Wind socks lead a path through the sagebrush as student pilots of Astro Paragliding maneuver nylon canopies into the air, “kiting” as they learn to fly. A barbecue is at the ready for post-training gatherings while Astro Paragliding’s founder, Harrison Ruffin, and his wife, Heather, instruct and tell stories from the sidelines, inviting all who arrive to share their passion for this extreme sport. A pursuit that inspires pilots to travel the world in search of the perfect launch has a home in Central Oregon, roughly 30 miles east of Bend, at Pine Mountain.
“I moved here for the flying,” said Austin Miles, an Atlanta native who now lives in Bend. “Pine Mountain is an epic launch site.”
Photo of Caleb Roberts, by Ely Roberts
Rough gravel roads carved by hang gliders in the 1960s veer off Highway 20, marking the way to this renowned free-flying peak. Chasing evening wind, pilots’ cars kick up dust as they bump along while others carry their 20-pound gliders in packs and hike the trail from the base to the mountain’s top. Then, there are those who turn their kites perpendicular to the ground in front of them and, like wielding a spinnaker on a sailboat, let the wind pull them effortlessly up the hill. A path guides the way through pine trees to a gentle, open slope where a rainbow of bright nylon canopies ruffle in the breeze, awaiting the perfect gust. The Cascade Range frames the western horizon as pilots—some in tandem—take turns running down the gentle slope to inflate their wings with wind and take flight into the open sky.
Experience the Flow
At roughly 6,300 feet, Pine Mountain’s altitude is perfect for soaring and maneuvering with a paragliding wing. The mountain’s wide-open ridge faces prevailing westerly winds that create reliable lift, so even on days with moderate wind speeds, gliders can stay aloft for extended flights. Known as “glass-offs,” Pine Mountain’s late summer evenings have predictable, smooth wind patterns that support flight in every direction. Stretching for miles, the surrounding Badlands wilderness heats unevenly in the sun forming strong thermals—ideal for experienced pilots to gain elevation by circling within them, much like birds of prey. And with plenty of landing spots, year-round sunshine and breathtaking views, Pine Mountain is a paraglider’s paradise.
Photo by Ely Roberts
Training Grounds
Below Pine Mountain’s peak, at the basecamp of Astro Paragliding, free flying is more than a hobby, it’s a way of life.
“You just show up one day and that’s your future,” paraglider Miles said upon landing an evening flight. “The addiction is real.” Creating community since 2019, Astro began with a free kiting clinics and a mission to train pilots to be better, smarter and safer. “We study the weather, we study ourselves, and we study human nature,” Harrison said.
Amidst a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, the Ruffins’ instructional school is known for its high safety standards. “We don’t train ‘sendies’ here,” Harrison said, defining those who have a more risky “send it” attitude. Intentional instruction and respect for the power of nature are at the core of Astro’s philosophy, and the success of its graduated students’ safety history speaks for itself. To earn a license to fly, pilots begin with ground school to master kiting and theory, before moving onto practice solo launches (Harrison supervises these on more forgiving sand dunes at the Oregon coast) and two comprehensive written examinations. While the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) requires an 80% to pass, Astro accepts nothing less than a 93%. “This is aviation,” Harrison said, “A ‘B’ is simply not good enough.”
Photo by Ely Roberts
Take to the Skies
With wings rooted in parachuting technology used for WWII rescue missions and the return of NASA’s space capsules, modern gliders are lighter, more stable and higher-performing, making today’s paragliding safer than ever, according to the USHPA. Still, soaring thousands of feet in the air requires a healthy dose of courage, meticulous meteorology analysis, quality gear and intensive training to achieve symbiosis between the pilot and the wing.
“[It’s] like balancing a broom handle on your palm,” Harrison explained, adding the words of Spanish world champion paragliding pilot and instructor Raul Rodriguez: “I’m teaching you to dance and the glider is your dance partner.”
Photo by Steve Roti
If the skies are calling, head east on any sunny summer evening and look for graceful arcs punctuating the high desert sky. Whether you’re yearning to launch off Pine Mountain’s ridge, soar cross-country, hike-and-fly around the world or become a competitive aerobatic paraglider, begin by taking a tandem flight with Astro Paragliding, Desert Air Riders or Cascade Paragliding Club to experience the rush and feel the camaraderie. A partnership between Project Airtime and Astro Paragliding has paved the way for free adaptive tandem flights for those with mobility limitations, ensuring everyone has the chance to fly. Because once the weather is analyzed, the gear is checked (and double-checked), and the wing fills with wind, the high desert sky opens up to a quiet, peaceful freedom.
In a sport where athletes stand in vertical splits on the back of a cantering horse, courage, teamwork and trust are paramount. An artistic and technical blend of gymnastics, ballet and horsemanship, equestrian vaulting finds its roots in Ancient Roman games and is soon to make its Olympic debut at the 2032 Summer Olympics. In Central Oregon, young athletes train year-round at Hope Mountain Vaulters, one of only three clubs in Oregon and 78 in the United States.
Athletic Artistry at Hope Mountain Vaulters
Combining grace and strength, the performative sport of vaulting involves an athlete executing a series of acrobatic movements while perched on a moving horse. A “lunger” guides the horse with 15 feet of lead rope in a circular walk, trot or canter from the arena’s center throughout the vaulter’s routine. Performed to music, vaulting is judged on a scale of one to 10 for compulsory and artistic elements.
