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As temperatures drop and fall settles in, come enjoy an evening of fairytales with more than a dash of dark humor from the Sandy High School Drama Department.  “Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” written by Don Zolidis, opens Friday, Nov. 14, and runs Nov. 15, Nov. 20-Nov. 22. All performances are at 7 p.m. and will be on the Sandy High main stage, 37400 Bell St., Sandy.  “This production is like if you took the original ‘Brothers Grimm’ stories before Disney got their hands on

The Sandy and Hoodland Libraries have been raising funds to defer costs to outfit a new mobile library vehicle for several months.  With the vehicle, the staff plan to facilitate programs like their storytime and 1,000 Books before Kindergarten at daycare centers, preschools, and kindergarten classes; provide STEM activities at schools; and offer technology classes at senior centers and retirement communities. "Access to technology and proper instruction empowers seniors to s

Closing the chapter on yet another successful Bar Wars Golf Tournament, members of The Mt. Hood Villages, golf participants, and the sponsors are reveling in the afterglow that is community fellowship, outdoor enjoyment, and competition. Hosted on October 1st at The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, local bars competed for the glory that is “Bar Wars Champion.” While the weather was less than stellar [although typical Mt. Hood liquid sunshine in October], teams from local bars assemble

Over the last eight months, Shannon Shora has crafted soothing massage experiences for clients both local and visiting. She has cultivated a reputation for high quality massage, backed by her 24 years of experience with massage therapy. While a relative newcomer to the Mt. Hood area, the Texas native has spent the last six years living around Oregon and cultivating a love for the lush natural world that defines the state. “I love the mountain,” says Shannon. “I love the fores

Lon Welsh (left) and Mitch Williams. We wouldn’t have Barlow Wayside Park without them. Photo by Steve Wilent If you haven’t yet visited our local Clackamas County park, Barlow Wayside, you’re missing out on a sweet place to walk in the woods and along a quiet mountain creek, witness salmon and steelhead spawning, and relish the sight and sound of two small but lively seasonal waterfalls. It’s not a large park, compared to other local parks, such as the US Bureau of Land Mana

Tiffany Vanek and Hans Wipper opened Wippersnappers in Sandy 10 years ago, when their daughter Anika (pictured) was only seven. (Credit: Brit Allen) When Hans Wipper and Tiffany Vanek opened Wippersnappers Kids Play Place in 2015, their own little whippersnapper was only seven years old, and loved helping her parents design the play structures that she — and hundreds of other kids — would get to traverse.  Now their daughter Anika is 17 and helping out with the family busines

Last week I attended my 20-year dental school reunion in Boston. It’s still a bit crazy for me to accept that 20 years have flown by since I graduated from dental school. I spent a few days in Boston strolling down a nostalgic memory lane.   In addition to seeing old classmates and visiting old stomping grounds in the city, I got a chance to visit my old school and attend a class by my old Operative Dentistry professor.  He was the best professor at the school and he is still

The holiday season has a way of creeping up on us. One moment we’re admiring the last of the fall colors, and the next we’re knee-deep in to-do lists, gift wrapping, and blinking lights. It’s a season meant for connection, but it can easily become one of exhaustion. This year, I’ve been thinking about how important it is to protect our mental health by slowing down and savoring the moments that really matter. Working hard is a beautiful thing — it gives life structure and pur

Popcorn popped, balloons bounced, and laughter filled the halls on October 24 as Welches Elementary and Middle Schools held their annual Harvest Festival, one of the schools’ favorite fall traditions. The day began with each class visiting the indoor “pumpkin patch” to pick the perfect pumpkin. Among the costumes, fairies, pirates, mermaids, and skeletons held their pumpkins proudly for a class photo. Midday brought the costume parade, led by Principal Kendra Payne. Third-, f

This is a revision of a story originally posted in our October edition . Clarifications are posted below. On a rainy October afternoon, the warmth inside the Timberline Rim Recreation Lodge was unmistakable. Sweaters, raincoats, and the hum of friendly conversation filled the room as about two dozen members of the IWAKT Community Garden gathered for a harvest celebration marking not only the end of the growing season but also the beginning of a new partnership with the Hoodla

"Feeding Our Neighbors through Radical Hospitality!" What does that even mean? Simply   — DOING WHAT IS RIGHT—FEEDING PEOPLE WHO ARE HUNGRY -- NO EXCEPTIONS . Race, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or not, right, left, or in-between — everyone deserves to be fed. Government funding cuts, combined with rising consumer costs, are having a chilling effect on our neighbors’ ability to maintain essential household funds for living. Families cannot keep up. They are hungry

Who are we as a community? We may not be incorporated towns, but we have an identity  nonetheless - one built on shared history, hard work, and the unique beauty of this place we call home. Our story is one that’s been passed down through generations, and it continues to grow with every person who puts down roots here.  A community that remembers its past has an identity. A community with an identity has  pride. And pride leads to protection - protection of the forests, river

