Wilsonville Lifestyle Magazine September 2023

W ilsonvillE LIFESTYLE

Beautiful Wilsonville Home!

This beautiful, single level end-unit offers all that you’re looking for! Gated entrance leads to a private front courtyard that is ideal for relaxing outside. Enter into the comfortable living room, complete with high ceilings and a wood burning fireplace. Secluded sun room off the back of the home provides endless opportunities for hobbies. Easy living in the heart of Wilsonville with a perfect location. Near shopping and freeways for easy commuting! Come by and see all that this home has to offer!

Jaimy Beltran Licensed Oregon Broker / Owner Beltran Properties Group

PO Box 672, Aurora, OR 97002 info@ActiveMediaUSA.com

503.825.2111

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher

Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Sean Carver, Sr. Graphic Designer

Brittany Jungenberg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Morgan King, Sr. Graphic Designer

Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer

Kate Astle, Copyeditor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Bates Patti Jo Brooks

Tyler Francke Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren

Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb

Kelly Romo Ty Walker

Alice Williams Kerry Yu

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter

Tyler Francke Angie Helvey

Malaina Kinne Lisa Kuhlman

Kara Langley Tayler Lundquist

Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter

Hayley Starkey Brittney Waterman

ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS

Don Ormsby Bill Kistler

Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs

David Long Chris O’Brien

John Zobrist Brad Marti

Shelley Zeman Tina Toney

Darren Dwyer Lynnette Scott

Looking to reach local consumers?

We Specialize in direct-mail products: community magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more information, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com

CHECK US OUT ONLINE AT CommunityAdvantageMagazines.com

SEPTEMBER 2023

Address 8200 SW Wilsonville Rd Wilsonville, OR 97070

Hours Monday - Thursday 10-8

Friday - Saturday 10-6

Sunday 1-6

More Information (503) 682-2744

wilsonvillelibrary.org

LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH

LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH

Starting in September, those signing up for a library card can choose between the regular and

designs. It will also be available as a replacement card, while supplies last.

reference@wilsonvillelibrary.org

We Sell Trust

Professional auto care getting you road ready

By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer

Photos by Carly Carpenter

Don’t let the name Mr. Transmission fool you. Bob Bauer, the owner of Mr. Transmission, does a lot more than transmissions. Bob, along with some of the best technicians in the Portland area, does it all, from bumper to bumper (except for tires). “We do things that are hard, like build engines and transmissions, as well as handle and tame rough diagnostics. We also take care of the everyday stuff that’s essential, too, like oil changes, brakes, and tune-ups.” His team is so skilled, in fact, that one of the largest used-car dealerships in the country brings him their work, knowing if anyone can sort out what is needed, it’s Mr. Milex-Transmission. We’ve all been there, when a sudden noise, rattle or whirring sound captures our attention and we have no idea where it’s coming from or what it could be; we just want it to stop! Bob’s

the guy you want on that challenge. From his earliest years, he was fascinated with what was “under the hood.” While his dad, a pilot, appreciated how things worked, Bob says it was his mom with her uncanny aptitude for mechanical things who inspired him.

Born in Denver, Colorado into a close, small family, Bob spent his boyhood summers on a ranch in Elkton, Oregon and fell in love with the area. After earning a degree from Northrop University in electrical engineering, he went to work for Hewlett Packard, then an instrument company. Bob went into sales selling the tools to labs that tested new products. By 2010, he had become VP of Sales, taking sales groups and “transforming” them to increase performance.

Following his corporate experience and several mergers, Bob decided to start his own business, something he had always wanted to do. That led him to Wilsonville where he continued to be fascinated with cars. He found it brought him enormous satisfaction when he could diagnose a vehicle and help someone truly in need, ethically and cost-effectively, looking at it sometimes as a ministry. In fact, his tagline on his business card is “We Sell Trust.”

When the opportunity came along to become a franchisee of Milex-Mr. Transmission, a company founded by the Moran family in Chicago in the 1950s, Bob took it and began to build the business along with his wife, Cammy, who handles the accounting.

The fascinating “romance” that folks have had with cars from the beginning continues today, and Bob is there to make certain your vehicles are running great and that you’re always treated like family.

