Murray Hill Community Advantage Magazine December 2022

Northwest Compounders:

The Best in the Pacific Northwest

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer Photos by Sproutbox Media

Topquality compounded medications, delivered at record speed, with a level of personal service that is uniquely extraordinary!

Compounding pharmacies fill a significant and increasingly important gap in the healthcare system by providing patienttailored formulas, flavors, dosage forms, and dosages of medications that are either not commercially available or are more easily tolerated than commercially available drugs. As science and medicine continue their perennial march toward advancement, one truth that is increasingly evident is this: no two patients are exactly alike. One size, one delivery method, even one flavor does not fit all, especially when it comes to our pets. While the majority of us may still be served by falling within “normal” parameters, what about the rest? What about aging adults who can’t swallow pills, or pets who can’t tolerate certain dosage forms? Fortunately, compounding pharmacies, and especially Northwest Compounders here in Beaverton, have answered the call.

We are all familiar with commercial pharmacies. We’ve witnessed how they serve the masses, but not necessarily the individual. So, what differentiates those from compounding pharmacies? Compounding pharmacies formulate medications based on a patient’s specific requirements. They use manual techniques to manipulate pure pharmaceutical ingredients, resulting in the highest quality medications available, and in forms most easily tolerated by each individual. They are not simply copying what is already available commercially; they are producing custom formulations that are better

suited to the patient’s specific needs with the goal of providing optimal treatment solutions. One aspect of the pharmaceutical industry, which has been under increased scrutiny over the past few decades, is the usage of “fillers.”

In the mass production of popular medications, certain inactive ingredients known as fillers (binders, dispersion agents) are added to the formulas for stability. While such ingredients are not typically harmful, we can be intolerant or have allergic reactions to them. Since compounders are not in the business of mass production, they are capable of providing the same medications, but in their purest form, without fillers and in dosages and forms unavailable at your local retail pharmacy. That said, not all compounding pharmacies are created equal, and some focus on smaller niche sections of the industry. This is why Northwest Compounders, with their ever-expanding capabilities and proficiencies in the production of both human and animal medications, is number one in the Northwest. The business was founded in 2005 by local pharmacist Tom Eilers. He spent the first 25 years of his career working in large corporate retail pharmacies, and was looking for something a little different, something more rewarding. When an old friend and mentor introduced him

One size, one delivery method, even one flavor does not fit all...

to compounding, he discovered his true calling. He began with a simple vision: to provide the highest quality compounded medications to patients in a prompt, efficient, and friendly manner, all while maintaining reasonable prices. His original 400 square foot space located inside of a different pharmacy business was humble, to say the least, but his vision proved effective. Due to accelerated growth, Northwest Compounders has moved twice since its inception, most recently to a facility that is four times larger than its previous location, complete with a 5,000 square foot state-of-the-art compounding lab and an upgraded customer area. This most recent move positions Northwest Compounders as one of the highest rated pharmacies of any kind in the entire country. While Tom is still the acting CEO and a consultant for the team, he’s no longer involved in the day-today logistics of the business. His son, Chief Operations Officer Luke Eilers, has filled that role and successfully managed

all business logistics, a company rebranding, and the recent facility move during his tenure. His goals are as clear and precise as his father’s were before him: to continue providing the highest quality products and services, and to be the compounding pharmacy of choice throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Compounding pharmacies are playing an increasingly important role in the industry, and there are none finer than Northwest Compounders. With convenient online ordering, free shipping, a 1-3 day average for receiving orders, and in many cases same day pickup available, anyone looking for compounded medications (whether for themselves or their pets) should look no further. Ask your doctor or veterinarian if this is an option for you! Locally-owned and operated by a team of passionate community members who love to work with local charity organizations (DoveLewis Emergency Hospital, Cat Adoption Team), Northwest Compounders is only a phone call away.

Check out their website at northwestcompounders.com, call 503-352-3811, or visit them at 8505 SW Creekside Place, Suite 110 in Beaverton.

Recipe for a Good Time

Learning never tasted so delicious

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Cookin’ Class is not your typical “how-to” instructional course. It’s an entire experience, and a fantastic recipe for a good time.

In 2019, WalletHub conducted a survey regarding the most popular U.S. cities for foodies. Many factors were taken into consideration, including grocery costs and restaurants per capita, but of the 182 cities ranked, Portland, Oregon, was No. 1.

That’s right, we Portlanders have an affinity for diverse and delicious cuisine, and nowhere is that more obviously reflected than in our market for on-site, private-kitchen cooking classes. Who doesn’t love learning new techniques and recipes while spending quality time with loved ones? Even more exciting: One of the most enjoyable experiences available in the industry is right here in Tigard at Cookin’ Class.

