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January + February 2025

This issue has us reflecting on some of our most important journeys and milestones. Bend Magazine will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year and it’s incredible to reflect on the path we’ve taken to discover and share the Soul of Central Oregon with you during the past decade. Coincidentally, 2025 marks another important milestone: our 25th wedding anniversary. From a windswept engagement at the base of Broken Top — one that nearly blew us off the mountain — and saying “I do” in Sunriver’s Great Hall, to raising our kids here and calling Bend home for almost 30 years, this special place has been an essential part of our story and has truly shaped our lives.

We have always made our community central to our work and view it as a privilege to tell the stories of your world, too. These experiences are touchstones of lives well lived — just like those for a magazine, or a marriage.

The celebrations wouldn’t be possible without the incredible people that surround us. We’re overflowing with gratitude for the talented team who pour their heart and soul into each issue of Bend Magazine to capture the essence of Central Oregon with such passion and creativity. In this issue, we invite you to fall in love with the magic of a winter in Bend’s backyard over and over again. Explore cozy cabin hideaways tucked away in snowy landscapes, try your hand at winter fishing on a pristine lake or river, and meet the athletes who inspire us with their dedication to winter sports — whether on powder or on the ice. We bring you along to discover the vibrant scene in Central Oregon after dark, whether you’re seeking a night out or a cozy evening by the fire. This issue is an invitation to create your own winter traditions and take your own journeys into the new year and beyond.

We haven’t reached these milestones alone. To our advertisers, thank you for believing in our vision and for partnering with us to share our community’s stories. And to our amazing readers: thank you for being the heart of Bend Magazine. Your support means the world to us and pushes us to continually strive for excellence. Here’s to many more years of shared stories, adventures, and a deep appreciation for this incredible place we get to call home.

Happy Trails,

Heather & Ross Johnson,
Publishers/Owners, Oregon Media LLC

November + December 2024

Introducing our November + December 2024 issue of Bend Magazine.

Notes of cinnamon scents and Bing Crosby songs in the air trigger a visceral response: Ready or not, the holiday season has arrived. We’re dreaming of a white Christmas around here, just like the ones we used to know as a kid. Well, maybe a childhood lens has nostalgia superseding reality. I recently revisited the sledding hill where I grew up. What was a mountain in my mind was barely a bump in reality. Either way, both my experience and memories are heavenly.

Impending snow gets us giddy in the Oregon Media office. Just outside our windows, Drake Park’s sledding hill will soon be a slippery slope in a scene of kicks and giggles. The production of Bend Magazine provides lots of action, too. It’s said a sign of character is what you do when no one is watching. I think that’s true with anything: Quality is defined by the small things no one may see.

What happened behind the scenes to create our holiday gift guide was no exception. Before a single frame was shot by the talented Cody Rheault, we spent many hours spent visiting some of our favorite local retailers in the procurement process. Kelly Alexander, Cali Clement and I built sets, chased a puppy and lit a fire in the fireplace at Sunriver Resort’s Historic Great Hall. The organized and creative chaos swirled around before coalescing on our pages, starting on page 78.

Many stories in this issue reflect what is unseen, but important. One of the most recognizable houses in Bend, the McCann House, took three years and more than 300 craftspeople to renovate. Each board was meticulously examined, restored, painted and seamlessly put back in place—details only the homeowners, contractors and Bend Landmarks Commission might recognize (page 53). Also often unseen, female military veterans are interviewed in Aaron Rasheed’s story, “They Are Not Invisible” (page 45). Tim Neville wrote “Aces of Bases” to explore how photo-worthy turns begin with the skill IT’S SAID A SIGN OF CHARACTER IS WHAT YOU DO WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING…QUALITY IS DEFINED BY THE SMALL THINGS NO ONE MAY SEE.” local ski-tuning experts found in workshops or in a mobile tuning van (page 72).

With Bing in my ear, I’m dreaming of powder days with every card I write. It’s a holiday pleasure to think of those messages landing in the hands of my friends and family. Hopefully, this issue arrived in your hands to help you connect with our community. We keep sleds handy at our Bend Magazine office, so come by and join us for a ride when the snow starts to fall. In the meantime, turn the page!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

 

“IT’S SAID A SIGN OF CHARACTER IS WHAT YOU DO WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING…QUALITY IS DEFINED BY THE SMALL THINGS NO ONE MAY SEE.”

September + October 2024

Introducing our September + October 2024 issue of Bend Magazine.