Vivianna Singer (top) & Allison Patron
Led by longtime equestrian and lead lunger Lydia Singer, Hope Mountain Vaulters offers recreational and competitive vaulting programs. “We’re very careful and thoughtful about how we train our horses and vaulters,” Singer explained. Having a horse for a teammate requires a different set of skills than other sports, she added. Care for the horse is woven into the daily practice schedule, and athletes are educated on how to identify a horse’s injuries and ailments. This daily connection is integral to building mutual trust, the foundation of vaulting.
Eleven-year-old national qualifier Emery Mills said, “Our horse, Kitty, always knows what we need. When I’m nervous, she helps me feel calm.”
At Hope Mountain Vaulters, athletes say it’s more than just fun and hard work. “Vaulting has taught me about life,” Emery shared. Riding horses in rodeo-style events since the age of 7, she switched to vaulting in 2020 after a frightening barrel racing experience. Immediately hooked, she’s been dedicated to the sport ever since. “Vaulting got me back in the saddle,” she said. In 2032, Mills will be 19 years old and is working toward a spot in the Brisbane Summer Olympics.
Coached by Hope Mountain’s Julia Walk, 15-year-old canter vaulter Vivianna Singer, is entering the competition season this spring ranked fifth in the nation. Vivianna began vaulting in 2019 and has competed and trained with clubs across the country and in Canada. Her signature move, the “Needle,” earned her a rare perfect 10 in an international competition. Working toward the Junior World Championships, Vivianna, with partner Katherine Midkiff of Serendipity Vaulters in Yamhill, Oregon, won a national title for their pas de deux, an event involving two vaulters performing synchronized movements on the back of one horse, and often lifting each other into the air while the horse circles inside the arena.
Vivianna Singer
Although vaulting appears to be a dangerous pursuit, the intensive training, trust and controlled environment make it safer. Working in a synergistic partnership, the vaulter, lunger and horse are in-tune with each other and adjustments are made if there’s a hint of agitation, Singer explained. Athletes are taught emergency dismounts, and audiences are educated on the etiquette of spectating. “Our horses are chosen for their solid minds,” she said, and arenas—even the soil—are analyzed for safety.
In a sport where athletes as young as 5 years old are perched on a 2,000 pound, 17-hands-tall horse, mental toughness develops naturally—and athletes find ways to combat nerves before entering the arena. Doing the Makarena on the back of her horse is Emery’s tactic, “I get a lot of laughs,” she said. Vivianna focuses on the judges. “I read my horse so I can mirror her,” she explained. “Learning to trust the horse underneath you teaches you how to trust yourself.”
It’s not surprising that a sport reliant on connection fosters a community spirit. “Every club we travel to offers their horses to visiting competitors, along with advice on how to ride them,” Hope Mountain Vaulters volunteer Courtney Eastwood shared. “The vaulting community is all about lifting each other up, safety and respect.”
Offering periodic recitals throughout the year for the public to enjoy, the club also welcomes visitors to watch practice sessions with advanced notice. “Vaulting is so unique. People are really surprised when they see it,” Vivianna said, “It’s a hidden gem.” Read more about Hope Mountain Vaulters.
Each year, the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show graces the Bend stage. Participants create upcycled couture in a celebration of sustainability and innovation, turning trash into treasure. Designs constructed with recycled materials are modeled and auctioned off to support community efforts. On a night when Earth comes first, local talent is the star of the show. [Photo above by Joe Kline, Gear Fix Business Challenge]
Created in 2010 by a group of teachers from Realms Middle and High Schools, the eco-conscious fashion show has grown into a community favorite. The event now features a single runway show with an intermission. The first half showcases younger student designers, adult-designed pieces available for auction and the Business Challenge. The live auction takes place at the end of this first segment. After intermission, the show continues with the Community Garment, older student designs, additional adult pieces not for auction, a continued focus on the Business Challenge and voting. Attendees can enter a raffle to win one of two bikes—a mountain bike and an e-bike. Local restaurants provide food and drinks, making the night a lively celebration of community and fashion.
The fashion show raises more than $20,000 each year for immersive programs at Realms. The funds from the event support the creation of fieldwork and experiences for students outside of the classroom that are not supported by Bend La Pine Schools.
Photo by Joe Kline, Oregon Adaptive Sports Business Challenge
“Coordinated by the efforts of Friends of Realms, a volunteer group of parents and community members, the fundraiser makes possible opportunities ranging from collecting data on Tumalo Creek and climbing at Smith Rock to learning how to play guitar,” said facilitator of creativity and joy Karen Holm. The goal is to align real-life experience with the curriculum to enhance students’ growth.
Photo by Joe Kline, Designers: Delphine Porter and Jadie Witticar
Sneak Peek of the 2025 Event
On May 10, designers, models and community members will gather at The Pavilion in Bend for the 13th annual show. This year’s event will feature two runway shows, educational booths and an eco-market with locally made and sourced goods. Central Oregon food trucks, including The Bob, Big Foot BBQ and The Pizza Cart, will be onsite throughout the evening. Slow Ride Mobile Bar will keep the drinks flowing with locally loved beverages such as Boneyard beer, AVID Cider, cocktails from Crater Lake Distillery, wines from Willamette Valley Vineyards, Humm Kombucha and other nonalcoholic options.
With the tagline, “Transforming Trash and Inspiring Community for a Sustainable Earth,” the Rubbish Renewed organizing committee ‘walks its talk’ by centering the event around conscious practices. Waste stations at the event encourage recycling and composting. Reusable dishware will be used for food and drinks. All signage is made using reclaimed materials. And every item on display in the eco-marketplace will be either re-fashioned, designed to keep trash out of the landfill, or provide interactive education about local resources for living more sustainably.
