The Mountain Times March 2024

Welches Cabin Returns to Family After 50+ Years

By Adrian Knowler The Mountain Times

Sue Ellen White has fond childhood memories of her time spent in the old growth forest around the Welches, Oregon cabin that her grandparents built during the Great Depression as an escape from city life in Portland.

Completed in 1931, the cabin is located near the Salmon River and sits on two and a half forested acres that White would explore as a child. The home served as a base for her grandparents when they’d hike up with seal skins on their skis and take a few laps near what is today the Timberline Lodge Ski Resort.

White’s parents sold the cabin in the 1960s, when she was a college student. She said she didn’t think much about the sale at the time, but as she grew older and had a family of her own, she regretted the decision and missed family time spent in the home.

On trips up to Mount Hood, White would often drive by the cabin, and was saddened to see it falling into disrepair, suffering from a case of what she calls “blue tarp syndrome.”

She put the address into real estate website Zillow in order to be notified if it went up for sale, and in 2021 White got the email she was waiting for. White and her husband John Goertzel purchased the cabin and got to work restoring and renovating.

“It was full of junk, junk every -

HFD Swears in New Volunteer Firefighters

By Hoodland Fire District

For The Mountain Times

Hoodland Fire District swore in seven volunteer firefighters earlier this week in a ceremony marking the end of their probationary periods. The volunteers and their families assembled with other volunteers, career firefighters and district officials for the ceremony at the fire district board meeting. The oath of office was administered by Fire Chief Jim Price and each volunteer had the honor of having a family member pin on their badges. Our newest members are Aaron Beers, Zach Cram, Nate Forrar, Natalie Hanson, Vivianna Perez-Wolfe, Jacob Sale and Nate Seifert. Ceremonies are posted on the fire district’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

All the volunteer firefighters completed their basic firefighting training over the past year and have become certified as a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter 1. Beyond their structural firefighter training, all the firefighters were trained in hazardous materials response, wildland firefighting and emergency vehicle driving. In all, each volunteer firefighter completed between 250 to 300 hours of training both online and in-person.

Hoodland Fire District has open recruitment of volunteer firefighters’ year round, with a new training “company” starting around October 2024. The fire district also has open recruitment for student firefighters through the end of April. Student firefighters are career-minded young

adults who affiliate with HFD and volunteer their time in exchange for training, experience and educational support in pursuit of college degrees in the fire and EMS related fields. Student firefighters receive tuition assistance that includes books and other education expenses. Each position is for two years, with the potential of continuing for a third year to obtain your paramedic degree and certification. Along with the financial assistance all resident students will receive free room and board at our Government Camp Station and a living stipend of $400 a month. More information and applications for either being a volunteer or student firefighter is located on the fire district website www.hoodlandfire.us.

Ty Walker

The Mountain Times

Danielle Iseminger is a breast cancer survivor. The 37-year-old Corbett woman and mother of two was determined cancer free in late December.

Just two months after undergoing double mastectomy surgery, she

is playing volleyball, jogging, hiking and playing games with her family again. Her battle with cancer has been nearly a year-long journey since she stepped into the OHSU Mobile Mammography Clinic at Sandy Seventh-day Adventist Church last April.

She’s not quite sure what made

JOIN

LIVE

Sara Lee joins the Back Up & Push Wee Band

In the Arrah Wanna Rendezvous Center 67149 East HWY 26 at Arrah Wanna Blvd thevousgrill.com | email info@thevousgrill.com 503-622-6837

Tristan Burnham

If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you My girlfriend Becca imported me from Lake Tahoe, CA. Sales and Marketing Coordinator for Kokopelli Packrafts. We make small ultralight inflatable kayaks that

Ski & Snowboarding instructor, rock climbing guide, backpacking guide, ropes course manager

Smith Rock Rock Climbing Guide Book by Anything from the early 2000s like Whitewater rafting, snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, river surfing, and playing with puppies. Back to New Zealand to go heli-skiing again

Getting into rock climbing and all the Making burgers 5 days in on a rafting trip in Hells Canyon on the Snake River in Snowboarding in my birthday suit on my birthday at

Shane McConkey (professional skier) because he was so wild but just made the most of life and made every moment funny

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

“The Best Skier on the Mountain:

Dean Potter (professional rock climber and BASE jumper). I was at a rock climbing spot in Bishop and we climbed with him. My dog Odessa also got

“Serious Food in a Not-So-Serious Place”

Meet the Athlete: Blair Mertens a Skiing and Running Phenom

By Ty Tilden The Mountain Times

A skier

High

works hard to juggle his time between the sports he enjoys most. Mertens has skied competitively for SHS and is an active varsity member of both the track and cross country teams at the high school.

“My parents signed me up for ski lessons at a young age and I didn’t do it for a while [after that] but then I started again in middle school because my friend was doing ski racing,” Mertens said of his debut onto slopes.

While his skiing journey began with organized practice and eventual competi -

tion, running was a different story.

“During the COVID pandemic, I would just go in my backyard and run around and around and around. It was kind of meditative so I was just like ‘that’s kind of cool, maybe I’ll join cross country,’” Mertens said.

And just like that, Mertens, who at the end of the 2023 season was ranked second in his team, became a runner.

“The thing about cross country is that running is really good for you. It’s enjoyable, it’s good for your mental health too. You can’t take it too seriously. Obviously you want to try hard though,” he said.

As for his skiing career,

Mertens has found solace in stepping away from the competitive aspect. “I [raced] last year, but I’m not this year. I love skiing, I don’t love ski racing. Ski racing is kind of boring, you just kind of sit in line,” he said.

The delineation between competitive skiing and running for cross country and track for Mertens is in the reward. The thrill of flying down the mountain is the allure of skiing, and the sense of achievement is largely the benefit of running.

“I get a sense of accomplishment. And to just go for a run, you feel like you did something; you did something to better yourself,” he said.

Mertens puts it candidly: “Running kind of sucks.”

But despite the difficulty that often comes with pushing one’s body to its limits for miles on end, Mertens still strives to find the meditative sense in the sport, and to experience the reward it has to offer. And as for skiing? The joy of cruising downhill is enough to make it worthwhile.

By Ty Walker

The Mountain Times

When word was put out that the Oregon Trail School District was looking for someone to fill a vacancy on the school board, Paula Siverly seized the opportunity. She wanted to make sure the Zone-3 seat, which represents Welches, went to someone who lived in the small Mt. Hood community.

If no one from the local community was interested in the volunteer position, anyone from outside the community would be welcome to apply, Siverly said. Siverly did not want to see that happen.

“I was absolutely not OK with our little community not having its own representation from someone that lives on the mountain, that understands the mountain, that is connected to the mountain. So here I am.”

The Oregon Trail School District appointed Siverly in November last year to complete the term of retired school board member Kurt McKnight, which runs through June 2025. McKnight resigned at the end of the 2023 school year, after serving the district well during his 15-year tenure.

He said the Welches community is in good hands with Siverly as its representative on the school board.

“Paula is a wonderful person,

extremely engaged in the community,” McKnight said. “I can’t think of a better person to fill that role.”

A resident of the tight-knit Mt. Hood community since 1999, Siverly is the branch manager of the Possibility Squad, powered by Advantage Mortgage, a local hometown mortgage broker. She has been very involved in the school district, seeing her son go through Oregon Trail schools from kindergarten through his high school graduation.

She has served on the Oregon Trail School District Budget Committee, Superintendent Leadership Council, Value Oregon Trail Education and the Welches Parent Teacher Community Organization board.

“It’s an honor to serve,” Siverly said. “I look forward to serving and listening and hearing from families in the community.”

She said she will be a strong voice for Welches, advocating for the K-8th grade school to see that it “continues to get support and our students and community can be successful.”

Meanwhile, McKnight, after transitioning for several years, has made Hawaii his full-time home. But he said he still owns and maintains a residence in Welches. He sold majority ownership of his Everfresh Fruit Co. last year.

During his time on the school board, he saw the Oregon Trail School District’s graduation rate improve significantly. The declining student dropout rate was another improvement. He pushed for passage of the bond measure that paid for the new Sandy High School and made improvements at other schools.

McKnight said he will miss the community and the kids. But he still has grandchildren living locally who will go through the system.

“Attending graduation is always a high point, handing out diplomas,” he said. “Welches is a small community, so you get to know the families. Watching the students turn into young adults? That’s a rewarding feeling to witness that.”

“I’m very excited for Paula. She’s a wonderful person who will serve the community well,” McKnight added about his successor.

Asked what she wants to accomplish on the school board, Siverly said, “I want to be a voice for our community, be accessible to hear my neighbors’ concerns and support educational opportunities for our students. I’m here for the kids.”

By Ty Walker The Mountain Times

The Safe Sitter training program came to the local community, thanks to the support of a partnership between the Hoodland Fire District and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The free training is aimed at teaching middle schoolers safety and business skills to prepare them for babysitting and staying home alone.

Interest in the course is so high in the Mount Hood area that the two classes scheduled for the last weekend of February filled up quickly, with capacity for only eight students per class, Safe Sitter Site Coordina-

tor Meg Hoopes said.

“There was quite a lot of demand,” she said. “Once we put the word out, people were really interested.”

In order to meet the need, Hoopes is collecting names to put on a waiting list for future classes yet to be scheduled.

“We’re hoping to be able to expand this and add more classes and more dates,” Hoopes said. “If people want to reach out and get on a waiting list for future dates, they can contact me.”

A volunteer instructor, Teresa Peltier, with her background in education, will teach the Safe Sitter

curriculum in Welches. The Hoodland Fire District will provide a firefighter certified to teach CPR at the main fire station. There is no cost to the students because of the fire district sponsorship.

Besides first aid and rescue skills for infants and children of all ages, participants will learn things they can do when they’re home alone during weather emergencies or power outages. The program covers needs in the community that aren’t being met.

“There’s a pretty big child care shortage for families with young kids,” said Hoopes, a public health researcher for a nonprofit organization.

Safe Sitter also trains middle school children how to do something productive with their time, given the money-earning potential of babysitting.

The origin of the Safe Sitter program came from tragedy. In 1980, Patricia A. Keener, M.D. was pregnant with her third child and worked as the Director of Nurseries at Community Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.

One spring morning as Dr. Keener was talking with a nurse who was a new mother, she received an emergency page. The ambulance was bringing in a child that had choked while eating breakfast that morning. She immediately rushed to the emergency room to help this child, but it was too late. The child had died.

Students, families and instructor Teresa Peltier (far right) after Safe Sitter Essentials with CPR graduation.

Gracie Zavala (L) & Ella Wagner (R) practicing infant CPR.

Fort Deposit

Fire Focus A Firefighter in the Making

By Ty Walker The Mountain Times

Vivianna Perez-Wolfe of Sandy will graduate this March with her firefighting degree from Chemeketa Community College. It was almost a year ago that she joined the Hoodland Fire District volunteer firefighter program that helped her make this possible.

Volunteer firefighters are an integral part of the district, working side-byside with career staff on real life-or-death emergency calls. Perez, who has already earned her emergency medical technician degree, plans to go to paramedics school next.