Sandy Actors Theatre is pleased to announce the second show of their 49th season, Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple (Female Version),” directed by Joni Tabler. The show runs from November 21-December 14, 2025, with tickets available for purchase online at sandyactorstheatre.com or at the door. “The Odd Couple (Female Version)” is based on Simon’s original, The Odd Couple. This adaptation introduces the audience to Olive and Florence, two women whose desperation and loneliness res

In an era when police departments nationwide are grappling with staffing shortages and strained public relations, finding new ways to connect with the community has never been more essential. The Sandy Police Department is taking a particularly creative approach to that end through a new video project that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the men and women serving the city The project, spearheaded by Sergeant Thornton, whose responsibilities include recruitment, retention,

Mary Forrest, owner of Forrest Insurance Agency, had been to the Welches School before, thanks to watching her two boys play sports there. But on Tuesday, Oct. 14, Forrest got a much more nuanced look into what goes on during school hours, thanks to the annual Principal for the Day event held in partnership with the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. “I expected to observe a day in the life of a principal, but I came away with so much more,” she said. “I had no idea just how ful

Cats have a way of inserting themselves into whatever we’re doing. If you’ve ever made a bed with a cat in the room, you know it becomes a full-contact sport. They leap onto the sheets just as you’re smoothing them out, tunnel under the comforter, and eventually sit proudly in the center like they’ve helped. They climb into boxes before you’ve even unpacked them, and they treat the items on your nightstand as if they're part of a science experiment. What starts off as a styli

In November, Tommy Tarrants will enter his tenth year working for The Mountain Times . Tarrants is the person charged with delivering roughly 4,500 newspapers to bars, resorts, hotels, golf courses, and grocery stores between Government Camp and Sandy. Tarrants began his career with The Mountain Times  approximately four owners ago, by his count. He was simply doing a favor for his friend. At that point, the Times  was owned by Larry Berteau. “Larry was delivering the paper h

As immigration continues to be a topic of relentless discussion, it goes without saying that many people are accepting risk and danger to enter countries for better opportunities. Whether it is due to economic crisis, organized crime, or an overall desire to better themselves, refugees continue to risk everything for a chance at a better future. And while many members of our community can say they have experienced this firsthand, a few members of our Mt. Hood Villages family

Name: Julie Frederick-Todd Place of birth: Scobey, Montana How long on the Mountain: 1990 - short break from 1995 to 1997, then back again. If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the Mountain: My sister brought me to the mountain. Back in the late 70s we went to Parkrose and skied as teenagers. She was on the ski team and ended up coaching at Cooper Spur and working at Timberline Lodge for 20 years. Everyone who skied the mountain knew Camille for h

Mark Bachmann has spent more than half a century in pursuit of fish – and something deeper. His book, The Virtue of Fly Fishing V2 , published last spring, gathers those decades of reflection into a 409-page work that is part memoir, part natural history, and part meditation on how humans fit within the living systems that sustain us. “The Virtue of Fly Fishing,” Bachmann writes in his foreword, “is about the art, science, history, politics, religion, romance, and adventure i

It isn’t often an entire community can say they have witnessed greatness born. It also isn’t often an entire community can say they witnessed greatness flourish. And it is almost never that an entire community can say they have witnessed greatness become legend. But now, the entire communities of Mt. Hood Villages and Sandy can say, without a doubt, they have been a part of that most unique phenomenon with the life and death of Jeff Flood. Born to Colene and Jeff Flood on J

The Hoodland Women’s Club turned community spirit into celebration this fall, hosting its first Harvest of Hope Gala – a night of good food, live music, and local generosity that raised nearly $14,000 for neighbors in need. When more than 70 guests gathered at Alpine Events on October 4 for the club’s inaugural gala, it wasn’t just an elegant evening – it was a statement of purpose. Beneath the soft lights, live music, and laughter, the community came together to support an o

Just Rum’s cocktail menu often includes some seasonal choices. We’ve all been there: dragged down the rabbit hole by curiosity over some random topic we find fascinating, whether it’s Wikipedia-ing your favorite artist’s life story or searching the depths of the internet for that discontinued product you have to have. For John Hasbrouck, his rabbit hole was the history of rum, and from that deep dive came the award-winning business: Just Rum. According to his master distiller

The Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is happy to welcome local favorite Gary Randall to its community meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 20, main building in the Osprey Room at Mt. Hood Oregon Resort. Gary’s a familiar face around Mount Hood – a photographer, storyteller, and a guy who knows his Oregon history. He’s spent a lifetime exploring the backroads and beauty of this place. He’ll start the evening with a quick Mountain Minute about his photography,

Basketball player Michael Jordan was cut from his school’s basketball team his sophomore year, the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony was cut from his high school team, and Lena Smith was cut from her 4th grade basketball team. Smith, unlike Jordan and Anthony, did not go on to play basketball. Instead, as a freshman on Sandy High School’s Varsity Volleyball team, she placed second at nationals.  After being cut in fourth grade, Smith’s PE teacher offered her a spot on the voll

A resident of The Mt. Hood Villages since the age of three, musician Lisa Page has been an instrumental part in the delightful sounds, education, and melodies of the community for the last 37 years. Inspired by her mother’s own piano skills, Page became a student of music at age six. “My mom always played and it just seemed like that is what you do when you grow up,” Page said. “There were artists that I loved and wanted to make music like. I like playing percussively while c

