Bend Magazine September + October 2025

Western Spirit

NIKE DESIGN

CUSTOM BIKES | HUNTING SEASON | SPORK'S GLOBAL KITCHEN

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Find expanded content about the places and events in the community we love

Leap from the printed page to digital content for inspiration and information—whether adventuring or amplifying your life. Think of it as a Cheat Sheet, or a shortcut to keep your favorite things—such as suggested trails—at your fingertips. See where bendmagazine.com takes you by searching: “A Complete Guide To Mountain Biking in Bend, Oregon,” “The Thrills of Downhill Mountain Biking In and Around Bend” and “Phil Meglasson and the Story of Phil’s Trail” on our site.

TABLE of CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS

EDITOR'S NOTE

PURSUITS

See dark skies and starry nights from Asterisk Observatory.

HERITAGE

Discover an orchard with legacy apples from 100-year-old trees.

OUTDOORS

Paragliding at Pine Mountain allows kite pilots to soar the skies.

TRAILS

If you like big buttes, this self-paced challenge has nine spots to climb for physical fun.

RETREAT

Find fall color and charming resorts along the Metolius River.

HOME

Jackie and Tinker Hatfield host friends, family and Western spirit in their new home.

VENTURES

Build out a custom bike in Bend. Tiffany Huey reboots her family company.

SAVOR

Pizza is cheesy, crusty and hot out of the oven at some of Bend's top spots.

RESTAURANT

From food cart to local favorite, Spork is going strong after 13 years.

IMBIBE

Sakari Farms grows ingredients for a tea steeped in tradition.

ARTIST

Emotion is layered with paint, wax and flowers in art by Erin Bodfish.

AESTHETIC

BendFilm's Basecamp supports voices in filmmaking with mentorship at a new four-day retreat.

DIGITAL EXTRAS

Ready to enjoy the area's culinary best? Search our dining guide to learn more about the top spots at bendmagazine.com/dining-guide.

Find out what's happening in Central Oregon or upload your upcoming events at bendmagazine.com/calendar.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive weekly restaurant recommendations, read digital-only articles, plus stay connected at bendmagazine.com/newsletter.

TABLE of CONTENTS

HUNTING SEASON

Imprinted by evolution, hunting is part of human and canine DNA. October kicks off bird hunting season and similar to the instinct that creates patterns of flight, the sport connects dogs and their people. Written by Gary Lewis with an introduction by Cheryl Parton

MOUNTAIN BIKE MECCA

It’s no secret that Bend is synonymous with cycling. It’s easy to make a ride part of daily life without making it an all-day ordeal—but sometimes going big is part of the fun. Read about trails and why biking remains epic in Bend. Written by Katie Sox.

BUILDING A COLLEGE TOWN

Oregon State University-Cascades has transformed the region from a university desert into a rising academic powerhouse. The campus emerges from the dreams and determination of Central Oregon’s community leaders. Written by Lee Lewis Husk 78 84 72

ON THE COVER

Tinker and Jackie Hatfield at home near downtown Bend.

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WORDS and PICTURES

GARY

A freelance writer, TV host and podcaster, Gary Lewis has brought extraordinary power to capturing the world of the hunter and anglers in combustible literary riffs, visceral rhythms and visual experiences. He has twice been president of the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association, and has won NOWA’s Excellence in Craft, Enos Bradner and Legacy awards. Lewis is host of the podcast “Frontier Unlimited” and author of 17 books including Fishing Central Oregon and Fishing Mt. Hood Country. In this issue, he shares a heartfelt essay about the connection with his pudelpointer, Pepper, and the joys of hunting with a puppy (page 72).

ELY

Erin Mathias is a multidimensional creative and former professional basketball player with a lifelong love of visual storytelling. Drawn to photography from a young age, Mathias first picked up a camera as a kid—curious about capturing moments that felt meaningful, raw and real. That early passion has since evolved into a deep commitment to fashion and documentary photography, with a focus on telling the stories of individuals who pursue their dreams and live with authenticity. In this issue, she created a portrait of artist Erin Bodfish to celebrate how the artist weaves together grief and presence (page 105).

As a photographer for 15 years, Ely Roberts creates images with a timeless feel. With a sociology background, Roberts is interested in where people come from and what makes them happy, so he prefers photographing people more than landscapes. Whether selecting camera equipment and postprocessing or making people feel more comfortable behind the camera, photography allows Roberts to enhance his skills and creativity. Other passions include family, travel, cooking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles. In this issue, Roberts visited Pine Mountain to photograph the experience of learning to paraglide (page 33).

