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

Lon Welsh (left) and Mitch Williams. We wouldn’t have Barlow Wayside Park without them. Photo by Steve Wilent If you haven’t yet visited our local Clackamas County park, Barlow Wayside, you’re missing out on a sweet place to walk in the woods and along a quiet mountain creek, witness salmon and steelhead spawning, and relish the sight and sound of two small but lively seasonal waterfalls. It’s not a large park, compared to other local parks, such as the US Bureau of Land Mana

Popcorn popped, balloons bounced, and laughter filled the halls on October 24 as Welches Elementary and Middle Schools held their annual Harvest Festival, one of the schools’ favorite fall traditions. The day began with each class visiting the indoor “pumpkin patch” to pick the perfect pumpkin. Among the costumes, fairies, pirates, mermaids, and skeletons held their pumpkins proudly for a class photo. Midday brought the costume parade, led by Principal Kendra Payne. Third-, f

"Feeding Our Neighbors through Radical Hospitality!" What does that even mean? Simply — DOING WHAT IS RIGHT—FEEDING PEOPLE WHO ARE HUNGRY -- NO EXCEPTIONS . Race, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or not, right, left, or in-between — everyone deserves to be fed. Government funding cuts, combined with rising consumer costs, are having a chilling effect on our neighbors’ ability to maintain essential household funds for living. Families cannot keep up. They are hungry

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

In November, Tommy Tarrants will enter his tenth year working for The Mountain Times . Tarrants is the person charged with delivering roughly 4,500 newspapers to bars, resorts, hotels, golf courses, and grocery stores between Government Camp and Sandy. Tarrants began his career with The Mountain Times approximately four owners ago, by his count. He was simply doing a favor for his friend. At that point, the Times was owned by Larry Berteau. “Larry was delivering the paper h

A resident of The Mt. Hood Villages since the age of three, musician Lisa Page has been an instrumental part in the delightful sounds, education, and melodies of the community for the last 37 years. Inspired by her mother’s own piano skills, Page became a student of music at age six. “My mom always played and it just seemed like that is what you do when you grow up,” Page said. “There were artists that I loved and wanted to make music like. I like playing percussively while c

Dear Friends and Neighbors, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for standing by our seniors, especially during challenging times. For 49 years, the Hoodland Senior Center has been a place where older adults in our community can find connection, care, and resources they depend on. Things like home-delivered meals, exercise classes, wellness checks, transportation to medical appointments, a place to gather and socialize, and simply a friendly face to talk to. It’s a trusted

Back for another Halloween season, Spooky Alley is set to transform the Thriftway plaza into a lively celebration for families on Friday, October 31, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. A longtime tradition in the Mt. Hood Villages, the event has become more than just trick-or-treating — it’s a carnival-style gathering where kids, teens, and families come together to celebrate in a safe, spirited environment. Spooky Alley offers plenty of candy, but what makes it stand out are the activiti

"A walk in nature walks the soul back home." – Henry David Thoreau In our digital world, it’s all too easy to spend hours scrolling social media, binge-watching shows, or getting lost in online distractions. While these activities can be entertaining, they often keep us sedentary — and our bodies (and minds) pay the price. Physical movement is not just about fitness; it’s about improving your overall quality of life. Research shows that regular activity can boost mood, incre

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

To read more, please check out the latest updated version of this article published in our November edition. On a warm summer morning, the IWAKT Community Garden is alive with color and sound. Tomatoes climb their stakes, bees hum among the blossoms. It’s quiet today, but the squash, berries, pungent herbs, and blooming flowers don’t mind the calm. They are soaking up the sun. Community Garden Board member Lisa Galbraith walks through the garden, pointing out various plots, d

Kalee Robertson got her start in volleyball in elementary school, then became the starting server during middle school and continued to enjoy playing throughout college. Now, as the coach for the Welches School’s sixth/seventh grade junior varsity team and the eighth-grade varsity team, Robertson is getting a chance to share her knowledge and experience with students around the same age as she was when she began to play. “My goal for the season is for all athletes, despite th

(from L to R): Malika Cox, Julie Lazar, Andrew White, Fran Stier, Cayla Solso, Ryan Ellsworth Folks in the Hoodland area are a pretty insular bunch. Getting to know us is a big job. Fortunately for all of our collective well being, Orchid Health is wrapping up a year of putting in work at their Welches office. Orchid Health was founded 11 years ago in the pursuit of a community-focused approach to healthcare. Their founders hoped to work alongside communities to foster a hol

Cougars are an essential part of the Mt. Hood ecosystem, and their presence in the surrounding areas is more common than many residents realize. Check out this video we received from local Mike Eldred from E Arthur Hailey Rd. Credit: Mike Eldred from E Arthur Hailey Rd According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Oregon's cougar population is robust and healthy, with higher densities in the Cascade Mountains where their primary prey, deer, is plentiful. Th

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

Here in our mountain villages, we’re surrounded by rivers, forests, and trails that seem to invite us outside. It’s one of the most beautiful places to live, yet it can still be surprisingly easy to stay indoors and inactive. The good news is that you don’t need a strict schedule or expensive equipment to enjoy the benefits of movement. What matters most is finding ways to move daily — and making it part of your lifestyle. Go for a Walk or Hike: Step outside your door and wal

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

Even those who never officially met Susan “Phoenix” Lane likely saw her somewhere on the mountain, whether she was riding her Harley in one of her flowy skirts, tending the counter at the Hoodland Bazaar, driving through town with her dogs in her old truck, or painting faces at the Hoodland Farmers Market. Christen Prudence met Lane at the market eight years ago. It was the start of a spiritual friendship, during which Lane recently invited Prudence to participate in the sou

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