2022FALL thegorgemagazine.com
LIVING AND EXPLORING IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Fat FriendsTire A women’s mountain bike group bonds on the trails Saving Steigerwald A wildlife refuge gets new life Logsdon’s Legacy The man, the yeast, the beer
Our Team Anna Guemperlein, Broker OR • Anne Medenbach, CCIM OR/WA • Bill Irving, Princ. Broker OR/WA • Bob Smith, Broker OR/WA • Candice Richards, Princ. Broker OR/WA Carolyn Layson, Princ. Broker OR • Chelsea Finson, Broker OR/WA • Chris Schanno, Broker OR • Cody Cornett, Broker OR/WA • Cyndee Kurahara, Broker OR/WA Dennis Morgan, Princ. Broker OR/WA • Elise Byers, Broker OR/WA • Elizabeth Turner, Broker OR/WA • Elsa Kurahara, Broker OR/WA Erin Valverde Pollard, Broker OR/WA • Hunter Lowery, Broker OR/WA • Judy Dutcher, Gen. Man./Broker OR/WA • Julie Gilbert pc, Broker OR/WA Keef Morgan, Broker OR • Marcus Morgan, Broker OR/WA • Maui Meyer, Owner/Princ. Broker OR/WA • Melissa Alvarado, Broker OR • Michael Foster, Broker OR/WA Nate DeVol, Broker OR • Paul Thompson, Princ. Broker OR/WA • Phineas England, Broker OR/WA • Rich McBride, Broker OR Rita Ketler, Man. Princ. Broker OR/WA • Ross Henry, Broker OR/WA • Samantha Irwin, Broker OR • Sean Aiken, Princ. Broker OR/WA Sky Morgan, Broker OR • Stephanie Howell, Broker OR/WA • Vicki Brennan, Broker OR Phineas England broker, or/wa 541-490-9666 phineas@copperwest.com Carolyn Layson principalbroker, or 541-993-0113 carolyn@copperwest.com Michael Foster broker, or/wa 509-310-9502 michael@copperwest.com Vicki Brennan broker, or 541-399-3678 vicki@copperwest.com Julie Gilbert pc broker, or/wa 541-490-4433 julie@copperwest.com Cyndee Kurahara broker, or/wa 541-490-1396 cyndee@copperwest.com Melissa Alvarado broker, or 541-980-8977 melissa@copperwest.com Paul Thompson principalbroker, or/wa 541-490-1044 paul@copperwest.com Stephanie Howell broker, or/wa 509-596-6177 stephanie@copperwest.com Erin V Pollard broker, or/wa 541-705-7798 erin@copperwest.com Elise Byers broker, or/wa 541-490-3769 elise@copperwest.com Sean Aiken principalbroker, or/wa 541-490-8277 seanaiken@copperwest.com Bill Irving principalbroker, or/wa 503-816-9251 bill@copperwest.com Rita Ketler managingprincipalbroker 541-400-0449 rita@copperwest.com Cody Cornett broker, or/wa 219-916-0451 cody@copperwest.com Candice Richards principalbroker, or/wa 541-912-5999 candice@copperwest.com Maui Meyer owner/princ brokeror/wa 541-490-3051 maui@copperwest.com Dennis Morgan principalbroker, or/wa 541-980-3669 dennis@copperwest.com Client Focused. Community Inspired. Since 2001. CopperWest.com | 541-386-2330
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4 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE OUR GORGE 10 V ENTURES 14 EXPLORE 20 IMBIBE 54 PARTAKE 58 YOUR GORGE OUTSIDE 40 CAMARADERIE ON THE TRAILS A women’s mountain biking group finds joy in weekly rides By Ruth Berkowitz ARTS + CULTURE 44 A RADIO SHOW WITH VERVE Musician Jeff Minnick brings his country cred to the airwaves By Don Campbell WELLNESS 48 THE WOMAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE Arwen Ungar imparts skills and confidence through aerial arts By Janet Cook 14 Ben Mitchell CONTENTS | FALL 2022 Renata Kosina Renata Kosina 44 RESCUE OF A REFUGE A restoration project at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge has finally reconnected the Columbia River with its historic floodplain By Janet Cook FEATURE 32 48 Courtesy of Empowered Movement Aerial Petar Marshall
Huckleberry Fest sign went up a few weeks ago. By the time you read this, the sign will likely be gone, the festival over. But the season that sign ushers in, to me at least, will be in full swing. Let me explain. When I first moved to the Gorge in the early ‘90s, I spent every spare minute wind surfing at the Hatchery. One day in August of my first Gorge summer, something appeared on my Hatchery commute that was not there the day before: a sign for Bingen’s long-running Huckleberry Fest, planted on Highway 14 at the intersection with the bridge. I’d been trying to ignore the lengthening shad ows and the river feeling a bit cold for my shorty wetsuit. It seemed like those two smiling huckleberries on the sign were laughing at me as I wished for summer to last longer. That day, the sign and the changing season melded in my mind.
The
There are also some things on my fall must-do list drawn from the pages of this issue, including a visit to the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Located at the mouth of the Gorge in Washington, the refuge has undergone a years-long restoration that has reconnected its wetlands with the Columbia River for the first time in decades. The project has enhanced recreation op portunities at the refuge, and vastly improved wildlife habitat. The upcoming migratory bird sea son should be especially prolific. Read about the refuge and the restoration starting on page 32.
— Janet Cook, Editor
Listed
come!
giving you
EDITOR’S NOTE
22256090
Own
Hood River photographer Paloma Ayala is part of the Trailblockers, a group of women who gather for weekly mountain bike rides. “Many times, I bring my camera to grab shots of the group during our ride,” she said. She captured our cover photo during a stretch of nice fall weather. “A few days before the women’s ride, I was riding by myself and saw how beautiful the foliage looked. When the ride happened, I knew I wanted to have a shot in this place with the afternoon light making the colors look vibrant.” ayalapaloma.com
When you have read this issue please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. Together we can make a difference in preserving and conserving our resources.
Other stories in this issue include our cover piece about the Trailblockers, a women’s mountain biking group (page 40); a profile of renowned musician Jeff Minnick (page 44); and a look at the legacy of David Logsdon, whose impact on the craft brewing world is widely recognized (page 20). Happy huckleberry season!
covered
I also plan to check out the fall color and easygoing trails at Hamilton Island (page 14). Writer/ photographer Ben Mitchell ended up there last year by default and found much to like. Its central Gorge location offers great views, and the numerous stands of black cottonwoods put on a golden show in autumn.
as
2422
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As the years went by, the sign went up with maddening regularity every August. It became a thing with my husband and me. “The huckleberry sign is up,” one of us would proclaim if the other hadn’t yet seen it. It was like saying, “Summer is over, in case you didn’t know.” We grudg ingly came to accept the smiling huckleberries at the end of the bridge, and now I seem not to mind spotting the sign for the first time as summer winds down. This year, I noticed a new one on this side of the bridge. The huckleberries are coming for me. But it’s ok. I’m looking forward to autumn with its cooler weather and vibrant colors. I have some favorite fall hikes I’m itching to do, and a date with my mountain bike, which the hot, dry days have kept me from lately.
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2022FALL thegorgemagazine.com LIVING AND EXPLORING IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE Fat FriendsTire A women’s mountain bike group bonds on the trails Saving Steigerwald A wildlife refuge gets new life Logsdon’s Legacy The man, the yeast, the beer
About the Cover
541-490-5099 Oregon & Washington Broker Carol@DonNunamaker.comRealEstateinTheGorge.comHoodRiverProperties.com
6 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
that may be your
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 7 EDITOR Janet Cook CREATIVE DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renata Kosina ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jody Thompson ADVERTISING SALES Chelsea Marr and Kim Horton CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Molly Allen, Ruth Berkowitz, Don Campbell, Jesse Larvick, Kacie McMackin, Ben Mitchell COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Paloma Ayala PHOTOGRAPHERSCONTRIBUTING Paloma Ayala, Renata Kosina, Jesse Larvick, Kacie McMackin, Petar Marshall, Ben Mitchell TO ADVERTISE IN THE GORGE MAGAZINE please contact Jody jthompson@thegorgemagazine.comThompson VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @thegorgemagazine on Instagram THE GORGE MAGAZINE 600 E. Port Marina Way, Suite B and C P.O. Box 390 Hood River, Oregon 97031 We appreciate your feedback. Please email comments jcook@thegorgemagazine.comto: The Gorge Magazine is published by Columbia Gorge News, LLC. 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 Columbia Gorge News, LLC. Articles and photographs appearing in The Gorge Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of The Gorge Magazine, Columbia Gorge News, LLC, or its employees, staff or management. All RIGHTS RESERVED. The Gorge Magazine is printed at Eagle Web Press. FALL 2022 Eggceptional Breakfast & Lunch Open Daily 6am-2pm 1313 Oak St., Hood River 541-386-1127 eggrivercafe.com A FAVORITE OF LOCALS AND VISITORS FOR DECADES Specials every Friday - Sunday Current specials menu announced every Thursday on our Facebook & Instagram 10% discount for seniors and veterans
We Have Joined Forces To Serve You Even Better Cascade Sotheby’s International Realty and The Hasson Company have partnered to become the most prominent real estate brokerage serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. Operating now as Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, the firm brings a combined $6 billion in sales (2021) with over 570 agents working in 22 office locations serving buyers and sellers in all price ranges. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Relocation & Corporate CascadeHassonRELO.comServices Relo@CascadeHassonSIR.com800.527.4939 CascadeHassonSIR.com Info@CascadeHassonSIR.com866.419.0494 +
Jesse Larvick
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 9 GORGEour 20 David Logsdon in the barn where he brewed his award-winning farmhouse ales. ventures 10 explore 14 imbibe 20 your gorge 58
The team officially acquired the property in December 2021 and got to work planning how to rebrand it and create a more modern feel. “We told our small team and wives to start brainstorming names and aesthetics,” says England. “After a couple of days of bouncing around ideas and nothing sticking, my wife pitched the idea of Wilder + Pine and everything fell into place.”