So next time a problem arises and no one else seems to know what it is, what to do or how to fix it, call 971-224-4368, email Bob at milexmrt568@gmail.com, or go to wilsonville.mrt-milex.com to make an appointment or for more information.

Thrills and Chills

Local author is ‘thrilling’ to read

By Active Media Staff

Kelly Romo is a local author and retired educator with a passion for writing. She has always been fascinated by unique characters, stories and settings in books. Once her children grew up, Kelly went back to school. She completed a master’s degree in fiction at Pacific University and successfully published her first novel shortly afterward. She has published four novels so far: two historical fiction and two thrillers.

Kelly used her love of fly fishing and fly tying to create a bone-chilling thriller series set on the Deschutes River—complete with a serial killer who ties his victims’ hair in his flies. In the first two novels, she wanted to capture and incorporate the elements that make the Deschutes River special to her. She included whitewater rafting and fly fishing, the smell of sage and juniper, as well as the sound of a train chugging along the bank and the buzz of cicadas.

“DEAD DRIFT” and “I AM THE RIVER” are the first two books in the three-book Whitewater Thriller series, and they are receiving positive reviews. According to award-winning local author Craig Lesley, “Romo’s chapters with the killer are the most sinister I’ve ever read.” Kelly is currently working on book three.

Kelly incorporated fly fishing into her novels since it is an integral part of the Deschutes River. She says there is a natural peacefulness and release when she stands in a rushing river and casts her fly. Sometimes it’s like hunting. She watches the water to spot a fish or its disturbance on the surface. When she sees it, she drops her fly right before the trout and hopes it will strike. Other times, she dead drifts to make her fly mimic an actual insect on the current, drag-free with no tension on her line — which is where she came up with the title “DEAD DRIFT” for her thriller.

Kelly also ties her own flies, which are little works of art she loves to create. Her novels take a year or two to write, but she can complete a fly and hold it in her hand in twenty minutes. Since the flies are tied with feathers and fur, Kelly feels they represent the land, air, and river all bound together with thread and copper wire. Kelly needed a serial killer for her story, so why not make him a fly-tying serial killer who wraps a single strand of his victims’ hair into each of his flies?

Kelly’s second book in her Whitewater Thriller Series titled “I AM THE RIVER” just released this past June. She is also working on a third historical fiction novel. So if you love thrillers and want to read a book set in Oregon, pick up a copy of “DEAD DRIFT” and brace yourself—it is a wild ride.

For more about Kelly and her novels, visit her website at kellyromo.com.

Also Make Sure to Check out Kelly’s Historical Fiction Novels

“Fallen

on the ground are the golden song of immortal creativity.”

– Amit Ray

Classical Music Month Fall Hat Month

Happy Cat Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

Honey Month

International Square Dancing Month Little League Month

1 2

Emma M. Nutt Day, the first woman telephone operator National Cherry Popover Day National Tofu Day (UK)

International Bacon Day* National Tailgating Day*

VJ Day, WWII World Beard Day *

days are

Procrastination Day

6 7 8 9

Read a Book Day

National Salami Day Neither Rain nor Snow Day

International Literacy Day National Ampersand Day National Date Nut Bread Day Pardon Day Teddy Bear Day

summer’s best of weather

autumn’s best of

Superstition Day

National Peanut Day Positive Thinking Day

his image was first used in 1813

International Crab Fest Day National Cream-Filled Donut Day

Make a Hat Day

Felt Hat Day – On this day, men traditionally put away their felt hats. Rosh Hashanah*

Breakfast in Bed Day* Business Women’s Day

American Legion Day

International Red Panda Bear Day

Mexican Independence Day Oktoberfest begins in Germany*

Pepperoni Pizza Day

National Punch Day

International Peace Day Miniature Golf Day World Gratitude Day

Elephant Appreciation Day

13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23

Hobbit Day

Native American Day*

AutumnEquinox–Fallbegins!

InternationalRabbitDay*

NationalHuntingandFishingDay*

27 28 29 30

Chinese Moon Festival* Confucius Day – Try your luck. Get a Fortune Cookie.