It wasn’t that long ago, growing up in the St. Johns neighborhood of North Portland, that Perez wanted to pursue a career in nursing. But shortly after graduating from Roosevelt High School in 2019, she attended a firefighting camp for women hosted by the Tualatin Valley Fire Department. Learning about

firefighting opened her eyes to another career possibility.

“Growing up, I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse and I didn’t know anything about firefighting until I graduated high school,” Perez said. “Tualatin Valley Fire Department has a women’s fire camp and I did that as soon as I graduated high school.

“I realized that I really enjoyed firefighting. It was a career that I saw myself excelling in and one that would push me. I ended up going to college for firefighting because of that camp. It wasn’t my plan at first.”

As a Hoodland volunteer, Perez pulls one shift a week for 8 to 12 hours. She said she likes helping keep people calm at the scene of emergencies.

“My favorite part about being a firefighter is being able to help people in a moment of chaos and being able to be that calm for them,” Perez said.

She also enjoys working

with the unique individuals on the Hoodland District staff. She has learned a lot from the on-the-job volunteer training program.

“The people that I work with at Hoodland are all super unique and you have really funny people that are uplifting,” Perez said. “They teach me a lot. The most special thing about Hoodland is all the unique personalities that are there.”

Perez is grateful for all the support her partner and family have shown as she embarks on her journey to become a firefighter.

“My family, my parents and grandparents, and my sister are all super supportive and they’ve all been there for me throughout this journey,” Perez said. “I’m very thankful for them.”

In her spare time, she likes hanging out with friends and family, looking for new places to go hiking, or going on road trips.

“A big hobby of mine is baking, being creative in that way,” Perez said. “My favorite thing to bake is brownies.”

Hoodland Fire District is always looking for volunteer firefighters. No experience is necessary because Hoodland Fire will teach you all of the skills you need to provide high quality emergency medical care and fire suppression to the residents and visitors of the local communities.

One of only four women volunteer firefighters at Hoodland, Perez said she would like to see more join her at the district.

“I would love to see more women working at Hoodland,” she said. “That would be amazing, more representation.”

For more information about applying to the Hoodland Fire District volunteer firefighting program, phone 503-622-3256 or go online to www.hoodlandfire.us/volunteer-firefighter.

Vivianna Perez-Wolfe

CABIN

From Page 1

where,” she said of the state in which they found the cabin in an interview. “Tarps, paint cans, it was pretty much a wreck.”

While cleaning the house, White found pencil drawings on the walls that seemed familiar. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the art was signed – with her own name! Drawings she had made 70 years earlier still survived, and White said the discovery almost transported her back in time, filling her with nostalgic memories of getaways past.

“This was a message from the universe that I, and my future descendants, were meant to be back here,” she said.

After a couple of years of work on the house, the cabin, now dubbed Cedar Camp, is renovated with new amenities and appliances including a propane fireplace and will soon have a hot tub. A tour of the cabin leaves the feeling of a wonderful balance between rustic charm and modern comfort. The home can accommodate seven guests and features a covered

front porch and a heated shed for ski gear storage. The walls are adorned with photos of White’s family, posters, and historic images of the Mount Hood National Forest.

White is amazed she has gotten the opportunity to return the cabin to her family, which includes three kids and four grandchildren. “It’s a very rare opportunity to do this,” she said. “I’m feeling extremely grateful and so I just want to pass this on to the next generations.”

White’s daughter, Ariel Hansen, and her own child have been up to the cabin several times and pitched in with renovation work.

Hansen said she had always heard tales of the cabin from her mom, and thinks the time there was formative in her mother’s work as an environmental activist who was part of a group that saved old growth trees on Whidbey Island from deforestation in the 1970s.

She hopes that time spent at Cedar Camp may impact her own child’s perspective on nature and time spent outdoors.

The family has decided to rent out

the home during periods when they aren’t staying there. White said that renting it out will offset the costs of purchasing, renovating, and maintaining the property.

To ensure that the home stays in the family, White has placed it in a trust, preventing future sales.

Hansen said that she is glad that other families will be able to form new memories in the rental, and hopes that some may be returning many times as part of their trips to Mount Hood.

Although she will be tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the cabin in the future, Hansen said that taking care of the family home is well worth it.

“It’s an honor to steward Cedar Camp as part of my family’s legacy,” she said.

Cedar Camp is available to rent at linktr.ee/cedarcamp.

VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN

From the publisher’s desk

HELLO, MOUNTAIN TIMERS,

Welcome to our “almost spring” issue. I say almost spring because it is snowing while I type this letter, and more than likely snow will be on the ground when this comes to you in the mail — at least that’s what the weather experts tell me.

I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the helpers on the Mountain who have taken the time to help their neighbors and friends this winter season. Folks who live in the area year-round are used to windstorms, ice storms, snowy weather and loss of power but not necessarily all at once. To get through this challenging time of year, many folks who’ve been able to take care of themselves for the most part, had to ask for help; while many folks found themselves in a position to help — even though they might not be used to being the one who heeds the call. To all you helpers, I’d like to express my

sincere gratitude. Because of people like you, our community is stronger for it.

When I first started with the paper, one of the first groups I connected with were folks who are full-time helpers, the men and women of the Hoodland Fire District #74. I have always been a big fan of fire departments for personal reasons.

My grandfather, Art Nelson, was instrumental in starting up the Summit Fire Department in Woodinville, Washington, in 1947. He served as the first fire chief for the area from 1947 to 1972. My grandmother, Aileen Nelson, was the department dispatcher from 1974 to the mid-1960s. My father, David Nelson, got his start with the Summit Fire Department as a volunteer in 1960, and in 1964, he started with the Beaverton Fire Department. He became the fire marshal in 1972 and retired in 1999 after that department became what is known today as

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.

To say I have a soft spot for those providing public service is an understatement. I know that I am not alone with my feelings on the Mountain. Many of you have expressed your gratitude to me for the fine job done by the fire district to help keep everyone safe and know that should we need help for any reason, we will be in good hands.

Sincerely,

Matthew Nelson Publisher, The Mountain Times.

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

DEAR MOUNTAIN TIMES, Ant Farm came to the rescue once again! Logan Hancock, Fuels Reduction Manager, arranged to have two cords of dry, split wood delivered to the community resource center at the Lion’s Club in Welches, poststorm and -power outage. Some folks went through the rest of their winter supply of wood when the power went out, temperatures dropped to single digits and the wind screamed for days.

The other resource Ant Farm offered the community in our time of need was help for mountain folks to take care of downed branches and trees on their property. There were more restrictions than a tree service, but it was free and fast! Ant Farm crews responded quickly to folks in need who saw the flyer posted

on our local FB bulletin board. They are still at it!

Before there was time to panic about our winter war zone reality, Ant Farm swooped in with solutions. They are one of the most responsive organizations I have ever worked with and I appreciate their community-atheart basis of operation.

As long as I am writing a fan letter, I also want to thank Ant Farm for attending Timberline Rim’s FireWise meeting in February. Ant Farm partnered with the Tim Rim HOA last year in the Fuels Reduction program. They helped our homeowners and the HOA greenspaces become more fire resilient. Now we are ready to take that to the next step; making our community, as a whole, more fire resilient through our work with the FireWise

program and Hoodland Fire.

I look forward to working with Ant Farm well into the future. I don’t know what we’d do without this resource.

Melinda McCrossen

Rhododendron

Timberline Rim HOA representative in the Mt. Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership

Patty Caldwell

Sandy resident

DEAR MOUNTAIN TIMES,

After more than 10 years, Dragonfly owner Rori Klingbeil has decided to retire her “wings.”

Rori has been at the location in Mt. Hood RV Village longer than any prior owners, and it was a challenge to make the restau -

rant noticeable to travelers and to attract locals, but her ability to present tasty, made-fromscratch food and baked goods paid off. Over the years, Dragonfly has contributed to many fundraisers and community events and Rori is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.

“I am thankful for the support of the mountain folks and am looking forward to continued contact with so many. Just keep an eye out for a food cart offering delicious crepes, good-for-you salads and made-from-scratch favorites.” Best of luck, Rori, and we’ll look forward to your next chapter.

Farewell, from Rori and The Dragonfly

Subscription Rates

$36 per year by regular mail, $65 for two years. Send payment to: PO Box 1031, Welches, OR 97067.

Display Advertising

The Mountain Times rate card is available to advertisers by contacting the office at 503-622-3289 or matt@mountaintimesoregon.com.

Sandy, Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron, Wildwood, Government Camp and Boring. 8,500-plus copies printed and distributed monthly.

Printed at Eagle Web Press in Salem, Oregon.

Publisher’s father Dave Nelson

HFD Volunteers - Much Gratitude from Your Friends & Neighbors

Publisher’s grandfather Art Nelson and his brother Fern Nelson.

Inside Salem Opinion

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

In my last piece, I expressed my thoughts on the Short Session coming up. In keeping with that idea, I wanted to take some time to talk about the budgeting process we use in this state, as most Oregonians may not have a good understanding of it.

The first important thing to understand is that we employ a biennial budgeting cycle, meaning that the state budget is set every two years.

WHERE TO WRITE

PRESIDENT / Joseph Biden (D)

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave

Washington DC 20500

202.456.1111 (comments)

202.456.1414 (info/switchboard)

www.whitehouse.gov/contact

GOVERNOR / Tina Kotek (D)

State Capitol Building

900 Court Street NE, Ste 160

Salem, OR 97301

503.378.4582 (msg line)

503.378.6827 (fax)

http://governor.oregon.gov

U.S. SENATOR / Ron Wyden (D)

District: 0S1 - United States Senate

223 Dirksen Senate Off. Bldg

Washington, DC 20510

202.224.5244 (tel)

202.228.2717 (fax)

http://wyden.senate.gov

Portland Office:

911 NE 11th Ave, #630

Portland, OR 97232

503.326.7525

If that sounds difficult, you’re right, and it is, as I stated before, why voters wanted the short session! Planning two years in advance is next to impossible, so a short session allows us to make necessary adjustments midway through the term.

The second is an understanding of our three types of funding sources: the general fund, dedicated funds, and federal funds.

The general fund consists

U.S. SENATOR / Jeff Merkley (D)

District: 0S2 - United States Senate

313 Hart Senate Off. Bldg

Washington, DC 20510

202.224.3753 (tel)

202.228.3997 (fax)

http://merkley.senate.gov

Portland Office:

121 SW Salmon #1400

Portland, OR 97204

503.326.3386 (tel)/503.326.2900(fax)

US REPRESENTATIVE

Earl Blumenauer (D) / District: 003

U.S. House of Representatives

1111 Longsworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

202.225.4811 (tel)/202.225.8941 (fax)

http://blumenauer.house.gov

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Jeff Helfrich (R) District: 052 900 Court Street NE, H-473 Salem, OR 97301

503.986.1452 (tel)

rep.JeffHelfrich

@oregonlegislature.gov

of revenues generated primarily from (among others) income taxes, corporate taxes, and sales taxes. It is the state’s unrestricted checking account. Dedicated funds are earmarked for specific purposes like an education or a healthcare initiative. These dedicated funds often originate from specific taxes or fees designated for programs or services. Finally, federal funds supplement state resources and support

various programs, but often come with specific requirements, necessitating careful compliance to ensure proper utilization.

