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Why Dogs Love Life in Bend, AKA Dog Town USA

Lily the Anatolian shepherd lives a full life here in Central Oregon—chasing squirrels through the high desert, riding co-pilot for drives through the mountains and splashing in the cold water of the Deschutes River. It’s a life her dad/owner, Nigel Wade, is proud to offer her. He snaps photos of Lily playing with her friends, a pair of German shorthair pointers named Riley and Maevis, he films her bouncing through snow for her TikTok account and he posts her milestones on the popular Dogs of Bend Facebook group. “We love living here and exploring together,” said Wade, who fostered and then adopted Lily through Cascade Canine Rescue East and West, or CCREW, in 2018.

Lily the Anatolian shepherd, photo Jill Rosell — Lily the Anatolian Shepherd | Photo by Jill Rosell

Before moving to Bend in 2014, Wade said he tried to make life fun for his previous dogs while living in Portland. But he didn’t always feel like the dogs were having the best experiences. “Us dog owners were only able to rush home on our lunches and take our pooches for your typical boring leash walk around your neighborhood or maybe go to a tiny, fenced-in dog park to let them play with other dogs,” Wade said. After arriving in Bend and adopting Lily, Wade began to appreciate the dog utopia that is Central Oregon. “Being a dog parent here in Bend allows us to literally hike along a beautiful river with our dogs legally unleased. Sniffing so many smells. Chasing chipmunks. Swimming in the river. Climbing rocks. A dog can be so much more of a dog here in Bend.”

Wade is one of thousands of dog owners in Bend, with some estimates in the past that suggested there’s one dog for every three people in the city. As more dogs move in, the dog-friendly services and activities in Bend continue to grow. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it’s everything from dog-friendly menu items at restaurants to doggie acupuncture and mud baths to playgroups and daycare, and even a new dog-friendly beer (it is Bend, after all). Bend is truly a dog town like no other.

Licensed Dogs in the City of Bend: 11,197 | In Deschutes County: 16,882

Doggone Fun!

When pups arrive at the five-and-a-half acre Doggieville Ranch, they see far more than a grassy yard for training, dog daycare and boarding. The ranch, 20 miles north of Bend and just west of Redmond, is the archetype of dogs living the good life, with hiking trails, swimming and plenty of room for naps after a long day. Owner Trudy Gardner describes it as a doggie “amusement park,” welcoming a small number of pups each day for training, daycare or overnight boarding. “We wanted to create a wonderful, clean and green environment with water features, structures to play on, space to run and areas where your dog can be alone, if wanted,” said Gardner, who moved from California to Central Oregon in 2016. “I am the epitome of a Bend dog owner. It’s why I moved here,” Gardner said. The facility goes above and beyond a traditional dog kennel, and has seen so much demand from the region’s dog owners that she and co-owner Larry Johnson are opening a second location right in Redmond. “With so many people moving to Redmond and Bend, keeping up with the demand is becoming more and more difficult. This will give us an opportunity to entertain more dogs,” said Gardner, who loves offerings pups room to roam and have fun even when their owners are on vacation. “We have so many fun things to do at the ranch because just like kids, dogs get bored,” Gardner said.

The ability to roam free is one of the best parts about being a dog in Central Oregon, according to members of DogPAC, a local organization that works to expand off-leash access for dogs in the area. The group works with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bend Park and Recreation District to enhance off-leash offerings and push for more off-leash water access. Members helped create and maintain the area’s only off-leash ski and snowshoe trails and help with maintenance of the Deschutes River Trail and Rim Rock “Good Dog” Trail, both just outside of Bend off Century Drive.

In addition to miles of off-leash hiking trails in the nearby forests, Bend itself is home to eight off-leash dog parks, with a mix of fenced and unfenced options, and some with small dog areas or water access. Residents in Bend are enthusiastic about having dedicated areas and amenities for dogs and dog owners, according to Julie Brown, communications and community relations manager for the Bend Park and Recreation District. Brown said during regular community surveys about what the community wants from the district, offerings for dogs are always top of the list. “Amenities for dogs and dog owners are always really highly ranked, and so that’s one of the reasons we have prioritized that from our community,” Brown said. In 2022, Bend will debut its ninth off-leash dog park, a section of the planned Alpenglow Community Park in the southeast part of town.

Good Manners in Bend

While dogs are seemingly everywhere in Bend, not everyone is a “dog person” and many people are afraid, allergic or have other reasons for wanting to keep their distance. Don’t allow dogs, even friendly ones, to run up to strangers.
Dogs should always be on a leash in public, except when in a specific off-leash area. Even then, owners should carry a leash and keep dogs within sight and under voice control at all times.
Dog owners must clean up after their dogs. Bags and receptacles are available at most parks and along many trails in town.
If your dog is misbehaving or acting aggressively, immediately remove your dog from the area, and take responsibility for any damage or injury caused.
Licenses are required for all dogs living in Deschutes County, and can be obtained from the county and some veterinary offices, once dogs are at least six months old and vaccinated for rabies. Puppies in Bend must be through their first cycle of vaccinations before visiting city parks and trails.

Everest, photo by Christian Murillo — Everest | Photo by Christian Murillo

Taking Care: Healthy Hounds

When humans move to a new place or gauge the quality of living in one city versus another, healthcare is often an important topic. And for many dog owners in Central Oregon, the area’s health and wellness offerings for pooches are of upmost importance. It’s another area in which Bend has gone above and beyond, offering top-notch veterinary care and some unique wellness offerings sure to leave any dog thriving, pampered and with a clean bill of health.

When Heather and Nick Downing-Barrier’s Saint Bernard mix Arwen was diagnosed with osteosarcoma — bone cancer — the family began a process to treat the disease. Arwen’s leg was amputated, and she underwent chemotherapy and physical therapy, all here in Bend. “I follow a lot of other osteosarcoma dogs in Instagram, and not everyone is so fortunate to live in areas that offer all these services,” said Heather Downing-Barrier. Arwen went to Stride Canine Rehabilitation and Fitness Center in southwest Bend, where she used an underwater treadmill and balance disks as part of her therapy. With successful treatment here in town, Arwen’s prognosis improved, and she continues to explore Central Oregon today — often via a paddleboard on a nearby lake.

Elsewhere in Bend, dogs are getting a mix of wellness and healthcare through services like canine acupuncture and chiropractic care, both of which are offered at Sage Veterinary Alternatives. Veterinarian Leslie McIntyre was one of only two providers offering acupuncture when she first moved to Central Oregon in 1990, but today she estimates there are as many as fifteen providing the service. McIntyre uses acupuncture and other Chinese medicines to treat everything from arthritis and joint pain to cancer and other chronic diseases. Among McIntyre’s patients are geriatric and injured dogs, as well as hardworking agility pups, mushers and other sporting dogs.

Healthy pooches can get clean and even indulge a bit at many of the grooming facilities in town. At Muddy Paws bath house on Century Drive, owners can drop off Fido for a bath, grooming or more extensive services, like a canine massage or mud bath. Dogs can soak in hydrating oils and vitamins for a deep clean or in peppermint and menthol oils to invigorate an athletic or arthritic body. The mud baths can help with shedding and leave the dogs with hydrated skin and a glossy coat, plus they’re massaged in, something that bath-loving dogs enjoy, said owner Kimberly Rafilson.

“They’re getting a little more of that hands on treatment than they would with a typical bath,” Rafilson said. “It really makes a huge different with the dog’s coat.” An a la carte menu offers more options for dogs, including a brush out, nail trim and polish or teeth brushing.

Jaxson, photo by Jill rosell — Jaxson loves to play in the Deschutes River in Bend, especially if there is a ball involved! | Photo Jill Rosell

Bend, Oregon is a Doggie Destination

Over the years, Bend has earned a dog-friendly reputation, and even accolades. The city was named the most dog-friendly place in the country by Dog Fancy magazine in 2012 and again by Dogster magazine (which merged with Dog Fancy) in 2017. These rankings recognize that Bend is not only a dog-friendly place for locals, but also a destination for those who prefer to travel with their four-legged companions.

Bringing a dog to Bend? Consider staying at the Oxford Hotel downtown, which offers a welcoming pet package at a cost of $59 per stay. Dogs are given an appropriately sized pet bed, two travel bowls (one to keep), organic dog treats and a map of local walking trails and parks. The hotel will even take care of the walk for you for an additional fee.

While out and about in Bend, it’s not uncommon to see dogs joining their owners at a growing number of restaurants that offer outdoor dining. At Worthy Brewing on the east side of town, dogs enjoy a spacious, shaded patio and, if they’re lucky, something from the dog menu. For $5, dogs can grab a Diggy Dog Scoop (chicken breast, carrots and cucumber) or an unseasoned burger, known as a Diggy Patty.

Speaking of breweries, some offer brews that support local animal causes, including Cascade Lakes Brewing Co., which debuted its new Pawsitive Pale Ale earlier this year. One dollar from each six pack sold at locations in Bend and Redmond support Central Oregon’s BrightSide Animal Shelter. Taking it a step further is 10 Barrel Brewing Company, which earlier this year released Good Sit Pup Ale, a non-alcoholic “beer” which is a glucosamine-enriched malt product safe for dogs to drink. All the net proceeds from the sale of the ale goes toward local shelters. If you ask your dog, they’ll tell you the ale is best enjoyed out in the sunshine, at the end of another dog-friendly Central Oregon adventure.

Q&A with Bend’s MODERNFAB

Creating well-designed metal fabrications for homes, businesses and public spaces requires a clear artistic vision and refined technical skills. That’s exactly what Doug Wagner, owner of MODERNFAB, brings to the table. Wagner brought his business from Missouri to Central Oregon more than a decade ago and builds everything from fireplace facades to hand railings, furniture, cabinets, sculptures and all types of custom projects. He shared with us some of the stories behind his craftsmanship.

Q: How did you first become interested in fabrication?

A: I started out building with Legos, which gave me problem- solving skills early on. Growing up in Missouri, I had access to my dad’s shop and metal-working tools, and also enjoyed sketching everyday objects, which taught me to have a trained eye. I found that working with my hands and using materials that I could get quick, visual results with was satisfying.

How did your artistic pursuits lead you to starting your business, MODERNFAB?

After high school, I attended the Kansas City Art Institute, graduating with a degree in fine arts. A couple years later, I came back to the Art Institute as a staff member in the metal shop and taught a few elective classes. I started working on my own projects between classes. Before long, I was taking custom orders for metal fabrication projects, and the business was born.

How did you end up in Central Oregon?

In 1999, my wife Shelly and I took a road trip through the Pacific Northwest. While we really blazed through Bend at the time, we had heard “Bend is the new Boulder, Colorado.” We kicked around the idea of moving to Oregon for years, and finally in the summer of 2010 made the leap, along with our daughter, who was 6 at the time. Once we were settled, I focused on rebuilding my business with local clients.

How would you describe your design style?

Clean, minimal and modern details make me happy, hence [the name] MODERNFAB.

Walk us through the process of creating something start to finish.

The process usually starts with a meet and greet with a client to define the parameters of the project. Collaboration happens among all parties involved to start understanding the design intent, materials, finishes and budget. I start with renderings to create a visual reference for approval, and then the project can be built and installed.

What is it like running your own business and working with clients?

I treat every project like it’s for my own home. This creates a sense of pride, ownership and gratitude, knowing I am building a project that will get visual attention or be used daily as a functional part of someone’s life. A lot of my work is about building trust with clients, which means making them feel comfortable and educating them about the process.

Do you have any favorite projects?

I build so much, it’s really difficult to have a favorite, but a few projects stand out in my memory. One of my favorite pieces was a permanent sculpture for Central Oregon clients who wanted the piece for their home in San Francisco. They gave me a desired size, a budget and a bit of inspiration, and I started designing. Logistical considerations included transporting the piece to California and installing it on the rooftop garden of a garage, so it couldn’t be too heavy. The finished piece was made of 3/8-inch thick aluminum, cut with a water jet and then triple-powder coated in a shiny bright orange color.

Do you have any projects on public display in Central Oregon?

Several. A fun spot to check out is Stoller Wine in the Box Factory, which has some of my furniture, benches, a large facade cooler wall and drink taps. While at the Box Factory, also check out Modern Games where there are a couple large-scale tables and benches that I built. Then swing by Lone Pine Coffee Roasters downtown; I built the large steel- and-glass window front system that separates the sitting area from the coffee-roasting and bagging space.

What’s next for the company and your future?

I’d like to work toward more art-based sculpture work, in addition to keeping up with the architectural demand. I recently designed and built my own home, as well as a work studio on property on the outskirts of Bend. I won’t have to hustle quite as hard to pay rent on a shop since I can now work from home. I’m looking forward to spending more time on projects that inspire me creatively and artistically.

Bend’s MODERNFAB Offers Sleek Fabricated Designs

How did you first become interested in fabrication?

I started out building with Legos, which gave me problem-solving skills early on. Growing up in Missouri, I had access to my dad’s shop and metal-working tools and also enjoyed sketching everyday objects, which taught me to have a trained eye. I found that working with my hands and using materials that I could get quick, visual results with was satisfying.

How did your artistic pursuits lead you to start your business, MODERNFAB?

How did you end up in Central Oregon?

How would you describe your design style?

Clean, minimal and modern details make me happy, hence [the name] MODERNFAB.

Walk us through the process of creating something start to finish.

What is it like running your own business and working with clients?

Do you have any favorite projects?

Do you have any projects on public display in Central Oregon?

What’s next for the company and your future?

More about MODERNFAB. Click here to read more HOME + DESIGN stories with us.

Steve Tague

Just six years ago, Bend’s Steve Tague knew nothing of the world of competitive indoor rowing. While he’d tried rowing machines in gyms over the years, it wasn’t until his mid-50s that Tague became obsessed with the sport. Today, Tague has three consecutive world championships and a world record under his belt, and he is building a coaching business to train others as indoor rowers as well.

Finding His Potential

A slower pace of life for his growing family led Tague to move to Central Oregon in 1996, after years spent in New York City building a professional photography business and a stint in New Jersey as a helicopter news reporter. In Bend, Tague raised two sons, Max and Dakota, now 27 and 28, and met his wife, Mary, while continuing to pursue photography.

Tague stayed active over the years, but it wasn’t until 2017 that a random discovery pushed his athletic pursuits forward. A trip to an allergist revealed that Tague had been allergic to peanuts, wheat, soy and corn all along. When he cleaned up his diet, Tague said he suddenly felt like Superman.

While he was excited to push himself with this new-found energy, his body wasn’t ready for it. A sore back, and arthritis affecting his hip and knee, were exacerbated by workouts in a gym. To prevent further damage, Tague was advised to stick to low-impact exercises—biking, swimming or rowing. The first two options didn’t interest him, but rowing? He kind of liked that.

Indoor rowing has led me into a world of coaching and helping others, which is something I truly enjoy.”

The Competition Begins

As Tague learned more about indoor rowing, he discovered a lively community of athletes worldwide competing virtually—and in person—in simulated rowing races. “Not a lot of people in the United States are aware that competitive indoor rowing is even a thing,” Tague said. “But around the world it’s a very popular sport.” Tague bought a Concept2 Row Erg machine, a piece of equipment used by indoor rowers globally, and soon realized he may have a shot at breaking into the top 100 rankings for his weight class (lightweight) and age (then the 50 to 59 age bracket). After he broke the top 100, he eyed the top 50, top 25, then the top 10. In 2020, Tague headed to Paris for the World Indoor Rowing Championships, where he earned a silver medal in the 500 meter. “I was thrilled,” said Tague, who was able to meet his virtual competitors in person for the first time.

By the fall of 2022, Tague had his eye on the upcoming U.S. Rowing Indoor Championships and World Rowing Indoor Championships, both scheduled for the following February. He told his wife it would be the “last crazy year” of competitions and training before he allowed his body to rest. Then, in late December, Tague slipped outside one icy morning, landing on his side and tearing the tendons of his shoulder. “Not being able to move my arm, I was planning on withdrawing from both the national and world championships,” Tague said. “With the help of doctors from The Center, a local physical therapist, local acupuncturist and a local massage therapist, I was able to rehab within a month to be able to compete.”

At the national competition, Tague swept his age bracket, with gold medals in the 500-meter and 2,000-meter races. At the world championships, he hoped to do the same and wrap up his professional career. He won gold in the 500 meter, but in the 2,000-meter race, a virtual competitor from the Netherlands overcame Tague at the end of the race, beating him by four-tenths of a second. “I was extremely disappointed,” Tague said. “And I think my wife knew how disappointed I was. She looked at me and said, ‘I guess we’re going to Prague.’”

The Future of Tague

As he trains for one last world competition, being held in Prague this coming February, Tague is also training others through his business Rowed to Fitness. There, he serves as a personal trainer, certified rowing coach and sports nutrition coach, offering clients certified metabolic testing and analysis. Tague said he’ll continue indoor rowing himself as long as possible and coach forever as a way to share the sport with others. “This is something that I’m going to be doing for the rest of my life,” Tague said. “Indoor rowing has led me into a world of coaching and helping others, which is something I truly enjoy.”

Click to read more stories about our vibrant Central Oregon COMMUNITY, BUSINESSES or our HERITAGE.

Workspaces for Creativity in Bend

As a budding artist designing clothing and handmade leather goods, Alicia Renner (image shown above) found a sense of community at a shared artist workspace, Poet House, which once existed in downtown Bend. “The energy of being in a space like that is so motivating,” said Renner, who a few years later found the same sense of place at The Workhouse, a collective of artist studios that popped up in the early 2010s in Bend’s Old Ironworks Arts District. There, Renner rented a studio space which included use of The Workhouse’s retail area. It allowed her to test out new products and interact with customers to gather feedback on designs for her new business, Howl Goods, said Renner, who continued to live in Bend and operate her small business.

Alicia Renner of Howl Goods at work — Alicia Renner of Howl Goods

Renner is one of a growing number of creatives who are using collective workspaces for artists, maker spaces and shared workshops. These spaces are like incubators for their businesses, where they tinker on new projects, swap ideas with fellow creators, and, in many cases, use the spaces to meet their first customers. In addition, spaces including The Workhouse and DIYcave in Bend are also businesses themselves, renting studio spaces or offering classes or memberships to operate, while also generating a small income for owners.

Eric Padilla making cutting boards from reclaimed-maple cabinet doors at the DIYcave.

Building the Dream at The Workhouse

For Cari Brown, the idea for The Workhouse came about unconventionally after the historic building on southeast Scott Street opened up for lease in 2011. Brown was working next door at a since-closed art shop, and was hopeful the vacant space would attract an artsy neighbor.

“The space became available abruptly, and we [with co-owner and husband Christian] really hoped it would be something interesting and bring more foot traffic to the area,” Brown said. “Then we thought, ‘Hey, we could do something cool.’”

Marianne Prodehl of Junk to Jems, Prodehl works on her jewelry line at The Workhouse

The first iteration of The Workhouse was sixteen studio spaces for working artists to rent out, with opportunities to mingle with other artists. Before long, the space was reconfigured to have fewer studios, but to include a large communal table to work at or host classes, and space to sell goods created by the resident artists and others in Oregon. Creatives pay a fee for their studio space, and together the rent money covers the cost of operating The Workhouse.