“By all these lovely tokens, September

here. With

and

cheer.”

– Helen Hunt Jackson

In one of the few movies that inspired me to write, Robin Williams, in yet another great dramatic role, plays John Keating, a new English teacher at a boys prep school known for its high standards and traditions. In typical Robin Williams fashion, he steals every scene and his unusual character incites blowback (like most of his films), this time from the school and parents as he pushes the boys out of their comfort zones and shells and bends the rules in the process. Keating guides the boys on a tour of the literary canon (plus a Donna Tartt novel), helping them to extract and explain the beauty of life, to pursue their dreams and “seize the day.” Ultimately, the movie is about letting go of expectations, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and experience life in all its beauty — and for artists, witness and express this beauty and share it with others. Also starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles and more. Trigger warning: suicide. Rated PG for language and mature themes, but treat it like PG-13.

Yet another classic John Hughes movie, Matthew Broderick plays the iconic and unforgettable Ferris Bueller, a happy-go-lucky and insanely lucky high school senior in the suburbs of Chicago. An inquisitive rulebreaker brimming with smarts, talent and cleverness, Ferris schemes his way into playing hookie when the sun shines brightly on a school day near summertime. Ferris enlists his best friend Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck), a neurotic pessimist, and girlfriend Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara), a rebellious cheerleader who’s especially mature. The three embark on a day-long adventure — after stealing Cameron’s father’s iconic Ferrari convertible, much to Cameron’s anxiety — of crashing a parade, a Chicago Cubs baseball game, a fancy lunch, an art museum, the Sears Tower and more. All the while they avoid their parents, Ferris’s jealous sister Jeanie, gossiping school kids, and — lest we forget — the high school principal, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), who’s hellbent on catching Ferris in the act. Full of iconic scenes and one-liners, this quirky comedy is one of the best and a great reminder to go with the flow and have fun. Rated PG-13 for strong language and mature content.

Scratch and Sniff

The world of Harry Potter took the world by storm in 1997 with the publication of J.K. Rowling’s first fantasy novel, which I remember buying at its midnight release party (yes, I’m that kind of nerd).

Four years later the first movie debuted, and somehow the movies ended up just as magical as the books. For my whole generation, the movies played in the background as we came of age alongside the characters. This movie and “The Chamber of Secrets” were directed by Chris Columbus, famous for movies like “Home Alone” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and include his usual cinematic feel-goodness before the movies and directors’ tone turn rather dark. If you’ve somehow been living under a rock for the last 20 years, this is yet another tale of a powerful orphan who’s befriended by a wise mentor who trains his protege. There’s friendship, found family, humor, mystery, good versus evil and wild adventures. Starring a huge cast, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Richard Harris and many more. Rated PG for scary moments, some creature violence and mild language.

A scientist at 3M in the 1960s came up with and patented a process of microencapsulation that allowed copies to be made without carbon paper. 3M found that they could use the patented process for something else — to hold a smell from scented ink. Scratch ‘N Sniff was born in 1965. Individual beads of scented oil too small to be seen with the naked eye are encapsulated in plastic or gelatin, and with specialized printing techniques, the beads are printed on paper. The scent does not leak out until the beads are deliberately broken. encyclopedia.com

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

“Dead Poets Society” (1989)

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986)

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)

Step into Skincare

Apply order to your daily skin routine

What’s the best order to apply your skincare routine? While some steps may be obvious, others not so much. Just as important as the products you choose are the way you apply them and the order.

1 Pre-Cleanse > The secret to an effective, thorough cleanse starts here. Start with a makeup remover to purify and remove any traces of makeup, excess oils and other debris from the face and delicate eye area.

2 Cleanse > The most important step in your skincare routine is cleansing. Quite simply, cleansing removes excess oil, any leftover makeup residue, free radicals built up over the day and any other impurities. Cleanse both morning and evening, regardless of if you wear makeup. It’s important to wash the day away with your precleanser, then go in for a deeper cleanse.

