"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

At Mt. Hood Hospice, the staff and volunteers understand that grief is not linear. No matter when you lose someone, there is no timeline on when or how you should process that loss. As such, the nonprofit hospice organization provides Time of Remembering events twice a year – once in person and once virtually – to provide people with a supportive and intentional place to honor the loved ones they’re missing.  The next Time of Remembering event will be in person in Meinig Memo

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