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Sandy and Salmon River projects net $2 million posted on 01/01/2019

The fates of the Sandy and Salmon rivers, along with the life force of wild salmon, have merged into one.

The Sandy River Watershed Council (SRWC) hooked a $1 million award in November, and that, combined with an already secured $1 million forms a two-year project that will mitigate flood risk and improve fish habitat along the area where the two wild rivers meet.

“The beauty of this project is that the steps to restoring habitat for wild salmon are also the best path to reduce flood risk for nearby homes, roads and other essential community infrastructure,” said Steve Wise, executive director of SRWC.

Despite levees built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where the Salmon River flows into the Sandy, intense floods and channel migration ensued in the following years up to 2017.

Following the flood events, science determined that levees are powerless to hold back rivers, and also have unintended consequences. Levees cut off fish from key floodplain habitat and simply disperse the river’s energy in major floods.

The work – which will launch in the spring of 2019, spearheaded by the SRWC – will restore floodplains across 418 acres along 1-mile of floodplain at the confluence of the Sandy and Salmon rivers.

Parts of levees will be removed allowing the rivers to access currently isolated channels, and log jams will be added to disperse river energy with the added benefit of providing hidden refuge and feeding areas for migrating salmon and steelhead.

The twin rivers are a salmon stronghold, a place where fish populations have rebounded since the removal of the Marmot Dam in 2007.

“Climate change is bringing more frequent and intense storm events in our region,” Wise said. “Extreme high-water events are part of the new normal under climate change, but restoring the floodplain can reduce the risk of negative impacts.”

In addition to the award from the National Coastal Resilience Fund, SRWC has received funding from the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Portland Water Bureau.

The SRWC will be reaching out to the community soon to raise awareness about the project, communicate the benefits to the community, answer questions, and hear the community concerns.

By Larry Berteau/MT

Chamber honors local hero and volunteer groups posted on 01/01/2019

Two weeks after a female jogger suffered a severe heart attack while running a marathon on Mount Hood, she was able to attend her son’s wedding thanks to the heroic efforts of Rhododendron citizen Lynn Miskowicz.

The Mount Hood Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a festive breakfast on Dec. 4, 2018 to present an award honoring community member Miskowicz for her role in saving the life of the woman during the REVEL Mount Hood marathon and applaud local volunteer organizations for their work in the community.

The seventh annual breakfast was held at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort where the Clackamas County Commissioners attended and served food to the honored guests.

“We feel volunteers need to be encouraged and recognized,” said chamber vice president Coni Scott after the event. “It’s important to acknowledge the contributions these organizations make in the community.”

Hoodland Fire District Fire Chief John Ingrao presented a plaque to Miskowicz acknowledging her heroic life-saving actions.

Miskowicz was volunteering at the REVEL marathon on July 28, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, when a woman suffered a heart attack while running near the Barlow Trail hydration station. Miskowicz was on the scene when the woman fell, called 911 and performed CPR for 22 minutes before a Clackamas County Deputy arrived with a defibrillator and resuscitated the woman.

“This was a special award. She saved a woman’s life,” Scott said.

Miskowicz has worked in health care for 30 years and began her career as a registered respiratory therapist at Providence Saint Vincent. She first got her CPR card in high school and has kept it active for 30 years.

“It’s a great honor,” Miskowicz said about the recognition, but credited her years of training for preparing her. “I hope this makes more people go out and learn CPR and have the basic knowledge to use if they are in a similar situation.”

Clackamas County Commissioner Jim Bernard introduced the 30 community volunteer organizations being recognized by the breakfast. The organizations then thanked all the community member volunteers who made their work possible.

“It’s a positive event and everyone enjoys coming,” Scott said.

The annual breakfast was sponsored by Clackamas County Bank and was also made possible by the support of the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort and 40 donations from 16 local organizations.

The volunteer organizations honored at the breakfast were Antfarm, Boy Scouts of America, Clackamas Dogs Foundation, Clackamas Women’s Services, Friends of Hoodland Library, Friends of Timberline, Hoodland C.E.R.T. Community Emergency Response Team, Hoodland Community Christmas Basket, Hoodland Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Hoodland Fire District Volunteer Support, Hoodland Rural Fire Protection District #74, Hoodland Senior Center, Hoodland Women’s Club, Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum, Mt. Hood Golf Club, Mt. Hood Hospice, Mt. Hood Kiwanis Club, Mt. Hood Learning Center, Mt. Hood Lions Club, Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, Neighborhood Missions, Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind, Inc., Rhododendron Community Planning Organization (RCPO), Sandy Community Action Center, Sandy Historical Society, Inc. & Museum, Spook Alley, The Villages of Mt. Hood Community Partnership Program Grant (CPP), Trillium Trails Garden Club, U.S. Forest Service and the Welches Schools.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Chamber honors local hero and volunteer groups posted on 01/01/2019

The seventh annual breakfast was held at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort where the Clackamas County Commissioners attended and served food to the honored guests.

Hoodland Fire District Fire Chief John Ingrao presented a plaque to Miskowicz acknowledging her heroic life-saving actions.

“This was a special award. She saved a woman’s life,” Scott said.

“It’s a positive event and everyone enjoys coming,” Scott said.

The annual breakfast was sponsored by Clackamas County Bank and was also made possible by the support of the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort and 40 donations from 16 local organizations.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Jordan Wheeler starts as Sandy’s new City Manager posted on 01/01/2019

Jordan Wheeler heard a lot about the City of Sandy since 2013, when former Sandy City Manager Scott Lazenby took the same job for the City of Lake Oswego, where Wheeler has worked as the Deputy City Manager for the past 10 years.

This month, Wheeler took over Lazenby’s old job in Sandy, ascending to the City Manager position following the retirement of Kim Yamashita.

“I feel like I’ve heard so many stories and so many good things about Sandy,” Wheeler said, noting Lazenby encouraged him to apply for the position.

Wheeler was one of three candidates interviewed by the Sandy City Council during the search for Yamashita’s successor. Yamashita noted that Wheeler’s experience and personality made him stand out above the others.

“The way he presented himself to the council was open (and) above board,” she said, adding that he has experience working with the various “players” in Clackamas County. “(He) seemed like a good fit.”

Wheeler noted that the City of Sandy’s reputation as being innovative and having a “pioneer spirit,” including with SandyNet (the city’s internet service provider) and transit, attracted him to the job. He added the combination of the city’s size, setting, location in relationship to the Metro area and access to nature and amenities were also draws.

“I can see why people want to move there and live there,” said Wheeler, who earned a graduate degree in Public Administration from Portland State University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from University of Washington.

Wheeler noted the challenges he faces in his new job include the funding for the city’s community campus and wastewater issues, while also tackling traffic problems. But he said he looks forward to working on master plans and with the community to help shape the city’s future.

He added that he sees opportunities to grow tourism, develop the downtown to serve both the tourists and city’s residents, and also managing Sandy’s growth without putting too much of a burden on infrastructure.

Lazenby sees Wheeler as an excellent fit for the job, noting that Wheeler has been “in the middle” of some of the tough issues with Lake Oswego. Lazenby went through a similar transition when he arrived in Sandy in 1992 from a larger city in Arizona and thinks that it will be a smooth changeover for Wheeler.

“The budget’s smaller, but the same issues we face in cities are pretty much the same everywhere,” Lazenby said.

Yamashita, whose final day on the job was Dec. 31, helmed the city since January 2017 after serving as its police chief for the seven years prior, and noted the city’s advancements in technology and improving the collaboration amongst department heads as highlights of her tenure.

“I think we forged a really good team and all our oars are in the water moving in the right direction together,” she said.

Before fully retiring, Yamashita will serve as the Interim Police Chief of the City of Gladstone until approximately next June, with an eye on moving to Idaho after.

For more information about the City of Sandy, visit www.ci.sandy.or.us.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Holistic health at Essence of Grace posted on 01/01/2019

Sharon Salzmann had been working in the healing arts for over a decade when, through a personal attempt to resolve chronic health issues, she discovered the neuromodulation technique (NMT), a form of “informational medicine” that works to identify and correct the informational source of illness that causes an internal interruption of the body’s healing systems.

“It (NMT) was so much quicker and delivered the results I needed,” Salzmann said, “I just have never turned back.”

Essence of Grace is her new alternative health practice located at 24403 E. Welches Road, Suite 105, Welches. There, Salzmann focuses on addressing health issues such as allergies, auto-immune conditions and chronic pain, as well as negative behavioral or life patterns through NMT.

Salzmann is a native Oregonian who attended Sandy High School and has lived in the Mount Hood area for the past three years. She discovered NMT while living in Hermiston where she was working as a practitioner of quantum biofeedback therapy, a device-based energy balancing treatment for imbalances of the body, mind and spirit.

In 2015 she completed all three levels of training available in NMT, which was developed in 2002 by Dr. Leslie Feinberg in Hermiston. The Feinberg method utilizes muscle response testing, a structured physical evaluation to determine the source of an ailment across an array of physical, mental and spiritual issues.

NMT works to identify negative health impacts such as trauma, toxins, infection and stressors including emotional, physical, chemical, malnutrition and other challenges. NMT practitioners include nutritional support, diet and exercise as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on achieving a mind-body balance and promote healing.

