Stronger Together
It’s the bad days that make the good days good. This is a popular phrase used in our family and one that we’ve mentioned frequently since mid-March when our stay home routine began. As we face this public health crisis together, our thoughts are with all the families impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Whether it is an impact of health, business or school closures, job loss, furloughs, or the impacts of social distancing, the effects on our community are unprecedented.
But out of the bad we’ve already seen plenty of good and we couldn’t be more grateful to call Central Oregon home. Our community has banded together. We are providing support for one another and we are doing whatever we can to help those most affected. We care about each other here, and it shows.
We look forward to the day that our staff can all be together again and when we can visit our amazing advertising partners to thank them for their continued support. We are interdependent, we are in this together—and we are humbled. Never more than now.
And so, we carry on. And we hope that within these pages you find some hope, inspiration and a chance to dream about the better days ahead. Bend Magazine invited you, our community, to submit your photos reflecting life in Central Oregon now. See page 104 for the photo essay, “Through Our Eyes,” which features many of your photos. For each image published, the contributor will receive a $25 gift card to the local store or restaurant of their choice. We thank each and every one of you for your participation and allowing us to capture this time through your eyes.
Home matters more than ever right now. In our Home feature, we were invited to spend some time with actor Eric Close and his wife, Keri, who made their ranch in Tumalo their fulltime home in 2017. Learn about Eric’s impressive career and what drew them to make the leap to Central Oregon after years in Los Angeles.
Spring is truly here, and the wildflowers are out to prove it. Learn to identify some of these natural beauties yourself, and find a few great trails to add to your list to visit when it is safe and we’ve been given the all clear.
We believe in the power of community and wish your family safety and health as we get through this together.
From our family to yours, stay safe and strong,
Ross, Heather, Hannah & Fletcher