On the retail side, artists pay a small commission for work sold at The Workhouse, allowing the Browns and her co-owner and husband, Christian Brown, to earn a small profit. Just as The Workhouse was finding its groove, another creative workspace was being conceived just a mile down the road. The DIYcave is the brainchild of a group of Bendites who came together with the idea of creating the city’s first maker space in late 2014.

Building the Dream at the DIYcave

Aaron Leis and his wife Charah Leis had leased a space on southwest Ninth Street with plans to open a workshop called Maker Station. Through word-of-mouth, they connected with Tim Willis and Dave Danek, who were brewing up a similar business idea, and had another name in mind—DIYcave—and the group joined forces as business partners. The first building of the DIYcave opened to curious passersby later that year, and officially opened to the public in early 2015, with the group slowly adding new buildings and expanding the creative offerings of the space over the next eight years.

Today, the DIYcave is operated by Aaron Leis and Willis, and is home to spaces equipped with tools for woodworking, welding, blacksmithing, laser cutting, 3D printing, glass projects, jewelry making and other creative explorations.

Even on a weeknight, the DIYcave campus will be abuzz. You might see a couple of female woodworkers operating saws and a family working together on a live-edge table with an epoxy river down the middle. You might also see an open session for jewelry makers and a builder working on the finishes for a tiny home, parked outside the woodshop. At the same time.

“It’s very inspirational to walk through here,” said Leis. The goal of the DIYcave was to create a space that felt accessible and welcoming to anyone, from a college student to a single parent. “We wanted there to be no barrier to entry.” Interested do-it-yourselfers can join the DIYcave community by signing up for a class or paying an hourly rate for shop time to work on a project independently. Frequent users pay for memberships and some artists and builders rent out studio spaces, where they can store supplies and projects.

Shawna Ziegenbein of Sansarc Culture. — Shawna Ziegenbein of Sansarc Culture

While the DIYcave owners themselves are operating the business, Leis also acknowledges the role the space plays in launching the businesses of others. This is true for a glassworker who rents out studio space to an artist who went from experimenting on the laser cutter one day to launching a company to sell topographic trail maps the next. Leis estimated about seventy percent of DIYcave users are creating items for themselves. Thirty percent are working on projects with monetary motivations.

Work Space for All

Bend’s artistic workspaces are tied together by what they offer the public—a place to connect with other creatives, room to experiment and the opportunity to pursue a new hobby or career. For jewelry artist Marianne Prodehl, joining The Workhouse gave her the opportunity to pursue jewelry-making more seriously and consistently, without the overhead cost of operating her own shop.

“From a business aspect, joining The Workhouse made my business grow like crazy,” said Prodehl, who staffs The Workhouse retail shop at least twice per month—a requirement for studio members. While her company, Junk to Jems has never been Prodehl’s full-time vocation, she said The Workhouse has played an important role in her company’s success. “It really helped me develop my following,” she said.

Mud Lake Studios has work space for ceramic artists

For clothing and leather-goods artisan Renner, who operates Howl Goods, the impact collective workspaces had on her professional trajectory can’t be understated. After being a studio member at The Workhouse, Renner has gone on to operate her own artist workspace and retail shop next door, called Mud Lake Studios. Here, she runs a shop selling her own products, as well as goods from dozens of ceramists who rent out artist workspaces. Renner said the goal of Mud Lake Studios is to show aspiring artists what’s possible if they decide to dive into a creative hobby or business.

“We provide all the equipment and tools you need, and you can choose to do what you want with that,” Renner said. “Artists can really see what is a viable future business option for them. Or they can experiment—try new designs and see if anyone likes them. Sometimes people are surprised to find out what sells.”

High Camp Taphouse in Sisters Serves up Nepalese Food for a Cause

When Bend resident Pema Sherpa went home to Nepal during the pandemic, she was once again exposed to the difficult realities that are a part of being from a developing nation struggling with poverty. Nepal is home to about 126 ethnic groups, each with their own languages, and each with a ranking as part of the country’s Hindu caste system. While Sherpa such as Pema and her partner Nurbu are in a minority-ranked ethnic group, Sherpas have benefited financially from tourism in the northern Buddhist Himalayan area. Some other tribes are viewed as outcasts, and are shunned and suffer significantly from poverty. On Pema’s last trip to Nepal, she learned about an ethnic group in southern Nepal whose people were working fourteen-hour days, surviving off eating field mice and unable to afford things such as clothing or being able to send their children to school. She was motivated to do something.

In summer 2022, the couple opened High Camp Taphouse in Sisters, a taproom and Himalayan restaurant that sends proceeds to Nepal to help the struggling Nepali people she learned about back home. “We weren’t really planning to open a brick and mortar restaurant before this,” Pema said. Pema and Nurbu had previously operated Bend’s Himalayan Bites food cart, which they opened in 2016 and gave to relatives from Nepal to operate during the pandemic. Pema knew it would take something more significant than a food cart to generate the type of income to make a difference for the people back in Nepal.

High Camp Taphouse took over a location on the south end of Sisters previously occupied by pizza and beer stop Hop & Brew. Nurbu led the way on updates for the space, including removing the drop ceiling, tearing out a hallway that divided the interior and adding a roll up, glass garage door for seasonal access to the patio and fresh air when needed. Outside, there is space in the parking lot for High Camp to house a few food trucks in the summers.

With remodeling underway, the couple got to work crafting a menu of Himalayan recipes, drawing from their mutual love of cooking and feeding others. Pema said that her mother had owned a restaurant in Nepal for a time, and was a good chef who shared her knowledge with Pema. “I got to work with her in her restaurant and learn all the tricks,” she said.

On a visit to High Camp Taphouse, Nurbu was eager to cook and serve a sampling of dishes from the restaurant’s simple but mighty menu. A highlight among starters is the vegetable samosa, a warm pastry filled with spiced potato and vegetables, served with mint chutney. A popular entree is the chau chau noodle dish, which is a mix of udon noodles, fresh vegetables, chicken and savory spices. One of Pema’s favorites is momo, a dish of Sherpa dumplings stuffed with ground beef and pork, vegetables and spices and served with a tomato-based sauce. Pema explained that in Nepal, the cooking of momo often happens for a special occasion, and several people will come together to make it, each taking on a specific task such as forming or rolling dough or making the sauce.

All of the dishes on the High Camp Taphouse menu are packed with traditional spices used in Nepal, some of which are hard to come by in Central Oregon. Pema said she makes regular trips to Portland to get the freshest versions of some spices, and she also brings back suitcases full of ingredients when traveling. The well-spiced, warming meals pair well with High Camp’s twenty taps, which include local beers, ciders and seltzers.

In addition to helping the people in Nepal, Pema sees the restaurant as a way to nourish and connect with people in Central Oregon through the food, which is made with care and love. “My main goal is to make our food just like it is at home. In Nepal, we heal with food,” Pema said. “And the flavor of our food comes from our thoughts. Which is why we cook with gratitude, joy and love.”

High Camp Taphouse | 523 E Highway 20, Sisters | (541) 904-4694 | highcamptaphouse.com

Click here to read more about our local food and restaurant scene.

Bend Nonprofit Furnish Hope Transforms Empty Houses into Homes

After years of living off the grid, Jason Daniels and Lindsay McAnulty moved into Bend to secure permanent housing that would be suitable for their blended family, which includes five children and a set of twins on the way. While Central Oregon nonprofits NeighborImpact and Housing Works helped the couple secure a home, the inside was empty. That’s when they learned about Furnish Hope, an organization that could provide furniture and other household necessities to fill the space. “Not only did they provide everything, but they delivered it to our house,” McAnulty said. Furnish Hope helped the family secure everything from bunk beds and a crib to a carpet shampooer and a copier/printer. “We didn’t have any money for furniture, so it’s been amazing,” McAnulty said.

From Left to Right: Mary Barlow, Co-founder / Finance Director | Kailyn Neil, Program Coordinator | Megan Martin, Founding Director | Tammy Rorem, Storefront Manager | Deborah Asato, Co-Founder / Marketing & Communications Director

The family is one of many who have benefited since Central Oregon nonprofit Furnish Hope was formed in 2018. The organization is run by three women—Megan Martin, Deborah Asato and Mary Barlow—who had previously worked together in education, were friends and are all mothers. What started as a vision to furnish twenty-two Habitat for Humanity homes in 2019 has exploded in the past few years, and now the nonprofit has expanded its scope and reach, furnishing roughly fifty homes around Central Oregon each month. In addition to the three organization directors, the organization is supported by a program coordinator, storefront manager, three board members and more than 100 volunteers.

The group works with a network of sixty local referring agencies who identify clients who could benefit from the organization’s furnishing services. For each recipient, Furnish Hope creates a personalized packing list of needed items, and then fills the list using items from the organization’s warehouse on SE Ninth Street, which is filled through donations. “Furnish Hope serves a broad range of individuals in need, including veterans, foster youth and families; those with mental and/or physical disabilities, fleeing sexual and domestic violence, transitioning out of recovery; and those who have lost their home to a natural disaster,” Asato said. “Our reach encompasses three counties, eleven communities in all, throughout Central Oregon.”

In the fall, Furnish Hope was on track to furnish more than 600 homes by the end of 2022. From January to September of last year, Furnish Hope served 1,130 people, including 523 children, with a total of 13,277 pieces of furniture and household essentials. The organization’s growth is closely tied to increasing need in Central Oregon, where the cost of living is a barrier for many people. “We have seen the need for basic household furnishings multiply as we have come through COVID, and anticipate the need will continue increasing as inflation is making housing affordability even tougher for many in our region,” Asato said.

Furnish Hope & Home

In September, the organization opened a new storefront on SE Scott Street which serves as a retail location to generate revenue for the organization. Select donated items are resold at the storefront, which is packed with furniture, decor, table settings, and other items for the home. It also functions as a gathering or meeting place, Asato said. “In addition to generating sustainable revenue to support our operations, it’s a place where people can pull up a seat at a table or sit on a sofa and connect with someone who sees them, cares about their story and how they are doing,” she said.

In addition to shopping at the Furnish Hope & Home store, those looking to support the organization’s work can do so in a variety of ways. Furnish Hope accepts financial donations and donations of gently used furniture and household items, and invites people to host their own “Home Essentials Drive” to collect items. For those interested in volunteering with Furnish Hope, the next informational meeting is planned for noon Thursday, February 9 at the organization’s donation facility, 1006 SE Ninth Street in Bend.

See furnishhope.com.

Inside the Lindquist Family’s Craftsman Remodel on Awbrey Butte

Years after first meeting at work in the tech industry in San Francisco, Brittany and Kyle Lindquist were married and eyeing a move to Oregon to raise their growing family. Brittany, a native Oregonian from Newport, and Kyle, who grew up in Chico, California, initially chose Portland for their new home base, moving to Oregon’s largest city in 2019 with their first son, Jack. They found a beautiful house they liked without fully considering how the surrounding neighborhood would play into the quality of living. “We learned from that experience that it’s more about choosing the neighborhood, and less about the house,” said Brittany of the ten months the family spent in Portland. After bouncing back to the Bay Area in 2020, the Lindquists zeroed in on Bend, the Central Oregon city where Brittany’s brother lived. “Every time we would come visit, we knew this is where we wanted to be,” Brittany said. By fall 2020, they had moved to Bend as renters and identified northwest Bend as the area where they’d like to purchase a home. During a home tour on Awbrey Butte in 2021, the couple watched as a yellow school bus drove by, sensing they were in the right neighborhood for the next chapter of their lives. “You don’t see yellow school buses in San Francisco,” said Brittany, who explained that kids take public transit, are dropped off by parents or nannies or take a ride-sharing service for kids. Because both Kyle and Brittany grew up in smaller communities where riding the bus to school was a part of life, they loved the idea of living in a community of families where kids would do the same. “We wanted a neighborhood that you could see kids running around in,” Kyle said.

Moving In

The Lindquists closed on their new home in the spring of 2021, knowing they would have their work cut out for them. The 1998 Craftsman-style home was in need of some modernizing, after spending years as a rental property. “We’ve never been bombarded by more brown in our entire lives,” Kyle said. “But it had great bones.” Before moving in, the couple removed the shaggy brown bedroom carpets, which were stained from past tenant pets, including cats and turtles, replacing the floors with luxury vinyl plank. Hardwood in the main living areas and kitchen were kept, but the entire home was refreshed with new paint, new outlets and lighting fixtures, door handles and appliances. While Kyle led the way on initial updates in the house, Brittany packed up the family’s Bend rental, with toddler Jack and newborn son Beckham in tow. “It was a good example of what not to do—having a baby and buying a house at the same time,” Brittany said.

Lindquist home in Central Oregon — Brittany and Kyle Lindquist with sons Jack, front, and Beckham.

Project Mode

Once moved into the new home, the Lindquists set their sights on more significant updates, tackling the kitchen, laundry room and smaller projects throughout, such as painting the tile around the living room fireplace and reimagining the front yard landscaping. In the kitchen, the cabinets and island were painted, and a new hexagon tile backsplash added character. In the laundry room, white subway wall tile, repainted cabinets and accessories brought new life into the space. Kyle did many updates himself, along with the help of Brittany’s dad and brother, who were passed down carpentry skills, specifically electrical work, from Brittany’s grandfather, a craftsman and former chief electrical inspector for the State of Oregon. “We did the work to modernize the home, little by little,” Kyle said.

Craftsman home in Central Oregon — PARADISE AT HOME
Fresh foliage, including a bird of paradise plant, soaks up the sun from windows high and low in the Lindquist dining room.

Tucked below the laundry room is the garage, which the family has converted into a downstairs living space and hangout zone. There’s a couch, workout equipment, a makeshift wine cellar and kegerator. Off the “garage” is a home office with space for Kyle, who works remotely for a farming technology company, and Brittany, who works remotely as a marketing director. Back upstairs, now 5-year-old Jack has settled into his bedroom at the front of the house, which is furnished with a Hot Wheels bed and plenty of race car toys. “Hot Wheels are life for that kid,” Brittany said.

As a heatwave blazed through Bend this summer, the Lindquists were busy with outdoor projects, including fresh exterior paint and a complete rebuild of the upstairs deck and front porch. Dated wood boards and railings were replaced with Trex decking, and the back deck wood railings were swapped with sleek glass panels.

Remodel Reflection

With much of the remodeling behind them, the Lindquists are able to reflect on their style and the updates made over the past eighteen months. “The remodel itself was about simplifying, and having a neutral palate on the inside, allowing us to build upon the design in a few years,” Brittany said. Kyle said his biggest lessons from the process were that remodeling is really problem solving, and that it always takes longer than expected. “I use the ‘times three’ rule,” Kyle said. “If you think it’s going to take an hour, it will take three hours. If you think it’s going to take a week, it will take three weeks.” Despite the frustrations that come with more than a year of home renovation projects, the Lindquists said the work has helped them build a relationship with the house, which now feels more like home. The couple will spend the coming years personalizing, and they have a shortlist of projects for the future, including a remodel of both bathrooms.

After a health scare with Jack that had the family at St. Charles Medical Center for more than a week last fall, Brittany said the family was even more grateful for having their home, and all the quiet, mundane moments they’re able to enjoy in it. “I want to roll out of bed, snuggle my kids, go downstairs to work, come back up, do dinner, bedtime routine, rinse and repeat daily,” she said. That everyday routine lately includes activities such as listening to records (Disney tunes, The Beatles and Elvis are favorites), tending to a growing collection of plants and the unpackaging of the latest Hot Wheels offerings. And when the winter snow rolls around, the family will be found at the side of their house, which they learned is home to a popular sledding hill, packed with children who call their neighborhood home.

RESOURCES

Design: Brittany and Kyle Lindquist
Design and materials consultant: Elaine McEvoy, Cost Less Carpet of Bend
Cabinet painting, downstairs flooring: Webfoot Painting Co.
Kitchen tile installation: McEvoy Creative Solutions
Lighting: Globe Lighting
Exterior painting: Vazquez Painting and Construction
Deck: Bend Fence and Deck

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Inside a Tetherow Home with Private Courtyard, Art and a ‘Snuggery’

Fergal Donoher and Caprice Neely had a few key items on their wish list when beginning their new home build journey back in 2019. Neely, an artist and mostly-retired athletic footwear designer, wanted a gallery wall and plenty of space to hang art—both collected and created herself. Donoher, a native of Ireland who first moved to the United States in 2007, needed a bar area, or a few, to remind him of a pub back home. Together, the couple dreamed of a courtyard area to enjoy the outdoors, and a home layout that maximized views and spaces that embodied their colorful, bold style.

The couple met in Portland in 2008, and they bought a second home built by Copperline Homes on Awbrey Road in northwest Bend in 2012. By 2018, they’d made the move to Bend full time and were making plans to design a new space for the family, which includes 10-year-old Maisie and a couple of large pups—Rosie, the 1-year-old Great Dane, and Charlie, the 4-year-old newfydoodle.

After buying a large, narrow lot at Tetherow, the family arranged to work with architect Eric Meglasson and use Copperline Homes for the build. “We immediately began sketching a home with two masses at each end of an oversized courtyard, connected with little more than a gallery space between the two,” Meglasson said. After about eighteen months of design and construction, the family moved into the home around Thanksgiving 2020, and have spent the last year-plus getting settled.

The residence is entered from the north by way of the garage, courtyard or an understated black door that blends into the home’s black exterior. Visitors will immediately see the courtyard beyond a wall of glass windows to the right, and a long interior hallway ahead, adorned with a twenty-six piece art collection. The prints are from Russian-born, French artist Erté, who completed “The Alphabet” from 1927 to 1967. The images bring to life the 112-foot hallway that connects the spaces of the home.

Halfway down the hall, between letters Q and R, is a door to a wing of rooms, with a bedroom and craft room for Maisie, a guest room and a bathroom. Following letter Z is one of the home’s most striking spaces, a bold powder room that showcases a table-turned-vanity that Neely’s father brought back from China in the 1940s, along with a bold Ferrick Mason wallpaper that exudes Chinoiserie and Hollywood Regency style, according to Neely. “The powder room should always be the jewel box of the home, where you can really think outside of the box,” said Lucy Roland of Harper House Design, who worked with the homeowners on interior design and furnishings.

Tetherow bedroom — The master bedroom showcases walnut nightstands with a cushioned, emerald green velvet headboard between them.

At the far end of the hallway is the main living space, with huge glass accordion doors that open to the courtyard. Nero Marquina black marble slabs on both the walls and counters, paired with matte black cabinets underneath make the kitchen a “showstopper,” Roland said. “I love how Caprice and Fergal weren’t afraid to take risks, and it paid off,” Roland said. “That room ended up being so striking—who says a kitchen can’t be sexy?” An accordian window from the kitchen opens to golf course views and an outdoor bar counter, which Donoher and Meglasson described as the “golfer heckling bar.” The living room is anchored by an oversized, custom-made couch that Portland’s Mad Furniture designed for the space.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the entrance to the home’s primary bedroom, where mid-century modern furniture pieces steal the show. The bed is flanked by walnut nightstands with a cushioned emerald green, velvet headboard between them, all of which are connected as one piece—also a Mad Furniture item. Opposite the bed is a long couch with built-in side tables, another mid-century modern piece that Neely received from a friend’s father. The primary bathroom features a shower with ten-foot glass walls to capture steam without completely trapping it in. An oversized walk-in closet offers room for plenty of clothing and—with Neely a former footwear designer—ample space for shoes. “I have to support her work,” Donoher joked about all the shoe storage in the home.

