A slight turn of the throttle thrusts the snowmobile forward. My muscles tense up in an effort to hold on tightly as I race across a snow field with childlike enthusiasm. Below me, a new 2024 Polaris XC 650 matches my adrenaline while the Cascade Range frames an adventure. The wind practically rips through me as I glide atop the snow trying to reach maximum speed before I slow down, shift my weight, and lean into the curve to execute a 180-degree turn and accelerate once again. The conditions place me in a state of Zen as one thought floats in and out of my brain: This is not my grandfather’s snow machine.
In 1959, Canadian entrepreneur Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented the iconic Ski-Doo, complete with wooden skis and a strut-type suspension. Over the next few decades, increased horsepower and improved suspension brought snowmobiles to a wider audience. By the late 1990s, four-stroke engines forged reliability and environmentally conscious practices through fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. But it was 21st-century technology that gave the sport the biggest bump in popularity. Advanced suspension systems improved ride comfort, stability and handling to expand the terrain and conditions that snow machines could safely travel. In addition, GPS navigation systems, Bluetooth connectivity and smart displays enhanced the experience and bring snowmobiles, or sleds, into the modern recreation vernacular.
The day touring the Newberry National Volcanic Monument began early with quick introductions and an important safety check. My tour group and I met at the winter headquarters of Octane Adventures, located at the 10-Mile Sno-Park parking area. The staff fitted us for helmets and checked for correct clothing inside its warm Mongolian Ger (aka yurt) before we headed out to the lined up snowmobiles. Our gang of seven listened intently to the enthusiastic guide, as he methodically spoke about the snowmobile’s workings, how to operate it safely and abide by the rules of the trail, and what we could expect on our four-hour tour.
Our guides began their day several hours earlier as they lit a fire in the yurt, checked the day’s weather report and discussed trail conditions. Next, they pulled out the snow machines, performed safety checks and linked the GPS units for their groups. Last season, Octane Adventures guided roughly 400 tours on trails in the around Paulina Peak.
“In our opinion, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is one of the most scenic locations you can snowmobile in Central Oregon, or Oregon for that matter,” said Octane Adventures Owner Matt Miller.
Central Oregon’s Snowmobile Playground
Enthusiasts travel from across the world to hop on a snowmobile and experience Central Oregon snowfall on thousands of acres of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land. Some seek the unimproved backcountry while others hit the hundreds of miles of smooth corduroy on groomed trails, including the 150 miles circling Paulina Peak where we would ride that day.
Another popular venue for a winter’s outing is up Century Drive, which inevitably involves trailers and trucks filled with sleds on their way to adventure. For those with their own equipment, Kapka and Edison Butte sno-parks offer great trails on both sides of the highway. Easily accessible Wanoga Sno-Park includes a warming hut in the parking area for riders to discuss their plan for the day or boast about their day’s accomplishments on the more than 180 miles of groomed trails. Central Oregon Adventures leads tours out of Wanoga for those interested. The even more popular Dutchman Flat Sno-Park offers some of the best views in the state as snow riders weave in between the Three Sisters mountains. If you’re looking for an overnight lodge stay, ride the 11 miles down the Cascade Lakes Highway to Elk Lake Resort for accommodations ranging from rustic cabins to luxury mountain vacation home rentals.
The best day with incredible views thanks to our tour with Octane Adventures
Outside of the Bend area, the Three Creeks Sno-Park provides access to the backside of the Three Sisters Wilderness and Tam McArthur Rim.
“Whether you want to visit the frozen waterfalls or obsidian flows, play around in the pumice flats or take a ride to the top of Paulina Peak at nearly 8,000 feet, it offers something for everyone,” explained Miller.
Our crew followed our guide as we weaved in and out of his tracks and peppered snow behind us from bursts of acceleration. Though traveling together, each rider controlled their own destiny of speed and path taken.
Those enjoying the groomed trails can thank local snowmobile clubs that pay for most of the grooming through dues and fundraising events. Statewide, 30 clubs, including locally-based Moon Country Snowbusters and Lodgepole Dodgers Club, promote the sport of snowmobiling, the benefits of environmentalism, and staying safe in the backcountry.
Clubs promote camaraderie between snowmobilers and fellow recreationalists. I have been towed by into the backcountry by enthusiastic snowmobilers to ski both Tam McCarthur Rim and Broken Top Mountain. These local nonprofits also help the Deschutes County Search and Rescue Team find lost snow revelers.
Find cold beer, and fresh fish brought in from the Oregon Coast at Paulina Lake Lodge.
But this excursion was a revved-up opportunity to have fun on sleds. The day includes a dose of adrenaline along with nature’s spectacular beauty and sweeping views from 7,303 feet at the Cinder Hill Viewpoint.