3 Exfoliate > Glowing skin is linked to exfoliation, which encourages the cell regeneration process, and removes dull surface cells and follicle debris. It can also break up areas of discoloration to reveal brighter skin. One of the benefits I love is how exfoliation helps clear the skin to allow other products to absorb more easily. Start by exfoliating once a week in the morning or evening (not both) and increase if needed (up to five times a week). Use a liquid exfoliant or scrub, depending on your needs.

4 Mask > Treat your skin with a mask one to three evenings per week to nourish skin beyond the uppermost layers. Find the mask that fits your needs. There are masks for breakout-prone skin, dry skin, aging skin or to give an instant glow.

5 Tone > Toners assist in evening out skin’s porosity, giving your serum and moisturizer a smoother, more even application. Tone after cleansing morning and night. Depending on the toner, use your hands or a cotton pad to press into the skin.

6 Face and Eye Serum > A serum is the ultimate product for transforming your skin. Serum formulations are concentrated and absorb quickly to a deeper level of the skin, delivering active ingredients to target your skin issues. During the day, use a vitamin C serum for its antioxidant benefits. Vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals while promoting healthy collagen and skin brightness. At night, use a serum that targets your skin conditions, whether it’s acne, sensitivity, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or aging. With regular use, serums will help you tackle any skin concern and get one step closer to the radiant, healthy complexion you desire. For products with retinol, allow up to 30 minutes for penetration prior to applying moisturizer for optimal benefits.

7 Eye Products > Follow your serum with a nourishing eye cream. An eye cream will deliver targeted ingredients dosed preciously for the delicate eye area, where the skin is a little thinner, to help brighten, de-puff, and reduce the appearance of dark shadows and fine lines. Pat your eye cream gently, never rubbing or pulling at the skin.

8 Moisturize > Help your skin maintain its optimal moisture level by using a moisturizer morning and evening that helps seal and treat surface dehydration. Regardless of skin type, it’s important to moisturize twice daily. It not only encourages healthy cell turnover but helps fight the signs of aging.

9 Sun Protection > I can’t stress enough the importance of SPF all day, every day, even in winter. Daily application of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50% according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Don’t just apply it to your face; apply it to all exposed areas of skin, including your chest, neck and the back of your hands each morning.

Bloomin’ Good Time

August and September is Dahlia Festival

for its original location a few miles downriver from downtown Portland, the operation calls Canby home. Now managed by the second and third generations, Swan Island Dahlias remains the nation’s largest dahlia grower.

Primarily a mail-order company, Swan Island Dahlias ships more than 500,000 tubers across the U.S. and Canada every spring. However, the Gitts family offers fresh-cut flowers during the summer months, along with a charming farm and gift shop open year-round that is undergoing a huge remodel, set to open this fall.

To celebrate the blooms, Swan Island Dahlias hosts the nation’s largest dahlia festival in August and September with something for everyone: art classes, music concerts, food trucks, a Sunday Market and, of course, gorgeous fields for strolling among 375-plus varieties.

By Hilary Berg, Staff Writer

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made his famous solo, non-stop transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. The same year, Swan Island Dahlias planted their first tubers. For Oregonians, there’s no need to catch a plane to experience the almost 40 acres of stunning dahlias in full bloom from August to September. With no admission or parking fees, visitors can witness the stunning display of colors and textures that inspire art, poetry and more in the charming town of Canby. For Nicholas Gitts and his family, dahlias are their everyday, and have been since 1963. Although the company is named

For Swan Island Dahlias manager Heather Gitts-Schloe, Mikayla Miranda remains one of her favorites. “She is stunning, low growing, a great cut flower and a show stopper!” As for the most unusual, Schloe says look for the Japanese Bishop with its striking black foliage and red flowers.

While visiting, be sure to choose some tubers to order for your own garden. In Oregon, Schloe recommends waiting until the ground is workable and warm to plant — typically around Mother’s Day, as you can plant usually late April through May.

She offers more advice: “In our climate, do not water the tubers when you plant them. Instead, wait to water them when the green sprout appears above the ground. Then, they will need lots of deep watering during the summer months to thrive in full sun.”

Whether you’re seeking fresh-cut flowers or tubers to create your own mosaic of blooms, Swan Island is THE place for dahlias. Mark your calendars, clean your vases and get ready for unforgettable arrangements.