The 2024 Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show lit up The Pavilion stage with showstopping creations designed by artists from ages 8 to 90 years old. Behind the scenes, hair stylists from Badlands Hair Studio and student makeup artists from Realms High School performed their magic to bring dramatic looks to the runway. Highlighting imagination and ingenuity, the colorful displays of fashion served as a powerful statement about consumption and environmental responsibility, proving that one person’s trash can truly become another’s couture masterpiece. Here’s a snapshot of the 2024 runway hits.
Repurposing an old pillowcase, lids from cat food cans, Coca-Cola bottle tops, sheets of clear plastic from mattresses, bubble wrap and can tabs, Bend High School student Vida Halpern and her sister, Simone Halpren, created an elegant gown that was aptly named“Hold Onto Your Caps.” Their idea was ignited by the amount of unnecessary packaging carelessly thrown into the trash that could be transformed into something beautiful.
With plastic mesh produce bags sourced from the Grass Valley Food Bank, Amity Creek Elementary student Samantha Press designed a whimsical two-piece gown. A rainbow of fairy-like layers comprised the skirt, and fruit and vegetable labels added pops of interest to the coordinating top, creating the flowing garment, “Don’t Mesh with My Dress.”
In a blend of fashion genres, “Camp-torian” was a fusion of science fiction and the Victorian era in a dramatic two-toned gown. Damaged tents and old climbing ropes set the stage for this collaborative past-meets-future design from Gear Fix’s Nico Brilmyer, Kasey Boyd and Ethan Engemann.
Lost ski gloves found their match in the Oregon Adaptive Sports’ entry, “Gloves Off,” by Martha Campbell and Karen Holm. Rescuing Mt. Bachelor’s left-behind gloves and combining them with punctured bicycle tubes, the designers constructed a functional two-piece outfit ready for the trails and slopes in Central Oregon.
A Bend Anesthesiology Group team of two perioperative nurses and two anesthesiologists created “Aeternum,” a dress made of blue wrap commonly used to wrap surgical instruments, to shed light on the issue of medical waste. “Our aim is to highlight ongoing initiatives focused on recycling this material and giving it a new lease on life,” said Dr. Cherie Long. Beyond the catwalk, Long and Dr. Holly Graham are repurposing blue wrap into products such as reusable totes for The Environmental Center’s annual fundraising campaign and for new mothers at the St. Charles Medical Center Family Birthing Center.
With the stroke of a magic wand, “Fairy Rubbish Godmother” floated across the runway in a cloud of pink and purple grace. Gathered from the dump and a local thrift store, artist Carolyn Parker swirled felt scraps, thrifted lamp shades, wood banding, wire, paper flower cutouts, tulle fabric, a salvaged beach sunshade and worn out gym workout tubes into a spectacle worthy of the most fashionable fairy godmother.
Artistry and community spirit reign supreme at the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show, and the driving mission behind the event can be seen in every detail. It raises awareness about personal waste production in a lighthearted and creative way to motivate its organizers, designers, models, vendors and viewers to adopt sustainable habits that reduce their environmental impact. “The show is electrifying,” said Holm. “It is a sophisticated and playful evening of creativity, ingenuity and accessibility, elevating the community in a collective celebration of conscious living.”
More Designs to See
“THE 2ND REINCARNATION OF EARLY 20TH CENTURY COATS”
Designer: Karen Holm | Model: Michi Sato | Materials: Worn-out early 20th-century braided wool rug, made originally from worn-out wool coats
“My great uncle made braided rugs during the Great Depression and World War 2. Living in Roundup, Montana, the winters were long and cold. He gathered worn-out woolen coats and scraps from family and neighbors, and spent hours deconstructing garments, stripping fabric, and manipulating the newly formed strips into braids. This rug was riddled with holes from 80 years of service. I deconstructed, washed, cut, reversed and resewed strands. Then sewed them into this coat, creating “The 2nd Reincarnation of Early 20th Century Wool Coats.”
BUSINESS CHALLENGE: Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity ReStore–“AMPED-UP EVERYDAY HERO”
Designer: DeeDee Johnson | Model: Steve Stevens | Materials: Old speaker wire, chandelier parts, thrift store Halloween cape, thrift store jeans, empty Yerba Mate cans, and pop tops
We drink Yerba Mates. A lot of them. It gives us the energy to do hard things, every day, for affordable housing in our community. We love giving new life to old things and having fun while we do it.
Designer/Model: Olive Morris | Materials: Caprisun pouches, Caprisun straws, thrifted beads, repurposed zipper, repurposed bird netting – Sisters High School
“After being inspired by other artists online, I made a backpack and wallet out of Caprisuns and was immediately interested in creating something bigger. Something as simple as a juice pouch is so quickly used and disregarded, and this piece can help bring to light how much we use without ever noticing our impact.”
BUSINESS CHALLENGE: Lonza Pharma & Biotech –“SCIENCE WEATHERS THE STORM”
Designers: Kari D’Angona, Amy Hansen, Thyia Scott, Nahi Ortiz | Model: Nahi Ortiz | Materials: Deconstructed garments from previous Rubbish Renewal Runway years, more old, stained lab coats, used GC copper tubing, pop can tabs.
