As we prepare to embark on another year, the team behind The Mountain Times is prepping for a truly exciting event: the launch of a new publication, The Sandy Standard . This new monthly newspaper will deliver a fresh batch of community-oriented stories focused on the residents of Sandy. In these divisive times, it’s critical to remember that we are all of us more alike than different. Every print edition of The Mountain Times  is a reflection of that comforting truth. The pa

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

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month — a time to focus on prevention, early detection, and caring for your long-term health. At Orchid Health Hoodland Clinic, we believe proactive, preventive care is one of the most powerful tools we have to keep our community healthy. Cervical cancer is largely preventable when detected early through regular screenings, yet many people delay or skip these important exams. Our Hoodland team is here to change that by providing care that

As The Mt. Hood Villages closes the door on 2025 and rings in 2026, many community members are sharing sentiments of excitement for the change and growth a new year can bring. Whether it’s trying to dedicate more time to hiking and outdoor activities or committing more time to family and friends, the new year offers a chance to shed the past and welcome the future with open arms.  Unlike many other small towns throughout the country, The Mt. Hood Villages offers an outdoor es

Most of you know that the mission of the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) is to bring County information to our Hoodland community members and provide a loud voice back to the County. We also provide speaking opportunities of interest to the community.  December brought rains that only some of us have seen over the years. As soon as the power shut down – Wednesday, 12/17/25 3:11a.m. – while we still had cell coverage, the Ham Operators and HECN Radio volunteers

As we head into the new year, we want to acknowledge the challenging end to December for our community. Welches Schools were closed 12/17–12/19 due to windstorms, heavy rain, and widespread power outages. We hope everyone has had time to recover and that, despite the disruption, you were still able to enjoy a restful and lovely holiday break with family and friends. Our community truly shows up for one another, especially during tough moments. Before the storms rolled in, Dec

Before I climb into this month’s topic, an update to last month’s column on park/parking passes. A faithful reader reminded me that you can get a free day-use pass to any of the several Clackamas County Parks, including Barlow Wayside, through our local public library system. To reserve, you’ll need a library card and access to the library web site, www.ci.sandy.or.us/library (click on Cultural Pass Express). Note that your pass must be printed out and displayed on your vehi

In late December 1964, as the Mountain was preparing for Christmas, the weather in the upper Sandy River valley began to shift quickly. A warm Chinook wind swept into the region, accompanied by days of heavy rain, melting a deep early-winter snowpack, while frozen ground prevented the water from soaking in. Creeks rose first, then the rivers. By the time people realized how serious it was, the water was already moving fast and carrying things with it — logs, boulders, and ent

As The Mt. Hood Villages begin a new year with potential winter weather finally on the horizon, 2025 decided to go out with a bang full of high winds, heavy rains, flooding, and landslides all within the borders of the community. With two significant weather patterns, back to back, the Mt. Hood National Forest and Mt. Hood Villages became significantly damaged with both systems that fell across the area. The first wave of storms hit the second week of December, bringing warme

As children awaited the arrival of Santa Claus, Mount Hood ski resorts and hydrologists alike were hoping and waiting for the arrival of the next big winter storm.  As of Dec. 15, Timberline Lodge, Meadows, and SkiBowl were all still waiting for enough snow to open, and USDA supervisory hydrologist Matt Warbritton and his team were likewise looking for some lower temperatures and wintery precipitation to hit the Hood, Sandy, and Lower Deschutes region (and other parts of the

Seventy-five years ago this winter, a city bus rose off the ground at Government Camp and began climbing Mt. Hood – not on pavement, but on steel cables suspended high above the forest. Packed inside were reporters, photographers, and radio announcers, all invited to witness the debut of one of the most unusual transportation experiments in Oregon history: the Mt. Hood Skiway. The January 3, 1951 preview run marked the arrival of what promoters called the longest aerial tramw

In the late hours of November 21, just a few days before Thanksgiving, a residential fire erupted just off Barlow Trail in Rhododendron. Luckily the fire was contained in just 17 minutes thanks to the robust response of local fire officials — however, the house is a total loss for the family.  Hoodland Fire Division Chief Brian Henrichs spoke to The Mountain Times , in the aftermath of the blaze. “The first call came in just after midnight, at 12:32 a.m,” he says. The first c

The call came through and the question was simple: were we interested? Why, yes. Yes we were! There was going to be an Irish festival in Boston, and we’d been invited to perform. The festival was supposed to have it all: plenty of music on several stages, Celtic dancers, vendors, specialty foods, events for children. They’d cover airfare and accommodations, which was standard, plus a nice check at the end of the day. Big names from Ireland and Scotland were flying in from bot

