It’s not often that The Mt. Hood Villages gets excited about new businesses and events in this small corridor, but residents and neighbors are on pins and needles with the grand opening of Vinyasa Casa. Located in the back of the Thriftway plaza, Vinyasa Casa will not only house a variety of different yoga classes, but will also host a number of exciting community events inspired by the needs and wants of The Mt. Hood Villages. Owner and massage therapist Kristi Carson, along

Orchid Health is expanding its clinical team at the Hoodland Orchid Clinic with the addition of Sara Mitenbuler, DNP, FNP. As a primary care provider with over 20 years of experience, Mitenbuler brings a deep background in rural medicine and a holistic approach to family healthcare to the Mt. Hood community. Born in Yakima, Washington, and raised in rural Michigan and Indiana, Mitenbuler has a firsthand understanding of the unique healthcare needs of smaller communities. Her

They say it takes a village to assure the overall well-being of a community, and when it comes to providing for those who cannot provide for themselves, the Welches Laundromat is doing their part and then some. Located off of Welches Road behind the library, the Welches Laundromat has been a huge resource to community members and to those passing through or vacationing. Owner and Mt. Hood Villages resident Heather Kelner sees her role in the community as a means of giving bac

When it comes to lifelong Mt. Hood Villages’ residents making an impact in the world of art, Colleen McCloskey is adding value to the scene one stitch at a time. A Mt. Hood Villages resident since before the age of two, McCloskey not only finds her artwork driven by passion and knowledge, but by generations of artists passing down those creative genes. Gifted in the fiber arts since childhood, McCloskey finds peace and profession in the crochet work she creates. “My mom initi

In my previous article, I talked about the Dental Office Bandits in Oregon and how their creative plan actually worked and they were never caught.  I also brought up that at about the same time as this was happening, the biggest and boldest heist in recent history was committed in Paris at the famous Louvre museum.  I promised an epilogue to that story involving the biggest art heist in history that was somehow tied to dentistry. While in dental school in Boston over 20 years

Back by popular demand, The Mt. Hood Villages yoga scene returns to the area with a number of classes, days, and times for community members to choose from. After a long hiatus owing to different yoga instructors moving from the mountain to explore other avenues, fresh new community members have relocated to The Mt. Hood Villages, and with them comes a new influx of yoga for the community. Mt. Hood Villages resident and current yoga instructor Elle Mesa is just one of the man

When it comes to community involvement and dedication to giving back, the ladies of Wander Free and Queer have set the bar high. Not only do they design, create, and inspire with their LGBTQ+ merchandise through their business, they’re taking their voice and compassion to the community with events to help encourage and educate their fellow neighbors on what it means to be proud of who you are. Mt. Hood Village residents since 2020, Danella Demary and Allie Schouten began thei

If you’ve never made the drive up to Skibowl for a round (or six) of Cosmic Tubing, now is your best shot. Thanks to Skibowl’s rigorous commitment to keeping snow on the ground, there’s never a bad time to hit the slopes, whether you’re riding an inner tube or a pair of skis. It’s been a rough year for snowfall on Mt. Hood. For an anxiety-inducing example of that fact, let’s look at one of the key metrics used by professionals to measure the snowpack: snow water equivalent. E

Let’s face it, folks. February can be a tough month on the mountain. The holidays are officially over, and our lush corner of Oregon is charging up for a green spring with an endless parade of gray, rainy days. Nothing knocks off that cold shroud like a hot, filling breakfast. Maybe that’s why February is National Hot Breakfast Month. For any mountain residents or visitors who want to start their day with a hearty hot breakfast, here are some of The Mountain Times’ favorite o

We have several delicious dining options on the mountain, offerings for your tastes or your budget. But few restaurants on the mountain have the same reputation for blending quality and comfort like the Rendezvous Grill.  Original owners Tom and Susie were known far and wide. Tom worked the front and ensured that every customer was satisfied. Meanwhile, Susie spent her time in the kitchen inventing sumptuous delights for lucky diners. When news of their retirement broke, it s

As SNAP benefits are finally becoming accessible to those in need of assistance after the longest government shutdown in American history, The Mt. Hood Villages community became a light to so many during what felt like a very dark time for those in need. Stepping up to the plate, many neighbors and local businesses began to not only fill designated food pantries,  but created new ones in different locations accessible 24/7. Businesses such as Mogul Mountain Pizza, Mount Hood

There’s a palpable air of excitement at Alpine Events. New owners Dani Wolfe and Tony Kelner are set to take over the event venue and catering company as its first owners, Jan and Todd Ostrom, prepare for retirement. In true Alpine Events style, the transition will be marked with a New Year’s Eve bash that will give mountain locals the chance to bid a fond farewell to Jan and Todd and sample the delectable treats that Dani and Tony will serve up in the years to come. For over

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

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

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 staff at Mt. Pizza and Brews have been serving Sandy since May 23. Credit: Brit Allen. In her only four months in business in Sandy, Suzanne Jackson has already made a name for herself, serving up pizza by the slice and a family-oriented space and menu at Mt. Pizza and Brews. Knowing she grew up in the food industry, with her parents running a coffee shop when she was a teen, it’s not too surprising how natural the role of restaurateur is for Jackson.  Jackson and her fat

Don’t let the name fool you. There’s rarely a dull moment at the Boring Brewing Co. in Sandy. Oh the irony. There’s always something to do at this handcrafted brewpub, where locals and visitors alike make a pint-stop for a cold one on their way to and from Mount Hood. Brewmaster Bill Schwartz and his wife Kelly bought Boring Brewing in 2017 when it was located in the small town of its origin – Boring. They kept the name in 2018 when they moved the brewing company to Sandy, it