Salzmann began her practice after completing the training and opened her office April 1, 2018. She hopes to be a resource for people in the Mount Hood area and a complement to the array of alternative healing methods already available in the community.

“I think NMT can benefit anyone. Just a few sessions can help you move in a positive direction in health, career, a relationship or life in general,” Salzmann said, describing the technique as very efficient and providing quick results.

Salzmann is also a certified spiritual healing coach. She stated she does not take a denominational approach and focuses on how health is impacted by the balance of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a client.

Sessions are available by appointment. A typical session is one hour and is $80 per session. Salzmann stated she does work on a sliding scale and will provide services at a lower rate to customers with health concerns and limited resources.

“I have a passion for helping people be in life, in happiness,” she said.

Salzmann also offers Skype sessions for those unable to travel to her office and plans to begin offering a group-based personal growth session in January 2019.

Appointments can be made by phone or email.

Essence of Grace and Sharon Salzmann can be contacted by phone at 503-319-3171 or by email at sharonsalzmann@yahoo.com.

More information about Salzmann is available at essenceofgrace.net and additional information about NMT can be found at www.nmt.md.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

HFD's Engine 353

HFD brings home lessons after helping on Camp Fire posted on 01/01/2019

For Hoodland Fire District (HFD) Lieutenant Andy Figini, the concept of defendable space – the area around a home or structure that is cleared from debris and other paths for fire to travel – was driven home during the 12 days he spent at California’s Camp Fire in November.

One well-prepared structure in particular, a ranch and outbuildings that had a gravel driveway and no litter or debris around it, illustrated what a difference it can make.

“That was the difference between a house that became a foundation and a house that was still standing,” said Figini, a four-year veteran of the HFD. “That was one of the houses that stayed standing.”

Figini and two other HFD firefighters, Senior Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Myers and Volunteer Dawson Kooch, helped in the efforts battling the Camp Fire, a 153,336-acre fire that destroyed nearly 14,000 residences and nearly 5,000 other buildings, while killing 86 people. Figini and Myers, both of whom have been part of previous conflagrations in Oregon, noted the Camp Fire was unlike what they have experienced here, where dry grass makes fires move fast.

“These were trees and big wooded areas that just were gone,” Figini said. “That is not something we get in Oregon very often. I don’t think it can be compared to anything I’ve ever gone to before.”

In addition, the Camp Fire burned through populated areas, with Myers describing some of the towns impacted as equivalent to Gresham.

“It was tough seeing all the people affected,” he said, adding that it was “pretty incredible” to see the human response to the destruction, including donations and how people connected.

The HFD crew, including a rig, worked on a fire line to make sure the fire didn’t jump containment. A shift would last 24 hours straight, with the following 24 hours off, a difference from large events in Oregon where firefighters work 12 hours on and then 12 hours off. Myers, who has been with the HFD for five years, also noted he learned about how a large response to a mass incident works in California.

Figini noted that he’ll take some lessons from the experience, including increased awareness of fire fuels, an expanded situational awareness of where he goes to fight fires and about always thinking about what they would do if the fire did continue to spread.

“We all had some good experience getting out there, putting the stuff we’ve been training on and using it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Figini did note two positives that came out of such a devastating fire. The first has to do with the final map of the area impacted by the fire. At the bottom, he noted, lies a notch of unburnt terrain, where the HFD crew and other Oregon teams did a back burn and stopped the fire.

“I like to think that maybe we had a good hand in stopping that part of the fire,” he said.

The second positive happened on the outskirts of Paradise, a town of 26,000 that was mostly destroyed by the fire. While performing building searches, Figini noted he heard a scream and he then discovered a goat entangled in some orange construction netting. The firefighters were able to free the animal, which then followed them around for the next 90 minutes.

“It was a pretty nice goat,” Figini said. “That was a good positive highlight of our day.”

By Garth Guibord/MT

Rhody Water an ‘Outstanding Performer’ posted on 01/01/2019

(The cowboy rises from the card table, saunters over to the bar, knocks some dust from his chaps, sets a well-worn boot on the foot rail, leans in to the bartender, fixes him with his steely gray eyes, and says: “Yep, Steve. Believe I’ll have another a’them waters o’yers.”)

Around the Rhododendron Water Association (RWA), that scenario might not be that far-fetched.

The RWA, not unaccustomed to attracting accolades, added one more to its trophy case in November. The Oregon Health Authority bestowed the coveted “Outstanding Performer” citation for a water system that has demonstrated exceptional water treatment techniques, record keeping, stayed on schedule with all testing criteria, and was found to not have any reporting violations in the last three years.

Fewer than 10 percent of the 3,395 water systems in Oregon have received this outstanding designation.

“This award means a great deal to the association and the Board of Directors who make the hard decisions for the association,” said Steven Graeper, association president. “But most of all, the credit goes to the association water master, David Jacob. Without David’s skill and expertise in running water systems, RWA never would have achieved this milestone.”

Capturing the award brings with it the reduction of system surveys from every three years to once every five years, spreading the $2,700 cost of the survey over a longer time period.

Other water systems on the Mountain that have received the “Outstanding Performer” award include Salmon Valley Water, Alder Creek Barlow Water and Government Camp Water.

It’s our understanding that Steve’s Water Bar is open 24/7.

By Larry Berteau/MT

New owners of Giddy Up Taxi ready to get up to speed posted on 01/01/2019

Last August, Danielle Wauer started to help out running Giddy Up Taxi, but things got off to a difficult start.

“Boy, I did not know what I was getting into,” Wauer said. “After a while, I got a system down and I just keep improving it.”

Now, that system is all hers and her husband’s, as they purchased the taxi company and fully took over operations on Nov. 6. And the pair has some plans in place to keep improving things, with an eye to keep up with Uber and Lyft, two ride-sharing companies.

“We’re really turning it into more of a business,” Wauer said, noting that they will add credit card capabilities, printed receipts for work and medical trips, water bottles, cell phone chargers, improved interior lighting, the option of texting in for a ride and even new vehicles in the future for the fleet.

The company, with a total of six drivers, offers several transportation options, including local fares, rides to the airport, wedding shuttles, wine and concert tours and more.

“We get super super busy with (wedding shuttles),” Wauer said. “Pretty much our whole summer is booked.”

She added that they also make the local mountain community a priority, including adding a punch card for local rides that offers $10 off a ride after six rides. And Wauer also noted they plan to build relationships with mountain businesses and possibly create a brochure highlighting the area’s offerings to offer customers.

“We’re really aiming to take care of the local people first and foremost,” said Wauer, who moved to the mountain with her husband a little more than a year ago. “The business has been such a blessing to us; it really came at a time of great need. It really just came and rescued us.”

Giddy Up Taxi can be reached at 503-622-0398 or online at giddyuptaxi.com. The business can also be found on Facebook and Yelp.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Ribbon cutting.

Celebration marks new beginning for Mirror Lake Trailhead posted on 12/01/2018

Rian Windsheimer, Region 1 Manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), had a succinct description for the old Mirror Lake Trailhead, located on a curve on Hwy. 26 just west of Government Camp.

“Mirror Lake is a treasure, parking over there was not,” he said at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Nov. 9 at the new location of the Mirror Lake Trailhead, at the west end of the Skibowl parking lot.

The new trailhead, with a budget of approximately $5.65 million, features a plaza with an informational kiosk, benches, picnic tables, bike racks, 51 parking spaces and restrooms, with a 1.16-mile trail connecting it to the old Mirror Lake trail.

The new trail offers landings for wheelchairs and 10 bridges, nine of which were flown in by helicopter during a 105-minute stretch of the project.

Mark Engler, West Zone Recreation Program Manager for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Mt. Hood National Forest, was also not a fan, dubbing the old location as, “malfunction junction.”

The trailhead, drawing scores of visitors to hike to the picturesque Mirror Lake with a view of Mount Hood, often saw hikers dangerously parking their cars on both sides of the highway, leading to “parking chaos,” and was addressed in the joint project by the USFS, ODOT and Western Federal Lands (WFL).

“Now it feels good to be here, doesn’t it,” Engler said to the crowd at the ceremony.

Engler noted the USFS faces the challenge of original infrastructure that has reached its lifespan and is now deteriorating. But the agency is also committed to restoring and sustaining the premiere recreational experiences for visitors, while working with a range of stakeholders, including the community and other organizations.

“One example is Mirror Lake trailhead,” he said. “We know how highly valued outdoor recreation is on Mount Hood.”

The project was made possible by a grant from the Federal Lands Access Program, established to improve transportation facilities that provide access to, are adjacent to or are located within Federal lands, and it included improvements to the intersection of Hwy. 26 and Glacier View Road.

The new trailhead and trail feature aspects taken directly from the immediate surroundings, including plant seeds and cuttings grown for two years and resulting in 3,374 native plants re-planted or installed. In addition, 387 trees that were removed were used in fish habitat restoration projects, while more than half the rock in the wall at the plaza came from the site.

“The idea is really to reuse the stuff we already had,” said Knud Martin, Construction Manager for WFL.

Martin added that in more than 17,400 hours of work during the life of the project, there were no injuries, in spite of 9,900 cars travelling on Hwy. 26 every day.

Those in attendance at the Nov. 9 ceremony had a positive impression, including Mike Mathews, a volunteer wilderness steward with the USFS who hadn’t been on the trail in four years due to how crowded it could become. He set out to return to Mirror Lake after the ceremony and to check out the drainage work on the new trail.

