Place of birth: San Diego California How long on the Mountain: 35 years If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the Mountain? After our kids left home, my wife and I decided it was time to get out of town. She agreed and said she wanted to move to Welches. In 1925, her grandfather built a cabin on Plaza Trail right on the Salmon River. She, her mother, and her brother stayed in the cabin every summer from the early 1950s until she was 18 or 19. We looked

By Amber Ford, The Mountain Times While the world of Marvel would have us believe that all super heroes wear capes, possess superpowers, and can travel throughout the space/time continuum, Mt. Hood Villages residents and winter sports enthusiasts exploring the slopes of Mt. Hood may think differently. Our resident superheroes may not be able to move buildings, but they tirelessly move snow and make their own Mt. Hood magic. Although winter proved to be nonexistent, those head

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times At first glance, the 16-year-old Mount Hood-area student appears quiet and unassuming. Sitting in a local coffee shop beside his mother, Rebecca, he speaks softly about music, school, and ongoing work around the family’s home. Beneath that calm demeanor is a young musician performing advanced classical repertoire, studying college-level theory, and preparing for a future in professional music. Charan studies classical violin and trumpet, p

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times Residents in the Mount Hood area will have a chance to help shape transportation priorities in Clackamas County for the next 20 years during an open house in Welches. Clackamas County will host an East County Transportation System Plan open house from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 18 in the Trees Room at Mt. Hood Oregon Resort. The event is co-hosted by the Hoodland CPO and will include Spanish interpreters on site. The meeting is part of the county

By Blake Miller, For The Mountain Times There’s something special about the bond between pets and older adults. Research has shown that owning a cat or dog can actually benefit seniors’ health in many ways. First and foremost, pets encourage routine. Whether it’s walking a dog or feeding a cat at the same time each day, structure can be grounding. Routine helps reduce feelings of loneliness and gives a sense of purpose, something to look forward to every day. Beyond routine,

SAVE THE DATE July 19, 2026 St. John in the Woods Catholic Church 24905 E Woodsey Way, Welches Celebrating 100 Years in Welches Please join us as we gather to honor the generations who built our parish beginning with the early settlers in the Mt. Hood Corridor who sought to establish a place of worship and community gathering. Over the last 100 years, St. John’s has been intertwined with the history of Welches, playing a significant role in the spiritual and social life of t

By Pat Erdenberger, For The Mountain Times Most of you know that the mission of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring County information to our Hoodland community members. Our goal is to provide a resounding voice back to the County. We also provide speaking opportunities of interest to the community. The Hoodland Community Planning Organization Community Meeting will be held June 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mt Hood Oregon Resort. This is a public meetin

By Douglas Lyon MD, For The Mountain Times The following is to inform the Mt. Hood Community that I will no longer work for Orchid Health as a Family Physician in Welches. I am grateful for the chance to have been able to serve my community and to follow two beloved physicians, Dr. Grice and Dr. Epstein – both outspoken physicians with compassion, commitment, and vision go the extra mile for their patients and their community. Over my year of working in the community I had a

By Lion Milt Fox Thank you for attending our Swimming Lessons dinner, held on Saturday May 2nd. What a great Mexican dinner! We had a nice turnout of 125 customers, with lots of kids attending, who enjoyed the Piñatas. The dinner was chaired by Lions Craig Calvert and Nolberto Perez, along with Norberto’s wife Benita and a crew of hard working Lions.Thanks to Mountain Building Supply, Welches Clackamas County Bank, Brightwood Tavern, Mt. Hood Cannabis, Coffee House 26, and t

By Rep. Jeff Helfrich, For The Mountain Times For years, as Oregonians we have heard the phrase, “Don’t die in Oregon.” It gets a laugh sometimes, but it’s a very real concern shared by farmers, small business owners, and families across our state. Our estate tax has become badly outdated, and more people are being caught up in it every year. For those who don’t know, Oregon taxes estates valued over $1 million — one of the lowest thresholds in the nation — even though home v