Between the kitchen and bedroom is a staircase, covered in wooden tiles constructed of narrow flooring scraps, leading up to the home’s office. Donoher, an executive in tech manufacturing, works from home in the cozy space, which he refers to as the “snuggery.” Both the office and the living room/kitchen area below share the same incredible views of golf course greens in the foreground and Cascade Range views in the distance. “The space upstairs is very calming,” Donoher said. “You go up there at 5 or 6 a.m. and it might still be dark, but you can see the white mountain tops.”

Back at the home’s entry, near letter A of the alphabet wall, is a second staircase, leading up to a mother-in-law suite with a living area, kitchenette and bathroom, with windows placed to take in the same mountain views, and a great space for guests.

Tetherow family — Fergal Donoher and Caprice Neely’s family

Far and away, the most dramatic and striking aspect of the Donoher-Neely home is the courtyard, a focal point from many spaces in the house and a private space for the family to enjoy time outdoors. The courtyard includes a cement, outdoor bar area, space for a daybed to lounge and a koi pond. Maisie, a fifth-grader at Bend’s Forge School, is quick to toss in food to the four koi, named Peachy, One Eye, Big Daddy and #4, some of which are easier than others to distinguish based solely on name.

Since moving to Tetherow in 2020, the Donoher-Neely household has had time to fully explore what their new community and the greater Bend area has to offer, and they particularly enjoy activities like overlanding and tent camping, attempting to golf and indulging at food and drink spots around Bend. “We’re big supporters of the restaurant community,” said Donoher, listing off favorites that include BOSA, Drake, Washington, Zydeco and Flamingo Room. Maisie is partial to Elly’s Ice Cream in NorthWest Crossing. Together for fourteen years, Donoher and Neely were only just married in November 2021, meaning the couple’s first wedding anniversary is on the horizon. If a trip or celebration isn’t in store, perhaps a visit to the courtyard bar, nine holes on the course out back or an evening appreciating the views from the snuggery will do.

Resources:

Architect: Eric Meglasson

Builder: Josh and Mark Wilhite, Copperline Homes

Interior design, furnishings: Lucy Roland, Harper House Design

Landscape design: Ani Cahill, Cahill Design

Cabinetry: Bladt’s Custom Woodworking

Flooring: Castle Bespoke Flooring, Absolute Hardwood Floors

Tile: Brian Stephens Tiling, Inc.

Courtyard fireplace: Andy Wach, Weld Design Studio

Meet 3 of Bend’s Talented Furniture Flippers

Kylea Civello Design

Kylea Civello turned to furniture refinishing to keep her mind occupied while her mom was sick, and again when experiencing postpartum anxiety after the birth of her first child. “My first piece was our dining room table,” said Civello, who is originally from Canada, but was living in her husband’s home city of Palm Springs, California, at the time. “I found it at a thrift store and decided to tackle it.” Civello sanded the table down by hand with a sanding block, re-stained it and sealed it. “It kept me busy during a really hard time,” she said. After moving to Bend in 2019, Civello continued working on furniture during any free time she had on top of being a stay-at-home mom to, Beau, 4, and Margot, 2. Now, a few years later, Civello has finished dozens of pieces, and about half of her work is commission-based, updating or restoring pieces for clients who find her primarily through her Instagram, @kyleacivellodesign. She posts before and after images on her page, which has more than 10,000 followers. In August, Civello was busy working on a 2010 wine cabinet for a customer in Seattle. “People have pieces that they’re kind of over, and instead of throwing it away, I’m totally reworking it,” Civello said. “I’m painting it, and adding doors and cane webbing.” Many of Civello’s pieces have intricate painted designs or features such as wooden dowels or bamboo accents. In the future, Civello would love to do more projects that breathe new life into someone’s existing furniture. “I love to be able to create something unique for someone’s house, that no one else will have,” she said.

Favorite Tool and Product

Orbital Sander
Regal paint from Benjamin Moore

Clementine & Olive

Massage therapist Erin Chinburg-Corcoran first tried her hand at restoring and refinishing furniture eleven years ago as a means to make extra money while raising young twin boys on her own. Years later, Chinburg-Corcoran got married and the family regularly visited Central Oregon. In 2018, the family moved to Bend full time, and during the pandemic, Chinburg-Corcoran found her furniture side hustle was becoming more of a “main hustle.” Chinburg-Corcoran said she enjoys keeping up with the trends, and selects many pieces for refinishing that are higher-end mid century and post-modern styles. “Clean modern lines and earth tones are really hot right now,” she said. Chinburg-Corcoran said her interest in furniture refinishing came about after realizing that many new furniture pieces today, even fairly expensive items, are built with poor quality particle board that isn’t made to last. Instead of buying this low-quality furniture for her own home, she opted to thrift higher-quality pieces that needed a refresh, which she accomplished with “a lot of vision and some elbow grease.” As the hobby grew, Chinburg-Corcoran turned to social media to share her projects and sell completed pieces to followers using her Instagram page,
@clementineandolive.

These days, Chinburg-Corcoran is typically working on two to four pieces at once, completing restoration work on one, while focusing on repairs and painting on others. On average, she spends about three to ten hours working on each piece, depending on the vision. As she finishes each project, Chinburg-Corcoran said she’s happy to know she’s doing something good for the environment by restoring and refinishing furniture, keeping it out of landfills. “I love pulling the full potential out of a piece of furniture,” she said. “There’s no greater joy than knowing I’m a part of an important trend that helps the environment.”

Favorite Tool

Wagner FLEXiO paint sprayer

Resurrected Designs

Native Oregonian Amy Seymour first arrived in Bend in 1992, and after bouncing around to other areas, found herself back in Central Oregon about five years ago. Inspired by other female woodworkers and DIY lovers, Seymour, a medical lab scientist, began to nurture her daydream of being a carpenter. “I thought, why can’t I play with power tools?” Seymour said. During COVID, she built up the confidence to begin working on more furniture refinishing and building projects, and started an Instagram, @resurrected_designs, to document her work. She scours Facebook Marketplace for good deals, opting for sturdy, well-built wood furniture pieces—being partial to dressers and nightstands and mid-century modern designs. Sometimes, the pieces are a bit dingy, drawing reactions like “it stinks” or “I can’t believe you brought that into the house” from Seymour’s husband, but after some time and sweat equity, she turns them into beautifully refinished pieces, ready for their new home. “I’m always on the go, so I find sanding super relaxing. It’s just a nice break,” Seymour said. In addition to sanding woods, painting and staining and swapping out hardware, Seymour also likes building on legs and adding other handcrafted features to the pieces. In the future, she’d like to do more furniture craftsmanship, in addition to refinishing dumpster-bound pieces.

Favorite Tool and Product

Kreg Pocket Hole Jig
Lilly Moon Paint

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Q&A: Puffin Drinkwear Creates Apparel for your Drink

Two essentials for a Central Oregon camping trip are most certainly beer and a sleeping bag, so it’s fitting that the idea for sleeping bag beer holders was dreamt up at a campout in 2018. Bend’s Puffin Drinkwear now offers not only sleeping bag koozies, but versions with puffy jackets, parkas, life vests, flannels and more designs, which all keep a drink cold with style. Co-founder and President Tyrone Hazen gave Bend Magazine a little backstory on the growth of this Bend business.

Tell us about your company and how things got started in Bend.

Here in Bend we are known for our love of the outdoors…and BEER! So when a friend tossed me a drink holder made from remnants of an old sleeping bag, I was struck with the silly thought of combining the two by creating a sleeping bag for beers, adding some fun and personality to the utility. From there, we realized that we could create silhouettes for just about any interest someone has and really speak to someone’s identity.

When did you realize the company was really taking off?

Almost immediately. We walked into the Bend Store downtown with some samples in September 2018. While presenting the owner, Delia, with our sleeping bags, a man came in and saw what we had and asked, “Is that what I think it is? Can I buy two of those right now?” We left ten behind for her to sell and she called the next day asking for thirty-six more. Then she asked if she could have another 100 before the weekend. On Monday she called and asked to buy all of the inventory we had left. And while that was the first story of the exceptional sell-through Puffin achieves, it is no longer a unique one.

Any new koozie ideas on the horizon?

We are really focused on expanding into identities that are adjacent to things we’ve already produced. We started in outdoor, so sports is an obvious next step. We have a number of discussions going on right now that will have us creating sport-related Puffin of all different kinds. From there we are looking into travel and leisure (we have a NASA space suit coming out this fall…though I’m not sure that counts as “travel”). Entertainment and characters will follow thereafter.

Tell us about the company’s growth since starting in 2018.

Though we experienced significant headwinds and logistics challenges with COVID, we’ve managed to continue expanding rapidly from sales volume, revenue and employee perspectives. We have already maxed out our 9,000-square-foot warehouse and will be moving to a third-party logistics model with our next shipment. We have twenty full-time employees and another eight part- or full-time contractors.

What makes Bend a great place for the company to call home?

There isn’t a better community anywhere in the world offering the kind of support entrepreneurs need. From organizations like Economic Development for Central Oregon and Opportunity Knocks, to educational courses at Oregon State University-Cascades and Central Oregon Community College, to approachable individuals who have been where founders have been and want to offer support, I am not being hyperbolic when I say I truly don’t thinking there is a better place anywhere to start a company.

Tell us about the company’s Good Together philosophy.

We believe good things happen when people come together. Good Together was initiated by one of my co-founders, Christina Linton. When we initially brought her into the founding team, she told me she wasn’t interested in building Puffin unless it was doing something good in addition to being profitable. We agreed and let her lead the initiative. We partner with nonprofits and other organizations in need to help share their message and provide them with the support they need. If I’m being honest, no one needs a tiny jacket for their beverage, but if that one small item can expose an opportunity to help people doing good work in the world, we think we can build a net-positive organization known as much for our Good Together efforts as for our fun products.

What does the future hold for Puffin Drinkwear?

More growth! We have a clear line of sight to doubling our sales year over year through 2025. We will continue to add to our incredible team. We will consistently introduce new, high-quality drink wear that defines us as the masters of the category. Co-branding and licensing collaborations will become a major component of our business. And we will expand our Good Together impacts within the Bend community and beyond!

Learn more at puffindrinkwear.com.

Learn more about our local business community here.

Backyard Bars: How to achieve the happy hour atmosphere at home

After a long day of work, or working from home, the summer sun beckons us outside to unwind and relax. There’s hardly a better way to end a day than with an outdoor setup that makes summer cocktails, chilled white wines and frosty beers as easy as ever to serve up for yourself or guests of honor. When picturing your outdoor happy hour hub, first decide whether to go big with a full kitchen and barbecue setup, or aim small with a standalone bar cart, party lights or fun dining table accents. Regardless of scale, adding some backyard bar décor will make an evening on the patio as lively and fun as one at your favorite Central Oregon watering hole.

photo jake moss designs (jakemossdesigns.com)

Drink Trays – Use a stylish tray to load up on drinks and snacks, cutting down trips inside for refills.

Give it a shot

Not sure how to turn your patio or backyard into a welcoming space for drinks and entertaining? Start small with a stylish drink tray and ice bucket. Drink trays with handles allow a host to bring out a pitcher or several beverages at once, to offer choices or refills to guests. The tray can also carry extra items like coasters, napkins or a charcuterie board and keep everything together in one tidy spot on the patio table. Super insulated buckets like those from Corkcicle are big enough to stash a couple bottles of wine or several beers and the ice can stay cold for as long as 48 hours.

Set The Table! Elevate happy hour drinks and dining with reusable outdoor dishes and cutlery.

Decorative details

When it comes to serving up food and drinks outside, ditch the throw-away goods and instead opt for reusable plates, cups and utensils like bamboo plates, reusable plastic wine tumblers and colorful serving bowls. Liven up the table with napkins and coasters in bright, summer-inspired colors, woven placemats using organic materials or by relocating a vibrant potted plant to the center of the table. With small touches and minimal effort, the atmosphere can be easily enlivened.

Light the night

Nightfall always seems to come by surprise, so be prepared to keep the fun going with decorative lights to keep your outdoor spaces inviting. Black Edison-style string lights can be strung along fences and walls, or through the air from the roof. Try a set of large lanterns or a trio of candles on the table to keep all areas bright. Opt for a big citronella jar candle to keep the mosquitos away from everyone without having to break out the bug spray.

Raising the bar

Ready to go all out? A full backyard bar setup could include a fridge and sink built into a permanent structure, with a roof to provide shade. Construction and design can be as elaborate as any room in the house, or a simpler structure might use corrugated metal and wood, without full plumbing and electricity. Once the structure is set, build upon the outdoor bar space with stools or chairs for sitting at the bar, a circle of patio chairs around a firepit nearby or a rattan or wicker couch and coffee table for lounging once you have a drink. Park yourself behind the bar for the night to act as host or hostess, or designate friends to trade off mixing drinks.

When it comes to creating space for entertaining outside your home, the goal is to fashion a fun and inviting atmosphere, where people enjoy themselves and hosting is easy. Happy hour at home is less expensive than ordering out, so go ahead and justify the extra touches to make your outdoor space as fun and refreshing as you want.

Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in July 2020.

A Sisters Farmhouse for the Gillihan Family

Maijken and Jason Gillihan remember waking up one morning in the spring of 2020 at their home in Beaverton and making a decision: they didn’t want to wait any longer to make their dream of living in Central Oregon a reality. Native Oregonians who met in college when they were both summer greeters at an Abercrombie & Fitch, the two weren’t strangers to buying and selling homes and moving around. They’d moved five times the decade before, and when they called their real estate agent that spring, the broker joked that “it was about that time again.”

This move would be different for the Gillihan family, which includes daughter Ashbury, now 9, and son Indy, who just turned 3. Rather than buying another finished home and renovating and decorating to their liking, the Gillihans planned to purchase a lot, and build new. The property they settled on was a two-and-a-half-acre parcel in Squaw Creek Canyon Estates, a small neighborhood along Whychus Creek about 7 miles east of Sisters. “We knew we always wanted to move to acreage and build a white farmhouse,” said Jason, who has a background in design and project management and previously owned his own furniture building and woodworking business in Portland. As part of the move to Central Oregon, Jason had gotten a new job as a senior project manager at Bend-based Sierra James Construction, a position that would allow him excellent access to a team of builders for the family’s new home.

The Gillihans picked out a stock floor plan from Architectural Designs online and worked with Sara Bergby of Bend’s Enclave Architecture on custom modifications, including taller ceilings throughout the home and a twenty-four-foot high great room ceiling, along with the addition of a butler’s pantry adjacent to the kitchen. “I think the changes we worked on together really improved the house and made it into what they needed,” Bergby said. “Everything just feels a little more spacious.”

Construction began in the spring of 2021 and lasted seven months, an impressive feat given pandemic-related delays in the supply chain. As framing began this past summer, the Gillihans contended with peak lumber prices and even a wildfire—the 4,000-acre Grandview Fire in July 2021—threatening the area. But by early December, the family moved into the newly finished, 2,450-square-foot home, Christmas decorations in tow.

The interior of the white farmhouse is thoughtfully designed and decorated, with a fresh and modern feeling. “We love neutrals and lots of texture,” said Maijken (pronounced MIKE-en) who spent ten years as a marketing professional for Nike before starting a new marketing job with LiveWire–Harley Davidson’s electric motorcycle company–earlier this year. The couple worked together on the design of the home, picking out fixtures and appliances, styling furniture and adding décor such as a mixed-media gallery wall that extends up the walls of the office opposite the entryway. “Jason has a really strong design eye, as do I,” Maijken said. “I think design is our love language.”

As visitors enter the Gillihan home, they pass the office on the left, followed by the “kids wing” on the right, with bedrooms for Ashbury and Indy and a bright, white bathroom. Ashbury enjoys looking out her bedroom window to see a family of squirrels that frequent a juniper tree with vibrant green moss on it. The kids’ rooms open up to the great room, anchored by a floor-to-ceiling wood burning fireplace, adorned with Montana moss rock and a reclaimed barnwood mantle. “We wanted the fireplace to bring some of the outside in,” Jason said. To the left of the fireplace is the home’s primary suite, with backyard views. The primary bathroom features a dual vanity on the right, with white oak cabinetry from Harvest Moon Woodworks of Bend. “In my opinion, they’re the most premium cabinet maker in Central Oregon,” Jason said. The bathroom has a corridor in the center, with stalls on the left for a walk-in shower space and toilet space. The walk-in shower with a large fully opening window was a request of Jason’s, who was thrilled to open the window to falling snow during his first shower in the new home. His and hers walk-in closets sit at the end of the bathroom corridor.

Back in the great room, durable luxury vinyl plank flooring extends from the living room into the kitchen, which features more beautiful cabinetry from Harvest Moon Woodworks. Off the kitchen is an opening to the butler’s pantry, which offers kitchen prep space, a sink and a wall of storage filled with dry goods and snacks. There’s no formal dining room, but there are stools along the large kitchen bar, and a cozy dining nook off to the side. “In our last house, we had a formal living room and a formal dining room that just collected dust,” Maijken said. “Here, we use every single space in this house.”

Feeling settled this spring, the Gillihans were wrapping up front porch finishes and dreaming of future plans for landscaping in the backyard, including installing a handmade walnut swing that Jason built with the family name inscribed across the seat. This summer, the family is planning more lake days to Suttle Lake north of Sisters, where Ashbury can break in her new kayak. Back at home, the pull-through driveway in the front yard is becoming a racetrack for the Gillihan children and their neighbors, who love riding bikes. After years of moving between homes, the Gillihans say their new house feels like a long-term fit. Maijken said, “With every house we had before, we did updates and remodeling, but this one is truly built for us and how we live.”

Builder: Sierra James Construction | Architectural Design: Sara Bergby, Enclave Architecture | Interior Design: Jason & Maijken Gillihan | Cabinetry: Harvest Moon Woodworks | Hardware: Rejuvenation | Plumbing Fixtures: Brizo (kitchen) & Kohler (bathrooms) | Countertops: New Era Granite | Flooring: Hardwood Floor Company | Masonry: Stonehaven Masonry | Reclaimed Barnwood Accents: Longhorn Lumber | Windows and Doors: Building Solutions

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Slurping up Boozy Frosé at Boss Rambler Beer Club

Few beverages embody the summer season more than an icy cold slushy. Best slurped down with a big, colorful straw, slushies bring back a bit of childhood nostalgia on hot summer days. Add a little alcohol, and the slushy becomes all grown up, and a favorite choice for warm weather visitors to Bend’s Boss Rambler Beer Club.

“When it’s ninety degrees outside here, it’s definitely a nice thing to help cool you down,” said Kate Molletta, who co-owns Boss Rambler with her husband, Matt Molletta, and brewer Jacob Bansmer. A few months after opening the beer club in 2019, the team rented a small slushy machine to do frosés for Fourth of July. “It was a single barrel machine, and it would sell out quickly, and it would then take an hour to do a new batch,” Kate said. After the holiday, the team invested in a two-barrel machine of their own, and then an additional three-barrel machine to meet the growing demand for the drink. Having five barrels going at the same time allows Boss Rambler to offer up a variety of flavors, including the traditional rosé-based wine slushies, POG (pineapple, orange, guava) rosé and champagne-based varieties such as the margarita-flavored, slush-a-rita. Those who prefer one of Boss Rambler’s award-winning beers can also partake in the fun by adding a slushy beer foam topper to their brew. Slushies come in a festive hurricane-style cocktail glass or in a group-sized pink flamingo bowl to enjoy with friends. For those on the go, slushies are packed up in a zip-top bag that holds a straw, like an “adult Capri Sun,” Kate said. Just remember not to slurp it down too fast, or else—brain freeze.

