Bend Magazine - September + October 2023

LOCAL PEAKS RIGHT NOW

HIKES, BIKES & TRAILS

GET OUTSIDE FOR THE BEST OF AUTUMN

A GHOST TOWN COMES TO LIFE

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHASING FALL FOILAGE

DESIGNED FOR THE WAY YOU LIVE. BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME.

Oregonians are generators of abundance. For 50 years, we’ve helped each other thrive. From safe shelter to art supplies, we’ve stepped up when someone needed support. Leaned in when they needed help. Dug deep when they needed food. Gave back, when given the chance. And we’re getting better at doing it all more equitably. The past few years have been some of our most challenging. And what did we do? We helped each other. We marched, fought fires, dropped off groceries — and gave. We gave more than ever before. Which tells us that in our next 50 years, Oregonians helping Oregonians, through thick and thin, will continue to lift us all. Cheers to you, Oregon. As your statewide community foundation, we celebrate our 50th anniversary in honor of you.

Meet Mark. His efforts and generosity support kids, veterans and homeless Oregonians across the state.

Some Oregonians give of their time. Some give their talent. Some, treasure. Mark gives all three. As a volunteer and donor, Mark’s generosity helps kids, veterans and homeless Oregonians through a variety of carefully chosen programs, scholarships and grants. His efforts and funds help countless Oregonians and will continue to do so for years to come. For 50 years, we’ve been helping Oregonians like Mark, and you, improve the lives of fellow Oregonians. Learn more, join in and get inspired at oregon.cf.org/50.

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TABLE of CONTENTS

COACHING CENTRAL OREGON

Meet a handful of local coaches who have dedicated their lives to helping kids, and kids-at-heart, reach their full potential in sports and their lives. Written by Gregg Morris

GRAVEL TRAILS CYCLE BACK TO CYCLOCROSS

Since the '70s, a loyal and intrepid community of cyclocross riders holds a candle for their sport, even as other forms of racing step in and out of the spotlight. Written by Carl Decker (pictured above)

THE LEGACY OF SMOKEY BEAR

Living in Bend's fire-adaptive community stokes passions from recreationalists to scientists. To love our forests, how do we work together for a future safe from wildfire? Written by Lee Lewis Husk

ON THE COVER

The season peaks from a vantage point close to the sky at No Name Lake.

PHOTO WHITNEY WHITEHOUSE

TABLE of CONTENTS

39

91 107

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR'S LETTER HAPPENINGS

FACES IN TOWN

Meet Bendites who lead, write and host in our community.

TRAILS

Summit! A guide to Central Oregon peaks and how to reach them.

RETREAT

Shaniko is an official ghost town coming back to life with music.

OUTDOORS

Follow the changing colors of fall leaves.

45 49 53 65

PURSUITS

Steve Tague's path to becoming a world champion rower.

COMMUNITY

Ancient chants of yogic kirtan invite healing and connection.

HERITAGE

More than a century of Hollywood on Bend's silver screens.

57

HOME

Sara and John Murphy's remodeled home is a story of family and style.

VENTURES

From fitting shoes to creating race courses, explore paths of the running business.

91 97 101 107

SAVOR

Asian noodles are comfort food and culinary culture.

RESTAURANT

Mussels and brews are served with a view at Monkless Belgian Ales.

IMBIBE

Spanish flair arrives on the coffee scene.

103

AESTHETIC Lapidary artist

Lawrence Stoller redefines sculpture with megagems.

ART & CULTURE

Sue Dougherty shares her eye and a heart for animals through photography.

WEB EXTRAS

Read more about the new downtown Bend restaurant, Dear Irene, and find reviews from our regional food and restaurant scene. Head to bendmagazine.com/DearIrene

Stay connected to the community and sign up for our newsletter at bendmagazine.com/newsletter

Find inspiration for home and design projects at bendmagazine.com/home

@BENDMAGAZINE.COM

Words & Pictures

CARL DECKER WRITER

A Bendite since 1982, Carl “Deckerator” Decker is a 25year veteran of the professional cycling ranks. He’s a former Elite US National Road Race Champ, Singlespeed World Champ and an X-Games Rally race competitor. When not in the garage fiddling with decrepit motorcycles, bicycles and quirky old cars, he can be found in the farthest reaches of Oregon trying to make a loop where none exists or jumping a pothole in the alley behind your house on his gravel bike. See his feature on page 80.

TOR HANSON WRITER

Born and raised in Malmö, Sweden, Tor Hanson has written articles for Swedish and American magazines during his 40-year career. A long-time member of the Deschutes County Historical Society, Tor’s passion is local history. He is currently finishing work on a book about the early history of Bend’s ski club—the Skyliners. In this issue, he captures the magic of watching moving pictures at one of the many Bend movie theaters, from silent movie era flicks to fullimmersion technicolor blockbusters (page 53). See torhanson.com.

Long time Bendite

Lee Lewis Husk saw wildfire sweep through her neighborhood in 1990 and threaten her family’s cabin at Lake Billy Chinook in 2002. Others lost their homes, her family didn’t, but wildfire is a constant worry. As a writer, she was eager to learn about the health of Deschutes National Forest mere feet from her back door and a place of great joy and inspiration. The forest isn’t healthy, but people are working hard to change that. See her story about Smokey Bear’s Legacy on page 86.

TOBIAS NOLAN PHOTOGRAPHER

Photographer and videographer Tobias Nolan is based in Sisters. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, he has spent most of his adult life living and working in a variety of countries all over the world. For the past decade he has been based in Central Oregon where, when not working with cameras, he is usually fly fishing, playing golf, riding his motorcycle or traveling. For this issue, he worked with a coaches of Bend, see page 72, to express their unique talents and personalities, even capturing skateboaring tricks mid air. See tnolanimagery.com.

DYLAN VANWEELDEN PHOTOGRAPHER

A lifelong cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, Dylan VanWeelden loves to share the beauty of Oregon through his images. He has grown up with a deep passion for the competitive side of bike racing but now enjoys the slower and more enjoyable sides of riding and family life. He works with a wide variety of outdoor companies, helping to tell their brand stories as a professional photographer and filmmaker. This month, he captured the grit and fun of cyclocross on page 80. vanweeldencreative.com

LEE LEWIS HUSK WRITER

Publishers

HEATHER HUSTON JOHNSON ROSS JOHNSON

Editorial

Editor in Chief CHERYL PARTON

Associate Editor HEIDI HAUSLER

Staff Writer CHLOE GREEN

Podcast Host ADAM SHORT

Copy Editors LEE LEWIS HUSK, STEPHANIE BOYLE MAYS

Design

Creative Director KELLY ALEXANDER

Senior Graphic Designer CALI CLEMENT

Graphic Designer JEREMIAH CRISP

Creative Consultant TIFFANY PAULIN

Print Consultant CLARKE FINE

Sales

Senior Account Executive RONNIE HARRELSON

Senior Account Executive SUSAN CROW

Sales & Marketing Coordinator ALLIE FIELD

Business and Marketing

Associate Publisher KATRYNA VECELLA

Marketing Director CALI CLEMENT

Director of Operations HEATHER RENEE WONG

Audience Development

Circulation Manager AMARA SPITTLER

Newsstand Coordinator ALAN CENTOFANTE

Circulation Consultant KERI NOLAN

Contributing Writers

LUCAS ALBERG, KM COLLINS, CARL DECKER, JENNIFER DELAHUNTY, LEE LEWIS HUSK, GREGG MORRIS, NOAH NELSON, TERESA RISTOW, MAISIE SMITH, DAN SHRYOCK

Contributing Photographers

RICHARD BACON, GAVIN BOEN, CHRISTIAN HEEB, TAMBI LANE, ADAM MCKIBBEN, CHRISTIAN MURILLO, CHRIS MURRAY, TOBY NOLAN, MIKE PUTNAM, TONI TORENO, DYLAN VANWEELDEN, ZEE WENDELL, WHITNEY WHITEHOUSE

Contributing Illustrator DAVI AUGUSTO

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BEND MAGAZINE Issue 5 September 2023 (USPS #7) is published bimonthly by Oregon Media, LLC. 974 NW Riverside Blvd. Bend, OR 97703. Periodicals postage pending at Bend, Oregon and Portland, Oregon. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Oregon Media at P.O. Box 15005 North Hollywood, CA 91615

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of Oregon Media. Articles and photographs appearing in Bend Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Bend Magazine and Oregon Media are not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Bend Magazine, Oregon Media or its employees, staff or management.

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Your Getaway to The Secret Season

Discover the season just beyond summer at Sunriver Resort, where 3,300 forested acres and 45 miles of bike trails are yours to explore, without the rush. Savor local food and wine, or relish quiet moments set against scenic views of Mt. Bachelor. Adventure down the Deschutes River on kayak or paddleboard, or tee off on one of our four-award winning golf courses. Uncover the magic of the secret season at Sunriver Resort.

Editor’s Note

Life can be messy: from dusty trails to muddy thinking before morning coffee clarity; piles of laundry and to-do lists. Wait, maybe that’s just me. In an editor’s world, you’d think everything had a place, like a pair of carefully placed punctuation marks. The reality though is that we’re a group of folks notorious for collecting multitudes of random information, in our heads and on index cards of notes tucked in pockets and sprinkled around the house. Again, maybe that’s just me. I could use a coach.

When we started to plan for our feature on coaches, the short list was filled with some obvious heroes: In Central Oregon, we have Olympians coaching aspiring Olympians, people who have spent more than half of their lives teaching children to swim, or running plays on high school courts for decades. But what about the coaches of our daily lives? They’re the friends who encourage us to be better, prompt us to look at all sides of a challenging situation, or call us out on bad choices. They help us reach our goals, or summit a mountain (see page 31 for a few ideas on peaks to climb). Sometimes, a coach can be as simple as the person who just stands by your side while you move through transitions or tragedies.

How could we possibly choose coaches to fill only eight pages? We did our best, and in this month’s issue of Bend Magazine, you’ll meet just a handful of dedicated citizens (page 72) who are building a better Bend, by leaps and bounds, a volley or by helping us hit vocal high notes.

As we move toward being better versions of ourselves, hopefully, we’re not skipping over the present and some of the most glorious, colorful days of the year. As fall approaches, Mother Nature is on display and hard at work preparing for the seasons ahead. While we’re out biking trails, and skimming across lakes on boats or boards, the trees are busy. They’re preparing their roots and missives a s blueprints for future incarnations in the form of blooms next spring. This, all before taking a long pause for winter. We learned about the process for our story on fall leaves (page 39). See, nature is a coach, too. September means back to school for some, remaining an eternal student for others. So, what did I learn from the trees and on the trails? That I’m lucky to have “Life Coaches” help me imprint healthy daily habits while preparing for the next season of life. For them, I’m grateful.

Let’s coach each other to be better, as individuals and as a community. As a reminder, I even wrote it on a card: “Bless this mess.” Because after the dust settles, and you’ve put in the work step by step, the view from the top might just take your breath away.

Onward!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

AS WE MOVE TOWARD BEING BETTER VERSIONS OF OURSELVES, HOPEFULLY, WE’RE NOT SKIPPING OVER THE PRESENT AND SOME OF THE MOST GLORIOUS, COLORFUL DAYS OF THE YEAR.

Discover yourself here.

Close to everything but away from it all, Discovery West is conveniently located on Bend’s west side, close to nature, trails, bike paths, parks, schools and shopping. Coming in 2024, at the heart of this vibrant community, the Discovery Corner plaza will soon offer a mix of small business storefronts, gathering spaces and a place for neighborhood events. A generous firepit will invite friends, family and neighbors to linger and enjoy special outdoor spaces that reflect the Central Oregon lifestyle.

Learn more at discoverywestbend.com/discoverycorner or visit our Discovery Pod at the corner of Skyline Ranch Road and Celilo Lane.

It’s Your Journey of Timeless Beauty

Fishing for Medals

Kage Kossler helps Team USA capture gold on the world stage

Bend’s 18-year-old Kage Kossler recently returned home triumphant from the World Youth Fly-Fishing Championship in Bosnia. With an impressive performance, catching and releasing 98 fish, Kossler’s contributions helped Team USA secure the gold medal and earned him the individual world silver medal. “It was the coolest moment jumping around and yelling knowing we won as a team,” Kage shared, “one I’ll never forget.” Kossler was introduced to fly fishing at the age of 7 by friends of his grandfather, and he’s been hooked ever since. “They’re still my mentors to this day,” Kossler said. Also the winner of the 2021 National Youth Fly-Fishing Championship, Kage explained how the chase for the next big fish, the ever-changing river and the constant learning curve are what he loves most about the sport. In the coming year, Kossler will be a fixture on Bend’s rivers as he trains for the 2024 youth world championships in the Czech Republic.

News Shorts

NEW REGIONAL PARK PLANNED ON 453 ACRES

Bend Park and Recreation District (BPRD) purchased 453 acres of land in Bend’s fastgrowing southeast area from Rose & Associates, LLC, a group of longtime local families and their descendants who had owned the land since the ‘60s. Building on the family’s commitment to community, the land will be developed as a regional park in future years. The $3.9 million transaction is the start of a process that includes rezoning a majority of the site now classified with farming and mining designations. “Planning ahead for future community growth is a big benefit of this land purchase,” said Julie Brown communication and community relations manager for BPRD.