Toward the end of our tour, our guides led us to Paulina Lake Lodge to take advantage of the diverse menu, including fish brought in almost daily from the Oregon Coast. We had a respite in the cozy wood-framed cafe, and took stock of our shared experience. That day proved snowmobiling is more than just 650cc of power on snow; it’s a connection to the wilderness and those who spend the day enjoying it with you.
City Projects and Nonprofits Pave the Way for Urban Cycling
ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVI AUGUSTO, INSPIRED BY JOE KLINE PHOTOGRAPHY
As Bend’s summer wanes, residents and visitors look forward to the cooler temperatures on two wheels. Lycra-clad fitness enthusiasts ride scenic bikeways, kids look forward to riding to school and those simply looking for a calmer commute to work or the grocery store enjoy the less-crowded streets in their search for car-free freedom.
Luckily for cyclists, safety in active transportation has become a high priority for local government and cycling nonprofits during the past decade. Education, advocacy and a city council sympathetic to the needs of cyclists have helped remove many obstacles to urban cycling. Dangerous intersections have morphed into protected areas for all users, miles of new bike lanes have been added and plans to separate bikes from cars are in the works. In short, what has been a bike town based around world-class mountain biking is turning into a complete Oregon cycling mecca on the trails and in the streets.
Transportation Plans Map the Future
Building a safe and connected network of bike routes will mean more options, less congestion and less pollution for everyone—visitors and residents alike, explained Bend City Councilor Ariel Mendez. “Good alternatives to driving benefit even people who drive, because it means fewer cars on the road and less competition for scarce parking.”
After years of research, planning and legwork, 2020 saw the Bend City Council adopt the Transportation System Plan (TSP) to adapt to the community’s growing needs for the next two decades. By balancing the diverse needs of Bend’s differing modes of transportation, the TSP aims to uphold the community’s values and protect what makes the city such a desirable place to live. The Bend Bikeway, or one city-wide cycling network including safe east-west and north-south routes, has become a major aspect in achieving Bend’s transportation goals while prioritizing safety.
As a result of the city’s efforts, residents and visitors are seeing upgrades to city roadways. The Wilson Avenue Corridor Project includes painted and separated bike lanes on both sides of the road. Bend’s first protected intersections with physical barriers separating cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles are popping up around town. Safety advocates are happy to see one at the corner of NW Olney Avenue and NW Wall Street where a bicyclist was struck and killed by a turning FedEx driver in 2017.
Greenways and Nonprofits Lead the Way
Perhaps the first indicator that Bend was moving toward bicycle equity was born in 2019 with the creation of Neighborhood Greenways on NE 6th Street and NW 15th Street. The Neighborhood Greenway project is a national idea to describe a route more comfortable for cyclists and pedestrians than nearby busier streets. The roads are equipped with traffic-calming improvements including lower speed limits and speed bumps, traffic circles aiming to slow drivers and signage indicating increased usage by non-vehicular users. The City of Bend has further prioritized non-vehicular travel and discouraged automobile traffic on the 16 current greenways through the installation of traffic diverters.
Kicking off a movement that has helped shift public and political perceptions on non-car transportation, the 2016 Bend’s Open Streets event featured walkers, cyclists, rollerbladers and wheelchair users inhabiting a road blocked to cars. Local nonprofits Commute Options and Bend Bikes led the event and have continued to work toward safer roads for all. Among Bend Bikes’ current list of desired improvements are a complete bike network and map, and more Neighborhood Greenways and protected bike lanes, in an effort to achieve bike equity.
To bring attention to its goals, Bend Bikes held its Bend Bike Night, co-hosted by the City of Bend earlier this summer at The Grove at NorthWest Crossing. The block party started with a “bike bus” consisting of dozens of riders for “safety in numbers,” who pedaled from Larkspur Park in southeast Bend to The Grove where cycling enthusiasts found bike training, education and community. Included in the bike bus pack were Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, Bend Mayor Pro-Tem Megan Perkins and Oregon Representative Emerson Levy.
Focusing more on education, Commute Options has been touting the advantages of active transportation since its inception in 1991, originally under the moniker Biking for a Better Community. A cornerstone of its programs lies in the state-sponsored Safe Routes To School (SRTS) program. As its name suggests, SRTS focuses on children being able to safely walk or roll to school, thus alleviating the need to be dropped off and picked up by their parents. Benefits to eliminating car travel include not only children’s health and well-being, but improved air quality and congestion around schools. For its efforts, Commute Options added six elementary schools to the program and saw a 50% increase in participation last year.
The Future of Safety
A path toward safe biking in Bend seems to be on an upward trend with progress on the Midtown Crossings Project along Greenwood Avenue. The Hawthorne Overcrossing project is also underway, with construction slated to begin in 2026. “A big opportunity will be in 2026 when the city updates its Transportation System Plan,” stated Councilor Mendez. “Biking is the priority of safety into transportation planning. [It] will mean more kids walking and biking to school, older adults living healthier, independent lives and a more efficient mobile workforce in Bend.”
