I’ve been wary of social media and our addiction to smart phones for a while now, as more and more evidence has come out over the years of its effects on people and society as a whole. In fact, so much so that I think I am the only parent that I know of that has not gotten a phone for his kids yet. This of course is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain as my kids get older: I will have to succumb to finally breaking down soon with my oldest who will be entering high s

Nestled within the heart of Sandy is a quiet garden space blooming with fresh energy and purpose. Made possible by a generous land use donation from the Leathers Family, the Sandy Youth Garden is part of AntFarm Youth Services’ Outdoor Learning program. It’s a living classroom where youth, staff, volunteers, and families come together to grow food, steward the land, and cultivate connection. Under the leadership of AntFarm team member and local farmer Carson Krause, the gard

By Brittany Kintigh For The Mountain Times The Hoodland Senior Center (HSC) has fun outings planned this July, offering local seniors opportunities to enjoy the summer season, explore nearby attractions, and connect with one another. From local parades to casino fun and shopping excursions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Each month, HSC provides free transportation for two grocery shopping trips. Trips take place the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The bus lo

Caring for Your Aging Pet: Practical Tipsfor Mountain Community Pet Owners By Blake MillerFor The Mountain Times Aging is a natural part of life — for people and pets alike. As dogs and cats grow older, their needs shift, and it’s our job as owners and veterinarians to adapt with them. Knowing what to expect can help improve quality of life in meaningful ways. One of the most common issues affecting older dogs and cats is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a progressive joint disease

By Gary Randall For The Mountain Times This year’s spring has been beautiful here on the mountain. By early May, the Oso berry was blooming, and the vine maples had flowered and begun casting shade across the trail to the river. Trilliums popped on time, brightening the understory with their silky white flowers. That early trend has continued into June, giving us a string of gorgeous days — perfect for time on the trails or just relaxing on the porch, enjoying the yard and th

By Bradford Bixby For The Mountain Times Welcome back, dear reader, to another installment of Fore, the column devoted to bringing sunshine and happiness into your lives. Begging the question so eloquently posed by the Carpenters, “Why do birds suddenly appear every time you read here.” Ah well, I’d better get to it before a chorus of “Kumbaya” breaks out. Since I’m writing this on Father’s Day, I am going to share a few of my favorite Dad jokes about golf. For instance: How

By MHCCFor The Mountain Times Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) honored a remarkable class of graduates during its 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 14, marking the first graduating class following the college’s historic bond measure passage. In total, MHCC awarded 967 degrees and certificates and 230 GEDs, representing a diverse and resilient group of students whose achievements span healthcare, transfer, and career-technical programs. Notably, 226 graduates earne

By Cathy Lavin, HWC For The Mountain Times June was a big month for the Hoodland Women’s Club (HWC). The month got underway with HWC’s annual meeting at Timberline Lodge where officers/board members for fiscal year 2025-26 were inducted. They are Nichole Watts, president; Lori Neely, vice president; Julie St. Peter, parliamentarian; JoAnne Stalsberg, treasurer; Destiny Bovero, recording secretary; Bonnie Hayman, corresponding secretary; and members at large Melanie Brown, Lis

By Dr. Lyon of Orchid Health For The Mountain Times Summer is here, which means many families are already planning for the upcoming school year — including fall sports. One essential step that often gets overlooked until the last minute is the sports physical. As a family medicine provider at Orchid Health, I see firsthand how important it is for kids and teens to receive their annual physicals well before the school sports season begins. These exams aren’t just about checkin

By Dr. Melanie Brown Chiropractic Physician, Mountain Life Clinic Chiropractic care plays a vital role in helping people stay active, prevent injury, and maintain long-term mobility. Many people think of chiropractic as something to try when they’re in pain, but by the time pain shows up, the problem may have been building for weeks, months, or even years. Subtle restrictions in joint motion can start small, but if left unaddressed, they can lead to inflammation, muscle tensi

