Let’s take a minute and give a rousing round of applause to the Hoodland Library, currently celebrating its tenth anniversary at their Welches location! In the digital age, a segment of society believes that local libraries have outlived their usefulness. That couldn’t be further from the truth, especially for the people who live and work in the Mt. Hood area. Over the past decade at its Welches location (and in the decades prior), the Hoodland Library has proven an indispens

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