Once the name was finalized, the vision was clear. “We all started to see the rustic appeal of the cabins combined with modern touches and simple but luxurious comfort,” England says. “It became lively, re-energized with adventure and intrigue.” As soon as you
Riverside cabins in Stevenson undergo a transformation
story by MOLLY ALLEN | photos by PETAR MARSHALL
N
“We have always seen Stevenson as a gem, as a central place in the Gorge that we, with our families, have frequently gone to hike and explore,” says Mitchell England, who owns and operates Cadia Capital Group LLC with his business partner Travis Dillard. “It’s an ideal location, no Accordingdoubt.”toDillard, the property has a longstanding history, but the details are few and far between. “We know the property was built in the early ‘80s and served as short-stay cabins,”
10 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Down by the River
he says. “It’s changed hands a few times since but has stayed as rental cabins for Gorge en thusiasts all the while.” England and Dillard were born and raised in the Gorge. They know the area well, but had never heard of this site or seen the accommodations before. “We brought in an additional investor and closed on the property with the hopes of ren ovating and modernizing the appeal of the cabins,” Dillard says.
GORGEOUR I VENTURES
estled on the banks of the Columbia River in Stevenson, Wash., sits Wilder + Pine, a collection of idyllic cabins. If the walls of those cabins could talk, with their history dating back to the early 1980s, they would have stories to tell. Now, the group of cabins previously known as the Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge has been renovated and rejuvenated to offer a picturesque getaway for locals and travelers alike.
And the team isn’t done yet. “Our next phase will include light xtures and some bathroom and kitchen upgrades,” England says.
Among the most important highlights of the property are the soaking tubs built into almost every deck. e Spruce cabin, which is located just steps from the river, features a private
Each cabin can accommodate a di erent number of guests, ranging from three to seven. Dark green carpet was replaced with modern vinyl plank ooring. Comfortable sofas, paired with hairpin leg co ee tables, can be found in the cabins, along with gas replaces. All the furnishings were added to each space with the modern-meets-rustic aesthetic in mind.
Eight 1980s-era cabins at Wilder + Pine have been renovated, with a ninth to come this fall.
Ne 360.909.9503-Designs.com
Currently, there are eight cabins available, with a ninth to come later in the fall. While the exterior has seen minor updates, keeping much of the original rustic appeal intact, the interior of each cabin has undergone an inspiring
“Furniture,transformation.furnishings and ooring were the top priorities in our renovation plans,” England says. “We upgraded mattresses and bedding and added new pull out/click down sofas to ensure the highest level of comfort for our guests.” Other furnishings such as towels, lamps, patio furniture and décor pieces were replaced as well.
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THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 11
pull up to the waterfront property, you’re met with the stunning scene of cabins along the riverbank. Each cabin is built from rustic logs, o ering a cozy feel thanks to warm dark wood on the exterior, paired with green roo ng.
Dillard adds, “We’re excited to be sharing our new secret with the Gorge and anyone looking for a Gorge adventure.”
Hiking and water sports are popular and plentiful within this slice of the Gorge. Wilder + Pine sits right next to Bob’s Beach, which provides access for kitesur ng and wing foiling, along with paddleboarding and kayaking.
hot tub, while other deck tubs are shared with adjoining cabins. But no matter the location, these unique, turquoise-tiled tubs serve as the perfect spot to enjoy morning co ee or relax with a glass of wine at night, all while taking in the views of the mighty Columbia.
12 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
“It’s an ideal location, no doubt, so we are working to continue promoting that along with our property,” says England. “ e access to activities is perfect and our guests want to know what to do, where to go, where to eat, hike and bike.”
Given the convenient location of Wilder + Pine, guests can walk to Stevenson’s popular restaurants and bars. Along the waterfront sits Clark and Lewie’s, Walking Man Brewery and
OUR GORGE I VENTURES
“ e property is unique in its location being right on the riverfront, which in today’s regulations, zoning no longer allows, making it truly one of a kind,” says Dillard.
“Being a couple of local guys, we love this area. We were raised on these mountains and on this river,” says Dillard. “Being investors, we also understand the draw to the area.”
To learn more, go to wilderandpine.com Molly Allen is a food, beverage and travel writer who lives in Hood River.
Skunk Brother Spirits. Red Blu Taphouse and 54-40 Beer Lodge are within walking distance as well. And of course, guests can prep their own meals thanks to well-equipped kitchenettes.
e small team operating this picturesque property still has its wheels turning on other improvements. Outdoor re pits will be included in the next phase of upgrades, allowing guests to enjoy the magic of a re by the river. In the future, they hope to o er E-bikes, as well as paddleboards, for guests to take out and explore the area.
Discover meandering trails and fall color in the heart of the Gorge
Hamilton Island has plenty of fall color and standout views of the Gorge, top and inset.
on what was an otherwise sunny day (classic Gorge) — my girlfriend Jennifer and I headed back to check out the aforementioned yellowish-orange trees, which are located on a landmass called Hamilton Island.
story and photos by BEN MITCHELL
14 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
GORGEOUR I EXPLORE
riving through the mostly green, conif erous Gorge in autumn, I’ve always been struck by a pronounced, largely unbro ken swath of brilliant, yellowish-orange trees located on the islands just downstream of the mighty Bonneville Dam in the middle of the Columbia River Gorge.
D
If you’ll pardon the pun, I’m always pining for that rare Gorge fall hike that has volumi nous, striking, and varied foliage — a desire borne from Upstate New York roots, where the forests are primarily deciduous and the fall foliage, in my opinion, is second to none. Over the years, I’ve fallen into the habit of doing my favorite autumn hikes again and again: Cape Horn (Washougal), Dry Creek Falls (Cascade Locks), the Klickitat Trail and the Cherry Orchard (Lyle), among others.
However, I decided to break my routine a bit last fall. On a warm Saturday in late November, after getting skunked on a hike at Larch Mountain — some spoilsport clouds rolled in to obscure my view of the Cascades
Frankly, I’m somewhat embarrassed I hadn’t been there before. Readily visible from Inter state 84 on the Oregon side, and adjacent to the City of North Bonneville on the Washington
Hamilton Island
side, Hamilton Island is a popular spot for anglers (and can get in credibly busy during salmon runs), but also has a network of trails managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city. Hamilton Island is easily overlooked due to its proximity to some of the most popular places in the Gorge, including Beacon Rock, Hamilton Mountain, Bonneville Dam, and Eagle Creek, just to name
north toward Table Mountain in Washington, above, is
in color. Black cottonwoods are plentiful on the island and offer showy fall foliage, opposite bottom. 1867 12th Street, Hood River • rosauers.com • 541.386.1119 ROSAUERS ROSAUERS SUPERMARKETS Huckleberry’s Natural Market Fa Freshness ORGANICS • PRODUCE DELI & BAKERY • MEAT & SEAFOOD WINE & BEER • FLORAL
The view awash
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 15
OUR GORGE I EXPLORE
There’s also historical significance to the area. If you’re looking for
a few. Truth be told, if you’re looking for a long, challenging hike (or even a moderate one), this isn’t for you, as the loop around is only about 3-4 miles.
16 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
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another nearby diversion, take a stroll around the 1.5-mile loop at the Fort Cascades Historic Site, which contains remnants of an ancient Native American portage that later became a fort and then a town known as Cascades. It was ultimately washed away in an 1894 flood, never to be rebuilt.