A self-proclaimed story junkie, Maisie Smith has spent her entire life knee-deep in creative endeavors, with humble beginnings as the weird kid who loved writing book reports and essays. Today, Smith is a freelance writer for the food and beverage industry, including Savor magazine. A resident of Bend and Lisbon, Portugal, Smith wanders the world in search of humanity’s everyday stories and lives for campfire conversations with good friends and good whiskey. For this issue, she shares the world of pizza in Bend, from local mainstays to rising newcomers and innovative styles that satisfy all tastes (page 91).

Freelance photographer and writer Katie Sox has spent much of her creative career in the bicycle industry, capturing mountain biking and bikepacking events, as well as architecture, real estate, commercial and lifestyle imagery. She loves storytelling and has published work for the independent biking website The Radavist. Sox’s balance is deeply rooted in her work as a practicing massage therapist. When she’s not riding bikes, Sox enjoys life’s simple details, good food and community. Explore Bend’s status as a mountain bike mecca in her feature (page 78).

PUBLISHERS

HEATHER HUSTON JOHNSON

ROSS JOHNSON

EDITORIAL

Editor in Chief CHERYL PARTON

Managing Editor KATIE HENRY

Custom Publications Editor HEIDI HAUSLER

Podcast Host ADAM SHORT

Staff Writer SIENA DORMAN

Copy Editors LEE LEWIS HUSK, STEPHANIE BOYLE MAYS

DESIGN

Creative Directors CALI CLEMENT, KELLY ALEXANDER

Senior Graphic Designer JEREMIAH CRISP

Graphic Designer LIBBY MARSDEN

Print Consultant CLARKE FINE

SALES

Sales Manager RONNIE HARRELSON

Senior Account Executive SUSAN CROW

Senior Account Executive AMY LANDGRAF

Account Executive BOOTSIE BODDINGTON

Advertising Coordinator GRETCHEN SORTOR

BUSINESS & MARKETING

Marketing Director CALI CLEMENT

Director of Operations HEATHER RENEE WONG

Office Assistant KIM PAGE

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Circulation Manager AMARA SPITTLER

Newsstand Coordinator ALAN CENTOFANTE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CATHY CARROLL, ROSEANN DENNERY, GARY LEWIS, DANIEL O’NEIL, MAISIE SMITH, AMANDA SNODGRASS, KATIE SOX, MATT WASTRADOWSKI

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

RICHARD BACON, ALYSON BROWN, BENJAMIN EDWARDS, GALLIVAN PHOTO, STEVE GIARDINI, NICK LAKE, JARED MANTZOURANIS, ERIN MATHIAS, MIGHTY CREATURE, TINA PAYMASTER, MAX RHULEN, TYLER ROEMER, ELY ROBERTS, LOMA SMITH, HANNAH SOURBEER, AARON STAYLOR

FIND US ONLINE

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INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK: @BENDMAGAZINE

SUBSCRIPTIONS

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of Oregon Media. Articles and photographs appearing in Bend Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Bend Magazine and Oregon Media are not responsible for the return of unsolicited materials. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Bend Magazine, Oregon Media or its employees, staff or management. Proudly printed in Oregon.

STYLE in every home.

SOUL in every street.

STRENGTH in every connection.

Discover where your story begins. Where joy lives in everyday moments, and community grows as naturally as the pines.

Located on Bend’s west side, Discovery West is connected to trails, parks, bike paths, great schools, shops, restaurants and a vibrant community plaza at its heart. At Discovery West, connection is around every corner.

Learn more at discoverywestbend.com, visit the Harcourts The Garner Group neighborhood office or call (541)383-4360.

WE MAY NOT CONTROL THE SEASONS, BUT WE CAN DECIDE HOW WE MOVE THROUGH THEM.”

Editor’s LETTER

It’s primal and maybe a bit poetic the way nature shows us changing seasons, even if our calendars haven’t caught up yet. We find a smattering of golden leaves landing on still-green grass. There seems to be the instinctive desire to shift from a cold drink and beach read to comfort food and a classic book.

After summer’s fun, we return to ritual and food for thought. That’s why I pulled The Great Gatsby off a shelf, circling back to its familiar narrative. The novel turned 100 this year, which feels both impossible and completely appropriate for the times. If only we could all feel that way at a century old: still humming along with relevance and vitality.