This fashion ensemble is inspired by the X-Men character Storm, whose power over the weather and atmosphere is unparalleled. We dyed discarded lab coats black and purple to evoke Storm’s moody elegance, then added pop can tabs scavenged from hundreds of canned beverages and accessorized with copper tubing from gas chromatography equipment, transformed into jewelry. We hope to remind all of the power of science to battle waste, climate change, and more.
Designer/Model: Presley Lester | Materials: Repurposed dress, Repurposed tutu, bubble wrap, thrift store hat, old ornament, magazines rescued from the recycle bin – Pine Ridge Elementary School
“Mother Earth inspired my dress. I hope to visit every place featured on this dress. Fashion has always been my passion!”
Designer/Model: Iris Boettcher | Materials: Repurposed ribbon, rollerblade lace, old newspaper, upcycled jeans – Highland Elementary School
“This lace-up halter top consists of an old pant leg from jeans, with a rollerblade lace-up the front to make a corset effect. Paired with a boring newspaper that we have now made not so boring in a giant frilly tutu. And don’t forget the bright pink bow on the back. I like street style and coquette, and I wanted to find a way to combine the two and share “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Persistence and purpose define entrepreneur Dominiqe Taylor, founder of the sustainable hair products company Consciously Curly Co. A biology and environmental studies graduate of Southern Utah Polytechnic University, Taylor began her venture into the world of beauty products while working in Zion National Park, where she cooked her meals in the shadow of sandstone cliffs. Taylor’s passion for the natural world and sustainable living inspired her to delve into the ingredients that filled her self-care routine, namely products for her kinky-curly hair. She discovered the majority contained properties both carcinogenic and teeming with ground-water contamination toxins. Taylor became passionate about finding cleaner, more inclusive options that were not packaged in environmentally damaging plastics. When she came up empty-handed, she decided to create her own. Determined to help people feel like their best selves without jeopardizing health or the environment, Taylor’s Consciously Curly Co. (CCC) raises the bar for conscious living.
Your story is inspiring and courageous. Walk us through the creation of your products.
I am very much a learn by trial-and-error type of person. Consequently, my products have been made and remade and remade again. They started as painfully simple kitchen concoctions. While I really liked that they were completely natural, I wasn’t in love with the results. Despite this, my curiosity had peaked, and I found myself absolutely loving the experimentation of it all. I decided to take a formulating course online; I read six different textbooks (cover to cover), followed chemist forums, and tested everything I learned. I started expanding the ingredients I worked with–researching each one thoroughly. The formulations today are more sophisticated than their predecessors, but simple in comparison to the products you find in box stores.
I focus on naturally derived, nontoxic and sustainable ingredients to build the formulations that make up CCC products and packaging. Every decision I make centers around inclusivity and sustainability. I don’t want my products to shout, “I’m just for men” or “I’m just for women.” I want them to exemplify what they are–a sustainable option for any race, gender or identity. I really try to hear my customers and give their suggestions a shot. If enough people ask for something, I’ll try to offer it. Changes in the products I offer are a direct reflection of that.
Your logo “Mycohair: Hair on Shrooms,” is intriguing. How did mushrooms become so integral to your product line?
I have always had a deep interest in mycology and spend a lot of my free time foraging mushrooms, so I was thrilled to discover and experiment with the use of mushrooms in haircare. Each mushroom serves a different purpose, but in short, I use mushrooms in the products because they are incredible alternatives to lab-made ingredients–and they work better!
What makes CCC stand out in the beauty product industry?
Consciously Curly Co. brings the intersectionality of environmentalism and inclusivity to the table. I’m a woman of color in the sustainable beauty industry. That brings a whole different dynamic, and begins to fill a hole that is still majorly lacking. Hair products are a big deal in the black community and the lack of products for textured, curly, oily hair just wasn’t acceptable to me. So I started CCC with an aim to bridge that gap. I used what science knowledge I had, took a dive into the formulating world and got to work.
What are your long term goals for CCC?
I want people to have more access to sustainable, nontoxic products as far as affordability and proximity go. I plan to get my products into thousands of eco-shops nationally and internationally. But CCC will always be a small-run, intentionally-led and integrity-driven company. I don’t plan to be present in major box stores, but I want to have more options than online ordering. I also hope to one day offer bottle take-backs to create a closed system of production and waste, and design recycled bottle pumps and spray nozzles–or inspire a developer to create them.
Being an entrepreneur is challenging, tell us: What continues to inspire your journey?
I’ve learned about the power of integrating your passions into your work and how it fuels you to push through really hard times. I promise myself that when I feel the intuitive push to leap, I will without question. That also helps me settle into less than ideal times, trust the process and appreciate the journey. My passion is to connect people to nature through practical means and relatable ways. Mushrooms not only do amazing things for your hair, they get people curious about them. I think the more curiosity we have about nature, the more we are pulled to it. The more we are pulled to it, the more incentive we have to protect it.
The sound of drumming fills the air, a unifying beat pulsing through Bend’s downtown streets. Painted faces of children wearing butterfly wings, furry tails and all the colors of the rainbow dance and twirl and parade to the African rhythm. Standing eight-feet tall in whimsical glory, The Earth Guardians lead the vibrant Procession of the Species as the Bend community gathers, united by a collective love for Mother Nature.
Photo by Elijah Alaka
Bend’s Earth Day Fair & Parade, hosted by The Environmental Center (TEC) the third weekend in April, has been a community celebration since 1990. It is grounded in a mission to honor the Earth by coming together to protect it. “The Environmental Center started the Earth Day celebration to bring the national event to our local community and help Bend feel part of the larger environmental movement,” TEC Executive Director Mike Riley explained. “The throughlines of the original goals have remained, to connect the community to organizations working to protect and restore the environment. All while bringing people together to have fun, play games, eat good food and hear local music.”
