This issue is dedicated to the memory of Susan “Phoenix” Lane-Fournier. “In January, let go of the old; welcome in the new; and cherish the possibilities that lie ahead.” —Ernie J. Zelinski
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Local Drinks and Dining Guide See Inside
Prst Std U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 39 Welches, OR.
INDEX Mountain Profile...................2 Fire Focus................................6 Opinion............................... 8–9 Meet the Artist................... 13
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The Woodsman.................. 17 Health...........................22—23 Crossword/Sudoku........... 24 The Viewfinder .................. 27 Classified Ads...................... 32
Vol. XXXIII, No. 1 n A Free, Independent Newspaper n www.mountaintimesoregon.com
JANUARY 2025
n SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF MOUNT HOOD n Alder Creek, Brightwood, Cherryville, Firwood, Government Camp, Marmot, Mountain Air Park, Rhododendron, Sandy, Welches, Wemme, Wildwood and Zigzag
Rendezvous Grill Community Gathers to Honor Phoenix Celebrates New Ownership
New owners Tim Healy and Alex Steinmetz.
The Mountain community gathers at the Hoodland Bazaar to remember “Phoneix”.
By Ty Walker
By Marie Kennedy
It’s official. As of Dec. 1, new owners have taken over one of the most popular restaurants on the mountain— The Rendezvous Grill. For the past three decades, the Welches restaurant, off U.S. Highway 26 at milepost 40, has built a reputation for being the place to go for a great Northwest mountain fine dining experience. Originally from Montana, these new owners, Alex Steinmetz and Tim Healy, were visiting the Mount Hood area to go house shopping in 2019, when they first stumbled upon the cozy rustic restaurant. It was love at first taste. “The Rendezvous was the first restaurant we ate at here and we had a really fantastic experience,” Alex said. “The food was wonderful. It was warm and welcoming. We just automatically fell in love with it.” Alex and her husband found a house in Rhododendron, 10 minutes away from the restaurant, and moved there permanently. She got a job at Rendezvous as a server right before COVID, working there on and off for three years. They had bounced the idea of buying a restaurant and had looked at other locations previously. The opportunity to buy the Rendezvous seemed like a good fit
Friends, family, and community members gathered on December 2 to remember Susan “Phoenix” Lane-Fournier, a 61-year-old woman who was found deceased near her Brightwood home on November 29. Her husband has been indicted by a grand jury in Clackamas County on second-degree murder, and unlawful use of a weapon with firearm charges. The vigil took place outside of the Hoodland Bazaar where Phoenix
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See RENDEZVOUS Page 30
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had worked. Attendees braved the cold December evening to honor her memory. Through tears and heartfelt reflections, those who knew her best shared stories of her spirit and compassion. There were moments of silence, heartfelt tributes, poetry, and music, including the resonance of singing bowls. At one point, an attendee took her dog to her vehicle to sit for a few minutes. When the sound of the singing bowl reached them, the dog began to howl. The audience smiled, and the
group joined in, howling for Phoenix and her beloved dogs. “She always knew what you needed,” said one woman, “She had everyone’s back, no matter what the situation.” “I’ve worked next door to her, same shift, for quite a while now,” Sarah Wright Caswell said. “I’d always see her rolling in on her Harley…in her skirt,” prompting gentle laughter. “She gave me such a sense of joy See VIGIL Page 30
Lloyd Musser Retires After 25 Years By Peggy Wallace
The Mountain Times
Lloyd Musser.
After 25 years of outstanding stewardship on behalf of The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, Lloyd Musser is passing the baton and stepping down as its curator. Musser was born and raised in Ohio and while that state is not among the greats for skiing in the United States, it does have adequate skiing and snow-making capabilities and is a destination for beginner and intermediate skiers.
As a young adult, he moved to New York to attend forestry school at New York Ranger School. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was pleasantly surprised when he was stationed in Germany rather than Vietnam. Needless to say, Germany offered outstanding opportunities for skiing and Lloyd took full advantage. Upon his return to the states, he ended up working at the U.S. Forest Service and was assigned to the Zig Zag Ranger Station. Rumor has it Lloyd spent several See MUSEUM CURATOR Page 12
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