They say “you are what you eat,” but it also follows that “you are what you read.” It makes perfect sense that our logistically minded, problem-solving managing editor loves books about true crime. Another, our office optimist, returns to the Dalai Lama and chooses The Book of Joy over and over again. It’s one of the pleasures of re - re ading—for it is never the same book, or the same reader. We go back to stories that stirred up thoughts long after the cover was closed the first time. The same idea applies to the return to many things we love: like hiking from a familiar trailhead, practicing yoga’s vinyasa or having dinner with a long-time friend. These may be the same settings, but we bring our evolving selves.

Inside this issue of Bend Magazine, we lean into natural cadence and explore themes of instinct and education. You’ll meet paragliders and astronomers following a call to explore the skies above Central Oregon. And something else 100 years old? Heritage apples at the Cyrus Orchard in Culver aren’t varieties you’ll find on a grocery store shelf. We look at bird hunting with an eye on that primal pulse of pursuit and through the lens of photographer Jared Mantzouranis. Oregon State University-Cascades is on track to put Bend on the map for more than recreation by building out a campus with foresight and innovation in mind.

So look ahead and flip the page this season—from summer’s possibility to autumn’s clarity and your next chapter of personal growth. We may not control the seasons, but we can decide how we move through them. May your path be thoughtful and instinctive, with a good book in your backpack and muddy shoes on your feet.

Now, keep reading!

Cheryl Parton, Editor in Chief

ON the WEB

1. MUSIC MAKERS: Each fall, local stages crank up the volume. Hear musicians on Central Oregon stages or meet them through the lasting legacy of photographer Gary Calicott (1964-2025) at bendmagazine.com/bends-music-scene 2. BEND ROOTS REVIVAL: Showcasing a range of musical genres, Bend Roots Revival celebrates its 19th season from September 12 through 14. Find the details at bendmagazine.com/event/bend-roots-revival 3. ARTS & CULTURE: Cascade Equinox Festival brings three days of music and art to Redmond. Find the lineup on the Bend Magazine website Events Calendar. BONUS: Get a FREE year of Bend Magazine delivered by mail with code FALL4 at bendmagazine.com/subscribe 2 1 3

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Bend in the Big Leagues

Slater de Brun hits it out of the park

The World Series is just around the corner, but it’s not just the excitement of October baseball that’s filling the air. Summit High School star outfielder Slater de Brun joined the ranks of professional Major League Baseball athletes when he signed a $4 million contract to play for the Baltimore Orioles. De Brun’s successes include playing for the USA Baseball National Team, being selected the Intermountain Conference Player of the Year and helping to lead the Storm to a state championship win in the 2025 season. Although he had early plans to play ball for the Vanderbilt Commodores, de Brun opted to head straight to the pros and was drafted in the first round by the Orioles as a 37th pick. Bend is no stranger to its athletes swinging into the big game. In the same 2025 draft, Cannon Reeder, a 2022 Summit graduate who has played for the past three seasons at Oregon State University, was picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finn Edwards, who graduated in 2024 and pitched for one season at Iowa Western Community College, will play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. And Jacoby Ellsbury, a Madras-born all star, had a successful career with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. In fact, de Brun is the highest regional draftee since Ellsbury was selected out of Oregon State in 2005. It’s no secret that Central Oregon can really play ball.

IN the NEWS

CITY OF BEND ENVISIONS

PUBLIC USES IN BEND’S CENTRAL DISTRICT

In an effort toward revitalizing Bend’s Central District, Bend City Council recently approved the purchase of an additional parcel of land, adding to its stake in the area comprising several properties, including the Rainbow Motel shelter and former Bend

HEART OF OREGON CORPS RECEIVES GRANT TOWARD BUILDING A REDMOND YOUTH CAMPUS

The Tykeson Family Foundation awarded Heart of Oregon Corps a $100,000 grant toward building a youth workforce development campus in Redmond. The Heart of Oregon Corps nonprofit serves Central Oregon youth with job training in construction, conservation and childcare. A new campus will centralize operations and expand capacity. Groundbreaking is set for September 10, with the campus expected to open in fall 2026. See heartoforegon.org.

NEW AIRLINE ROUTES FROM ROBERTS FIELD

Alaska Airlines kicks off new daily nonstop flights from Roberts Field (RDM) to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) starting October 26, and Breeze Airways will offer service to BUR and Las Vegas twice a week starting in March 2026. The new routes coincide with RDM’s 80,000-square-foot expansion that includes a secondfloor concourse, seven jet bridges and expanded concessions. The terminal expansion project is scheduled to be completed in early 2028. See flyrdm.com.