Boozy Slushy at Home

Pour one bottle of rosé wine into a baking pan or ice cube tray and freeze overnight. The wine will not freeze solid because of the alcohol.
Create strawberry simple syrup by combining 1/2-cup water and 1/2-cup sugar and microwaving until bubbling, about 90 seconds. Stir until the sugar dissolves, add 1 cup freshly chopped strawberries and refrigerate overnight. Strain through mesh strainer.
In a blender, mix the (mostly) frozen wine, 4 tablespoons of the strawberry syrup, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and blend. Pro tip: Add 1/4-cup vodka for an extra kick.
Add a straw and enjoy slurping the slush!

For more of our imbibe recipes, click here!

Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. Reimagined with New Changes

While returning from the mountains on Century Drive in the past year or so, it’s been hard to miss the roaring fire pit outside Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. The flames shooting into the air are new, positioned near an old gondola car that’s been on display outside the brewpub for years. The brewing company, which includes a brewing facility and pub in Redmond and the Bend restaurant, was sold in 2018 to new local owners eager to rebrand and refresh the image of the longstanding business.

The new owner group includes father and son duo, Bruce Rhine, former Bendite and CEO of Bend’s Accent Optical Technologies, and son Andy Rhine, a Bend High School graduate and chemical engineer, along with business partner Bill Valentine, founder of wealth management firm Valentine Ventures. The group has spent the past few years revamping the business, aiming to retain some of the company’s twenty-eight year history in Central Oregon, while adding some modern spice, such as a lineup of new beers, new décor and food offerings, and those roaring fire pits, summoning in the afternoon après-adventure crowd.

The younger Rhine is heading up operations as general manager and overseeing changes that have included the Bend pub remodel and hiring of a new executive chef and a new brewmaster to reinvigorate the food and beer menus. Inside the SW Chandler Avenue pub, visitors will find a space that’s lighter and brighter, with a more modern ambiance than the brewpub of the past, with tables, booths and cowhide armchairs placed around a cozy fireplace. Old video lottery machines have been removed, but an open upstairs area still offers a pool table and other games for visitors.

On the food side, the new menu is smaller and features a lineup of upscale comfort foods with Southern influence. The offerings can be described as “gastropub” food, which means they’re of a higher quality than the average casual pub, according to Executive Chef Jeff Kelly, who moved to Central Oregon with his wife and two daughters after landing the new position. “It’s gastropub food but at a higher level, and we try to do as much as we can in-house,” Kelly said. “As a chef, I’ve been all up and down the East Coast but really wanted to put down roots somewhere.” Previously from Richmond, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina, Kelly brings an impressive culinary background and Southern comfort food influences to the new Cascade Lakes Brewing menu, which features staple dishes like shrimp and grits and a fried chicken sandwich, along with seasonally changing menu items. Among Kelly’s favorites is the cornmeal fried cod sandwich, which is a similar offering to fish and chips but as a sandwich, with creole aioli, and pickled jalapeno and cabbage slaw, served on a potato bun with fries.

As for the brewed offerings, the Rhine family brought in brewmaster Ryan Schmiege to lead the charge. Schmiege spent fifteen years as assistant brewmaster at Deschutes Brewing prior to coming on board, and he has been excited to help revitalize the brewery with many new beers. “The chance to stay in Central Oregon and remain in the craft beer industry was something I really wanted,” Schmiege said. “Cascade Lakes was a really interesting opportunity because of Andy [Rhine] and his family and what they were doing.” Among the new beers Schmiege has introduced are the Lotus Pils, a classic pilsner-style beer using all Lotus hops, and the This IPA, a West Coast India Pale Ale with a big hop presence. “That’s a newer one to the lineup that’s been received really well,” Schmiege said. Another addition is the introduction of barrel-aged beers for the first time, including Midnight Stroll, an imperial stout aged in Oregon Spirits whisky barrels. An IPA aged in barrels from Redmond’s Gompers Distillery gin is also in the works.

In addition to including a suggested beer pairing for each entrée on the menu, the chef and brewmaster have worked together for beer and cuisine pairing events that showcase a number of small plates and complementing beers, something they hope to offer every month or two in the future. The lively atmosphere on display for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays seems to be working, as the Rhine family has announced plans to open a second Bend brewpub in east Bend, with a groundbreaking planned for later this year.

Cascade Lakes Brewing | 1441 SW Chandler Ave. Suite #100, Bend | 541-388-4998 | cascadelakes.com

Meet Bend’s Volunteer Superstars

Giving back to the community is something most people think about and many do, from offering up a Saturday to clean up a park or looking for a service project around the holidays. But some volunteers take things to another level. These volunteers from around Central Oregon have gone the extra mile to support the organizations they work with, and the people they serve.

Amy Sue Matthews | Smith Rock State Park

When Amy Sue Matthews retired from her career as a middle school teacher and moved to Central Oregon full-time in 2016, she quickly discovered Smith Rock State Park and its gorgeous hiking trails, including the 7.5-mile Summit Trail. “The more I started hiking here, the more I fell in love with it,” said Matthews, who in 2019 signed up to be a park Trail Steward, offering first to clean up dog poop, and as time went on, to answer visitor questions, report on trail conditions and help in other ways. She continued to avidly hike the summit trail about twice a week, earning her the nickname “Summit Trail Amy,” from the operators of SmithRock.com, an independent website about Smith Rock for which Matthews serves as an ambassador. When the pandemic caused staffing and volunteer shortages at the park, Matthews offered to staff the park’s Welcome Center, do extra litter pickups and provide a presence on the trails, allowing the park—which sees upwards of a million visitors a year—to continue operating smoothly. “Sometimes people are getting ready to go up Misery Ridge with flip flops and no water, and I try to help people understand what they’re getting into,” Matthews said. Her incredible efforts to support the park earned Matthews a glowing nomination from a ranger for an Oregon State Parks Outstanding Volunteer Award, which she won last year. “She’s a true asset to our agency, our park and our community,” the nomination read. Matthews, who actually moved into a house across the street from the park last year, said the roughly sixteen hours a week she volunteers is just more quality time she gets to spend in the park she loves. “There are a million ways to volunteer, everyone just needs to find their niche and what they’re passionate about,” she said. “I just feel really blessed that it ended up being the perfect fit for me.” Ongoing volunteer opportunities are available at parks throughout Central Oregon, including Smith Rock State Park. See stateparks.oregon.gov.

Reneé Frausto | Latino Community Association

When Reneé Frausto moved to Redmond from Guadalajara, Mexico three years ago, he realized his English wasn’t as strong as he’d thought. Coworkers recommended he connect with the Latino Community Association of Central Oregon, which offers free English classes. After taking all the classes offered through LCA and through Central Oregon Community College, Frausto’s English improved, making his life and new job at a Redmond restaurant easier. Because he owned a computer systems engineering company back in Mexico, Frausto offered his computer skills to LCA to help others in the Latino community with basic computer literacy. He began teaching a ten-week-long class on basics such as powering up computers and opening programs and windows, and advanced courses on Microsoft Word and Excel. “We try to make the courses fun and keep people interested,” Frausto said. Computer skills can help Frausto’s students search for employment, secure better paying jobs or help them support their children’s schoolwork. “We are trying to give them the tools they need to better themselves,” said Frausto, who left behind a wife and three children in Mexico to make a better living in the United States. He sends home money and hopes to bring them all to Oregon one day. Frausto encourages others in the Latino community to pursue opportunities available to them through organizations like LCA. “There are so many opportunities here that feel far away, but they are not that far,” he said. LCA seeks volunteers for a variety of roles, including office assistants, tutors, fundraising and event support, with need in Bend and throughout Central Oregon.
See latinocommunityassociation.org.

Dr. Cheryl Hadley | Volunteers in Medicine and Deschutes County Health Services

Dr. Cheryl Hadley was eyeing retirement and ski days at Mt. Bachelor when she and her husband moved to Bend seven years ago. She soon signed up to volunteer as a physician with Volunteers in Medicine, an organization that helps the uninsured or medically underserved in Central Oregon access healthcare. Her patients over the past six-and-a-half-years have shown great need, and also great gratitude, something Hadley has enjoyed. “The people want to be there, and they are happy and grateful for the care,” Hadley said. With experience in healthcare and giving back, Hadley and her husband were quick to get involved in Deschutes County’s mass vaccination clinics, beginning in January 2021–she by administering vaccines and her husband by helping with event support—things like traffic flow, parking and paperwork. Hadley took on a couple of shifts a week, and as of this March she’d volunteered nearly 270 hours. The clinics, run by Deschutes County Health Services and supported by groups such as Volunteers in Medicine, were well-run, and a rewarding experience, Hadley said. “As a doctor working in a practice, I could count on my hands the number of times something I did saved someone’s life. But if you vaccinate hundreds of people, statistically you saved lots of lives,” she said. “It was amazing to work in a setting where almost every single day, every shift you worked, someone would thank you for being there.” There are ongoing volunteer opportunities with Volunteers in Medicine and Deschutes County Health Services. See vim-cascades.org or deschutes.org/health.

Kara DiFrancesco | Oregon Adaptive Sports

Kara DiFrancesco grew up skiing on the East Coast, in her home state of Connecticut and on winter break trips to Vermont and New Hampshire. Her regular ski buddies were a pair of brothers—one named Scott with a cognitive disability. “We did everything together as kids,” DiFrancesco said. “Scott did everything that we did, he just did it a little differently.” As an adult, DiFrancesco moved to the West Coast, attending grad school at Oregon State University and living in the Bay Area before landing in Central Oregon. As an environmental consultant, Di Francesco has a flexible schedule, allowing her to become a regular volunteer with Oregon Adaptive Sports, an organization that aims to help all people experience the benefits of outdoor recreation, regardless of ability level. As a winter volunteer with the organization, DiFrancesco is paired with skiers of varying abilities—perhaps a high school student with a cognitive disability, a blind skier also working with a Mt. Bachelor instructor or a skier with a physical disability, learning to use adaptive equipment like a sit ski. “It’s inspirational,” DiFrancesco said. “Everyone involved is so great. It takes a village to make all of this happen.” OAS seeks summer and winter volunteers each year to help with adaptive recreation year-round. Summer volunteer signups typically open in April. See oregonadaptivesports.org.

Aelea Christofferson | Court Appointed Special Advocates

Deciding to volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Oregon, or CASA, was an easy choice for Aelea Christofferson of Bend. She’d once been a social worker, and after meeting her husband Tom Hall and his two children back in 1989, the family adopted two babies out of foster care and another years later as a teenager. After retiring in the mid-2010s and selling the telecom company she owned, Christofferson was ready for something new, and CASA just made sense. “I knew how messy foster care is,” she said. Volunteers with CASA advocate for the best interests of children in the system, who are often moved in and out of various living situations, foster homes and family homes as their parents work to regain custody or as circumstances change over months or years. During that time, a CASA is often the only consistent, stable adult in the child’s life. “What you want most for the kids is to be in a stable home,” said Christofferson, who described the work as difficult and impactful, but also rewarding. “Aelea is an incredible voice for the children that she advocates for,” said Heather Dion, executive director of CASA of Central Oregon. “She often takes on challenging and nuanced cases with multiple children and more complicated legal issues. She isn’t afraid to jump in and make sure that children’s needs are advocated for.” More than seventy children in Central Oregon are currently waiting for a CASA. Volunteers participate in a forty-hour training class before being sworn-in by a circuit court and taking their first case. See casaofcentraloregon.org.

Natalie Evers & Bella | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon

Bend native Natalie Evers spent ten years away from Bend after high school, but upon returning to Central Oregon two years ago, she knew becoming a mentor was something she wanted to do. “I have always wanted to do Big Brothers Big Sisters because I know the mentors in my own life have made a huge impact on me,” said Evers, taking a break between playground sessions with 8-year-old Bella at Larkspur Park in March. Bella and Evers were matched together in early 2021 and while Evers isn’t one of the organization’s longest volunteers, her commitment to Bella and to bringing new volunteers into the program has impressed organization leaders. “When Natalie became a Big Sister she then made referrals for three others to join the program because she believes in the program,” said Jenn Davis, program director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon. “Bella has really grown through their time together.” On a play break at the park, Evers is quick to explain the value of the mentorship for Bella and for herself. “It brings a lot of joy and light to my life,” Evers said. “I think I get as much or more out of it as she does.” Nearly thirty “littles” are on the the waitlist for Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Oregon, and the organization has a particular need for mentors in rural areas, those interested in mentoring LGBTQ youth, mentors with experience working with people with disabilities and mentors of color. “Bigs” volunteer about six to twelve hours a month. See bbbsco.org.

Gary Meyer | Central Oregon Trail Alliance

Gary Meyer was dreaming of fat biking on snowy trails even before fat bikes became a commercially available product around 2009. He’d been an avid mountain biker since moving to Bend in the early 2000s and over time became more involved in trail-building and maintenance efforts in the area. Easing into retirement from his career as a visual effects engineer for films including Star Wars, Meyer had a dream of engineering something new—winter fat biking trails in Central Oregon. He approached the nonprofit Central Oregon Trails Alliance in the early 2010s with a plan. With COTA’s support, Meyer led the charge to create a pair of designated and groomed loop trails for fat biking at Wanoga Sno-Park. The efforts involved trail mapping, clearing of vegetation, signage and winter grooming. Meyer and a team of others keep the trails groomed each winter, and Meyer also volunteers to manage COTA’s online volunteer log and other administrative tasks as well as sitting on the organization’s trails committee and joining trail work crews year-round. In 2021, Meyer volunteered more than 800 hours with COTA. “Giving to the community brings me joy and satisfaction, and there’s no place I’d rather be than out in the forest,” said Meyer, who encourages others in the biking community to get involved, too. “Even if you only come out for one work party a year, it’s a great benefit to maintain the longevity of the trails.” More than 2,500 people are registered with a Meetup group that lists upcoming trail work events in Central Oregon, and new volunteers are always welcome. See cotamtb.com.

Read more of our feature articles in Bend Magazine: Adventure Inspired or Community Inspired.

Inside the Craven Family Home at Tetherow in Bend

Introducing Craven Haven

When the Craven family zeroed in on a nearly half-acre lot to buy in Tetherow in the fall of 2019, it was empty, save for a couple of mature ponderosa pine trees near the center. Other buyers and builders might have seen the trees—required to stay put as part of the lot sale—as a challenge, but it was one that Mackenzie Craven and her husband Kenny were up for. The Cravens had settled in Kenny’s hometown of Bend in the early 2010s after meeting in college out of state. They lived in a home in NorthWest Crossing, and another in the Shevlin Park area before finding a lot in Tetherow and purchasing it with plans for a new build.

Mackenzie, a former marketing professional, had taken up an interest in interior design, chronicling the couple’s DIY home updates in their first Bend homes on Instagram under the name Craven Haven (@craven_haven), and even going viral for a bathroom remodel project. When it came time to plan out the Tetherow home, Mackenzie put her refined design eye to work. “I don’t have a background in interior design, but it’s just a passion of mine,” she said. “I have a pretty strong sense of what I like.” So while Kenny stayed busy with work as general manager of Bend’s Big Country RV dealership, Mackenzie took the lead on the new home project, while also pregnant with the couple’s third child. Along the way, she continued sharing her insights into design and motherhood on Instagram.

Craven Haven home — High ceilings, black framed windows and a few classic archway details work together in harmony inside the Craven home.

The couple knew of a contractor they wanted to work with, David Burnham of Burnham Building Company, and had connected with architect Adam Peterson of Muddy River Design to begin the process of designing the home. The two pine trees in the center of the lot became the starting point, with an outdoor courtyard envisioned around the trees, and the house wrapping around the courtyard, with the central outdoor area visible from nearly every room inside. “Being able to see that courtyard was a big priority,” Mackenzie said. “We had to keep the trees and that definitely limited things, but it gave us a place to start.” The courtyard has an outdoor fireplace, which is double-sided, also serving as the focal point of the living room inside.

The 3,245-square-foot home features four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, a suitable size for the young family, which includes the boys—4-year-old Hart and 2-and-a-half-year-old Smith—and 1-year-old girl, Merritt. Downstairs is the primary bedroom, which features a pair of walk-in closets, one of which is currently set up as an indoor exercise area. The connected bathroom includes a glass door to enter the wet room, which has both a shower area and tub within it, with all the walls covered in vibrant, emerald green tile. The tile is zellige, a unique style that is handmade in Morocco. Mackenzie said that the tile and other green highlights, along with a mostly black and white color palette throughout the home, help to evoke an organic style that blends in nicely with the nature seen outside. Opposite the main bedroom is another small bedroom that the Cravens first used as a nursery for Merritt and are now converting into an office.

Craven Haven kitchen — The white oak kitchen island is a common gathering area for the family of five.

The heart of the home is most definitely the kitchen, centrally located and anchored by an oversized island and row of barstools and highchairs to accommodate the kids. “Everyone just always ends up in the kitchen,” Mackenzie said. “My kids are there 24/7, eating their meals or drawing.” Highlights of the kitchen include custom cabinetry by Brian’s Cabinets, a black and gold Hallman range appliance and the glass and metal shelving units on either side of the stove that look as though they could be custom built, but were actually a shopping find of Mackenzie’s that happened to work out perfectly.

Upstairs at the Craven home is the kid zone, with two kids bedrooms, a bathroom and second living area perfect for cartoons and playtime.

It’s been about a year since the Cravens moved into their new house, and while there are still a few smaller design updates and projects on their to-do list, the space is proving to be functional and homey for the family of five. A few family-friendly musts decided on during the process included indestructible luxury vinyl plank flooring instead of hardwood, and performance fabrics on the furniture for easy cleanup of kid messes, such as crayon marks and chocolate milk spills.

Craven Haven outdoor area — An outdoor seating area shares a double-sided fireplace also anchoring the living room indoors.

When not at home, and between preschool, kids activities and errands, the Cravens sometimes squeeze in family outings to favorite Bend spots like the west side Bangers and Brews. “Anywhere with a soft pretzel is a win with my kids,” Mackenzie said. In the summer, camping trips or visits to the family cabin at Odell Lake are often on the agenda.

A decade after landing in Bend and finally settling into their Tetherow home, Mackenzie said she feels grateful for the opportunity to call such a beautiful place home. “People here are so friendly, and it’s really cool to be raising my kids in a place with so much access to outdoor activities.” Mackenzie said she isn’t sure if the newly completed build will be the family’s forever home, but it’s a perfect space for now. “It’s not really the house that makes the home, it’s the people.” In the meantime, she plans to continue sharing on Instagram, chronicling design updates and family life inside the Craven Haven.

Craven Haven bedroom — Layers of bedding and a soft, plush rug make for an inviting main bedroom.

Resources:
Designer: Mackenzie Craven | Builder: Burnham Building Company | Architect: Muddy River Design

A Bend Man’s Quest to Build the American Perimeter Trail

Rue McKenrick has spent much of his life relying on his own two feet to take him places, a decision that has led to great accomplishments, but also challenges. As a hiker, backpacker and cyclist, McKenrick has traveled the country extensively. Most notably, he’s hiked all three of the country’s major thru-hikes—the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail—a feat only about 525 people have accomplished. Back home in Bend, where he’s lived since 2010, he travels around town without a car, walking and biking everywhere.