“It looks really nice and they’ve done a really nice job,” Mathews said.

Engler noted that users should treat the area with respect, packing out all that they pack in, be prepared for changing conditions and bringing back fond memories. And maybe enjoying the fact that they no longer have to park at “malfunction junction.”

“I feel really good driving by that old trailhead,” Engler said, noting the old trailhead had been replanted and asphalt had been removed.

By Garth Guibord/MT

The winning design.

Brightwood artist wins Senior Center’s logo contest posted on 12/01/2018

Haley Montana, the winner of the Hoodland Senior Center (HSC) logo redesign contest, was so inspired by the center’s civic outreach that she created and submitted seven separate designs to the competition, which ended Oct. 31.

“I cannot believe how she captured the senior center in every single one,” said HSC director Ella Vogel about Montana’s abundance of contributions.

Montana is a Brightwood resident who has lived in the Mount Hood area for five years since her retirement from Kaiser Permanente. She studied art in high school and stated she always has fun creating art and entering competitions on the side.

Montana recently entered Rhododendron’s “Rhody Rising” logo contest and placed sixth among the finalists. She was asked to enter the HSC logo contest and toured the center to gain a better perspective on their role in the community.

“I wanted to see their facilities and see what they were doing,” Montana said. “What a great effort they put out for such a small staff.”

During her tour she noticed the HSC’s focus on transportation services in the community.

Her winning design features the HSC’s bus in front of Mount Hood with a wheelchair and examples of the center’s services including a spoon and fork symbolizing the meal delivery program.

“A lot of people couldn’t live out here without the center,” Montana said.

In addition to the design ideas, Montana donated several works of her own art, a selection of animals painted on carefully selected river rocks, to the center to sell at the Mount Hood Oregon Resort Holiday Artisan Fair held Nov. 24-25.

“This lady puts so much detail into everything she does,” Vogel said about Montana’s contributions.

The new logo will be used for the senior center’s newsletter. Vogel added it will also be incorporated into a future website and a Facebook page although the center does not currently maintain an internet presence. The HSC is currently displaying all seven of Montana’s logo designs and plans on making them a permanent display.

“I can’t think of any other decoration I’d rather have; it’s just so perfect,” Vogel said.

The prize for the contest was a Mount Hood coverlet crafted by the HSC. Montana is currently working on a large-scale poster for the Friends of the Hoodland Library highlighting their organization.

The HSC can be reached by phone at 503-622-3331 or by email at hoodlandseniors@frontier.com.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Community rallies to make Christmas joyous for all posted on 12/01/2018

Each year since 1987, the Mountain community has come together in the spirit of the holidays for the Hoodland Community Christmas Basket Program to make sure that nobody goes without food or gifts for Christmas. Carol Norgard, who has been a part of the efforts for years, noted that in the past couple years, the numbers of hats and gloves has increased through the efforts of the Hoodland Library and others. Those donations make a big difference for some in the community that often don’t get a focus for the toy drive: teens.

“I think every child that was on our list got a hat,” Norgard said.

Efforts by businesses and organizations across the Mountain are now in full swing to make this Christmas a happy one for everyone, including the traditional Lions Club Christmas Toy Drive and Dinner, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, giving trees and locations where donations can be dropped off. Norgard noted that last year, a bicycle (valued at more than $100) was donated, but she added that toy donations should be kept under $25 to help spread the wealth.

Norgard also noted that gift cards are not recommended.

Applications for food baskets and submission of giving tree ideas are available at the Hoodland Fire District Main Station, 69634 Hwy. 26 in Welches, and can be dropped off at the Clackamas County Bank, the Welches School, the Welches Library, Welches Mountain Building Supply and the Adventist Medical Clinic.

Norgard added that organizers take four days at the Lions Club to sort the food, create the boxes and then have people pick them up. Baskets will be distributed to the community by Saturday, Dec. 22.

Christmas Dinner details

The Lions Club Christmas Toy Drive and Dinner will feature roast beef and ham, veggies, salad and more, doors opening at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the corner of Woodsey Way and Hwy. 26 in Welches. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy, and if possible, a donation of nonperishable food. Advance purchase tickets are $12 and available from any Lions Club member, at Welches Mountain Building Supply, the Barlow Trail Roadhouse, Thriftway, Coffee Brewsters, Mt. Hood Roasters and Govy General.

Christmas baskets

Donation drop off locations are at: Hoodland Branch of Clackamas County Bank, Welches Mountain Building Supply, Coffee Brewsters, Brightwood Tavern, McKenzie Dental, the Hoodland Adventist Medical Clinic, Govy General and Mt. Hood Foods.

The Hoodland Senior Center can help with applications, while the Welches School also sends out information packets and accepts applications.

The Hoodland Library accepts hats, gloves and scarves, while the Hoodland Thriftway offers $10 food bags to benefit the basket program.

Giving Tree

Those who turn in applications by Dec. 5 can request a specific gift for their child (up to $25). The requests are given a code and “tags” are sent out to various locations, including the Welches School, Welches Mountain Building Supply and the Hoodland Branch of the Clackamas County Bank.

For more information, call 503-622-4111 or 503-936-1896.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Photo by Peggy Wallace

Mountain salon changes hands posted on 12/01/2018

Jessica Thomason, who recently acquired the New Moon Salon (formerly Salon Christa), laughed when asked about the new name.

“What more could you want for your hair than new and positive changes,” she said.

Thomason noted the salon, located at 67211 East Hwy. 26 in Welches, marks a new endeavor as her first ownership role after working as a stylist for 21 years. The “new moon” represents all forms of new and positive change, and serves as the inspiration for the new moniker.

“I’m so excited. It’s been a whirlwind,” Thomason said about purchasing the salon.

Thomason has lived in the Timberline Rim community for five years, where she is a member of the Homeowner’s Association Board. Thomason has clients in the community and plans to continue providing service for existing clients of Salon Christa.

“Having Christa’s blessing is wonderful,” said Thomason about the transition of her assuming ownership in November. “We have mutual respect for each other. She didn’t want to leave her business to just anybody.”

Thomason hopes to bring new techniques to the Mountain she learned during her years styling hair at Hickox Studio and Appel Nouveau Salon in Portland. She plans to increase the salon’s availability with four additional employees, while adding a second chair in the new year.

The salon will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Walk-ins are encouraged, and Thomason urges people to schedule an appointment or drop by if they need to get “dolled up” in December for the holidays.

The New Moon Salon can be contacted at 503-740-6891.

By Benjamin Simpson

Regina and Dave Lythgoe

Merit Properties purchased by Keller Williams posted on 12/01/2018

“A big change for me,” said Merit Properties owner Dave Lythgoe. “I realized yesterday it was not my responsibility to change the flowers in the flower boxes.”

Merit Properties has been a fixture on the Mountain since 1984, with Dave and Regina Lythgoe at the helm. But as of the first of November, Keller Williams, a world-wide realty company with a Portland office, has purchased Merit Properties.

“The new office will be known as the Merit Properties Group,” said Leann Harris, CEO of Keller Williams Realty Portland Central. “All the existing agents will remain to provide the real estate services and local expertise to which their clients are accustomed … Merit Properties Group still ‘Knows the Mountain,’” she said, referring to the Merit signature slogan. Keller Williams boasts more than 190,000 agents nationwide and more than 330 agents in Oregon.

“The last 35 years have been a great experience for me,” Lythgoe said. “We’ve logged over 10,000 real estate transactions and made many new lifelong friends.”

Lythgoe added that the resources available to the agents will help them reach a network of hundreds of thousands of Keller Williams agents. Merit’s listed properties will have a larger audience and buyers will still have the same local agents to take care of their real estate needs. “Now the agents will be supercharged with more up-to-date training and more capabilities to find buyers and sellers,” he said.

The history of Merit Properties has spurred many companies to come courting over the years as it does an amazing business for an unaffiliated office. Despite that, Lythgoe said his motivation to sell was never that high in past years.

“My asking price was too high to be serious,” he said.

Three years ago, Lythgoe was approached by Keller Williams but again he was not overly motivated. This year Harris made contact again saying they had renewed interest in purchasing. The deal was struck.

Keller Williams has modern technology available to agents and clients such as the KW Real Estate app., Lythgoe added. Their commission and profit-sharing programs are superior to most other companies.

“My staff and I have shared the experiences of weddings, births, deaths and many laughs along the journey,” Lythgoe said. “I thank them immensely for their support and loyalty. Now, it’s on to a new chapter in the life of Merit Properties.”

And someone new will be charged with tending the flower boxes.

New broker joins Merit

Kayla Keyser has been added to the staff of Merit Properties Group.

“Kayla will be working for buyers and sellers on the Mountain and surrounding communities, as well as the Sandy, Gresham and Portland Metro area,” Harris said. “Kayla lives on the Mountain and is well-versed in these areas. She comes to Merit with a long background in customer service and sales.”

With the addition of Keyser, Merit Properties Group now has nine brokers offering real estate services to the area from the office in Hoodland Park Plaza.

Keyser can be reached at 920-857-6597 or Kayla@mthoodhomesandcabins.com

By Larry Berteau/MT

Get your car and home ready for winter posted on 12/01/2018

Lieutenant Phil Burks of the Hoodland Fire District (HFD) noted that one winter, temperatures hovered around 20 below zero for a couple weeks, putting people and their vehicles to the test.

