOD EXPRESS bus passes may be purchased at the libraries, including the SAM/STAR 24-ride punch pass and a pack of five individual ride tokens, and SAM and MT HOOD EXPRESS daily unlimited ride passes. Check out these Facebook groups for more information on what’s happening at the libraries: City of Sandy, Oregon – City Government Sandy Public Library Friends Sandy & Hoodland Libraries - Storytime Parents Group
The Hoodland and Sandy Public Libraries will be closed on
Church on the Mountain History Unfolded
By Peggy Wallace The Mountain Times
More than 50 years ago, a pastor and his wife began worship services around a fire pit at Son Village off Arrah Wanna Boulevard. Because these services were held outside, it was quickly determined that a new location was needed in order to continue worship during the cold and wet weather that accompanied autumn, winter and spring. Fortunately, the administrators at Camp Arrah Wanna agreed to let the group use the big building at the back of the property on Sunday mornings. Stan and Mary Wall were the aforementioned “pastor and his
In 1978, with the help of Stan’s parents, the Walls purchased a large home on Lolo Pass that had a big basement and began holding services and bible studies there. Within a short period of time, those small groups grew to between 80-100 people. One of the attendees was the fire chief’s wife, and she had been inviting her husband to join her – but the job of a fire chief is busy and unpredictable, even back in 1976 when the Mt. Hood National Forest was considered a rain forest. When he did finally attend, he was shocked to see the number of people in attendance and told Stan this could
not continue, noting that fire laws prohibited such a large number of folks from occupying the basement’s square footage: it was definitively a fire hazard.
Undeterred, the congregation explored other options, and in 1979 the property at the north side of the intersection of Highway 26 and Welches Road was listed for sale. But it posed a huge financial hurdle. A down payment would be required to get the ball rolling, so a fundraiser was held. More a meeting than a fundraiser, the numbers were presented and everyone was asked to contribute to the project as they were able. Stan again
stated that if they were unable to reach the necessary amount, then it was God’s will. Mind you, this was not a dinner, a raffle, or an auction – simply a meeting. The hoped-for amount was not only met, but exceeded by $500!
Some people in the community were naysayers, noting that there is no way the permits would be issued, contributions would fall short, it would be a money pit. Permits were indeed obtained and in 1979, clearing the land was underway. Stan Wall had a friend from college, a gentleman named Stan Stanley (really) who lived in Idaho. Stanley had a portable sawmill and offered to come and assist. He stayed quite a while, converting logs to lumber. In the Spring of 1981 the foundation was poured and building began.
The logs used in the building were, of course, taken from the land, and labor was provided primarily by the members of the congregation: a logger, a roofer, carpenters, a plumber and others, all who had necessary skills and a desire to contribute. Most of the labor took place at night and on weekends. These people had regular jobs but felt it was a privilege to donate what talents they had to contribute. If the church had been built with outside labor, the cost would have been prohibitive.
At the end of the day, the Log Church (as it was first known) was relatively debt free and its first service was held in
October 1981. Shortly after that first service, the congregation doubled to about two hundred.
In 1998, the congregations at Chapel of the Hills and the Mt. Hood Fellowship joined The Mt. Hood Bible Church and formed one church family named The Church on The Mountain, a place where everyone was welcome.
The impact of the log church on the community and attending travelers was huge! Word got around that if there was a need, help could be provided. Phone numbers of members of
the church were posted on the door for people to call for specific needs. Food, clothing, lodging vouchers, gas vouchers, a consoling word, a prayer, and a smile could be readily found among the congregation.
I asked, “Who in particular can you say spearheaded this whole thing?” Unanimously, the response was that there was no one person: it was the many, led by the Spirit of God through His people and for His purposes.
wife.”
Louise Hoyt, Larry Hoyt, Jim Peterson, Diane Peterson, Joe Manselle, Linda Eby, Jeff Whitaker.
The work begins.
This pencil sketch was done by Mic Eby, a member of the congregation.
Dedication at The Church on the Mountain.
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Solutions to Crossword
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BEWARE OF PUPPY MILLS
Edited by Margie E. Burke
(Answer appears elsewhere in this issue) 5 3 6 6 9 4 7 8 5 1 4 9 8 2 6 2 4 5 3 6 8 3
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Solution to Crossword:
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.
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!
Halston Asil Moreno
1982–2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Halston Asil Moreno, a beloved father, son, and friend, on January 17, 2025 at the age of 42.
Asil, as most knew
him, brought light and laughter to everyone who knew him. His smile could light up a room, and his kindness left a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.
Asil served his country honorably as a nuclear operator in the U.S. Navy, where he displayed exceptional dedication and skill. After his military service, he became a disabled veteran, yet he continued to approach life with courage and determination.
Above all, Asil was a devoted father to his three children, Xavier, Tiko and Emerson, and a cherished son to his parents, Gaspar and Marie Moreno. His
greatest joys were found in his family, and he was endlessly proud of his children.
Outside of his service, Asil had a deep love for music and his pets. He was an active member of his community and a loyal friend who touched many lives with his warmth and generosity.