It also offers a unique perspective of the Gorge, as you feel like you’re in the middle of everything, being both in the heart of the Gorge, and in the middle of the Columbia River, able to view the Washington and Oregon sides simultaneously. Its proximity to North Bonneville also means you can add on to your adventure by enjoying its numerous paved bike trails, playing a round of disc golf at the city’s course, or calling it a day with a post-hike snack and/or libation at one of the local establishments.
Not to mention the reason I’m writing this article for this edition of the magazine: fall color, provided by the numerous black cotton woods (Populus trichocarpa), which can be seen in other riparian and alluvial areas around the Pacific Northwest.
But Hamilton Island is worthy of appreciation for many other great reasons: plenty of parking and two trailheads (one located at the end of Portage Drive and the other at the end of Fort Cascades Drive, both easily accessible off Washington State Route 14); vault toilets at the Fort Cascades Drive trailhead; strategically placed benches at scenic overlooks; short and easy trails that are suitable for kids and seniors; a prime spot for birdwatching; and great views of Bonneville Dam, Beacon Rock, Table Mountain and its neighbors, and waterfalls trickling down the Gorge walls on the Oregon side.
The trail around Hamilton Island offers sweeping views of the Columbia River and is an easy four miles on flat terrain.
OUR GORGE I EXPLORE
Clark’s Viewpoint, at the western tip of the island, rewards hikers with a beautiful view down the Gorge and a peek at Beacon Rock.
In fact, the application of the word “island” to this landmass is also historical, in that it is technically no longer an island. Friends of the Columbia Gorge notes on its website that the island was turned into a peninsula when ll deposited from the construction of the Bonneville Dam’s North Powerhouse in the 1970s connected the island to the Washington shore, as well as making the island “much higher than its natural con guration.” Fun fact: the city of North Bonneville was moved to its current site due to the construction of that powerhouse!
For more information and directions, go to gorgefriends.org and search “strawberry island.”
18 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
And while I’ve been referring to it as Hamilton Island, which is indeed its name on modern maps (Oregon Hikers notes that it was named after Samuel M. Hamilton, who made a land claim in the area in 1850 — Hamilton Mountain and Hamilton Creek are named after him), it was previously referred to as Strawberry Island by none other than Lewis and Clark. e Corps of Discovery reached the island on Halloween in 1805 and named it after the numerous strawberry vines running along it. at old moniker is re ected today on the name of the island’s trail system, referred to as the “Strawberry Island Loop.”
Starting from the Strawberry Island Trailhead near the baseball diamond o Portage Drive, you can hike a loop around the island from the north side that follows Hamilton Creek, and then nishes along the southern side of the island where it skirts the Columbia before heading back to the trailhead. However, there are also trails that climb up and cut across the island’s grassy interior, giving hikers alternate options. Or just start at the Hamilton Island Trailhead at the end of Fort Cascades Drive and do the loop that way. Or skip the loop and just meander around the island as far as you’d like.
While the western tip of the island, called Clark’s Viewpoint, has great views down the Gorge and of Beacon Rock, and is certainly a point of interest, there is no speci c destination or obvious goal for the Hamilton Island hike, and honestly, that’s kind of refreshing. Go there on a lazy, sunny, glorious fall afternoon, take in the colorful foliage, and simply stroll around, enjoying the splendor of the Gorge and the bountiful natural beauty it has to o er.
Ben Mitchell is a writer/filmmaker who lives in Hood River. He’s a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
OR & WA 541-705-0572Broker DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, ORDonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 DonNunamaker.com | 541 386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, OR DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, OR Devery Broddie OR 541-806-1849Broker Jill Guenther OR 541-490-3156Broker 541-490-4812 DonNunamaker.com | 541 386 4400 OR & WA 541-490-3364Broker DonNunamaker.com | 541 386 4400 NunamakerAlison DonNunamaker.com | 541 386 4400 Becky Fry DonNunamaker.com2495Cascade DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, OR Ruth Chausse OR & WA 541-490-4850Broker 541-490-0427 DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 Ave. Hood River, OR Ashlyn Neperud OR & WA 541-971-5237Broker Amanda Curry OR & WA 720-563-7192Broker OR & WA 541-490-3109Broker DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, OR 541-490-3854 DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, OR Charlotte Dupuis Rhiannon DuBreeJody Thompson Mychal LucasKayla Easton Property Management DonNunamaker.com | 541-386-4400 2495 Cascade Ave. Hood River, OR www.NunamakerPropertyManagement.com | 541-386-5555
“
usiness is like war,” David Logsdon whispers across the table as he sits at Double Mountain Brewery, just across the street from another brewery which he co-founded and was once part owner, Full Sail Brewing. “In war, history is written by the victors. The same is true in business.”Fortunately for Logsdon, business was never too much like war in any other ways, and he’s pleased to be able to tell his own story — give his own history. All things considered, it’s a vic torious memoir. Now, at the age of 67, Logsdon finds himself at the end of a rewarding career.
B
“It’s been quite a career and a lifetime — I’ve never regretted any of it,” he says. Though still actively consulting, his long days and hard work have come to a close.
20 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Without the David Logsdon story, craft brewing, particularly in the Pacific North west, would have a different history alto gether. Fortunately for beer lovers, history is what it is, with Logsdon having played an unquestionably pivotal role. Matt Swihart, of Double Mountain Brewing, suggests, “Brew eries would have still been around. They would have sprung up. But they’d be differ ent, for sure, and progress would have been a lot slower.” Logsdon’s influence stretches from his roots in home brewing in the 1970s across early craft brewing start-ups to largescale breweries.
David
Hood
story and photos
A Lasting Legacy River’s Logsdon helped shape the world of craft brewing by JESSE LARVICK
David Logsdon stands in the barn where he started Wyeast Laboratories in 1986, and later brewed awardwinning ales, top. At left, Logsdon and Matt Swihart of Double Mountain Brewery.
IGORGEOUR IMBIBE
He lived in Sandy and Portland for some years before feeling the draw back to rural life. The idea of raising a family in the country was the most alluring aspect. And despite the advantages of launching a yeast business in the burgeoning brew hub of Portland, doing it in the Hood River Valley seemed much more appealing.
info@mtHooDwinery com 541-386-8333
It was there that he became interested in brewing, finding himself in the college lab maintaining yeast and bacteria strains. “We studied all kinds of fermentation science,” he says, “and I thought, ‘I like beer. I’m going to learn how to brew beer.’” He began experi menting with home brewing in 1978.
Photo by Jennifer Gulizia Van Horn DriVe, HooD riVer
Logsdon was raised on a farm in Ohio in a town he describes as “backwater.” He recalls standing with his arms on the fence, looking out and, as he says, “wondering about the world out there.” Family gatherings were frequent and always included a keg. He rec ollects the ripe old age of 12 being the mile stone where he was able to join the family in having a beer. “It was bitter as hell,” he recalls. “It was different back then…nobody cared [about legal drinking age].” Feeling the need to leave Ohio, Logsdon headed west in the 1970s, to California briefly, and eventually on to Oregon where he attended Mt. Hood Community College.
Specializing in Estate Grown Pinot Noir / Pinot Gris Riesling / Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer
Upon moving to Hood River, Logsdon opened Wyeast Laboratories in a barn on the small farm he purchased more for the purpose of raising a family and conducting the yeast business than
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 21
When Wyeast Laboratories outgrew the barn, it was moved to new headquarters in Odell, left. Logsdon kegs beer at Full Sail Brewing in 1987 as his dad looks on, right. Opposite inset, Logsdon behind the bar at Full Sail.
likes of Kurt Widmer (co-founder of Widmer Brewing), Karl Ockert (first brewer of BridgePort, Oregon’s oldest craft brewery), and Art Larrance (original owner of Cascade Brewing). They would gather at a McMenamins to “talk about something we knew little about…but we had a lot of enthusiasm,” Logsdon says.
In the then-nascent world of craft brew ing in Portland, with only college classes and home brewing for experience, Logsdon would meet and discuss beer and brewing with the
Experience finely crafted wines and extraordinary mountain & vineyard views. / Mt Hood Winery tasting room o pen daily 11am to 5pm th ro ugh November w 2882
context, it’s worth noting that in 1987, when Full Sail opened its doors, there were fewer than 125 breweries in the
any crop ambitions. The lab officially opened for business in 1986. At that time, Logsdon was pioneering a pitchable liquid yeast for brewers — essentially a yeast solution that was ready to go, activated, and therefore more predictable. He achieved this by developing the “smack pack,” a brewing yeast solution that included vitality and quality control. A brewer could “smack the pack,” visibly watch the pack grow, and be assured of a healthy, activated batch of yeast. With that evidence came less waste in the form of fewer batches of beer spoiled by bad yeast — a major advance ment for large-scale, repeatable brewing.