TOP CHEF PURCHASES WALT REILLY’S BUILDING

Food Network personality and “Top Chef” finalist Brian Malarkey, visionary behind 15 restaurants across the United States, has purchased Walt Reilly’s on Century Drive for his next culinary adventure. With his brother, James, the location was secured and plans are in the works for the restaurateur’s newest concept. A native Oregonian, Malarkey graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Portland and is the mastermind behind the nationallyacclaimed Herb & Wood and Animae restaurants in San Diego.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS CENTRAL OREGON LEADER VALERIE SWITZLER TO EDUCATION COUNCIL

Valerie Switzler, culture and heritage director for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, will serve on Governor Tina Kotek’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council, an appointment announced this summer. The council will support Oregon children’s ability to read and write and includes a range of experts, including teachers, principals and early literacy specialists. This year, Switzler led a conference at Oregon State University-Cascades titled “Healing Through Our Native Languages.” She is an advocate for the role language and cultural literacy plays in the formation of identity, especially for youth.

CITY CLUB FORUMS SUPPORT COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

City Club of Central Oregon leads with the motto, “Conversation creates community,” and on September 21, it hosts a discussion on the changing landscape of mental health therapy and the role psilocybin is playing in the conversation. State legislation designated Oregon as the first state in the nation to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic purposes, and Central Oregon is opening one of the first clinics in the country. City Club of Central Oregon invites community members to join the conversation to demystify this new therapy model and explore how the industry it creates will impact mental health and the Central Oregon economy. See cityclubco.org.

PHOTO TOP MATT FURMAN

| BOTTOM COURTESY CITY CLUB OF BEND

Faces in Town

ANDRÉS PORTELA III EQUITY LEADER

Andrés Portela III joins the City of Bend in its efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the community. Inspired by his bi-racial background to seek a career in equity, Portela discovered the cornerstone for his passion and life work while advocating for fair housing in Arizona. In Tucson, he created the Office of Equity and the Commission on Equitable Housing and Development. “For me, equity work is about how the community comes together to address historical and contemporary barriers to access,” Portela explained. “What drew me to Bend is the community and the passion for collective care.” Kicking off his new position with the City of Bend, Portela organized Welcoming Week September 10-17 as an invitation for all Bendites to join the conversation of race, identity and culture.

BOB SHAW METEOROLOGIST & HOST

The face of Central Oregon weather since 1999, Bob Shaw has won Bend’s Best of TV Personalities award 22 times from The Source Weekly Delivering his final forecast this summer, Shaw wrapped up more than two decades of service for NewsChannel 21, but his impact has been felt far beyond the newsroom. During his tenure, Shaw inspired hundreds of children by visiting schools and sharing his passion for forecasting and meteorology. He also served as the community affairs director for the station, promoting and supporting 21 Cares for Kids and multiple nonprofit organizations in the community and as a fundraiser emcee. Shaw’s time on air may have concluded, but his community involvement is far from complete. Next up—teaching meteorology at Central Oregon Community College. Here’s to Bob Shaw and to many sparkling days ahead.

TRACEY LANGE BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

“I’ve always loved to study human nature,” explained Bend author Tracey Lange. “For me, writing is a great way to find common ground and connect with others.” Lange garners inspiration for her novels from the compelling stories of families she encountered during her 20 years working in the mental health field. Her first novel, We Are the Brennans made The New York Times Bestseller’s List and her second, The Connellys of County Down earned a spot on Country Living’s “Best Fall Books to Put at the Top of Your Reading list for 2023.”

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Reaching a Summit

Step-by-step guide to bagging peaks in Central Oregon

WRITTEN BY DAMIAN FAGAN

The words of John Muir—“The mountains are calling and I must go”—echo with every footfall and inspire the goal of reaching a mountain summit. Fortunately, Central Oregon offers numerous opportunities to bag a peak. It takes some effort and energy, but training on the smaller peaks will pay dividends on the taller ones. So, get inspired to perspire on this quartet of hikes and gear up to undertake the ultimate Central Oregon ascent—South Sister.

Hiking South Sister

PHOTO CHRISTIAN MURILLO

PILOT BUTTE: THE WARM-UP

A volcanic cone rising to 4,142 feet, Pilot Butte is a notable landmark on the Central Oregon skyline. The name’s origin comes from wagon trains using the prominent peak to guide or “pilot” emigrant’s wagons to and from the crossing on the Deschutes River. It also makes Bend one of six municipalities in the United States with a volcano in its city limits.

From the trailhead parking, a dirt trail spirals up and around this ancient cinder cone past gnarled junipers and fragrant sagebrush. The trail gains about 500 feet in elevation, but offers an excellent training trail to get legs ready for steeper climbs. The mountain finder at the summit’s Summer Plaza provides identification to a tantalizing array of surrounding peaks. This is a great warmup hike that can be done, up and down, multiple times and can be combined with the 1.7-mile hike around the butte’s base to increase mileage.

Trail distance: 1.8 mile round trip; 3.5 miles with base trail.

Elevation gain: 500 feet.

Difficulty: Easy

TUMALO MOUNTAIN: THE TRAINING PEAK

Located 21 miles west of Bend along the Cascade Lakes Highway, Tumalo Mountain is a popular hike that starts at the Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. The trail begins and passes through a forest of hemlocks, pine and fir, and does not stop climbing until reaching the summit.

Beyond the start of the trailhead, several switchbacks provide some relief from an uphill grind. Soon the trail begins to wind through mountain meadows with late vestiges of wildflowers such as lupine, Newberry knotweed and catspaw. The stunted or “krummholz” trees have been shaped by the fierce winter conditions that hammer this peak.

On the broad 7,755-foot summit that historically housed a Forest Service fire lookout, the trees thin out to reveal exceptional views of Mount Bachelor, especially the glacial cirque carved into the mountain’s northeast slope and the string of scattered cinder cones associated with its eruption. A clear day reveals Mount Thielsen, the “Lightning Rod of the Cascades,” to the south. Continue the hike to the summit’s north end for well-earned views of South Sister, Middle Sister, Broken Top and the surrounding region.

Trail length: 4.0 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 1,425 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Pilot Butte

MOUNT BACHELOR: THE WORKOUT PEAK

Mount Bachelor is the 15th highest peak in Oregon with a summit at 9,065 feet. Though the ski resort’s chairlift operates in summer, hikers can bag this overlooked peak via a well-marked trail that starts at the resort’s West Village Lodge (note: download the trail map from the resort’s website).

The trail skirts across the mountain’s base through a forest of old-growth mountain hemlocks, home to pine martens and the elusive Sierra Nevada red fox.

Geologically, Mount Bachelor is the youngest prominent stratovolcano in the Three Sisters area, formed between 18,000 and 8,000 years ago.

Eventually, the trail leaves the forest and begins an exposed, steady climb up the volcano, passing over and around volcanic rock and loose soil above the timberline, so remember to pause before looking up!

Once on the summit, the 360° views of lakes and peaks in the Cascade Range are incredible.

Trail length: 7.1 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 2,750 feet

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

SOUTH SISTER: THE ULTIMATE ASCENT

The tallest of the Three Sisters and third highest peak in Oregon (10,358 feet), bagging this massive volcano is a real challenge but well worth the effort.

The South Sisters Climber Trail starts out at Devils Lake, a turquoise-colored shallow body of water along the Cascade Lakes Highway.

The trail starts as a steady uphill through a dense hemlock forest, giving way to a sandy, open plain composed of volcanic ash and pumice. After this section, the trail climbs in earnest and encounters sections with loose cinders and pumice, so careful footing is advised. Plus, multiple trails near the top make it challenging to navigate; pick the “trail most traveled” and aim for the top.

From the peak, hikers are rewarded with exceptional views of the other Sisters, Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood. The summit crater is filled with crystal-blue water—the highest lake in Oregon, called Teardrop Pool. High fives all around to those who reach the summit.

Trail length: 12 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 4,986 feet

Difficulty: Difficult

The Cone at Mount Bachelor

South Sister

Shaniko Reprise

A ghost town alive with music

WRITTEN BY DAN SHRYOCK

Tracey Seslen and her two children slowly walk along the weathered boardwalk outside the Sage Saloon. They study a placard affixed to the building that explains part of this city’s colorful history, yet they can’t escape the sound of the Beastie Boys booming from speakers a block away.

This is the paradox of Shaniko, Oregon. The historically recognized ghost town is anything but silent. The thumping music blasts from its very own radio station—KDFM, 99.9. With a reach of just five miles in any direction from the center of town, it plays an eclectic mix of ‘90s hip hop to contemporary country music and ‘70s greatest hits, and the sound overflows through the streets. In October, a ragtime music festival will bring in two days of live music that harkens back more than 100 years to the town’s heyday. Shaniko is a ghost town alive with music, accompanied by the revival of a long-dormant hotel in its center.

FROM WOOL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD TO OFFICIAL GHOST TOWN

Shaniko, 80 miles north of Bend on Highway 97, once had its claim to fame. It was considered the wool capital of the world

from 1901 to 1911, when Oregon’s largest wool warehouse moved more than four million pounds a year on the Columbia Southern Railway. Business was so strong in 1901 that the railroad built and operated accommodations in what is now simply known as the Shaniko Hotel.

The demise of the railroad began in 1911 when a new line bypassed the town for Bend. Passenger service died in the early 1930s, and all operations ceased by 1966. Times were so stark that the Oregon Centennial Commission officially designated Shaniko a ghost town in 1959.

Capturing the story of Shaniko’s highs and lows falls to Debra Holbrook and the Shaniko Preservation Guild, keeper of the historical record. It dates back to 1879 and the first postmaster, August Scherneckau, whose phonetically-pronounced name became “Shaniko.” While there have been hard times, Holbrook said things are looking up. Today, she sits on a bench outside the hotel to recount the city’s story. She points to different buildings and riffs on each historical chronology. Many of the small, wood-framed units have been moved from land plot to land plot over the decades. Shaniko has survived three major fires, the collapse of its wool industry and the departure of the railroad.

PHOTO CHRISTIAN HEEB

When you buy fruits and vegetables from local family farmers, you’re helping build a sustainable food community and keeping Oregon farms growing. That’s impor tant to all of us. Look for the Dig Local signs in your Market Produce department and enjoy fresh, locally farmed favorites like Oregon apples and pears now in season.

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But there are signs that Shaniko is less of a ghost town these days. A reliable flow of recreational vehicles detour from the highway for a slow, threeblock drive on 4th and E streets, roads once part of old Highway 97 before the state realigned the roadway. Some travelers, such as the Seslen family, explore old buildings. Others stop at Seven Directions cafe for lunch or ice cream. “I’m used to seeing places that are reconstructed for tourists’ eyes.” Seslen said. “There’s much greater authenticity here.”

THE SHANIKO HOTEL WELCOMES VISITORS AGAIN

Across the street, the long-vacant Shaniko Hotel, built in 1902, has undergone renovations and now welcomes guests after sitting dormant for 15 years. South Wasco Fire & Rescue recently leased it from Portland-based R.B. Pamplin Corporation then made much-needed renovations and reopened the doors August 1. Net proceeds from the hotel go to the local fire department. Travelers enter the front lobby of what was originally called the Columbia Southern Hotel and step up to the historic front desk. After checking in, they climb the original staircase to rooms decorated in an early 1900s motif. Once there were 44 rooms in this hotel; currently, 18 rooms have been renovated. There are no TVs but to meet guests’ expectations, there is Wi-Fi. Work on other spaces, including a dining room remodel, continues. Full completion is still years away.

MUSIC FESTIVAL IN THE DESERT

It may not be Coachella, but the 21st annual Shaniko Ragtime and Vintage Music Festival, October 6-8, honors the ragtime genre that challenged the musical norms of its time, much like the Beastie Boys did in the ‘80s. The festival tradition was born in 2001 when piano tuner Keith Taylor came to work on the old Columbia Southern Hotel piano, Holbrook said. Once the keyboard sounded the right notes, Taylor gave an

impromptu ragtime music performance past midnight and the idea for a music festival was born. “That honky-tonk sound used to waft in the air from every place in town, in every saloon,” Holbrook said. Today, chords from a Beastie Boys song echo down the street. While Shaniko qualifies as a ghost town, because it’s still a shadow of its former self, today the musical notes sound like the fight for the right to revive.

OLD SCHOOL & NEW TUNES

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The Fort Rock general store; Shaniko Hotel re-opened for overnight stays August 1, 2023; An aged piano harkens to times when music played in many of the city saloons; Wander downtown for history and pick up lunch, or ice cream, in the hotel’s cafe.

PHOTO CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: CHRISTIAN HEEB, ALAMY.COM/STEPHEN SAKS, BEN EASTMAN, CHRISTIAN HEEB

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Tour the Season

Discover the beauty of Central Oregon, leaf by leaf

WRITTEN BY HEIDI HAUSLER

s long summer days begin to cool and the sun drops earlier on the horizon, a quietness settles on Central Oregon towns. Outside, deciduous trees mirror the autumnal rhythm, turning inward as they seal off the stems that feed their leaves, forming a shield against winter temperatures and beginning the process that leads to the wonders of fall. No longer fed by chlorophyll’s green pigment, the bright reds, oranges and yellows always present in leaves are free to reveal themselves in all their glory. With a protective stroke of her vibrant paintbrush, Mother Nature casts Central Oregon aglow. While art, poetry and leaves pressed between pages of books strive to capture the season’s ephemeral beauty, nothing can compare to witnessing nature's work firsthand. Come along to discover a canvas of fall luminescence showcasing the best of Central Oregon’s autumn foliage.