For now, the City of Bend, transportation nonprofits and advocacy groups can enjoy their successes as they seek to inform the general public on how creating safer bicycle paths is a benefit to cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
Deena Kamm Strikes a Chord to Amplify Voices of the Community
Entering the doors of Immersion Brewing’s Barrel Room on the first Monday of each month is akin to stepping into a rock n’ roll show. The drummer and bassist keep the driving beat, while a guitarist and keyboard player offer solid rhythm and familiar leads. However, the 50 or so lead singers of the Public Rock Choir (PRC) joyfully belting out Jon Batiste’s popular song “Freedom” remind you that you are closer to home. The lyrics say, “I hear a song that takes me back and I let go with so much freedom.”
The Public Rock Choir has been meeting regularly at Broken Top Bottle Shop since 2016, though their voices have been heard in downtown Bend’s Drake Park, on a float during the Bend Christmas Parade and singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events.
“No one has to sing alone, and everyone gets to tap into their inner rockstar and let it rip,” explained Vocal Coach and PRC Founder Deena Kamm. “It’s meant to be fun, loud and a place where you can come and sing your face off.”
About Deena Kamm
Kamm, who has been a professional singer most of her life, started vocal coaching roughly a decade ago. After being consistently asked for lessons by audience members at her performances, she began taking on child and adult students. Her career evolved to into executive voice coaching, though she still works with singers as well. Her focus in coaching is to find a client’s true voice and help unleash what is already inside of them. While working with many of her students, she realized they had nowhere to sing in public; and the idea for the choir was born.
Bend’s Jim Brown started taking vocal lessons from Kamm a few years ago and attended the Public Rock Choir shortly after that. He likes the live band and being able to sing with a crowd.
“Over time it has become a fun community of people,” said Brown. “There are regulars who have become friends and it’s a nice once-a-month get together.”
Experience Bend’s Public Choir
Uriel Fox decided to join the choir in 2017 after realizing she would have to pitch her startup company at entrepreneurial events. She ran across an ad for PRC that touted, “If you can talk, you can sing! No experience necessary.”
“The experience has helped me develop smooth, cool voice control through proper breath control,” explained Fox.
Kamm organizes the choir to be beneficial for everyone. She makes sure the musicians–made up mostly of former students and high schoolers–are paid and experience what it’s like being in a working band. Her only rule for the singers is that everybody has to be nice to everyone else.
Historically, group singing has been around as long as time immemorial. Scientifically, singing creates physical happiness as the body releases serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins. The energy in a room also begins to change as the resonance of notes from group singing syncs up the frequency of the singers.
Choosing songs can be the most challenging part. A typical evening with the Public Rock Choir finds the singers and band covering everything from “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, to “When Will I Be Loved” by Linda Rondstadt or “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones. It’s most important that the songs are fun for the choir to sing and to create a gospel for believers and non-believers alike. The Public Rock Choir inspires others to believe in community.
“I have been a professional singer my whole life,” said Kamm. “I’ve done it all—from albums to tours. This has been the most satisfying thing in my life. Watching people experience music without inhibitions is so liberating.”
Across the high desert, skiers and snowboarders eagerly await Mt. Bachelor’s opening day announcement. Hoping for the sight of snow-covered peaks isn’t enough for many hardcore winter devotees, who are called to action at the first signs of snow. Increasing impatience leads them to check weather apps and text friends to see if their favorite preseason spot has enough snow for some short runs before the ski area begins its chairlift operations.
For those anxious to test their ski or snowboard legs and get a jump on the season, early November is the time to head out and earn some turns before the lifts open. Just don’t forget to prepare mentally and physically to keep that childlike enthusiasm strong for all of winter and the better part of spring.
Photo by Christian Murillo
Train for the Season
One essential component to making the whole season as enjoyable as possible lies in the mental and physical preparation. Boss Sports Performance Director of Performance Erik Jorgensen recommends single leg exercises and working on dynamic core strength to ward against early season injuries, such as knee ligament and hip flexor strains. “People should take their time building up to more intense ski sessions and longer days of skiing,” said Jorgensen. “It’s a long season and the snow only gets better.” For support, find winter sports conditioning classes at gyms throughout town or work with trainers to reach individual strength goals.
Upgrade Your Gear
Each year, manufacturers introduce new products to enhance the winter experience. Preseason is a great time to research new products and test existing gear for the upcoming season. When sticking with a trusty pair of skis or snowboard, make sure to get gear tuned and pack a backpack with the 10 essentials: navigation, light, sun protection, first aid kit, knife, fire starter, shelter, food, water and clothes.
“Without a doubt, the most important gear to carry in the backcountry, especially in avalanche terrain, is the snow safety trifecta of a beacon, probe, and shovel,” said Kevin Ganey, general manager and buyer at the Bend-based gear shop Mountain Supply. “Get the gear, get the knowledge through a course, and then get out into the backcountry!”