PHOTO BY ANDREW SAMBUCETO

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED

Newspapers To Roses

The History of the Pittock Mansion

the time — many of whom leaned in the same direction. Over the next few decades Pittock expanded The Oregonian from a weekly publication to a six-day-a-week newspaper, eventually adding a Sunday edition due to popular demand. By the turn of the century, The Oregonian had become the largest newspaper in Oregon, in both circulation and popularity.

Having diversified his business interests into real estate, transportation and industry, Pittock had acquired a sizable fortune. It was this fortune that made possible the construction of his famous mansion. In 1909, Pittock hired the Oregon-born and nationally famous architect, Edward T. Foulkes, to design his dream home. The 16,000 square foot home, built on a 46-acre wooded estate, was constructed in the French Renaissance style on the exterior; however, the interior reflected a variety of styles.

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

The mansion on the hill: this is how many local residents think of the stately French Renaissance-style mansion with the red-tiled roof perched high above the city in the West Hills. One of Portland’s beloved landmarks, the Pittock Mansion has been treasured for generations, and is symbolic of the ambition, glamor and spirit of those intrepid entrepreneurs who shaped the city of Portland at the turn of the 20th century. But just who were the Pittocks, and how did they amass the fortune to build such a palatial estate in the first place?

Born in London, England and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Henry L. Pittock learned the printing trade in his family’s printing firm while completing his education at the Western University of Pennsylvania’s preparatory school. By 1853, he had moved west to Portland, where as a poor but industrious youth, he found work at the Weekly Oregonian newspaper owned by Thomas J. Dryer. By 1854, Pittock had risen to the position of business manager and partner. By 1860, due to debts Dryer had incurred, Dryer mortgaged the newspaper to Pittock and departed town. Only 24 years old, Pittock had risen from a penniless transplant from the East Coast to the proprietor of Portland’s primary newspaper. It was in 1860 that Pittock married Georgiana Burton, a woman of privilege whose family had migrated to Portland on the Oregon Trail.

Republican, conservative and pro-Union, Pittock found himself in good company with Portland’s business elite of

Among the different styles featured on the interior were an Edwardian style mahogany-paneled dining room, a French-styled oval drawing room, an oak-paneled Jacobethan library and a Turkish smoking room with a hand-painted

Georgiana & Henry Pittock

was also designed to be a family home. While the third floor consisted of servants’ quarters and Henry’s office, the second floor included three separate suites, each consisting of bedrooms, sitting rooms with fireplaces, bathrooms and sleeping porches. Also on the third floor was a children’s playroom with space enough for riding tricycles. The underground level featured an oval billiard room with adjoining card rooms, wine cellar, vault and laundry facilities. In addition to the masterful layout of the rooms themselves, the house included technical innovations such as an elevator, walk-in refrigerator, central vacuum and dumbwaiter.

On the estate grounds was a fourstory gatekeeper’s lodge, and a three-car garage with a chauffeur’s apartment above. Renaissance style gardens and a terraced flower garden were accompanied by a tennis court and access to the nearby trails of what was to become Forest Park. Henry’s wife, Georgiana, a passionate advocate for women’s rights and a prominent local philanthropist, delighted in cultivating many varieties of roses in her flower beds.

In 1888, Georgiana founded the Portland Rose Society, and in 1889, as a benefit for her Unitarian church, organized a competition on her property for the best home-grown roses. It was from this event that Portland’s famous Rose Festival emerged.

Although construction on the Pittock Mansion was completed in 1914, with the family moving in the same year, Henry and Georgiana, sadly, were not able to enjoy the fruits of their labor for very long. Georgiana passed away in 1918, and Henry a year later.

Their family, however, continued to live in the mansion till 1958. The last family member to reside at the mansion was Peter Gantenbein, who was also born there. The house stood empty for six years, during which time it sustained damage from squatters who occupied the property and the 1962 Columbus Day Storm, which severely damaged the mansion’s roof. Recognizing the cultural and historic significance of the house, the City of Portland acquired the neglected structure in 1964 for $225,000, and in the process protected the 46-acre estate from developers who planned to turn it into a subdivision. Amazingly, some of the original craftsmen who had worked on the mansion were still alive at the time, like

Fred Baker, who had installed the lighting, and Bruno Dombrowski, who laid the wood floors. Both of these craftsmen agreed to come out of retirement to help with the restoration of the mansion, which took fifteen months.