Do you remember the moment things changed? Perhaps it was early one morning when you stepped outside for a run and the air felt different? Was it a subtle shift in the angle of light or temperature from the day before? Fall is on the way and like clockwork, nature offers the signal that as Bob Dylan sings, “The times, they are a-changin.”

This year, back-to-school calendars had even more meaning as we dropped our youngest daughter off at college and returned to an empty nest. From the time she was born in Bend, we were teaching her and preparing her to leave in this rite of passage to exchange her childhood bedroom for a dorm room. Ancient philosophers offered up the Latin phrase memento mori, loosely translated as remembering the end, guiding us to be more present in our days. It’s not to be morbid but instead to deepen our appreciation for the present. In theory, I understood we only had 18 summers with our daughter, but the reality is that, boy, did they go by quickly.

Whether for 18 years or across centuries, nature offers comfort in its rhythmic consistency. Even as we shuffle between discipline and spontaneity during busy days, the natural path back home is assuring.

For Brian Malarkey, a return to Central Oregon led to founding the restaurant Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge with his brother, James. Meet the pair, plus take a peek at Hawk & Huck’s food and its interiors with a Johnny Cash/man-in-black style. Discover artist Michelle Schultz, who was influenced by her Lebanese heritage and strong grandmother to create largescale acrylic paintings that balance her past and present. And SOMETIMES IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAND SCALE OF THINGS TO BRING US BACK TO WHAT’S IMPORTANT.” through his photography, Ben Kitching gives us multilayered images to introduce Oregon athletes. Awareness begins with having a clear view of what’s in front of you, or in the case of dark skies, what is above. In 2024, the formation of the world’s largest dark-sky sanctuary—at 2-million acres in the Oregon Outback—is of universal proportions. Sometimes it’s important to understand the grand scale of things to bring us back to what’s important.

Home matters. At the end of summer, whether we pack away our paddle boards or move our favorite people across the country, caretaking creates space for germinating ideas in the resulting new space. I found one of the “seeds” while cleaning this nest of ours—a decades-old mother’s day card (yes, I saved everything) from my daughter, talking about what she wanted to be when she grew up. Today, she’s off to make it happen.

Who do you want to be? We create each issue of Bend Magazine as a bit of a homecoming and as a place to learn about the community, whether you live here year-round or stopped by for a visit. Let there be comfort and constancy that we are always here for you. Read on, and with each issue… welcome home.

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

 

“SOMETIMES IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAND SCALE OF THINGS TO BRING US BACK TO WHAT’S IMPORTANT.”

July + August 2024

Introducing our July + August 2024 issue of Bend Magazine.

Time feels different on a summer day, doesn’t it? Remember riding your bike as a kid until sundown or when the street lights came on? Those days seemed to stretch beyond 24 hours. Long summer afternoons were as much about freedom and independence as exploring trails. Was it simplicity or the new experiences that made time feel endless?

In summer, it’s easy to feel like a kid again. Some of the best parts of my job are to act like one: being curious, meeting people and telling stories. Last year, my goal was to surf the river. Being an early riser helped—I planned to be on the water in the morning, before anyone else, so I wouldn’t embarrass myself. Maybe the wave would be empty then? Ryan Richard, wave shaper for Bend Park & Recreation District gets asked this question all the time: “When is there no line?” The answer is that you’re never alone at the wave. So I found myself there at 6:45 a.m., with a group of people that were the impetus for a story on the Green Wave community, described on pg. 72.

Capturing stories about summer, we dove into the reopening of Kah-Nee-Ta with elders who remembered its heritage hot springs (pg. 80). Camping tips begin with putting away your cell phone and relationship with time, see pg. 84. At Camp Tamarack, Charlie and Michele Anderson give campers the gift of outdoor programs—understanding YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A KID TO APPRECIATE THE GLORY OF THE SEASON.” time in nature breaks barriers and sparks connections, learning and growth (pg. 51). We learned about citizen assemblies as a way to gather diverse voices and affect government policy. True conversation requires slowing down and really listening to other points of view.

Novelty-filled days of waves and words went by quickly, but felt longer. In April, a paper published in Nature Human Behavior posited that when the brain processes complexity, time seems to contract. Summer in Bend is full of heightened experiences and connections, so maybe time can seem both fast and slow at once.