What to Expect at the Earth Day Fair & Parade
Priscilla Calleros, TEC’s event and outreach manager since 2020, explored the evolution of the celebration in parallel with the community it serves to inspire. “Covid forced us to take a step back and evaluate how we’ve always done things. We wanted to use Earth Day as an opportunity to make a change. Staying true to the roots of the fair and the beloved things that make it such a well-attended event of the community, while integrating something new,” she said. Driven by the cultural perspective of her Mexican heritage, Calleros wove inclusivity into the celebration. “For many cultural groups, caring for the environment is a way of life. I wanted the Earth Day Fair & Parade to be a celebration of the varied ways all the different cultures who live and thrive in our Central Oregon community honor the environment,” Calleros explained. “So all identities can feel seen, included and welcomed.”
Photo by Elijah Alaka Photography
To make her vision come to life, Calleros commissioned artists representing myriad backgrounds in Central Oregon. Members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have led the welcome ceremony and performed Indigenous music and dance. The art of local high school students representing Aztec and Mayan heritage have adorned the posters for the fair. A Latina group has shared Ballet Folklórico de México. And African drummers and a New Orleans-style brass band have led the procession. For Earth Day 2024, Calleros hopes to have a Central Oregon high school marching band and more performances from the diverse community.
A Visual Center Point for the Annual Event
The Earth Guardians stand as iconic symbols of Bend’s colorful festivities. Created by local artist Teafly Peterson in collaboration with TEC and other artisans, The Guardians guide the Procession of the Species alongside the musicians, a march that culminates at Troy Field. There, Teafly ceremoniously narrates the legend of The River Guardian, The Forest Guardian and The Garden Guardian. It’s a tale woven with themes of connectedness, sustainability and stewardship.
Photo by Udara Abeysekera Bickett
There’s a collective energy that characterizes the Earth Day Fair & Parade, from the pre-parade workshops where children design their own costumes to the vibrance of festival-goers’ smiles; it’s a feeling captured in shared moments. “As the crowd gathered in community to watch the Aztec and Mayan dancers and drummers honor our connection to Mother Earth last year, I started to cry happy tears,” Calleros shared. “It was all so beautiful.” See envirocenter.org.
Perched high on a steep canyon rim overlooking the Deschutes River sits a home affectionately known as “The Cabin.” At the end of its winding driveway, past a stable-turned-bunkroom and occasional sculpture made from old metal tools, the cabin greets visitors with an original Mt. Bachelor Summit chair sitting proudly by its welcoming front door. Warm lights from within cast a golden glow on dark knotty-pine posts and beams forming a cozy living space that embraces all who enter. As it grips the cliffside of a 10-acre lot split by the river 120 feet below, the cabin’s boards shift as the wind whistles past, and its wooden floors creak with every step—a celebration of all the footprints that have left their mark here.
Holding decades of memories, an old leather book with the word “Guests” scripted in gold on its cover sits on the cabin’s coffee table. Corners of thank you cards and pictures peek out of its bulging sides, bearing entries in 5-year old scribbles to polished cursive of moments dating back to 1967, the year the cabin became a centerpiece for Skip Frank’s large Portland family. Long before Portlanders began flocking to Central Oregon, Skip’s mother Paula encouraged her five adult children to join her in purchasing the Tumalo house as a family ski cabin. At the time, Bend had only 12,000 residents and Mt. Bachelor had just two chairlifts — Number 1 and Number 2 chairs.
“My mom was a visionary,” Skip explained, “She found this place and bought it on the spot. We’re a fanatic ski family. But above all, she loved family and didn’t want our family to separate in any way.”
The Patsy Effect
Skip and his late wife Patsy acquired the home as time went on. For decades, they traveled over the mountains from Portland for ski weekends, holidays and long summer getaways at the cabin, accompanied by their children, extended family members and friends from near and far. In 2004, the couple decided to move to Central Oregon and make the cabin their permanent home. With a creative eye, Patsy brought her passion for vintage collections and fashioning art out of ordinary items, filling the cabin with personality and charm.
“Patsy saw things nobody else could see,” Skip said. Outdoor sculptures crafted from barbed wire, garden tools, pipes, branches and a satellite dish stand guard, welcoming all who make the journey. Inside, Patsy’s collections of colorful vintage tablecloths, thermoses, metal picnic baskets, antique cameras, globes and typewriters are carefully displayed with a distinctively “Patsy” retro flair.
Built for Life
The home has been a space designed for the casual day-to-day realities of family life since it was built. Constructed in 1963 by the original owners for their three boys and one black malamute, the cabin has not changed drastically since, even as the world around it has.
“Our rotary phone used to be a party line with all the neighbors up and down the street. You’d pick up the phone and hear someone else talking on the line,” Skip laughed.
Resting atop a large stone hearth, a woodstove anchors the cabin and creates an inviting living space. Vaulted ceilings open up to a western-facing window that reaches the peak of the highest gable, letting in afternoon sunlight and tempting all to wander outside to the deck to witness its high desert views. Looking north and south, the meandering Deschutes River can be seen for a mile in each direction, and the snowy tips of Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters peek above the rim. The deck itself all but takes the breath away with its elevation and closeness to the edge of the cliff. A Dr. Seuss-worthy staircase descends the steep rock outcropping toward the river—76 steps built by Skip’s stepfather that have endured decades of winter storms. From the base of the steps, the journey down to the river follows a makeshift path between juniper trees, around tall boulders and past a hidden cave, giving it all the makings for a grand adventure.