Summer 2025 marked a peak season for YouthCore crews, filled with steady work, community partnerships, and the kind of growth that happens when purpose meets opportunity. Across the region, youth and young adults ages 14 to 24 cleared brush, maintained trails, supported events, and helped property owners care for the places they love. For these young workers, it is more than a paycheck. It is a chance to gain confidence, learn professionalism, and serve their community with p

Dear Friends and Neighbors, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for standing by our seniors, especially during challenging times. For 49 years, the Hoodland Senior Center has been a place where older adults in our community can find connection, care, and resources they depend on. Things like home-delivered meals, exercise classes, wellness checks, transportation to medical appointments, a place to gather and socialize, and simply a friendly face to talk to. It’s a trusted

We look forward to the beginning of the school year.  Take care when driving to keep all of our children safe. Schools are an important community asset. They provide the physical infrastructure for education from pre-K to Seniors and other community workshop space. Our area does not have a community space as we once had at the Dorman Center. That space for meeting has not been replaced and there is no plan to provide a useful space for the entire community to use. Our hope is

Back for another Halloween season, Spooky Alley is set to transform the Thriftway plaza into a lively celebration for families on Friday, October 31, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. A longtime tradition in the Mt. Hood Villages, the event has become more than just trick-or-treating — it’s a carnival-style gathering where kids, teens, and families come together to celebrate in a safe, spirited environment.   Spooky Alley offers plenty of candy, but what makes it stand out are the activiti

"A walk in nature walks the soul back home."  – Henry David Thoreau In our digital world, it’s all too easy to spend hours scrolling social media, binge-watching shows, or getting lost in online distractions. While these activities can be entertaining, they often keep us sedentary — and our bodies (and minds) pay the price. Physical movement is not just about fitness; it’s about improving your overall quality of life. Research shows that regular activity can boost mood, incre

Late summer rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of the nearly 200 supporters who came out to the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Walk, Roll, or Stroll at Oaks Amusement Park on Sept. 14. The rain-soaked participants helped make the Kiwanis fundraiser the largest in its18-year history. “Together, we made history,” Kiwanis Development and Communications Director Skye Burns said to the supporters. “Thanks to your amazing generosity and enthusiasm, we raised over $54,000, making this our most

For immediate release: " Vancouver, WA – October 12, 2025 – Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of serious illness and death among women—especially among women of color and those in rural communities. To raise awareness and funds for breast health education, and funds for early detection, financial assistance, and emotional/psychological support programs, Pink Lemonade Project has been named the beneficiary of the 19th Annual Girlfriends Run/Walk by WHY Racing Eve

When Susan “Phoenix” Lane was found last year, and her death ruled a result of domestic violence by those who love her, people on the...

To read more, please check out the latest updated version of this article published in our November edition. On a warm summer morning, the IWAKT Community Garden is alive with color and sound. Tomatoes climb their stakes, bees hum among the blossoms. It’s quiet today, but the squash, berries, pungent herbs, and blooming flowers don’t mind the calm. They are soaking up the sun. Community Garden Board member Lisa Galbraith walks through the garden, pointing out various plots, d

Mount Hood’s summit is a familiar sight for everyone who calls The Mountain their home. It’s the backdrop to our lives, a landmark that...

Behavior issues in cats and dogs can be stressful and confusing for owners. Whether it’s a cat urinating outside the litter box or a dog...

The sound of live music, laughter, and dancing spilled out of Pub 26 in Welches on September 19, as neighbors gathered for Fiesta Latina,...

Over the last several years, Mt. Hood has rediscovered one of its most valuable cultural treasures: the Steiner Cabins. On October 18,...

Sandy Actors Theatre is proud to announce the upcoming production of The Odd Couple (Female Version ), written by Neil Simon. The play...

Kalee Robertson got her start in volleyball in elementary school, then became the starting server during middle school and continued to...

(from L to R): Malika Cox, Julie Lazar, Andrew White, Fran Stier, Cayla Solso, Ryan Ellsworth Folks in the Hoodland area are a pretty...

The chairs never matched, but it was a comfortable room. A wingback angled beside a few dining room chairs, a love seat pushed against...

As we close the chapter on September and Suicide Awareness month, mental health continues to grow into the limelight with different...

Place of birth: Loveland, Colorado How long on the Mountain: five years If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to...

Mark your calendar for November 1, 2025, and attend the annual Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum’s Heritage Night celebration. This fun...

Golf Tourney On Saturday, September 6th, the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort put on the 2nd Annual Welches Charity Open Golf Tournament with the...

Judith Louise Norval, 87, born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 17, 1938, passed peacefully at home in Zig Zag, OR September 10, 2025.  ...

Robin Fritsch, a massage therapist at Mountain Life Clinic, was awarded $1,500 to pursue training to help clients with pain management...

Mt. Hood Hospice and the Sandy Senior Center have partnered on hosting this event to honor veterans for three years. Credit: Mt. Hood...