ASPENS AND WESTERN LARCH AT SHEVLIN PARK: LATE SEPTEMBER TO MID-OCTOBER

Shevlin Park, only minutes from downtown Bend, is a Central Oregon autumn wonderland. A welcoming party of quaking aspens stand at the entrance to greet visitors with golden light. There’s something special about an aspen grove; as the National Forest Foundation describes, the quaking aspen is “so much more than a tree.” Each singular aspen is a small part of a larger organism sustained by interconnected roots that serve as the life force for all the trees in the stand. With every tree a genetic replica of the rest, the official name for a grove of aspens is a “clone.” The wonder of the aspen is realized in the 80,000-year-old clone living in Utah’s Fishlake Forest, the oldest living organism on the planet. Walking through the quaking aspen clone in Shevlin Park, it’s hard not to feel the power of its collective energy, and the golden color of the leaves against the white bark is breathtaking—a stunning backdrop for portraits. Meander along Tumalo Creek to see the vibrant array of pink dogwood and golden willow foliage that lines its banks in fall. Look for the western larch, the curious conifer that loses its needles in winter but shines a feathery flaxen in the autumn sun.

VINE MAPLES ALONG THE METOLIUS RIVER: EARLY TO LATE OCTOBER

The rushing turquoise water of the Metolius River provides a stunning backdrop for the display of fall color along its shores. Nine miles west of Sisters, the West Metolius River Trailhead to Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery gives access to the best of the Metolius River Basin and will not disappoint with the abundance of scarlet, gold and orange vine maples growing under an evergreen canopy of towering pines. With its delicate leaves cascading in tiers and painted in varied autumn hues, the vine maple is a captivating blast of fall color. Native to the region, the elegance of vine maples complement conifer forests across the Pacific Northwest, acting as a host to butterflies and moths, and providing nectar for bees and seeds for birds. A corridor of riparian shrubbery, including alder, wild rose and snowberry, creates a border of autumn vibrance. Later in the season, the western larch lights up the forest with its wispy golden needles. The Metolius River emerges from a collection of springs that gush forth through lava flows with crystal-blue clarity, and although the river runs wild, a quiet stillness accompanies this trail. Here, find a pristine destination to soak in the glory of fall.

Shevlin Park Metolious River

PHOTO LEFT RICHARD BACON RIGHT MIKE PUTNAM

MAPLES, WILLOWS AND BIRCH IN DOWNTOWN BEND: MID TO LATE OCTOBER

Anyone who believes the Northeast holds the key to fall magic has never strolled through downtown Bend on a late October day. The varied shapes and hues of the deciduous leaves dotting the parks and lining the historic downtown streets become a kaleidoscope of sunset shades fluttering from the treetops. Begin in Drake Park where giant Norway maple trees show off their awe-inspiring glow and as their leaves fall, create a playground for children from ages 1 to 101. Embrace the wonder, tossing maple leaves in the air and jumping into their cushioned mounds. Beyond, crimson cherry trees set the park ablaze while the rich yellows of willows and weeping birch swoop down in elegant arches toward the water. The eastern shore offers a view of rippled autumn colors reflecting on Mirror Pond, a beauty enhanced by Mount Bachelor in the distance and the call of geese overhead. For a special detour, venture south on Wall Street from Drake Park to delight in a local favorite–the gigantic red maples standing in front of little red Amity Creek Elementary School that create showers of leaves in every color. At the northern tip of downtown Bend, the riverfront oasis of Pioneer Park awaits. Fiery red sugar maples aside golden weeping birch are mirrored in the Deschutes River, inspiring a pause to delight in the fleeting artistry of Mother Nature’s autumn masterpiece.

Drake Park

Mirror Pond

PHOTO TOP RICHARD BACON

| BOTTOM CHRIS MURRAY

Next-Level Rowing

The journey to becoming a champion

WRITTEN BY TERESA RISTOW

Just six years ago, Bend’s Steve Tague knew nothing of the world of competitive indoor rowing. While he’d tried rowing machines in gyms over the years, it wasn’t until his mid-50s that Tague became obsessed with the sport. Today, at age 61, Tague has three consecutive world championships and a world record under his belt, and he is building a coaching business to train others as indoor rowers as well.

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FINDING HIS POTENTIAL

A slower pace of life for his growing family led Tague to move to Central Oregon in 1996, after years spent in New York City building a professional photography business and a stint in New Jersey as a helicopter news reporter. In Bend, Tague raised two sons, Max and Dakota, now 27 and 28, and met his wife, Mary, while continuing to pursue photography.

Tague stayed active over the years, but it wasn’t until 2017 that a random discovery pushed his athletic pursuits forward. A trip to an allergist revealed that Tague had been allergic to peanuts, wheat, soy and corn all along. When he cleaned up his diet, Tague said he suddenly felt like Superman.

While he was excited to push himself with this new-found energy, his body wasn’t ready for it. A sore back, and arthritis affecting his hip and knee, were exacerbated by workouts in a gym. To prevent further damage, Tague was advised to stick to low-impact exercises— biking, swimming or rowing. The first two options didn’t interest him, but rowing? He kind of liked that.

THE COMPETITION BEGINS

As Tague learned more about indoor rowing, he discovered a lively community of athletes worldwide competing virtually— and in person—in simulated rowing races. “Not a lot of people in the United States are aware that competitive indoor rowing is even a thing,” Tague said. “But around the world it’s a very popular sport.” Tague bought a Concept2 Row Erg machine, a piece of equipment used by indoor rowers globally, and soon realized he may have a shot at breaking into the top 100 rankings for his weight class (lightweight) and age (then the 50 to 59 age bracket). After he broke the top 100, he eyed the top 50, top 25, then the top 10. In 2020, Tague headed to Paris for the World Indoor Rowing Championships, where he earned a silver medal in the 500 meter. “I was thrilled,” said Tague, who was able to meet his virtual competitors in person for the first time.

By the fall of 2022, Tague had his eye on the upcoming U.S. Rowing Indoor Championships and World Rowing Indoor Championships, both scheduled for the following February. He told his wife it would be the “last crazy year” of competitions and training before he allowed his body to rest. Then, in late

December, Tague slipped outside one icy morning, landing on his side and tearing the tendons of his shoulder. “Not being able to move my arm, I was planning on withdrawing from both the national and world championships,” Tague said. “With the help of doctors from The Center, a local physical therapist, local acupuncturist and a local massage therapist, I was able to rehab within a month to be able to compete.”

At the national competition, Tague swept his age bracket, with gold medals in the 500-meter and 2,000-meter races. At the world championships, he hoped to do the same and wrap up his professional career. He won gold in the 500 meter, but in the 2,000-meter race, a virtual competitor from the Netherlands overcame Tague at the end of the race, beating him by fourtenths of a second. “I was extremely disappointed,” Tague said. “And I think my wife knew how disappointed I was. She looked at me and said, ‘I guess we’re going to Prague.’”

As he trains for one last world competition, being held in Prague this coming February, Tague is also training others through his business Rowed to Fitness. There, he serves as a personal trainer, certified rowing coach and sports nutrition coach, offering clients certified metabolic testing and analysis. Tague said he’ll continue indoor rowing himself as long as possible and coach forever as a way to share the sport with others. “This is something that I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life,” Tague said. “Indoor rowing has led me into a world of coaching and helping others, which is something I truly enjoy.”

INDOOR ROWING HAS LED ME INTO A WORLD OF COACHING AND HELPING OTHERS, WHICH IS SOMETHING I TRULY ENJOY.”

Ancient Voices

Bend Bhakti collective chants together for connection

WRITTEN BY KM COLLINS

eturning to Central Oregon in 2016 after a year of traveling and studying yoga in New Zealand, I was keen to start participating in a lesser-known form of yoga burgeoning in Bend—Bhakti yoga, also known as kirtan. When I first joined the kirtan practice, tragic memories of failed auditions for middle school ensemble choir bubbled up, making me question my decision to give this a try. But in a community that welcomes all skill levels, I found myself relaxing and over time, I began singing more boldly and with more confidence. Turns out, there is no right or wrong way to sing kirtan.

Known as the yoga of devotion, kirtan is the singing of ancient Sanskrit mantras in a community setting. Sanskrit is the language of Hindu scripture, and mantra is the practice of repeating a sound, word or chant to aid in concentration during meditation, and forms the foundation for the practice of kirtan. The word kirtan stems from the Sanskrit root meaning “to cut through.” The goal of a kirtan practice is to cut through the idea of separation, connecting people to each other, to the heart and to the divine through a collective creation of sound.

Led by the Bend Bhakti Collective, a kirtan night of singing often opens with the Gayatri Mantra made famous by kirtan musician Deva Premal and the fact that the mantra’s cameo was the well-known opening theme for the show “Battlestar Galactica.” This Sanskrit chant, believed to contain all the knowledge of the universe, has been spoken and sung for 4,000 years by Indian spiritual leaders, referred to as Brahmans, as a way to invoke healing and inner-power.

The format in Bend is intimate, hosting anywhere from eight to 30 members. Participants sit on the floor on cushions surrounding an altar while the band plays music and sings call-and-response-style songs and chants. What makes kirtan so accessible is the repetition and the slow build to faster beats and melody transitions. It is a style of music that by its very nature entices the listener to sing along. During the past decade or more, venues and festivals in Bend such as the Old Stone Church, Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, The Hive, Bend Roots Revival and Tula Movement Arts have hosted regular or one-off kirtan gatherings and celebrations.

Within the Bend Bhakti Collective, musicians typically trade out leadership and the line-up changes weekly with rotating talent from their other folk, bluegrass, funk, jazz and klezmer projects in Central Oregon. Core members of the Bend Bhakti Collective are Julie Southwell (violin, harmonium, tenor guitar, vocals), Kat Rose Kniest (guitar and vocals), David Watts (bass, precision), Anastacia Armstrong (guitar, banjo, vocals), Dylan Bernal (percussion) and Greg Warnick (harmonium, vocals). Seasonally, Jenni Peskin, Marie Sonolet, Eric Troup, Gabe Shonerd and Victor Johnson make appearances.

Bend is fortunate to see world-class kirtan musicians, such as Ananda Das, Jaya Lakshmi, Johanna Beekman, Mathias and Eostar, occasionally drop in and play during weekly gatherings. “We play a Western style of kirtan,” said Warnick, who also sets up beautiful altars and provides cacao for the opening ceremony. “We all grew up with Western rock and roll and that is reflected in our brand of kirtan: drums, bass and Western chord progressions.”

Though rock and roll is a huge influence, each musician and leader has a different contribution. Some musicians prefer goddess chants. Some prefer traditional Maha Mantra or Hare Krishna and Krishna devotee-focused chants. Written in the 16th century, Hare Krishna rose to popularity in the 1960s and is perhaps the most broadly known kirtan chant throughout the

CONNECTED TO HISTORY AND COMMUNITY

Western world. Devotees believe that the sounds of the mantra transcend the sensory and mental levels of consciousness, connecting the individual with the spiritual. As a kirtan circle comes to a close, the chant slows and the leader says, “May this be for the benefit of all beings.” Kirtan takes me on an inward journey through time and space. Through the vibration of my own voice uniting with the harmony of others and the instruments, a path is traversed. On the other side, I feel calm, at peace and centered. Best of all, I no longer feel self conscious about my voice. See Facebook @ChantBend.

TOP: (Left to right): Greg Warnick, Reggie Riverbear, Ananda Das, David Watts, Gabe Shonerd and Julie Southwell.

BOTTOM: Julie Southwell and Marie Sonalet play traditional instruments of kirtan such as violin, harmonium and mrdunga.

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Small Screens

Hollywood dreams at Bend theaters

WRITTEN BY TOR HANSON

Since 1911, Hollywood stars have lit up the silver screens of Bend’s local theaters. From the era of silent movie actors Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford to that of blockbuster stars such as Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson, the Bend theater scene has captivated residents with its rich, ever-changing history.

Bend was a city in serious need of entertainment in the early part of the 20th century. The local newspaper had been around since 1903 but only offered the written word and still photos, while moving pictures were all the rage outside of Central Oregon.

First came the silent movies, which were anything but silent. In the early days, the movie may have been the main attraction, but the master of

ceremonies was sitting behind the piano, or even better, behind the “Mighty Wurlitzer.” With deft hands, a musician could squeeze out any melody or sound from the organ to accompany the motion picture on the screen.

STAR STATUS FOR SILENT-SCREEN MUSICIANS

Organist Glenn Shelley attained star status in Bend as the in-house musician at Capitol Theater. Hired by its owner, “Dutch” Stover, Shelley’s first appearance in Bend was on February 2, 1923.

“He was a master of improvisations,” said Shelley Hakanson, granddaughter of Glenn Shelley. “More than often, he watched the movie for the first time together with his audience and created music on the spot.” Shelley quickly

Glenn Shelley attained star status as in-house organist at the Capitol Theater, bringing sound to its silent films.