As the sun drops behind the canyon’s rim, the firelit warmth of the woodstove beckons. Hearty couches, chairs and a dining table made by Northwood Furniture appear to have been built with the cabin in mind. Still in perfect condition, the sturdy furniture was purchased by Skip’s mother from Northwood’s manufacturing plant in the former Army training grounds of Camp Abbot—now known to the world as Sunriver.
Just beyond the woodstove, a ladder from a Navy ship invites curiosity, a feature built into the original design. Visually dividing the kitchen and living room, the ladder is a fitting coincidence considering Skip’s father was a WWII Naval officer, so his eldest son was given the nickname “Skipper.”
The kitchen is light, bright and functional, renovated by Patsy with Old-World pantry doors, rough-hewn marble tops and open-shelving for her vintage displays. Climbing the ship ladder leads to a bedroom loft adorned in a handmade quilt, vintage fan and a collection of antique leather suitcases overlooking the golden canyon walls and the river far below.
Legacy in Every Detail
A collection of ski gear and a pair of sleek leather riding boots attract the eye by the cabin’s front door. Nearby, shelves of gathered treasures tell tales of family lore to those who pause long enough to listen. Among them, a magazine photograph of Skip’s parents at the re-opening of Timberline Lodge after WWII; old-fashioned toy cars given to children from Santa Claus at the Portland department store the Frank family once owned; three rows of first-place Pole Pedal Paddle mugs and a signed portrait of Mother Teresa. Everywhere, stories await discovery.
Just beyond the shelves lies a bunkroom where the bottom row of bunks once served as study carrels for the original owners’ three boys. Now there are six bunks, each with its own privacy curtain, ladder and reading light, creating a space where kids and wonder reign.
On the northside of the woodstove, a hallway leads past an antique wooden boot jack and an impressive collection of vinyl records. Beyond, the primary bedroom of the 1,900-square-foot home is announced by Patsy’s favorite piece of art—a glowing fish that draws the eye to the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows which afford a view of the Deschutes that’s so expansive, it appears to be a mural painting.
“We have the river,” Skip said, gazing out at the canyon. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
There’s a word in the German language that has no English equivalent: Gemütlichkeit is described as a feeling of warmth, coziness and good cheer. After traveling across the world from Germany to spend time at the cabin, a guest shared in the guestbook at the end of her stay, “We enjoyed real old-style Bavarian Gemütlichkeit—it couldn’t be better, even in Bavaria.”
An outdoor store dedicated to supporting the local community, Pine Mountain Sports is a dynamic community in and of itself. It is driven by a mission to make staff and customers feel welcome and important. At the heart of it all is Dan McGarigle, the shop’s charismatic owner who wakes up every day, looks out his blinds and says one word: “Stoked.” With a love for Central Oregon, McGarigle leads with gratitude, trust and the motto, “People will forget what you do and say, but they will always remember how you make them feel.” Bend Magazine shares a conversation with Dan McGarigle, revealing not only the origins and impetus behind Pine Mountain Sports, but the humility and heart that has made it the champion of community it is today.
Q: Pine Mountain Sports has been a cornerstone of the outdoors community in Bend since 2000. Tell us about its origins.
I was the kid with the garage where all the BMX kids hung out—I had all the little drawers with all the little bike parts. In the summer, we’d build ramps and fly off these big jumps into a pond. Then we’d go back to my garage and rebuild our bikes. In spring of ‘96, I moved to Bend and got a job working as a bike mechanic at Hutch’s Bicycles Westside–I was there until 2000 when the guys at Hutch’s jumped on an opportunity to open what was then the second outdoor store in all of Bend. I walked into Hutch’s one day, and the manager said, “Dan, we want you to run this new store for us.” So I did. After three years, I purchased Pine Mountain Sports from Hutch’s and moved into [the Century Drive] location in 2004.
Q: To what do you attribute Pine Mountain’s longevity?
I love bikes and I love skiing. But I don’t believe my passions for those activities would have fueled me to stay in this industry. Providing an outstanding experience to our guests and participating in the community at the level that a business can are the things that keep me passionate about what we do. The great thing is, it makes my mom smile. And if something makes my mom smile, I know I’m doing it right.
Q: Your Community Ambassador program has benefited so many nonprofits in our community. How did it get started?
We were fortunate to have Bob Woodward work in the retail store for a year and that’s like having Michael Jordan play on your 8th grade basketball team. He said, “You can continue to offer goods and services to the community and hope that they come to you, or you can go out to the community and tell them why.” This was one of the first times I saw the difference between working in the business versus working on the business. We started a 1% program–donating to five nonprofits here in Bend; but we weren’t maximizing the story that could be told. So we designed the Community Ambassador Program–partnering with one nonprofit for an entire year—using our vehicle to tell their message. Nonprofits have a hard time connecting with small businesses and individuals, especially inside the outdoor community of Bend. That’s where the magic of this program is–we’re simply just connecting the dots. The money raised is essential, but what’s more important is that we are giving nonprofits the opportunity to form new relationships. We focus on access to education, healthcare, shelter and food–the bare essential needs of a family. The magic about the nonprofit community here is that they truly lift each other up. That builds a lot of camaraderie, and we get to be part of that network. I don’t know what feels better than providing a family shelter or making sure kids don’t go through the weekend without a meal. It’s just the right thing to do. And it makes my mom smile.