“That was brutal,” Burks said. “We don’t get that cold most often. It’s hard on everything.”

With this winter’s chill now on the horizon, Burks and Senior Firefighter Evan Jarvis offered some good tips to be prepared for the cold, snow and ice.

The first tip: check your tires and try putting chains on them now, well ahead of when you may need to use them. Burks noted that winter rated tires will have a snowflake embossed on the side, offering more grip in the snow.

He recommended putting chains on in a parking lot with good lighting as a practice run, while adding that cars with front wheel drive should have the chains on the front tires. And make sure that the number matches the tire, as not all chains fit all tires.

“When you’re running winter tires, because of the higher tread, sometimes the chains won’t fit,” Burks said.

He added that windshield wiper fluid can freeze in the winter, unless it is rated for the cold weather, and to make the switch before it becomes a problem.

“It’s easy to forget,” he said, noting that windshield wipers might need replacing after the hot summer and radiator fluid should also be checked.

Mountain drivers and visitors should also be prepared by carrying flares (traditional flares can go bad, electronic ones are also available), blankets, hats, gloves, water, food, traction aids (such as kitty litter) and any medication that might be needed if people get stranded. And a small tarp comes in handy to use while putting on those chains.

Jarvis added that drivers should drive slower in slippery conditions and leave more room between themselves and other cars. And even if the road is clear, patches of black ice can form in shadowed areas and other places, causing dangerous situations for cars going too fast.

“Go slow,” Jarvis said. “That's the one thing we find, is that people are going way too fast.”

Burks also noted that drivers are required to slow down or move over if a vehicle is on the side of the road.

“That’ll help keep everybody safer,” he said, adding that drivers who fail to perform this duty could be subject to a ticket.

Jarvis added that drivers who are heading for a longer trip should be sure to start with a full tank of gas, while owners of small cars should check to see if their vehicle has tow points. If not, keys that can screw into a bumper can be purchased to help pull a vehicle out of the snow if needed.

Anybody going outside should keep an eye on the weather and dress in layers, while travelers should also keep in mind that if conditions warrant, they can always turn around and go back instead of continuing on in a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, Jarvis added that people can prepare for winter at home by having a 72-hour kit, including enough food, water, pet food and medication in case no assistance is available for a few days during a storm. Keeping extra wood handy for a wood stove is also recommended, as people may need to cook food without electricity.

For more information on driving conditions, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation’s website, tripcheck.com.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Fireworks.

Holiday happenings to make your season bright posted on 12/01/2018

Mt. Hood Skibowl offers several special holiday events to make this a special time on the Mountain.

Santa Claus and Frosty kick off the festivities when they visit the Skibowl Tube Hill from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 15 and 22.

The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Government Camp follows up on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the village community for holiday cheer, singing, hot beverages and treats provided by the Huckleberry Inn. Later that night, the Holiday Fireworks at Skibowl East – by the Multorpor Lodge – will light up the sky starting about 8:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve, the resort will be open for riding and skiing until 4 p.m. and will operate for day and night skiing and riding on Christmas Day.

The 31st New Year’s Eve celebration kicks off at 10:30 p.m. with a DJ and Beer Garden in the base area of the Skibowl west side. The traditional torchlight parade down the Lower Bowl precedes the biggest fireworks display on the Mountain at midnight while riding and skiing continues until 2 a.m.

Additionally, Mt. Hood Outfitters, the leading rental and guide service in the Mt. Hood National Forest can set up for cross-country skiing, snowshoe treks, and guided snowmobiling adventures. The guide service is also taking reservations for the holiday horse-drawn sleigh and carriage rides around Government Camp. www.mthoodoutfitters.com.

By Monica Cory/MT

Snow tubers.

Skibowl is ‘totally tubular’ for Thanksgiving posted on 11/01/2018

While winter enthusiasts await winter’s arrival and the news of opening day at local resorts, snow tubers can get the jump on the season at the Skibowl Snow Tube Park which is set to open Nov. 23.

Skibowl has invested in an all-weather snowmaking system that allows for making snow at significantly warmer temperatures than traditional equipment.

“This is a state-of-the-art system that will allow us to meet key dates and holiday periods when Mother Nature isn’t always cooperating in the early part of the season,” said Mike Quinn, Vice President and General Manager at Skibowl. “We are so excited to get this winter season started and intend to start making snow as soon as the temps begin to cool off.”

Skibowl’s Snow Tube and Adventure Park features Mount Hood’s only conveyor assisted tubing hills. The park’s other activities for kids includes: an indoor play zone; kiddie snowmobiles; tube carousel; and Frosty’s Playland where even the smallest snow lovers can play safely in the snow.

On weekends, Friday through Sunday and holiday nights, snow tubers can enjoy the energy of LED, laser and black lights along with popular party music during cosmic tubing sessions.

The Snow Tube and Adventure Park will also be open daily during the winter break in December. For operating hours and tickets visit Skibowl.com or call 503-222-BOWL.

By Monica Cory/MT

New Artisans Market arrives on Mountain in time for holidays posted on 11/01/2018

Inspired by his brother’s artwork, Warren Bates made a few prints and was able to display them at the store at the Mt. Hood Village RV Resort. And based on the reaction to them, Bates took things a step further this summer by helping to organize six shows at the resort, featuring various types of arts and crafts.

Bates noted that despite no advertising for the shows, they were successful and everyone was able to sell a few things. Next month, the show will take another leap forward with the Mt. Hood Village Holiday Artisan Market, a larger gathering of creative artists and vendors, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at the RV Resort, 65000 Hwy. 26 in Welches.

“It almost feels like a Saturday market,” Bates said of the summer’s offerings. “There’s a lot of artists up here on the mountain.”

The holiday market will include arts and crafts such as jewelry, pottery, fine art, essential oils, soap and more, offering a chance for area residents to get an early start to their holiday shopping, while also showcasing the creativity of the artists on the mountain.

Bates also has plans to bring back the summer market next year, expanding to eight dates while keeping costs down for vendors and bringing more local artists on board.

If you are an artist or vendor that wants to participate in the Mt. Hood Village Holiday Artisan Market please contact Warren Bates at 503-867-0677 or email bateswarren1@gmail.com, or email mounthoodvillage@equitylifestyle.com.

By Garth Guibord/MT

County reveals plans for timber sale in Brightwood posted on 11/01/2018

The Clackamas County Forest and Timber Management Program detailed a plan to harvest timber on a 117-acre tract of county land during a public meeting on Oct. 18 at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort.

The proposed site, named Boomer II after the native mountain beaver, is located one mile north of Hwy. 26 in Brightwood. A public tour of the county land was held on Oct. 20 to allow interested parties to observe the potential harvest area.

The Oct. 18 meeting was led by Clackamas County Forester Andrew Dobmeier. He was joined by members of the Clackamas County Forest Advisory Board and the Parks Advisory Board in answering questions and addressing concerns from the public regarding the proposed logging operation.

“Our focus is on protection of our soil, protection of our waters and maintaining a good planting site,” said Dobmeier during a conversation about the county’s approach to the harvest.

The meeting was attended by 15 community members, many of them Brightwood residents wary of further logging in the area after a contentious logging operation on private property in 2017 above the Timberline Rim neighborhood.

Local resident Bill Simonds, owner of Welches Mountain Building Supply and the closest neighbor to the proposed county site, detailed community complaints about the prior private logging operation but expressed optimism regarding the county’s plan for Boomer II site adjacent his property.

“I feel 100 percent better about this operation,” said Simonds while touring the site. “These guys care about the property and want to do it right.”

Other community members toured the county land to gain insight into the proposed logging’s impact on the watershed, including a section of Spring Creek in the southeastern portion of the tract.

“Our concern is sediment; What kind of erosion is being created,” said Gerald Murphy, member of the Sandy River Watershed Council and the Clackamas County Planning Commission. Murphy sought to conduct turbidity testing at the creek to monitor for an increase in sediment load during the operation. The county plan includes a 20-foot buffer established along the creek to prevent impact.

“This is Oregon. This is what we do,” said Murphy about the timber sale. “We just want it done right.”

Other issues raised during the tour included the visual impact of the site on the community.

“It’s kind of a concern when you pull into Brightwod, is it going to be right there?” asked Murphy.

The county foresters conducted line of sight measurements and described Boomer II as only visible along Hwy. 26 for a couple of seconds in the distant background.

The Boomer II site has been previously harvested and is currently forested with Douglas fir, hemlock, cedar, alder, maple and cottonwood, varying in age from 40 to 80 years due to fire and harvesting.

Net proceeds from the harvest of approximately 2,051 thousand board feet (MBF) of timber on 75 acres of the site will fund Clackamas County park and forest operations. The sale includes 1,500 MBF Douglas-fir, 200 MBF hemlock, 30 MBF cedar and 300 MBF hardwoods.

Dobmeier detailed the county’s plan to actively manage each portion of the harvest and sale to get the best return for the community and avoid recent issues with logging in Brightwood.

He stated the county intends to hire an Oregon logging company that is a member of the Associated Oregon Loggers and follows sustainable harvesting practice guidelines, as well as oversee the operation to assure minimal impact on the site and BLM roads.