Third and finally – the process. First the Governor submits her proposal, which outlines the state’s financial obligations and her policy priorities. Then it goes to the budgetary committees who assess the proposed allocations, solicit input from stakeholders and make

recommendations in public hearings. It is during these hearings where you can tell us what you think is important. The budget committee votes it out of committee, and then we vote on it in the House, then the Senate. If the legislative budget passes, it goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

With so many programs and policymakers involved, it can be hard to determine what is working and what should go. So our government agencies identify “Key Performance Measures” (KPMs), and we revisit their funding based on how they perform on those measures. By linking funding to performance, Oregon aims to maximize the efficiency of government spending while enhancing accountability to taxpayers. By employing performance-based budgeting principles, we foster transparency and accountability about where your tax dollars are going.

And that’s how a budget is built! But what do you think? Should we continue budgeting this way or does something need to change?

STATE SENATOR

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

503.986.1726 (tel)

Sen.DanielBonham

@oregonlegislature.gov

http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/ bonham

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Ellen Rosenblum

Oregon Dept of Justice

1162 Court Street NE Salem, OR 97301

503.378.4400 (tel)

www.doj.state.or.us

STATE TREASURER

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

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

CLACKAMAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Tootie Smith (Chair)

Commissioners: Ben West

Paul Savas

Martha Schrader

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

COUNTY SHERIFF

Angela Brandenburg

2223 Kaen Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045

Emergency No. 9-1-1

Non-Emergency to Report a Crime 503.655-8211 503.655.8549 (fax)

CITY OF SANDY

City Manager, Jordan Wheeler

Mayor Stan P. Pulliam

Councilors:

Chris Mayton

Laurie J. Smallwood (President)

Richard Sheldon

Kathleen Walker

Carl Exner

Don Hokanson

39250 Pioneer Blvd., Sandy, OR 97055

503.668.5533 (tel) ci.sandy.or.us

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

By Adrian Knowler The Mountain Times

On January 18th, 2024, Stephanie Bixel thought that the worst of the January winter storm was behind her.

The Brightwood home she shares with her mother had been without power for several days, but it had recently come back online.

She had been relying on pellet and camping stoves for heat, but both had failed.

After temperatures plunged to single digits and froze pipes, she had also lost water for nearly a week, but it too had been fixed.

Then, during a period of

howling wind and blizzard like conditions, a 125 foot cottonwood tree fell on her house, destroying much of the roof and patio covering. It also tore a hole in the wall, opening up the living space to the bitter conditions outside.

She couldn’t believe that the tree fell towards the house. Based on its location, she’d thought that the chance it would ever hit the house was very small.

“It was like a funny TV show or a horrible movie or something that didn’t feel real,” Bixel said of the ordeal in an interview. She said she didn’t know of any prior issues with the tree, which ended up destroying the entire second floor of the home she has owned for three years.

Nobody was hurt, and after some tarping and boarding up, the home was confirmed as safe.

She said a snow drift that had formed on the patio saved her from being crushed, and although she is okay, seeing the damage to her home is still difficult to process.

For Bixel, however, thet silver lining was seeing how members of the Mt. Hood

community rallied together to help her and others affected by the storm.

In particular, Bixel thanked local emergency plumber Brian Taylor, as well as Martin Olmos for his help with urgent tree removal.

Although much of the damage should be covered by insurance, Bixel expects to be on the hook for about ten thousand dollars after the accident, mostly for tree removal work that won’t be covered. She has created an online fundraiser on GoFundMe, which as of writing had gathered around $700 from twelve donors.

Bixel, who is of Native American heritage, said that moving up to the mountain with her mother had long been a dream, and the destruction hasn’t shaken her love for the area she now calls home.

“I think this was a rare situation, but even if it wasn’t, I’m just going to make more plans to make sure I’m secure and my family is secure,” she said about the next storm.

She also plans to lend a helping hand next time to pay it forward.

“I wish I could have been the person to go help, but I’m so grateful that those people are out there.”

SURVIVOR

From Page 1

her do it, but she decided to have her first mammogram. There was no history of breast cancer in her family, although there were relatives with other kinds of cancer. She didn’t feel any lumps and she was only 36 at the time. Was it intuition that led her to the free clinic? Or something else?

The communications coordinator and member of the Sandy church, Iseminger believes that God was behind her decision.

“I felt pressed that I needed to get a mammogram and it turned out that I did,” she said. “I guess God was pushing me toward it.”

After her appointment, she was told by the Oregon Health & Science University clinic to expect a letter with results of the mammogram, but instead she got a phone call. It was serious. An ultrasound had detected several large masses in her right breast and the clinic needed to do a biopsy of the tissue to see if they were cancerous.

On June 1, she learned she had stage 2 cancer. It was contained to her right breast and had not spread to other parts of her body, thanks to early detection. Further testing found her lymph nodes to be cancer-free, confirming that the cancer had not spread and was localized in her right breast.

The cancer diagnosis was followed by five months of chemotherapy with an oncologist from July through the first week of November. In December, she had double mastectomy surgery and less than a month later, she received the good news. Tests determined she was cancerfree.

“For now, I’m cancer-free and it feels great,” she said. She will stay on medication, an estrogen blocker, for five years, and continue to see her oncologist about every six months.

“I recommend any woman 35 or older should get a mammogram because you never know,” she said. “I had no idea and it was a good thing that I got one.”

Breast cancer is the most

common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society website. Breast cancer accounts for about 30 percent (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year.

Overall, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about a 13 percent (or 1 in 8) chance. In other words, there is a 7 in 8 chance she will never have the disease.

Breast cancer occurs mainly in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62, which means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger when they are diagnosed. A very small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45.

The Sandy Seventh-day Adventist Church, 18575 SE Langensand Rd, Sandy, hosts the OHSU Mobile Mammography Clinic twice a year by appointment only. For more information, phone Tami Beaty at 503-698-4622.

Little Steps to School Success: Registration Open

Do you, or someone you know, have a three, four, or five-year-old-child (who is not yet enrolled in kindergarten)?

Do you wonder how you can help your child get ready for kindergarten?

Would you like to receive free children’s books?

Are you interested in meeting other parents in your community?

Are you interested in learning more about kindergarten expectations?

How much will all this cost? It’s free!

Yes, Tell Me More!

Your neighborhood elementary school is offering a program called “Little Steps to School Success” for you and your three, four, or five--year-old child (who is not yet enrolled in kindergarten). Your child will enjoy a special evening of stories and activities at the school in March and May.

Each event is a special time for you and your preschooler

only. You must accompany your preschooler, so there will be free childcare available for any siblings. These activities will take place in your child’s future kindergarten classroom and are led by teachers and staff from the school. The evening begins with a read-aloud by the kindergarten teacher, and is followed by fun activities to build skills your child will need for entering kindergarten. Your child will meet new friends who will be

future classmates, meet his or her future kindergarten teacher, engage in skill-building activities that you can continue to do at home, and have fun.

Each family that attends will receive a free book as well as a packet of activities to do together at home to reinforce skills.

Don’t miss out on this positive experience for your preschooler!

All sessions run from 6:307:30 PM. Registration begins

at 6:15 PM. Free childcare is provided.

• Naas Elementary: March 19, May 21.

• Firwood Elementary: March 6, May 16.

• Welches Elementary: March 14, May 23.

• Sandy Grade: March 21, May 14.

Register at www.oregontrailschools.com/10375_2 and click “Register Your Student HERE”.

Welches PTCO Parent Teacher Corner

By Cassie Kanable For The Mountain Times

Hello, Welches Families!

In February, our community came together for some heartwarming events despite a few unexpected challenges. Parent volunteers and our 8th graders organized a memorable Family Valentine’s Day Dance, overcoming a power outage with grace to ensure a delightful evening of dinner, raffles, and dancing, thanks to Alpine Events’ hospitality & the incredible 8th grade parent volunteers who worked so hard on this event!

All proceeds from the dance went to support the 8th Grade Promotion Fund. Additionally, the WPTCO hosted another fantastic movie night, featuring a screening of The Super Mario Bros Movie, bringing some fun to families in our school community.

Looking ahead to March, we have some exciting events on the horizon. First, a reminder that our students will enjoy a well-deserved break from

March 25-29 for Spring Break, allowing families time to recharge and enjoy quality time together. But before that, mark your calendars for March 6th from 8-8:45am for Music & Muffins! The WPTCO is hosting a before-school parent meet & greet event at Welches School. It’s a perfect opportunity for parents to connect over freshly baked treats and music, fostering friendships within our tightknit community. We look forward to seeing you there for a memorable morning of connection!

Get ready for the highlight of 2024 – the WPTCO Annual Spring Auction on April 27th at Camp Arrah Wanna! This is our primary fundraising venture for the year, channeling all proceeds into the WPTCO general fund and supporting school essentials like technology, supplies, field trips, and more. But here’s the scoop – we need YOUR help to make the magic happen! If you’d like to become a food & beverage sponsor, event spon-

sor, donate goods or services, or event volunteer, scan the QR code below or visit https:// www.welchesptco.org/auction for more information.

This year, we’re setting our sights higher, aiming to raise over $30,000 for Welches Schools to provide some much needed tech upgrades in each of the Welches elementary school classrooms! Your generous support at our upcoming auction will directly contribute to much-needed tech upgrades in those classrooms. These upgrades include essential equipment like projectors, document cameras, and smart boards along with the necessary labor to complete each installation. With an estimated cost of $3,000 per classroom and eight classrooms in total, your contributions will pave the way for a modernized learning environment that enhances the educational experience of our students.

The WPTCO is a non-profit that serves & supports the students of the Welches Schools and the greater

Welches community. To keep up to date on events, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities, make sure to join our email list at bit.ly/WPTCOlist. If you have any general questions, reach out at info@ welchesptco.org.

Robbit by 6th grader Kyrie Thoensen-Metts

Butterfly by 8th grader Jaylnn Smith

Hamster by 7th grader Reyna Pfenning

Museum Chatter: Vintage Ski Wear Fashion Show

By Lloyd Musser For The Mountain Times

The March Social History Happy Hour will be a vintage skiwear fashion show instead of the usual history lecture. Museum members Aric Wood and Erin Graham will model fashions from their collection of vintage skiwear from conservative 1930s through the raucous colorful 1980s. Join us for this special ski-focused event starting at 5:00 PM, Saturday, March 16th. Beer, wine and sodas will be available. $5.00 donation requested.

March is the time of the year when the snow sports industry turns their attention to the clothing and equipment of the sport. Trade shows are held this month in many large cities. This is when your local ski shops order the fashions and

equipment they will offer next fall. It’s also the time when ski shops begin having end-of-season closeout sales on gear and clothing. March also marks the beginning of spring skiing – it’s the time to cast off the heavy parkas and storm pants, break out the colorful ski sweaters and lightweight windbreakers, and grab the sunscreen.

The Museum is celebrating spring skiing with a vintage ski sweater exhibit. The Museum’s collection of skiwear includes several dozen ski sweaters, including various ski-school uniform and ski-club sweaters. We have examples of vintage ski sweaters with classic designs by the Portland companies White Stag and Jantzen. The collection includes several one-of-a-kind unique hand-knitted sweaters; many

items in the collection are of very fine quality and show little wear as they were only worn for skiing. A few sweaters in the collection fit the novelty category, including a bright red sweater with the Portland beer brand “Blitz” in large white letters. Blitz beer was popular locally in the 1950s-70s and the Company was a sponsor of ski events. Our vintage ski sweater exhibit, featuring the best of our collection, will be on display during the summer ski season at Timberline Lodge.