Founded in 2020, Cookin’ Class is the brainchild of Christy and Nick Hess. Christy hails from a Greek family, and has known from an early age that cooking was her true calling in life. Inspired by immeasurable hours spent in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother, she was cooking for the whole family by the time she was in high school. The joy of feeding and nourishing others, of sharing family recipes and seeing people’s faces light up, was all she needed to follow her path to the Oregon Culinary Institute.

Several years later, after working in multiple kitchens and even a variety of five-star restaurants, she and Nick were attending a cooking class when it suddenly dawned on them to do something similar. Taking all of the best elements of the classes they’d attended, and adding months of research, hard work, and dedication into improving upon those templates, Cookin’ Class was born.

Clearly, their efforts have paid off. From the moment you walk in the door, this is a distinctly elevated affair. First, they invite you to come early and get your drink on. Partnering with local distributors, they offer a wide selection of wines (currently from Potter’s Vineyard or Natalie’s Estate Winery), craft beers (from Gorges Beer Co.), ciders, and non-alcoholic options. In addition, there’s a complimentary snack bar so you can eat and drink until your heart’s content. While the meals you prepare in class are three courses—appetizer, entreés, and desserts—Christy admits people are often too full to finish everything there.

Classes evolve every quarter, but are generally designed for two people per area (or four if necessary). Ingredients are cleaned and pre-portioned ahead of time by Christy and one volunteer— then it’s just up to you to listen to her amazing instructions, learn, and have fun. And there are no dumb questions! Christy is incredibly patient and affable, and she loves to share in her passion, so ask away. The kitchen is then draped off for you to enjoy a more intimate and atmospheric setting for eating.

This is the perfect outing for date nights, family gatherings, or even brunches (every other Sunday; check her calendar online). Locally-owned and -operated by generously active members of our community—they donate regularly to local charities and fundraising events. Cookin’ Class should be the next thing on your bucket list. Everyone is welcome.

Let’s get cookin’ at Cookin’ Class, the ultimate culinary experience! Check them out online at cookinclass.com, call 503-455-8101, or find them located behind where the Chair Outlet used to be in Tigard, 9265 SW Greenburg Road.

Nick, Christy, & Ethan Hess

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Klaus (2019)

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

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

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

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

Jingle All the Way (1996)

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

Fatman (2020)

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

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

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

Shining Through Callyn Moore

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

As social beings we are all, even the introverts among us, eager to connect. We strive and sometimes struggle to express ourselves and be understood; to find others who truly “get” us. Words often fail to convey intentions, anxiety twisting our guts as well as our tongues, and conversations are avoided, leaving us feeling awkward, frustrated, and alone. That’s why music is such a uniquely universal language. All art, but music in particular, provides us a platform to communicate more thoughtfully, more sincerely; and by allowing us to employ carefully constructed verses as well as melodies, we are capable of conveying messages far more profound than anything we might say in passing. Music brings the global community into our consciousness, into our homes, and into our hearts. It connects us. It gives us hope, and it lets us know we are not alone.

Callyn Moore, at just 16 years old, is a local musician looking to reach out and connect with that wider world; to possibly point people to that guiding light for those floundering in the darkness. Although she previously recorded under the name Cally Mae (2020’s all instrumental “Lift Off”), she has just released her sophomore effort under her full name Callyn. The title, Maeday, is a clever reference to her nickname and her previous recording. This new 12 song collection presents tracks which are both diverse and cohesive, melodic yet subtly textured, and very mature lyrically, defying the artist’s age. Although distinctly modern, it fits quite comfortably into that ‘90s Alternative Rock scene, bearing resemblance to the likes of Vonda Shepard, Natalie Merchant, and Loreena McKennitt. Quite the accomplishment for an album recorded and self-produced from the bedroom of a 16 year old!

I had the pleasure of speaking with Callyn and she was a complete joy, but she admitted it hasn’t always been that way. She’s dealt with more than her fair share of chronic health problems and depression. Although she’s in a much better place now, a change she attributes in large part to her music, she can relate to those suffering from such debilitating issues. Her life’s dream is to become a professional recording artist and touring musician, but more importantly, through her music she wants to reach out, connect, and ultimately help those facing similar problems. After listening to Maeday, I’d say she’s well on her way to doing just that. While still in school, Callyn can be seen performing mostly around the Portland area. She can be hired to play for you, though: parties, weddings, events, you name it! Her music is an ideal accompaniment to any function. Check out her music on Spotify, contacther via email at Callyn.Moore@icloud.com, or check out her website Callyn.band. Uncover this rising star before she leaves The stratosphere!