“If you don’t do what we want, you’re out,” Dobmeier said about the county’s expectations for the logging companies bidding on the contract.

The county will begin bidding logging companies in November with the harvest scheduled to begin in January 2019 and end by June 30, 2019.

The logging company is expected to follow Sustained Forest Initiative practices and adhere to all Oregon Forest Practice Act rules. Other criteria for obtaining the contract include price, references, equipment and a timeline that is less disruptive to the community.

An estimated six to 12 loads of logs will be harvested on average a day, dependent on the operator and the portion of the site being used. Access to the site is through Mt. Hood Rock Products, and logging hours will be limited to the quarry’s hours of operation from 6:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The county also intends to market the timber to mills themselves to bring in more value for the harvest.

“We want to go to market our own way,” said Dobmeier about his intention to select certain timber for potential sale at a higher value as power poles, or in the case of select maple with figuring, to mills interested in producing for woodworkers.

He explained this as a different approach than a 2015 county sale to Columbia Vista Corporation, a mill that bought timber on stump and harvested solely for Douglas-fir while selling the other lumber as pulp. He stated the county hopes to increase the value of the sale by bringing to market all available resources and assuring active oversight of the environmental and community impact of the entire process.

The county intends to replant the site with Douglas-fir, Western Red Cedar and Western Red Pine. Western Hemlock is expected to seed naturally. Dobmeier discussed then managing the site with pre-commercial thinning on an established 50 to 60-year rotation as opposed to a 35 to 40-year harvest cycle.

“We’re here for the long run. We want to do it the right way,” said Dobmeier.

For more information contact County Forester Andrew Dobmeier at adobmeier@clackamas.us or visit www.clackamas.us/forests.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Mountain residents raise concerns over increase in crime posted on 11/01/2018

Approximately 120 Mount Hood community members gathered at a Sept. 25 meeting to discuss the increase in property crime, concerns about the proper agency to contact to report a code violation or criminal activity and other crime related issues with representatives from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police.

The meeting was held at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort in response to growing property crime increases over recent months.

The meeting was attended by Oregon State Representative Jeff Helfrich, Clackamas County Commissioners Sonya Fischer, Ken Humberston and Paul Savas, Oregon State Police representative Sr. Trooper Reel and Community Service Officer Sara McClurg of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

“Property crimes have been elevated the last three to six months,” officer McClurg said during a follow-up phone conversation. She stated there has been a growth of the homeless population in the region and an increase of issues with squatters and associated criminal activity.

“We are currently pursuing a significant arrest,” McClurg said about the recent increase in property crimes. “We’re very hopeful that some of this will decrease.”

Brigette Romeo, manager of the Still Creek Inn in Rhododendron, said there was widespread concern among attendees over recent break-ins, car thefts and other property crimes. She added that there was public concern expressed at the meeting over which agency to contact when reporting criminal activity, code violations or wildlife encountered on property.

Officer McClurg said she is compiling a follow-up resource page of what agency people should contact to report specific violations or criminal activities. She added that it can be confusing as to what agency to contact when reporting squatting or other activity on state or federal lands.

Community members also expressed concerns with sheriff department response times at the meeting.

Officer McClurg noted that the department operates in a large district and response time varies depending on the number of deputies working and the severity of the incidence.

“Property crimes take a back seat to life and limb,” McClurg said. She added that a severe incident such as a traffic fatality can require most available department resources.

Both McClurg and commissioner Humberston cited the growing increase in mental health problems as an issue taxing county resources.

“It plagues us just like it does every other community,” said commissioner Humberston. “I’ve been doing ride-alongs (with county sheriffs)

and one common comment is the increase in mental health problems with very little resources to deal with them.”

Humberston stated the sheriff’s department is exploring the possibility of a livability project that would increase access to a variety of social services to address some of the mental health issues being encountered in more rural areas in the county. He added the county has significantly more needs than resources when addressing the scope of these problems.

“I encourage people to be alert and aware,” said Humberston, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activity in their community. “It does help reducing the overall crime problem.”

McClurg stated that the meeting provided insight into issues of concern in the community. “There was a lot of passion in the room, some good input and some issues we definitely want to address.”

Community service officer Sarah McClurg can be contacted at saramcc@clackamas.us and more information about sheriff department resources can be found at https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff. The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners can be reached by email at bcc@clackamas.us.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Neighborhood Missions starts fall Harvest Festival posted on 11/01/2018

For the past few years, Neighborhood Missions (NM) held its annual fundraiser in the spring, but observant mountain residents may have noted its absence this year. That’s because the organization, which provides assistance to area residence in need of food, firewood and means to pay for utilities and more, will now hold a Harvest Festival in the fall instead.

NM’s Chair, Steve Carlson, noted the move was in part due to a number of similar fundraisers by other nonprofits in the spring. The Harvest Festival will feature a craft sale, bake sale and silent auction, offering ample opportunities for some early holiday shopping, plus an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“We are welcoming families to bring their kids, it might be an opportunity for a picture they can use for Christmas greetings,” Carlson said.

The festival, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Lions Club, at the corner of Woodsey Way and Hwy. 26 in Welches, will also offer a spaghetti dinner at 4 p.m., featuring all the fixings, for $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 4-12 and kids 3 and under are free. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. The silent auction will last throughout the afternoon, while Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Carlson noted the silent auction will include a variety of items, including several gift certificates to area restaurants and other businesses, while a number of people and groups will be on hand offering crafts, such as Christmas tree ornaments and cloth pumpkins.

He added that the event is the organization’s sole fundraiser for the year. Tickets are available at the door. For more information, call 503-564-9062.

Carlson also noted that NM’s first monthly free food market held in September was a big success, with approximately 50 households (totaling 105 people) served. The market, part of a partnership with the Oregon Food Bank (OFB), is held from 9-10 a.m. on the last Monday of each month in the parking lot behind the Hoodland Senior Center, 65000 Hwy. 26 in Welches. The next two markets will be Nov. 26 and Dec. 31.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Govy CPO rallies to find funds for fire fuel cleanup posted on 11/01/2018

A yearly cleanup of fire fuels around Government Camp has gone through a number of iterations throughout the years, including prisoners from the Salem Women’s Correctional Center coming in last fall to do it. But due to a lack of funding, Nick Rinard, Chair of the Government Camp Community Planning Organization (CPO), noted that this year’s cleanup almost didn’t happen.

However, thanks to some last-minute fundraising and support, including $1,000 from the REVEL Race Series and Simon’s Tree Service willing to do the work for the limited budget, and the community’s fire fuels, totaling 22 brush piles, got chipped last month.

“We’re very grateful for (Simon),” Rinard said, noting that area home owners were putting in the work to clear brush away from their properties.

Rinard hopes to build upon the work next year, and in light of that, one community member started a Gofundme account to help raise money (https://www.gofundme.com/government-camp-fire-prevention), which received an anonymous donation of $5,000.

“They’re grateful the CPO is leading this effort,” Rinard said of the donor, adding that there has been a shift in the community regarding fire danger. “I think the forest fires the last two years were kind of a wakeup call for people.”

Rinard also noted that in the past, only “a trickle” of homeowners would participate in clearing fire fuels from their properties, but he sees momentum building with this recent effort.

He added that the topic of fire fuels is an ongoing one at CPO meetings, including such aspects as defensible space and ladder fuels. The next CPO meeting will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum, 88900 Government Camp Loop in Government Camp.

Scott Kline, Fire Marshall for the Hoodland Fire District (HFD), noted that some steps homeowners can take to reduce fire fuels around their properties including removing tree limbs over the roof line and close to a house (up to one-third of the tree height on smaller trees, keeping woodpiles at least 30 feet from a house and removing dead and dying plants next to a house.

The HFD lifted burning restrictions on Friday, Oct. 26, but burning is still regulated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality based on air conditions. Up to date burn information is available on the HFD Burn Information Line at 503-622-3463.

By Garth Guibord/MT

'Proof'

The Scene on Stage: Musical evokes comedy of 1920s posted on 11/01/2018

Colin Murray, Sandy High School (SHS) theater teacher, received a recommendation for “No, No, Nanette” as a musical that would be good for a production, as it had a good number of roles for the talented young women at the school. He took the plunge, and in the early going had a realization about what the show would demand, due to the amount of dancing involved.

“You forget how much time and effort goes into dancing,” Murray said.

But with the help of choreographer Sandy Shaner, the production is on point, offering the story of Jimmy Smith, a publishing millionaire, his frugal wife and their adopted daughter, Nanette. All three wind up in Atlantic City, where the threat of scandals put marriages at risk and comical entanglements ensue.

“It’s very much that kind of musical comedy of the 1920s feel; there’s a lot of mistaken intentions,” Murray said. “In the end, everybody ends up with who they should end up with and its happy. If there’s a message, it’s probably that it’s when people really love each other, love will win out in the end, even if there’s road bumps along the way.”

Murray added that while much of the younger crowd will not likely be familiar with the music, veteran theatergoers and music fans will probably know a few, especially since they were used in variety shows on television during the 1950s and 60s, including “I Want to Be Happy” and “Tea for Two.”

He described the songs as “ear worms,” noting the audience will come out of the theater humming them.

“I think they’re very catchy,” Murray said, adding that it is “exuberant music” similar to George Gershwin.