By Dr. Robert Kelly, D.M.D. General Dentist, McKenzie Dental Have you noticed that there is now an app for your phone for everything? I often complain about how reliant we are on our phones now so I am probably not the best person to comment on the value of all of these apps. In fact, just last week, I could not stop grumbling about having to download an app on my smart phone just to set up a new “Smart TV” I bought. I could not set it up without it and it took 30 minutes

By Patti Jo Brooks The Mountain Times Drinks, music, and family fun abound at this year’s Music Fair and Feast, hosted by the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy three fun-filled days of great entertainment, good eats, and lots of family activities — July 10 through 12 in Sandy’s Centennial Plaza. Also known as the Beer Garden, the Music Fair and Feast is actually a complete street fair of its own — and it supports a really great cause. While joining in on the festivities w

By Justin Andress The Mountain Times On June 26, the 21st annual Hoodland Women’s Club Benefit Golf Tournament teed off at Mt. Hood Oregon Resort’s stunning Three Nines Golf Course, locally known as “The Nines.” The tournament is one of the many ways the Hoodland Women’s Club continues to support the Mt. Hood Community more than 60 years after it was founded. In 2025, the Hoodland Women’s Club was able to set up 5 scholarships for Hoodland residents. Each is worth $2500. Thre

By Steve Wilent For The Mountain Times Last July’s column, “Feeling Stressed Out? Listen to The Music of the Forest,” elicited more responses from readers than any other edition of The Woodsman. Several readers wrote to say that they, too, appreciate the quiet of the forest, or the music of songbirds, or the sounds of wind in the trees. Others said that they, too, had heard music produced by humans in the woods. As you may recall, I recounted a time I spent by a wilderness la

By Laura Lirette, Mt. Hood Hospice, For The Mountain Times If you have loved ones you’d like honored at our annual Remembrance event, now is the time to submit photos and names! These will be formatted and placed in 5x7 frames that are displayed along the walkways of Meinig Park in Sandy to create a Remembrance walk. Last year we honored 280 individuals. To have people you are missing included, please email names and photos to event@mthoodhospice.org The last day to submit ph

By Joe O’Leary The Mountain Times Across a spring sports season that saw solid success for several Sandy High School teams, in the form of playoff appearances and senior athletes heading off to play at the college level, perhaps no program flourished as much as SHS track and field this year. Making waves at state in running, jumping and throwing events, the team looks to be returning to the excellence it had throughout the 90s and 2000s. Amongst many athletes who had astoundi

By Justin Andress The Mountain Times Need something to do July 17-20? Music lovers can head out to Camp Tasty’s for four days of food, vendors, camping, and — of course — some incredible indie music. That’s right, it’s time for the fourth annual Shady Pines Music Festival. Held each year by the nonprofit Shady Pines Radio, the festival brings some of the area’s most talented musicians to thrill audiences. Shady Pines Radio co-founder Brian Bauer sat down to chat about the act

By Justin Andress The Mountain Times “Empowering.” That was the word most commonly used by the entrepreneurs and professionals who took part in The Mountain Times Women in Business photoshoot on Saturday, June 7. It was a perfect Saturday morning on the mountain as an eclectic and accomplished group of women gathered for some much-deserved recognition. The event included a professional photoshoot and video interviews with an eye toward increasing recognition for Mt. Hood’s sm

By Amber Ford The Mountain Times If dynamic colors, realistic shapes, and images that make you feel like you’re experiencing the landscape with the artist is the type of freedom you take from art, Kenzey Ostrowski is the artist for you. A graduate of Concordia University in Moorhead with a bachelor’s degree in clarinet performance, Ostrowski is no stranger to fine arts. “I took one introduction to art class and absolutely loved it,” Ostrowski said. “When I was 27 I went back

By Justin AndressThe Mountain Times On August 9th, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum will celebrate the 20th annual Steiner Cabins Tour with a special treat. Seven cabins will be featured, all of which are within walking distance, making for the most accessible cabin tour ever! In advance of the big event, we caught up with Ian McCluskey, a member of the Steiner Cabin Committee, to tour a Steiner cabin that’s currently on the market and discuss the legacy of Steiner cab