Q: What do you want people to say when they hear the name Pine Mountain Sports?
“I love going there.” We’ve learned that what we do is one small part of the whole picture– it’s how we do it that matters. A while back, we had a customer named Wes who loved us, but we weren’t providing him the best service. He actually wrote a song about us that went, “Danny, without consistency, you’ll never have integrity.” That messaging came at a really important time for the development of the organization, but also for my personal development. I wasn’t taking the opportunity to evolve into a true business owner. I needed to learn. I wanted to become a better business leader, a better general leader and more importantly, a better person. Our goal is really simple: we want people to be in a better mood leaving here than when they walked in the door. What do I want people to say when they hear the name Pine Mountain Sports? I want them to say, “Man, I love that place.”
A Fusion of Culinary Expertise and Personal Service
In the world of event curation, Sanda Costello and Gene Soto’s Bowtie Catering Company brings a “mom and pop” energy to the Central Oregon catering scene. Theirs is a tried and true partnership grounded in a shared passion for the food service industry. Costello and Soto have custom designed beautiful spreads at high desert events for eight years, earning community recognition and receiving awards for quality and service. From intimate private chef dinners in a client’s home to 800-guest galas, Bowtie Catering delivers culinary inspiration and elevated service to any style of event.
Culinary Business Inspired by Heritage and Community
The unlikely story of Bowtie’s inception stems from the co-owners’ diverse origins and talents. One half of the story can be traced back to Romania, co-owner and business manager Costello’s country of origin. Raised in Eastern Europe where farm to fork was the way of life, Costello describes, “Every single item from produce to meat was worked by us, so farm to fork is something that is very much close to my heart.” Arriving in Bend as a 21-year-old exchange student of environmental engineering, Costello worked as a server in a restaurant and soon became the manager. The restaurant and food service industry had her hooked. Driven by an unyielding work ethic and a vibrant enthusiastic spirit, Costello brings a strength and perspective rooted in her Romanian heritage to Bowtie. “People are my passion,” Costello said, adding how working with clients and engaging with her staff fuels her business sensibility.
Co-owner and head chef Gene Soto knew what he wanted to do for a career from the moment he graduated from high school. In a twist of fate, the former executive chef of New York City’s famed Waldorf Astoria hotel moved to Soto’s hometown of Sunnyside, Washington at that time and gave him the encouragement to pursue a culinary path. Soto recalled, “He told me, ‘You should really take this further, get into an accredited school and get serious about this profession.’” Soto listened. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland, Oregon, he landed a job with the Gray Company–parent organization of Skamania Lodge, Salishan Lodge, Sunriver Resort, the Salish Lodge and The Governor Hotel. Soto worked as a chef for the company for ten years before accepting a job as head chef of Deschutes Brewery, the job that brought him to Bend.
Costello and Soto met while working at Brother Jon’s Alehouse, where they acted as the front-of-house and back-of-house managers, respectively. At the request of a friend, they fused their business and culinary expertise to create an event, and a wave of calls followed. By popular demand, Bowtie Catering Company was formed.
Boutique Caterer Rooted in Personal Service
Proud of the fact that Bowtie started small, with nothing but their own personal investment, Costello and Soto reflect on how much it has grown, driven by recommendations and trust from their clients. “We are always growing and learning,” Costello said. “We are also very rooted in the food service community of Central Oregon. We refer people and receive referrals from others–it’s a very connected community.” Bowtie books hundreds of events in Central Oregon each year and they are content with its current size, wanting to ensure they continue to be as involved, and remain present and flexible for their clients and staff. “We are both very hands-on,” Soto explained, “One or both of us is present at every event.”
Bowtie Offers full-service, fully-staffed catering. “We like to say we are big but small,” Costello said. “We are a boutique caterer that can do large events of any size. Our core group of 5 people makes the magic happen, then we have a roster of loyal and highly qualified employees that are called in for the events. We wouldn’t be able to do it without our staff–we are really blessed by the number of good people we are able to pull every year,” she said. Occasionally, Costello and Soto’s respective families jump in to serve as well.
Pacific Northwest Fusion Cuisine
Bowtie specializes in elevated Pacific Northwest cuisine, drawing on Soto’s extensive training in the region. Fresh salmon, tri-tip and local mushrooms fill their menus, but they define their cuisine as “fusion” since Soto’s breadth of knowledge allows him to be able to craft food for any theme. If a taco or pasta bar is desired, no problem. He perfected the art of Ethiopian cuisine by request for a Doctors Without Borders event, “A Night for Ethiopia,” honoring the organization’s service in Eastern Africa. “A guest at the event came up and asked us where in Bend our Ethiopian restaurant was located so she could come enjoy the cuisine more,” Costello shared, giving a nod to her business partner’s expertise. Sourcing their food locally when available and when the event’s budget allows, Bowtie has worked with Pioneer Ranch, Vaquero Valley Ranch, Boundless Farms, Rainshadow Organics and others in the region. They love to do farm-to-fork dinners and have used clients’ personally caught fish and meats to create intimate and connected dining experiences. Well-versed in curating menus conscious of modern dietary restrictions, from gluten and dairy-free to paleo and keto, Costello explained how they guide their clients to select all-inclusive menus that allow all guests to indulge, regardless of dietary needs.