He also noted the musical includes a couple of numbers that include tap dancing, a style of dance that most of his students had no prior experience with. But he’s looking forward to the performers getting the unique thrill of tap dancing in front of an audience.

“It’s such a percussive and rhythmic form, it affects audience in a way that most music and dance doesn’t,” Murray said.

Sandy High School Drama presents “No, No, Nanette,” by Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, at 37400 SE Bell Street in Sandy. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call 503-668-8011, ext. 7313.

Proof rescheduled at Wolfpack Theater

Wolfpack Theater’s production of David Auburn’s “Proof,” scheduled for a production run last month, got pushed back into November when a member of the cast had a mental health crisis following the opening weekend.

The show’s director, Howard Bickle, addressed the topic on the theater’s Facebook page.

“We pray for healing and are beyond grateful that he is still with us,” Bickle wrote. “He is a brave, talented, and beautiful individual.”

The show, about a troubled young woman in the aftermath of the death of her brilliant father, will now run from Thursday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 2. The theater will also donate 10 percent of sales from the run of the show to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) Multnomah.

Bickle described the play as a “psychological mystery” that poses the question of what does somebody do when their friends and family don’t believe them.

The Wolf Pack Theater presents “Proof” from Thursday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 2, at 39570 Pioneer Blvd. in Sandy. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $18 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors.

By Garth Guibord/MT

"Woman in Black."

The ‘scream’ on Stage - October offerings posted on 10/01/2018

Ian Leiner, director of the Nutz-n-Boltz Theater Company’s (NNB) October production of “Woman in Black," by Stephen Mallatratt and based on Susan Hill’s book, notes that while the show doesn’t have a giant monster or haunted house, he hopes it will give the audience something to think about.

“My goal is to make people go home and before they turn on the light they get a little creeped out,” Leiner said.

And while October is known for the spooky holiday at the month’s end, area theaters will offer a variety of shows for theater goers.

NNB’s endeavor offers the story of a lawyer who hires an actor to help in the recounting of the story of a woman in black, a specter that haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Leiner noted the show is all about atmosphere, and even with it’s frightening nature, there are some lighter moments and it’s not about startling the audience.

“It’s not a jump scare thing,” he said, adding that it would be appropriate for all ages.

The production features two long-time veterans of NNB shows, Scott Caster and Justin Lazenby.

“I needed two people with really good chemistry, they work well off of each other,” said Leiner, who has performed in numerous area theaters and is making his directorial debut.

NNB presents “Woman in Black” from through Oct. 14 at the Boring Grange, 27861 Grange Street in Boring. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children and seniors, and $11 for teachers and law enforcement.

For more information, or to make reservations, call 503-593-1295 or visit nnbtheater.com.

Wolfpack Theater has ‘Proof’

Howard Bickle, Artistic Director of the Wolfpack Theater and director of this month’s production of “Proof,” by David Auburn, described the play as a “psychological mystery” about a troubled young woman in the aftermath of the death of her brilliant father. Bickle added that it poses the question of what does somebody do when their friends and family don’t believe them.

“Sometimes you need actual proof at times to build a foundation of trust,” he said. “There’s just so many different layers. It’s pretty complex; I really love the complex plays.”

And despite the serious topic, Bickle noted there is a lot of comedy in it, which he feels was left out when the play was made into a movie featuring Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The show features three actors who have each performed in at least two past productions with the Wolfpack. Bickle noted that continuing to work with dynamic performers that have built a trust makes for a better process.

“There’s just kind of an ease because we have so much trust between the four of us,” he said, also noting that he believes the audience will walk away thinking about the power of love and trust in relationships.

The Wolf Pack Theater presents “Proof” from Thursday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 4, at 39570 Pioneer Blvd. in Sandy. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $18 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. Law enforcement, firefighters and veterans have free admission with valid ID. For more information, visit www.wolfpacktheater.com or call 541-722-2667.

Sandy Actors Theatre brings the October laughs

Sandy Actors Theatre’s (SAT) production of “Over the River and Through the Woods,” by Joe DiPietro, started as a reading by a group of people one Saturday. The show’s director, Jim Lamproe, noted that after they were done, they all said it was worthy of a full production.

The comedy offers the story of Nick, a single Italian-American in New Jersey. Now that his parents have moved to Florida, Nick takes an offer for his dream job in Seattle, but his grandparents aren’t so thrilled, and they scheme to keep him from going.

“It’s an interesting story, because what it’s telling you is that family is important and sometimes we lose sight of that,” said Lamproe, who is directing his first production. “Nick is more focused on career and promotion, (he) doesn’t see value of grandparents.”

Lamproe added that he sees the same thing happening today, with families coming as a lower priority, while previous generations often held family first. He added that by the end, it really drives home the point for people to cherish what they have.

SAT presents “Over the River and Through the Woods” from Friday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 18, at 17433 Meinig Ave. (behind Ace Hardware). Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 for students and seniors and $13 for children under 12 (reservations are recommended). For more information, or reservations call 503-668-6834 or visit sandyactorstheatre.org.

By Garth Guibord/MT

NOAA El Niño watch signals a possibility of a temperate winter posted on 10/01/2018

Although the fall colors have begun in the Mount Hood region, winter is already predicted to arrive later and to be warmer and drier then the past two years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) winter weather outlook for 2018-19 predicts a 70 percent chance of El Niño conditions developing this winter, resulting in higher-than-average temperatures with lower-than-average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest. The scientists at NOAA use global weather patterns as well as the development of El Niño or La Niña conditions to make their seasonal forecasts.

“It’s kind of (looks like) what we expect with an El Niño winter, a mild winter,” said David Bright, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Portland.

El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. The ENSO cycle is a scientific study of the temperature fluctuations between atmospheric and ocean temperatures in the central Pacific.

Of these two phases, La Niña is considered to be the cold phase of the ENSO cycle, and El Niño is considered to be the warmer phase.

Bright stated that tropical water temperatures are currently a degree higher in the central Pacific, which is in the weak to moderate range for El Niño conditions.

In the Pacific Northwest there is a 50 to 55 percent El Niño prediction from September through December, with above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation.

This suggests the possibility of a slow start to winter conditions in the Northwest with drier conditions in the fall.

In mid to late winter, January through March there is a 70 percent El Niño prediction with above-average temperatures predicted and equal-to-average chances of precipitation after the new year.

“Precipitation signals are weaker with El Niño conditions,” Bright said. He added it was hard to predict if the condition would impact the amount of precipitation on the mountain, but that the winter would be milder overall. “Let’s hope we fill the reservoirs and get some snow on the ground for recreation.”

“Both 2016-17 and 2017-18 were La Niña, which tends to be a cooler, wetter winter,” Bright added. “We’re looking at a milder winter.”

As recently as 2017-18 the Northwest received higher levels of precipitation then the initial NOAA forecast.

Current information about the ENSO El Niño Watch can be found online at https://www.climate.gov/enso.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Local vacation rental company signs on to regional website posted on 10/01/2018

The launch of a new vacation rental website experience – NorthwestStays.com – has attracted a local professional to its association.

NorthwestStays was created to unite regional vacation rental managers under the single mission of increasing awareness and tourism specific to the vacation rental industry throughout the Pacific Northwest, California, Hawaii and British Columbia.

“Travel and tourism are booming and yet the market is more diverse and challenging than ever, particularly for individual property managers,” said Dan Eby, president of Northwest Vacation Rentals which has launched the new website. “It’s our job as property managers to find new and innovative ways to showcase properties and support the industry as a whole.”

Betsy LaBarge, president and CEO of Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals, attended a few conferences in Seattle and was attracted to the members representing smaller boutique companies in the Northwest – a group which grew into the association that would better represent its members.

“I joined the association this year and a benefit of membership is to have the privilege and opportunity to list our vacation rentals at NorthwestStays.com.,” LaBarge wrote in an email to The Mountain Times. “The main goal is to showcase the best property managers with the best vacation rentals in the Pacific Northwest to the traveling public and to offer them a way to find vacation rentals in several areas that they can have confidence in knowing they will be clean and well-maintained and the visitor will be treated well.”

LaBarge added that the cherry on top is that visitors will pay less through the new site than by using other resources like HomeAway or Airbnb which add service fees, or Booking.com where the rates may be increased by the property manager to cover the 15 percent commission that is charged.

Besides being cost effective, the website allows visitors to explore and compare multiple websites in one place and click over to learn more information or to book directly via member websites.

The association requires unique qualities in its members.

“The company must be professional and represent high quality homes that are clean and safe,” LaBarge said. “The company also needs to engage in ethical and legal business practices.”

Besides Mt. Hood Vacation Rentals, the Mountain community is also represented in the association by All Seasons Property Management.

By Larry Berteau/MT

The cougar.

ODFW kills cougar suspected in deadly attack on hiker posted on 10/01/2018

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) ended its operation to capture a cougar that killed Diana Bober, 55, a Gresham woman hiking on the Hunchback Trail, after all available evidence indicated a cougar captured and later destroyed on Friday, Sept. 14 was responsible for the attack.

“It is highly probable that the cougar that killed Diana is the one that we killed last week,” said Derek Broman, ODFW carnivore coordinator, in a press release dated Friday, Sept. 21.