PHOTO TOP COURTESY DESCHUTES HISTORICAL SOCIETY

1917 - 1941

Liberty Theater, Wall Street

became a local celebrity performing Sunday afternoon concerts at the Capitol. Shelley’s boss also became a local hero. As the owner of both the Capitol and Liberty theaters, Stover was a public figure whose yearly “birthday bashes” were storied events. He would open the theater doors and invite Bend’s children to watch a movie free of charge, a generous gesture especially during the Great Depression.

DRAMA AT THE CINEMA: FIRES AND TALKIES

Movie theaters were prone to fire due to the highly flammable celluloid film stock. One of the most spectacular fires happened during the screening of Quo Vadis at the Liberty Theater in August 1926. As the audience watched a fictionalized burning of Rome on the screen, real flames shot from the theater’s air vents—the film had caught fire in the projection room. It was quickly doused, and the theater reopened six days later. “Talking movies” changed the movie business to its core. Musicians such as Glenn Shelley were ousted in favor of expensive speaker upgrades. The first

theater to feature a sound system was the Capitol on Wall Street, and in early April 1929, Bend moviegoers flocked to the theater for the “all talkie” debut—the motion picture drama Interference with famed actress of the time, Evelyn Brent. Although Bend youngsters often tuned in to radio serials, Saturday movie matinees featuring Flash Gordon or The Lone Ranger were special treats. “It was mostly Westerns, and the script always had a woman in trouble,” the late Neil Farnham said in an earlier interview. “The movie usually ended with a cliffhanger. Then you had to wait all week before you would find out what happened next.”

REMNANTS OF HISTORY

The Liberty closed in 1941, and the Capitol in 1945. After 1945, only the Tower Theatre survived. The movie business began faltering when television arrived in Bend in the mid ‘50s and the Tower experienced a slow decline until 1993 when it closed its doors. It re-opened in 2004 after a renovation project saved it from dilapidation and disrepair. Although the silver screen has evolved along with the Bend community, reminders of the early days of Bend movie theaters still exist. Today, find the Tower’s Art Deco building on Wall Street with its brightlylit marquee denoting its diverse live and cinematic performances. Evidence of the Liberty’s former incarnation can be seen in the slanted auditorium on the brick walls inside the recently remodeled building. Traces of the Grand Theater in the O’Kane Building are also still seen there. The movie projection booth above the entrance door is gone, but the “handsome colored [window] glass,” noted in the description of the theater in a November 22, 1916 article, is visible both inside and out.

With more than 100 years of movie theater history, Bend’s love of cinema thrives, drawing movie enthusiasts to small theaters such as Tin Pan Theater and St. Francis Old School Theater, and Regal Old Mill Cinemas for Hollywood hits. Kicking off its 20th anniversary this October, BendFilm Festival celebrates the timeless allure of the silver screen.

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Dwelling Well

A family home remodeled with intention and style

WRITTEN BY CHERYL PARTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZEE WENDELL

Sara and John Murphy at their Saddleback home.

There is a seamless intersection between Sara Murphy’s way of life and her outlook on design. She has always loved a bit of patina and the storytelling that comes from a bit of wear: “I love things that will get better with age, whether a pair of Levi’s, a leather bag or pair of boots. I love a little imperfection.”

A lifelong collector of vintage clothing, housewares, objects d’art, plus the proprietor of styling and interior design company Larue Modern, she and her husband John sought to create a family home that would reflect the story of their lives and give a nod to history and the patina of place. “When I approach a design project,” Sara explained, “it starts with a feeling. How should this space make you feel? By doing that, you start telling a story. The spaces ultimately are given soul and purpose. The layering process happens slowly, in chapters, as these things should. Over time, a story unfolds.”

A SPACE FOR FAMILY AND NATURE

When it came to anchoring a home for their family, the Murphys wanted to find a space that continued their Oregon tale which began in the mid ‘90s—first in Portland, then in Bend since 2007. While watching Bend evolve from a quieter, mountain town and seeing their four sons move through different phases of life, they lived in two neighborhoods suited to each stage, from NorthWest Crossing to 12 years on Awbrey Butte. With their sons now ranging from Jackson, age 21, Charlie, 19, Henry, 17 to Gus, 14, the family was ready for the next step. “We knew if we were going to make a change, it would have to have meaning. We thought of what the next chapter of our life would look like and what that would be if it was a physical space,” Sara said. The Murphys defined qualities for that next phase as, “fun, funky and with freedom.” They sought to create something that would accommodate their changing family, align with their values and aesthetic, and also connect them to their love of nature.

With more than 20 home design projects under their belts, whether for themselves or others, the Murphys didn’t shy away from the challenge to create a home that gave them the feeling of living distinctly in Oregon, allowing them to be close to town and the active lifestyle they enjoy as skiers and snowboarders, hikers, golfers and supporters of Central Oregon arts and culture. An overarching theme was to dwell well in Bend: to have space, views, natural light, without lots of maintenance and, of course, with room for kids, their friends and for the things that would bring joy to their daily lives. Each space was created thoughtfully and with intention, based not only on how it would be used, but what it would evoke—from a nook where the morning sun would make a first appearance to a “spirit” room that would house not only their collection of wine to whiskey, but would evoke memories of past conversations with friends and family.

“We didn’t want big and fancy, and if we didn’t find what we were looking for, we would build it,” said Sara who enjoys seeing the beauty in potential. “I love the idea of taking older things and making them feel new and relevant, whether clothing, art or architecture,” she said. The Murphys found potential in one of Bend’s original northwest neighborhoods,

Saddleback, just two miles from downtown. The 1977 home, sold by its original owners, was 2,200 square feet on 2.5 acres. Its ‘70s elements were the foundation for a modernized revision, bringing it to 3,600 square feet while maintaining the feeling of expansiveness and “living in the trees.”

ADDING LAYERS TO CREATE AREAS FOR LIVING

Sara enlisted the help of Jason Todd Home Design to bring her vision to life. The home maximizes the site by taking advantage of a northern exposure and views of seven mountain peaks. The exterior’s Japanese Shou Sugi Ban black cedar siding, metal roof and black steel window frames provide clean, contemporary lines on the approach to the property. Within the home, large windows allow eastern and southern light to seep into every room throughout the day, with a culminating sunset show each evening to the west.

Much time and attention were spent on the primary bedroom and bathroom since they were new additions to the house. For the Murphys, it was important that it be a calming place with a fireplace and a nook for repose and reading, along with an expansive deck. Sara enjoys eastern light in the bedroom that wakes her with the sun, she said. It was a goal of hers to plan a home to be as functional and integrated with their lives as it would be beautiful. The bathroom includes unlacquered brass fixtures, earthy marbles and organic materials that connect to the natural world, as does a large, glass-enclosed shower with mountain views.

The living room’s vaulted ceilings are complemented by floorto-ceiling bi-fold doors to a deck that invites each evening’s golden hour. Clear cedar wall panels were refurbished to warm up the room and provide balance for the glass, in a subtle nod to cabin style. A Noguchi lamp, pair of bubble-shaped vintage leather chairs and travertine tables provide form, scale and style. “It was important to find pieces that would give the home

soul,” explained Sara. Soulful living was achieved by combining old and new, high and low, and by mixing eras and shapes. “The objects we surround ourselves with should tell the story of who we are,” Sara said.

HEART AND SOUL OF THE HOME

That story is told best in what Sara calls the heart of the home, the kitchen and space where the Murphys congregate as a family. With vintage art, wooden bowls and vessels, the room is full of the things they use every day, and, “bring in history and are designed for the way we really live and the rituals of daily life,” Sara said. A collection of stoneware mugs welcomes each morning’s coffee or nightly tea. Lighter white oak was used throughout the house, with flat-panels to give the kitchen a seamless and clean look, less tied to an era than to a feeling. “Good design should withstand the test of time,” Sara said. The Murphys didn’t want to follow trends, but instead used timeless materials in a beautiful way to meld form and function, she said. “By surrounding ourselves with things we love, the design is always evolving.”

For John, that comes together in what he refers to as a “spirit room.” Hidden behind a false wall, the room is warmed by the amber colors of collectible spirits, and the promise of future conversations over a bottle of wine. “In my mind, the room is in memory of family and friends that I learned many life lessons from while spending time together and sharing a glass of wine or a drink,” John said.

For the Murphy family, their home reflects not only their history, but how they live their daily lives and how they want to move into the future. “My whole goal has been one thing: dwelling well,” Sara said, “in our bodies and in our whole life. Whether in a yoga practice or designing a house, it’s all the same language. The goal is breathing or living in a way to elevate the everyday and make it beautiful. Your home should ground you, inspire you and feel like you, not anyone else.”

Cozy Up

An artful space to rest, read or daydream

Create a sanctuary in even the smallest corner of a home to invite peace into each day. Start with the comfort of a chaise or chair, positioned near light from a window or reading lamp. Add personal art in the form of textiles, paintings or photographs. For writing or regrouping, a curated nook provides stillness and nurtures a healthy habit to quiet busy minds and bodies.

The Business of Running

From sole to the souls of racers in Central Oregon

WRITTEN BY LUCAS ALBERG

PHOTO TYLER ROEMER

As the sun slowly rises, a warm glow is cast over a sea of eager faces. A palpable sense of anticipation fills the air. Runners toe the starting line of the race, awaiting the gun. With a single shot, beating hearts sync up with the beating of soles on the pavement and the two become one. The wave of runners is off. For many, it’s their first race. For others, it’s just one in a long line of races for the season. But for all of them, it’s an important one that takes more than just signing a waiver to get to the starting line.

Central Oregon has earned its reputation as a serious hub for runners. For businesses, that creates a serious opportunity. From pre-race shoe fittings and coaching to putting on the races themselves, it takes a dynamic network of businesses working together to create the thriving running community in Bend.

FITTING A RUNNER FOR SUCCESS

Max King, professional trail runner and FootZone employee, believes the vibrant running community is an aggregate of the businesses supporting the sport. “Any community is what you make it,” he said. “We wouldn’t have the strong running culture here if we didn’t have all the parts—from FootZone to all the races and the running groups. Everyone has the same goal; we want to see people succeed.”

Businesses such as FootZone play an integral role in getting runners prepped for their endeavors. With stateof-the-art technology to analyze foot structure and gait to a wide selection of shoes that include various widths and narrows, the specialty store sets itself apart with selection and expertise. “Knowing the right shoe for the right person is key,” said Operations Manager Thomas Morgan. “We get

people who are just getting into running to people who have run ultras. We also see people who just want a comfortable walking shoe and they come to us because they know they can get the attention they need.”

Morgan said this attention to detail has helped the business flourish, and they are eager to think about what’s next. “We believe that what we have is too good not to share,” he said. “We don’t have concrete plans for expansion, but we are positioning ourselves for that in the future.”

RACE PARTICIPATION REBOUNDS

While footwear sales are continuing to rise, the race community is still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels. Cascade Relays owner and CEO Scott Douglas said he’s seen participation in his company’s events drop significantly. The Cascade Lakes Relay, the area’s largest sporting event in Central Oregon, boasting more than 3,500 participants pre-pandemic, has seen those numbers decrease by more than 30%. According to Douglas, this is on par with the racing industry average.

Though the recent years have been hard for events, Max King, who co-owns the Bend Marathon with Kari Strang, said he’s hoping 2024 will be the year to get back on track. “Each year gets better, and we’re growing steadily, but we’re still trying to get back to that 2019 level,” he said.

Along with participation, Douglas noted the pandemic has created additional challenges for races, including rising costs. “From portable toilets to medals and staffing, pricing has gone up while participation has gone down,” he said. Additionally,

LEFT Businesses such as FootZone help runners navigate shoes selection.

TOP RIGHT Kari Strang and Max King

BOTTOM LEFT Bend Marathon is a feat of endurance for planners and runners.

BOTTOM RIGHT Running technology continually advances, with gear to prove it.

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Heritage Brands founders Jim and Jessica Crouch with Summit Bank Vice President and Business Client Advisor Zak Sundsten.

the mentality of many racers has also shifted. “People have gotten out of the habit of ticking off these bucket list races and are staying a little closer to home now. It used to be 75 to 80% of our racers came from out of state. Now there’s a higher percentage of locals and the mix is closer to 50/50,” Douglas said.

While in-person races slowly rebound, virtual coaching has benefitted from the pandemic. Ultra runner and online coach Ian Sharman has been coaching remotely for more than a decade. Sharman planned early in his running career the parallel path of being both an athlete and businessman amongst athletes. “I knew in the beginning that in order to make a career out of coaching, I needed to get it started while I was winning as an athlete,” he said. “When you’re winning races, you’re getting free marketing and attention that builds your business.”

Sharman, who worked as an economist before becoming a professional runner in his early 30s, enjoys both sides. “It’s trying to do the things you love and make a living out of it,” he said. “Some of it, like the coaching, lasts forever and others, like the running itself, lasts only for a certain time.” Sharman has been successful with his strategy and now, more than a decade later, has grown his business to include seven additional coaches, a nutritionist and a client roster of more than 180 athletes, including some in Central Oregon.

RUNNING CONTRIBUTES TO THE COMMUNITY

Though running a business around the sport of running may be a viable path, all agree that it’s not one that’s going to make you rich. That was never the point, said Bend Marathon Co-Owner Kari Strang. “It’s not an easy business, especially over the last few years,” she said. “But we do it because it’s something that matters to us and because we care about the community. We want it to be something Bend can be proud of.”