Later in 1986, not long after opening the lab, Logsdon got wind of a brewery in the works in Hood River. That brewery — briefly named Sasquatch Brewing before a ceaseand-desist letter arrived — would become Full Sail Brewing. At Full Sail, all things came together. Logsdon soon found himself the operator of a yeast lab as well as Full Sail’s firstForbrewmaster.historical
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So, he left Full Sail as brewmaster — though he maintained part ownership and a yeast supply
entire country. In the decade that followed, around 1,000 new breweries opened across the nation, with an undeniable heartbeat right here in the Pacific Northwest. And as any brewer knows but the general public may not, the particular strain of yeast and how that yeast is handled means everything for the flavor of a beer. And so, with craft beer on the rise, Full Sail growing quickly, and Wyeast Laboratories also expanding, Logsdon had to make a decision.
relationship — in order to work full time with the lab. It is here that Logsdon arguably made his biggest impact. Over the next decade and a half, “optimism, hard work, and a little serendipity,” he says, made so many things go right. Until stepping away from the lab in 2009, Logsdon found himself “helping thousands of brewers all over the world to make better beer.”
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” he says. He believes helping breweries like Deschutes only bene ted the craft brew industry. Today Deschutes Brewery distributes more than 225,000 barrels of beer each year.
During the following years Logsdon helped many other breweries establish themselves. He prepared Widmer’s Europeansourced yeast so it was ready to do its job in the brewery’s very rst brew. Rob Widmer, Kurt’s co-founder, recounts, “[David] held our hands during the early years. Many people helped in those days, but Dave helped us sleep a bit better at night when it came to yeast.”
David Logsdon outside Full Sail Brewing as it looks today, opposite, and with his parents George and Estella Logsdon and co-founder Jerome Chicvara toasting the grand opening of the brewery in 1987, above.
Expressive
In a scene reminiscent of others during his career, Logsdon recalls getting an urgent phone call from Deschutes Brewery just months after it opened in 1988. e brewer there found himself in trouble with a contaminated yeast strain. Logsdon traveled to Bend and discussed with the brewer every step of the brew process in order to correct the path and get them back on track.
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Although time consuming, Logsdon viewed the experience as rewarding and mutually bene cial. “Doing the troubleshooting and helping brewers that were in straits was one of the rewards,” he re ects. Logsdon recalls Deschutes Brewery’s owner, Gary Fish, saying, “I thought we were done.” Logsdon also didn’t view it as a con ict of interest.
Now that he’s retired and doing part-time consulting work with breweries, David Logsdon spends more time on his Hood River Valley Farm, where he plans to grow grapes.
OUR GORGE I IMBIBE
24 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Logsdon also consulted with Mt. Hood Brewing Company prior to its opening in Government Camp in 1991. And he was an early financial backer of Double Mountain Brewery, which opened in 2007 under the leadership of Matt Swihart and Charlie Devereaux, former coworkers of Logsdon’s at Full Sail.
“Logsdon provided the first yeast strains to be used in Double Mountain beers,” Swihart says. “I asked him for something different and that’s what he gave us.” Different turned out to be really good, and the relationship lasts to this day.
Logsdon pursued one final venture after leaving Wyeast Labora tories in 2009, where his three daughters, Alisa, Katrina, and Tamara remain intimately involved. His final business enterprise was Logsdon
Some of David Logsdon’s award-winning farmhouse ales.
Jesse Larvick is a photographer, filmmaker and writer who lives in Hood River.
“I have a big affinity for Belgian beers,” Logsdon explains. While the Northwest was in what Logsdon calls “the bitter race, making hoppier and hop pier beers,” he found himself returning to Seizons and Bretts and Witbiers. And he did them well, earning gold medals at the World Beer Cup and other pres tigious awards. But, as they say, all good things come to an end. In 2015 Logsdon announced his retirement, handing over Logsdon Farmhouse Ales to new owners.
26 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE OUR GORGE I IMBIBE
“I’ve built businesses over the years,” Logsdon says. “The day I walked away from them, I didn’t have any regrets. I did what I wanted to do.” In terms of a legacy, he says it’s about relationships. “Accomplishments obviously are nice. Hey, you won a gold medal, that’s great. Relationships, the people you worked with — those are what you carry with you to the end.”
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Farmhouse Ales. For it, he returned to the farm where Wyeast Laboratories operated until expanding into a new production space in 2001.
Though officially retired, Logsdon remains active, continuing consulting work with brew eries, volunteering, and working on the farm — this time with intentions of growing grapes instead of yeast. He never experienced much of the war to which he likened business. He chose not to go to battle, but to be a collaborator instead. And as such, there’s been no need for sur render. It seems the work will continue indefinitely.
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A restoration project at STEIGERWALD LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE has reconnected the Columbia River with its historic floodplain for the first time in decades
Story by JANET COOK
Photos by RENATA KOSINA and COURTESY OF LOWER COLUMBIA ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP
32 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Dwell with intention.
By the time the refuge was established in 1987, the historic oodplain and wetlands surrounding the namesake lake had been cut o for more than two decades from the seasonal ooding that fed and nourished them.
To mitigate the problem, the port had to maintain an extensive pump system, which was “hugely expensive to operate,” Collins said. Columbia River ooding was no longer an issue but ooding from Gibbons Creek was. (continued on p. 34)
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 33
e best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, wrote the poet Robert Burns. And so it went at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge east of Washougal in Washington.
“By disconnecting oodwaters from the oodplain, you impact wildlife and degrade the oodplain habitats pretty severely,” said Chris Collins, a project manager with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. Fish and other aquatic species can no longer access the oodplain, and invasive plants quickly move in, he added.
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at’s because a ve-mile-long levee extending east from the Port of Camas-Washougal had been built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1966 to stave o oodwaters from the Columbia River. e devastating Vanport Flood of 1948 showed everyone what the Great River of the West could do in a bad year. Although the Washington side of the river fared better, the city of Vanport, just north of Portland with a population of 18,000, was destroyed in the ooding caused by a ruinous combination of snowmelt and heavy spring rain. e levee was designed to prevent damage to surrounding developments from the ooding that happened even in “normal” years. Its 46-foot walls were plenty high enough to keep the Columbia River out. at was good for ood prevention, but bad for the once-rich habitat of the oodplain and its wetlands.
Photo by Renata Kosina
e levee also had another unintended — one could say, ironic — consequence. Gibbons Creek, a small Columbia River tributary originating in the hills of the western Gorge, historically owed into Steigerwald Lake and its wetlands. When the levee was built, the creek could no longer outlet into the Columbia via the wetlands. It was forced into an arti cial channel that carried water through the wetlands and over the levee. is system worked ne for most of the year, but seasonal ooding frequently breached the channel boundaries, causing ooding in the interior of the levee. Collins equated it to “a giant bathtub” whose over ow threatened developments to the west of the refuge, including the Port of Camas-Washougal’s wastewater treatment plant.
“It not only enlarged the refuge, but it was a key acquisition that allowed us to build the setback levee,” Collins said.
Another part of the project involved raising Highway 14, which passes through the refuge on its route to and from the Gorge. With the removal of part of the original levee allowing the Columbia River to flow into the wetlands, the road needed to be raised to bring it up to the river’s 500-year flood level.
restored creek bed, biologists and volunteers used nets and buckets to remove the existing aquatic wildlife from the old stream — including hundreds of salmon fry, freshwater mussels, nearly 14,000 lamprey and thousands of other fish — and released them upstream. Then, water from the engineered bed was drawn down and redirected to the newInchannel.preparation for removing sections of the 1966 levee and recon necting the wetlands to the Columbia River, two setback levees were constructed perpendicular to the original one, at the east and west boundaries of the refuge. The setback levees will ensure that floodwaters stay in the restored wetlands and don’t inundate adjacent properties.
Juliette Fernandez, refuge manager with the USFWS, said the project has already exceeded expectations from a biological stand point. “We had use of the refuge by wildlife, but the quality of the
Now, nearly a decade later, the Steigerwald Reconnection Project is almost complete. The $31 million project is the largest habitat resto ration undertaken on the lower Columbia River. It involved a network of partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bonneville Power Administration, the Washington Department of Transporta tion, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Port of CamasWashougal, and Friends of the Columbia Gorge, among others, as well as countless volunteers.
Finally, more than two miles of the original five-mile levee were deconstructed. Heavy equipment removed thousands of tons of soil and rock, creating four channels that reconnect the river with its his toric“Thefloodplain.ecological benefits are pretty obvious,” said Collins, citing better fish passage, re-establishment of the natural hydrology, flood control and the re-emergence of native plants. Recreation at the refuge has also been enhanced. “The trail is about a mile longer, and I think it will be a lot more interesting,” he added. The old trail took visitors out to the river and along the levee. “Now, you hike into and out of the refuge. You can see the site in a whole new way.”