Bober had not been seen or heard from since Wednesday, Aug. 29 and had been reported as missing to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, Sept. 7. Her body was found off the Hunchback Trail on Monday, Sept. 10, and it was determined that her injuries were consistent with a cougar attack.

“This is a terrible tragedy, and our sympathy goes out to Diana’s family and friends,” said Brian Wolfer, ODFW watershed manager

Bober’s death was the first verified fatal attack by a wild cougar in Oregon and initiated a search that included multiple agencies and the closure of more than 21,000 acres in the Mount Hood National Forest around the attack site.

The cougar killed was detected on a trail camera set near the site where the attack occurred, and during the week following its capture, no other cougars were detected in the area or on a network of 31 cameras set on trails, wildlife corridors, saddles and other areas where cougars are likely to travel in a 35-square mile area around the attack site. The cougar was a female, but not lactating.

Kendra Payne, Principal at the Welches Schools (located close to the trail where the attack occurred), said that parents of students received a note explaining that students and staff would not be able to access unfenced areas of the school’s campus, including fields and nature trails during the search for the cougar. The school features six-foot security fencing surrounding the school’s perimeter and playground area and Payne added that additional fencing around the school’s upper fields is expected to be added in the coming months.

After the cougar was killed, it was taken to a lab in Ashland dedicated to wildlife forensics, but due to contamination at the attack site, no relevant DNA from the scene was available for comparison.

“We could not get the DNA evidence we had hoped to obtain in this case,” Broman said. “However, all the evidence available shows we have the right cougar.”

Broman noted it was impossible to determine the motivation for the attack and that there were no signs the animal was unhealthy, including that a rabies test was negative. He added that cougar attacks are extremely rare in the western United States.

“We hope the ending of these operations brings some closure for Diana’s family,” Broman said. “All of us extend our deepest sympathies to the Bober family.”

The U.S. Forest Service reopened the area closed during the cougar capture effort on Monday, Sept. 24.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Jiyeon, Leanna and Rick.

‘No Plastics – No Gimmicks’ ... but the same great coffee posted on 10/01/2018

When customers drop in to Mt. Hood Roasters in Rhododendron, they’re likely to have their steaming java delight served up by Leanna Little. After all, she’s been there for five years.

But don’t be deceived. There’s more to Leanna than a great cup of coffee. To wit:

Her ideas and efforts have helped Mt. Hood Roasters recycle 225 cubic feet of plastics, metal and paper; recycle more than one thousand glass bottles; recycle roughly half a ton of cardboard; switched the company from 5-pound plastic to 5-pound paper with corn-based PLA liners resulting in the removal of an additional 300 pounds of plastic from the supply chain.

And this year, Leanna is pushing the company to stop using non-compostable cups, lids and straws. This will remove more than a ton of non-compostable refuse from the earth.

World Cleanup Day was celebrated last month, and it was fitting that Leanna’s efforts were recognized at Roasters where she was rewarded with a 3-day, 2-night stay in the Herman Melville Room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, a bonus check of $100, and a copy of Moby Dick that was signed by the friends, families and guests in attendance.

“I am honored, humbled and overwhelmed,” Leanna said. “I hope that one day everyone cares as much as I do for the home that we all share.”

Among the guests was Susan Mead, secretary of Recycling Advocates of Oregon.

“As a loyal customer of Mt. Hood Roasters … I was thrilled to attend the ceremony to recognize Leanna Little’s recycling efforts on behalf of your company,” Mead said. “Thank you Mt. Hood Roasters for your contributions towards a greener planet earth.”

Roasters owner Jiyeon Applegate added that her home country of South Korea is one of the top four world leaders in recycling.

“Less than half of the waste output is sent to the landfill,” she said. “I want my company … to achieve the same success. Leanna is one of the main people helping us get to that goal.”

Jiyeon’s husband and owner of Roasters, Rick Applegate, reflected on the company’s commitment to being an industry leader in sustainable business practices.

“Leanna is helping us lead that charge,” he said. “We want to put pressure on other coffee shops and food service businesses to follow our example. Our sustainability motto this year is ‘No plastics – No gimmicks.’ It’s not about cute marketing ideas, it’s about changing decades of old habits and just committing to removing and reducing plastics from our inventory. Permanently.”

Drop in and pay homage to the paper straw, and notice the celebratory passing of plastic.

By Larry Berteau/MT

Senior Center to escape the mountain’s shadow in new logo posted on 10/01/2018

Mount Hood towers above its surrounding communities, and its name and iconic visage are commonly incorporated into the names and logos of local businesses and organizations. This frequent usage can make it hard for individual groups to differentiate themselves.

Oct. 1 marks the half way point for entry in a two-month logo redesign contest being held by the Hoodland Senior Center (HSC), in an attempt to escape the long shadow of the mountain and find a new symbol of the ethos the center stands for.

“We want something that better represents the center,” said Ella Vogel, director of the HSC, about the logo contest.

The senior center, located at 65000 E Hwy. 26 in Welches, is a nonprofit organization that provides resources, performs outreach and serves as a social outlet for isolated members of the senior population in the Mount Hood communities.

Vogel stated the current logo, a circular emblem featuring Mount Hood surrounded by colorful rings, doesn’t distinguish the nonprofit from other organizations in the region that use the mountain as part of their symbol.

The contest began Sept. 1 and runs through Oct. 31. Entries can be mailed, emailed or presented at the center. The contest is open to the public.

Vogel said that by opening the design process to the community, the HSC hopes to find another representation that symbolizes their place and service in the region.

The winning entry will be awarded with the choice of a Timberline or a Mount Hood coverlet from the center.

“They’re one of our most popular items,” Vogel said. The coverlets are sold by the center and retail for $60.

The entries will be judged by an eight-member HSC board panel, and the winner and runner-up will be announced in the Mountain Times.

The new logo will be used for the senior center’s newsletter. The HSC does have a website and Facebook page although neither are active. Vogel stated the new logo would be incorporated into both if they were returned to active status.

The HSC can be reached by phone at (503) 622-3331 or by email at hoodlandseniors@frontier.com.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Family Fright Night returns to Timberline posted on 10/01/2018

While Timberline Lodge famously played a role as the Overlook Hotel in the classic movie, “The Shining,” Timberline’s Director of Marketing & PR, John Burton, noted that there aren’t any ghost stories or the like surrounding its history.

But that won’t stop the lodge from hosting the annual Family Fright Night, an event featuring Halloween activities starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.

“It’s the alternative to a typical house-to-house experience,” Burton said. “You come up to the Lodge and get it all.”

That includes many free activities such as scavenger hunt, trick or treating, candied apples, decorating cookies, a pumpkin contest, a costume contest, ghost stories for children, other stories for teens and adults and a special late-night screening of “The Shining.”

Zombie laser tag, with time slots for hotel guests only and for the public, will also be available for $10 per person.

The event has been going on for years, Burton noted, adding that many participants go to all ends for it.

“Parents get into it, they dress up,” he said. “You can be walking around the halls and there’s people in costumes everywhere. It’s good, clean, Halloween fun.”

For more information, visit www.timberlinelodge.com.

By Garth Guibord/MT

A helicoptor moves wood.

Salmon restoration efforts spawning success posted on 09/01/2018

For nearly a decade, members of the Sandy River Basin Partners (SRBP) have built log structures, placed boulders, replanted native species and reconnected channels in efforts to return degraded river habitats to breeding grounds for endangered salmon and steelhead in the Mount Hood region.

“We’re trying to reset the clock where we can,” said Greg Wanner, supervisory fish biologist for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). “We’re trying to get back to historic conditions.”

The projects have achieved recent success with work on Still Creek, resulting in the creek being officially declared on a trajectory to being restored, according to Jeff Fisher, habitat monitoring coordinator for the Freshwater Trust (FWT). The FWT and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also completed a significant project at the Wildwood Recreation Area on the Salmon River this August.

“We are confident from extensive monitoring that we have put back what we need to in the river to restore the habitat,” said Fisher. The FWT reports a 350 percent increase in winter steelhead on the river between 1998 and 2016.

During the course of the projects, the FTW placed 196 large wood structures on the two waterways and more than 3,000 pieces of large wood.

In 1964, the Army Corps of Engineers straightened sections of the Salmon River and removed large wood and rocks from the floodplain in response to a historic flood. This attempt to reduce flooding instead unnaturally enlarged the water flow and increased the likelihood of flooding. The engineering efforts also decreased habitat diversity, and as a result, native fish populations.

“In the past we thought we could engineer our way out of problems. Now we think of how we can work with nature and not fight her,” said Wanner about the current efforts to return the bodies of water to their natural state.

The placement of large wood creates deep pools, returns stream complexity and provides refuge and spawning habitat. Restoration efforts aim to reconnect the rivers and streams to their historic floodplains and create side channels for spawning.

“Since we started in 2012 we’ve been seeing Coho Salmon smolts increase (in Still Creek),” said Wanner. “There are areas of Still Creek that haven’t seen water in 50 years that we now have salmon spawning in.”

Almost all work completed on the Salmon River has been done on BLM land. Wood provided by the BLM and USFS have allowed the projects to be completed at a fraction of the cost.

“It’s a six-mile stretch that we’ve been able to accomplish a huge amount,” stated Fisher.

Restoration efforts will continue in the region with projects on Lost and Cast creeks underway this summer.