The Museum’s skiing and snowboarding clothing collection is primarily a reflection of local fashion trends, as everything in the collection was donated by local individuals. Clothing specifically designed for the sport did not appear on Mount Hood until 1939, when the National Olympic Trials were held at Timberline and Ski Bowl. Local skiing and ski jumping showed up in 1926 in Government Camp, the year ODOT started plowing the highway and the Summit Ski Area opened. Oregon skiers at that time skied in whatever clothing they had available: the home movies of the Oregon City Ski Club outing to Government Camp in 1927 shows skiers wearing everything from fur coats to wool dress suits complete with neckties, with some folks wearing the clothes they would wear every day on the farm.

The earliest sport-specific ski wear in the Museum collection are two-piece suits made by White Stag and Jantzen Woolen Mills of Portland in 1940. These ski suits are made of gaberdine in conservative colors like black, gray, and dark green. When skiing resumed after World War II, the economy was such that skiers turned to US Army surplus. The US Army 10th Mountain Division had developed good ski equipment and clothing during the war. After the war, you could buy skis, poles, boots, pants, and an anorak (hooded long pull -

over jacket) for about $30.00. Everything was either white or olive drab in color, but the price was good. Several Mount Hood skiers wore the surplus US Army ski clothing well into the 1960s and 1970s.

The figure-fitting stretch ski pants and bright colors changed skiwear fashion forever in 1960. New synthetic materials made it possible to manufacture lightweight, warm, and colorful skiwear. The typical Mount Hood skier in the 1960s would be wearing black stretch pants, a turtleneck shirt with a wool sweater, and a bright blue, red or pastel parka. All rules about color combinations were broken in the 1980s when parkas, pants, and one-piece ski suits suddenly became all the rage. The popularity of snowboarding in the 1990s would create entirely new

styles and colors for snowsport clothing. The only thing certain about the future of the industry is that the design and colors of the clothing will change, and the Museum’s collection will continue to evolve.

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

Members of the Swiss Ski Team at Mount Hood in 1939 wearing clothing designed for the sport of skiing. Photos courtesy of

Classic Jansen 1940’s ski sweater.

1980’s family of skiers in colorful ski wear.

The Woodsman: Sandy Historical Society & Museum Well Worth a Visit

By Steve Wilent

For The Mountain Times

Lloyd Musser’s Museum Chatter articles in the past few editions of The Mountain Times have shone a bright spotlight on the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum in Government Camp, and deservedly so. Not only is it a World Heritage Ski Museum, it’s also a repository of information about the history of the area, from the opening of the Barlow Road in the 1840s to the present. You’ll also find a collection of artworks by locals and a handful of photographs by the late Dale Crockatt (1957 – 2015), a real-estate agent and avid skier, mountain climber and hiker. The museum also has displays featuring the Mt. Hood National Forest, including replicas of an old fire lookout tower and an early ranger-station office, complete with a typewriter and primitive (by today’s standards) telephone system.

Did you know that we have another museum in our area? You’ve probably driven by it

a few hundred times or more: the Sandy Historical Society & Museum, at 39345 Pioneer Blvd. in Sandy, across from Stephanie’s International Cafe and Sandy Vision Center. The museum website notes that Pioneer Boulevard was a part of the original Barlow Road.

“The society was founded on 27 June 1926 at the 70th birthday party of John Henry Revenue, the first pioneer child born in the Sandy area. Later that year the constitution and by-laws were adopted and the official name chosen as Pioneers and Early Settlers of Sandy and Vicinity. In the early 1990s the final name change to Sandy Historical Society, Incorporated was made. Construction on the museum building started in June 2004 on land that the Barlow Road had crossed from 1846 until 1919. The museum was completed and opened in 2007 and added the gift shop in 2009.”

There is ample reason for a woodsman or –woman, or anyone interested in forests, to visit the museum. You’ll find information about the Sandy Lumber Company, which had a mill and “company town” in Brightwood in the early to mid-1900s, and Walter E. Koch Sr., who ran a mill from 1943

to about 1973 on land where the Mt. Hood Industrial Park is now, off Ruben Lane, across the highway from Safeway. The mill employed about 100 men in the mill and the woods, and the mill fueled the Sandy area economy during that time. No doubt many local old-timers recall these and other mills and their importance to the area.

There’s much more to the museum than the history of local logging. The museum’s oldest artifact is a section of tree trunk with “Crawford’s Camp, Sept. 25, 1808” carved into it. Who Crawford was and why he or she was in Oregon remains a mystery. An explorer? Trapper? Who else was at Crawford’s Camp?

Docent and office supervisor Ken Funk will be happy to guide you through the museum. Funk is steeped in the history of the area and in genealogy and has stories about everything in the exhibits, stories he loves to tell. Funk recently gave me a tour of the museum exhibits and a small library and repository of genealogical information about Sandy residents past and present, all of which is available to visitors at no charge.

“We’re a free museum. We don’t believe in charging folks to learn about their own

history,” he said.

Proceeds from the museum’s gift shop support the museum, as do membership dues and donations. Revenue from photo/film scanning, genealogy research services, and room and facilities rentals also support the museum. Donations of both funding and materials for the museum, Funk said, are welcome.

There is far more to the Sandy Historical Society & Museum than I can describe here. Instead of driving by,

stop by one day to take a look for yourself. Take your kids, your friends. You’ll likely find yourself wondering why you’ve passed by so many times without visiting.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Have a question about old-time logging and sawmills? Want to know the difference between loggers and lumberjacks? Let me know. Email: SWilent@gmail.com.

Ken Funk is not only a docent at the Sandy Historical Society & Museum, he’s also the office supervisor and a historian

Sandy Actors Theatre

The Alibis | 2 pm

Adults $20 | Seniors, Veterans, & Students $15

Sandy Actors Theatre

The Alibis | 2 pm

Adults $20 | Seniors, Veterans, & Students $15

Skyway Bar & Grill

Zachary Lucky Duo | 6 pm Country - Folk from Canada

Alpine Events & Busy Bee Catering 73365 E Highway 26 Rhododendren

Pop-Up Dinner: The Steak House Experience | 4:30 pm $30 for Adults | Buffet Style Service Reservations Required | Call 503.622.4618

Hoodland Senior Center Board Meeting | 1 pm

Cooper’s Wine Bar & Shop Seafood & Wine Happy Hour | 5 pm $30 per Person | Gratuity Not Included

Hoodland Lutheran Church Neighborhood Missions Free Food Day | 9 am

Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation District 22055 S Beavercreek Rd | Suite 1 Board Meeting | 4 pm

and Wilderness Survival Class | 8 am $85 per Class

Clackamas Soil & Water Conservation 22055 S Beavercreek Rd | Suite Equity Forum | 2 pm

Chicali Cantina

Eric Kallio | TBD****

Trackers Earth Bull Run Education Center 41401 SE Thomas Rd.

Trackers Earth Rangers Guild Stealth, Archery, and Wilderness Survival Class $85 per Class

Center Stealth, Class | 8 am

Sandy Community and Senior Center Pollinators Panel | 6 pm Hosting Experts in Honor of National Learn About Butterflies Day

Shabbat | Candle Lighting | 5:37 pm

Mt. Hood Lions Club | Bingo | 6 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill | Mad Love | 7 pm Jazz-Americana

Sandy Actors Theatre | The Alibis | 7:30 pm

Adults $20 | Seniors, Veterans, & Students $15

Sandy’s Adult Co-Ed Softball League Registration Opens Call 503.668.5569 for More Information

Shabbat | Candle Lighting | 5:47 pm

Mt. Hood Lions Club | Bingo | 6 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill | Leo Moon | 7 pm Ethereal Folk

Sandy Community and Senior Center Silent Disco | 7 pm | Grades 6-12 | $15 per Person

Sandy Actors Theatre | The Alibis | 7:30 pm

Adults $20 | Seniors, Veterans, & Students $15

Mt. Hood Lions Club | Bingo | 6 pm

Cooper’s Wine Bar & Shop Feature Tasting | 6 pm Sound and Vision Wine Co

Shabbat | Candle Lighting | 6:56 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill | Eric Kallio | 7 pm Folk - Roots

Mt. Hood Lions Club Bingo | 6 pm No outside food or drink

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

Shabbat Candle Lighting | 7:05 pm

Mt. Hood Lions Club | Bingo | 6 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill | Bikini Drone | 7 pm Indie Tropicana

Shabbat | Candle Lighting | 7:14 pm

Meinig Park Gazebo

Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt

Middle Schoolers 8 pm

High Schoolers 8:45 pm

1937 Steiner Church 68825 E. Barlow Trail Road Steiner Church Tours | 10 am

Sandy Historical Soceity Museum Sewing Class | 10 am | $5 Entry***

Sandy Community and Senior Center March for Meals Dinner | 4 pm

Skyway Bar & Grill | Scott Pemberton | 7 pm Timber Rock

Sandy Actors Theatre | The Alibis | 7:30 pm

Adults $20 | Seniors, Veterans, & Students $15

Sandy Actors Theatre The Alibis | 7:30 pm

Adults $20 | Seniors, Veterans, & Students $15

Skyway Bar & Grill Blue Flags & Black Grass | 7 pm American Roots - Viper Jazz

Mallard’s Cafe & Pub St. Patrick’s Day Celebration | 5:30 pm

REPEAT EVENTS

Skyway Bar & Grill

Thunder Ridge | 7 pm Traditional Bluegrass

5pm Tuesdays

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

Sandy AntFarm Cafe & Bakery Narcotics Anonymous | 7pm Wednesdays

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

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

By Cathy Lavin

For The Mountain Times

The Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC) kicked off 2024 with a number of events celebrating its 60th anniversary. In January, these included a happy hour event at Cooper’s Wine Shop. In February, the Club recreated the Sweethearts Ball first held in 1964. The 2024 version took place February 12 at the Alpine Events Center in Rhododendron. Club members and others donned cocktail attire for hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and dancing. In March, Club members will gather

at Cooper’s Wine Shop on the 14th for a night of card games.

In addition to monthly social events, the HWC continues to reinvest in the Hoodland Community with dollars raised through fundraising events, grants, personal bequests and business sponsorships. Emma Galligan, who chairs the Club’s Community Fund, reminds Hoodland neighbors that they can request assistance from the club if they are experiencing a hardship that impacts their immediate physiological needs, including food, shelter and safety.

They can request assistance by submitting a completed Hardship Assistance Form. It is available electronically on the HWC website. Paper copies

are available at the Hoodland Library, the Hoodland Senior Center and Neighbor Missions. Once HWC receives a request, one of its members will contact the requester to confirm eligibility and share more information about the process.

One of the activities on tap that combines both socializing and fundraising is hosted by member Anne High and takes place every Tuesday when members meet to create crafts that will be sold at this spring’s community block party and at holiday craft fairs later in the year.