For decades, the wetlands deteriorated because they were starved of flood water from the Columbia River during the melting season. Fish were unable to access the formerly rich feeding grounds of the wetlands. Invasive plants — reed canary grass, in particular — flour ished as native plants like wapato that rely on the wetlands ecosystem disappeared.Thebest laid plans had gone awry.
Enter the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. Part the National Estuary Program and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, LCEP is one of 28 programs across the country that work to safeguard the health of important coastal ecosystems.
34 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
“Because of all the interior flooding, they had essentially tried to put Gibbons Creek in a giant gutter and rout it over the floodplain,” Collins
Contractors from Ash Creek Forest Management plant bareroot shrubs and trees along Gibbons Creek, left. Mount Hood can be seen from the main Gibbons Creek channel confluence with the Columbia River, middle. Wapato, an important food for native tribes, is flourishing at the refuge once again, right.
After a six-year design and permitting process, construction on the project began in August 2019, with the goal of restoring Gib bons Creek to its original path and reconnecting nearly 1,000 acres of floodplain with the Columbia River.
“We do a lot of things, one of which is coordinate and manage habitat restoration projects,” Collins said. LCEP had been studying the myriad issues at Steigerwald, and in 2013 began developing a mit igation and restoration plan for the site.
crews spent months digging a new stream channel, which essentially meant re-establishing the original one. They placed fallen trees and other woody debris in riverbends to provide foraging and sheltering habitat for fish. Before redirecting the water into the
The project was funded in large part by the BPA, which is legally required under the Endangered Species Act to mitigate the impacts of operating Columbia River dams on federally listed species. Habitat restoration is one way of meeting those requirements.
Constructionsaid.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge played a crucial role related to that part of the project. In 2017, when the reconnection project was still in the planning stages, the Friends’ Land Trust purchased private proper ty totaling 160 acres adjacent to the east boundary of the refuge. The parcel was subsequently conveyed to USFWS and added to the refuge acreage, expanding it by about 10 percent.
“Now we have 965 acres of restored wetlands,” she said. Volunteers and nonpro t groups that USFWS is working with on habitat restoration have already “seen some things they’ve never seen here,” she said — including white-faced ibis, great-tailed grackle, and black-necked stilts. “ ose are just a few of the birds that have been surprising people,” she said. “In addition, the bald eagles, osprey and all these other birds now have such a larger area to use.”
Fernandez is looking forward to winter in order to see the e ect of the restored refuge on migrating birds. “We’ll get to see the Paci c
Courtesy of Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (all three photos)
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 35
Explore the HOOD RIVER FRUIT LOOP
habitat was so altered by the levee,” she said, adding that the refuge had become basically a grassy eld with a bit of shrubbery and a ribbon of water weaving through it.
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Avoid the crowds by coming mid-week. Pick up a brochure and map along the way, or visit our website.
We invite you to visit our 27 farm stands and experience the season’s fresh produce. Fresh apples, pears, and flowers are all available for u-pick or for your selection in the stands. You can also get pumpkins for carving or pie! Spend a relaxing afternoon sipping wine and enjoying the view. We look forward to your visit!
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge opened to the public in May and re-closed in August for scheduled completion of a few remaining tasks, including removing roads used for construction and completing trail work. It will reopen Oct. 1. To learn more, go to fws.gov/refuge/steigerwald-lake
Renata Kosina (both photos)
36 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
Fernandez summed up the restoration in a single sentence. “I am still in awe of the project,” she said.
to Collins. “My takeaway from nine years of working on this project is the power of partnerships,” he said. “We know that large-scale restoration projects are essential to recovering salmon and lamprey populations, but I hope this project has once again proven that when partners share a common vision and commitment, ambitious projects become realistic.”
Observing the aquatic species and other wildlife already using the refuge is gratifying. “Seeing the river and the salmon return to the refuge after six decades of displacement gave the entire project team a feeling of hope and accomplishment and renewed our commitment to tackling future projects of this magnitude,” he said. “It’s also been rewarding to welcome the public back to the refuge and share the experience with them.”
Flyway at its best, and really observe how all the migrating birds use this landscape,” she said.
e successful wetlands restoration project could serve as a blueprint for others, according
Fernandez has also seen the project’s impact on sh. “When I look down on the refuge, I can see large areas of oodplain habitat, large expanses of open water, and I can see where it connects to the Columbia River,” she said, adding that the salmon and lamprey are able to use the habitat freely where it was previously obstructed. “You can see the pathways they take coming in and out of the river,” she said.
The restored wetlands are already attracting more birds of prey and waterfowl, including osprey and great blue heron. Refuge managers are anticipating an influx of migrating birds using the wetlands this fall and winter.
e restoration project included planting more than half a million trees and shrubs and 14,000 pounds of native seeds, including wapato — an important food to native tribes, who will once again be able to harvest here.
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A women’s mountain biking group finds joy in weekly rides
t’s a Thursday afternoon, and Lydia Young Lehner is eager to finish her work at Mt. View Cycles and head to the trails. As co-owner, along with her husband, Rafe, of the popular downtown Hood River bike shop, mountain biking is in her wheelhouse. In fact, it’s what lured her to the Gorge. Lehner learned to ride trails in Colorado, then moved to Bend before coming to Hood River to follow the dream of owning a bike shop.
Thursdays are special because it’s the evening that Lehner rides with the women’s group she founded six years ago when she began riding regularly with her friend Elizabeth Monbou quette. They learned to navigate the trails at Post Canyon and elsewhere, getting stronger on the uphill climbs and more confident on the downhills. As they progressed, they thought it would be fun to invite other women to join them.
OUTSIDE
Camaraderie on the Trails
40 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
I
story by RUTH BERKOWITZ | photos by PALOMA AYALA
At first, only a few other women came. They didn’t have a regular schedule, so “it was a slow start” Lehner tells me as we talk in her store surrounded by high-end bikes and snaz zy gear. Eventually they set a regular meeting time: every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the parking lot of Seven Streams Staging Area in
A member of the Trailblockers riding the Syncline, top. Looking out on the Columbia River from Hospital Hill, left, and a post-ride group photo, above.
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Sometimes a dozen women come. Other times, there are more than 30. Ages range from 20 to 60-plus. Some are beginners; others are experts. “Our name, ‘the Trailblockers’ was a joke at first,” ex plains Lehner, because they literally block the trails waiting for the last rider to join them at the intersections.
“We have a no drop rule — no one is left behind,” she said. “There is no pressure to ride fast. We get there at our own pace.” Most rides
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 41
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The Trailblockers at Seven Streams after one of their weekly rides in Post Canyon, above. A late afternoon ride at Columbia Hills, right. Once a month, the group ven tures away from Post Canyon to explore other Gorge trails.
Most riders are from the Gorge area, but one member drives more than three hours from Seattle to join the fun. After every ride, the
happen at Post Canyon, except the third Thursday of the month when the group ventures to other trails around the Gorge, including Co lumbia Hills, the Whoopdie, the Syncline and Hospital Hill. Once a year, they have an overnight camping trip. Last year it was up off Forest Road 44 near Dufur. This year, the group will convene at Falls Creek in Washington.
Post Canyon. After that, more women began showing up.
Paloma Ayala Vela, who has been riding with the group for a few years, gets giddy talking about it. “When you arrive at 5:15 at the parking lot of Seven Streams,” she says, “expect a lot of chatter and a lot of laughter.” Don’t be late, she advises, as the group leaves promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Trailblockers gather to share snacks and drinks. The camaraderie is so inclusive that often someone who misses the ride comes for the social hour. Photographer
There have been some crashes. Recently, one woman broke her nose when she took a corner too fast and spun out. Fortunately, there haven’t been any serious mishaps. “We all love mountain biking,” says Lehner.
For more information on the Trailblockers’ weekly rides, go to mtviewcycles.com. Ruth Berkowitz is a mediator and writer living in Hood River.
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“Nobody minds that I am the last one down the trail or that I walk my bike when I feel nervous.” Ownby fondly remembers a night last October when they wore their headlamps and hung out at the bottom of the Syncline to chat. “There are a lot of new mamas, and we have a lot to talk about,” she says. “It was a magical night.”
Sarah Ownby, a counselor at Hood River Valley High School, is one of the most improved riders. New to mountain bike riding, Ownby recalls practicing the technical downhills on the Syncline’s Little Maui trail and gaining confidence. “I love the group, she says.
42 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE SOL RIDES 13 Oak St. suite #A, Hood River, OR • solrides.com • 541-399-5215 Daily Tours E-Bike Rentals Wine | Custom Tours
“I love improving my skills and getting better and faster, but I am not interested in flying off jumps.”
She pauses, then adds, “Come ride with us!”