To find out more, visit communityadvantagemagazines.com

“The mirror shattered my Showedmindme who I am inside

This time I won’t hide I will fight for who I am” (from the song “Mirror” of new album Maeday)

PREPARING YOUR HOME OR RENTAL FOR COLD WEATHER

By Mark L. Christianson, Owner and Principal Broker

Winter is on the way, and with it comes cold weather. In Western Oregon we rarely have the kind of severe weather that other parts of the country experience, but we do get wind, cold snaps of ice and snow storms, and occasionally it gets very, very rainy. Take some time to ensure that your real estate handles 99% of what Western Oregon can throw at it.

Service Your Heating System

Change filters, clean ducts, and have the system serviced every year or two. Doing so will ensure it’s running efficiently and safely. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to confirm they are in working order. Installing a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and water heater is a good idea, especially since they could be running on overdrive in freezing temps.

Check Your Plumbing

Disconnect hoses from each spigot. Drain and store them. Then insulate any spigot that’s above ground. Cover all exposed pipes (laundry room, pool equipment, sprinkler system) with insulation or protective covering. Turn off and drain your irrigation system. Locate your main water shutoff in case a pipe does freeze and burst, and make sure you have a wrench or key to shut it down.

Water Heater Blanket

Is your water heater in the garage or attic? If so, cover it with either an insulator wrap kit or a water heater blanket if the R-value on the water heater label is less than 25. Make sure to follow instructions for gas or electric water heater blankets.

Fireplace or Woodstove

Get the chimney cleaned, check that the chimney cap is in place, and buy firewood and store in a dry place. Have plenty of matches, candles and flashlights with fresh batteries available if the power goes out.

Check the Foundation

Take a walk around your home and make sure debris is moved away, check and fill any cracks you see. If you have trees, check if they look healthy and no branches are hanging over your home or outside living areas. Ice accumulation can break branches, so it’s best to have them trimmed away from your house or rental.

Find Winter Tools and Supplies

Make sure your snow shovel is accessible. Stock up on snow melt or rock salt in case of a freeze. Find your windshield scraper.

Stock up on Basics

Water, non-perishable food, pet food, blankets, a battery-powered radio, and extra batteries for radio and flashlights, a first-aid kit, flashlights, candles and matches, warm clothes for everyone. If you have camping gear, know where it is. And talk through an emergency plan with your family.

Remember

You could lose power for a few hours or a few days, and your furnace will usually be out, too. Some landline telephones work with no power. If you have a problem it is likely others do to, so parts and contractors will be expensive and in short supply. A little bit of preparation can make all the difference.

BROADWAY FURNITURE T H E B R OA DWAY S TA N DA R D

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Honesty, integrity, and a firm commitment to providing the best customer service in the industry; that’s what you can expect from Broadway Furniture. At its core, the furniture business is one of fashion, and fashions change. So, for a business in this industry to remain viable, it’s imperative that they understand and keep their showrooms stocked with all the current trends, styles, themes, fabrics, and technologies people are looking for. Equally important is their ability to read, comprehend and maintain stock of items which are timeless; the brands and styles which never go out of vogue. At Broadway Furniture you will find both, and so much more!

Harry Shleifer founded the business all the way back in 1935 during the Great Depression. Boasting a mere $100 worth of stock which he purchased from a hotel, he began with the humblest of intentions: to be the “bluecollar” store catering to those who worked hard for their money and wanted a quality product. That, along with his steadfast commitment to the details–honesty, integrity, and a promise to deliver only products matching customer’s expectations–proved a winning formula. Harry essentially carved his own niche in the market–a furniture store which sold quality products at low prices without sacrificing style.

87 years later, Harry’s son, Ken, continues to carry the torch. He literally grew up in the furniture industry, working alongside his father from an early age, and he is every bit as passionate about the business and about the “Broadway Standard” as his father

was. In an effort to move closer to his customers, he relocated the store from Portland to Tigard in 2014, but their promise has never wavered. They still carry only the highest quality brands (including their “Casual Home” line which they manufacture and is therefore highly customizable), their prices are still affordable, and their sales team is still the best in the industry. Attentive but not aggressive, they are always available to help without following you around the store!

Broadway Furniture is a locally-owned and operated business—one of the few remaining from the early 1900s— staffed by your friends and neighbors who support and care about your local community. Not only does the money you spend here get recirculated back into the local economy, but they are also avid supporters of Tigard High sports teams, Community Warehouse, and the Special Olympics.