In addition, while August seems well down the road, HWC is fully engaged in planning for its largest fundraiser of the year, its annual golf tournament, auction and raffle. This year’s event

is scheduled for Thursday, August 15, at the Mt. Hood, Oregon Resort. In addition to contributing to the Club’s Community Fund, the tournament raises funds for four $2,500 scholarships given to Sandy High School seniors from the Hoodland Community. While COVID forced a one-year suspension of the tournament, it has otherwise taken place every summer since 2008. Sponsorships and golf teams, along with auction and raffle donations, involve the entire community.

HWC welcomed two new members to its board this year. They are Siouxie Downs, recording secretary, and Gracie Schenkel, member at large. The organization is growing and individuals interested in getting to know others in the Hoodland area

while supporting the community are encouraged to become part of it. Membership dues are $25 per year. Those interested can be either full-time or part-time members of the Hoodland communities. More information is available on the HWC website (just search for Hoodland Women’s Club) or by emailing board@hoodlandwomensclub.org.

Anyone interested is also invited to attend one of HWC’s general meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 4, at 5:30 p.m. at Sandbar BBQ in Sandy. Anyone wanting to attend who did not receive an evite can contact board members at the address listed previously.

By Lion, Milt Fox

For The Mountain Times

Lions lend a hand to the community

Friday January 19th through Monday January 22nd the Lions Club was used as a Community Resource Center. Organized by Clackamas County Disaster Management and the Hoodland Fire District, the charter was to assist those folks trying to get through some miserable weather along with power outages, frozen pipes and everything else that comes with a winter storm.

About 30 Lions responded along with another 30 to 35 community members passing out drinking water,

Local News

Mt. Hood Lions Club: Mountain Roar

food, disaster assistance information and to just help during this emergency event. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the special needs of our community.

Bingo

Bingo reopened on January 12th and closed during the storm on January 19th. Well, we’re back up and running again and will continue to operate every Friday night through May 10th. Remember doors open at 6:00pm and Bingo starts at 7:00pm. We have had great turnouts this season. Thank you for your support.

Lions Hall

The Lions Club may 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 David Anderson is our club’s House Manager. Give him a call at 971-373-3869 and he’ll be happy to help you.

Lion Craig Calvert spent about a week working over our ovens, adjusting thermostats and doing just a lot of cleaning. They seem to be working as if they were new. Our kitchen gets a lot of use during club fundraisers and club dinners. Thank you, Craig.

Remembering Lion

Richard “Dick” Jones

Lion Dick Jones passed away January 24th, 2024. Dick was a long time (34

St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans on The Mountain

By Amber Ford

The Mountain Times

“If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, you’re lucky enough!” But if you’re lucky enough to live in the Mt. Hood Villages you’re lucky enough to experience all of the events and specials at the local bars, cafes and restaurants.

Kicking off St. Patrick’s Day week at Pub 26 with the band Forest Ray on Wednesday, March 12, the festivities around the mountain are sure to keep locals full of fun, homemade food and drink specials. Based out of Seattle, Washington, Forest Ray’s “psych folk n’ roll” will be sure to have patrons on their feet and moving in Pub 26’s spacious venue for live music and dancing. Guests are encouraged to arrive at 7pm for the live music, cold beers, elevated pub food and fresh fruit- squeezed cocktails.

On Friday, March 15th, Coffee House 26 will host their roaster, Proud Mary Coffee, with live Irish tunes by local ukulele performer, Sara Lee (The Uke*Aholic at Large) from 10am-12pm. Guests will experience traditional espresso drinks with an Irish twist as Proud Mary Coffee shares a unique tasting experience.

As the week of St. Patrick’s Day progresses, other local restaurants and bars will showcase their homemade Paddy pride with a variety of dinner and drink specials. Join The Whistle Stop Bar and Grill as they continue their famous and tasty tradition of homemade corned beef and cabbage. Their dinner special kicks off on St. Patrick’s Day at 5pm with drink specials, including cans of Guinness and Irish coffees throughout the day. Known for their traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner, The Whistle

Stop Bar and Grill is known for its homemade dinner skills and encourages guests to be prompt for dinner before the special sells out.

If corned beef and cabbage is not your thing, Chicali Cantina in the Thriftway Plaza will offer pork carnitas tacos with a cabbage and cilantro slaw. To wash down those tasty Irish-inspired tacos, Chicali Cantina will also offer $2 off draft beers with an option to make them green if you’re feeling extra lucky. Rounding out St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Cooper’s Wine Bar and Shop will host a seafood and wine happy hour on Monday, March 18th. Tickets for the event went on sale in February and quickly sold out due to the overwhelming interest in the event. For more information on future events please visit cooperswinebarandshop.com.

years) member and great Lion. He was our club Secretary for more than five years. He could never quite give that job up, so he invented the job he liked best and titled it “Assistant Secretary,” a position he held for 10 or 12 years. He handled club membership, reporting to Lions International and District 36-O. Lion David Buoy and I had the pleasure of meeting with Dick this past October. We had planned to be there for about an hour, so as not to tire him too much but Dick was sharp as could be and kept us there for three hours. We will surely miss you, Dick.

Some upcoming events to mark on your calendars

This year’s Scholarship

Dinner will be held Saturday April 13th and will feature Italian dishes (using Lion Jim Turin’s famous recipes).

Saturday June 1st we are planning on having a Mexican Dinner to support our Swimming Lesson program, to be held again at Camp Arrah Wanna. The program will begin the week of Monday, June 17th and continue through the week of Monday, June 24th.

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

We’ll keep you informed on these and other events in future columns. It’s Great to be a Lion!

Thank you for supporting your local paper!

Health

The Whole Tooth: DIY Dentistry A Definite Do Not

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

General Dentist, McKenzie Dental

I still have not downloaded the TikTok app on my phone (and probably never will) but I am not completely clueless and at least know what it is. It apparently for the past few years has been a place people frequented for the latest in social media (boy, do I feel old).

In a recent Newsweek article there was an interesting story about a 19-year- old TikTok user who used a nail file to shape her teeth into the perfect smile. As it turns out, based on my informal review of previous stories, the practice of DIY at-home dentistry rarely works out well!

In this case, the girl, Christina, started at age 10 when she decided she wanted fang teeth. So she started using a nail file to shape her teeth. Was this when vampires were all the rage? Remember Twilight?

Years went by and she then decided she did not like the prominent front teeth in her mouth and started sculpting her teeth again. The Michigan native decided to post this to TikTok where it got 23.8 million views, 1.4 million likes, and 6,900 comments. Christina remarked that after posting her video of her shaped teeth “the reaction was a mixture between shock and relating to my craziness.”

I am unable to comment on how well she did or what her teeth look like. As I said earlier, I do not have the TikTok app so I couldn’t view her video. If you’re curious you can take a peek and see how good her artistry skills are! Is it Michaelangelo?

In any case, I will end this with a phrase from old tv shows and commercials “Don’t try this at home!”

ROBERT KELLY, DMD, GENERAL DENTIST

We are preferred providers with most insurances and have specials for those without insurance

Open Monday–Thursday

Extended hours with early mornings

By Amber Ford The Mountain Times

With ski and snowboard season well under way, upticks in common injuries related to both sports can be seen at many of the Mt. Hood resorts.

As snow sport enthusiasts flock to Mt. Hood for the thrill of riding down the many slopes the resorts have to offer, riders are encouraged to use caution to prevent serious injuries.

According to The Central Orthopedic Group, injuries while enjoying winter sports are quite common and should be taken seriously. The Central Orthopedic Group lists five of the most common injuries among riders and also offers suggestions on how to protect oneself and prevent serious injury. Head injuries, collateral ligament tear, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear

24540 E Welches Rd. Welches, Oregon 503-622-3085 · mckenziedental.net

Dealing With Snow Sport Injuries

or rupture, wrist fracture and shoulder injuries are the most common injuries snowboarders and skiers may encounter. While there are many situations when injury cannot be avoided, the Central Orthopedic Group suggests knowing your personal skill level, becoming familiar with the terrain and wearing proper equipment to protect yourself against serious injury.

A majority of the resorts located on Mt. Hood have their own medical staff to help with injuries and illness, with Mt. Hood Meadows even adding a Providence Medical Center to their facility during the winter season. While staff can assist in aiding those injured on the slopes, severe injuries can sometimes trigger medevac situations where a helicopter must escort the injured party off of the mountain to the near-

est medical facility. According to Timberline ski patrol employee Hunter Parrott, many of the snowsport-related injuries he sees coincide with those listed by The Central Orthopedic Group. “I have worked as ski patrol now for 2 years and the most common injuries I have seen are head/ neck, shoulder, knees, tibia, fibula and collarbone injuries,” Parrott said.

While ski and snowboarders are encouraged to use their own discretion when factoring in their abilities with the runs they chose to ride, ski patrol employees at all resorts begin their shift by taking laps to check for unexpected changes in terrain and unexpected hazards on the hill. “We are responsible for the safety and well being of our guests,” Parrott said. “Whenever somebody gets hurt, stuck, lost or

abandoned, we are there to render aid and assist with the problem to solve the situation,” Parrott added. “We are trained to do so to make sure that guests leave our immediate care in a safe and effective manner,” Parrott said.

All resorts encourage guests to use common sense when skiing and snowboarding, especially when it comes to those unfamiliar with the terrain. Proper gear, riding in pairs and keeping a means of communication with someone

not on the run are all ways winter sports enthusiasts can stay safe while enjoying all of the thrills and adventures Mt. Hood has to offer.

Health

Well-Adjusted: Foraging Cottonwood Buds for Medicine

By Dr. Melanie Brown Chiropractic Physician, Mountain Life Clinic

In the shadow of majestic Mount Hood lies a world brimming with natural wonders to explore. Among these treasures are the humble cottonwood trees, whose buds hold medicinal properties long revered by foragers. Foraging cottonwood buds presents an opportunity to connect with nature while reaping many benefits.

When the cottonwood trees burst into life, they offer fresh buds filled with healing potential that exude a sticky resin encapsulating their medicinal qualities. Venturing into the wilderness surrounding Mount Hood during this time provides a chance to harvest

these buds at their freshest and most potent. However, foragers must exercise caution and respect for the environment, ensuring they gather sustainably and with permission where necessary.

To ensure the health and longevity of the cottonwood trees, it is essential to harvest buds without causing harm. The best way to forage is to find fallen branches, which are plentiful and often have larger buds than the intact branches or saplings you can reach. If you do forage from live trees, harvest sparingly from mature ones using clean, sharp pruners to avoid causing unnecessary damage.

By following these guidelines, foragers can enjoy the benefits of cottonwood buds while ensuring the health and vitality of the trees for future seasons and generations.

Once harvested, you can transform the buds into medicine, enriched further by adding coconut oil. Known for its antimicrobial and moisturizing properties, coconut oil is an ideal carrier for the medicinal benefits of the cottonwood buds. If desired, adding bees-

wax to the mixture provides a thicker consistency, making a salve suitable for easy application and prolonged shelf life.

Recipe for Cottonwood Bud Oil or Salve Ingredients

• Coconut oil (regular or fractionated)

• Fresh cottonwood buds

• Beeswax pellets (optional)

1. In a double boiler or a heatsafe bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, gently heat the coconut oil until it melts, or use fractionated coconut oil, which is unscented and liquid at room temperature.