Oil Co. The land purchases allow for the long-range option to build a new City Hall, public plaza or affordable housing near the intersection of NE Hawthorne Avenue and NE First Street. Moving City Hall from its current location would allow for a larger, centralized space linked to downtown across Highway 97 via the planned Hawthorne Overcrossing. See bendoregon.gov.

CRAFT BREWERS PARTNER TO OPEN UPP LIQUIDS

A master brewing team of award-winning brewer Tonya Cornett, Ian Larkin, Jose Ruiz and Ben Shirley is breathing new life into the former Immersion Brewing facility at Bend’s Box Factory. Partnering with Immersion’s owners Sean Lampe and Amanda Plattner, UPP Liquids—Uniting People and Places—will brew beer, with future plans to add hard seltzer, packaged cocktails, cider and a session mead to its offerings. See uppliquids.com.

Peoples Celebration

the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

Oregon State University recognizes the impact that its land grant history had on Indigenous communities in Oregon. OSU-Cascades shares an acknowledgement of partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

The Soul of Central Oregon

ALAYNE ROSENSTEIN

ATHLETE + VETERAN

Bend resident and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Alayne Rosenstein represented the Navy at the 2025 Department of Defense Warrior Games Challenge, held this summer in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Competing in cycling, sitting volleyball and swimming, she joined more than 250 ill and injured service members and veterans from across the military branches. A member of the Navy since 2014, Rosenstein served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response and was later introduced to adaptive sports through the Navy Wounded Warrior program where she found a passion for swimming. The 2025 Warrior Games marks the 15th anniversary of the event—and coincides with the Navy’s 250th birthday.

CORNELIUS EDISON

NFL PLAYER + MENTOR

CAMPBELL MCKEAN

SWIMMER + NATIONAL CHAMPION

Bend Swim Club’s Campbell McKean is making waves on the national swimming stage. A recent graduate of Caldera High School, the 18-year old swimmer overcame an Olympic champion to win the 50-meter breaststroke at the 2025 U.S. Swimming National Championships in June, making him the fifth-fastest American in history. Diving into the 100-meter of the same discipline, he broke a national record for his age bracket with a time that earns him the titles of being the fastest 18-and-under swimmer in history—and the sixth fastest in U.S. history for all age brackets. With six Oregon state champion titles, McKean swam for Team USA at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore and will swim for the University of Texas Longhorns as he trains for a spot on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic team.

Former NFL athlete Cornelius Edison knows what it means to chase a dream, and now he’s using that experience to empower others. Winner of the prestigious Rimington Trophy Award as the nation’s top center at Portland State University, Edison played for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings before a shift in goals led him to set his sights on a new pursuit. Now, he and his wife Hannah run Lift Fitness Studio with a passion to help people of every age build stronger bodies, sharper minds and more connected lives through movement and community. “We’re here to lift the whole person,” the father of three said. Looking ahead, he hopes to reach the next generation by creating a nonprofit that supports mental and physical development of youth in Central Oregon. Listen to a conversation with Cornelius and Hannah Edison on Bend Magazine ’s “The Circling Podcast” with Adam Short.

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Riding the Wind

Paragliders fly the Central Oregon skies

WRITTEN BY HEIDI HAUSLER

Wind socks lead a path through the sagebrush as student pilots of Astro Paragliding maneuver nylon canopies into the air—“kiting” as they learn to fly. A barbecue is at the ready for post-training gatherings while Astro Paragliding’s founder Harrison Ruffin and his wife Heather instruct and tell stories from the sidelines, inviting all who arrive to share their passion for this extreme sport. A pursuit that inspires pilots to travel the world in search of the perfect launch has a home in Central Oregon, roughly 30 miles east of Bend, at Pine Mountain. “I moved here for the flying,” said Austin Miles, an Atlanta native who now lives in Bend. “Pine Mountain is an epic launch site.”