Many local shops have annual fall parties with discounted, past-season winter gear and new arrivals. Check out Pine Mountain Sports Powderhound Preview and Fundraiser in November. In addition, gear shops begin their rental programs ahead of opening day at the mountain.
First Tracks and Cone Laps
By far, the most popular spot for preseason runs lies on Mt. Bachelor’s Cinder Cone with a hike that takes about 45 minutes to reach the top. The cone is located on Mt. Bachelor’s northern flank with parking available in the West Village Parking Area. The Cinder Cone’s approximately 180 acres of terrain include 715 feet of vertical drop, though preseason means finding the best snow and routes possible. Be careful with your line so as not to end up too far north, thus resulting in a longer hike back for your second lap. Also, take heed of preseason obstacles such as downed trees and rocks not fully covered by the new snow. Remember, all snow riders must obey Mt. Bachelor Ski Area’s uphill travel policy and the cone is not patrolled so no emergency assistance is available.
After tackling Mt. Bachelor’s Cone, explore other preseason options by heading across the street to Tumalo Mountain. This 7,775-foot butte is approachable for skinning or hiking up its 1,400 feet from the Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. Probably the area’s most accessible backcountry spot, Tumalo Mountain allows backcountry enthusiasts to spend the day doing full laps up and down the south side, or dropping into the bowl and hiking back around. Go-getters wake early and take a few laps before work from the time snow hits until it melts in late spring.
When the snow is particularly good, and for some nostalgia, drive Skyliner Road west of Bend and park in the Skyliner Sno-Park. Before the days of Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, the Norwegians built a ski jump on the hill that is directly in front of the parking area. People now use it for sledding in the winter.
Before Meissner, Wanoga or Swampy Lakes sno-parks have enough coverage, nordic skiers looking for early season fun can drive up the Cascade Lakes Highway, park at Dutchman Flat Sno-Park and head west into the more level Deschutes National Forest area.
To watch and learn from the masters of winter sports, Bend’s Tower Theatre kicks off the preseason with a screening of ALL TIME, Warren Miller’s 74th annual film featuring greats such as Olympian Jonny Moseley, “Maine’s finest athlete” Donny Pelletier and an exploration of the birth of the country’s most iconic ski towns.
Perhaps the local’s choice to prepare for the coming of the winter ski season is grabbing a friend and heading to one of the many winter beer release parties. The parties usually include music, gear giveaways, ski and snowboard waxing, and of course, beer. The 10 Barrel Pray for Snow Party has become an annual tradition for more than a decade. Bend Brewing Company partners with Oregon Adaptive Sports each year for their “Sno’d In” Winter Ale release party. Locals have looked forward to the yearly release of Deschutes Brewery’s Jubelale Festive Winter Ale and its accompanying artwork since 1988. So, check the forecast, finish a leg workout, grab a beer, and above all else, pray for snow!
Home to not only world-class athletes and performers but experienced coaches ready to support them in reaching their goals, it’s no wonder Bend sees so many of its own on the main stage. Mentors, armed with empathy, good listening skills, and positive attitudes, guide competitors on and off the field. Whether they’re teaching safety or excellence, life lessons or state championships, coaches sacrifice for their students. Here, we highlight a handful of local coaches who have dedicated their lives to helping kids—and kids-at-heart—reach their full potential, in sport and life.
Equestrian: Tara Brothers
Tara Brothers grew up caring for horses on her family’s Tumalo ranch and had a very successful junior and collegiate riding career. Her skills in a saddle led her across the country, to Europe and eventually to showing horses for acclaimed trainer Tom Wright at All Seasons Farm in Ohio. In 2017, Brothers opened Sage Equestrian near her childhood home where she teaches Central Oregonians how to ride in the English tradition. Brothers believes safety and enjoyment are the most important goals for coaches and students. She advises others to learn from the best, try to work jobs outside of their comfort zone, and always be capable of completing every task you ask someone else to do. “It is so fun for me to look at kids that I worked with for years accomplishing all their equestrian goals,” explained Brothers.
Martial Arts: JianFeng Chen & Ryan Clark
Shifu JianFeng Chen and Ryan Clark took two different paths to teach martial arts in Central Oregon. Clark, who instructs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, began learning with his friends as teenagers in Salem after watching Bruce Lee movies and wanting to emulate him. He has trained throughout the United States, as well as Japan, Brazil and Thailand, opening his first studio in Eugene before moving to Bend in 2013, where he started Clark’s University of Martial Arts. “I love the training and teaching the strategy behind Jiu Jitsu,” said Clark. Chen, of Oregon Tai Chi Wushu, began coaching in 2000 as a competitor on the Fujian State Athletic Wushu Unit, where he was expected to help coach and mentor his less experienced teammates. He traveled the world competing before coming to the United States to teach, opening his Bend studio in 2012. “I recognized teaching is a skill that helps me express myself and grow, as well as connect people to this art and culture that I love,” said Chen. “I believe it has many benefits for health and life.” Both goal-oriented coaches believe in lifelong learning for the student and the master, as evidenced by Clark’s tattoo which reads, “Always be a student.” Chen explained his passion for coaching, “I want to use my experience to nurture each student and my ability to be a bridge or translator to this art and my culture with kindness and a sense of humor.”