McKenrick’s journeys, while rewarding, haven’t always been easy. He’s pushed his body to extremes while backpacking, with overtraining sending him into the early stages of organ failure. He’s been knocked unconscious by a tree falling on him while he slept and been lifted several inches off the ground in a roadside tornado, he said. He’s hiked with broken bones and countless internal ailments, battled extreme thirst and cramps in the desert and been left to refuel himself on only gas station snacks for days at a time. And in Bend, his decision to walk and bike everywhere has led to five collisions with cars and a cycling crash that caused a traumatic brain injury.

Yet, McKenrick still walks everywhere, still cycles, and for the past two-and-a-half years, has dedicated his life to his latest thru-hike expedition—the scouting, route-planning and establishment of the new American Perimeter Trail. It’s something McKenrick has dreamed of creating for years—a massive thru hike established not just for recreation, but as a means of conserving the land for generations to come. “I’m not creating the next great thru hike, I’m creating America’s next biggest volunteer and conservation project through this thru hiking,” McKenrick said.

After years of dreaming, McKenrick took off from Bend in July 2019, hiking continuously for thousands of miles over the next fifteen months in an effort to establish the trail’s route. As he hiked, McKenrick began to pick up steam with online supporters, including Leilah Grace, a Pennsylvania physical therapist who initially reached out to help McKenrick with a back injury he posted about on social media. “There was this little voice in my head saying, this guy needs some help,” said Grace, who began helping McKenrick with social media posting and today serves as vice president of the American Perimeter Trail Conference, a nonprofit established in 2020 as a way to give McKenrick’s dream “some legs,” she said. “When I first learned about it, I thought it was just really, really cool and interesting,” said Grace, who volunteers her time with the APT Conference. “I was hooked on this idea of having a hiking trail that you could get on anywhere in the country… But now it’s the conservation piece that has hit home for me—it’s not just a trail, it’s about preserving the land that’s around the trail.”

Rue McKenrick mapping — McKenrick’s nightly homework, identifying possible routes for the next day in the North Dakota Badlands

While overtraining during his fifteen-month expedition did a number on McKenrick’s body and sent him home twice in late 2020 and again in 2021, he’s committed to closing the full perimeter loop this year. When finished, the American Perimeter Trail will roughly trace the perimeter of the contiguous United States, starting and ending in Bend. Establishing the trail means pinpointing the route mile by mile, identifying suitable public lands and in some cases pursuing easements, followed by physical trail building in some areas, done in partnership with groups such as AmeriCorps. While few people are likely to hike the entire perimeter trail, they may choose to hike pieces of it, and establishing the route and conserving the land is beneficial for public recreation and for the environment. “It’s about leaving this place better than you found it,” McKenrick said. “And I think time is of the essence.”

While out scouting the 12,000- to 14,000-mile trail, McKenrick is weaving together networks of forest roads and existing trails, using a compass and paper maps to track his progress each night and make notes about the route. “People see the compass and map, and they think I’m crazy,” said McKenrick, who doesn’t rely on GPS navigation and isn’t fussy about which type of gear or brands of equipment he uses. “The most important piece of gear you can have is an open heart,” he said.

The American Perimeter Trail Conference nonprofit is based here in Bend, but draws support from across the country, with the majority of the organization’s founding members coming from outside the area, including many from McKenrick’s hometown in Pennsylvania, along the Appalachian Trail. Supporters can become members of the organization, with regular donations helping to support the conference’s effort to formally establish and build the new trail.

This spring or summer, McKenrick plans to head back out to close the loop on the first full scouting mission of the APT, connecting the last piece of the trail in Washington and then heading south back to Bend for a summertime celebration.

Learn more at americanperimetertrail.org and/or follow McKenrick on Instagram here.

6 Companies that Wear the ‘Bend’ Name Proudly

When it comes time to name a new startup, business owners look for something easy to identify and spell, check for originality, and often, look for names that reflect their personal experiences and the things that have inspired them to become entrepreneurs. For those starting a business in Bend, naming often involves taking a look around at the community—drawing inspiration from places like the Deschutes River, the Cascade Mountains, the volcanic landscape and the native plants and animals. For some emerging companies, the most logical choice is naming their venture after their home—Bend. Adding “Bend’’ to a business name is nothing new, from long standing establishments such as Bend Brewing Co. (opened in 1995) or Bend Burger Company (opened in 2008) to newer businesses such as Bend Sauce (launched in 2019), which all pay homage to Bend with their company names. Here’s a look at some of the businesses that wear the Bend name proudly.

Bend Soap Company

What started as a quest to help their son get relief from eczema a decade ago turned into a family soap and skincare business for Dwight and Marilee Johnson. Bend Soap’s first product was a simple, goat’s milk soap using milk from their family farm. It helped their son’s skin and inspired the Johnsons to pursue a business. When it came time to naming the new company, they wanted something simple and traditional, Marilee said. “We’re old school and homegrown in so many ways,” she said. “Many establishments in the past would name their companies simply after their location. Since we are here in Bend, it just made sense to give a nod to our roots, mimicking that vintage way of life.” The company has since grown into a multi-million dollar business, with sales across the country of soaps, lotions and more, all bearing the “Bend” name. “We hope the fact that we have built a lifestyle brand and remained a constant in people’s lives, gives credibility to the Bend community,” Marilee said. “We hope it’s something the Bend locals can be proud of. We see folks sending the Bend Soap products all over the country to their loved ones, and being proud that it is made here in their hometown.”

Bend Soap Company | 63257 Nels Anderson Road, #110 | bendsoap.com

Bend Sauce

When dining at The Victorian Café one summer weekend in 2019, Craig Reinhart found himself wishing the restaurant offered a rich chipotle sauce. “That same day, we went to Newport Avenue Market and bought the best ingredients to play with, including organic chipotles from New Mexico and Jacobsen Salt from the Oregon Coast and created Bend Sauce,” Reinhart said. The decision to name the product Bend Sauce was instantaneous after making the first batch and realizing the name was available, Reinhart said. “We love Bend, Oregon and knew that as our brand grew, we would plant a special image in the mind and bellies of all who tried it,” Reinhart said. “I’m sure we sell more Bend Sauce in Central Oregon because of our name. Nationally, the sauce has to stand on its own and as it grows we hope our success reflects Bend positively.”

Bend Sauce | 212 NE Revere Avenue, Bend | bendsauce.com

Bend Cider Co.

After attending college to become a wildlife biologist, Kelly Roark moved to Bend to start his new career. When he couldn’t find a job in the field, he opted to stay anyway, spending time with friends and trying out a new hobby of making fresh-pressed hard cider. “This all started because he loved Bend so much,” said Roark’s wife, Tammy Roark. “He gave up his career essentially because of this calling to be in Bend.” What started as a hobby and part of a quest to live sustainably slowly morphed into a bootleg cider business as the popularity of Kelly’s homemade libations took off. When it came time to officially launch the business in 2019, the Roarks tossed around a few name ideas. They wanted a name that represented their values and beliefs and reminded them of why they were here in Bend in the first place. “We wanted something that people could remember and something that was simple—like if they tried something on draft, the name was recognizable,” Tammy said. The couple decided on Bend Cider Co., and aimed to build a brand that reflects the best parts of Bend. “People have a fondness of Bend—whether it’s from coming on their family vacation here or the memories they’ve made in Bend, there’s just a nostalgic feeling to the name,” Tammy said. “We decided if we were going to name it that, we wanted a brand that really represented Bend.”

Bend Cider Co. | 64649 Wharton Avenue, Bend | bendcider.com

Bend Brewing

While co-owner Packy Deenihan wasn’t the original founder of Bend Brewing Co. (he and his father purchased the downtown brewery six years ago) he acknowledges the obvious appeal of naming the spot after the city. As for whether the Bend-centric name brings the brewery and restaurant more business? “It certainly doesn’t hurt,” Deenihan said. “I think if you’re visiting Bend and plan to check out a brewery or two, coming to Bend Brewing is a pretty obvious choice. That said, our goal is to make BBC their favorite brewery during their time in Bend and when they go home they tell their friends.” Deenihan said one perk that’s likely related to the name of the brewery is the popularity of merchandise they sell. “We are always surprised at how many people buy our apparel,” he said. While it’s fun to be named after Bend and attract some visitors because of it, Deenihan said the business is also really proud of its local following. “It’s not really because
of our name why they keep coming back—it’s the great beer, food, service and atmosphere.”

Bend Brewing | 1019 NW Brooks Street, Bend | bendbrewing.com

Bend Burger Company

When owners Jon and Kristy Hayes opened Bend Burger Company in downtown Bend in 2008, they asked friend Ramona Newman to help get the front of the house running for the new business, named after the town. She agreed to come on board for the first six months, but thirteen years later, she’s still proudly serving as manager. Newman said that while the name Bend Burger Company probably attracts some customers, she believes it’s more likely the fresh, high-quality burgers and word-of-mouth that have led to the restaurant’s success. “I definitely think that the name Bend represents who we are and we do have a great reputation,” Newman said. “But I also believe it has more to do with our product than the name.” Originally opened downtown in 2008, the company later opened locations in Redmond (Redmond Burger Company) and a second Bend Burger Company on Third Street in Bend, and closed the downtown spot to focus on the two others. Menu items also highlight some of Central Oregon’s most popular locations, with burgers like The Bend Burger, Pole Pedal Paddle Burger, Broken Top Burger and other choices like the Newport Avenue Salad and the Paulina Peak Chicken Sandwich.

Bend Burger Company | 1939 NE 3rd Street, Bend | bendburger.com

Handmade Bend

Fine art ceramics company Handmade Bend was conceived in early 2017, when couple turned business partners Kim Tallent and Michael Knapek left behind their high-pressure careers in hopes of starting a new artistically driven business. The duo dreamed up the new venture, utilizing Knapek’s skills in fine art, mold making and bronze casting and Tallent’s expertise as a photographer and business administrator to create nature-inspired pieces including sculpted ceramic vases, mugs and bowls. When it came time to name the company, Tallent and Knapek wanted to emphasize the time and care put into each product. “The ‘handmade’ part seemed to fit naturally,” Tallent said. “Next, we focused on what inspired the business. The beauty in and around Bend was the inspiration for the first works, making Bend the next logical part of the name…and thus, ‘Handmade Bend’ was born.”

Handmade Bend | handmadebend.com

A Perfect Storm for Central Oregon Ski Areas

Getting on lift at Mt Bachelor — Photo courtesy of Mt. Bachelor

Last October, dedicated ski enthusiasts were hiking areas of Mt. Bachelor blanketed in the first snowfall of the season, posting photos on social media and spreading stoke for the upcoming winter. Around the same time, Central Oregon skiers and snowboarders were sounding off in a petition calling out the latest business decision of Mt. Bachelor ski area and its parent company, POWDR, following the announcement of a new Fast Tracks product that lets skiers cut lines at the resort for a fee starting at $49 per day. This juxtaposition of excitement and love for skiing coupled with an anger toward resort operating decisions has become commonplace at ski areas throughout the country, often fueled by rising lift ticket prices and a perception that profits are the only thing on the minds of ski area operators. “Recent changes to our once little mountain town have been challenging for many, but the affordability, crowds, COVID and access to the mountain have become unbearable for many,” said Dan Cochrane, a Bend local who started a petition directed at Mt. Bachelor against the Fast Tracks product. “Since POWDR Corp has taken over, it has become clear that profit over people is the new motto.”

While lift ticket prices at U.S. resorts have risen substantially in the past decade, ski area operators in Central Oregon insist there’s more to the story than just a desire to hike up prices to make money. Running a ski resort involves expensive lift infrastructure and vehicle fleets to maintain, a seasonal workforce to hire and train and the responsibility of operating a playground for inherently risky activities, opening a door for liability and litigation not seen in many other businesses. Throw in an iffy weather forecast, the looming impacts of climate change and a passionate customer base, and ski areas operators have quite the challenge in front of them.

Yes, lift ticket prices are going up, but the same isn’t necessarily true for season passes at our local resorts—Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo Ski Area—which treat these annual passes as a “locals product,” keeping access more affordable for frequent skiers. Mt. Bachelor CEO John McLeod said that since 1999, two years before Bachelor was acquired by POWDR, until today, the season pass price has only risen 11 percent. “If you look at the season pass as a kind of ‘locals’ product and our day ticket as a ‘tourist’ product, you can easily see that our pricing strategy has heavily benefited the local community over the long term,” McLeod said. A product like Fast Tracks, while infuriating to many locals, can actually help mitigate rising costs and keep season passes more affordable, according to McLeod. “To the extent that this is a successful product, the revenue it generates will allow us to continue to minimize price increases on our mainstream products as we work to deal with inflation in our cost structure,” he said. While the pricing strategy at Bachelor is about profitability, it’s tied to keeping the resort viable in the long term, McLeod explained. “[It’s] about balancing our costs and maintaining a level of profitability that ensures we will be around for the long run while providing funds for the long-term growth and development of the resort,” he said.

Mt Bachelor Avalanche Patrol — A Perfect Storm for Central Oregon Ski Areas

Heated discussions over ticket prices are just one of many challenging aspects of running a ski area today, according to Jordan Elliott, president of the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, a nonprofit trade association representing the business interests of winter sports destinations. Elliott said that as ski areas wait for adequate snowfall to open (as Bachelor and Hoodoo both did this December) they’re expected to be ready to roll on a moment’s notice. “Even before the snow settles, you need your full vehicle fleet, your mountain operations crews, ski and ride school instructors, rentals and retail staff, restaurants, they all need to be fully staffed, trained and ready for a mountain full of guests,” Elliott said. “If the snow doesn’t come, then the guests don’t come, but much of the expense is still there.” For this season in particular, ski areas have also taken note of the state of the labor market, getting creative in recruiting efforts but still struggling with hiring in some departments, such as food and beverage.

When ski areas are able to open for the season is dependent almost entirely on Mother Nature, with climate change bringing more uncertainty to the industry. “Climate change is one topic that I used to say was on the forefront of everyone’s minds,” Elliott said. “Now I would say that climate adaptation is integrated into nearly every level of business decision making. It’s part of most ski areas’ DNA at this point.” This means not only big-ticket investments in snowmaking equipment, but also an industry shift toward the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles and utilities, doing business with others who prioritize climate stewardship and ongoing advocacy work.

Another looming issue ski area operators wrestle with is litigation from on-mountain incidents. “Skiing and snowboarding are adventurous activities that take place in a natural environment and involve risk,” McLeod said. “Litigation against ski areas for all manner of incidents is on the rise and driving constantly increasing insurance and liability costs which ultimately have an impact on our season pass and ticket pricing.”

Mt Bachelor ski patrol — Photo courtesy of Mt. Bachelor

With the ongoing challenges of running a ski area amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two seasons, Mt. Bachelor leaders opted to enroll management staff in Dare to Lead, a training program from leadership researcher Brené Brown that centers around how to face uncertainty and risk as leaders and to lead with courage. “After the pandemic hit, we knew we would need more management skills than ever to help us work through the challenges ahead, including dealing compassionately with many new and unforeseen employee situations,” McLeod said. “Working through this last year and a half with the team at Mt. Bachelor with the open and honest approach we learned from Dare to Lead was one of the toughest and most fulfilling periods in many of our careers.”

Looking to the future, ski areas including Mt. Bachelor will continue to balance a profit model that allows for infrastructure improvements, addressing the impacts of climate change and answering to a passionate population of outdoor enthusiasts ready to hit the slopes. And while more than 13,000 of those skiing devotees have shown their passion by signing a petition against Mt. Bachelor’s latest revenue-boosting move, Fast Tracks, the ski area is moving forward with the product. While the frustration among some skiers is sure to linger into the start of the season, it’s likely not enough to hamper a busy winter in Central Oregon. Despite the challenges of the industry, the growing popularity of outdoor recreation gives ski area leaders confidence as they predict the future of the business. “Outdoor recreation in all forms is in high demand,” McLeod said. “Meaning…our business is positioned well for the future from a demand perspective, and the people who work in it are pros who love what they do. Those are some good ingredients to work with.”

Smith Rock Records is a Fresh Spin on Bend’s Longtime Record Store

A visit to downtown Bend’s Smith Rock Records is an experience rife with nostalgia as customers step into a space packed with new and used vinyl albums, CDs and cassette tapes. Vintage music posters, memorabilia and tapestries decorate the walls, the smell of incense cloaks the air and music softly plays over the surround sound system. The store sits in the O’Kane building, a two-story structure built in 1916 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 1980s—all appropriate to the throw-back feel of this classic destination.

While a trip to the record store might seem like a thing of the past for many, vinyl sales have actually skyrocketed across the U.S. in the past couple of years, thanks in part to shifting habits during the pandemic and a growing number of music lovers preferring analog formats to listen to their favorite tunes. The spike in interest and sales has been a boon for stores like the one in Bend, which in 2020 changed owners and rebranded under a new name, Smith Rock Records.

Less than two years ago, the future was uncertain for Bend’s Ranch Records, as the downtown record store was known, in business since 1996. Then-owner John Schroeder had been eyeing retirement for a couple of years, and with rumors of pandemic shutdowns looming last February, he briefly considered calling it quits on the store. Luckily for Schroeder and audiophiles around the region, another music lover was more than ready to step in. “I had no apprehension in taking it over,” said Patrick Smith, a Central Oregon native with a long history in the local music scene. Smith, who also does sound production for concerts, had discussed buying the store from Schroeder in the past, and pandemic or not, he was still interested. Schroeder began to show him the ropes, and by the summer, Smith was officially the new owner.

Smith thanks his mom for introducing him at a young age to music, which has been an important part of his life ever since. “The radio was constantly going when I was growing up,” said Smith, who grew up in Bend and Redmond. “And she gave me some of her 45s when I was real little.” After college in Eugene and stints in Seattle and Portland, Smith returned to Central Oregon, where he has helped with a sound and audio production company and been sales manager at audio equipment store Stereo Planet, among other jobs. As someone who appreciates music in its richest forms, including vinyl and CDs, Smith understands why the formats are making a comeback. “Hardcore music folks, they never stepped away from the record,” he said. “Records sound a lot more realistic. When someone hits a cymbal, it sounds like a cymbal.”

After taking over the store last June, Smith renamed it Smith Rock Records—which includes his own last name, the word “rock,” and is a nod to Smith Rock, a favorite climbing destination for Smith, who lives between Redmond and Terrebonne. While some loyal customers questioned the name change, Smith was quick to explain that Bend has been home to record stores of many names over the past few decades. In the early 1980s there was Great American Record and Plant, which split into Great American Record for music and Stereo Plant for audio equipment (today it’s called Stereo Planet). When Great American Record left town in 1982, Schroeder managed a store called Rising Run Records that popped up in its place. That store’s name later changed to Paramount Records and after it eventually closed in the early 1990s, Schroeder and a partner opened Ranch Records. While Smith has kept the “Ranch Records” illuminated sign in the window of Smith Rock Records for old times’ sake, he’s reorganized the shop to make it more inviting to customers and made other upgrades, such as adding concert-quality trusses with stage lighting on the walls and adding wheels to displays to easily rearrange the space. Smith hopes to begin hosting events like album singings, acoustic shows and small concerts as soon as this winter.