Cascade Relays’ Douglas agreed. “The events aren’t about making money; they’re about contributing to the community in a positive way,” he said. “Whether we’re profitable or not is not the reason I get out of bed in the morning. I’m here to make sure my kids and others have an incredible place to grow up in and live.”

BY THE NUMBERS: A RUN AROUND

$14.9

Total revenue of the athletic footwear industry expected in the United States in 2023

34:40

Average finishing time for a male:female in a 5K race

Number of runners who ran a marathon in 2022 compared to 2021

600+

Number of miles of trails maintained by the Central Oregon Trail Alliance

1 in 10 Average number of runners who pay for coaching

Number of former 100 KM world champions living in Bend (Max King, Kami Semick, Amy Sproston) 3

12.5 MILES

Length of the Deschutes River Trail

• Bend Beer Run - Sept. 2, 2023

• Big Foot 10K - Oct. 1, 2023

• Happy Girls Sisters - Oct. 28, 2023

• Run the Rock – Nov. 11-12, 2023

• I Like Pie - Nov. 23, 2023

Sources:

(1) Statista

(2) RunRepeat.com

(3) Strava

(4) Central Oregon Trail Alliance

(5) runningshoesguru.com

(6) Bend Parks & Rec

Cascade Lakes Relay Finish Line

PHOTO COURTESY OF CASCADE LAKES RELAY

Built on Dutch legacy, Stavoren Trading Company has brought the mystique of the spice trade to Central Oregon. In 2018, founders Travis Van Staaveren and his sister Kristin set out to start a family business to pass down to their children. Digging into their heritage, they were inspired by the rich history of the renowned Dutch East India Spice Company and became passionate about the idea of importing the alluring vanilla bean. Rich in antioxidants, essential minerals, anti-inflammatory and calming properties and bursting with a warm, rich, woody sweetness, vanilla has been coveted by cultures for centuries. Stavoren Trading Company brings vanilla out of its tucked away place in the baking drawer and reveals its diverse culinary potential, unveiling the truth of the company motto, “Who says vanilla is boring?”

QI love that motto. Tell us about your passion for vanilla.

We decided on vanilla, because, what spice is more fun and tasty than vanilla? I like to say that we have the nicest smelling garbage in town. I love seeing people get excited about our products. Most people have never heard of vanilla paste. I’ll often hand a sample to someone walking by our festival booth and a few steps later, they’ll turn back around asking, “What the heck was that?” We have four jars of different

Q&A: Stavoren Trading Co.

Vanilla is anything but boring

A CONVERSATION WITH HEIDI HAUSLER

vanilla beans for people to see and smell (Madagascar, Mexican, Ugandan and Indonesian) and people love them, but that’s nothing compared to their reactions after tasting the paste. There are actually around 150 types of vanilla; every country that grows the spice has its own version. The beans we get from Ecuador smell like root beer and are my favorite. They’re unique in that the vanillin crystallizes on the outside of the bean making them sparkly. Most people are surprised to learn that vanilla is an orchid, the only orchid with edible fruit.

Where do you source your vanilla beans from and why?

The majority of our beans come from working directly with farmers in Indonesia, Uganda, Madagascar and Mexico. Over the years, we have created great relationships with the people in these countries.

You and your sister are passionate about sustainability and giving back, how is that reflected in your company? We are dedicated to purchasing directly from the farmers, which gives them the best opportunity to thrive. The better they do, the better we do. We also support a school in Madagascar and recently sent funds to help them rebuild after a storm. A brewery in California is currently producing a special batch of beer from vanilla we donated and is giving all the profits directly to the [same] school.

Tell us about the process of turning vanilla beans into extract and paste. Making the best vanilla extract and paste takes time. The longer you can wait, the better your extract will be. We wait at least four months to allow it to take form. Not only is growing vanilla time consuming, but once we get the beans, it takes even more time. The process in total takes more than a year.

Where have you seen the most interest in your vanilla?

We have clientele in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and across the United States. A few businesses in Central Oregon use our vanilla beans to make their products–Broadus Bees for their honey, Kobold Brewing for a stout, and a farm in Prineville uses our paste to make vanilla. Many breweries, ice creameries, gelaterias, bakeries and restaurants across the country source our beans. But our “bread and butter” is the home chefs who love our beans and paste for making yummy things for their own families to enjoy. Our goal at Stavoren Trading Company is to be the go-to for anything vanilla in Central Oregon. See stavorentrading.com.

LEARN, GROW AND EXCEL WITH HELP FROM SOME OF CENTRAL OREGON’S COACHES

WRITTEN BY GREGG MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOBY NOLAN

Home to not only world-class athletes and performers, but experienced coaches ready to support them reaching their goals, it’s no wonder Bend sees so many of its own on the main stage. Mentors, armed with empathy, good listening skills, and positive attitudes, guide competitors on and off the field. Whether they’re teaching safety or excellence, life lessons or state championships, coaches sacrifice for their students. Here, we highlight a handful of local coaches who have dedicated their lives to helping kids—and kids-at-heart—reach their full potential, in sport and life.

TARA BROTHERS

SUPPORT: SAFETY: ENJOYMENT

Tara Brothers grew up caring for horses on her family’s Tumalo ranch and had a very successful junior and collegiate riding career. Her skills in a saddle led her across the country, to Europe and eventually to showing horses for acclaimed trainer Tom Wright at All Seasons Farm in Ohio. In 2017, Brothers opened Sage Equestrian near her childhood home where she teaches Central Oregonians how to ride in the English tradition. Brothers believes safety and enjoyment are the most important goals for coaches and students. She advises others to learn from the best, try to work jobs outside of your comfort zone, and always be capable of completing every task you ask someone else to do. “It is so fun for me to look at kids that I worked with for years accomplishing all their equestrian goals,” explained Brothers.

EQUESTRIAN

MARTIAL ARTS

JIANFENG CHEN & RYAN CLARK

ART: CULTURE: LEARNING

Shifu JianFeng Chen and Ryan Clark took two different paths to teaching martial arts in Central Oregon. Clark, who instructs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, began learning with his friends as teenagers in Salem after watching Bruce Lee movies and wanting to emulate him. He has trained throughout the United States, as well as Japan, Brazil and Thailand, opening his first studio in Eugene before moving to Bend in 2013 where he started Clark’s University of Martial Arts. “I love the training and teaching the strategy behind Jiu Jitsu,” said Clark. Chen, of Oregon Tai Chi Wushu, began coaching in 2000 as a competitor on the Fujian State Athletic Wushu Unit, where he was expected to help coach and mentor his less experienced teammates. He traveled the world competing before coming to the United States to teach, opening his Bend studio in 2012. “I recognized teaching is a skill that helps me express myself and grow, as well as connect people to this art and culture that I love,” said Chen. “I believe it has many benefits for health and life.” Both goal-oriented coaches believe in lifelong learning for the student and the master, as evidenced by Clark’s tattoo which reads, “Always be a student.” Chen explained his passion for coaching, “I want to use my experience to nurture each student and my ability to be a bridge or translator to this art and my culture with kindness and a sense of humor.”

MUSIC

JIMENA SHEPHERD & MESHEM JACKSON

PATIENCE: PROCESS: UNDERSTANDING

Cascade School of Music (CSM) has been connecting aspiring Central Oregon musicians with quality music instructors for more than two decades. Two of their most popular teachers, Percussion Department Chair Meshem Jackson and vocal coach Jimena Shepherd, have seen just about every level of student since they began introducing melody, keys, and

timing to kids. Both believe in patience, but they stress experience and understanding as crucial to student success in the lifelong learning of music. They believe each child is different and should be taught to his or her talent or skill. Shepherd tries to interact with students in an authentic way and advises aspiring teachers to trust in the process and always be open to learning from their experiences. “I love being able to see the different personalities and the types of art each child brings to class,” said Shepherd. Jackson agreed, “I simply enjoy talking with people about drums and music. Showing someone how to play is just part of the conversation.” With both coaches having more than a decade of experience, they have witnessed many proud moments with their students. Jackson enjoys seeing his kids work hard and perform in high-pressure situations, such as local public musicals, or continuing with music in college. Shepherd likes to root for the underdogs. Jackson concurs and said, “Doing something that makes you happy, content, and relaxed will make you better at it.”

NILS ERIKSSON DEVELOPMENT: ATTENTION: GOALS

Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF) Alpine Director and Bend High boys soccer coach Nils Eriksson grew up in Stockholm, Sweden, where coaching is a volunteer activity rather than a job. Excelling at both skiing and hockey, Eriksson chose to focus on skiing in his teens and ended up getting a scholarship to race for the University of Wyoming where he also studied business. After college, Eriksson moved to Bend with his wife and took a seasonal job as an alpine ski coach with MBSEF, a role that would change his trajectory away from finance and toward working with athletes. A year later, at a friend’s request, Eriksson agreed to coach the newlyformed freshman soccer squad at Bend High School. Though he’d never coached soccer before, he had played on intramural teams in college and developed a true appreciation for the sport while attending a few World Cup games. “You don’t need to be elite in your sport [to coach], but it helps in demonstrations and the mental aspects,” said Eriksson. On the field, Eriksson believes coaches need patience and an understanding of their athletes, and they must be able to convey to the kids in a fun way that it’s a long process, so they can focus on short term goals. He stresses that age is different from maturity, and coaches need to understand where each athlete lies in their development, in order to connect with them at their level. For Eriksson, money is not the benefit of a successful coaching career. “Feeling good is the reward,” he said, “being happy with other rewards, such as interactions with the athletes and seeing mental and tactical improvements they make.”

SOCCER & SKI

“ Feeling good is the reward... interactions with the athletes and seeing mental and tactical improvements they make.”

SKATEBOARDING

GABE TRIPLETTE FEARLESSNESS: CONFIDENCE: DEDICATION

Gabe Triplette began his career as a skateboarding coach as a kid simply so he would have people to skate with in his hometown of Boone, North Carolina. Though he competed in many sports growing up, Triplette gravitated to the camaraderie he felt with his fellow competitors skating for his Burton-sponsored East Coast Skates team. After moving to Bend and being asked to help teach a skateboarding camp at the former Local 50 Skate Shop, he became hooked on being a skateboarding coach. “It’s divine enlightenment to see my students’ smiles light up,” he said. “The energy you get from them is priceless.” Triplette has refined his unique coaching system over his 23 years of experience by figuring out what’s important for all skaters. He teaches six fundamentals (stance, vision, posture, turning, speed, and commitment) on his Central Oregon skatepark visits he has affectionately named Booger Tours. Triplette explained that the seventh fundamental is a drive to get better, and it applies to both coaches and students. “The best coaches are super passionate about learning, both for themselves and their students,” he said. He believes coaches should be empathetic, have a good attitude and communication skills, and the understanding of when to tell your students to push themselves. Though he loved seeing one of his skaters pictured in The Bulletin, these days he’s proudest watching his own daughter become a better skater and develop into a strong skateboarding coach herself.

“

The best coaches are super passionate about learning, both for themselves and their students.”

MIKE ROUGEAUX & CATE BEEBE

TECHNIQUE: MENTAL STRENGTH

In 2011, Mike Rougeaux pitched the idea of adding climbing to the Bend Endurance Academy roster of sports programs. Today, as the nonprofit’s executive director, he still works with climbers in town and at out-of-town competitions. “It’s really impactful to know the athletes in front of you are putting trust in you and that they hold you in high regard,” said Rougeaux, “so it makes me want to be at my best for them.” Bend Endurance Academy Climbing Director Cate Beebe started out rowing in middle school and high school. She explained that she was lucky enough to have welcoming role models within the coaching staff and the team. Beebe hopes for her students to have success both in the climbing world and within their community. “I started coaching because I wanted to make sports a place where kids feel powerful, heard, and accepted,” Beebe said. Both coaches take empathetic approaches to teaching, in the gym and at competitions. They focus on building relationships with the kids and on the fun side of learning. With their athletes ranging from middle schoolers to the Oregon State University climbing team, both Rougeaux and Beebe try to pinpoint the individual needs of each of their athletes. “It makes me so happy to see my team grow, whether through mental strength, climbing technique or attaining a goal,” said Beebe. “I love climbing and helping athletes to become the best people they can be. Coaching them is an absolute joy.”

SPORT CLIMBING

TENNIS

KEVIN COLLIER & JOSH CORDELL

GAME: SET: LIFE

Few names are as synonymous with Bend area high school tennis over the last two decades as Josh Cordell (pictured on right) and Kevin Collier (seated), and both have the hardware to prove it. Cordell coached the Summit High School boys tennis team for 17 years, where his Storm Tennis won the Oregon State Boys Tennis Team Championships eight times in a 10-year span. Collier’s 37-year coaching career includes 24 years of leading the Bend High School girls tennis team where he coached three different champion girls doubles teams, including one with his own daughter. “I have had many proud moments, but coaching my daughter and watching her win a state championship is something I will never forget,” said Collier. Today, Collier runs the tennis program at Bend Golf and Country Club as well as the Caldera High School girls team. He believes his greatest asset as a coach lies in his passion for the sport and his ability to relate to each student’s needs. Cordell also deflects away from results, claiming his proudest moment came from a group of seniors on his team requesting one last practice, even though the state championships and the season had already ended. Cordell now runs Prep Success Coach, which specializes in life coaching, mental coaching, and athlete mentoring. For athletes and coaches alike, he recommends keeping it fun. Cordell points to all of his past tennis coaches, including Collier, as integral to his own coaching accomplishments. His goals are to see the students succeed, create opportunities, and make the most of their success. “If it stays fun, everyone keeps coming back,” Cordell said, “and if they keep coming back, you have the opportunity to be as good as you can possibly be.”