SRBP work at Lost Creek is scheduled for completion in 2019.

“(We’ve) just made incredible progress restoring habitat working with our partners,” said Jennifer Velez, BLM spokeswoman.

The 12 members of the SRBP include: Association of Northwest Steelheaders, Bureau of Land Management, City of Portland Water Bureau, Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development, East Multnomah County Soil and Water Conservation District, National Marine Fisheries Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, The Freshwater Trust, Sandy River Basin Watershed Council, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service.

By Benjamin Simpson/MT

Sandy’s pool upgrades a taste of things to come posted on 09/01/2018

As a steady stream of customers flowed through the doors at the Sandy Aquatic Center on a weekday morning in August, Sandy Community Services Director Tanya Richardson was hesitant to say that numbers of users were up over previous years. She noted it was “hard to determine,” but that lessons had more students (including up to 200 during the summer) and that open recreation time had been busy.

But with visions of a Sandy Community Campus, including a new recreation pool and parks improvements to the property the city acquired from the Oregon Trail School District, the work and progress already undertaken is notable. Since Richardson took her position in March 2017, the facility’s upgrades include replacement of bleacher seating, ADA bathrooms, safety upgrades, designated areas for parties, family changing areas, painting, a new front desk area and even an inflatable course for the pool.

These are the first steps for the city as it looks toward the loftier goal of a Community Campus, a projected $74 million project that will take many years to complete, all while improving the current facility after years of disrepair and deferred maintenance and installing programming that will (at some point) offer sustainability.

“It’s an art, to be able to program and understand what people need and what they want,” said Kim Yamashita, Sandy City Manager, about Richardson’s work. “As we move forward and improve (the pool), it’s just going to get better.”

Richardson came to Sandy after undertaking a similar project in Virginia, where she had three years to get that pool to pay for itself but accomplished the goal in six months.

“The community obviously needed it and we filled the need,” Richardson said. “We’d like to see something like that in Sandy.”

Yamashita, who sees the campus project as a way to provide a destination for visitors, noted that the lack of space is the biggest obstacle for making the current pool financially successful. The current operations are being supplemented by the city’s general funds, while upgrades to the pool’s HVAC and plumbing will close the facility for up to a year starting in the fall of 2019 as part of the first phase of construction of the Community Campus.

Phase 2 of the project will include construction of a new indoor recreation pool, including slides and other features, in front of the current pool building, while Phase 3 will offer improvements to the surrounding park areas. Yamashita noted that the city currently has funding for Phase 1, which will leave the current pool facility “operationally efficient.”

To help pay for the campus, Yamashita sought feedback from city residents on funding options (including a utility fee of up to $8 and a bond) during the Mountain Festival, adding that just one person opposed a bond.

“We might explore that option as well,” Yamashita said, adding that the city will meet with local organizations and hold open houses to get more feedback. “We have a lot of research to do before we launch that.”

Yamashita noted that a fee structure at the new facility would include discounts for Sandy residents with the opportunity for those outside the city to buy a discount card at the same rate of the utility fee to gain the same discount.

The full scope of the project will also see the demolition of the front building at the former Cedar Ridge Middle School, while the city’s Information Technology Department has moved into the bottom of the rear building. Yamashita noted the city is currently out of storage space and part of that rear building could serve as storage, and eventually she envisions an event space, with a patio for catered events, overlooking an amphitheater with seating for approximately 700 people.

“We’re just exploring all of those options and funding for those,” Yamashita said, adding that another option would be to move City Hall to that building and use the current City Hall building for a library annex. “I appreciate the community’s patience and support while we work through this huge undertaking.”

The city will hold two open houses for community input: from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, both at the Sandy Library community room, 38980 Proctor Blvd. in Sandy.

By Garth Guibord/MT

Mountain inhabitants honored at cross-cultural celebration posted on 09/01/2018

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs will host an all-day ceremony Sept. 22 to celebrate the history of their ancestors, the earliest inhabitants of Mount Hood.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the traditional culture of the Warm Springs, Paiutes and Wasco tribes at the eighth annual Confederated Tribal Celebration at Skibowl’s west side. The event celebrates the travels to the huckleberry fields near Mirror Lake for a late summer harvest. Some rode, but many walked from their homelands in the lower valleys to gather the food of the forests.

“This land is culturally significant to the members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and we are honored to celebrate their heritage here each September,” said Kirk Hanna, owner of Mt. Hood Skibowl.

Eight years ago, Hanna established a permanent cultural exhibit for the tribes in what was once the Outback Lodge at Skibowl. The building was rededicated as the Wiwnu Wash (translates as huckleberry patches) Mt. Hood Tribal Center.

“What Kirk has done for our tribes is enormous,” said Delson Suppah, coordinator of the tribal celebration. “He has given us the opportunity to tell the truth about this land.”

Suppah traveled to the slopes at Skibowl as a child.

“It touches me when I think about my mother, grandmother and aunts walking up the hills to pick wild huckleberries, carrying baskets while we kids ran and played around,” he said. “By hosting this annual celebration, Kirk is acknowledging that all citizens need to honor and understand the true history of the first inhabitants of this land. People will get to learn about the history of our tribal elders.”

The ceremony kicks off with the arrival of a dozen tribal members on horseback in full ceremonial regalia of handmade buckskin, beads and feathers. The riders will leave Skibowl East at 9:30 a.m. and arrive at Skibowl West for the 10 a.m. opening ceremonies.

Following the symbolic arrival, the day’s events will include comments from tribal elders about the history of the area. There will be a Living Village, tribal dancing and drumming, a salmon bake and tribal arts and crafts venders from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nearly 100 tribal members will participate in the celebration.

A cultural exchange will take place whereby coaches from Interscholastic Mountain Bike teams will provide riding lessons to Warm Springs students. Skibowl has a 30-year history operating the premier mountain bike parks on Mount Hood. After, bike team members will join in the tribal dances.

The noon meal features salmon on sticks, corn on the cob, baked potato, salad and fry bread. Cost of the meal is $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased on site.

Schedule of Events

8 a.m. – Living Village (Tee Pee) and setup

9:30 a.m. – Riders leave Eastside for Westside

10 a.m. – Wa Shut, prayers and welcome from Kirk Hanna

11 a.m. – Ladies from Cultural Heritage in Wiwnu Wash share culture and tradition with guests

Noon – Salmon Bake

1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Dance exhibition/drummers; Interscholastic Mt. Bike Racing coaches offer biking lessons; Bike team participates in dancing

5 p.m. – Closing Ceremony

By Monica Cory/MT

Contributed photo.

Partnership yields fruit for rival camps posted on 09/01/2018

Premier Mount Hood snowsports camps High Cascade Snowboard Camp (HCSC) and Windells Ski and Skateboard Camps and Academy have long been leading destinations for professional-level ski and snowboard instruction, with a historic rivalry that has given way to a partnership in the face of industrywide declines and challenges over the past half-decade.

Mount Hood is the only year-round ski area in North America, drawing skiers and snowboarders of all levels to its summer slopes.

“In 2017 the biggest Canadian camp, the Camp of Champions, went bankrupt,” said Kevin English, academy president and CEO of the We are Camp, LLC partnership. “We’re the last year-round ski and snowboard camps in North America. We see ourselves really flying the flag.”

The camps formed a 50-50 partnership in 2014, and this summer found the programs further consolidated, sharing the Windells’ campus off Hwy. 26 in Welches for both camps’ youth attendees.

The partnership was described by English as a response to a decline in attendance beginning in 2012, with both camps being below capacity for subsequent years.

Data from the Snowsports Industry of America shows participation in skiing and snowboarding peaking in 2011 with 11.5 million skiers and 8.2 million snowboarders before declining by 20 percent and seven percent respectively over the following five years.

English also cited a decline in youth sports participation, increased specialization in sports at a younger age and a smaller youth demographic as challenges the camps face.

“We’re trying to have a set of best-in-class camps on the same facilities,” said English, describing the company’s approach to the changing market.

HCSC focuses on snowboarding exclusively while Windells’ offers ski and skateboard instruction. English added that We are Camp, LLC looks to develop the skate program into its’ own distinct entity on the shared campus in a further attempt to separate the camps as industry leaders in their respective categories.

This year the camps sold out of all five ski and snowboard sessions and also two skateboard sessions.

“I didn’t hear much complaining that everyone was riding together,” said English. “The energy was up. It was all in one location.”

HCSC campers staying at the Welches facility have access to the acclaimed skate park on campus as well as the trampolines, foam pits and other training facilities. Both camps benefit from shared use of the terrain parks on the mountain, the private lifts and access to professional skiers and snowboarders.

The camps maintain close ties with U.S. Olympic National teams, who use the camps’ world-renowned parks on Palmer Glacier for their training programs. They also feature professional riders, including former X Games and Olympic medalists, during different sessions each year.

“The number one thing in camp is the people,” English said about this summer’s turnout. “Getting the number of people up was amazing. It really gets the energy up.”

The camps host between 1,000 and 1,400 guests annually and are working to build out facilities on their shared campus and further develop the skateboard program.

“These are camps we want people to send their grandkids to. We consider ourselves in the young part of our legacy,” said English.

HCSC can be contacted on the internet at www.highcascade.com, and Windells Academy and Camps can be contacted at www.windells.com.