Business has been steady through the pandemic, Smith said, with lines forming outside during times when the store capacity was limited. The holidays last year saw lots of gift-buyers and there were plenty of tourists over the summer, in addition to locals, he said. “The pandemic has helped quite a bit. People were just in the vinyl-buying mood and people really needed music,” Smith said. In 2020, vinyl sales across the country grew to 27.5 million records, rising thirty percent from 2019 and outpacing CD sales for the first time in thirty-four years. While Smith can’t predict the future of the record industry, he said he expects more classic record collections to surface in the coming years as the Baby Boom generation ages and passes on their belongings, boosting used inventory for shops like his. At the same time, artists today are producing more vinyl when they release albums, expanding new inventory for record stores. In the first half of 2021 alone, 19.2 million new records were sold.

Check out the latest inventory and see what the vinyl resurgence is all about at Smith Rock Records, 117 NW Oregon Avenue in Bend, or visit facebook.com/smithrockrecords for store updates.

Deserving Homeowners Settle Into a West Side Bend Habitat for Humanity Home

In the best of circumstances, the road to homeownership can be complex, and the day the keys are finally handed over can be life changing. In more challenging circumstances, it’s hard to put into words what it means. “It’s night and day,” said Eryn Sisson, who moved into her new home on Bend’s west side in late July. “We feel safe and sound and secure and spoiled.” Sisson and her son Paxton are the proud new owners of a two-bedroom, two-bath home in northwest Bend, in a mini neighborhood full of other new homeowners. The single mother and her son are just some of the faces of the latest Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity development, an eleven-home neighborhood off Northwest Juniper Street. For Sisson, the opportunity to buy a home through Habitat for Humanity couldn’t have come at a better time.

Eryn Sisson in front of her home — photo Lesley Zacharias

Road to home

Sisson and now 11-year-old Paxton learned in March 2020, just a couple of weeks before the pandemic set in, that their northeast Bend rental was under foreclosure. They’d paid the rent each month, but the owner hadn’t kept up with the mortgage, and the bank was ready to step in. While Sisson scrambled to find another rental, a friend reminded her of Habitat for Humanity. She’d applied in the past, but never had quite the right qualifications to move forward. In order to pursue homeownership with Habitat for Humanity, applicants must fall into a specific income range, making more than what would qualify them for any public assistance, but less than seventy-five percent of the area’s median income when applying. Applicants must also have a solid credit score, have a steady work history, agree to 150 hours of volunteer work and help pay closing costs. Once they move in, they’re expected to pay a mortgage that matches thirty-three percent of their income at the time they enter the program. “It’s a massive commitment,” Sisson said. “And meant for people who are living way below their means.” Sisson has spent the past seven years as a paralegal, and with a steady work history and just the right circumstances, this time she was approved.

Paxton and Eryn walking — Photo Lesley Zacharias

The next eighteen months were kind of a blur. Sisson and her son spent time volunteering at the ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s secondhand store for home goods and tools. When construction started on their future home, they also pitched in on Saturdays, helping to literally raise the walls of the residence. Sisson learned about homeownership and budgeting through online classes and Zoom meetings organized by Habitat. In the meantime, Sisson continued her full-time job and Paxton stayed busy with remote schooling while the two lived in a temporary rental.

Eventually, near the end of the process, Sisson and her son visited a park in Bend where they were introduced to many of their future neighbors. Many have shared stories of overcoming hardships, but together Sisson envisions they’ll become a tight-knit group of neighbors who support each other and recognize how significant the opportunity of homeownership is for them. “I can’t even explain it, we are so grateful,” she said. “And we deserve this, and I think every family in the neighborhood deserves this.”

Overwhelming need

In Central Oregon, Sisson and her son are one of many families struggling with the region’s lack of affordable housing, according to Robin Cooper Engle, vice president of resource development for Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. The local organization, which is affiliated with the greater Habitat for Humanity but operated and funded independently, tries to plan a few years ahead on inventory of homes, but even with dozens of homes in the pipeline, the need is far greater, Cooper Engle said. “There are a lot more applicants than we can serve,” she said. Habitat works with local cities, foundations, businesses and private donors to raise money for land and construction, and generates money from the ReStore, but the organization is always seeking more funds to keep up with demand. In the case of the west Bend development, the undeveloped land was donated to the organization, and Habitat will own and lease the land to the new homeowners, with an agreement that if the homeowners wish to sell, they must sell back to Habitat to ensure the home ends up in the hands of another applicant. “It’s just really about serving people with housing,” Cooper Engle said.

Cooper Engle and her daughter Carly went through the Habitat program themselves eleven years ago, when Cooper Engle was a single mother and Carly was three years old. The experience gives Cooper Engle a unique perspective and deep appreciation for the organization she works for. “Giving people an opportunity for homeownership is so transformational,” she said.

Bend Redmond Habitat Home — photo Lesley Zacharias

Moving in

Sisson and Paxton moved into their new two-story home in late July. It’s 1,200 square feet (including a garage) and is just the right amount of space for the duo. Paxton, a sixth-grader at Pacific Crest Middle School, settled into the downstairs bedroom, and his mom moved in upstairs, taking advantage of a small walk-in closet and her own upstairs bathroom with a tub. The home has white cabinetry, light finishes and neutral walls, allowing Sisson to customize the space and add her own pops of color, which she quickly started doing late this summer. Just before they moved in, the home was staged with furniture from the ReStore for showings as part of the Central Oregon Builders Association Tour of Homes. When the family of two began moving in, they were gifted a beautiful coral couch from the staging, and Sisson designed the rest of the living room around it. It’s a comfortable sitting piece that’s well enjoyed by the family’s two cats—one-year-old Watson, and Pua, who was adopted this summer.

Juniper St Home in Bend — photo Dry Sky Photography

While the family was still settling in this September, Sisson was quick to share what they’re enjoying about the home so far. “It’s bright, and it’s happy and it’s everything we ever wanted or needed,” she said. Together, she and Paxton love cooking—they’ve recently been making Asian dumplings—and Paxton is planning a tinkering space in the garage to work on projects. Paxton loves spending time outside the home, on his pogo stick, playing basketball or biking around. Sisson also just got a bike, a pink cruiser, which will be great for transportation around town. “I haven’t used my vehicle hardly at all since I’ve been here,” Sisson said. “We’ve just been walking everywhere.”

Finally moved in and able to reflect on their journey over the past year and a half, Sisson gets teary eyed thinking about how much has changed, and what their future looks like in their new home. “We’re going to build our life here—and we get to figure out what that looks like, inside these walls.”

coba tour of homes

In July, the home was on display as part of the Central Oregon Builders Association Tour of Homes. It earned the tour’s Green Building award for homes valued at less than $500,000 and was awarded best feature for homes valued between $380,000 and $400,000 for being a net zero residence. The home is outfitted with solar panels and energy-efficient heating and cooling.

Resources

Builder: Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity

Architecture and Design: Wooster Design Inspirations

Solar: Sunlight Solar

HVAC: Bend Heating and Sheetmetal, Inc.

Landscaping: Lawn and Leaf Landscapes

Excavation: MacWest Construction

Foundation: A&G Maintenance

Painting: Paint Pros Oregon

A ‘Pretend Fancy’ Cocktail at San Simón in Bend

Brian Trottier was backpacking through Buenos Aires years ago when he met up with his sister, who worked at a Four Seasons. She put Trottier up in a room on the same floor as the hotel’s executive lounge. Trottier walked inside to find an endless supply of snacks and drinks, and ended up spending most of his stay right there, even inviting his friends from a nearby hostel over to reap the tasty “executive” benefits. “The term executive lounge has always been this moniker for pretending we’re fancier than we are,” said Trottier, who opened downtown Bend’s San Simón with his wife, Ashley, in October 2019. Tucked away in Tin Pan Alley, Trottier describes San Simón as a candlelit, romantic, bohemian bar, with no TVs, and “as a place for adults to actually talk to each other.” The menu features handcrafted cocktails, a few beers and other drinks and some cheaper options, like $3 PBRs, along with charcuterie boards to snack on. As fall approaches, stop by for a belly-warming mix of bourbon and ginger with the Executive Lounge cocktail. A visit to San Simón is as good of an excuse as any to pretend we’re fancier than we are.

Executive Lounge Cocktail Recipe

2 oz. bourbon
½ oz. ginger rosemary simple syrup
¼ oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
4 mint leaves, plus 1 sprig of mint
3 sprays of peated scotch
Shake together bourbon, syrup, lime and mint leaves. Double
strain over a big ice cube and use an atomizer or spray bottle to do three sprays of peated scotch. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Ginger Rosemary Simple Syrup

1 cup of fresh ginger juice
Fresh rosemary
1 cup boiling water
½ cup sugar
Steep fresh rosemary in hot water for three minutes. Remove the rosemary and add the sugar to the hot water. Mix the hot sugar water with the ginger juice to create ginger rosemary simple syrup.

Photo by Marvin Walder | Let our dining guide help pick your next restaurant. | Click here to read more about our local food and restaurant scene.

Bend’s Five Peaks Woodworks Creates Mountainscape Art and Charcuterie Boards

Nate Decker’s fascination with beautiful wood and the stories behind it started in Hawaii, when he was growing up on Maui and later living on Kauai. Highly revered and endemic to Hawaii, koa wood is strong and light, and Decker learned to make things like picture frames and paddles from it, while also experimenting with mango and monkeypod woods. After making the move to the west coast nearly six years ago, Decker landed in Bend, setting up his modest woodshop in the garage of his new home on the west side of town.

With Bend as a home base, he traveled to Montana, where he used his professional background in hotel sales and marketing to help develop a large cattle ranch into a “dude ranch” destination. It was there he saw how purposefully new life could be given to old wood through projects happening on the ranch. “I was very inspired by how they used this barnwood,” said Decker, who began sourcing his own barnwood back in Oregon.

Decker’s signature piece became a mountainscape of five peaks in the Cascade Range—Mount Bachelor, South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister and Broken Top—created with repurposed wood from old Oregon barns or other structures. For each piece he creates, Decker can explain exactly where the wood originated, showing old pictures of structures and providing the history of how he came across the materials, whether it’s lath from a 90-year-old house being knocked down in Bend, wood from an old barn he helped tear down in La Pine or Lakeview or blue pine harvested on Santiam Pass after one of last summer’s forest fires. He spends hours carefully milling the wood, preserving details such as cracks, fading, weathering or bits of lichen that add subtle color. “Old wood has textures that you can’t recreate, that only sun, rain, wind or snow can (create),” he said.

Decker officially launched his company, Five Peaks Woodworks, in 2020. An outdoorsman and certified mountain guide, Decker has always been drawn to the mountains. “Mountains are very inspiring to me,” he said. “They’re beautiful. They humble you, and they test you.” In addition to mountainscapes of the Pacific Northwest, desert inspired scenes and other designs, Decker also creates live edge cutting/charcuterie boards. The boards are designed to showcase the unique features of each piece of wood, with epoxy used to fill in cracks, sometimes adding pops of color to rich wood tones. He works with Epilogue, a lumber mill south of Portland, to sustainably source lumber from trees taken down by tree removal companies in urban areas. The wood would otherwise become wood chips or firewood but is instead given new life by Decker and other customers.

Sustainability fits in with Decker’s lifestyle, which revolves around time outdoors, on ranches, in the mountains, tending to overflowing garden boxes just outside his workshop and exploring with his dog, Bambam. The mild-mannered American bulldog and boxer mix was the first dog rescued by Real Good Rescue, a nonprofit based in California that Decker co-founded. Bambam hangs around the shop below Decker’s house most days, but heads upstairs when things get too loud or dusty, or when projects last late into the night. Some pieces can take days to create, especially when factoring in the time Decker spends sourcing wood (often helping to tear down barns), traveling around the state, milling and then imagining a new life for the materials through his designs. That time spent becomes part of the story of each piece of wood, carefully repurposed on a customer’s living room wall. “Whenever I make something for someone, I’m able to share the story behind it,” Decker said. “I think the extra effort is worth it.”

See Five Peaks Woodworks latest creations at fivepeakswoodworks.com.
Charcuterie boards are available at Newport Market, 1121 NW Newport Avenue in Bend.

A Compact and Sustainable Dream Home in West Bend

Mary and Joe Ostafi are both trained architects, so they know a thing or two about building design. They’re also minimalists, who enjoy being purposeful about their possessions, their spaces and their lives. That’s why during the pandemic, as they sat working remotely from their 550-square-foot apartment in Oakland, California, they realized a change was in order. Mary had always dreamed of living in Oregon and both were eager to immerse themselves in the outdoors and escape some of the chaos of living in the city. “We’d never been here before, but I’d wanted to live in Oregon my entire life,” Mary said. “We were just looking to get closer to nature.” Joe had heard good things about Bend, and they liked that Central Oregon was less rainy than the Willamette Valley. “We took a chance and packed up a van and moved here,” Joe said.

Seeking sustainability

As the couple settled into a rental home in Bend, they began looking for a permanent space to live that embodied their values, including sustainability. Mary started her career as an architect focusing on sustainability, getting in early on efforts focused on green building. She traveled to Sweden to pursue sustainability in grad school in the late 2000s and returned to practice architecture along with Joe at a firm in St. Louis. Today she’s a high-performance coach who works with social and environmental entrepreneurs, guiding her clients to grow the sustainability movement. Meanwhile, Joe continues to practice architecture, designing mostly new research-and-development laboratories in Silicon Valley. When it came to looking for a home in Bend, they wanted something environmentally friendly, with a small footprint.

Luckily for the Ostafis, the new Hiatus Roanoke development was just underway, and their dream home wasn’t far out of reach. The west Bend development features ten two-bedroom homes perched on a hill, each 1,200-square feet in size (including a 350-square-foot finished garage) and expertly designed to be energy efficient—about 40 to 50 percent more efficient than current building codes require. It’s the second development by Hiatus Homes, following Hiatus Benham, a community of eleven studio-sized tiny homes in southeast Bend, which are also energy-efficient. As Joe said, the couple’s new home at Hiatus Roanoke is high-performance—a perfect fit for his wife, a high-performance coach, and himself, a high-performance architect. The home was built with non-toxic materials, features a ductless, high-efficiency ventilation system, wall-mounted tankless toilets and high-performance windows, all details that make the home more environmentally friendly. The Ostafis were first in line to buy, and moved into their new home in late March.

Home at last

All settled in, the home feels purposeful and not too confined, with the Ostafi’s furniture sliding into place just right. It’s a perfect amount of space for the couple, along with their 14-year-old rescue cat, Adison, who loves basking in the home’s plentiful natural light, but is still deciding what she thinks of the scruffy little dog that lives next door. The two-level home features a compact garage with entry into the downstairs bedroom, which is used as Joe’s office or a guest room, with its own full bathroom. Upstairs is the main bedroom (also used as Mary’s office), main bathroom and open concept living, dining and kitchen area. The highlight of the space is a massive folding glass door, opening up the living room to the upstairs outdoor patio and incredible views of Bend, including the Old Mill District. Peering to the right, the Ostafis can see Mount Bachelor in the distance, behind a towering Ponderosa pine tree that partially covers the snow-capped peak. The home’s unique angled roof is designed to complement the sunlight year-round, blocking harsh light in the summer evenings but still offering plenty of natural light for the winter. Down below the deck, the Ostafis can see the last few homes in the mini development taking shape. The first five homes have sold, with the remaining five, still under construction, expected to hit the market this summer. As the neighborhood fills up, the Ostafis expect to get along well with the new residents. “We all probably share similar values if we’re buying smaller homes,” Mary said.

The Ostafis adore the design of their new home, and Mary loves that the lower square footage encourages the couple to continue the minimalist lifestyle. “What we love about it most is that it’s a small house,” Mary said. “We love the modern, minimalist design. They really leveraged every inch of space.” Even if the Ostafis had used their own architectural skills to design something custom, the end result would have been very similar, Mary said.

Soaking in the sunshine from the patio on a late spring evening, the Ostafis said they’re eager to see more of what Bend has to offer, post-pandemic. They’re taking care of a gardening plot at Millers Landing Community Garden, and are regulars at the Bend Farmers Market, where they like to pick up fresh produce for Joe—a former sous chef—to use in home-cooked meals. They feel like they’ve just begun to explore the region’s culinary scene and are eager to meet more people in the community. They’ve already met their first two neighbors in the development, who have moved in on either side of their house—and are enjoying exploring the outdoors via biking, with plans to get kayaks or paddleboards in the future. Joe said, “We love the idea of being in this community of people with like-minded views.”

Gluten-Free Goodness at Bend’s Blissful Spoon

Locally grown, fresh foods have been a part of Miki Bekkari’s life since she was a child growing up in Humboldt County, California. By age seven, she was helping out with the family business, Potter’s Produce, which supplied fresh food to stores and restaurants in northern California.

After college and travels that brought her to Lebanon and Spain, she met her future husband, Kamal Bekkari, and the two settled into life with corporate jobs in Australia—he as a banker and she as a grant writer. But it wasn’t long before the couple was drawn to the United States, and after a trip through the Pacific Northwest they landed in Bend in 2018.

It was then that the couple began Blissful Spoon, a new “passion project” that started as a granola and baked goods pop-up shop at farmers markets. The granola features organic ingredients without oats, grains or sugar, making it a hit right away with those following special diets, including gluten-free, paleo and vegan. In addition to the granola, the baked goods were proving popular at the farmers market too, especially the gluten-free varieties, like flourless chocolate cake, Miki said. The popularity of gluten-free options led Miki to begin experimenting to add more gluten-free baked goods to the lineup. “Good baking is good baking, whether it’s gluten-free or not,” she said.

Soon the Bekkaris were dreaming of a brick-and-mortar location, and after months of searching Miki spotted a space on the corner of Newport Avenue and NW Brooks Street. The 69 Newport development next to Bend Brewing Company was just underway, meaning the Bekkaris would be able to design the interior of the space to their liking. After a year of anticipation and construction, Blissful Spoon now occupies the development’s east building, along NW Brooks Street, while a new restaurant, Sen, from the owners of downtown Bend’s Wild Rose Thai, recently opened in the west building. Separately leased office spaces are atop each restaurant. “All of the tenants have been a pleasure to work with,” said developer Sean Cavanagh. “With the project wrapped up, the thing I’m most looking forward to is being able to dine in at either restaurant and see others enjoying the spaces.”

All moved in to the newly completed Blissful Spoon space, the Bekkaris are busy serving up a selection of gluten-free baked goods and selling granola. The space is also a coffee shop, and a cozy European bistro-style space to grab tapas from. Many of the dishes have a Mediterranean influence, both from Miki’s travels and Kamal’s childhood in Morocco. “It’s such a beautiful part of the world, we wanted to bring a little slice of that to Bend,” Miki said. Earlier in the day, try savory, smoked salmon brioche toast, with house-made bread (this time with gluten) topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon and a remoulade of capers and pickled onions. For lunch, fill up with the jambon au beurre, a classic French ham sandwich with tiny cornichon pickles.

In addition to coffee, Blissful Spoon offers local beers and cider on tap, and a variety of wines, with many from Europe and Australia. The drinks pair well with the after dark menu, which includes bruschetta, slow-cooked organic Moroccan meatballs and pasta du jour—freshly made pasta paired with one of the house-made sauces.