Rough gravel roads carved by hang gliders in the 1960s veer off Highway 20, marking the way to this renowned free-flying peak. Chasing evening wind, pilots’ cars kick up dust as they bump along while others carry their 20-pound gliders in packs and hike the trail from the base to the mountain’s top. Then, there are those who turn their kites perpendicular to the ground in front of them and, like wielding a spinnaker on a sailboat, let the wind pull them effortlessly up the hill. A path guides the way through pine trees to a gentle, open slope where a rainbow of bright nylon canopies ruffle in the breeze, awaiting the perfect gust. The Cascade Range frames the western horizon as pilots—some in tandem—take turns running down the gentle slope to inflate their wings with wind and take flight into the open sky.

EXPERIENCE THE FLOW

At roughly 6,300 feet, Pine Mountain’s altitude is perfect for soaring and maneuvering with a paragliding wing. The mountain’s wide-open ridge faces prevailing westerly winds that create reliable lift, so even on days with moderate wind speeds, gliders can stay aloft for extended flights. Known as “glass offs,” Pine Mountain’s late summer evenings have predictable, smooth wind patterns that support flight in every direction. Stretching for miles, the surrounding Badlands wilderness heats unevenly in the sun forming strong thermals—ideal for experienced pilots to gain elevation by circling within them, much like birds of prey. And with plenty of landing spots, year-round sunshine and breathtaking views, Pine Mountain is a paraglider’s paradise.

TRAINING GROUNDS

Below Pine Mountain’s peak, at the basecamp of Astro Paragliding, free flying is more than a hobby, it’s a way of life. “You just show up one day and that’s your future,” paraglider Miles said upon landing an evening flight. “The addiction is real.” Creating community since 2019, Astro began with a free kiting clinics and a mission to train pilots to be better, smarter and safer. “We study the weather, we study ourselves, and we study human nature,” Harrison said. Amidst a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, the Ruffins’ instructional school is known for its high safety standards. “We don’t train ‘sendies’ here,” Harrison said, defining those who have a more risky “send it” attitude. Intentional instruction and respect for the power of nature are at the core of Astro’s philosophy, and the success of its graduated students’ safety history speaks for itself. To earn a license to fly, pilots begin with ground school to master kiting and theory, before moving onto practice solo launches (Harrison supervises these on more forgiving sand dunes at the Oregon coast) and two comprehensive written examinations. While the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) requires an 80% to pass, Astro accepts nothing less than a 93%. “This is aviation,” Harrison said, “A ‘B’ is simply not good enough.”

TAKE TO THE SKIES

With wings rooted in parachuting technology used for WWII rescue missions and the return of NASA’s space capsules, modern gliders are lighter, more stable and higher-performing, making today’s paragliding safer than ever, according to the USHPA. Still, soaring thousands of feet in the air requires a healthy dose of courage, meticulous meteorology analysis, quality gear and intensive training to achieve symbiosis between the pilot and the wing. “[It’s] like balancing a broom handle on your palm," Harrison explained, adding the words of Spanish world champion paragliding pilot and instructor Raul Rodriguez: “I’m teaching you to dance and the glider is your dance partner.”

If the skies are calling, head east on any sunny summer evening and look for graceful arcs punctuating the high desert sky. Whether you’re yearning to launch off Pine Mountain’s ridge, soar cross-country, hike-and-fly around the world or become a competitive aerobatic paraglider, begin by taking a tandem flight with Astro Paragliding, Desert Air Riders or Cascade Paragliding Club to experience the rush and feel the camaraderie. A partnership between Project Airtime and Astro Paragliding has paved the way for free adaptive tandem flights for those with mobility limitations, ensuring everyone has the chance to fly. Because once the weather is analyzed, the gear is checked (and doublechecked), and the wing fills with wind, the high desert sky opens up to a quiet, peaceful freedom.

SEPT. 26 - 28, 2025

LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III · KATIE PRUITT

KYSHONA · MARTYN JOSEPH

GRACE BOWERS & THE HODGE PODGE

AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET

JOHN FULLBRIGHT · SEAN HAYES

THE BONES OF J.R. JONES · WHITEHORSE GOODNIGHT, TEXAS · GABY MORENO

ROBERT MIRABAL AND RARE TRIBAL MOB

HUMBIRD · TRAY WELLINGTON BAND

KALETA & SUPER YAMBA BAND

BOBBY ALU · MASON VIA · THE FRETLESS

MAX GOMEZ & SHANNON MCNALLY

CORDOVAS · JOY CLARK · ALYSHA BRILLA CRYING UNCLE BLUEGRASS BAND AND MANY MORE!