Update your home today with the highest quality furniture, sold at the most reasonable prices, by the most professional and conscientious sales team in the industry!

Call Broadway Furniture at 503-281-5555, check out their website broadwayfurniture.net, or come down to their showroom located at 11875 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard.

The doorway to values: where customer satisfaction is our success!

Your Personal Jeweler

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Photos by Malaina Kinne

Getting married and need a ring? Break a clasp or prong? Sherrie’s Jewelry Box, “Your Personal Jeweler,” specializes in custom fine jewelry, jewelry alterations, and jewelry repair, including watch repair and battery replacement. Sherrie’s jewelry is designed and crafted in-house or acquired from reputable conflict-free companies with verified product sources. Whether you shop at Sherrie’s Jewelry Box in-store or online, you’ll get the same quality jewelry worthy of commemorating that special event in your life.

Sherrie Devaney, Owner of Sherrie’s Jewelry Box, is pretty much a “Jill of All Trades” for this boutique jewelry business as she does much of the “heavy lifting” herself. Fascinated with “all things jewelry” after taking a metal arts class in middle school, Sherrie has been “messing with” jewelry ever since. “The teacher taught us to cast and everything,” Sherrie says joyfully. Acting on all that enthusiasm and passion, in 1987 Sherrie started working as an independent contractor for the “big box stores.”

which identifies Sherrie’s Jewelry Box selections. Catalogs, both mail-out and online, are available for customers to browse at their convenience. Patrons will also receive a Thank You in appreciation for their orders, and first-time buyers will receive some additional information on Sherrie’s as well.

Some of the more popular items you will find in Sherrie’s Jewelry Box are a wide selection of artistically designed earrings. Who can resist the temptation of accessorizing every outfit with a different set of earrings? Stunning bracelets and uniquely conceived necklaces await you as well. Rings of every configuration are at your fingertips, ready for that special gift or Life Event.

Sherrie feels truly blessed to extend her first-generation, family-owned and operated business to the Tigard community and beyond. With the help of her two sons, Ronnie and Jonny, her nephew Garrett (the jewelry photographer), and the never-

As a behind-the-scenes contractor, Sherrie missed out on all the “hugs and excitement” of the happy retail clients, which in turn led to her opening a retail shop of her own. Today, you’ll find Sherrie’s Jewelry Box on Tigard’s Main Street in the prime spot where Chrisman Frame Shop had been. Her son Ronnie, a teenager at the time, found the location and all but secured it on her behalf without Sherrie knowing anything about it!

With the beautiful Main Street storefront for in-person shopping, and an amazing website which utilizes Etsy for online sales, Sherrie’s Jewelry Box is an excellent source for all your fine jewelry purchases. Sherrie’s online store also features Estate, Vintage, and Consignment jewelry (a.k.a. Previously Loved); and be sure to look for the SJB logo on the image

ending support of her husband David, Sherrie’s Jewelry Box is a neighborhood business with long-standing commitment. “I’m still here. I’ve been here for years,” says Sherrie. “We’re strong and we’re stable.” An active member of the Tigard Chamber of Commerce, Sherrie participates in almost every event!

Visit Sherrie’s Jewelry Box at 12425 SW Main St. in Tigard and catch a bite to eat at The Break Room at Sherrie’s Jewelry Box (Sherrie’s food court pod out back).

Give them a call at (503)598-0144, email sherriesjewelrybox@ yahoo.com, and shop online at sherriesjewelrybox.com

Visit Your Local Sleep Specialists FOR A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP!

Locally owned and operated, Mattress World Northwest (MWNW) is the preeminent mattress retailer in the northwest. As an integral part of our local community, they have consistently served our sleep needs for over 27 years.

Sean Hathaway and his amazing team of professional associates are well-trained to match each customer with the sleep system best designed to meet our individual needs by assessing personal sleep histories, sleep postures, patterns, tendencies, and preferences.

MWNW RESTS ON ITS CORE VALUES

At the heart of their business lie three core values. First is their sincere dedication to helping every customer get a better night’s sleep. They have the largest selection of name brand mattresses and specialty mattresses in the Northwest, from handmade to 100% natural latex, as well as adjustable frames. They carry every type of mattress for every type of sleeper!

GET A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP

Second, MWNW believes in empowering employees to live their best possible lives. Happy employees means happy customers, so you can trust you’ll be greeted with a smile and an attentive ear. Mattress purchases are done only a handful of times in our lives. That experience, good or bad, leaves a lasting impression. At MWNW, they have perfected the process to ensure that you get the best possible service and overall experience every time.