MARY MCCOOL

FEARLESSNESS: CONFIDENCE: DEDICATION

If your child took swimming lessons in the past five decades, there’s a good chance you drove them five minutes east of Bend to Mary McCool’s house. Locally born and raised, McCool grew up spending the winters skiing and the summers swimming, like most Central Oregonians. Ironically, she didn’t enjoy taking swimming lessons as a child, but as a teenager, she immediately liked teaching swimming to the kids she would babysit. After 50 years of coaching, McCool has refined her technique, grounded in safety and developing confidence in the water.

“Patience is necessary,” explained McCool. “It’s good to have them learn to work hard in the pool and in life,” said McCool. “It’s not going to happen right away, but if you work at it, it’s all doable.” Her teaching style centers around not being afraid of making her athletes work hard. She doesn’t overprotect them and tries to show how the effort pays off in the end. Perhaps most importantly for children, McCool knows how to say the same thing in many different ways to adapt to her students’ varied learning styles.

“I’m most proud when a kid, who was scared to death in the beginning, by the third lesson, [is] confident and believes in themself,” said McCool. “I know those lessons will translate into life as well.”

SWIMMING

“

I’m most proud when a kid, who was scared to death in the beginning, but by the third lesson [is] confident and believes in themself.”

A CANDLE BURNS FOR ‘CROSS

WRITTEN BY CARL DECKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY DYLAN VANWEELDEN

very Thursday evening, a race course is set on the grounds of The Athletic Club of Bend. Tires are squeezed by thumbs to check air pressure, riders line up and a starting whistle blows. There are battles among friends and between strangers. Crashes happen. The beer tent erupts in cheers. Somebody wins. Six-packs of IPA are handed out as prizes. High fives are slapped. Then the course markings are gone before the dust even settles. Each September, the Thrilla Cyclocross Series has been the heart of casual bike racing here in Bend for 20 years.

Gravel ‘Cross

Entry Fee $100-500 $15-50

Prize Money None Microbrew 6 Packs

Licensing Requirements? No No

Equipment Required: Any BicycleAny Bicycle

Spectator Friendly? No Yes

Time Commitment: 3 Day Weekend 3 Hours After Work

Skills Built: Endurance, Power Technical Skills, Power

Race Length: 3-24 hours 30-60 Minutes

Safety Precautions: Open Roads/ Traffic Closed Course

Course Markings: Minimal— Use GPS Extensive

Distance to Aid: 10-80 miles2-3 Ball Fields

Best Bike: Basically a ‘Cross Bike Cyclocross Bike

Costumes: Aero Helmet Encouraged

Max Smith

Deschutes Brewery fields one of the largest teams at the local events. Some of their racers are serious athletes. Some are serious beer experts. Some aren’t serious at all—and that’s the point. Their spirit is core to local ‘cross, where it’s more about community than about rankings. Sure, some come to win. But more show up for sunset beers in a makeshift beer garden, to reconnect with dustyfaced friends at the close of a too-busy summer. Here, the efforts of racing are like dues to a social club.

Cyclocross is as fun as ever, but field numbers in America aren’t what they used to be. Portland’s Cross Crusade, the largest CX series in the world in terms of participation, has seen numbers decline from the 1,400-rider start lists at their peak to about half of that during the past several years. There are half as many UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) level races in the United States today as there were five years ago.

What happened to the juggernaut that was American Cyclocross? In a word, gravel.

Gravel is—to borrow a refrain from Zoolander’s Mugatu—”so hot right now.”

And there are plenty of reasons why: once quiet road rides feel choked with distracted drivers, and vast improvements in gravel equipment have made soft-roading easier than ever. Not to mention the collective aging-out of a generation of mountain bike riders who are losing their desire to “get gnarly” and finding a desire to just “get out there.” Of course, the global pandemic didn’t hurt the gravel movement either. With moratoriums on events and a sudden aversion to groups, we had more need than ever to escape the crowd, and gravel helped satisfy that urge for many. The wide open spaces of America—and of Central Oregon, in particular—had never been so attractive as from a bicycle during COVID. When the worst of the pandemic was over, and bicycle racing began to reappear, racers were eager to return to competition but had only been doing long, solitary days in the saddle. Gravel races—generally long, scenic, soft-road affairs—quickly assumed the mantle of “new normal” competition for many. And the more epic (read: longer) they were, the hungrier racers were for them. A 205-mile gravel race in Kansas, Unbound Gravel, quickly rose to become the most important bicycle race in America today. Gravel racing is awesome. It’s hard to deny the beauty in covering 50 to 100 miles of new terrain in a day, especially with the help of a pack of riders chasing a finish line. But does it have to be so damn long? At what point does more become less? Finishing a monument like Unbound Gravel, at 205 miles (the mid-length course, mind you) may be the ultimate challenge for some. But what happens next? Ride the 350-mile Unbound XL? When is enough, enough?

Landon Holbert

Sara Halterman & Stephanie Uetrecht

Oscar Guevara (left) and Jeremy Gomez (right)

PHOTO MICKEY MOUSE

Marcel

Everybody knows his name.

A soft haze of late September dust lingers at a rutted corner in the farthest reaches of a cyclocross track. With half of the hour-long race over, the gaps between riders are largely established, but Marcel Russenburger stands alone here, barking encouragement to riders in his Swiss-German accent nevertheless. Pinot, his half-wild, blue-and-brown-eyed dog pulls unrelentingly at a too-long leash. Sixty-four years old, Marcel wears the clothes of a carpenter just done with a project, a few specs of sawdust in his bushy gray hair. Complementing his well-used denim work pants might be a purple fleece vest from some race he won in 1990. Because before he was a carpenter and a father and a spectator, he was a Cyclocross star. A man who finished fifth at the 1985 CX World Championships, representing Switzerland.

“Go Kalle, you can get him!” he shouts, emphatically. I doubt he is right, but I momentarily try harder. The least I can do is try a little harder. A few moments later I’ll hear a similar spur from Marcel to the rider chasing me. I might be one of his favorites, but he has a lot of favorites. His daughter, Sophie, is near the front of the women’s race tonight, but Marcel would have shown up to walk his dog and watch the races unfold regardless. Everybody knows Marcel. We are his people. And he is ours.

It’s time for a return to Cyclocross.

Where winning is winning, but losing might also be winning. Where ephemeral courses crop up in a park, or a pocket of fallow land around town. Where there are no Personal Bests, or Course Records, no awards ceremonies to wait for. Just people trying hard or not very hard at all on their bicycles for a little while. Trying in hopes of being first, or being proudly last, or just being better at something that’s difficult.

Several categories on course all at once ensure that casual spectators can’t really tell who’s winning or losing. That you’ve been lapped by the leaders (okay, twice) might hurt your ego at first, but nobody notices or cares. The crowd is enthusiastic and vocal, encouraging riders with light hearted heckling. Many of the spectators were racing an hour or two ago, and after a post-race recovery beer, they’re full of advice—good or bad. And they’re eager to share it.

A ‘cross race is the least intimidating introduction to bike racing there is. Aside from foot-tall wooden planks across the track, barriers to entry are few. Anybody over age 12 can compete at the Thrillas, and any bicycle will suffice. The races are short, and there’s no risk of getting lost or dying of exposure. You don’t have to be a nervous parent or a first-timer to appreciate these conveniences. Even as a pro, I’ve enjoyed spectating the final laps of races I’ve started—when equipment fails or the legs say, “maybe next week.” It’s a far cry from other disciplines that can leave you isolated for hours, riding for survival.

‘Cross is as shiny and relevant and authentic as ever. With the awkward return from COVID behind us, and diminishing returns from over-long gravel races looming, let’s look forward to what could be a Renaissance of cyclocross in coming years. If you like bikes or beer or people, maybe you’ll even decide to join the ranks. Your old gravel bike would work just fine.

Marcel Russenburger, 1981

WRITTEN BY LEE LEWIS HUSK

ountain biker and longtime Bend resident Chuck Lewis loves bombing down single-track trails around Bend, something he’s been doing since the ‘80s. He’s ridden the Phil’s Trail system since its inception in 1992 and has watched the trails change over time, most recently from the thinning of trees, mowing of brush and prescribed burns conducted to reduce wildfire risk. He’s heard comments such as, “Who gives them the right to tear up the forest or close our trails?”

“People aren’t understanding why the forest work is happening,” said Melanie Fisher, another avid mountain biker, former co-owner of Cog Wild and a recreation and tourism professional. “People get upset when trails are closed during restoration work,” she explained. “Whenever I’m out in the woods and people go by with negative things to say, I tell them that I celebrate the restoration work happening, especially since it can help save our trails if a wildfire comes through.” .

Chuck Lewis has seen firsthand how a wildfire can ravage a neighborhood. In 1990, the Awbrey Hall wildfire raged through Bend’s western fringe. It destroyed 22 homes and chased people from their homes. The home of Lewis’s parents was on the fire’s path but was spared. At that time, Bend’s population was 24,000. Imagine a wildfire today in a city that has grown four-fold to more than 100,000, putting far more people at risk, especially on Bend’s westside neighborhoods, such as NorthWest Crossing, the Tree Farm, Broken Top and Tetherow, as well as the city-approved high-density housing on the south side of Cascade Lakes Highway.

Bend’s east side residents aren’t free from wildfire risk either. “People think they’re OK if they’re far from the national forests, but the nearby juniper woodlands are a whole other can of worms,” said Ariel Cowen, a scientist and regional fire specialist for the Oregon State University Extension Service. “Everyone who lives in Bend is in the wildland-urban interface,” she said. The interface is a transition zone between vegetation and human development—conditions vulnerable to wildfire. Central Oregon’s rapid growth has meant that new residents and tens of thousands of visitors each year don’t always have knowledge of the high desert landscape and its historical tree density. They may perceive prescribed burns as scars on their favorite trails and retreats, rather than as proactive measures to protect the forest. The beloved hiking and biking trails residents enjoy, though, aren’t always as healthy as they seem. Sections of the national forest in Central Oregon are so dense that trees must compete for sunshine and nutrients. Under the stress of competition, these trees are prone to insect infestation, disease and wildfire. The U.S. Forest Service and other agencies and organizations have recognized the danger, and they conduct forest treatments, including thinning overly dense tree stands, mowing underbrush and prescribed burns, with the hope of preventing larger, unplanned fires.

Those interventions aren’t always understood. A recent post on a Bend Trails Facebook Group makes the point, “Rode from Shevlin up to the Mzazek [Trail] dry creek today for the first time since last summer. Wasn’t prepared for the forest carnage. I am having trouble getting over seeing more and more nice shady trails becoming hotter, dustier and drier.” It’s easy to understand the writer’s sentiment, but it’s precisely the dense and tinder-dry landscape that can fuel the next intense fire in Central Oregon.

The dry forests east of the Cascade Range were once dominated by enormous, several-hundred-year-old, widely spaced ponderosa pines. Fire burned through the forest every 10 to 25 years, killing small and distressed trees, reducing brush and fostering a grassy, herbaceous understory with patches of open space for wildlife and wildflowers. This cycle of fire over the millenia resulted in a fire-adapted, dry woodland east of the Cascade mountains.

The influx of settlers to the western United States in the 19th and 20th centuries disrupted the cycle with clearcutting of old forests, excluding fire from the landscape and upending Indigenous cultural burning that maintained healthy, fire-adapted forest. Even Smokey Bear had a hand in the current situation. Smokey’s message was that it was up to humans to prevent (and tame) fire. The valuable lesson to not play with matches stuck, but so did a theme that all fire was detrimental. In fact, wildfires are nature’s way of clearing out dead plants and trees and nurturing new growth. Without the natural cycle in place, fire-adapted, dry forests grew back as dense as temperate rainforests on the

western slopes of the Cascade Range but without the heavy rainfall that would naturally dampen wildfire.

With fire suppression came large-scale logging in national forests from the ‘50s through the ‘80s, which targeted the biggest and best trees for their high commercial value. “The Forest Service liquidated 90% of old growth forests in a few decades,” said Phil Chang, a natural resources and renewable energy professional and currently a Deschutes County Commissioner. Those times have changed as well.

“In the last 10 to 15 years, the whole gamut [of logging] has changed to a stewardship role,” said Ed Coates, who buys lumber for Gilchrist Forest Products sawmill 50 miles south of Bend. A shift in forest management practices since the early 2000s has saved big trees and focused logging on small- and medium-diameter trees, requiring mills to retool their operations.

Although logging activity has declined in the past 20 to 30 years, the Deschutes National Forest continues to be an important source of wood for the mill, said Coates. “There’s a lot of opportunity to do restoration work. We don’t want to see it go up in smoke or see bug kills,” he said. “When contractors log on the national forest, the process is geared up to take the worst trees in the forest, the sickly and crooked ones and leave the best trees alone.”

In 2009, Congress passed the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act in recognition of ongoing wildfire threats. It provided money for 10 collaboratives across the United States to restore forest ecosystems and enhance resiliency to natural and human disturbances. One of those was the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project (DCFP), which received $10 million over 10 years to recommend and implement restoration policies on 257,000 acres of the Deschutes National Forest, an area that wraps around Sisters, Bend and Sunriver.