Dishes Prepared with Attention to Detail
A primary goal for Bowtie Catering is to create and present food that is special–elevated, beautiful cuisine that would not be easily made in the home. Costello said, “I feel like food is just as good as you see it. We always add special touches, charred lemons, microgreens or fresh herbs, such as rosemary sprigs and fresh basil, and special sauces like handmade chimichurri. We play around with what’s in season, involving ourselves in the environment as we curate the menus.” Costello and Soto are experts at knowing what food will stay fresh in high desert settings. “We adjust for the conditions,” Costello shared, “and sometimes change menus, even the morning of an event– we’re always thinking– we pride ourselves on being flexible, which is necessary for the diverse conditions of Central Oregon.”
With artistic and European presentation, dishes made by Bowtie Catering align with the spirit of each event to make an impact. For larger parties, Costello and Soto encourage their clients to choose family style platters over the more traditional buffet, which allows guests to eat at the same time and have space to interact and connect while enjoying the meal together. Costello has a strong sense for the rhythm of events, especially the complexity of weddings, and how the role of the food service plays into the overall flow and structure. Presentation and service are paramount to the owners of Bowtie Catering. For almost a decade, they have created beautiful dishes, presenting and serving them with care to enrich celebrations across Central Oregon.
For Heylen Thienes, principal designer at Tricorn Black in Bend, designing a space is much more than a marriage of function and form. It’s about getting to know her clients, building a foundation of trust and working to create a feeling that reflects their unique energy. For the utility room and half bathroom remodel of an Awbrey Butte 2001 Craftsman, Thienes seamlessly wove in meaningful and functional elements to create an accessible, refreshing and appealing space that makes even the most tedious daily chores feel inspired.
To begin the design process, Thienes took the time to learn about her clients’ lifestyle, experiences and personal tastes. She inquired about a favorite vacation, a collection or hobby and a beloved movie, asking whether the set design or the costuming spoke to them. “These bits of seemingly mundane information tell me so much about my clients’ energy and about what makes them tick. These answers are the core of their design language, and I use it all as inspiration as I am envisioning their space,” Thienes shared.
What began as a tight, dark mudroom, laundry room and half bath, an area that lacked adequate storage and functional accessibility, was transformed into a visually- cohesive space, addressing her clients’ interests, lifestyle and goals while staying true to the integrity of the home’s architectural details. Inspired by her clients’ love of the colors, shapes and patterns of the Mediterranean, Thienes wove in elements and hues that evoke the vibrance and warmth of the Andalusian region. A collection of art hanging in the home formed the inspiration for the patterns and tonal range in the selected finishes, further grounding the space in her clients’ specific taste and interests.
Heylen Thienes, principal designer at Tricorn Black in Bend
The challenge of making a small, darker area feel lighter and more spacious requires creative design expertise and carefully selected materials. Thienes chose recessed lighting to illuminate the utility room and half bath and a door with a glass panel to allow extra light to flood in. Using a variety of reflective and matte materials in different hues, Thienes arranged them in a visual hierarchy, starting with lighter and brighter ones at the top to attract the eye upward, adding wallpaper and bright paint above the chair rail to capitalize on their high reflective value. Taking advantage of the light coming in through the new door, Thienes selected polished countertops and balanced them with wallpaper in a matte finish. The millwork was painted the deep blue of Still Water by Sherwin Williams in a semi-gloss sheen to bounce light and further enlarge the feeling of the space.
While these design features add sophistication and depth, the first element to grab the eye is the patterned tile on the floor. Thienes selected the polished finish and motif of the tile, “not just to reflect light, but to create visual interest so you focus on its beauty rather than the size of the space it is covering.” The tile choice has layers of functional dimension beyond its aesthetic appeal. As a laundry room and mudroom, the reality of the day-to-day life of the mudroom was carefully considered. This is a lively space where laundry is done, dogs come and go from their time outside, kids drop their backpacks and sports gear, and the hustle and bustle of life doesn’t stop for constant cleaning and organizing. A continuous four-inch-by-four-inch patterned tile throughout the entire floor not only eliminates the need for transitions and chances of tripping, but the small-scale tiles also provide grip for an activity-filled room and serve to hide life’s daily dirt by distracting the eye with visual appeal.
For the plumbing fixtures, Thienes chose contemporary brass to balance the millwork details and the adjacent patterns and colors. Considering all the different ages and stages of life represented in her clients’ families, Thienes selected a floating vanity and lever-style handles for operational ease, creating a functional and elegant design. When choosing finish details, Thienes explained, “We used finishes that either add to the character of the home, such as the crystal handle for the closet, or blend in seamlessly, such as the new pocket door added between the mudroom and laundry room.”
This small project reflects a larger design sensibility. As a child growing up admiring the intricate architectural details and artistry of the buildings and museums of London, Thienes brings a historical depth of knowledge and appreciation that informs her designs every day. “I believe that our experiences, and nostalgia, shape our design language,” she said. “This information serves my design process as I work on each client’s unique needs and style.”
She shared how thinking about the way people want to feel and what they may want to achieve in a particular room became the impetus behind her career path. “This is what drew me to interior design in the first place, the opportunity to create spaces that meet both our physical and emotional needs, affecting our mood and even attitude toward mundane chores like laundry.”
Thienes believes in respecting the architectural bones of a home and making design choices to create longevity, save costs in the long run and build attainable sustainability into the project goals. The remodel achieved its vision on every level, resulting in a re-imagined space that makes a utility room an inviting and vibrant place to be, bringing beauty to life’s everyday functional details. See tricornblack.com.