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story by DON CAMPBELL | photos by RENATA KOSINA and provided
44 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE ARTS + CULTURE
Minnick is an encyclopedia of country music, citing chapter-and-verse about the artist, the producer, the song, the side musicians, their careers, their road stories, their trials and tribula tions. It’s a powerful tonic.
offers a 120-minute blue streak of this foun dational music born of Appalachian folk and the Black blues of Africa, Irish and Celtic fiddles and various European spices and vari ations.Minnick is himself something of a clas sic. A hometown The Dalles boy, born and raised along the mighty Columbia River, he’s been writing a personal extended country opus since he left this little burg shortly after
KosinaRenataSierraRenardPhotography
Here in a post-pandemic and seemingly tenuous world, from the cramped and stuffy Stu dio B of a small radio station in downtown The Dalles, not much has really changed. Deejay Jeff Minnick, headphones perched on a baseball-capped head, his gentle, sonorous voice inches from a microphone, back-announces to a grateful community a country hit that hasn’t seen a radio music chart in well over 50 or 60 years.
A Radio Show with Verve
Minnick’s lightning in a bottle is his two-hour weekly show, “The Country Side,” where every Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. he distills the essence of authentic country music, the kind played in honky-tonks and on radio stations and juke boxes, from well back in the day. It’s mu sic for the working class, simple yet poignant, classic storytelling in three chords and a guitar.
From Fiddlin’ John Carson and DeFord Bailey, to Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, the Carter Family, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Webb Pierce, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline, Ferlin Husky, Faron Young, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and on and on and on — Minnick
T
he golden age of radio, from roughly 1930 to 1940, wove itself tightly into the fabric of Americans’ daily lives, broadcasting the comfort of diverse entertainment and vital news to a nation aching to work their weary bones through economic woes and a burgeoning world war. From small local stations to the likes of the mighty WSM, the Nashville home of country music’s Grand Ole Opry, radio was a strong and sinuous tie that bound communities together with music, talk and advertising touting the services of local businesses — our friends and neighbors, really.
Musician Jeff Minnick brings his country cred to the airwaves
high school graduation. Enamored of Cuban singer, drummer and bandleader Desi Arnaz, co-star along with Lucille Ball of the I Love Lucy show, Minnick lived for any episode that showed Arnaz’s character Ricky Ricardo slapping a conga drum in a nightclub.
My hat don’t hang on the same nail too long
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“I was terri ed of Lucille Ball,” he says, “but maybe I’d get to see Ricky play at the Copa [the show’s ctional nightclub on TV].” Where is this magical Copa, he wondered?
Jeff Minnick in the studio, opposite top and right, and in a photo for the Reddy Black Trio, opposite bottom.
Ironically, at that stage, he says, “I hated country music,” before hearing a version of Merle Haggard’s “Ramblin’ Fever”:
My ears can’t stand to hear the same old song
An’ I don’t leave the highway long enough to bog down in the mud ‘Cause I’ve got ramblin’ fever in my blood “ at hit a di erent pleasure center,” he o ers with a smile.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 45
Renata Kosina (both photos)
music on the Intermountain Circuit, throughout the greater West, including Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming and Eastern Oregon.
He eventually procured a set of drums and learned his rudiments. He, as he puts it, “washed back up on the shores of the Columbia” for a spell before hitting the road to play
When the Beatles stormed our beaches, it was all over. Music put him on a path to nd that Copa dream. He headed downriver to Portland and got a job as a bellhop at a Sheraton hotel near the airport. ere he was lucky enough to shuttle famous musical artists including Buck Owens, Maynard Ferguson, even Ted Nugent.
blues harmonica legend Paul deLay, and now with his main band, the Wasco Bros. (with whom your writer plays bass), the Reddy Black Trio that holds court on Sundays at the Bargeway Pub and Tuesdays at Zim’s (the classiest, old-school honky-tonk in the region), and a solo slot on Thursdays at the Last Stop (he also plays guitar and is an accomplished singer/songwriter).
It’s community radio wrapped around a solid-gold slice of classic American music, all from a small town where he’s finally washed ashore for good. “You’re not gonna find that anywhere,” he says. “I’m pretty happy. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Minnick began with four sponsors and is now up to seven. He produces his own essentially “live” advertising spots, visiting the sponsors in person and recording folksy conversations that don’t necessarily strictly pertain to a sponsor’s particular service. Dennis Morgan at Copper West Real Estate can be heard waxing rhapsodic about arcane history of The Dalles. Ears the Answer’s Keith Howe will debate Minnick about NBA trade deals and the woes and successes of the Portland Trailblazers. And Brenna Campbell and James Johnson at Brenna’s Mosier Market might debate the best barbecue in Austin and the rela tive merits, or lack thereof, of drinking kombucha.
“It was a great experience,” he says. He tells the tale of cold-calling Junior Brown, whose name was in the Austin phonebook, to see if he needed a drummer. “You own a suit?” Brown asked him. Minnick procured one and got the gig.
But it’s his radio show that scratches a particular itch. “When you’re traveling around with musicians,” he says, “you’re always doing music trivia, entertaining ourselves. You know the stuff we geek out on. I missed that after getting off the road. With radio, I got it back. And I keep educating myself.”
46 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
But musical wanderlust would first take him to Austin, Texas. A regional band called the Channel Cats, which included Minnick and stellar players Chris Miller and Albert Reda, got jazzed about heading to the Lone Star music mecca. Miller transplanted, and Minnick soon followed, hooking up with blues powerhouse Gary Primich and country star Junior Brown.
ARTS + CULTURE
Don Campbell is a writer and musician. He hides out at a secret fortress on a hilltop in Mosier and is a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
Courtesy of Jeff Minnick
For a variety of personal reasons, Minnick made the call to move home permanently to The Dalles and its small-town values. Having just turned 65 this past August, he has over the last few years carved out a solid niche playing music here — for several years with Portland
Ramblin’ fever brought him back to Portland in 1980 where he attended Mt. Hood Community College to study music. “It really helped me,” he says. “I learned basic music theory.” That core knowl edge would enable him to not only develop his personal musical phi losophy — “Let the song play you” — but enabled him, when he finally returned to The Dalles for good, to be an influential drum and music teacher, one who could tell his own tales of the road.
Jeff Minnick on drums with the Gary Primich Band at a venue called Memphis Smoke in Detroit, Mich., in the early 1990s.
You can listen to “The Country Side,” with host Jeff Minnick, Sundays from noon — 2 p.m., broadcast on Y102 Gorge Country, 102.3 FM.
Minnick found his way to the family-owned Gorge Country Media, home to four local stations: Y102 Gorge Country (where Minnick’s show lives), 95.9 Star FM, Radio Lazer and KLCK 1400. The group is owned and operated through sheer grit by Shannon Milburn and Cody Carpenter, with help from their two sons. Milburn has been forced to miss an on-air shift at the last minute because the stations’ Stacker Butte tower needs attention, and Carpenter has been known to lend her helping hand at the food-bank operation across the street at the Salvation Army.
1995 12th Street, Hood River OR 97031 (541) 386-2757 3811 Eagle Loop, Odell, OR 97044 (541) 354-3000
Ungar had done some dance and yoga before, but aerial was different. “It was the right balance of hard and fun,” she said. “It kind of tricks you into working hard, because it’s also super fun. Being upside down, seeing these amazing challenges I could achieve, it gave me in spiration. And hope.” The more immersed she became in aerial, the more she liked it.
The Woman on the Flying Trapeze
WELLNESS
rwen Ungar was in her mid-twenties, living in Portland, one career already behind her and preparing for another, when she discovered the world of aerial arts.
Arwen Ungar, top, performs on a trapeze at an aerial retreat. Ungar teaches kids’ classes and summer camps, inset. At left, students Coco Mosnot and Sophia Morehead pose in a lyra.
She was working odd jobs in restaurants and bars, having returned to her hometown after spending a few post-college years as a journalist in New York. She’d decided to change direction and pursue a master’s degree in library science. But despite outward appearances, all was not well.
“I was very depressed and had a lot of anxiety,” she said. “I was also dealing with some sub stance use issues.” A friend suggested taking an aerial class together — a performance art that’s done in the air on trapezes and hanging fabrics called silks. Ungar didn’t know anything about aerial arts but agreed to try the class with her friend. “She ended up not going, but I went,” said Ungar, who was drawn in immediately and signed up for more classes.
Arwen Ungar imparts skills and confidence through aerial arts
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story by JANET COOK | photos by ENRIQUE CHAMBERS and courtesy of EMPOWERED MOVEMENT AERIAL
A
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 49
She finished her master’s degree and got a job as assistant library director for the Hood River County Library. She was excited about the job, but “devastated” at the loss of the aerial community she’d become part of in Portland. There was no aerial studio in the Gorge.
She occasionally hung a trapeze and a silk at a local gym. She also set up her portable aerial rig in her front yard, where she would frequently train when not at the library. Eventually, one of her neighbors asked Ungar if she would consider teaching her daughters.