The 19-member collaborative is made up of environmentalists, timber industry representatives, firefighters, forest ecologists, tribal members, outdoor recreationists, community leaders and elected officials.

Thomas Stokely, a Ph.D. forest ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, said the idea of DCFP is to get a diversity of stakeholders to work toward a common goal of restoring forest ecosystems and wildlife habitat to help forests become more resilient to wildfire and bounce back after fire without becoming fodder for insects and disease in the meantime. “A lot of the forest around town has received treatment, but some of it hasn’t seen fire for more than 100 years,” he said. “We’re working toward doing more prescribed burns and trying to shift the focus from fire suppression to proactive forest restoration.”

future by reducing wildfire risk and increasing forest health.” The Forest Service has stated that emphasizing health and reintroduction of fire on a larger scale also complements restoration efforts to improve aquatic and terrestrial habitats for sensitive and listed species, such as the Oregon spotted frog and Chinook salmon.

Chang pointed out that there’s a backlog of prescribed burning. The Deschutes National Forest continues to have sections where the density is 130 to 180 trees per acre instead of the 40 to 60 trees that make for a healthy ponderosa grove.

“We recognize that the landscape can look different and a bit rough right after thinning or prescribed burning, but in a couple years people will see a vibrant picturesque forest,” said Jaimie Olle, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service, adding that, “forest treatments set us up for success in the

Picturesque and healthy forests are in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the fire-adapted landscape. People choose to live in Central Oregon for a reason, most often for the beautiful high desert landscape with its mountains, woodlands, waterways and 300 days of sunshine. The restorative work being done with collective energy, from scientists to loggers, is borne from a love of the forest they hope to save for future generations. Find more at bendmagazine.com/wildfire-resources.

Note: Many members of the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project spoke with Bend Magazine, including Melanie Fisher, Ariel Cowen, Phil Chang, Ed Coates, Thomas Stokely and Jana Johnson (executive director, Deschutes Trails Coalition).

717 SW 10th Ave

Portland, OR 97205

503.223.4720

www.Maloys.com

For fine antique and custom jewelry, or for repair work, come visit us–it’s worth the trip! Come visit us in Portland or shop online at Maloys.com. We also buy.

Camp Sherman Store & Fly Shop campshermanstore.com

Cold Springs Resort & RV Park coldspringsresort.com

House on Metolius metolius.com

Hoodoo’s Camp Sherman Motel & RV Park campshermanrv.com

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Metolius River Resort metoliusriverresort.com

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Time to Unplug

Come to a place we think is a little slice of heaven. Camp Sherman, the hidden gem of Central Oregon, is waiting to greet you and your family. The majestic Metolius River flows under a tall canopy of Ponderous Pines, Larch, Fir and Cedar trees. Fly-fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing are favorite pastimes. For more information on lodging and our area visit MetoliusRiver.com

Noodlin’

Three countries: unlimited options

WRITTEN BY KATRYNA VECELLA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMBI LANE

They’re complex, simple and classic all at once—noodles are the heartthrob of many a foodie. Originating more than 4,000 years ago in China, noodles have been adapting and evolving with a supporting role for needs and tastes across millennia, and variations are unlimited. In Asia alone, find soba, udon, vermicelli, ramen, chow mein, somen and kal-guk soo. Then there are the variations of wheat, rice or glass noodles. Options and combinations are endless, so we celebrate the classics.

TRY: The Beef Ph from Ph Viet & Cafe is a base from which to add a variety of toppings and make it your own.

THAILAND

FLAVORS: Kaffir leaves, lemongrass, coconut milk, tamarind, galangal

CLASSIC: Pad Thai

Pad Thai is synonymous with Thai food, but surprisingly, the dish is relatively new. Two origin stories exist: Either that it was introduced to Thailand in the 1930s to ignite national pride, or that it evolved as part of a campaign to promote noodle consumption created by rice shortages after WWII. Rising in popularity in the streets of Thailand and expanding internationally, the slightly-sweet dish is loved by many and highlights specialty

ingredients of the country, namely fish sauce, oyster sauce and the heart and soul of Pad Thai sauce: tamarind Dear Mom Cafe, owned by Jattalee (JJ) Chalernhinthong and her husband Ash Horachaikul, honors Chalernhinthong’s mother by offering traditional dishes from her hometown, Chai Nat, a small city between Bangkok and Chaing Mai. “Her cooking comes from the mix of the culture, between central and north—not too north and not too central,” she said. She uses the ingredients her mother would find outside of her home. “We wanted to express mom’s cooking,” said Chalernhinthong of their classic Pad Thai.

“We use shallots, caramelized with palm sugars, and [tamarind], no tomato sauce.” Chalernhinthong won’t make substitutions for the key ingredients, even hard-to-find tamarind, but she builds new menus with what she says is, “a Central Oregon twist,” based on what is fresh and available.

Beyond Pad Thai: At Sen Thai Hot Pot and Noodles, try Guay Teow Hang: noodles, ground pork, meatballs, beansprouts, soy and fish sauce, topped with fried wontons. From chef Prang Rothenberger at her two restaurants: Try ThAiPAS’ Pad Kee Mao, or visit Chao Lay for Glass Noodle Bowls

TRY: Try Grandma’s Pad Thai at Dear Mom Cafe.

PHOTO MICKEY MOUSE

JAPAN

FLAVORS: Soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, miso, bonita, seaweed, wasabi

CLASSIC: Ramen

Each region in Japan has adapted its own style of ramen, depending on the local climate and cuisine. Today, creativity and out-of-the-box cooking has made ramen a popular dish worldwide. Tonkatsu ramen, a pork broth originally from southwestern Japan—is Chomp Chomp’s specialty and favorite of CEO Nate Heinrichs. Originally from the United States and a Tokyo resident for more than 20 years, Heinrichs a partner in Chomp Chomp from abroad. In Japan, Heinrichs said it’s common for some Japanese to eat soba or ramen every day.

“Traditionally there are ramen places everywhere, and if you just need to be filled up—something warm and nice that sticks to your bones—it’s an easy choice,” said Heinrichs.

There are two key components to a good ramen, said Rowan Singley, kitchen manager at Chomp Chomp: broth and tare. Tare (pronounced “tahreh”) is a sauce made of tamari, sake and a variety of other aromatic ingredients that make the soup more than meat broth. The tare needs to sit for a day. Meanwhile, Singley brines, blanches and boils pork neck bones, pig feet and other bones—a two-day process. “The end result is a silky, thick and super flavorful broth,” said Singley.

Ramen chefs get creative when it comes to toppings. Additions to Chomp Chomp ramen are garlic-fried cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, braised local pork belly, scallions, plus a fan-favorite—a perfectly soft-boiled egg steeped in a secret marinade. Expect a variety of toppings depending on where you eat.

“We’re hoping to introduce real ramen to people that have only experienced freeze-dried ramen—it’s a world of difference,” said Heinrichs.

More ramen: Try Miyagi Ramen Chilled Soba Bowl (buckwheat soba noodles, sesame soy dressing, pickled shishito, bok choy, spicy minced pork and toppings), or Kanji Ramen Noodle & Izakaya’s Mala Spicy Shoyu Ramen (pork broth with house sauce, topped with pork, wood ear mushroom, bamboo and corn).

TRY: Mala Spicy Shoyu Ramen at Kanji Ramen Noodle & Izakaya.

VIETNAM

FLAVORS: Nuoc man (fish sauce), chili, lemongrass, garlic, ginger

CLASSIC: Ph

Ph (pronounced “fuh”)—the brothbased soup dish with flat rice noodles, herbs and meat—also has a circuitous past. It’s believed by many that the dish originated in the northern city of Nam Đ nh, southeast of Hanoi, and expanded to worldwide popularity from Vietnamese refugees following the Vietnam War. Its true origin is vague as to whether it’s strictly Vietnamese, or has Cantonese or even French influence—a beef pot-au-feu with a twist. Today, Southern and Northern ph differs by sweetness in broth, noodles and garnishes. Son Nguyen, the new owner of Ph Viet & Cafe, was one of the “Vietnamese boat people,” refugees who fled Vietnam after the war in 1975. He’s

from the South, near the Mekong Delta and came to the United States in 1988.

Ph is the most classic Vietnamese dish, Nguyen explained. The dish is packed with flavors, including ginger, onions, fish sauce and the distinct star anise—all of which are popular Asian ingredients. But the key ingredient is time. “When we eat ph , we know when people cut corners,” said Nguyen. “You really just have to cook it for a long time.” Ph Viet’s ph takes 20 to 24 hours to make.

First, the beef bones are boiled to get any impurities out, Nguyen said. Then, that water is dumped and bones are put into new water, where they’ll simmer

“until the sun rises the next day.” Last, the other flavors are added and then drained three times. “The art is to make the broth clear,” Nguyen said. “If the broth isn’t clear, then the chef didn’t do it right.” Garnishes at Ph Viet include lime, bean sprouts, cilantro, hoisin, and a table chili sauce consisting of chili, lemongrass, garlic, onion and salt. Watch out—it’s got a kick!

Beyond Ph : Try Dang’s Bun Ca Chien (vermicelli noodles with crepe batter-crisped catfish). At Da Nang Vietnamese Eatery food truck, build your own “boat” with a noodle base.

TRY: Build your own noodle boat at Da Nang Vietnamese Eatery.

Tara Hulbert, DO

Our newest OB/GYN, Tara is honored to provide personalized, compassionate care for women and believes in a holistic approach, both emotional and physical. A great addition to our team of providers, Tara is passionate about low- and high-risk prenatal care, pelvic pain, endometriosis, sexual health, family planning, gender-affirming care, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She will be welcoming patients in September 2023 and looks forward to caring for women in both Bend and Redmond. Call for your appointment or to learn more today!

From Belgium with Love

Mussels and more on tap at Monkless Belgian Ales

WRITTEN BY MAISIE SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAMBI LANE

On the fringes above Bend’s Old Mill District, Monkless Belgian Ales stands apart as a haven of Belgian tradition and warmth. Owners Todd and Robin Clement have created an enchanting brasserie that transports visitors to a world of rustic charm and European flair. From the Chef’s Table, crafted from a local 200-yearold ponderosa pine to the weathered abbey arch framing the bar, every nook and cranny tells the story of patience and perfection.

A GASTRONOMIC JOURNEY

Inspired by the culinary traditions of Belgium and its neighboring countries, Monkless offers a curated menu celebrating regional and seasonal ingredients. Todd and Robin have created a culinary experience true to their roots by digging through old Belgian cookbooks and doing extensive research while on trips abroad. Then, they added a few imaginative twists.

Mussels are the stars of the menu, sourced fresh from Puget Sound every Thursday, Saturday and Monday. “People call

and ask, ‘Did the mussels arrive?’” said Robin. “Bendites love their mussels.” Moules Frites—one of Belgium’s most popular dishes—features juicy, slightly briny mussels sauteed in beer and butter and served with crispy fries. “If you want to eat moules like a true Belgian,” Robin continued, “remove the first mussel with your fingers and use the empty shell like a pair of tongs to eat the rest.”

Mitraillette, a Belgian street food marvel, features grilled bratwurst served in a baguette, smothered in andalouse (a mayonnaise-tomato sauce), peppers and bier cheese, and topped with, you guessed it—frites. Belgian cuisine has indeed confirmed an unspoken truth: fries make everything better. Served in a traditional cone with European-inspired dipping sauces, Monkless’ Belgian Frites defy expectations by staying crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Other crowd favorites from their menu include the Belgo Burger (a sloppy fork-and-knife burger), chicken and Liège waffles topped with thick-cut bacon and maple syrup, and an Alsatian bacon and onion tart that will make you rethink everything you know about pizza.

TAP INTO TRADITION

Brewing traditions in Belgium can be traced back to monasteries in the early Middle Ages when monks’ attention to detail and care helped elevate brewing to an art. Guided by this monastic ethos, Monkless Belgian Ales has earned a reputation for crafting beers with flavor and soul.

With a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, Todd fell in love with Belgian beer during his travels for work. “We had a pretty expensive Belgian beer habit, going to specialty stores and ordering bottles online,” said Robin. This prompted Todd to use his scientific expertise and embark on a mission to craft authentic Belgian-style ales.

Monkless’ range of award-winning beers caters to varying tastes and ABVs, debunking the misconception that all Belgian beers are strong and boozy. There’s a beer for every palate, from light and refreshing to bold and complex. Their latest creation, Reverie Pils, marks Monkless’ first venture into Belgian lagers, offering a crisp and clean beer perfect for Bend’s 300-plus days of sunshine. The brewery enjoys educating its visitors about Belgian beer culture, including the subtle art of ordering a Pils by raising a pinky finger to the barkeep.

In addition to beer, the brasserie offers wine, cider, specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic options, including its house-made herbinfused hibiscus ginger ale.

THE MONKLESS EXPERIENCE

Monkless Belgian Ales opened its doors in November 2019, a serendipitous leap of faith just months before the pandemic struck. Robin reflected, “It was a bit of a blessing, actually. We might not have had the courage to open a restaurant once the pandemic hit.”

Today, the brasserie remains a testament to dedication, passion and the celebration of tradition. From Belgian delights and awardwinning brews to the impressive patio keeping watch over the Deschutes River, Monkless marches to its own unforgettable beat.