Music: Jimena Shepherd & Meshem Jackson
Cascade School of Music (CSM) has been connecting aspiring Central Oregon musicians with quality music instructors for more than two decades. Two of their most popular teachers, Percussion Department Chair Meshem Jackson and vocal coach Jimena Shepherd, have seen just about every level of student since they began introducing melody, keys, and timing to kids. Both believe in patience, but they stress experience and understanding as crucial to student success in the lifelong learning of music. They believe each child is different and should be taught to his or her talent or skill. Shepherd tries to interact with students in an authentic way and advises aspiring teachers to trust in the process and always be open to learning from their experiences. “I love being able to see the different personalities and the types of art each child brings to class,” said Shepherd. Jackson agreed, “I simply enjoy talking with people about drums and music. Showing someone how to play is just part of the conversation.” With both coaches having more than a decade of experience, they have witnessed many proud moments with their students. Jackson enjoys seeing his kids work hard and perform in high-pressure situations, such as local public musicals, or continuing with music in college. Shepherd likes to root for the underdogs. Jackson concurs and said, “Doing something that makes you happy, content, and relaxed will make you better at it.”
Soccer and Ski: Nils Eriksson
Mount Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF) Alpine Director and Bend High boys soccer coach Nils Eriksson grew up in Stockholm, Sweden, where coaching is a volunteer activity rather than a job. Excelling at both skiing and hockey, Eriksson chose to focus on skiing in his teens and ended up getting a scholarship to race for the University of Wyoming where he also studied business. After college, Eriksson moved to Bend with his wife and took a seasonal job as an alpine ski coach with MBSEF, a role that would change his trajectory away from finance and toward working with athletes. A year later, at a friend’s request, Eriksson agreed to coach the newly-formed freshman soccer squad at Bend High School. Though he’d never coached soccer before, he had played on intramural teams in college and developed a true appreciation for the sport while attending a few World Cup games. “You don’t need to be elite in your sport [to coach], but it helps in demonstrations and the mental aspects,” said Eriksson. On the field, Eriksson believes coaches need patience and an understanding of their athletes, and they must be able to convey to the kids in a fun way that it’s a long process, so they can focus on short-term goals. He stresses that age is different from maturity, and coaches need to understand where each athlete lies in their development, in order to connect with them at their level. For Eriksson, money is not the benefit of a successful coaching career. “Feeling good is the reward,” he said, “being happy with other rewards, such as interactions with the athletes and seeing mental and tactical improvements they make.”
Skateboarding: Gabe Triplette
Gabe Triplette began his career as a skateboarding coach as a kid simply so he would have people to skate within his hometown of Boone, North Carolina. Though he competed in many sports growing up, Triplette gravitated to the camaraderie he felt with his fellow competitors skating for his Burton-sponsored East Coast Skates team. After moving to Bend and being asked to help teach a skateboarding camp at the former Local 50 Skate Shop, he became hooked on being a skateboarding coach. “It’s divine enlightenment to see my students’ smiles light up,” he said. “The energy you get from them is priceless.” Triplette has refined his unique coaching system over his 23 years of experience by figuring out what’s important for all skaters. He teaches six fundamentals (stance, vision, posture, turning, speed, and commitment) on his Central Oregon skatepark visits he has affectionately named Booger Tours. Triplette explained that the seventh fundamental is a drive to get better, and it applies to both coaches and students. “The best coaches are super passionate about learning, both for themselves and their students,” he said. He believes coaches should be empathetic, have a good attitude and communication skills, and the understanding of when to tell your students to push themselves. Though he loved seeing one of his skaters pictured in The Bulletin, these days he’s proudest watching his own daughter become a better skater and develop into a strong skateboarding coach herself.
Sport Climbing: Mike Rougeaux & Cate Beebe
In 2011, Mike Rougeaux pitched the idea of adding climbing to the Bend Endurance Academy roster of sports programs. Today, as the nonprofit’s executive director, he still works with climbers in town and at out-of-town competitions. “It’s really impactful to know the athletes in front of you are putting trust in you and that they hold you in high regard,” said Rougeaux, “so it makes me want to be at my best for them.” Bend Endurance Academy Climbing Director Cate Beebe started out rowing in middle school and high school. She explained that she was lucky enough to have welcoming role models within the coaching staff and the team. Beebe hopes for her students to have success both in the climbing world and within their community. “I started coaching because I wanted to make sports a place where kids feel powerful, heard, and accepted,” Beebe said. Both coaches take empathetic approaches to teaching, in the gym and at competitions. They focus on building relationships with the kids and on the fun side of learning. With their athletes ranging from middle schoolers to the Oregon State University climbing team, both Rougeaux and Beebe try to pinpoint the individual needs of each of their athletes. “It makes me so happy to see my team grow, whether through mental strength, climbing technique or attaining a goal,” said Beebe. “I love climbing and helping athletes to become the best people they can be. Coaching them is an absolute joy.”