Arwen Ungar performs on silks at her Hood River studio, Empowered Movement Aerial. She discovered aerial arts more than a decade ago and credits them with changing her life, giving her self-confidence and easing anxiety. EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
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“One of the things I fell in love with was the aerial community, which was totally accepting,” she said. Ungar had struggled with body-image issues, but the aerial studios where she trained felt free of judgement. “Aerial was never about looking a certain way,” she said. “There are people of all sizes, and they all fit in.” She also liked the fact that people of all ages can do it, adding that dedicated aerialists span from age 5 to 70.
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“It’s the definition of a noncompetitive environment. People challenge each other, but in a camaraderie-based way, and that all really appealed to me,” she said. “It started making me happier and I totally changed my lifestyle around it.”
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“That’s how it started,” Ungar said. “I began teaching a few people at my house with the rig, and I fell in love with teaching.” She’s
and learning something so physical was hard,” she said. “That has made me want to be a teacher even more — to help people who struggle with learning something new.” In 2018, she rented space in what is now Brimstone Boulders, where she held private lessons and kids’ classes while continuing to work at the library. But she had to give up the space when Brimstone took over.
Eventually, she found space in downtown Hood River’s Mall 202. She did some renovating, including taking out the low ceiling to accommodate her aerial apparatuses, and opened her studio in the fall of 2019 while continuing to work at the library to make ends meet.
“I wanted other people to be able to experience the change I had experienced,” said Ungar, who also liked helping people learn something difficult. “I was usually the last person to pick something up,
always considered herself an informal educator, as a reporter and then a librarian. Being able to teach something she was so passionate about “hit all the points for me,” she said. That was the beginning of Empowered Movement Aerial.
on the silks. Empowered Movement Aerial offers classes that span all abilities, from beginners on. HONKE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING “Comfort You Can Trust” For more than 50 Years! Service & Installation of Air Conditioning Ductless Systems • Furnaces • Heat Pumps Gas Fireplaces • Hot Water Heaters We Service all Makes and Models We are working with Energy Trust of Oregon to help you reduce energy costs and improve the comfort of your home. 503-666-3725 • 541-386-0018 www.honkeheating.com HONKEHEATING & AIR CONDITIONING “Comfort You Can Trust” For more than 50 Years! Service & Installation of Air Conditioning Ductless Systems • Furnaces • Heat Pumps Gas Fireplaces • Hot Water Heaters We Service all Makes and Models We are working with Energy Trust of Oregon to help you reduce energy costs and improve the comfort of your home. 503-666-3725 • 541-386-0018 www.honkeheating.com CCB#71762 Preferred Alliance Service & Installation of Furnaces Heat Pumps • Ductless Systems Gas Fireplaces • Hot Water Heaters • Air Conditioning LuckyLittlesBoutique 201 Oak Street 541-436-3514 shopluckylittles.com LuckyLittlesHR ChambersEnrique
Ungar maintains a busy schedule of classes for all ages and ability levels, starting with beginning kids’ classes for ages 5 and up; her oldest students are in their sixties. She also offers several pre-teen and teen classes, where students can progress on both silks and the trapeze. “We focus on body positivity and really supporting each other in a warm environment,” she said of the teen classes, which Ungar believes can benefit young people at what can be a difficult time in their lives.
WELLNESS
Student Ayleen Avelar
50 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
In August 2021, Ungar left her library job to focus full time on the studio. “Since then, it’s been exponential growth,” Ungar said. The studio is small, with class sizes ranging from 4 to 6 students — which allows Ungar to provide lots of individualized attention. “For my teaching style, having really small classes is great,” she said.
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Endow also likes being part of the aerial community. “It’s feeling like we all have this shared experience, and we all support each other,” she said. “There aren’t many opportunities like that. A book club is different. This is shared hardship, because it really is hard.”
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“Going into those hard teen years, this is really a counter action to the intensive focus on beauty and looks.”
52 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
About 10 percent of her students have some sort of scholarship, and Ungar aims to increase that to 30 percent in the next year. Comice Leet has two daughters who are students at Empowered Movement, and both have received scholarship money to help pay for classes. “I’m a single parent with three kids on a single income,” Leet said. “It was such a godsend for us.”
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Along with the satisfaction that comes with steady skill progression, Endow appreciates the upper body workout and the strength she’s gained in her back and shoulders. “The hanging and swinging is a very unique experience,” she said. “Once I got used to that, I realized it was very different than any other workout. The amount of development of my upper body and flexibility of my shoulders has been remarkable, and a great side benefit that I didn’t expect.”
Denise Endow, at 60, is one of the older students at Empowered Movement. She came to aerial in a similar way that Ungar did — through a friend who invited her to try a class. That was more than three years ago, and she’s been a regular ever since, including performing aerial routines in several shows the studio has put on. “I just really liked it to begin with,” she said. “It felt like something I could do that I didn’t expect to be able to do.”
Instructor Sydney Endow balances on the trapeze bar, above. At right, Kathryn (right) and Olympia Davis, a motherdaughter duo and students at Empowered Movement, perform trapeze and silks together at a spring showcase.
From the beginning, Ungar wanted her studio to be a nonprofit. “As a child, we didn’t have much money, so I didn’t do many after-school activities,” she said. “It was important to me that this wasn’t just for the affluent in the area.” Ungar offers sliding-scale scholarships, low-cost performances and outreach to groups that may not have access to quality physical arts education. She holds fundraisers, including one this fall called Straddle-Ups for Scholarships where students get pledges for the number of straddle-ups (an aerial move on the trapeze) they can do in a minute. All the money raised goes to fund scholarships.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 53
To
For Ungar, helping students persevere through that hardship is rewarding. “When you first start learning aerial, you achieve something new pretty much every week,” she said. “You have these little moments of positive reinforcement.” But as students progress, the maneuvers become more difficult. “Those are hard-fought-for skills,” she said. “Watching a student struggle for a skill and then achieve it — it makes me so proud of them.” learn more, go to empowered movementaerial.org
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Top with the zucchini ribbons, blossoms, torn basil, fresh mozzarella, and a pinch of both red pepper and flake salt. Enjoy!
• flake salt
• fresh basil, torn
• 2 zucchinis, thinly peeled into ribbons
54 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions
• kosher salt
This recipe is perfect for the start of au tumn as it brings a bit of summer along with it. It utilizes zucchini in three ways — sizzled in olive oil, raw and thinly peeled, and the flowers for color and texture. Whether grown in your gar den or bought at the farmers market or store, zucchini adds a seasonal touch to this delightful dish.
Recipe and photos by KACIE MCMACKIN
• red pepper flakes
• 5 zucchini blossoms, roughly chopped (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• basil stems (optional)
• 3 cups finely chopped zucchini
Ingredients
Meanwhile bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the skillet using tongs, along with 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Toss to combine.
• 1 lb. spaghetti, bucatini, or linguini
Zucchini Pasta
• 1 small shallot, minced
• fresh mozzarella
PARTAKE I COOK WITH US
Cook the oil, chopped zucchini, basil stems, a pinch of red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, shallot, and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is mostly translucent and starting to brown around the edges. Turn off the heat and discard the basil stems when done.
Kacie McMackin is an avid cook, writer, and owner of Kings & Daughters Brewery. She’s a frequent contributor to The Gorge Magazine.
THE GORGE MAGAZINE II FALL 2022 55
177 E. Jewett Boulevard • White Salmon
Open Tuesday-Saturday from 5pm
bettertogethertaptruck@gmail.combettertogethertaptruck.com
Everybody’s Brewing sits perfectly nestled on the cli s of White Salmon, WA, overlooking the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. With award-winning beers, a globally-inspired food menu, and jaw-dropping views of Mt. Hood, you’ll quickly discover why Everybody’s is a Gorge favorite.
Gift shop • Special event room & terrace
Open Daily 10am-9pm Dine-In or Takeout
CASA EL MIRADOR
Relax on our beautiful patio in the heart of Hood River. Enjoy a hand crafted, in-house roasted espresso drink. Serving breakfast and lunch all day: panini sandwiches, fresh salads, smoothies and fresh baked pastries and goodies. Gluten free options available. Free Wi-Fi and our patio is dog friendly. Our tables are spaced apart and disinfected after each guest.
56 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE
PARTAKE I EAT & DRINK
Quality Mexican food prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients. Warm, friendly service and a lively atmosphere. Indulge in generous portions of flavorful sizzling fajitas, fish tacos, savory enchilada dishes and daily specials. Drink specials & Happy Hour menu from 3-6pm, Mon-Fri. Full service bar, take-out menu, gift certificates and catering services. Open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Backwoods Brewing is family owned and located in Carson, WA. Established in 2012, we o er delicious beers, hand-made pizzas, outdoor seating, and welcome all ages.