A memorial service will be held on March 10, 2025 at Willamette National Cemetery to celebrate Asil’s remarkable life.
Asil, you are deeply loved and will be missed more than words can express. Your legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved you.
Local News
HFD Firefighters Helped Battle California Wildfires
By Donovan Darling The Mountain Times
Hoodland Fire District #74 deployed resources to assist in battling the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
On Saturday, January 11, Division Chief Brian Henrichs and Engineer Pat McAbery departed with Water Tender 351 (WT 351) as part of a strike team consisting of five water tenders and a team leader. “It took the team two days to arrive in Southern California, and they…remain[ed] on assignment for approximately 14 days,” said Scott Kline, Division Chief/Fire Marshal at Hoodland Fire.
The strike team, designated as Strike Team 18, included water tenders from multiple Oregon fire districts, including WT 364 from Canby, WT 382 from Molalla, WT 331 from Estacada, and WT 314R from Clackamas. The team was assigned to the Lilac Fire near Bonsall in San Diego County. A water tender is a specialized fire appa-
REST STOP
From Page 1
in a rest area on Highway 26. “It’s been really helpful to get their views. But also letting people know that this area will be moving.” Hikari continued, “Many were surprised, so it was a great information exchange, just keeping folks informed about the process.”
Doug Decker of Oregon Connections said, “One of the themes that we heard during the popup event was about not co-locating the rest area in existing snow parks and recreation sites. That’s important stuff.”
One major concern raised during planning is the potential loss of the restrooms facilities when the rest area is moved.
Decker says that has been at the top of their thought process, “We can’t proceed until we address this need,” said Decker. “That’s a top priority and something we heard loud and clear during the popup event. We want people to know we’re listening.” Plans for new public restrooms are already in motion. Nick Rinard, president of the Government Camp Community Planning Organization (CPO), explained that a need for separate pedestrian restrooms was identified as far back as the 1990s, long before the discussion of moving the rest area. During a January committee meeting, a likely location for walk-up restrooms
was identified just east of the town’s retail core.
Rinard praised the efforts of Teresa Christopherson of Clackamas County Social Services for securing funding for the project, which came from Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s office. The new restrooms are expected to be built well before the rest area is relocated.
The search is underway to find a location on Highway 26 for the new rest area, somewhere between Warm Springs and Sandy. “It’s very early in the planning process,” Hikari says, “We’re looking for a location that allows enough visual cues to turn into a facility, based on the ideal parameters, and to also accommodate semi trucks. It’s approx-
ratus capable of carrying approximately 3,000 gallons of water, crucial for combating fires in areas where water access is limited.
The Hoodland Fire District’s involvement was part of a larger effort coordinated by the Oregon State Fire Marshal. A total of 21 strike teams were mobilized to California, bringing with them 75 fire engines, 30 water tenders, and 370 firefighters to support fire suppression efforts.
“Hoodland Fire sent Water Tender 351 with Engineer Pat McAbery and Division Chief Brian Henrichs as part of this larger mobilization effort,” the department shared on their Facebook page.
According to Kelli Ewing, Office Administrator for Hoodland Fire District, “after 14 days of deployment, the crews have successfully returned home. During their mission, they provided much-needed support to the California firefighters, assisting with fire suppression
efforts and offering backup support, willing to go wherever needed across multiple locations. Their dedication and hard work were instrumental in aiding the ongoing firefighting efforts, and we’re relieved to report that everyone has returned safely.”
“In addition to their firefighting efforts, the crews had the opportunity to network with teams from other states, exchanging knowledge and strategies that will strengthen future collaborations,” Ewing added.
Ewing also shared that they received noteworthy news from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) that “this January, the deployment was the largest to date, involving 97 fire agencies, 370 personnel, and 105 engines. It was Oregon’s largest EMAC deployment ever to any state.” As part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), Oregon has been deploying firefighting assets to California since 2017.
imately a 12-acre site that we would need. And if you think about all the natural and cultural resources on the mountain, there are a lot of constraints. It’s not an easy process.”
To receive project updates or for more information, sign up for the newsletter on the ODOT website (oregon. gov/odot), project 23624.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Project planning and concept design: 2024-2025
Preliminary and intermediate design: 2025-2026
• Final Design: 2025-2028
• Construction: 2028-2029
Local News
Mt. Hood Lions Club: Mountain Roar
By Lion, Milt Fox
For The Mountain Times
It’s early in the year and our Club President/ House Manager Lion
David Anderson is working hard on our upcoming “Event Calendar.”
I know that you have all been getting new calendars from your insurance agents, real estate agents, fraternal organizations, funeral directors and car dealerships etc. So here are a few dates that you can fill in for Mt. Hood Lions Club projects and fund raising activities:
Bingo, Friday nights January 17th, thru May 2nd, 2025
• Lasagna Drive Thru Dinner, Saturday February 22nd, 2025
• Jim Turin Memorial Scholarship Dinner, Saturday April 5th, 2025
• Swimming Lessons Mexican Dinner, Saturday May 3rd, 2025
Swimming Lessons at Camp Arrah Wanna, June 16th thru 20th and June 23rd thru 27th
• Chuckwagon Breakfast and Car show, Saturday July 5th, and Sunday July 6th, 2025
• Hood to Coast Burrito Breakfast, Friday August 22nd, 2025
• Welches Charity Open Golf Tournament: dinner Friday September 5th,2025 tournament Saturday
September 6th,2025
Swimming Lessons Plant Sale, Saturday October 4th, 2025
• Reading is Fundamental (R.I.F.) Dinner, Saturday, October 18th, 2025.