We all get the same 24 hours, but you don’t have to be a kid to appreciate the glory of the season. Whether rising early or staying up late to view the stars, these days give us time to embrace new things and expand the slice of time we have on this planet, while holding on to simplicity, too. It’s why we created these pages, to put summer in your hands. Enjoy!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

“YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A KID TO APPRECIATE THE GLORY OF THE SEASON.”

May + June 2024

Introducing our May + June 2024 issue of Bend Magazine.

Sitting in the cockpit of the world’s first flying car* and scanning the control panel, my imagination took flight.  Would there be a highway in the sky someday? I was about to take off into the future, only this scene was set in Central Oregon just a quarter mile off Highway 20.

My conversation with the vehicle’s inventor, Sam Bousfield (see pg. 69), kept me on solid ground. While he’s an idea-architect with almost a dozen patents to his name, the word he used to attribute his success resonated: persistence. It’s what I’ve tried to emulate myself, teach my kids over the years and remind my youngest child who is about to graduate from high school this June—it’s not always about your successes, it’s about what you learn along the way and your fortitude to stick to what you believe in. We’ve all had an injury, a broken relationship or business, or simply taken a wrong turn. The ability to make a thoughtful decision about what you do afterward defines where you go next.

In this issue, as we head toward summer together, let’s ask ourselves, “What decisions will we make to connect to the best of Central Oregon?” How about gathering in Drake Park to celebrate community while honoring Juneteenth (pg. 45)? Or hiking or biking with intention to learn about the environment along the way (pgs. 31-37)? We can think more about the food we eat and the clothes we wear (pgs. 63 and 78). The first open-air concerts signal the start of the summer season in my book, so I’m hoping to grab a paddleboard and listen to music while looking up at the stars.

On the subject of paddleboarding, Annie Fast wrote about pups on SUPs in her feature (page 84). It reminded me of another example of persistence. Our wire-haired griffon Buzz loved the water—he seemed to hold his breath as he took deep dives for sticks, stones (and detritus) at the bottom of Elk Lake. But when I attempted to bring him on a board, he’d have none of it. Over and over again, we’d try. Each time, it ended in utter chaos and a huge splash for both of us.

Persistence doesn’t always mean success, but in failure, we find lessons, invention or at least a laugh or two. Enjoy the season ahead—music, Central Oregon’s rivers and trails, and our diverse community. Allow your imagination to take flight. After all, life’s a splash!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

 

“IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOUR SUCCESSES, IT’S ABOUT WHAT YOU LEARN ALONG THE WAY AND YOUR FORTITUDE TO STICK TO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.”

March + April 2024

Introducing our March + April 2024 issue of Bend Magazine.

River runner Bonnie Olin describes the water as it bumps her raft against boulders along S-turns and forces the choice of a route. The descriptions are exhilarating and take us along for the ride. Oh, the joy of language. Words can deliver a shock to the senses, a map to new places or wisdom to help us lead our lives. And with so many words and possible paths in life come so many choices.

Commitment takes optimism, desire for the best possible outcome, and in the end, a leap of faith. Each issue of Bend Magazine has twists and turns. We start with 114 blank pages and then wade through a maze and flow of ideas. We play matchmaker with writers, editors, photographers and graphic designers, then the team works together to bring those ideas to fruition. There’s never just one “right” way—whether in selecting stories or images—but be sure, when we land on a cover photo, there’s a collective breathlessness and even a few goose bumps. Much like a coupe de foudre, or love at first sight, if you believe in that kind of thing: You know it when you see it.

In this issue, we brought together stories about people who visualized their goals and stayed focused on the pathways to reach them. Cyclist and writer Carl Decker introduces us to Phil Meglasson (and friends) who blazed paths and rode them until they were imprinted for the community in the form of the Phil’s Trail Complex.

Joe Potoczak shares stories of the Owyhee River as it flows with early spring snow melt through gradients of ombre geological striation, and the view from the seat on a boat is divine. Then, if you enjoy how a word can transport us to a moment in time, read Sean Stiny’s story “Chasing Rainbows” to discover the whole universe reflected on the flank of a fish. Ever the wordsmith, Maisie Smith writes about a “gastronomical flirtation” that happens when pinot noir meets its savory soul mate.

We hope you’ll enjoy this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. There are so many stories to tell, what’s yours? As with pages and life, we recognize there’s no one right way, only the way you choose, and your discipline and commitment to follow through. So as you navigate your journey— pick a path, paddle hard, find joy and as always…read on!