Exit 44 off I-84, Cascade Locks
Stunning views next to the Bridge of the Gods – Bridgeside (formerly Charburger) serves tasty char-broiled burgers plus an extensive menu of breakfast items, chowders, fish & chips, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with friendly service.
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Visit Website for Updated Hours | Indoor/Outdoor Dining and Takeout (Order Online or Call)
We are open and happy to serve you. Authentic Jalisco Cuisine. We provide a safe dining experience. Enjoy good food and good times. Offering daily lunch and dinner spe cials, served all day. Happy Hour Mon-Fri. Outdoor dining available (weather permitting).
Open daily: 11:30am-9pm
Offering Nordic inspired breakfast and lunch to the gorge. Something new and exciting for the whole family to enjoy. Come try traditional recipes such as aebleskiver (danish pancakes), swedish meatballs, norwegian lefse (potato crepes) and lots more!
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541-298-7388 • casaelmirador.com 1424 West 2nd Street • The Dalles
541-308-0005 1306 12th Street • Hood River, on the Heights
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509-427-3412 • backwoodsbrewingcompany.com
We look forward to serving you!
541-436-3444 • brodereast.com 102 Oak St. Suite 100 • Hood River
541-374-8477 • bridgesidedining.com
Dakota and Greg Wilkins serve the Gorge bringing the bar to you with 6 beverage taps on a classic GMC pickup. They are ready to serve your favorite baverage at your event!
541-386-5710 • celilorestaurant.com
Celebrating over 17 years, Celilo began with a desire to honor the bounty of the Northwest. Our ever-changing menu reflects the seasonal highlights of the region’s growers and foragers. We offer the most innovative in fresh, local cuisine as well as an award-winning wine list, full bar, small plate menu, and happy hour.
541-386-3000 • doppiohoodriver.com 310 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
16 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
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1162 Wind River Hwy • Carson
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DOPPIO COFFEE
Reservations are recommended. To book, visit thunderislandbrewing.com.
541-716-4020 • remedycafehoodriver.com 112 Third Street • Downtown Hood River
541-321-0490 • pfriembeer.com
• groundhoodriver.com
SOLSTICE HOOD RIVER
RIVERSIDE & CEBU LOUNGE
541-386-7423 • sushiokalani@gorge.net 109 First Street • Downtown Hood River
A Gorge favorite known for authentic flavor and friendly service. Proudly serving Hunan and Szechuan cuisine since 1978. From our family to yours, we’re honored to have you at our table!
707 Portway Avenue, Suite 101 • Hood River Waterfront
Open Daily | 11:30am-9pm
GROUND ESPRESSO BAR & CAFE
REMEDY CAFÉ
Exit 64 off I-84 • Waterfront Hood River
pFriem artisanal beers are symphonies of flavor and balance, influenced by the great brewers of Europe, but unmistakably true to our homegrown roots in the Pacific Northwest. Although they are served humbly, each glass is overflowing with pride and a relentless aspiration to brew the best beer in the world. We’ll let you decide.
Welcome to Riverside, where you’ll find the best food, drinks and views in the Gorge. Dine indoors or outdoors on the waterfront with fresh menus changing seasonally. Plus an award-winning wine list and 14 taps with all your favorite local breweries. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with the freshest ingredients grown and harvested by thoughtful, intentional local growers.
501 Portway Ave • Hood River Waterfront
A brewery and taproom located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The river and mountain views pair beautifully with craft beer and delicious food. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the patio. All guests are welcome, and are expected to follow Oregon state COVID guidelines. Cheers!
THE LITTLE SEVEN SEVEN RANCH HIGHLAND BEEF
We are the local’s favorite spot for fresh fish, Pan-Asian cuisine, and a huge sake selection, all available to-go only. We offer curbside pickup, 7 nights a week. With creative rolls, rotating specials, and fresh sashimi and nigiri, we also offer staples like Teriyaki, Tempura, and stir-fry dishes to satisfy all tastes. Phone orders only, starting at 4, pickup 5-8pm. Check IG & FB for specials and current menu.
541-386-4410 • riversidehoodriver.com
THUNDER ISLAND BREWING CO.
971-231-4599 • thunderislandbrewing.com
PARTAKE I EAT & DRINK
PFRIEM FAMILY BREWERS
A long time locals favorite coffee house and eatery, Ground features fresh in-house roasted coffee, house made pastries and cookies with lots of gluten free options. We make our soups from scratch every day and source mostly local and organic ingredients. Nitro cold brew on tap.
Open Tue-Sun, closed Mon. Call or visit Facebook.com/ ChinaGorge for updates on takeout & dine-in service.
GRACE SU’S CHINA GORGE RESTAURANT & TIGER LOUNGE
2680 Old Columbia River Drive • Hood River
A destination dining experience that unites friends, families, & community with a love of wood-fired pizza, shareable appetizers, and gluten friendly offerings. Inspired by the Gorge & seasonal harvests from our neighboring farms, our food & beverage menus are chef-driven & handcrafted. Walk-ins welcome! Reservations for in-house dining & takeout at our cafe/pizza truck available on our site!
Grass-Fed Highland Beef from our ranch to your home. The L77 Ranch Shop is tucked away in the woods in Lyle. Highland Cattle can be viewed from the roads as you travel through the ranch. See all we have to offer in an open airy space. We stock a full selection of premium steaks, roasts, ground beef and more. Email for our Local Price List. By appointment only.
601 NW Wa Na Pa Street • Cascade Locks
SUSHI OKALANI
541-386-5331 • chinagorge.com
12 Oak Street • Downtown Hood River
Get your daily fuel for your Gorge sports and activities here!
541-436-0800 • solsticehoodriver.com
Dine-In, Takeout and Curbside Options. Kids Corner. WiFi. “Where Healthy Food and Your Cravings Meet!”
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Organic juice, smoothies, bowls, burritos & salads. House-made almond and coconut milks. Vegan and paleo options. Best quality organic and local ingredients. Organic espresso.
541-386-4442
Order Online - RemedyCafeHoodRiver.com
509-767-7130 • L77Ranch.com
Photographer Joshua Johnston took this photo on a rainy day last fall. He and his girlfriend had been hiking at Latourell Falls and decided to go on a drive before heading back to Portland. They went east as far as Oneonta Gorge, then turned around and worked their way back through the Waterfall Corridor on the Historic Columbia River Highway. “We took time to stop at pullouts,” he said. At one of them, near Shep herd’s Dell Falls, Johnston found this view, looking east. “I like how it shows the construction of the road, how they had to build it into the cliff,” he said. “I always picture an old Model T coming around the corner.”
The Photographer
JOSHUA JOHNSTON, a Portland native who now lives in Canby, got interested in photography after he became an avid hiker, more than a decade ago. “I always had my point-and-shoot with me,” he said. “I wanted to capture what I saw.” A photographer friend inspired him to get more serious about it, including upgrading his gear. “It’s been an obsessive hobby ever since,” he said. “When you’re out there hiking, you see some amazing moments.” Johnston spends a lot of time in the Gorge hiking and taking photos. He’s fond of the Waterfall Corridor, and Eagle Creek. “It’s one of the best places, even after the fire,” he said. joshuajphotos.com
58 FALL 2022 II THE GORGE MAGAZINE OUR GORGE I YOUR GORGE
I grew up in Hood River and am thrilled to be raising my own family here. I’m passionate about Real Estate, but also the ongoing prosperity and well-being of our local community. In addition to being a Realtor, I serve on the boards of the Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital Foundation and Big River Community Land Trust. I’m committed to helping future generations enjoy the awesome Gorge lifestyle that we all know and love!
Candice Richards PRINCIPAL BROKER, OR MANAGING BROKER, WA candice@copperwest.com541-912-5999candice_richards
WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES, it’s nice to have a guide to keep you on course. The same goes for Real Estate. As the market moves, it’s critical to have a local, experienced broker who can show you how to connect your dreams to real properties.
Let’s connect and navigate this local market together.
The current market is moving quickly. Scan the QR code above for my most recent listings.
Helping you navigate the Gorge terrain.
Home sweet home. Cyndee is a NW native and has called Hood River home for over 20 years. Fall in the Gorge is a magical time! When she’s not working with clients, Cyndee loves the harvest season as a chance to gather with friends and family for home cooked meals. Let Cyndee help you find your own “home sweet home” in the Gorge, in Oregon or Washington! HHHHH Excellent support and results. Cyndee worked very hard in insuring it all came together!! She was always there and on top of everything! Would encourage all to let Cyndee help them! Would highly recommend her. She not only knew what to do, but was a lot of fun to work with! Thank you Cyndee! CyndeeBROKER,KuraharaOR/WA 541-490-1396 cyndee@copperwest.comIG:cyndee_kurahara