The dishes can be enjoyed at a handful of tables inside the fresh, new space, which has wood accents and modern, industrial touches. The walls are adorned with artwork created by the Bekkaris’ 12-year-old daughter Alia, who along with 9-year-old daughter Zuri, are regular taste-testers of the menu offerings. Makal’s 21-year-old son, Adam, is expected to move from Australia this year to join the business and Miki’s parents, who raised her on the produce farm in California, are also in Bend now, often helping out with farmers markets.

After a few months in the new location, Miki said that more customers are finding their way in as word spreads. With new dishes being tested and added regularly, Miki said they’re always willing to make substitutions and customizations to meet the needs of customers, in hopes that everyone is able to find something they like. “We want to cater to everyone,” Miki said. “We’re pretty proud of the whole menu. We make everything in house, and people can taste the difference.”

How to Keep the Backyard Warm and Bright on Summer Nights in Bend

photo Timberline Construction

Central Oregonians love spending time outdoors, especially during the long days of summer. When those hot summer days turn to cool, dim evenings, there’s no reason to end the enjoyment. Unless, of course, the plan is to huddle under the porch light or start digging around the garage for Christmas lights or an old barbecue to light a fire in. Don’t get caught off guard this summer—with a little preparation when it comes to heat and light, daytime fun can last well into the evening with ease.

A covered area with many surrounding lights — A combination of pathway lights, hanging lights and strings of bulbs give this pergola a burst of brightness. Add in a mix of candles and lanterns and this becomes a picture-perfect space for an evening of fun.

Let it burn

Incorporating fire through an outdoor firepit, fireplace or fire table is a great tool for setting the scene and gathering everyone together. Real log firepits can be a fun addition to a spacious backyard, in areas and at times when outdoor burning is allowed. Outdoor fireplaces offer a permanent gathering space that can be surrounded with cozy outdoor couches and chairs for a comfortable outdoor living room setting. Offering lots of versatility, fire tables create an instant fire, are conveniently powered by propane or natural gas and don’t require stoking or cleanup—making them a popular choice in Central Oregon.

Each option offers a focal point for the evening and brings everyone together. “The ambiance of family and friends sitting around a fire—you remember back to when you were a kid sitting around a campfire,” said Scott Holmer, owner at Bend’s Patio World. “This is the modern version of it. You push a button and turn a knob, and you’ve got yourself a fire. It’s not even so much about the heat, but the ambiance.” Holmer said fire tables are popular at his showroom, with varieties with colored tile designs that match outdoor dining areas, all coming together to create a cohesive outdoor living space. With the right fire feature and areas for seating and dining, outside spaces often become a resident’s favorite place to be. “It’s become one of the most desirable places in a home,” Holmer said.

Fire features can be a hit year-round and bring people out of the house on calm nights, according to Becky Shaw, a Bend-based landscape designer for Homeland Design. “The fire feature especially brings you outside of the house and extends the shoulder season of Central Oregon—it’s a gathering place for friends and family and keeps you a little warmer.”

Hit the lights

With high desert sunsets creeping past 9 p.m. in the early summer, natural light keeps our backyard activities going well into the evening. But as darkness starts to set in, an array of lighting choices can keep spaces well-lit. Permanent outdoor lighting woven into the landscape, stairs or along walkways is a great foundation for outdoor brightness, while dim outdoor lanterns, candles and discreet LED lights—including solar powered varieties—can add more sources of lighting.

When the stars come out, it’s time to flip on the brighter lights. Long strings of Edison-style lights can brighten up a patio or be strung from the house and out to a fence to offer a brighter backyard area. Covered areas can be a suitable space to hang bright orb lights or hanging pendant lighting with woven wicker-like lampshades. Be sure to choose outdoor-specific lighting to hold up to the elements and survive an occasional Central Oregon summer rainstorm.

Glowing planters outside — Glow up: These glowing planters are a unique way to incorporate bright, bold lighting into the backyard landscape. The orb-like vessels are beautiful in the daylight, too.

Together, fire and light combine to create attractive and comfortable spaces that keep us outdoors during beautiful Central Oregon summer nights. “Lighting just brings an ambience to the backyard,” Shaw said. “Together the lighting and the fire just make you feel like it’s a place you want to go to.”

Step Inside a Valhalla Heights Remodel in West Bend

Barb Myers knows that designing a functional, purposeful home works best at an unhurried pace. Mapping the ideal placement of kitchen utensils and appliances, considering optimal lighting and thinking through room layouts are tasks best accomplished over time, as residents get to know their spaces. That was the case at least for Myers, who moved with her husband and son to Bend from Portland in early 2016. They found the Valhalla Heights neighborhood in a wooded area in northwest Bend, and settled on a 1970s single-story ranch home that would be in need of at least some remodeling.

The Valhalla Heights Remodel

“We liked the neighborhood and the price point at the time,” said Myers, a designer who has taught digital media and filmmaking at the college level and recently branched out as an interior design consultant. After settling on a 2,100-square-foot home on a slightly hilly lot on the edge of the neighborhood, Myers moved in, along with husband Eric Eggers, a consultant for medical device companies. A zipline from one tree to another in the front yard was a draw for their son Sebastian, now 10, and the family requested the sellers leave the zip setup behind.

The family knew a remodel was in order but didn’t rush the process. They painted the inside of the home to give it a fresh, clean look, while Myers began dreaming up the rest of the changes. By 2019, it was time to execute the bigger projects.

The family worked with Bend’s RD Building and Design to knock out two walls and open up the small kitchen space. This created a larger great room, with a spacious dining area, a cozy seating area and a connected living room space, with seating, a fireplace and television cabinet for occasional movie nights. An oversized kitchen island offers more kitchen prep area for Myers, who enjoys cooking and baking, and two skylights above the island help to brighten up the space. The kitchen’s one wall of cabinetry isn’t excessive, and Myers spent time taking careful inventory of which kitchen gadgets they actually used, carefully designing cabinetry for only what was needed and ditching the rest. An old telephone nook was taken out and some dead space behind the kitchen was turned into a small walk-in pantry for food storage.

“It’s one of the easiest remodels that I’ve done in the last five years, because she had everything lined out for me,” said Colby Summers, who heads up the remodeling division for RD Building and Design. Summers said Myers was extremely organized and knew exactly what she wanted, and that shows in the finished product. “She hit it out of the park,” Summers said.

Myers’ interest in design is coupled with an interest in art, and unique pieces were integral to guiding the design of the entire space. Above the seating area in the main room is a collection of abstract, circular clay pieces, each filled with fabric, created by artist Carolyn Hazel Drake. They’re clustered together in a way that seems random, but loosely depicts the mountains of the Sawtooth Range in Idaho. The art sits above a velvety orange couch over a shaggy rug, nods to the home’s 1970s history.

In the dining room, the art is a series of prints from Rafal Oblinski, a Polish illustrator and designer of Opera house posters whom Myers learned about while living in New York. Her home there was down the street from the School of Visual Arts where Oblinski was an instructor. “I was drawn to the surreal, dreamlike and psychological nature of his work,” she said. The dining table and seating benches are topped with beautiful white oak slabs, welded together by a neighbor, Mike Caligure. Together the dining area, seating area and kitchen island seating will provide ample spaces for guests down the road. “We used to entertain a ton, and will again someday,” Myers said.

Down the hall, each of the home’s three bedrooms—a main bedroom, Sebastian’s room and a guest room—offer simple, clean design, with thoughtful art pieces and colorful details that match the modern-yet-retro color scheme of the home. In the main bedroom’s bathroom, extra space was realized by expanding into a coat closet, allowing room for a double vanity and spacious shower. White oak is seen through the home, including the cabinets in this room and flooring throughout.

A spacious bonus room has space for three workstations, a convenient addition finished before the beginning of the pandemic. There’s also a library for the family’s book collection, and plenty of window views of quail and squirrels outside to enjoy. “It’s really kind of our catch-all space that we didn’t know we would really, really need,” Myers said.

Off the main living area is one more room that mixes function and design—the laundry room/mudroom/sunroom, a favorite spot for Sunny, the family cat rescued from the shelter in Redmond. The long room includes a purposefully designed laundry station, with cupboards and space to hang freshly cleaned clothes, while also serving as an unloading spot for gear after a day of Nordic skiing; a favorite activity for the family.

The interior remodel took about four months and was followed up last October with an exterior paint job, transforming the home’s outside with a crisp black—Sherwin Williams Caviar—paired with real copper gutters offering a modern, elegant accent. While the home today is mostly done inside and out, Myers is still looking forward to future projects, such as redoing the backyard’s entertaining areas and landscaping. She’s enjoyed the slow process of designing over time, and the result is a livable home with carefully considered details. “If you have the time, it’s nice to do slow design,” Myers said. “You really feel like you get to know the home. I think it’s okay to take your time.”

Myers is using the Valhalla Heights remodel as an example piece for her new design consulting business, Branch Home, where she helps other homeowners navigate the same process she’s gone through with the family’s home. She’s worked with some neighbors in the Valhalla Heights development, and expects to see a growing number of remodeling projects take place in the coming years, especially in west Bend, where many homes are older and ready to be refreshed. Myers said, “I love breathing new life into what’s already existing.”

Click here to read more about our Central Oregon community.

3 Oregon-Inspired Liquor Infusions to Mix Up and Sip On

photo www.crowdedkitchen.com

This year, enjoy the longer days and sunny afternoons with a cocktail made from a flavorful liquor handcrafted right at home. Gather up whichever fruits, chilies and spices seem the tastiest and add them to liquors to marinate. For a touch of local flavor during cocktail hour, try some fresh ingredients readily available in Central Oregon. With some time spent infusing liquors like vodka and tequila in advance, crafting the cocktails themselves becomes a simple task, with many infused liquors pairing well with a simple splash of soda water, served over ice.

Fruity Vodka

Vodka is a great candidate for infusions—just scan the shelves of a liquor store to see dozens of fruity vodka combinations, including local varieties like Bendistillery’s Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka or Wild Roots Marionberry Vodka. To start, grab a mason jar or bottle with a resealable lid and wash and dry a couple of fruits. Look for fresh Oregon strawberries starting in early May and available through the summer, and pair with vanilla beans or fresh basil. Tightly seal the jar and let rest for a couple days or up to a week, before straining with a cheesecloth. The flavor will fade over time, so enjoy the infusion plain or in a cocktail in the coming days.

Sparkling Strawberry Vodka
2 oz strawberry infused vodka
4 oz soda water or sparkling seltzer
Dash of simple syrup

Add vodka, soda water and simple syrup to a glass with ice. Stir to combine and garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Tequila with a Kick

For a spicy libation, try infusing tequila with limes and local chilies. Choose the freshest chili peppers available and cut them in half lengthwise before adding them to a jar. Try habanero, chipotle or jalapeno for great flavors. Because peppers are a frost-sensitive crop that thrive during a long, warm growing season, there aren’t a ton of local options in Oregon. But, keep an eye out later in the summer for Oregon grown peppers, or try picking up a seedling in the spring and transplanting to the warmest place in the garden for a homegrown addition to this infusion.

Spicy Margarita
2 oz pepper infused tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz agave nectar
Cayenne salt for rim

Add infused tequila, lime juice
and agave to a shaker with ice, and shake. Rim a glass of ice with fresh lime and cayenne salt and add strained mixture.

Homemade Gin

For a truly Central Oregon infusion, pick up some dried juniper berries to infuse gin at home. The berries are plentiful in Central Oregon, typically ripening in the fall, but with birds as competitors, the easiest way to get juniper berries is more likely purchasing them at the store. Start with plain vodka and juniper berries and infuse these together for a day or two to bring out that juniper taste and smell that gin is known for. Next, add in a mix of lemon slices, a piece of grapefruit rind, orange peel, chamomile, coriander seeds or lavender to spice up the flavors, infusing for a couple more days. Sip on this homemade gin infusion plain or pair with tonic water over ice for a flavorful gin and tonic.

Simple gin and tonic
2 oz infused gin
4 oz tonic water
Fresh lime for garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice and gin, followed by tonic water. Garnish with fresh lime.

Left to right: Sparkling Strawberry Vodka, Spicy Margarita, Simple Gin and Tonic

Apologies to the kitchen sink. This all-important fixture in what is often a favorite room in the house has been done dirty—literally. We toss in the food scraps and pile up the dishes until it’s a mess we’d rather walk away from. It’s time for a fresh start. With a bold, efficent new basin and a beautiful faucet, the sink can shine once again as the focal point of the kitchen.

photo Ruvati RVH8333 Dual-Tier Workstation Sink, ruvati.com

Workstation Sinks

Function and style converge with multi-purpose workstation sinks, designed to simplify prep work for putting together a meal and free up valuable counter space. Tuck dirty dishes on the rack below (protecting the sink from scuffs) while chopping veggies on the cutting board and storing freshly washed ingredients in the basket, which allows water to filter through.

Black & Bold

Matte black is trending in the kitchen, and can complement modern or traditional styles depending on the piece. Black can add character to a wood and white kitchen, or stand out against bold cabinets.

Natural Stone

These durable sinks come in a variety of styles and colors. Use the same material for countertops to acheive a uniform look and enjoy having only one type of surface to clean.

Touchless Options

U by Moen’s Sarai

A motion-activated faucet can come in handy when hands are full or dirty. Many brands now integrate with home voice assistants, and some even have commands that follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention handwashing guidelines.

Two-Tone Faucets

Kallista’s Juxtapose

Mixing faucet finishes can add subtle character to the kichen sink. This slim, minimalist faucet mixes matte black and brushed moderne brass accents for a fixture with function and style.

Copper Finishes

KV1 faucet by Vola

Warm, yellow metals are trending, so expect to see more bronze, brass and copper used for fixture finishes, as well as rose gold or champagne bronze.

Seeking Stability for the Deschutes River Basin

On a frosty February morning in Bend, the Deschutes River drifts into town, as ducks and geese move about on flat mud banks, exposed by lower winter flows. With temperatures in the 20s, it’s hard to picture the same stretch of river in warmer weather, crowded with innertubes and paddleboards, water flowing a bit faster and higher. By the time the water reaches the Old Mill District, the seasonal highs and lows are hard to spot to the untrained eye, and many would think the river is thriving and healthy. The Deschutes River is the lifeblood of Central Oregon after all—an economic driver, recreation hub, source of irrigation, habitat for fish and wildlife and scenic beauty. The river is dear to many.

Take a closer look at the beloved Deschutes, and it becomes the story of a hardworking river, stretched thin—simply not enough water for everyone hoping to get a bucketful, especially during an ongoing drought. The challenges of overseeing water in the Deschutes River Basin aren’t new, and most agree there are no simple fixes. But, a new Habitat Conservation Plan twelve years in the making provides a glimmer of hope and stability for the future of the river, promising more consistent flows and protections for Central Oregon’s fish and wildlife.

A voluntary effort by Central Oregon’s irrigation districts and the city of Prineville, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, the plan proposes that irrigators find ways to conserve water and stabilize seasonal flows in the river, and is part of an incidental take permit that will protect the applicants from endangered species litigation in the future. Irrigation districts agree the plan isn’t a comprehensive fix for the river, but believe it’s a great start, taking into account the needs of farmers, fish and wildlife, anglers, conservation groups and the public.

Central Oregon’s water woes are a product of historical practices that haven’t necessarily aged well. In the late 1800s, Congress passed the Carey Act, allowing irrigation companies to set up shop and sell water across the arid west, which a handful did in Central Oregon by 1904. Settlers were offered land in exchange for the cost of water, and irrigation districts followed the state water policy of “first dibs” that remains the foundation for water rights today. Those first irrigation districts established priority dates from 1899 to 1916, which dictate when and if their patrons receive water today. The process is straightforward but antiquated, without built-in protections for fish and wildlife and with no consideration for where farmers or other types of water users end up on the food chain.

In Central Oregon, many commercial farmers end up having the least amount of water, because their location is within a district with lesser rights. “We’re at the bottom of the list,” explained Mike Britton, the manager of today’s North Unit Irrigation District, which provides water to more than 950 patrons across 58,000 acres in Jefferson County. Depending on how the 2021 water year shapes up, farmers in Britton’s district may only receive 1 or 1.25 acre feet of water this summer. Those in the nearby Central Oregon Irrigation District have more senior rights, and are likely to receive triple or quadruple the amount, even though they engage in less farming and many patrons use the water less efficiently.

When Michael Kirsch returned to the farm in Madras ten years after leaving for college and exploring other careers, his dad was there to guide him in operating the 2,000-acre family business. With about thirty-five employees to lead, crop rotations to consider and a budget to manage, Kirsch’s father told him the biggest focus would be on water. “He said the most important thing you’re going to do on this farm is irrigation management,” Kirsch said. This year, the budget calls for letting a third of the farm’s acres go fallow, sitting idle because of an anticipated lack of water for irrigation. It’s an increase from last year’s 28 percent, and a huge hit to the farm, which grows grass and carrot seed, peppermint for oil and seed potatoes, among other crops.

Like others in the North Unit Irrigation District, Kirsch has doubled down on water conservation at Madras Farms. “We implement drip irrigation practices, we have converted flood irrigation farms to sprinkler irrigation and we’ve installed ponds to catch runoff from one farm that is downstream from another,” he said. Kirsch sits on the North Unit board, and agrees with manager Britton that the district is among the most efficient in the state. “North Unit farmers have really been forced to be more efficient with the water they have, simply because they have less of it,” Britton said.

While farmers in the North Unit pride themselves on efficient water use, other landowners like those in the Central Oregon Irrigation District don’t feel the same pressure to use their allocated water so efficiently. If they use less water after all, they’re subject to the state’s “use it or lose it” water policy, so they’re encouraged to understand beneficial uses and use the water in appropriate ways each year. Part of Central Oregon Irrigation District manager Craig Horrell’s work is educating landowners about water policy, understanding beneficial uses, exploring conservation projects and sharing options for landowners who no longer want or need the water rights they have. One option is putting water back into the river with in-stream leasing. “We’re sometimes seen as a waste of water, but we’re making great strides and changes,” Horrell said. “We educate how to use water appropriately.”

With a limited amount of water flowing through the Upper Deschutes River each year, irrigation districts work to monitor reservoir water storage, control flows and ensure the water is divided properly among patrons. Water rights call for eighty-six percent of water from the Upper Deschutes to be diverted for irrigation, twelve percent to remain in-stream and two percent for municipal city use (think drinking water, laundry and showers). And while there are many important uses for water diverted, the Deschutes itself must retain some water for fish and wildlife habitats and community use, like fishing and recreation.

The Deschutes River was once called the “peculiar river” for its notably consistent flows throughout the year. But flows have been dramatically altered for the sake of seasonal irrigation, causing damage to riverbanks, according to Kate Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Deschutes River Conservancy. In the winter, water is stored in reservoirs to prepare for spring irrigation, leading to lower flows on the Deschutes. In the spring and summer, the flows are ramped way up for irrigation. “The flow regime of low flows in the winter and high flows in the summer has absolutely devastated the Upper Deschutes River,” Fitzpatrick said.