A FOUNDATION OF PHILANTHROPY

Third, and perhaps most impor tantly, is their dedication to philanthropic work. MWNW’s ongoing support of many different local charities and/or schools is provided in a variety of ways. With donations in excess of $230,000 – giving back to the community is an integral part of what defines this organization.

DEDICATED CHARITABLE SUPPORT

In December, we are all about raising awareness for and donations to Special Olympics Oregon. Taken directly from their website, “Special Olympics Oregon provides yearround sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children, youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.” MWNW is gladly donating to this incredible cause as well as raising awareness by offering to take donations on the organization’s behalf. Please help raise funds by donating online or visiting one of their local stores.

COME

IN TODAY

A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP! Visit mattressworldnorthwest.com for a location near you or call 503-594-0551 to order by phone.

– FOR

HILLSBORO 3011 SE 75th Ave • 503-747-6427

WASHINGTON SQUARE 87755 SW Cascade, Beaverton • 503-567-3321

WILSONVILLE 29660 SW Town Center Loop • 503-218-4497

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY

OPEN DAILY

10 am -8 pm MON-SAT 10 am -7 pm SUNDAY

VISIT US ONLINE FOR A LOCATION NEAR YOU ORDER BY PHONE: 503-594-0551

They’ve got our backs ... literally!

INGREDIENTS

CRANBERRY SAUCE

1 C fresh cranberries

6 T packed brown sugar

1 T orange juice

1/2 t grated orange peel

BRIE AND PASTRY

1 T butter or margarine

1/3 C sliced almonds

1 (17.3 oz) sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 (14 to 15 oz) round Brie cheese

1 egg, beaten

DIRECTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

Serve with assorted crackers or sliced fresh fruit.

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

ERIN WALSH & ACADEMY MORTGAGE Sustainable Homeownership Is The True American Dream

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer • Photos by Malaina Kinne

Being shackled to a mortgage we can’t afford is nothing anyone aspires to. That’s not “living the dream.” The dream is owning a beautiful home while simultaneously retaining the additional funds we need to live our best lives. When it comes to choosing a mortgage broker, especially in this volatile market, it’s imperative to find someone who not only adheres to the principles of sustainable homeownership, but someone who we can trust to invariably have our best interests in mind through every step of the process. We need someone with an intimate understanding of our local market; someone with access to a broad portfolio of product solutions to procure the terms we are looking for. In Washington County, there’s one broker who both meets and exceeds your every expectation, and that is Erin Walsh with Academy Mortgage.

Academy Mortgage has been in existence for over 30 years. During that time, they have grown to be one of the largest and most well-respected independent mortgage lenders in the nation, while still maintaining a small-business approach to customer service. Their sole focus is on us, the customer; and because they have the distinct advantage of being a direct lender, every step of the mortgage loan transaction is handled locally for maximum speed and efficiency. With their integrity-based approach, full transactional transparency, and unwavering commitment to responsible lending practices, Academy Mortgage provides their clients with the ultimate peace of mind.

Erin Walsh, Senior Loan Officer and Sales Manager for Academy Mortgage, has over 2 decades of experience in the industry. Her greatest priority is, and has always been, building relationships with clients. She admits that she could be far more “successful” focusing on the numbers game, but that’s not her motivation for doing this. She is a “people

person,” affable, and intelligent; and because she’s a local, born and raised in Beaverton, she genuinely cares for the well-being of her clients and the community at large. This is her town! She attended school in the Beaverton School District just like her kids, played in the same pool, and now volunteers at the Snack Shack during the same games she frequented in her youth. She is both humbled and proud to be in the position to assist her community in accomplishing their homeownership goals and dreams. And nobody knows this local market better than she does!

With multiple accolades and awards decorating her wall–Top 1% Overall in 2020 and 2021, Top 1% of Women in 2020 and 2021, as well as being a recipient of Academy Mortgage’s Executive Club and President’s Club awards in 2021–Erin Walsh has proven herself to be one of the top brokers in the business. She is the friend we didn’t know we had in the industry, the one who will stop at nothing to ensure that your American Dream becomes a reality.

Call Erin today at 503-307-3151 or email her at Erin.Walsh@ AcademyMortgage.com.

A legacy of vision and hope

The History of Timberline Lodge

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

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

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

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

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

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

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

Timberline Lodge, summer

Ironwork at Timberline, Courtesy Oregon State Library

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Timberline Lodge interior

Timberline Lodge plaque