Place of birth: Paris, TN How long on the Mountain: 25 years If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the Mountain: My husband and I started praying about where we should begin our life together, God paved the way to Oregon, and it was meant to be. It's been a blessing ever since. What a great place to raise children and be a child at heart yourself!  Profession: Welches School Assistant Building Secretary and co-owner of Salmon River Electric  Other pr

Happy New Year to all of you from the Mt. Hood Lions Club. Let’s hope we have a great 2026! Christmas Toy Drive Dinner, “The Polar Express“ That mean old Grinch couldn’t derail “The Polar Express.“ Thanks to all of you for attending our Christmas Toy Drive Dinner the evening of Saturday December 6th. We had a great turnout with about 160 in attendance. There were lots of toys contributed for the local children. This year we will also be giving out lots of gloves to folks. The

Lori Neely, HWC Vice President, models a wrap for sale at the HWC craft booth at Mount Hood Villages in December. The Hoodland Women’s Club celebrated the season on Dec. 15 with a festive holiday party at Alpine Events. The donation table piled high as the night progressed, with members bringing canned food and unwrapped gifts for teenagers to give to the Holiday Baskets for our community. “Seeing the donation table fill up was a beautiful reminder of what this group is capab

It was pouring outside Welches Elementary School on December 13, but, for the students of Sandy High School, the weather was just a backdrop to an annual tradition. A district van and two school buses pulled up, loaded with students and gear, and the "schlep" began. With rain hitting the pavement in sheets, students and helpers dodged raindrops as they hauled in a heavy marimba, various drums, and carts loaded with chairs and music stands. Despite the damp start, the atmosphe

This past May, local voters passed a $19.1 million dollar bond measure to help build a new fire station for the Hoodland Fire District. They also elected retired attorney Kirk Peterson, a strong advocate for the bond measure, to fill a vacancy on the board of directors. A member of the fire district budget committee since 2019, Peterson looks like a good fit for Hoodland. The newest director on the board has a handle on the issues facing the fire district.  “After retiring as

“I technically got first place,” junior Rory Mason said, regarding her first swim meet of the 25-26 school year. “It was a really small meet, so I was the only person in the 100 I.M. category.” Despite being the only competitor in her category, Mason didn’t feel too unaccomplished. This is because Mason doesn’t find her motivation in what she places; instead, she focuses on improving her time between meets and bonding with her teammates.   “I like that in swim, you can measur

Art can come in a variety of different mediums, but it’s usually the nonconformists that deliver the most unique and moving pieces. Different stroke angles with a brush or glasses melted into a rainbow of colors, even fire breathing life into creativity, an artists’ world is filled with unending mediums and for Mt. Hood Villages local and artist, Damien Weisgerber, all of that rings true. A recent Portland transplant, Weisgerber is no stranger to The Mt. Hood Villages. Born a

As winter settles into our area, AntFarm’s housing team is working with heightened awareness. The colder months bring additional stress for people already living close to the edge. Bills increase. Missed hours on a paycheck carry more weight. Transportation becomes more complicated. Firewood runs out sooner than expected. When maintaining basic necessities is already unstable, winter has a way of magnifying every vulnerability. Housing instability in smaller communities like

Clackamas County and Homeless Solutions of Clackamas County are inviting all neighbors to a poignant evening of reflection and remembrance at the annual Longest Night Homeless Persons’ Memorial candlelight vigil. The powerful gathering is set for December 21st in Oregon City , intentionally held on the first day of winter—the longest night of the year—to honor the memory of those in our homeless community who tragically lost their lives over the past year. Last year's ceremo

Hello Mountain Times Readers,   My name is Amanda and I’m the fundraising chair volunteer of Sandy High Music Foundation and a Sandy High parent. SHMF is a nonprofit parent volunteer group supporting the music program of Sandy High School. We are not affiliated with the Oregon Trail School District.   This year, our fundraising goal is a new piano! 12/10 is the High School Winter Band concert 12/17 is the High School Choirs concert! Each night we will have a silent auction an

Hello, Welches Families! November was a wonderful month filled with community and holiday spirit! Students and their families joined us for an engaging morning of learning and treats at our Music, Math, and Muffins event — our largest turnout yet with 148 guests. We also kicked off our annual Wreath Sale Fundraiser with Welches Mountain Building Supply. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far! Wreaths remain available for purchase at the hardware store while supplie

I confess: As a teenager, I occasionally avoided paying campsite fees by leaving early in the morning before the rangers could stop by to demand payment. Hey, I was 16 years old and making $1.80 per hour at a restaurant, and $3 a night seemed like a lot of dough. (on the other hand, I was more than willing to pay $1.99 for a 12 pack of Lucky Lager beer in 11-ounce bottles. Don’t ask how I got them.) Okay, I cheated. I apologize. Since then I’ve been a good citizen and paid fe