2. Add the fresh cottonwood buds to the coconut oil, stirring to combine.

3. Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to infuse the oil with the beneficial properties of the buds.

4. Once the oil has infused, strain out the buds using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing to extract as much oil as possible.

5. If desired, return the infused oil to the double boiler or heat-safe bowl, add the

beeswax pellets, and continue to heat the mixture until the beeswax melts completely and the ingredients are well combined.

6. Remove the mixture from heat and pour it into clean, sterilized jars, rollerballs, or tins.

7. Allow to cool before sealing.

If you don’t have time to watch the stove, cover the buds with fractionated coconut oil and save them in your pantry in a sterilized jar for up to a year. You can also set the open canning jar in a crockpot with a few inches of water and set it to warm or low to infuse the oil gently.

Benefits of Cottonwood Buds

1. Pain Relief: Cottonwood buds have analgesic properties, making them a natural remedy for soothing sore muscles and joints.

2. Skin Healing: The antimicrobial qualities make cottonwood buds an excellent option for treating minor cuts, scrapes, and insect bites.

3. Respiratory Support: Inhaling the fragrant aroma can

FREE

Facilitated

offer respiratory benefits, especially during congestion or seasonal allergies.

4. Emotional Wellbeing:

Beyond its physical benefits, foraging for cottonwood buds and crafting homemade oils or salves fosters a deeper connection to nature and a sense of self-sufficiency. The aroma of fresh cottonwood buds is a sweet and resinous blend with hints of earthiness and musk, creating an invigorating and aromatic experience.

Against the backdrop of Mount Hood’s majestic beauty, these simple yet profound practices invite us to reconnect with the earth, nurture our bodies and savor the abundant gifts of nature.

Photo credit Cari Gesch.

By Amber Ford

The Mountain Times

While many artists use the picturesque backdrop of the Mt. Hood Villages as inspiration for watercol -

ors, photography and the many forms of the written word, local photographer Ben Kohmescher’s creativity comes not just from his home on the mountain, but also from his favorite pastime, skateboarding. Beginning at the age of six, Kohmescher found skateboarding not just as a hobby or way to make friends, but as a passion he credits with inspiring his absolute love of photography. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Kohmescher immersed himself in the sport and soon found out that while skateboarding was a passion, photographing fellow skateboarders was his calling.

“I picked up photography because all of my friends were better than me at skateboarding,” Kohmescher said. “I wanted to do something that involved skateboarding and just started taking pictures of my friends. I instantly became hooked,” Kohmescher added. Having had an intro to photography class prior to transitioning from skateboarder to skateboard photographer, Kohmescher’s ability to capture the unique form and talent of his friends became known throughout the local skateboarding community. “The first time I began taking pictures of friends skateboarding was at Derby Skate Park, one of the oldest skate parks in California,” Kohmescher said.

Although Kohmescher finds his passion through the lens at skateparks, living near the Mt. Hood National Forest gives him inspiration to follow other directions the camera may take him. “My main backdrop for photog -

raphy is primarily at skateparks in the area, but I have also shot a few weddings,” Kohmescher said. Crediting skateboard enthusiast Jamie Weller for helping him find his footing in the local skateboard community, Kohmescher’s notoriety as a skateboard photographer became popular with locals while skating and photographing at We Are Camp (formally known as Windells Skatepark).

While his talented skateboard friends provide the muse, Kohmescher also credits other skateboard photographers for helping him grow in his art. “When I was living in Santa Cruz my biggest inspiration was Lanny Headrick,” Kohmescher said. “What inspired me about his photography was his use of light and color and I feel like he caught the subjects’ feelings and expression while they were skateboarding,” Kohmescher added. Professional photographers may

have helped Kohmescher hone in on his skills, but close friends in the industry have also given him the motivation to continue to grow with the camera. “In the last few years my best friend Sev Boosinger has also picked up photography,” Kohmescher said. “He is also a skateboard photographer and he is very talented. Watching him shoot and seeing his work helps me stay motivated,” Kohmescher added.

As Kohmescher continues to grow and build his portfolio, he and a number of other talented artists in the Mt. Hood area will be hosting an art show at Pub 26 the last week of April. More information on that event will be showcased in the “Meet the Artist” article in April. Anyone interested in Kohmescher’s work can visit his instagram page @benslens_.

Photo

MHCC Reopening Planetarium to Public Shows

By Mt. Hood Community College

For The Mountain Times

Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) is pleased to announce the reopening of our planetarium to the public, beginning this spring. This initiative underscores MHCC’s commitment to providing an immersive and educational experience for young minds and the community.

The planetarium will host recurring monthly shows on the first and third Thursdays of every month starting in February. Attendees can choose between two showtimes, 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. General admission is $5, student admission costs $2, while children aged 15 and younger may attend free of charge.

Planetarium Director William

Blackmore, who is also an MHCC alum, is excited to launch innovative programming at the planetarium that engages the entire community.

“My current goal for the planetarium is to continue to expand our programming including setting up visiting school group offerings, more specialized shows, and I want to partner with other departments on campus to collaborate on such things as a concert series under the stars,” said Blackmore. “With the support of our community we’d love to continue to grow and offer high quality education and entertainment.”

This spring, delve into the cosmic wonders with our special show, “Stellar Spectacles of 2024.” Witness celestial events, explore distant galaxies, and marvel at the beauty of the night sky.

“We are excited to offer the planetarium as a place for local children and families to learn and be inspired, fostering a deeper

understanding and appreciation for astronomy,” Mt. Hood Community College President Dr. Lisa Skari said.

For additional details and directions to the planetarium, please visit mhcc.edu/Planetarium.

MT. HOOD LEARNING CENTER PRESCHOOL Where children learn through play & creativity

NOW

2024–2025 school year, ages 3–5

Outdoors

Community Pulls Together During Winter Weather

By Amber Ford

The Mountain Times

“Many hands make light work” is a proverb that most definitely defines Mt. Hood community members and those locals who went above and beyond for their community during the winter storms that wreaked havoc on the Mt. Hood Villages. During

the month of January, the Mt. Hood Villages experienced a winter weather event that forced residents to seek aid due to loss of power, broken water lines and, for many, the lack of a heat source as state and local officials, along with Portland General Electric, worked to restore resources to the community.

Shortly after the winter storm raged through the Mt. Hood Villages and the Mt. Hood National Forest, Clackamas County, along with the Mt. Hood Lions Club and several of their members, organized a community outreach center that provided residents with phone charging stations, water and provisions. While the county did supply necessities, it was the actions and dedication from community members that pushed the

community center to its overall success.

Mt. Hood Villages resident and Lion’s second vice-president Cari Gesch was just one of the many volunteers who went above and beyond for her community during the storm. Gesch’s role at the community center was to help provide information to the public and to keep them informed as to when and where the supplies would be donated. “I handled a lot of outreach from members of the community, helping answer questions about the resource center as well as requests to volunteer,” Gesch said. “There were so many amazing people there every day, all day, assisting with the effort. It made my heart happy to see such a partnership between county and government agencies, the Lions Club, private businesses

and members of our community,” Gesch added.

Gesch, alongside several other community members, outstretched their dedicated arms to the community by giving their time to assist others in need. Mt. Hood Village residents James and Sarah Caswell were also a huge part of the community outreach center. Helping to deliver supplies to those who were unable to leave their homes, the Caswells did what they could to ensure residents in need were taken care of. “Sarah and I were out pretty much the whole time during the storm,” Caswell said, “pulling people out of ditches, shoveling walkways and checking on neighbors that we knew might need help.” While Sara Caswell donated her time at the resource center handing

out supplies, James delivered food and water. “We closed our pizza shop (Mogul Mountain Pizza) when the freezing rain hit to volunteer at the Lions Club so we could get much needed food and water to people who couldn’t leave their homes,” Caswell said.

While Clackamas county provided water, food, firewood and recovery information, members of the Mt. Hood Villages were the true heroes during the storm, as they have been in many disasters in recent years. While the Mt. Hood Villages may be a small mountain town, the dedication and compassion community members have for their neighbors extends above and beyond the highest peak of our most beloved mountain.

HOW TO SOLVE

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

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

James Caswell and Cari Gesch

CROSSWORD by Margie E. Burke

SUDOKU Edited by Margie E. Burke

Outdoors

The Viewfinder

By Gary Randall

For The Mountain Times

I like to realize something every day. That is just how my mind works. I am prone to lengths of silence while thoughts pass by: things I wonder about, worry about or am simply pondering an experience, big or small. Sometimes my thoughts start in one place and lead to something completely different. Sometimes the original thought is forgotten once I arrive at where it took me. I was once told that it is a sign of a creative mind. It is why I was caught daydreaming while staring through the window when I was in grade school.

I was walking my little dog Hazel along the shore of the Sandy River the other day and decided to take my camera along with me. I brought only one lens, my 70-200 zoom. I did not think that I would need my

wide-angle lens because it is Winter, and the dormant forest was not inspiring me. I thought that I would take some tighter framed images of details that I might see along the way. It turned out that nothing inspired me much at all, but I was enjoying the hike along the river with my dog. We stopped at a nice small but sandy beach to let Hazel wade in the water and drag sticks around. I sat there trying to find something that would prompt me to take a photo. I took a couple of some moss with a small fern emerging from it and some of the trunks of the alder tree forest, looking for some sort of pleasant rhythm or pattern. As I sat next to the river on a smooth boulder my attention was drawn to the water. The reflection of the sky on the surface of the water caught my attention. The water of the river

was rushing over the tops of submerged rocks and pouring over others in small cascades, and each disruption of the flow of water created a unique pattern on the surface. It did not take me long to notice that most of the patterns created in the reflection were chaotic, but oddly, before the water flow would get to the anomaly, there were lineal patterns like sound waves moving away, upstream, of the obstacle. I sat there wondering why the water was disrupted before it even got to the rock.

I lifted my camera and started taking abstract photos of the surface of the river. It was engaging and, after I started to see past everything but the patterns, fun. I saw shapes, patterns and even imagined that the shapes resembled objects like a hummingbird or a galloping horse, a bit like seeing objects in clouds or holes in ceiling

tiles. I am not sure if I will take the photos seriously, but I had a fun time taking photos of the water and an occasional photo of Hazel.

Once I returned home, I downloaded the photos and started to notice, and wonder again, about the resonant, stationary ripples that I had noticed while down at the river. As with many things that I ponder, I went to Google and started reading about Fluid Dynamics and why a continuous stream of

water forms ripples before colliding with an object. It was fascinating but way down the road from the original purpose of going down to the river with my camera –but that is just how my mind works.

My advice when you are uninspired is to just let your artistic mind wander. Do not put expectations on the outcome because the best outcome might not be what you expected, and you might learn something new.

Your Hoodland & Sandy Public Libraries

Anniversary of SAPL

Wednesday, March 6, 4pm - 6pm Sandy Public Library. Come join us in celebrating the 12th anniversary of the Sandy Public Library in our current building! See the history of Sandy Public Library on exhibit and grab a celebratory cupcake on your way out.

