Hoodland Women’s Club Brings Community Together for Spring Fling

Early March brought a lively evening of conversation, dinner, and dancing as the Hoodland Women’s Club hosted its annual Spring Fling on March 7 at Alpine Events in Rhododendron.

Guests arrived for a relaxed hour of mingling before sitting down to dinner. The celebration continued on the dance floor as DJ Nathan Ostrander kept the music going throughout the night.

The event was held at Alpine Events in Rhododendron, with new owners Dani Wolfe and Tony Kelner at the helm. The gathering gave community members a chance to enjoy an evening out with neighbors and friends. Wolfe and Kelner prepared a full dinner for guests, featuring stuffed chicken breast with basil cream, risotto, focaccia, broccolini and zucchini, and a Tuscan artichoke salad, followed by a torte for dessert.

Fresh bouquets created by local florist Monica Shirk of Moonchild Floral Design were centered on each table. Shirk and her husband, Matthew, along with their two teenage sons, have recently made the Mount Hood area their home. The family’s decision to settle in the community comes as the couple prepares for upcoming business changes in Welches.

Founded in 1963 as a service club, the Hoodland Women’s Club was created during a time when timber layoffs were affecting many local families in the area. From its earliest days, the organization focused on supporting neighbors and strengthening community ties. In 2004, the club received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation.

Today the Hoodland Women’s Club continues its mission of helping the broader community through volunteer work, community programs, and fundraising efforts. The organization supports local families and community partners through outreach programs, charitable giving, and its Community Fund, which provides assistance to residents facing hardship.

“With our Community Fund, which Emma Gallagher runs, we just spent $500 recently for somebody’s rent,” said Hoodland Women’s Club President Nicole Watts. “Just helping community members keep their heat on, giving to the Neighborhood Mission, the Senior Center, and Meals on Wheels. That’s what it’s all about, really: helping your community.”

As the evening came to a close, the Spring Fling offered a chance for neighbors to gather simply for the enjoyment of an evening together. Unlike some of the Hoodland Women’s Club events, the Spring Fling was not intended as a fundraiser but as an opportunity to bring the community together for food, music, and dancing.

The club’s next major event will shift the focus back to fundraising. The 22nd annual “Scramble Fore Scholarships” Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 25 at The Resort at the Mountain in Welches. The event raises funds for scholarships and community programs that support families throughout the Mount Hood area.