Today the Pittock Mansion is a public museum that hosts 60-70,000 visitors per year. The estate has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. Due to its unique character and striking appearance, the Pittock Mansion has garnered the attention of Hollywood on a number of occasions. In 1993, the mansion was featured prominently in the movie “Body of Evidence”, starring Madonna and Willem Dafoe. The estate was also used as the finishing point for “The Amazing Race” in the finale of the show’s 13th season. In the literary realm, the mansion figures into the plot of local author/musician, Colin Meloy’s novel, “Wildwood.”

The next time you’re driving in the West Hills, and you see a sign for the Pittock Mansion, stop by for a visit. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Portland from the grounds of this historic estate where a young, industrious entrepreneur named Henry Pittock helped lay the foundations for the city we know today, and whose wife Georgiana’s passion for roses led to Portland being known as the “City of Roses.”

“Wildwood”, The Wildwood Chronicles, Written by Colin Meloy & Illustrated by Carson Ellis

Pittock Mansion, 1964

Wilsonville Rotary welcomes new slate of leaders for 2023–2024

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville celebrated its yearly changing of the guard on June 30 with the installation of a new board for the 2023–24 Rotary Year.

Gladys Boutwell, owner of Insurance by Design in Wilsonville, became the club’s 47th president. She takes over from Kyle Bunch, who served from July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023, and had previously served as president in the 2015–2016 Rotary Year.

Gladys Boutwell, Rotary Club of Wilsonville president, 2023–2024: “As we enter the new Rotary year, we are inspired by Rotary International President Gordon McInally, who stated that we need to “build on the best from the past to build something even greater,” as he shared the 2023-24 presidential theme, Create Hope in the World. Gladys said, “I look forward to creating hope in our community and joining together to continue to grow our membership and service in Wilsonville and beyond.”

Other Wilsonville Rotarians are joining the board for 2023–2024. They include the following: Mike Bishop, LegalShield regional director for Oregon, president elect; Josh Dalglish, mortgage officer at Academy Mortgage, director of membership and president nominee; Dr. Laura LaJoie, owner of Joy of Life Chiropractic, secretary;

2023 Wilsonville Rotary President Gladys Boutwell

Richard Martens, treasurer; Donna Atkinson, director of club public relations; Curt Kipp, director of publications and communications at the Oregon Association of Nurseries, director of club administration; Pat Wolfram, director of community service; Joe Schwab, director, The Rotary Foundation; Zoe Mombert, assistant to the city manager at the City of Wilsonville, director of youth services; Jaimy Beltran, owner Beltran Property Group, eXp Realty, sergeantat-arms; and Kyle Bunch, owner of Kyle Bunch Agency Goosehead Insurance, immediate past president.

As past president, Kyle Bunch will also chair the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, which is the club’s 501(c)3

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville, Oregon, was founded in 1975 and has been serving our growing community for almost five decades. We are engaged in many ongoing and onetime service projects that meet needs in Wilsonville, as well as globally. We also have a lot of fun, building longlasting friendships and providing personal growth and leadership opportunities for our members.

To learn more about our local and international service projects, visit www.wilsonvillerotary.com.

nonprofit arm that funds the club’s various service projects and programs. Joining him on the WRF board are Joe Schwab, Pat Wolfram, Richard Martens and Dr. Laura LaJoie.

Gladys is excited for the new Rotary year. She stated, “I’m following in the footsteps of 46 past presidents who have provided guidance for our club since 1975. Each has brought a different style and strength, but all have had the same vision to have a vibrant club, engaged members, and ongoing service projects. I have had the privilege to have seen three past presidents that have led this club in the middle of a pandemic and have continued to make this club even stronger.”

