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

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

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

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 mountain reached out — to the county, the state, legislators, and anyone who would listen — requesting better resources to help those experiencing abuse in their community.  It wasn’t the first time Mount Hood residents had professed a need for this kind of support, but the circumstances and media coverage of Phoenix’s death helped emphasize th

The sound of live music, laughter, and dancing spilled out of Pub 26 in Welches on September 19, as neighbors gathered for Fiesta Latina, an annual event honoring Latino and Hispanic heritage on the mountain. Guests enjoyed food and drink specials courtesy of Pub 26, colorful decorations, and a packed dance floor energized by the lively northern Mexican music of Los Nuevos Palomitos. Raffle prizes from local businesses helped support Mt. Hood Unida’s ongoing programs. Now in

Over the last several years, Mt. Hood has rediscovered one of its most valuable cultural treasures: the Steiner Cabins. On October 18, the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum (MHCCM) in Government Camp will host an open house and raffle in honor of these once-forgotten marvels. Get set for fun, education, and some pretty enticing prizes when the event kicks off at 1 p.m. For any readers who may have missed our coverage of the Steiner Cabins, October 18’s event is the perfect

Mt. Hood Hospice and the Sandy Senior Center have partnered on hosting this event to honor veterans for three years. Credit: Mt. Hood Hospice As a nonprofit organization, Mt. Hood Hospice serves those nearing the end of life, and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.  About a quarter of those they care for have served our country.  As part of the national We Honor Veterans program, their team is dedicated to recognizing the unique needs of veterans and their fam

Every year, hundreds of tourists flock to Mt. Hood to jog through the summertime heat as participants in the annual Hood to Coast Relay. The organization has its eyes on celebrating the rich diversity on display for runners making the trek from the tip of the mountain all the way to the relay’s finish line in Seaside. Since the race is a fixture in the community, we asked locals for their personal opinions on the annual event, and the reviews were ... mixed. Across Instagram

It isn’t every day the mountain gets to celebrate a centenarian! On Monday, September 15, longtime resident Fred Thornberg turned 100 – bringing with him a lifetime of service, humor, and community spirit that has enriched the Mt. Hood area for more than five decades. Thornberg moved to Oregon from Utah in 1968 with his wife Dana, and worked as a home builder. “I was a Lion in Utah,” he recalled. “A friend asked me to join here, and I did.” That simple decision turned into 55

As Jamela Turin prepares for her first high school varsity game, she remembers her parents’ advice: “Don’t act younger than everyone. You can’t play like everyone’s older than you… act like you belong there.” Her parents told her this when she was notified that she, as a freshman, made Sandy High School’s girls varsity soccer team. She wasn’t just excited because she was a freshman on varsity – she was excited for her whole team’s potential to succeed.  After several strenuou

The mornings are becoming crisp in Sandy, and nothing feels more welcoming than the smell of coffee and fresh baked goods at the AntFarm Café & Bakery. For more than ten years, the café has been part of local life, serving meals and drinks that not only nourish customers but also support the youth and family programs of AntFarm. From vision to gathering place Construction began and the café opened in 2013. Youth and volunteers helped strip floors, polish wood, and bring the v

A Sudden Shift in Funding. In early spring, AntFarm Youth Services learned that the funding which had powered its summer work experience program for nearly a decade had been cut. The news was sobering, but the response was immediate. Staff knew that if nothing was done, youth across Sandy, Estacada, and Molalla would lose a meaningful opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with their community. Rather than step back, AntFarm mobilized. Leaders, staff, and partners came toget

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines. It’s time to rev it up and go to the 27th Annual Sandy Cruisin’ Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 13, on the grounds of the St. Michael Catholic Church. More than 200 vehicles are expected to roll into the sprawling church lot to compete in the show. Trophies will be awarded in 23 classes, with winners selected by people’s choice. The Dick Larrowe Memorial Trophy, named after one of the car show’s founders, will be awarded to the best in sh

Andrew White, PA-C, will be departing his role as a Primary Care Provider at the  Hoodland Clinic this fall. Andrew’s last day will be October 20, 2025, as he and his family prepare to relocate out of state. Andrew joined Orchid Health in 2017, and for the past eight years has been an integral part of both patient care and the growth of Orchid’s organization. His thoughtful, compassionate, and dedicated approach has touched thousands of patients. “While we are sad to see Andr

While Clackamas Community College President Tim Cook’s 1,500-mile trek around the state to run to all 17 Oregon community colleges concluded on Aug. 4, the message of his mission didn’t lose ground after he crossed the finish line.  Cook took off on this summer-long endeavor not just for the exercise but to spread awareness about the unfavorable conditions affecting many community college students. Many students in the state find themselves having to juggle their academic res

A complicated quilt can take more than a year to finish. You need to find the right fabric, match and cut the pieces, sew them together, add the middle layer (that’s called batting!) and then add a back layer. Next, a talented craftsperson can stitch an intricate pattern along the cover. To complete, binding is sewn to close the edges. In other words, it takes time. And, for a group of people who meet at the local Lutheran church, time spent quilting is time best spent in the

For four years, Mt. Hood Hospice has recognized those — Vietnam veterans, their family members and the people of Vietnam — impacted by Agent Orange with a small but meaningful ceremony around Agent Orange Awareness Day.  The nationally recognized day, August 10, commemorates the anniversary of the first time the herbicide Agent Orange was used as a weapon of war in Vietnam in 1961. Mt. Hood Hospice outreach and volunteer coordinator Jolie Phanton led the ceremony on Monday, A

The annual Art Skipper Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament is almost upon us, and with it comes a reminder about the important program it benefits: No Pioneer Left Behind. For more than a decade, people have enjoyed a day of golf with the mission of helping students afford extracurricular activities in mind.  Though the tournament is named for Sandy High grad and Olympic athlete Art Skipper Jr., with the No Pioneer Left Behind program, Oregon Trail School District students can acces

Last year’s Sandy High football team had a strong season that ended with them riding high off of a playoff win. Thankfully for Coach Josh Dill and Pio fans alike, many of the players who cut their teeth as sophomores on the varsity team are returning.  “I’m really excited about this year’s squad,” Dill said. “We graduated some good seniors but we have a lot of good football players coming back. They have more speed than I’ve ever had. We’ll be building off of that playoff win

Saturday, August 16, dawned bright and gorgeous at the scenic Boring campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind, as the organization paid tribute to more than 100 aspiring guide dogs and over 300 puppy raisers as part of its annual Fun Day celebration. “[Fun Day] is a day of recognition, fun, education, food, and love for our puppy-raising volunteers,” said Summer McCormick, Guide Dog for the Blind’s Puppy Raising Engagement Manager. While you might expect a massive group of dogs to