I read a recent news article by Melissa Busch about a quirky donation made to a Salvation Army Red Kettle in Arizona. Every year, you can always count on the familiar Big Red Kettle outside retail shops with someone happily ringing a little holiday bell reminding every one of us about the Salvation Army’s support of those in need.  Well, for the second time in recent years, a gold tooth was donated into the Red Kettle!  This may sound weird, a bit gross, and a curious choice

The holiday season settles over the Mountain communities in a way that feels both magical and demanding. Between the early nightfall, the cold damp air rolling in off the forest, and the pressure to “fit everything in,” many of us feel our bodies tightening up long before the snow really starts to fall. Even when we love this season, our nervous systems often get overwhelmed — especially here in the foothills of Mt. Hood, where winter asks a little more from our bodies. Your

Last week I was in Uncertain, Texas - yes, that’s the real name, supposedly chosen because  nobody was certain what to call the town when the first maps were drawn – co-leading my  annual photography workshop at Caddo Lake. After four years of visiting, the place has  become familiar, but never ordinary. The bayou stretches out in a maze of slow, still, dark  water, lined with ancient bald cypress trees draped in long strands of Spanish moss. It’s a world that feels half-wild

The holidays bring rich food, decorations, guests, and travel. They also bring a spike in preventable emergencies. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping dogs and cats safe and comfortable through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kitchen and table risks Rich, fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious inflammation of the pancreas. Keep pets away from turkey skin, gravy, ham trimmings, prime rib fat, and buttery sides. Do not give cooked bones.

Trillium Lake has long been a popular destination in the Mt. Hood National Forest, drawing thousands of visitors each year for its calm waters and uninterrupted views of Oregon’s tallest peak. This fall, the popular 1.9-mile trail reopened in full for the first time in several years after a multi-season effort to rebuild deteriorating sections of the Trillium Lake Boardwalk. Multiple stretches of the boardwalk, originally built in the early 1990s, had reached the end of their

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

When people learned of Susan “Phoenix” Lane’s disappearance last November, the mountain community was shaken, even more so when she was found murdered eight days later on Nov. 29, and her husband Michel Fournier was taken into custody.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t because something like this has never happened on the mountain, but because of what Lane was to so many — a mother, a sister, a friend.  Dozens of people joined the search to look for her, adamant that she wasn’t a “mi

For nearly 30 years, Jamie Simpson has hiked into the local forests in search of edible treasures. Over that time, he’s gathered countless chanterelles, hedgehogs, and lobsters. This mushroom season has been different, though. Fewer finds and a busier schedule has left him low on returns. On Sunday, November 16, however, that tough run ended when Simpson hauled in an enormous cauliflower mushroom. This rare species of mushroom typically weighs about two pounds. The big boys t

For nearly 50 years, Brightwood resident Nathan Mills has lived with an imbalance. At birth, his right leg was shorter than his left. And even after surgeries in his youth to keep his left leg from outgrowing his right, Mills was left with a four-inch difference between the two.  This has required creativity — such as specially lifted shoes — and years of pain management.  Even so, Mills operates with a very positive mentality in his daily life, choosing to “focus on the thin

Christmas Toy Drive Dinner! “POLAR EXPRESS” We hope you’ll come out to this year's Christmas Toy Drive Dinner and make it the best ever! The dinner will be held Saturday December 6th. Happy Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6:00 p.m., price at the door is $30.00.Special presale tickets are available for $25.00 at Welches Clackamas County Bank, Welches Mountain Building Supply, Coffee , The Brightwood Tavern, Mt. Hood Cannabis, and the Whistle Stop Tavern. Lion Ch

Name :  Leslie Stockdale  Place of Birth : St Helens, Oregon  How long on the Mountain : 38 years (6 months after we got married) If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the Mountain : Definitely as a child, we used the old Ivy Bear as the icon of We’re Almost there, usually heading to Lost Lake for summer vacation  Profession :  Customer Service (DG 4 years) Other professions:   OTSD custodian for 12 years  Maid Service at the Resort for 9 years And Thri

For the first time in several years, the Resort hosted a Halloween event for kids of all ages on Friday, October 31. The doors opened at 6:00 p.m. and while there was a slow start (in part because folks were finishing up attending the long-time mountain tradition, Spooky Alley), things really began in earnest a short time thereafter. Games, vendors, food, beverages, and live music together with an extremely accommodating staff made for a most enjoyable evening. The Mountain T