• Christmas Toy Drive Dinner, Saturday December 6th, 2025
Bingo:
Bingo reopened on January 17th and will continue to operate every Friday night through May 2nd. Remember doors open at 6:00pm and Bingo starts at 7:00pm. We have had good turnouts this season. Thank you for your support.
Lasagna Drive Thru Dinner Saturday February 22nd:
Please plan to attend our Lasagna Drive Thru Dinner Saturday February 22nd. Hours are 5:30pm thru 7:30pm. The menu will include meat or meatless lasagna, salad, and garlic bread. Price at the door will be $20, with Special Presale tickets available for $18.00 at Welches Clackamas County Bank,
Welches Mountain Building Supply, Coffee House 26, and the Whistle Stop Tavern, or ask any Lion. All of the proceeds raised from this dinner are to help fund the upkeep of our clubhouse. We hope you can attend.
Mt. Hood Lions Web Site:
Lion Brennan O’Dowd is our club’s webmaster, and he has been updating our club website. Check it out – it has news about upcoming fundraisers, club projects, and other information about the club. Go to mthhoodlionsclub.com or mthoodlionsclub.org.
Lions Hall
The Lions Club can be rented for your family events. That’s right, when you are looking for a place for your family and friends to hold a gathering, consider renting our clubhouse. Lion
REAL ID for Domestic Flights Starting May 7
A REAL ID is a form of identification that meets requirements set by the Real ID Act of 2005 to access federal facilities, nuclear power plants, and board domestic flights in the United States.
To get a REAL ID, you must:
1. Visit the Oregon DMV
2. Bring original documents that prove your:
• Identity
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
Two proofs of address of principal residence
• Lawful status in the U.S. States may impose additional requirements. You can check the Oregon DMV’s website for more information.
You can board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities with a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification starting May 7, 2025.
Be a light in the darkness...
Become a TIP Volunteer.
Be a light in the darkness...
Become a TIP Volunteer.
David Anderson is our club’s President: give him a call at 971-3733869. He’ll be happy to help you.
TIP Volunteers are specially trained citizens requested through the emergency response system to provide immediate, practical and emotion support to citizens on the worst day of their lives.
TIP Volunteers are specially trained citizens requested through the emergency response system to provide immediate, practical and emotional support to citizens on the worst day of their lives.
More to come next month!
We want you to join our Hoodland TIP team! Learn more online at tipnw.org or call 503-823-3937
It’s Great to be a Lion!
We want you to join our Hoodland TIP team! Learn more online at tipnw.org or call 503-823-3937
Robin Ekloff Owner
Hoodland Senior Center Offers New Monthly Arts Activities
By Brittany Kintigh For The Mountain Times
The Hoodland Senior Center is launching two monthly arts activities to bring together community members. Whether you’re a musician or a writer — or perhaps just someone looking for a welcoming space to socialize — these programs offer an opportunity to share stories, create art and forge new connections.
Jam Sessions
We have so many talented musicians on the mountain and the new monthly Jam
Sessions at Hoodland Senior Center have been a hit with local musicians. Held monthly on the third Thursday from 5-7:00 pm, these sessions are a chance to come together, play and share music with one another. Participants sit in a circle with their instruments and take turns choosing songs to play — ranging from traditional folk and jazz to rock and even original tunes written by the participants themselves.
“We are very inclusive and welcoming to all artists and abili -
ties,” says Executive Director Carianne Stearns. “We’ve had guitarists, ukuleleists, saxophonists, trumpeters, percussionists, and singers. We are always looking for more acoustic artists to join us and share their music and stories.”
The group is open to artists of any age who want to commune with a tune, where everyone is encouraged to share their art and enjoy making music together.
Writer’s Group
Starting January 19th, the Senior Center is launching a new Writer’s Group, meeting on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2:30 pm. Hosted by local writer Molly Smith, the group will be a place for writers of all levels to come together, share ideas, and support one another in their creative journeys.
The group isn’t a class, it’s a supportive space for people to share their work, whether it’s just a few
lines or a whole piece. The host provides a prompt at each meeting to inspire writing at home, and anyone who feels comfortable can share what they’ve written at the next gathering. The hope is that the Writer’s Group becomes a resource for local writers, providing the opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for storytelling.
These activities are not just about art — they’re about building community, sharing experiences, and creating a safe, enriching space for seniors. Whether you’re an experienced musician, a budding writer, or looking for social connection, the Hoodland Senior Center welcomes you to join in the fun. For more information call (503) 622-3331 to learn how you can get involved.