Dr. Seuss Storytime - Sandy March 2, 10am Sandy Library Community Room. A special family storytime celebrating Dr. Seuss on his birthday. Ages 2-6. Monica Smith msmith@ci.sandy. or.us

Dr. Seuss Storytime - Hoodland

March 2, 2pm - 3pm Hoodland Library Community Room. Come Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with us at the Hoodland Library! Enjoy crafts, cupcakes, and stories! Molly Espenel mespenel@ ci.sandy.or.us

Author Event: “Bayocean: Atlantis of Oregon” by Jerry Sutherland

Saturday, March 2nd, 2 pm Sandy Library Community Room. The Sandy Library will host author and historian Jerry Sutherland where he will discuss his latest book, Bayocean: Atlantis of Oregon. The 1906 vision of T. B. Potter and his partner, Harkness Chapin, Bayocean was to be a grand resort town located along the Tillamook Spit that protects Tillamook Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Books will be available for purchase.Brianna Chase bchase@ci.sandy.or.us

- TAKE & MAKE -

Teens - Washer Necklaces with Dimensional Magic. Available March. 1 while supplies last.

Kids - Flip-Flop Memory Book. Available on March. 15 while supplies last.

Adults - Ribbon Bookmarks. Available on Jan. 16 while supplies last. A simple sewing project: Make two bookmarks with ribbon, wood buttons, and elastic hair bands! Needle and thread included in your kit, or use your sewing machine.

Mahjong

Saturday, March 9, 2pm to 4pm Hoodland Public Library Community Room. Come play Mahjong at the Hoodland Library!

Beginners welcome. An introductory course will take place at 2:00 pm, followed by regular play at 2:30 pm. Please bring set pieces if you have them (not required)

Kids Lego Club

Saturday, March 2, 1pm - 2pm Hoodland Library Community Room.

Build Lego creations with your friends. This event will happen on the first Saturday of each month.

Sandy Men’s Book Club

Monday, March 4, 7pm Sandy Public Library Community Room.

“How Much of These Hills Are Gold” - Pam C Zhang. For further information please email Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy. or.us

Sandy Women’s Book Club

Thurdsday March 14, 6pm Sandy Public Library Community Room

“The Covenant of Water”by Abraham Verghese. This hybrid event occurs both in the Sandy Public Library Community Room and Zoom. All are welcome! For further information please email Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Digital Book Club

Thursday March 7, 7pm Zoom

“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstein. To sign up for the book club send an email to libraryassistants@ci.sandy.or.us

Teen Advisory Board * New Time

Monday, March 11, 4pm - 5pm Sandy Public Library Community Room. Plan library events for teens! Grades 6 - 12. Registration required: cityofsandy.activityreg.com/ selectactivity_t2.wcs?leaguesid=2053.

Rebecca Hanset rhanset@ci.sandy.or.us

After School LEGO Kids Club

Tuesday, March 4, 4 - 5:30pm Sandy Library Community Room. Drop in at the library after school for the Kids’ LEGO club! Build something from our vast collection of LEGOs and then display your creation during the month until the following LEGO Club.

Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, March 19, 4pm

“The River” - Peter Heller. Hoodland Public Library. For further information please email Dianne Downey ddowney@ci.sandy. or.us

After School STEM Kids Club - Sandy

Tuesday, March 26, 4 - 5:30 pm. Sandy Public Library Community Room.

Teen Makerspace

Sandy Community Center, Art Room 38348 Pioneer Boulevard.

Wednesdays 4pm - 6pm

Group 1 meets: 3/6, 3/20, 4/3 Group 2 meets: 3/13, 3/27, 4/10

Composting with Garden Debris and Worm Bins

Thursday, March 21, 6pm Sandy Public Library Community Room “Master Recycler”, Kris LaMar will present on: Composting with garden debris is easy and cheap, and you will have a strong and healthy garden when you add compost.

Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt

Friday, March 29, 8pm Middle school 8:45 pm High School Meinig Park under the Gazebo Rebecca Hanset rhanset@ci.sandy.or.us

Adult Egg Hunt

Thursday, March 28, 9am - 10am Sandy Library Community Room. Kids shouldn’t get to have all the fun. Come to the Sandy Library for an Adult Egg Hunt! For further information please email Maureen Houck mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

MOUNTAIN

6

2

2 cups water

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons minced herbs (dill and chives)

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon black peppercorns

4 sprigs dill, plus more for serving

1 medium red onion, sliced thin

ONGOING EVENTS

Dungeons and Dragons * New *

2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. 6pm - 9pm *check the library calendar, dates are subject to change. Sandy Library Community Room. Following old-school D&D rules from 1980. Seats are limited. Registration is required. Info: Dungeon Master Steve Williamson at gaming@ruc erworks.com. Teens (13+) and Adults. Read to the Dog NEW TIME!

Tuesdays, 4:15 - 5:15 pm Sandy Public Library.

Reading Tutors

The Sandy Library offers free reading tutoring for grades 1-3 students. The program is run by volunteers who meet with students once a week for one-on-one tutoring in reading. Please contact Monica Smith msmith@ci.sandy.or.us if you have any questions or want to sign your child up for this program.

Fiber Arts Circle

Tuesdays, 2 - 4 pm Sandy Public Library. Fiber Artists join other handcrafters at an informal Fiber Arts circle in the fireplace room of the library on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm.

Staff Contact: Katie Murphy

ODHS Drop-In Assistance **New Time**

Tuesdays 10:30 am – 3pm

Thursdays 10am – 3pm, Need assistance paying for food or child care? Are you looking for health coverage?

ODHS (Oregon Department of Human Services) might be able to help! Meet a representative at the library. Contact Maureen Houck at 503-668-5537 or mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us.

Creation Station

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

Sandy Library Community Room

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

Storytimes

Sandy Public Library - Thursdays

Thursdays, 10am

Hoodland Public Library - Fridays

Fridays, 10:30 -11am

Molly Espenel mespenel@ci.sandy.or.us

Family Storytime

Saturdays, 10am

Virtual Storytime

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

March 2024

New Hours!

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 10 am - 4 pm

Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm

Wednesday 12 pm - 7 pm

Thursday 12 pm - 6 pm

Friday 12 pm - 6 pm

Saturday 12 pm - 5 pm

Tech Help

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

Help is available on such topics as

• email

• social media

• Microsoft Word

• PC Basics

• using the Internet

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

Request a Book Bundle

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

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

Contact us

Hoodland Public Library

24525 E. Welches Rd. Welches, OR. 97067

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

Sandy Public Library

38980 Proctor Blvd, Sandy, OR 97055

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

Beet-Pickled Eggs

2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste

1 tablespoon minced dill, plus more for garnish

Directions

1. Hard-boil eggs according to favorite method. Keep in fridge until ready to peel. 2. In large, non-reactive pot, combine beets (plus juice), vinegar, water, sugar, spices, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir until sugar dissolves. Take off heat. Let brine cool. 3. Set out 2 quart jars. Layer onions, beets, eggs and 2 sprigs dill in each jar. Pour brine to cover. Seal and refrigerate overnight (up to a week). Note color will saturate eggs after 2 days. 4. Before serving, whisk to combine all sauce ingredients in medium bowl. To serve, sprinkle with minced dill and freshly ground pepper.

PHOTO BY JEREMY DAVIS

Linfield University Fall 2023 Dean’s List

Linfield University wishes to extend its congratulations to the following local students who earned placement on the Fall 2023 Dean’s List.

The Dean’s List identifies undergraduate students who have earned a term GPA at least equivalent to a cum laude (at least 3.650 GPA) for a given semester and is computed following the post -

ing of grades at the end of each semester.

Nicholas Olsen of Rhododendron, OR (97049)

Jadelyn Hendershott of Boring, OR (97009)

Victoria Yates of Sandy, OR (97055)

Sara Routh of Damascus, OR (97089)

Linfield University is an independent, nonprofit

university with campuses in McMinnville and Portland, Oregon, as well as an eCampus for online learning. Since 1858, Linfield has connected a traditional liberal arts experience with practical education through 54 majors, including wine studies, sport management and nursing. Learn more at www.linfield.edu.

Clackamas County Winter Storms May Affect Your Property Taxes

Property owners who experience a loss due to an act of God, such as a tree strike, or a fire between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 could qualify

for a reduction on the current year taxes. To determine tax relief eligibility, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 503-655-8671, propertytax-

info@clackamas.us or learn more bit.ly/3ufdGzi pic.twitter.com/NwB3lwRYGp

Vermont State University’s Dean’s List

VTSU congratulates Kaya Greenfield for earning Fall 2023 Dean's List honors!

Vermont State University is proud to congratulate Kaya

Greenfield of Sandy, OR, for being named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester. Well done!

Dean's List designation

is reserved for students who maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Mountain Classified Ads

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Drop Off Resume at 68010 E Fairway Ave., Welches OR 97067 www.mthood-resort.com

GROUNDSKEEPER WANTED

Duties include maintaining trails, blowing landscape around lodge, and cleanup of brush. Must have tools and flexible schedule. Approximately 6 hours per week, $26 per hour and up based on experience. Please provide references. Contact Mak Hutson at 503-445-1116.

HOODLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA HIGHWAY 26 BRIGHTWOOD, OREGON NOW HIRING!

PART-TIME SUNDAY WORSHIP ACCOMPANIST

Hours: One Sunday a month

9:30am – 12:30pm Wage: $100$150 depending on proficiency

Musical Focus: Hymns, Praise, Liturgical, Classical. Possible growth into greater shared duties Call: 503-622-3916 - leave message for Christine E-Mail: hoodlandlutheranchurch@gmail. com / Subject: Piano Web site: https://www.hoodlandlc.org for more information. Become a part of our dynamic inperson and on-line worship team!

WORK WANTED

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

FREE STUFF

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

SERVICES

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

CASCADE YARD WORKS

Landscape Maintenance & Snow Removal

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

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

A TOUCH OF CLASS CLEANING, INC. We clean your house with integrity and excellence, while you experience a quality of life spending time doing what you love!

Licensed, bonded, insured. www.toccleaning.com.

503-407-7329

COMPUTER GOTCHA STUCK?

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

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

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

CAROL’S COMPLETE CLEANING.

Cleaning from Sandy to Government Camp since 1991. Specializing in Residential and Commercial. 503-622-1142

Classifieds Deadline for March is MARCH

ANIMALS

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

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

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

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

Marilyn Ora (Sargent) Peterson

1945–2023

Marilyn Ora Peterson was born in 1945 in Portland, Oregon to Glenn and Eva Sargent. She grew up in the Gresham, Oregon area and was a 1963 graduate of Gresham Union High School. After a year at the Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, she continued her education at

Clarence Harvey Edelman 1935–2023

Clarence Edelman passed away suddenly on Thursday, December 28 at the age of 88. He was born in Rigby, Idaho. At age seven his family moved to Newberg, Oregon where he graduated from high school in 1954. After serving in the U. S. Army,

Portland Anthropology. In 1968, she married Eric Peterson, a classmate from high school. She and Eric first settled in Boring, Oregon, but moved to Brightwood, Oregon in 1977, where she worked as an office manager for a local Homeowners Association and a water company. Ten years later, they started their company, Mountain Quail Business Services (MQBS) at Welches, Oregon, with Marilyn as President. She was very active in the community with service in the support group for the Hoodland Fire Department, and as a member and a past president of the Mount Hood Area Chamber of Commerce. For five years, MQBS operated the Mount Hood Visitor Center at Brightwood. With her experience in business, for a number of years she served as an adjunct instructor for the Mount Hood Community College Small Business Development

he returned to Newberg.