Tennis: Kevin Collier & Josh Cordell
Few names are as synonymous with Bend area high school tennis over the last two decades as Josh Cordell (pictured on right) and Kevin Collier (seated), and both have the hardware to prove it. Cordell coached the Summit High School boys tennis team for 17 years, where his Storm Tennis won the Oregon State Boys Tennis Team Championships eight times in a 10-year span. Collier’s 37-year coaching career includes 24 years of leading the Bend High School girls tennis team where he coached three different champion girls doubles teams, including one with his own daughter. “I have had many proud moments, but coaching my daughter and watching her win a state championship is something I will never forget,” said Collier. Today, Collier runs the tennis program at Bend Golf and Country Club as well as the Caldera High School girls team. He believes his greatest asset as a coach lies in his passion for the sport and his ability to relate to each student’s needs. Cordell also deflects away from results, claiming his proudest moment came from a group of seniors on his team requesting one last practice, even though the state championships and the season had already ended. Cordell now runs Prep Success Coach, which specializes in life coaching, mental coaching, and athlete mentoring. For athletes and coaches alike, he recommends keeping it fun. Cordell points to all of his past tennis coaches, including Collier, as integral to his own coaching accomplishments. His goals are to see the students succeed, create opportunities, and make the most of their success. “If it stays fun, everyone keeps coming back,” Cordell said, “and if they keep coming back, you have the opportunity to be as good as you can possibly be.”
Swimming: Mary McCool
If your child took swimming lessons in the past five decades, there’s a good chance you drove them five minutes east of Bend to Mary McCool’s house. Locally born and raised, McCool grew up spending the winters skiing and the summers swimming, like most Central Oregonians. Ironically, she didn’t enjoy taking swimming lessons as a child, but as a teenager, she immediately liked teaching swimming to the kids she would babysit. After 50 years of coaching, McCool has refined her technique, grounded in safety and developing confidence in the water. “Patience is necessary,” explained McCool. “It’s good to have them learn to work hard in the pool and in life,” said McCool. “It’s not going to happen right away, but if you work at it, it’s all doable.” Her teaching style centers around not being afraid of making her athletes work hard. She doesn’t overprotect them and tries to show how the effort pays off in the end. Perhaps most importantly for children, McCool knows how to say the same thing in many different ways to adapt to her students’ varied learning styles. “I’m most proud when a kid, who was scared to death in the beginning, by the third lesson, [is] confident and believes in themself,” said McCool. “I know those lessons will translate into life as well.”
Revel throughout the streets of downtown Bend during a First Friday Art Walk and listen as each bar, restaurant and art gallery beckons for attention with the siren sounds of local music. A blues band wails at Bend Brewing Company, a jam band gets funky at Silver Moon Brewing, a metal band screams from The Capitol. Meanwhile, a solo artist stands on the street corner in front of Red Chair Gallery, a bluegrass band busks on Wall Street, and hopefuls test their courage at an open mic hosted by Astro Lounge. “When I’m on stage and see that many people engaging in community, it reminds me that music has [the] power to make life more interesting and to bring people together,” said local country artist Kurt Silva. Music connects community.
A Look Back
Musical diversity in Central Oregon didn’t happen overnight nor come without venue turnovers and economic downturns. Bend in the 1990s was virtually a music desert with high schoolers having to see random shows at the VFW Hall. By the early 2000s, population growth fueled the number of local bands playing in Central Oregon. But, of the artists pursuing their musical dreams, only a few, such as MoWo, Empty Space Orchestra, and Larry and His Flask performed outside the area. Downtown Bend events such as the Bend Summer Festival emerged, complete with a main stage for national artists and a side stage designated for local bands. A consistent audience made those gigs popular amongst longtime and up-and-coming musicians alike.
Then, a decade ago, Bend’s musical landscape began to shift along with a turnover in local businesses. Cafe Paradiso’s folk acts, The Grove’s funk bands, and Horned Hand’s rock bands were all left searching for new places to perform when those performance spaces were vacated. Then, as Bend’s population grew, it fueled a new wave of venue options propelled by the explosion of breweries and food cart lots that set a new stage for musicians. “[Live music has] basically become a background soundtrack to drinking beer,” said Sam McQuate of Bend rock band Leftslide. “There’s a heavy reliance on the folky acoustic music here,” he adds. Bend’s number of Americana bands was bound to grow.
TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Andrew D. Lyons, Matti Joy, Ian Egan, Pete Kartsounes, Jason Schweitzer, Mosely Wotta | David Miller, Matt Fletcher & Scott Baber | Ella & Gregg Morris and Grace Cooper.
A Changed World
Just as the scene was growing, in 2020, the world shut down and stages went silent. Musicians retreated to their homes to find audiences online through streaming performances. In Bend, some venues got creative. Worthy Brewing partnered with Bend Roots Revival and started the Worthy Relief Fund by offering up a space to film streamed performances and providing a virtual tip jar for the performers. Four Peaks Presents put on a virtual festival by streaming highlights from past events. Some artists used the forced layoff as time to write and record new music. “Creative people will create,” said Patrick Pearsall, a Bend bassist who played 250 gigs in 2019, before the shutdowns. “My pandemic project was to learn home recording. But the joke is no one could possibly go through all the music made during the pandemic.” Two years later, venues began to open up again and Bend was back in the swing of things. Musicians took to the outdoor and indoor stages in search of the much needed connection to the audience. Fans were ready to reciprocate. Sadly, some traditions, such the popular Free Summer Sundays shows at the Les Schwab Amphitheater and Night Under the Covers in downtown Bend, didn’t survive.
Collaboration and Traditions Anchor the Music Community
What remained consistent was the foundation of Bend’s music scene centered around a collaborative festival of local artists. For the past sixteen years, Bend Roots Revival has showcased local bands each September with an event featuring more than one hundred regional acts and educational workshops. While it has grown from its humble beginnings at the corner of Galveston Avenue and 14th Street, the free, family-friendly festival’s mission of celebrating local artists has remained the same. “I feel embraced by my music community and try to bring that feeling to Roots,” explained local musician and Bend Roots Revival founder Mark Ransom. “This was the best way I could think to honor my community.”
The music community is connected by many shared experiences. Ask a Central Oregon musician or fan about their fondest music memories and you are bound to hear about an assortment of legendary performances. Pearsall talked about fans packing into the random locations announced the morning of the Church of Neil show in its early days. Four Peaks Music Festival Director Stacy Koff points to the Moon Mountain Ramblers sold-out show at the Tower Theatre. Bend photographer Gary Calicott tells the story of Sir Mix-a-Lot pretending to take a photo of him as he squatted side stage to get a shot of the rapper at Bend’s Summer Festival in 2015. Musicians that were in attendance, talk of the 2013 Bend Roots Revival, hosted at Pakit, a former building-supplies resale business. Nicknamed “Typhoon Roots” by Ransom, the festival caught the tail end of a Pacific Northwest storm and saw wind gusts nearly rip tents apart that were held down by musicians. Rain poured down and temperatures dropped as organizers juggled performance schedules. But, the weekend’s craziness birthed special sets such as when Broken Down Guitars sat in the building’s center and performed an unrehearsed all-acoustic set.
Aside from helping to create sound memories, local radio stations and dedicated local music spotlights hope to bridge the connection between artist and audience as well. Backyard Bend’s weekly Hwy 97 “Local Music Show” plays cuts from studio albums while KPOV’s Center Stage invites local musicians to its studio for live performances each Saturday. “KPOV gives local bands a voice and a way to get their music to the masses,” Koff said. “I’d love to see more of them gain traction through an increased following so they can play out of town.”
Creating Connection
No matter if it’s played from a storefront window or at a festival main stage, music has helped build the Central Oregon community. The unspoken agreement between an audience seeing the value in art and artists pouring their souls out on the stage brings people together whether at free shows in Drake Park or ticketed events at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater. “Educating folks in the arts makes them more relatable to and tolerant of the world,” explained Ransom. “It’s a model for psychological well-being in a community.” Sometimes, all you need to feel good mentally is to listen to music and dance with your friends. Sam McQuate said, “People need to connect.”
When it comes to imbibing, move over hops and barley, there’s a bean brewing in town. While Central Oregon is known for the ale trail, per capita, it’s coffee that reigns supreme. It’s not just a local phenomenon either. Coffee consumption in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2022 according to the National Coffee Association. Whether found at a drive-through kiosk, or at an independent coffee house, estimates from Deschutes County put coffee locations at close to seventy in Bend alone. Here we take a look from source to sip, of what arguable might be Bend’s favorite brew.
SOURCE
As the sun begins to creep across the high desert, sleepy Central Oregonians step to the counter of their local coffee purveyor to order their favorite morning brew. While the customer’s path may take them from home to the barista and on to work, Backporch Coffee Roasters owner Dave Beach knows the coffee bean’s journey is significantly longer.