Head Coach Leah McMahon builds the Mt. Hood Community College women's basketball program around more than skill. Her approach extends beyond the court to emphasize effort, teamwork, and a love for the game. With a roster made up mostly of freshmen, the players grow together as they balance academics with competition and find meaning in the work that strengthens them as a team. The team plays with intensity and pride, built on a foundation of effort, focus and defense. Every p

What’s your passion? At the Hoodland Women’s Club’s monthly meeting Nov. 10 at the Rendezvous Grill, members sat at tables designated for women who love books, nature and hiking, or gardening. Together, they discovered new hiking trails, gardening tips for our mountain growing zone, good reads, and new friends. “Meeting other mountain ladies across all walks of life and in various life stages, feeling welcome and included in our local mountain community, and ongoing opportuni

Get ready for a new restaurant coming soon to the Mountain. Mt. Hood Village Deli and Sweets is set to open in the Mt. Hood Village RV Resort right off Highway 26 in Welches. Mother and daughter owners Alexis McElheran and Kelley Jee are thrilled to be adding another restaurant option for locals.  The long-time Mt. Hood residents are hard at work making repairs and sprucing up the space in advance of their opening. The anticipation is palpable and contagious. “I know people a

While actual fishing techniques and concepts like reading water are key to successful angling, I've found several factors that can affect a trip. These may be obvious to some, but I've neglected them on various trips. They apply to every fishery in varying degrees, and can hinder the experience if not considered. Outdoor Apparel The first factor is proper clothing and outdoor gear. Shivering between casts is a sure fire way to regret going in the first place. You don’t need t

Since Christi Harris joined the Hoodland Fire District staff as a part-time administrative assistant in March 2024, she has become a valuable part of the Hoodland team. She brings a lifetime of experience caring for others to the fire district. Christi has worked the last 14 years as head caregiver and administrative assistant for a special event childcare company. A widowed mother of four grown children, Christi also has served as a foster mother for medically fragile infant

All kinds of wildlife — furry mammals, flying birds, crawling amphibians, and even tiny insects — need food, water, and shelter to survive. Each species has its own needs. Some animals can live in small spaces, while others need much larger areas. Some animals need consistent conditions all year, while others only need them at certain times in their life cycle. Your yard or property might already have some of the habitat needed by wildlife. But by improving what’s there or ad

Of all the charitable organizations that dot the Hoodland Area, few can claim the combination of history and accomplishment as Camp Arrah Wanna. For generations of Mt. Hood residents, the camp is more than just a place — it’s a landmark. Since 1941, the nonprofit has been a cornerstone of the community, working to improve the education and well-being of kids and adults throughout the area. It’s a place where countless local children have had their first camp experience, and w

“No matter what you’re doing, give it 110%,” Sandy High School football coach Josh Dill tells his team. “Even if you make a mistake, make sure to give it your full effort.” Dill has coached right guard and defensive end Tanner Sedgwick for the last four years; that coaching recently came to a close after the Columbia Cup finals game took place Nov. 22. As Sedgwick prepared for his final football game, he reflected on his time spent playing for Sandy High School.  Sedgwick beg

When it comes to creating art that has fundamental and realistic touches, Mt. Hood Villages resident Cassandra Peters sets the bar high. A resident of the area for almost two years, Peters finds passion in the work she creates and shares with her community. Gifted in the art of photorealistic paintings and drawings, Peters takes an image and replicates it through paint with as much of photogenic likeness as possible. “My primary focus is rendering subjects such as people, pet

AntFarm continues to serve youth and families across Sandy, Estacada, Molalla, and rural Clackamas County, through programs that offer safety, connection, skill building, outdoor learning, and community support. YouthHubs, gardens, workforce development, outdoor stewardship, the AntFarm Café and Bakery, and bilingual family programs all depend on the same essential ingredient: a community that chooses to invest in its own people. This week brings a major moment for that inves

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

As temperatures drop and fall settles in, come enjoy an evening of fairytales with more than a dash of dark humor from the Sandy High School Drama Department.  “Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” written by Don Zolidis, opens Friday, Nov. 14, and runs Nov. 15, Nov. 20-Nov. 22. All performances are at 7 p.m. and will be on the Sandy High main stage, 37400 Bell St., Sandy.  “This production is like if you took the original ‘Brothers Grimm’ stories before Disney got their hands on

The Sandy and Hoodland Libraries have been raising funds to defer costs to outfit a new mobile library vehicle for several months.  With the vehicle, the staff plan to facilitate programs like their storytime and 1,000 Books before Kindergarten at daycare centers, preschools, and kindergarten classes; provide STEM activities at schools; and offer technology classes at senior centers and retirement communities. "Access to technology and proper instruction empowers seniors to s