Let’s enjoy this adventure together,

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

 

“AS YOU NAVIGATE YOUR JOURNEY— PICK A PATH, PADDLE HARD, FIND JOY AND AS ALWAYS…READ ON! LET’S ENJOY THIS ADVENTURE TOGETHER.”

January + February 2024

As we usher in a brand new year, we here at Oregon Media want to take a moment to let you peek behind the scenes, offering you a glimpse into the heart and soul of why we do what we do. We’re incredibly proud of the role Bend Magazine plays in our vibrant community, and it’s all thanks to the incredible people who make it possible: our dedicated staff, passionate readers and supportive advertisers.

Bend Magazine is a journey of collaboration and creativity, from the spark of an idea to the finished product you hold in your hands. Our talented team works tirelessly to research, write, edit, design and collaborate with some of the best writers and photographers in Central Oregon. They pour their hearts and souls into every page, ensuring that the magazine reflects the very essence of our beloved community.

As we move forward in 2024, we remain committed to the values that have always defined us–of authenticity, integrity and community. We believe in the power of genuine human connection, so it was an easy decision to adopt a formal policy of not allowing any form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our content. Every story you read, the images you see, and the words you encounter result from human effort, passion and expertise. Simply put, our publications will always be, “For humans, by humans.” We believe this commitment to human-generated content will continue to make Bend Magazine your trusted local resource, and your trust is something we’ll never compromise. See bendmagazine.com/policy for our full AI policy statement.

To our readers, your continued support is what fuels our fire. We’re grateful for your loyalty, engagement and willingness to share your stories. You are why we do what we do, and we’re honored to be a part of your Central Oregon experience.

To our advertisers, thank you for believing in the power of print media. Your partnership allows us to continue producing high-quality content that connects you with our engaged audience. We appreciate your trust and look forward to growing together in the year ahead.

This issue also takes us behind the scenes with some of the unsung heroes at Mt. Bachelor who work tirelessly to get our mountain open and running–even when the rime ice has other ideas. See page 72 to learn more about the hard work that is happening while you are still dreaming about those fresh turns. Plus, join us as we meet some local entrepreneurs who have chosen to launch their next big adventure in Central Oregon.

Thank you for being a part of the Bend Magazine family. Together, we’re creating something truly special and, as we begin this new year, we’re filled with excitement and anticipation. We have a vision for Bend Magazine that is bold, innovative, and true to our core values. We can’t wait to share it with you in the year ahead.

Happy New Year!
Heather & Ross Johnson,
Publishers/Owners, Oregon Media LLC

Proud publishers of: Bend Magazine, Bend Home + Design, Savor, High Desert Weddings

November + December 2023

My thoughts went to some of the different ways we give at a recent renewal of vows. Guests led our procession dancing down a Bend city street and the groom arrived on the back of a white horse in Indian tradition. But what really stood out? The bride of now 25 years shared a moment she recognized she may have found true love: it was when her future husband gifted her a homemade Valentine.

‘Tis the season for our Gift Guide which started on this reflection of how we give and receive. What are the gifts that matter most to us? I was happy to take on the research since I enjoy the act of gifting…I’ll write it, make it, bake it, or haul an offering across the world for people I care about. With each act of giving, it is my way of thinking of you and how I might make even a minute in your life a bit wiser, healthier or happier.

As winter approaches, we look forward to the gift of powder. In his story “Pray for Snow,” Gregg Morris writes about the ways we hope Mother Nature will bring us buckets of the fluffy stuff as we wax skis, rep squats and do a little snow dance in anticipation. It was as sweet as confectioner’s sugar (more on that in our story on holiday sweets, page 91) to learn about pow surfing. Writer Annie Fast shares how it’s done and who is shaping boards to carve snow with the same grace that surfers use to carve waves.

Then, Lucas Alberg tells us about the business of books. Now, there’s the best gift of all in my mind—to find and share ideas and words. The gift of a book is not only for the holidays but for all the days of the year. Plus, a bookshelf is a timeline of our lives, with dates and inscriptions inside front covers as reminders of who we were along the way and who was there as witness.

But what is it that we all really want and need? It’s the gift of each other. If we can’t be together with family or friends, then our words matter even more. In the groom’s promise for the future, he vowed to always make homemade Valentines. On that day, their childrens’ words pronounced them, “Still married.”

Thank you for reading Bend Magazine throughout the year. It’s our expression to this community we love and you’re invited to reach out to us, too. Write us a letter at 974 NW Riverside Blvd., Bend, Oregon 97703. That would be a gift.