In the words of Gordon McInally, Rotary International president, “We have learned there is a willingness within communities to care for one another,” he says, “and we must ensure that we encourage people who have recently embraced the concept of volunteering to join us to allow them to continue giving service.”

We invite you to attend, learn, and volunteer. Our Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets at the Black Bear Diner in Wilsonville on Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. Each week brings a new informative, educational, and motivational speaker. Weekly program speakers are listed at www.WilsonvilleRotary.com/calendar. We hope to see you soon!

“I’m following in the footsteps of 46 past presidents who have provided guidance for our club since 1975.”

NEW CONSTRUCTION IS DRIVING THE MARKET

JAIMY BELTRAN HAS THE EXPERIENCE, REPUTATION, AND CONNECTIONS TO HELP YOU NEGOTIATE WITH BUILDERS

BELTRAN PROPERTIES GROUP at eXp Realty

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

As most of you are aware, the real estate market has undergone a shift in the past year. Leading up to that shift — from about the time the pandemic started, until late last fall — we were deeply entrenched in a seller’s market. Supply-chain issues kept new construction moving at a snail’s pace, and inventory at record lows. Interest rates were also consistently low, resulting in houses being sold in mere days for well over asking price. The shift then, the inevitable adjustment towards a more balanced market, occurred over the past year as supply-chain issues were gradually resolved, and both interest rates and inventory saw increases. The market “frenzy” that sellers enjoyed during the pandemic has calmed, but it’s been a difficult transition. Expectations needed adjusting, and concerns like price point and condition have once again become key components in moving a property. That’s not to say, however, that for motivated buyers and sellers, it’s not still an ideal time to delve into the market.

WHY NOW?

Well, first of all, the real estate market generally sees an ebb and flow that coincides with the seasons. As we move into fall and winter, things typically slow down. So if you are interested in selling, now is the time to act. Secondly, interest rates have been steadily increasing. They have had a few dips here and there, but the general trend has been upward. Since higher interest rates mean less

buying power, you’ll want to take action sooner rather than later. And finally, inventory is higher now than it has been since last November. For buyers, that provides leverage: it gives you a lot more opportunity to negotiate and make demands of your own. So if you are looking to buy, now is the time to do it!

Interestingly, builders (of new construction) are currently driving the market. In order to attract buyers away from choosing existing homes in more mature neighborhoods, they are offering relatively generous incentive packages. For those looking to buy new, this is a terrific opportunity, but it’s imperative to find an agent who is well-versed in the particulars of working with builders, someone who can help you negotiate those incentives. Of course, the central component to any successful real estate transaction is always choosing the right agent.

Your agent is your advocate, your partner, in what may be the most significant purchase/sale you’ll ever make. As such, this person should not only understand you as an individual, what your specific needs and desires are, but they should also know the local market. They should be able to provide you with a proven track record of successes. They should have an impeccable reputation, and an established network of industry professionals who can help assist in the process of navigating such unique market conditions. In the Wilsonville area, the preeminent agent of choice is Jaimy Beltran.

Not only is Jaimy one of the elite (he has

consistently ranked among the top agents of the greater Portland Metropolitan area for the last 10 years), he has also helped countless clients and non-clients alike by offering free advice every month in the very pages of this magazine. His genuine desire to help people find their dream homes is inspiring. Right now, Jaimy’s advice to sellers is to price appropriately. Price and preparation (handling deferred maintenance, staging, etc.) and getting your home “market ready” is the only way to move it quickly and to receive top dollar. For buyers, be prepared before you enter the fray. Educate yourself on all aspects of the market, including new construction and the types of incentives there are available. Also, make sure to visit your lender and get qualified. You can never be too prepared!

When it comes to agents in the Wilsonville area, there is no one better or more qualified than Jaimy Beltran with Beltran Properties at eXp Realty. He stands alone in his sincere commitment to his clients. He has the backing of an entire network of like-minded individuals who span the entire country (through eXp Realty), not to mention a fantastic group of local professionals who he can employ to assist with your process: doing repairs, staging your home for selling, and more.

Don’t hesitate, folks! Current market conditions are likely as good as they’re going to get. Call Jaimy Beltran today at 503-502-3330 and let him help you capture that equity!