I Like Big Buttes

Conquer peaks in this community-focused challenge

WRITTEN BY KATIE HENRY

Look in any direction and you’ll spot a peak just begging to be bagged. South Sister, Broken Top, Mount Jefferson: These magnificent summits take planning and preparation to climb. Yet, there are many mountaintops that are easily crested within a few hours—and with a whole lot of snacks.

Cue the Big Butte Challenge, a go-at-your-own pace event put on by Cascade Relays. This all-ages adventure offers community spirit while tackling peaks within driving distance of Bend. For each summit achieved, hikers receive a token that can be redeemed at the local brewery sponsoring each butte.

The idea came about in 2021, when gathering for races and other big athletic events wasn’t feasible. Realizing there were more than a handful of attainable buttes to climb—while maintaining social distance—the team at Cascade Relays started the Big Butte Challenge (named after a creative Cascade Relays team, I Like Big Buttes). Scott Douglass, co-founder of Cascade Relays, wanted this event to both challenge those who joined and support businesses within the Central Oregon community. “Everything at Cascade Relays revolves around community,” said Douglass. “People come to Central Oregon to feel connected, and when hikers see someone else wearing the green Big Butte Challenge hat, it draws them into a sense of togetherness.”

This year, roughly 500 people are hiking, running or even biking the trails, which runs from May through October. The one who finishes bagging all nine peaks first gets a prize, but the real reward comes with each mountain conquered: stunning

views of the mountains, lakes and stretches of land that make Bend such a magical place to call home. The ice cold brew is the cherry on the top.

BARNES BUTTE

Distance: 2.72 miles round trip

Brewery: Wild Ride Brewing

The volcanic landscape of Central Oregon unfolds in front of climbers when they get to the top of this butte, with the Cascades to the west and Ochocos to the east.

BLACK BUTTE

Distance: 3.8 miles round trip

Brewery: Van Henion Brewing

A steep and exposed trail makes this hike best tackled early in the day, but once at the top, climbers are treated to views of Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and even Mount Hood to the north.

MISERY RIDGE

Distance: 3.6 miles round trip

Brewery: Kobold Brewing

An iconic Central Oregon hike in Smith Rock State Park, the trail takes you along rocky ledges and offers views of the Crooked River and rock climbers scaling the side of the ridge below.

OVERTURF BUTTE

Distance: 5.58 miles round trip

Brewery: GoodLife Brewing

Although it takes challengers through neighborhoods, this easy meander from Phil’s Trail to the top of Overturf is an easily tackled butte, and welcoming for dogs.

PAULINA PEAK

Distance: 6.12 miles round trip

Brewery: Bend Brewing Company

The push to this rocky mountain top is one of the more challenging, but well worth it. Once there, find a reward to scan views of Paulina and East lakes framed by the Cascade Range.

PILOT BUTTE

Distance: 2.06 miles round trip

Brewery: Worthy Brewing

It’s a popular spot in the center of town, but when Mount Hood is visible on a clear day, the top of this butte is anything but ordinary.

TUMALO MOUNTAIN

Distance: 4.04 miles round trip

Brewery: Cascade Lakes Brewing

With Broken Top and the Three Sisters standing magnificently in the distance, the view from the top of this two-mile climb just might be the best look at Mount Bachelor in Bend.

TAM-A-LAU

Distance: 6.6 miles round trip

Brewery: Initiative Brewing

The Peninsula, a lava plateau at the end of a trail winding through old-growth juniper and sagebrush, offers views of the Deschutes and Crooked River canyons below.

VISTA BUTTE

Distance: 4.3 miles round trip

Brewery: UPP Liquids

This relatively quick and mild jaunt is a popular spot to get to easy views of Mount Bachelor and the Three Sisters, and is a great option for hikers just getting their trail legs.

Flowing Fall

Autumn retreats along the Metolius River

WRITTEN BY ROSEANN DENNERY

The teal water of the Metolius River has long been described as magical, mesmerizing visitors with its crystal clarity and rejuvenating flow. The river begins its journey at the base of Black Butte and moves prestigiously for nearly 30 miles, showcasing its standing as one of the largest spring-fed tributaries in the country. The river’s birthplace (the Head of the Metolius) can be seen from a short hike to the spot where headwaters emerge, revealing the source of its pure water with invigorating temperatures year-round.

The name Metolius means “white fish,” and the waters were considered a sacred source of life for Oregon’s native people.

A fall visit to the Metolius reveals how its life-giving setting still casts a spell today. Mossy banks, smoothed boulders and deep pools set nature’s stage for world-class bird watching, fly fishing and hiking.