Most Januarys, Beach travels to El Salvador in search of flavorful beans to roast in his Loring Falcon Roaster. Alongside a few chosen co-workers and guests, he lands at the airport and drives to the Menedez family ranch in Ahuachapán. The fifth-generation coffee farmers own or manage eight farms and a coffee bean processing mill in the area. Beach and friends, escorted by the Menedez family, ascend the rutted, dirt roads to view beans grown at various elevations. After a morning of inspecting farms, Beach, who has been roasting coffee beans for more than twenty years, heads to the mill for blind tastings of forty various beans, roughly ten at a time. “My goal is to choose the best beans and develop them properly,” said Beach, who has lived in Central Oregon all of his life, save for four years studying at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
Coffee beans are harvested in the morning and sent at night to the mills where workers remove the fruit for a month of drying. Next, the beans are de-shelled and packaged in burlap sacks at the dry mill for shipping across the world. Relationships like the one Beach has with the Menedez family ensure not only a quality bean, but a strong connection between Central Oregon and Central America. This friendship provides the foundation for plantation direct purchasing and fairness amongst the farmers, ranch managers, and those who sell the coffee beans.
Dave Beach, CEO and Founder of Backporch Coffee Roasters, with Rene Monroy and Miguel Menendez Sr., owner of Finca El Rosario, El Salvador.
Stewart Fritchman, owner of Bellatazza in downtown Bend, also follows this approach to sourcing quality coffee and travels to Guatemala a couple of times a year. “We’ve used plantation-direct purchasing in Guatemala for twenty years. It allows me to build the necessary relationships with the people of Guatemala,” he said.
Traveling deep into the jungle of Central American countries is not without danger. Often times, airplane runways seem to appear out of nowhere and need to be cleared of grazing animals. Other times, armed guards patrol jungle mansions and drivers must vary their route home for safety. And of course, COVID-19 added a new level of concern to international travel.
But in the end, tackling bugs, animals and light rebellion are all worth it for quality beans and lasting friendships. In early 2020, Fritchman realized the Guatemalan tourist economy had plummeted so he took to social media and promised to shave a mohawk and dye it blue if he raised $5,000 in support. After surpassing his goal and donning his new hair style, Fritchman sent the money to his Guatemalan friends who made 328 care packages and passed them out to those in need. “Economics are important, but I’m in it for the emotional connections,” explained Fritchman.—written by Gregg Morris
Explore the world through coffee:
Strictly Organic Coffee Co.: Since 1999, Richard and Rhonda Steffensen have been leaders in sustainable business practices and offer 100% certified Organic and Fair Trade coffee.
Coffee4Kids: Sourced from sustainable plantations, proceeds support Mi Casa International, the founder’s family-run orphanage in El Salvador.
ROAST
The subtleties of coffee taste are even more pronounced when beans are freshly roasted, which is why many local coffee houses choose to roast their own beans. “Coffee is a science when you really dig in,” said Mitch Thisius, co-owner with Bo Olsen of Junction Roastery in Redmond. Expert roasters must learn temperature and timing standards, a roast color spectrum, and a set of new terminology such as going from “First Crack” at 412°F, through “City” to “Full City+,” then “French” to “Burnt“ at higher temperatures of 455°+. The range of a roast-master’s stylistic process produces coffee beans with a wide array of outcomes. When coffee beans are roasted in-house, there’s also an opportunity for a visual tour to see (and smell) the process live.
Sample the beans:
Still Vibrato: Specialty roasts include Top Hat and Squid Ink.
Junction Roastery: See the 1.5 kilo Ozturkbay roaster at work in their historic building which was once the first medical center in Redmond.
Spoken Moto
BREW
Brewing and pouring is an art in itself with a barista orchestrating each step. Creative choices for steeping range from a low-fi pour over, slow Chemex drip or the use of a high-end European espresso machine depending on what will end up in that final cup. Baristas train to learn the subtleties of coffee creation, not to mention the art of foam. Jodi Groteboer, co-owner with Jason Rhodes of Palate a Coffee Bar in Bend, says consistency is key. “Steaming milk, pulling espresso and pouring drinks all day” combined with a“love for learning” are the secrets to being an excellent barista. Then there are the tools of the trade: “In our cafe, you will find our baristas using digital scale, measuring spoons, and even cute little mini whisks to get it right,” Junction Roastery’s Mitch Thisius said.
Find art in a cup:
Palate a Coffee Bar: Have co-owner Jodi Groteboer make an Italiano, a six ounce americano. “It’s the perfect size to sip on for a bit and taste the full expression of the espresso.”
Thump Coffee: Barista Hilary Harvey said, “We all have our latte art specialties,” from foam hearts, tulips and rosettas to even animals.
SIP
The taste notes in a cup of freshly roasted and brewed coffee are an array so vast they have their own flavor wheel. That spectrum and variety is equally colorful in the coffee shops of Central Oregon. It’s in these environments, we see the wide range of settings for the range of how we live our lives: there’s a coffee stop to start the day, meet a friend, hold a business meeting, clock in time at a remote job, or fall in love. Try having your coffee served with distinctive personalities:
Start here to sip:
Spoken Moto: Set amidst a collection of vintage motorcycles in a former mechanic’sshop.