Seasonal swings were so significant in the early 2010s that flows in the Deschutes were as low as 20 cubic feet per second in the winter and as high as 1,800 cfs in the summer, dictated by climate conditions, dams and water storage practices and irrigation needs. During low flows, fish habitats like those for redband trout are degraded, riverbanks eroded and silt deposited into the river. High flows widen the riverbanks, wash away fish eggs and cause further habitat damage. For the Oregon spotted frog, low river flows have resulted in the loss of many of the once-common frog’s river side-channel habitats. “They’re just hanging on in a few places, where they would have been distributed throughout the river abundantly,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director for the Center for Biological Diversity.

For fish, erratic highs and lows in river flows affect survival of fish species, and lessen opportunities for recreational fishing. “We need clean, cold water to sustain trout, and if you lower the river enough it’s not as clean and it’s not as cold,” said Tim Quinton, president of Central Oregon Flyfishers, a nonprofit group that promotes catch-and-release fly-fishing, river restoration projects and youth outreach. Quinton recalled a fishing trip to the Crooked River in the winter of 2015-16 when the winter flows had gotten so low, portions of the river were ice from top to bottom. “Obviously fish can’t live in ice,” he said.

The Deschutes River Conservancy and other conservation groups pushed for years to collaborate with irrigation districts in an effort to stabilize seasonal flows, but concrete change never came. In 2007, an effort to re-introduce threatened steelhead in the Upper Deschutes Basin kicked off a process to create the new Habitat Conservation Plan, which aims to ensure irrigation needs on the Upper Deschutes are balanced with fish and wildlife and river health. In recent years, it was the spotted frog that became the impetus of a lawsuit brought on by environmental groups, who argued that irrigation districts in Central Oregon and the Bureau of Reclamation had violated the Endangered Species Act through irrigation practices that harmed the frog’s habitat, and failed to consult with relevant agencies.

A settlement in 2016 required winter flows to be at least 100 cfs for the time being, with hopes the Habitat Conservation Plan would spell out a long-term solution. While better than flows of 20 cfs in the winter, running the Deschutes at 100 cfs still impacts the spotted frog, which biologists have said needs flows of at least 600 cfs to survive.

In December 2020, twelve years after work on the Habitat Conservation Plan first began, a final draft was released, gaining approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The plan puts forth a thirty-year roadmap for stabilizing flows in the Upper Deschutes to lessen such dramatic highs and lows in the river, improving conditions for the spotted frog and various fish species.

Irrigation district leaders are optimistic about the plan, as it lessens the possibility of litigation bringing forth sudden changes in water supply for their patrons, and offers for the first time a real commitment to the future of the river. “There’s accountability,” Horrell said. “I think that’s the big thing. We finally signed on the line and have accountability to put water back in the river and do these projects.”

To accomplish the goals set forth in the Habitat Conservation Plan, irrigation districts must find ways to conserve water, one of which is through large-scale piping projects to modernize delivery systems and prevent water loss. In the Central Oregon Irrigation District, as much as fifty percent of water is lost to seepage through porous lava rock canals, so piping can improve efficiency in the district and free up water for other uses or a return to the river. It’s costly, however. The district plans to undertake as much as $100 million in piping projects over the next ten years, starting with a 7.9-mile stretch of pipeline between Redmond and Smith Rock. That $33 million project is estimated to put 33 cubic feet a second of water back into the Deschutes.

Federal grant money to help pay for piping is attractive to irrigation districts, but shouldn’t be their only focus, according to river advocates like Tod Heisler, rivers conservation director for Central Oregon LandWatch and former executive director of the Deschutes River Conservancy. Heisler would like to see irrigation districts focus more on true conservation of the water—teaching landowners to irrigate more efficiently and offering incentives to do so, or further developing a water market, where patrons with water rights can lease their allocation to farmers in need or send it back into the river. “It’s very evident that most of their time and effort and focus has been spent on designing and working on this big modernization plan and piping their district,” Heisler said. “But they should still set higher standards—you can’t pipe your way out of a problem for a species that you helped create a threat for.”

Horrell said the district is focusing on more than just piping, with efforts to increase in-stream leasing and encourage on-farm efficiencies. But large piping projects are important too, he said and will give the district a solid infrastructure for the future. “In order to make a change for a long time, we have to invest in the district,” he said.

As of early February, the Habitat Conservation Plan was still under review by the National Marine Fisheries Service, a final cooperating agency that will weigh in on the plan for improvements in the Deschutes River Basin. The more consistent flows that will be achieved as part of the plan are a notable improvement from current river conditions, yet environmental groups worry that the process is taking too long, and that the Habitat Conservation Plan doesn’t spell out exactly how the goals will be achieved. “From our perspective, we have a lot of concerns,” Greenwald said. “Our primary concern is we’re going to get to year eight, and they’re going to say ‘we can’t do this.’”

While the plan doesn’t require higher winter flows on the Deschutes until 2028, a more gradual increase in flows as conservation progress is made is possible, too. “I’m an optimist and I see this as an incredibly positive thing for the Deschutes River, with accountability that’s never been there before,” said Horrell, who has lived and worked in Bend for twenty-three years, the last seven leading the Central Oregon Irrigation District. “Growing up in Oregon and coming to Central Oregon all my life, I’m so excited to see this change in the health of the river.”

Although the plan wasn’t created to address drought conditions, it offers a sense of stability to farmers like Kirsch, who hopes to continue his family farm for decades to come. He’s hopeful that through the steps outlined in the plan, and ongoing conservation efforts across the region, his farm will have a stable source of water, and hopefully more of it, in the future. “It’s never going to be perfect for the farmers, or the recreational group or the fisherman—but we’re all in this together and we need to find ways to make this work,” said Kirsch, who also fishes and enjoys rafting. “As you get older, you learn to really appreciate the river and how it does affect so many people. The water is for everybody, as long as it’s maximized to its fullest potential.”

Inside the DIY Dream Home of Central Oregon’s Equall Family

Courtney Equall was walking her boxer Rudy on their regular stroll through their Three Rivers neighborhood two years ago this spring, when she spotted a rare “for sale” sign. While her own home was only a few hundred yards away, the listed property was right on the Deschutes River, and she was intrigued. She called her husband Nate Equall with a kind of crazy idea, and he immediately started running the numbers to see if they might be able to buy it. “We called the realtor, and I think we looked at it the next morning,” Nate said.

It took a few months to close the deal, because the couple had to sell their current home to get the next, but by late summer the property was theirs. It was “a real fixer” Courtney said, and hardly move-in ready—a 1984 build with mostly original features, old worn carpet and a dark, cramped kitchen right off the entrance. The couple would have their work cut out for them. But a project like this wasn’t intimidating for the Equalls. In fact, it would be their third go-around fixing up a house themselves, and this time they’d have their largest audience yet. Because as the couple planned to renovate their new 1,400-square-foot home into a bright, open, space, they’d have their 136,000 Instagram followers watching along the way.

Growing a following

It had all started when the Equalls moved from Portland to Texas in 2014 for Nate’s job in advertising. As they started working on DIY home projects, family back home encouraged Courtney to start a blog to share their progress. She set up girlandgrey.com to post photos and updates. “Girl” was for their daughter, Nolan, now 11, and Grey is their first son, now 9. They’ve since had a second son, Urban, now 4.

In 2017, the couple moved home to Oregon, this time to the Three Rivers area, and continued to share their DIY projects on the blog and Instagram account. They were amassing followers along the way and attracting the interest of companies such as The Home Depot and Sherwin Williams that wanted to collaborate and connect with the @girlandgrey audience. When it came time to move into house number three on the Deschutes River, they had a captive and eager following ready to cheer them on.

One Room Challenge

If not for their online friends, things may not have moved as quickly in the new home after the Equalls got the keys. But, they had signed on with Better Homes and Gardens to be a featured participant in the One Room Challenge, a six-week project to renovate one room in your home. The couple chose the kitchen as their project space, and started tearing things apart days after moving in. They would have to balance the renovation work with their regular lives—Nate working remotely as the director of advertising for an investment research firm and Courtney, who holds a master’s in education, helping raise the couple’s three kids. As they had in their first Three Rivers house, they enlisted the help of Courtney’s father, Jeff Price, who taught Nate most of what he knows about carpentry over the years. They ripped out dated cupboards from the 1980s to open up the space, removed the drop ceiling and swapped one small window for three large black-framed windows that look out onto the street. They added sage-green cupboards, a countertop-to-ceiling white tile backsplash behind the oven and fresh new hardwood floors, which extend throughout the main floor. “We just wanted it to be bright and open, with Northwest vibes,” Courtney said. It was a close call, but the couple completed the kitchen project in the six weeks of allotted time for the One Room Challenge.

Day by day DIY

As the chaos of the kitchen project faded away, the Equalls were on to the next thing, and then the next. They transformed their downstairs bathroom, adding sleek black and white tile on the floors, an all-white tiled shower-bath combo and a new sink and vanity. The resulting space is clean and modern, but still incorporates Courtney’s boho-inspired style with hanging plants, and one of her many repurposed art pieces thrifted from Goodwill on the shelves above the toilet. After the bathroom came the entryway, followed by a backyard firepit and then a refresh of the laundry room, complete with new open shelving and fun polka dot wallpaper behind the appliances.

Between all the smaller projects, Nate was busy outside on something much bigger—repainting the entire exterior of the house and swapping windows and the front door. Thanks to the @girlandgrey following, the couple collaborated with Sherwin Williams to get paint in exchange for documenting the process. While they initially thought they had a shade of black in mind, it was actually the Instagram audience who ultimately chose another called “Tricorn Black.” “I take a lot of polls when I’m choosing something like tile or color, and everyone loved that color,” Courtney said.

Perpetual projects

While the Equall’s Three Rivers home looks like a finished product in many of the photos they post today, experienced DIY-ers like them are always looking to what’s next. They have an upstairs bathroom that still exudes vintage vibes, and there’s a house addition they hope to tear down and rebuild in a couple of years. As they go, the couple will turn to their online following for support and feedback. “I feel like it’s my biggest passion,” said Courtney of her love of design and sharing it with others. “It’s the most fun thing in the world. It’s like this whole group of people out there that feel like my buddies.”

While six years ago in Texas, big renovation projects sounded like scary undertakings, the couple say they’ve gotten more confident with every project. “Anyone can do it. You learn a lot as you go,” Courtney said. “I think if it’s something you want to do, go for it.”

Bend’s Ingredient Studio Will Cook a Delicious Meal (Or Teach You How) in Your Kitchen

Pasta alla chitarra

The best tasting meal you serve at home might be something you create personally in your own kitchen. Or it might be fixed by professionals who have worked at the Food Network or cooked alongside Jacques Pépin and Bobby Flay. With a call to Bend’s Ingredient Studio, either is possible.

Ingredient Studio is the culinary brainchild of Candy Argondizza and Marité Acosta, an accomplished pair of female chefs who moved to Bend from New York City in 2017, after years of visiting Central Oregon. Together the couple offers in (your) home cooking lessons, cooking parties and private chef services, guaranteeing delicious meals served at your own table whenever you book them, or gift their services to a friend or family member.

“When we moved here, we saw an opportunity to do what we love,” Argondizza said. “I’ve been cooking for years and teaching, and to combine the two into our own business was exciting.” Ingredient Studio’s services are tailored to each customer and can cover specific cuisine or skill building for chefs with varying abilities. “We really like to cater it to each person’s experiences or interests, and that I think makes it unique,” Acosta said. “The education goes beyond just the cooking. The idea really is to tailor it, and give them skills beyond the stove.”

Both Argondizza and Acosta have a lifelong passion for cooking, and their own paths converged more than twenty-three years ago in New York City, long before they’d ever visited Central Oregon. Both culinary professionals at the time, they were introduced by a mutual acquaintance—their gym trainer. After meeting, they continued to live the city life and build upon their impressive resumes in the culinary world.

Acosta spent her time working at the Food Network and Cooking Channel, where she focused on recipe testing and development, often helping with important behind-the-scenes decision making and information gathering. “On Iron Chef America I was stationed in a control room that looked down over the set and would call out anything that was going on using any number of the unique ingredients that the chefs were working with,” she said. “The producers then feed that information to the host, Alton Brown, who would immediately incorporate the ingredient and some details or history about it to the audience.”

Meanwhile, Argondizza was busy leading kitchens in highly regarded New York restaurants, working alongside some of the industry’s best chefs, including Bobby Flay, Jacques Pépin, Alice Waters, Dan Barber and David Chang. In 2000, she took a role teaching at the International Culinary Center, where she served as Vice President of Culinary & Pastry Arts for seventeen years. She was named Culinary Teacher of the Year by the prestigious International Association of Culinary Professionals and has mentored students and instructors alike.

“Our world was all culinary all day back in New York,” said Acosta, who explained that after years of coming from New York to Central Oregon to visit friends, the couple had fallen in love with the area, and by 2017 were ready for a cross-country move to make it their home. “We loved our lives in New York City, but we were ready for another chapter and a better work-life balance,” Argondizza said.

Candy teaches a lesson in gnocchi making

After moving, they quickly got to work launching Ingredient Studio, with plans to offer lessons, personal chef services and a hybrid option, where customers participate in a portion of the cooking and then let the chefs take over. The services are personalized, and after a lesson, Argondizza and Acosta make themselves available in the future to answer cooking questions. “We let them know they now have access to asking us any question any time, going forward,” Acosta said.

Business has been steady over the past three years, and although things slowed down with the pandemic, the duo hopes to keep busy through the holidays with private chef services and small lessons. They also have plans to again offer larger cooking parties in the future. Ingredient Studio also offers gift certificates, and Argondizza and Acosta said a lesson or series of lessons makes a great gift for the chef in someone’s life. “It’s an experience, but it’s also a life skill,” Acosta said. The lessons are appropriate for just about anyone, from parents and children to aspiring chefs, to those just looking to improve technique or perfect a certain type of cuisine. There’s really no downside to gifting someone the experience of becoming a better cook. Because, as Argondizza said, “it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

5 Central Oregon Golf Resorts Worthy of a Fall Staycation

As summer fades to autumn, Central Oregon becomes a golfer’s paradise perfect for a restful fall staycation. With stunning landscapes and top-notch courses, these resorts offer more than just golf – think amazing dining, relaxing spas and access to outdoor adventures. Close to Bend, these five unique destinations promise a luxurious and tranquil escape in the heart of nature.

Tetherow

A golf development set on 700 acres in west Bend, Tetherow’s sprawling new homes can be spotted on the right as you drive south on Century Drive toward Mount Bachelor. The highlight of Tetherow is the 18-hole links-inspired course by award-winning course architect David McLay Kidd, who seamlessly fit 18 holes into a landscape previously ravaged by wildfire. For lodging, Tetherow offers a 50-room luxury hotel and vacation rentals.

Black Butte Ranch

In recent years, Black Butte Ranch homeowners invested in the resort’s transformation, supporting a nearly $4 million remodel of the Glaze Meadow course. That, paired with a new brand-new main lodge, which opened in May 2023, positioned Black Butte Ranch to thrive as a golfing community and getaway destination for years to come.

Brasada Ranch

Since golfing at Brasada Ranch is open only to residents, their visitors and lodging guests, a staycation of sorts would be in order to experience Brasada Canyons, an 18-hole oasis of greenery among the high desert landscape in Powell Butte, northeast of Bend. The 1,800-acre resort offers both hotel suites and vacation rentals. Settle in for a stay and enjoy a private round on the course, where no two holes run parallel.

Sunriver Resort

For lively, family-friendly resort vibes, head to Sunriver Resort. The community south of Bend is known for its many activities, in addition to the resort’s four courses—Crosswater, Meadows, Woodlands and Caldera Links, together offering a wide variety of holes for a mix of challenge and playability.

Ample vacation rentals in Sunriver mean you can finish a day of golf (or fishing or floating) with a beer around the firepit among family or a group of friends.

Pronghorn Golf Club at Juniper Preserve

(previously Pronghorn Resort)

Nestled into an area of undeveloped high desert sand north of Bend is a 640-acre area that’s been transformed into Juniper Preserve. Juniper Preserve boasts two 18-hole courses, opened in 2004 and 2006 among lava rock ridges and outcroppings. The resort recently opened the 104-room Huntington Lodge, and there are a variety of stay-and-play packages offered for visitors this fall. Looking for a lesson? The resort’s Director of Instruction Jeff Ritter is also a regular on the Golf Channel, where he’s lead coach for the Golf Academy program. Golf Digest has also ranked him the No. 1 coach in Oregon.

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<img decoding="async" src="https://bendmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_1099.jpg" alt="Craven Haven family" width="300" height="400"/> Introducing Craven Haven

Resources: Designer: Mackenzie Craven | Builder: Burnham Building Company | Architect: Muddy River Design

Bend Soap Company

Bend Soap Company | 63257 Nels Anderson Road, #110 | bendsoap.com

Bend Sauce | 212 NE Revere Avenue, Bend | bendsauce.com

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Bend Cider Co. | 64649 Wharton Avenue, Bend | bendcider.com

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Handmade Bend | handmadebend.com

Road to home

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coba tour of homes

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Builder: Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity

Architecture and Design: Wooster Design Inspirations

Solar: Sunlight Solar

HVAC: Bend Heating and Sheetmetal, Inc.

Landscaping: Lawn and Leaf Landscapes

Excavation: MacWest Construction

Foundation: A&G Maintenance

Painting: Paint Pros Oregon

Executive Lounge Cocktail Recipe

Seeking sustainability

<img decoding="async" src="https://bendmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/back-of-home-Hiatus-Roanoke-by-Grace-Pulver-Photography.jpg" alt="Back of Home, in the Hiatus Roanoke development" width="250" height="444"/> Home at last

photo Timberline Construction

Let it burn

Hit the lights

<img decoding="async" src="https://bendmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kayla-McKenzie-Valhalla-Heights-Redux-Barb-e1621539684197.jpg" alt="Valhalla Heights Redux" width="249" height="309"/> The Valhalla Heights Remodel

photo www.crowdedkitchen.com

Fruity Vodka

Sparkling Strawberry Vodka 2 oz strawberry infused vodka 4 oz soda water or sparkling seltzer Dash of simple syrup

Add vodka, soda water and simple syrup to a glass with ice. Stir to combine and garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Tequila with a Kick

Spicy Margarita 2 oz pepper infused tequila 1 oz fresh lime juice ½ oz agave nectar Cayenne salt for rim

Add infused tequila, lime juice and agave to a shaker with ice, and shake. Rim a glass of ice with fresh lime and cayenne salt and add strained mixture.

Simple gin and tonic 2 oz infused gin 4 oz tonic water Fresh lime for garnish

Fill a highball glass with ice and gin, followed by tonic water. Garnish with fresh lime.

Workstation Sinks

Black & Bold

Natural Stone

Touchless Options

Two-Tone Faucets

Copper Finishes

<img decoding="async" src="https://bendmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/image00310_edit.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="400"/> Growing a following

Introducing Craven Haven

Resources:
Designer: Mackenzie Craven | Builder: Burnham Building Company | Architect: Muddy River Design

Home at last

The Valhalla Heights Remodel

Sparkling Strawberry Vodka
2 oz strawberry infused vodka
4 oz soda water or sparkling seltzer
Dash of simple syrup

Spicy Margarita
2 oz pepper infused tequila
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz agave nectar
Cayenne salt for rim

Add infused tequila, lime juice
and agave to a shaker with ice, and shake. Rim a glass of ice with fresh lime and cayenne salt and add strained mixture.

Simple gin and tonic
2 oz infused gin
4 oz tonic water
Fresh lime for garnish

Growing a following