“I couldn’t have imagined in 2016 something as beautiful and perfect as this,” said Robin.

Monkless Belgian Ales

803 SW Industrial Way #202, Bend (541) 797-6760

monkless.com

Stop and Smell the Espresso

A nod to Spain with Bellatazza’s Café Bombón

WRITTEN BY NOAH NELSON

Almost anywhere in the world, people find coffee traditions. For some, coffee is a to-go energy boost for a busy morning, but for others, slowly sipping a drink, being present in the moment and enjoying the ambiance of the cafe is paramount to the experience. Café Bombón, a traditional espresso drink that’s new and currently exclusive to Bend’s Bellatazza’s Caffe, is a great example of the latter.

Café Bombón, originating in Costa del Azahar, Spain, contains layers of espresso, sweetened condensed milk and foam. Bellatazza serves each traditional drink on a wooden board, accompanied by Toblerone chocolate and a glass of sparkling water.

The flavor is an indulgent experience, combining strong notes of both sweet and bitter for a balanced drink. Paired with sparkling

water and chocolate, Café Bombón tastes like a dessert that energizes and refreshes; the kind someone would take time to enjoy each sip in the morning air before starting the day.

Bellatazza Manager Amanda Bishop said Café Bombón is a way to provide customers with a traditional offering and to help strike a balance as a cafe between European and North American coffee cultures. In the European way of life, a focus is on single-shot espresso drinks being enjoyed in a cafe, while American cafes are more concerned with providing caffeine and flavor to busy workers jetting off to jobs, Bishop explained. “We generally try to offer a variety of styles for our customers,” Bishop said. “We understand that people come here for different reasons. When someone wants their double shot to go, we’ll have that ready in time for them to make it to work. But for customers who want to enjoy a unique and more traditional cafe experience, we offer that as well.” Bellatazza and Café Bombón give guests a unique opportunity in Bend—to enjoy a coffee drink as sweet and strong as a Spanish sunset.

Bellatazza

869 NW Wall St, Bend, (541) 318-0606 bellatazza.com

PHOTO TAMBI LANE

Top Row (left to right): John Sorlie, Mark Reinecke, Melissa Lande

Middle Row: Paul Taylor, Jeremy Green, Garrett Chrostek, Lindsay Gardner

Bottom Row: Brooke Olsen, Makenzie Spinks, Dustin Hawkins and Courtney Carskadon

Mega Gems

Sculpting giants with Lawrence Stoller

WRITTEN BY CHLOE GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY ALVIS

Lawrence Stoller remarked as he observed the intricate interior of The Golden One, a 1,400-pound cut and polished citrine quartz of approximately 3.5 million carats. It took him and his team three years to carve it, and it is one of the largest transparent crystals in the world. One could stare into it forever and always see some new fascinating detail because, as Stoller points out, “forever is actually inside the crystal.” Stoller’s studio, nestled just outside of Sisters, Oregon, is filled with hundreds of raw crystals of every size, shape and color. The collection of his finished works was built over four decades, is spread across the globe, and it includes some of the largest megagem sculptures in the world.

hat you are seeing is a frozen record of the earth forming,"

Stoller with his sculpture, Lunar Tide.

Sculptors:

Ashby

The artist’s journey began when a small quartz pendant a friend made sparked Stoller’s artistic interest in transparent crystal carving. His initial creative calling was music, but the allure of gemstones inspired him to pioneer the art of crystal carving and sculpture. While his work encompasses stones of all sizes and varieties, over time, his focus gravitated toward cutting and polishing bigger and bigger crystals, quartz crystals Stoller refers to as “megagems,” which upon retrieval from their mining locations, can weigh up to a ton. Quartz, constituting 12% of the Earth’s surface and 20% of its crust, is one of the planet’s most common minerals. Its rarified natural crystalline formation results in six-sided prisms, each face measuring precisely 60 degrees. Throughout history, ancient civilizations revered quartz for its aesthetic beauty and perceived spiritual significance. In modern times, its piezoelectric properties have made it an essential component of modern life, powering everything from finely tuned clocks to silica wafers for many types of industrial electrical uses, including computer chips. Crystals are also revered by modern healers, meditators and spiritual seekers, a community that forms a significant portion of Stoller’s devoted clientele. For Stoller, it was this diverse range of qualities that drew him so intently to the beauty living inside the rough stones. In his book Primal Beauty: The Sculptural Artistry of CrystalWorks, he writes, “There is no other earthly substance that combines technology, artistry, healing, mineralogy, physics, philosophy and metaphysics with the deep, wise, transparent beauty that grand crystals possess.”

His quest for megagems has taken him to remote locations around the world, from Brazil and Bolivia, to India and Russia, and beyond. Once the crystals have been transported to his home base in Central Oregon, the artistry commences.

Lapidary, the craft of cutting, shaping and polishing very hard gems, is most commonly reserved for jewelry, which makes Stoller a megagem pioneer in the lapidary field. Many of the tools and techniques Stoller uses to shape and smooth his gems were created and engineered himself, along with the help and expertise of others. “There are a handful of masterful Central Oregon artisans who work with me to bring this beauty into the world, including Timothy Turco, Ingrid Morencso and Justin Kelchak,” said Stoller. Stoller’s lapidary work is widely recognized in the gem and mineral world. Among his most well-known sculptures is the 9/11 Memorial, “Eleven Tears,” designed by architect Ken Smith. In the center of the memorial hangs a giant quartz crystal that Stoller sculpted into an 11-sided centerpiece honoring those lost September 11, 2001. It resides in the American Express building across from Ground Zero in New York City. Another highly regarded piece, the “Bahia” sculpture, created with Glenn Lehrer, is a magnificent hanging rutilated quartz sculpture that stands five-feet tall and resides in the lobby of the Gemological Institute of America. Stoller compares his process of carving and working with crystals to the way one might go about writing an article or a poem. Just as a writer may approach a piece without a fixed narrative, giving the story space to unfold naturally, Stoller approaches each gemstone with a willingness to let its inherent beauty guide his craftsmanship. Embracing an open and curious mindset, he allows the gem’s original and organic shape to inspire the direction of his work. “Each crystal I work on is a courtship,” he said, “replete with all the passions, complexities and commitments of any meaningful relationship. It is a co-creative process. I work on it; it works on me.” See lawrencestoller.com.

Liquid Light (optical quartz)

Socrates (quartz on Madagascar jasper)

Marmalade (Brazilian orange citrine)

Wild at Art

Sue Dougherty’s photographs exude respect for all creatures

WRITTEN BY JENNIFER

DELAHUNTY

In a wildlife photograph by Sue Dougherty, a viewer can almost hear, smell and touch each animal. Her style is so intimate—private even—viewers feel they are right there, whether on a Yellowstone ridge with a pack of wolves, in Botswana with a herd of elephants taking mud baths or in a Bend forest watching a magnificent great horned owl. Dougherty doesn’t need to travel far to create world-class photographs of wild animals and birds. Often, her subjects are the remarkable creatures she finds in her own Central Oregon backyard.

Recently, she hopped on her mountain bike at dawn and peddled less than a mile from her Sisters home with 20 pounds of equipment on her back and a tripod across her handlebars to digitally capture the smallest migratory bird in North America. The Calliope hummingbird is known to rest at the eponymous Calliope Crossing just north of Sisters, but capturing the elusive bird proved to be a test of Dougherty’s fierce attention. “Photographing animals is the ultimate exercise in mindfulness,” she explained. “For four days, I photographed a male flying a predictable pattern, grabbing insects mid-flight and chasing away interlopers. The background was not optimal—a hazy blue sky— so I edited it in a high-keyed style [with an overexposed background] and got an artsy shot.” The result was an image of the tiny, rare bird, at less than three inches tall, standing on a delicate willow branch, his distinctive spray of fuchsia neck feathers, called a “gorget,” and green iridescent head and body illuminated in a sea of white.

While Dougherty has photographed wildlife in the Galapagos, at the Arctic circle and many other places around the globe, she is just as captivated by the living creatures of the high desert. Central Oregon, she notes, is ripe with wildlife photo subjects: early summer spotted fawns resting in Shasta daisies, bald eagles nesting at Smith Rock, mountain bluebirds arriving in Shevlin Park and gorgeous snowy scenes of mule deer and elk.

FOR THE LOVE OF ANIMALS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

From the time she got her first bird identification book at age 8, Dougherty has been fascinated by and devoted to animals. For 35 years, she practiced as a small animal internal medicine specialist at the Bend Veterinary Specialists clinic she founded with her husband, Mark Parchman. She still works as a veterinary consultant and is acting president of the board at Think Wild, a Central Oregon wildlife hospital, education and conservation center.

JOHN CRAIGIE · DARLINGSIDE

DONNA THE BUFFALO · STEVE POLTZ

ALEX CUBA · NICK SHOULDERS · GINA CHAVEZ

DANIEL RODRIGUEZ · THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS

SETH WALKER · THE SENSATIONAL BARNES BROTHERS

THE SLOCAN RAMBLERS · CRYS MATTHEWS · BETH WOOD

HANDMADE MOMENTS · CHASTITY BROWN · HUMBIRD

SHAMARR ALLEN & THE UNDERDAWGS · DAMN TALL BUILDINGS

SAM REIDER & JORGE GLEM · GOODNIGHT MOONSHINE

GRIFFIN HOUSE · WILLI CARLISLE · HERON VALLEY

BAB L’ BLUZ · TWO RUNNER · CHATHAM RABBITS

OLIVE KLUG · ELIAS ALEXANDER · JENNER FOX · ANNA MOSS

SWEATER WEATHER STRING BAND · EDIE CAREY

Dougherty felt the first spark for photography during her undergraduate years in California where she was a wildlife management major. She began taking photos with a film camera but now works exclusively in the digital realm. While her two children were athletes at Summit High School, she clicked away on the sidelines. “Sports photography is not unlike wildlife photography,” she said and laughed.

“You can’t control what is happening.” When the entire family took a trip in 2010 to Tanzania to see the annual migration across the Serengeti, the smoldering fire for photography burst into full flames within her. She realized, “This is what I want to do with my life,” she said. Now Dougherty is digitally capturing wild animals with the urgency of an environmentalist. “I hope to evoke emotion and increase sensitivity to imperiled species,” she said. Dougherty travels the globe with a trusted guide and small groups of photographers. Intentional photo shoots, such as the one she’ll take to photograph polar bears in Norway in the fall, are one thing. Accidental photo shoots can be just as magical. Last winter, as part of her local conservation work, Dougherty was called to help a stranded duck in Sunriver. After she released the duck into a pond, she saw a herd of elk in a nearby pasture, frosted in ice. Out came her camera, and when two males sparred, locking horns, she clicked away, their battling bodies framed by the hoar-frosted grasses and trees. “Sometimes you have to see the scene within the scene,” she said. “Sometimes you do get your adrenaline tweaked,” she explained. Projecting calm rather than fear keeps her safe, she said. “You have to tune into the fact that you’re near another being with their own way of communicating.” Clearly, the language she’s learned to speak to her veterinary patients is heard by all animals—both domestic and wild.

Dougherty’s work has been widely published and has earned notable awards, including the 2020 Audubon Award for “Best Professional Photographer Picture.” See redchairgallerybend.com, offleashphotography.net

Culture Shorts

20 YEARS OF BENDFILM

BendFilm Festival, a platform for independent cinema, commemorates its 20th anniversary October 12-15. Audiences can expect an engaging lineup of more than 100 films screened at venues from Bend to Madras. Distinguished by its commitment to supporting emerging filmmakers, the festival hosts 125 talented filmmakers who will engage with the audience during Q&A sessions and presentations. The festival’s opening night film spotlights short-form storytelling as a way to explore diverse voices and forms of content. See bendfilm.org

ART, ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Local artists and musicians will use their art as advocacy in a program to highlight October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The October 6 Purple Party, hosted by Saving Grace at Somewhere That’s Green, will feature an art fair, late night plant shopping, dancing, music, libations and more. Additionally, Megan Marie Myers created an original design for shirts available to support DVAM 2023 and the “Art, Advocacy and Awareness” campaign happening throughout the month. See saving-grace.org

THE ART OF BEER LABELS

Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, the only nonprofit brewery in Central Oregon, collaborated with local artist Janessa Bork of Vivi Designs to create labels for its line of craft beer. The new labels showcase vibrant and creative outdoor scenes, with an aim to embody the brewery’s heritage and strong ties to Central Oregon’s landscape. The updated labels debuted on its award-winning Overlander Imperial IPA, and favorites such as Tropic Blur IPA and Lotus Pils, with designs for the full line rolling out this fall. See cascadelakes.com.

PIANO QUARTET KICKS OFF HIGH DESERT CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

High Desert Chamber Music looks ahead to its 16th season and will present a series of classical chamber music concerts from fall through May 2024, plus an annual gala that includes a performance, dinner and fundraiser. On October 8, the season commences with the Fauré Quartett from Germany, one of the world’s leading piano quartets. See highdesertchambermusic.com

PHOTO COURTESY BENDFILM/BARB GONZALEZ

PHOTO WHITNEY WHITEHOUSE

LIFE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN WHEN IT GETS CRISP IN THE FALL.”

— F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, THE GREAT GATSBY

Money makes the world go round.

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(So go ahead, take it for a spin.)