Clarence married Carol LeBlanc and they had 4 children: Lisa (Morss), Jill (Owens), Jana (Hubbard) and David. They later divorced. In 1993, Clarence married Judy (Wilkinson) Holte.

Clarence held many jobs in his lifetime, but he was a salesman at heart. He was a journeyman meatcutter, a salesman for Helene Curtis, an inspector for the Housing Authority of Portland, a general contractor (twice) and a licensed Home Inspector for the State of Oregon.

Clarence and Judy moved to Welches, Oregon in 2005 where he became an active member of the community. He was a member of Hoodland Lutheran Church and became the chairperson of Neighborhood Missions. He wore many hats with that outreach program, but his

Transitions

Center. Throughout her life she was an avid reader, long time learner, creative writer of letters and notes to friends and relatives, talented crafts person, and avid gardener. She maintained a strong faith in God throughout her life, and had a keen wit about life. She loved traveling, hiking, camping and canoeing, with a focus on the coast and outback of Oregon, delving into family history, and she was a favorite in frequent family activities. She was a very special and loving Aunt to five nieces. She outlived her parents and elder sister, Sharon Cyrus, as she leaves behind her husband of 55 years, brother/sister-in laws Fred and Susan Peterson and her nieces who sorely miss her. No memorial service is planned. The Family suggests memorials be donated to Mt. Hood Hospice in Sandy, Oregon, or Oregon Public Broadcasting.

specialty was cutting, splitting and delivering free firewood to those in need. He always had a smile and a word of wisdom to pass along. After moving to Sandy in 2017 he remained active in the church as head of the property committee. Clarence had a deep faith and a great sense of humor.

Clarence is preceded in death by his daughter, Jill Owens, and his 5 siblings: Raymond, Aydee, Victor, Esther Kingham and Adeline Moody. He is survived by Judy, his wife of 30 years, his other three children, 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, January 27 at 2:00 p.m. at Hoodland Lutheran Church. Memorials may be sent to: Neighborhood Missions, ℅ Hoodland Lutheran Church, PO Box 594, Brightwood, OR 97011.

Richard D Jones

1926–2024

Richard Jones has passed away at 97 years young. After a lifetime of leading with his heart, it finally gave out on January 21, 2024.

Richard was born with a bang on the fourth of July, 1926, in Yakima, Washington to Fay and Daniel Jones. His brother, Bob, was two years older. Sadly, Daniel died two years later, leaving Fay as a single mother to raise both boys in the Depression. Her sisters came together, took them in, and they were a strong family together.

Richard was always a hard worker, always striving to do the right thing. He was an Eagle Scout, and a speaker at his high school graduation. Days later, he enlisted in the Navy to do his part in WWII.

Richard met the love of his life, Carol Jane Hopkins, in his

junior year of high school. They were married after college and enjoyed what Richard called the “American Dream” for 70 devoted years together. Working his way up from Mail Boy to Vice President all within the Pacific Power and Light Company, they moved 12 times. Within this life filled with hard work and service, they raised three children: Craig, Cynthia, and Kevin.

When Richard retired in 1984, a whole new life opened up for them, and continued for another 38 years. They built a home on the Sandy River near Welches where they enjoyed the stunning beauty of the Mt. Hood area and the local mountain community lifestyle.

Richard was secretary for the Lions Club for 20 years. They loved being active members of the Hoodland Lutheran Church, and then were blessed to be “adopted” by the loving family/ community of St. John’s Catholic Church.

They resolved to take one major trip each year. Over time, they were fortunate to travel to many fascinating parts of the world, always enjoying the people they met along the way.

Richard had a wonderful sense of humor, a love of people, family and God. He is survived by his daughter, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a wonderful world in which he had Great Faith.

By Clackamas Soil & Water For The Mountain Times

The recent ice storm caused a lot of damage across the Willamette Valley and tested the strength of every tree species. It left many of us with a mess and asking what we should do with it.

To answer some of those questions, we asked a local arborist, an expert in tree care and management. Our advice comes from local arborist Brian French, who has 23 years of experience working in our area and has been very busy helping residents throughout the Valley after this storm.

What do I look for?

If you think you may need to remove a tree, or feel a tree may be unsafe, cordon off the area, keep people out, and get professional help to assess the situation. Look for an arborist with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Tree Risk Assessor Certification. Also, check that the

arborist is insured. Here are signs that your tree may be in trouble. Is the tree leaning more than usual? Are there breaks in the tree, broken branches, cracks, or splits? Is it near a target (something of value like a person, a building, or a valuable object)? Prioritize the targets. Can they be moved? For example, can a car be moved out of the way to deal with the tree? Is there a path that people use under a questionable tree? If so, block the pathway. Maybe there are targets that cannot be moved or avoided, like a tree with a large broken branch hanging over a house. An arborist can provide a professional assessment of a tree where there is a “target” or risk.

Should it stay or should it go?

When a tree is damaged, it can be hard to assess the tree objectively because there is often an emotional response to the loss of a tree. An arborist can provide an objective assessment of the tree damage and help you move forward. For example, you

may have a tree that has lost 50% of its upper crown (top) that now looks messy and unstable. Part of an objective assessment, however, may recognize that the tree no longer must support all that weight. From that perspective, some damaged trees may be assessed as less likely to fail now than they were before they were damaged. Sometimes all that is needed to fix a tree hazard is to have an arborist remove a few hanging branches and the tree can be left standing. Tree wounds and what to do with all of the wood? Trees are not able to heal like people. Instead, they must seal off areas that are injured. In this process, called tree compartmentalization, the damaged parts of the tree build walls and chemically block the area to slow or protect the tree from disease and decay. Do not attempt to apply chemical treatments to damaged trees as it can cause more damage.

Where trees have failed, you may find yourself wondering what to do with all the wood. For some tree species, like Oregon white oaks, it can be worth contacting a local custom mill to determine marketability. To find local contacts for wood processing, try a Google search or visit

Discover serenity and breathtaking natural beauty in this enchanting area nestled amidst the majestic woods of the mountain for full time living or weekend getaways. With Mount Hood as your backdrop, endless outdoor adventures await. Explore the nearby hiking trails, witness cascading waterfalls or engage in thrilling winter or summer activities. This cabin’s prime location caters to all.

Seize the opportunity to own a slice of mountain paradise, where the allure of nature intertwines effortlessly with modern comforts. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and embrace the serenity of your personal getaway on Mount Hood. This

Amenities

the Build Local Alliance Directory: https://buildlocalalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2020-BLA-Directory-Final-for-website.pdf.

Need a replacement tree?

Those of you who have lost trees may be wondering what to plant next. We recommend that you consider a native tree species, where possible, that will fit the specific needs of your site. Select a tree whose requirements match your location. Think about soil moisture, sunlight and space requirements. When selecting a tree to plant in an urban area, the size and growth form of a tree will be important to avoid impacts on power lines and neighboring properties. For some helpful information on native trees species found in this area and the types of conditions they grow in, you can view the Portland Plant List, located here: https:// www.portlandoregon.gov/ citycode/article/322280

The balance between safety and wildlife habitat When making decisions about trees, safety comes first. Habitat comes second and anything in-between those two is worth reconsidering. Aesthetics, or how a tree looks, are not important for habitat value. A dam-

aged tree may no longer look as appealing as it once was, but the habitat value is still there. Newly exposed breaks and cavities can provide nesting and roosting sites for native raptors, woodpeckers, and mammals. Some of these species will provide natural rodent and insect control for your property.

Special consideration should be given to the Oregon white oak. White oak habitats are already in rapid decline in the Willamette Valley. These trees are uniquely adapted to the Valley and many of the remaining mature white oaks are hundreds of years old. They have been through numerous storm events, are resistant to drought, and are fire adaptable. They also provide habitat for over 200 species, including deer, birds, insects, and microscopic fungi.

If we lose our white oaks, we lose our ability to be awed by the magnificence of some of our oldest trees. We lose the last of a declining and unique habitat in the Valley that defines the people and the species in it.

We hope this information is helpful to you as you move forward. Take care and be safe out there!

Blythe Creek Broker

Selling Properties on Mt. Hood

Blythe Creek, Broker, GRI, CRS, ABR, GREEN www blythecreek com blythe@blythecreek com Tel: 503 706

Since 1985

Government Camp CPO Re-elects Board, Discusses Winter Storm

out power, water and sewer services for much of Government Camp.

future weather events to avoid damage and flooding.

Although Rinard said a representative from utility Portland General Electric had been invited to attend, no one from the utility was present, so PGE was unavailable at the meeting.

Clackamas County Director of Disaster Management Daniel Nibaour said that the county wants to improve communication with residents of unincorporated areas like Government Camp during future events.

Board president Nick Rinard, Vice President Brett Fischer and Secretary Jake Thompson each ran unopposed at the quarterly meeting of Government Camp residents and property owners.

The meeting, which was attended by about 30 people at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum and live on Zoom, served as a debrief session for residents to discuss the ice storm and blizzard that hit the area in January.

Residents in attendance shared stories of flooding and preparedness tips, and some vented frustration with what they perceived as a lack of communication by Clackamas County officials during and after the storm which knocked

Andrew Tagliafico, chair of Government Camp’s sanitary district that maintains the wastewater plant, said that the storm was a “unique moment.”

He reported that although a new generator at the sewer facility had a fuel sensor that had failed, the problem had been addressed and that the sewer plant largely survived the storm.

“Things malfunctioned in ways we hadn’t seen before,” he said at the meeting.

Hoodland Fire Marshal Scott Kline was in attendance, and said that the fire department received 28 calls about broken pipes in Government Camp in one day during the storm.

Tagliafico recommended that homeowners turn off their water, drain their pipes, and turn off the breaker to their water heater in similar

“We want to do a better job staying in touch with Community Planning Organizations,” he told the group via Zoom. “We don’t have a good communication chain with unincorporated areas. We need to do a better job,” he said.

County officials were monitoring the situation throughout, according to Clackamas County spokesperson Scott Anderson.

According to Anderson, the county operated an Emergency Operations Center from January 12-22, and started sending resources and staff up to the Mt. Hood corridor on January 19 when the Lion’s Club in Welches was set up as a resource center.

Anderson said the county started receiving requests for aid on January 17, about 4 days after the storm first hit the area.

The Government Camp CPO meets again in May 2024.

Photo credit Mt. Hood Territory

LEMON LAVENDER ITALIAN SODA

Topped with edible lavender petals

HUCKLEBERRY KISS FRAPPÉ

White chocolate with berry drizzle

CHUNKY MONKEY FRAPPÉ

Blended with choc espresso and real banana

CREAMSICLE FRAPPÉ (no coffee)

Blended citron frappe

SUMMER MEADOW ICED LATTE

Lavender and rose SMORES LATTÉ

NITRO CHAI

Nitro cold brew infused chai

BEE-STING LATTÉ

Honey, cinnamon and cayenne

BERRY ICED COLD BREW

Blackberry and vanilla

Toasted marshmalla and shortbread with choc drizzle and mini marshmallows