Now, on to a little snow dance. Bring on winter!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

September + October 2023

Life can be messy: from dusty trails to muddy thinking before morning coffee clarity; piles of laundry and to-do lists. Wait, maybe that’s just me. In an editor’s world, you’d think everything had a place, like a pair of carefully placed punctuation marks. The reality though is that we’re a group of folks notorious for collecting multitudes of random information, in our heads and on index cards of notes tucked in pockets and sprinkled around the house. Again, maybe that’s just me. I could use a coach.

When we started to plan for our feature on coaches, the short list was filled with some obvious heroes: In Central Oregon, we have Olympians coaching aspiring Olympians, people who have spent more than half of their lives teaching children to swim, or running plays on high school courts for decades. But what about the coaches of our daily lives? They’re the friends who encourage us to be better, prompt us to look at all sides of a challenging situation, or call us out on bad choices. They help us reach our goals, or summit a mountain (see page 31 for a few ideas on peaks to climb). Sometimes, a coach can be as simple as the person who just stands by your side while you move through transitions or tragedies.

How could we possibly choose coaches to fill only eight pages? We did our best, and in this month’s issue of Bend Magazine, you’ll meet just a handful of dedicated citizens (page 72) who are building a better Bend, by leaps and bounds, a volley or by helping us hit vocal high notes.

As we move toward being better versions of ourselves, hopefully, we’re not skipping over the present and some of the most glorious, colorful days of the year. As fall approaches, Mother Nature is on display and hard at work preparing for the seasons ahead. While we’re out biking trails, and skimming across lakes on boats or boards, the trees are busy. They’re preparing their roots and missives­ as blueprints for future incarnations in the form of blooms next spring. This, all before taking a long pause for winter. We learned about the process for our story on fall leaves (page 39). See, nature is a coach, too.

September means back to school for some, remaining an eternal student for others. So, what did I learn from the trees and on the trails? That I’m lucky to have “Life Coaches” help me imprint healthy daily habits while preparing for the next season of life. For them, I’m grateful.

Let’s coach each other to be better, as individuals and as a community. As a reminder, I even wrote it on a card: “Bless this mess.” Because after the dust settles, and you’ve put in the work step by step, the view from the top might just take your breath away.

Onward!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

July + August 2023

Introducing our July + August issue of Bend Magazine! In this issue of Bend Magazine, we take a look at what not only the summer season brings, but what routes the future might hold. Take a dip in hot springs, or bathe in the forest (it’s not what you think); learn what’s envisioned for Bend’s Central District (it’s also not what you think). Meet outrigger athletes paddling on the Deschutes River, and come with us to the Sisters Rodeo. Find out more about Alan Watts and his work to map Smith Rock. Find the issue all over Central Oregon through August 2023 or click here to find our past issues.

May + June 2023

Welcome to the May + June 2023 issue of Bend Magazine. We celebrate our region’s urban wildlife, showcase local pickleball athletes’ talents, and discuss how our majestic glaciers are retreating. In our Explore section, we learn all about spring skiing snow conditions, open roads perfect for cycling this season, and what to do on a weekend trip to Seaside, Oregon. Plus, we introduce you to three local global markets in Bend, where you can savor fantastic flavors from around the world.

Flip through our Community section to meet Olympic hopeful Diggory Dillingham, learn about the history behind Mirror Pond and take a closer look at the innovative initiatives that are helping to reduce Bend’s environmental impact. Find your next adventure fuel or après-ski treat in our food and drink section! We share the local sandwiches we’ve loved sinking our teeth into, explore the fresh ingredients and authentic techniques of Oishi Japanese food in Redmond and take a tasting journey at Viaggio Wine Merchant in Bend. Thank you for joining us as we are rollin’ through spring with this issue!

March + April 2023

In this March + April 2023 issue of Bend Magazine, we share a few of water’s stories. As a celebration of life on the water as a fly fisherman, and as of a human being, the book The River Why celebrates the fortieth year since its publication, we were grateful to catch up with David James Duncan as he prepares to return to Bend for “A Novel Idea” this April and on the cusp of releasing his new novel The Sun House. Writer Annie Fast brings us in the boat of whitewater kayakers on the Deschutes. We share the story of The Mayfly Project mentors who are teaching stories of fishing and life to foster kids across the country and in Bend. Meet artists, athletes and programs through our stories not just of water but about how we choose to live in Central Oregon. 

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