The area carved by the Metolius offers an unrivaled experience to watch summer’s leisurely hand-off to autumn, as the crisp air arrives and the vine maple leaves transform into ember hues of fiery red and golden yellow. With inspired lodging options that offer crackling fires, seasonal fare and strolls under the glowing deciduous trees, the Metolius holds the best fall has to offer for a weekend retreat.

LAKE CREEK LODGE

Nestled in a cradle of wooded pines and aspens, Lake Creek Lodge embodies a vintage nod to fall during a stay in one of its 22 creekside cabins. The sprawling grounds host modern amenities while preserving the nostalgia of its 100-year history, featuring a fly-fishing pond, pickleball courts, a heated pool and 40 acres of meandering trails. Rustic yet comfortably renovated cabins (some dating back to the 1920s) can accommodate up to seven guests. Its main lodge offers an idyllic evening respite, with a roaring stone hearth, a rec room and oversized chairs to bookend a day of fall enchantment. See lakecreeklodge.com

HOUSE ON METOLIUS

The setting of the House on Metolius is true serenity, boasting 200 acres of private land with unrivaled views and welcoming riverside cottages. The property has been family-owned for decades, originally purchased as a summer retreat in the 1920s, and later opened to the public as a commitment to the preservation of its enduring beauty. The original 10,000-square-foot, eight-bedroom main house and eight additional distinctive cabins are available for gatherings and rentals. Framed in the distance, snow-capped Mt. Jefferson creates a picturesque backdrop inspiring wedding goers, anglers and writers alike. One thing is clear: The House on Metolius is unparalleled for nature-enthusiasts seeking privacy and impressive views. See metolius.com

METOLIUS RIVER LODGES

Location is everything at the Metolius River Lodges, home to 13 modest and fully equipped cabins tucked under the ponderosa pines lining the river’s edge. Each cottage is just a stones-throw away from the Metolius and features river-facing decks that invite lazy afternoon relaxing and al fresco dining. The lodge’s sought-after proximity makes it an ideal family base from which to explore the area. Guests can stroll on the river trail to the neighborly Camp Sherman’s General Store for fishing bait and a frozen treat, or hike to Wizard Falls to see the area come alive with vivid splashes of fall color. A library and stocked game closet encourage evening merriment after the day’s adventures. See metoliusriverlodges.com

METOLIUS RIVER RESORT

For a more luxurious retreat, the rustically elegant Metolius River Resort features 11 award-winning cabins with knotty pine interiors and upgraded finishes like granite countertops and

river-stone fireplaces. Many feature spacious floor plans and expansive decks with Adirondack chairs—a spot to enjoy morning coffee amidst the ground’s lush setting that becomes ablaze in autumn. Peace and tranquility feel effortlessly in abundance here. After a day of biking or fishing from the resort’s doorstep, visitors can enjoy tapas and a margarita at Hola!, a Mexican-Peruvian inspired restaurant located on-site. See metoliusriverresort.com

Where to Eat

HØST Supper Club, located at Lake Creek Lodge, aptly means autumn in Norwegian. Owners Chasen Bergstrom and Chef Sean Hulecki feature a culinary experience infused with modern Cascadian flare. Find land and sea favorites like cast-iron brie or king salmon. See hostsupperclub.com.

Closer to the Stars

Find education and inspiration at Asterisk Observatory

WRITTEN BY MATT WASTRADOWSKI

Rock climbing brought Cassandra Fallscheer to Central Oregon in May 2019. But what happened after she looked into the clear dark sky is what changed the course of her life.

Friends had invited Fallscheer, then studying astronomy as a graduate student, on a weekend-long climbing trip at Smith Rock State Park. The first night, she unfurled her sleeping bag in the park’s camping area and, just before dozing off, looked up.

“I stared at the night sky and was in awe of what I could see,” she said. The Milky Way arched overhead. Countless stars twinkled. Meteors hurtled through it all.

“Each time I saw a meteor, it was like a little burst of joy that I experienced.”

She fell in love with Central Oregon’s dark night skies that weekend and, in early 2024, she helped open an observatory less than a mile away from where she first experienced them. Today, Fallscheer shares her wonder with amateur astronomers at Asterisk Observatory at The Spot—along with the chance to see the Milky Way, meteors and other celestial wonders for themselves.

LOVE AFFAIR WITH ASTRONOMY

Fallscheer grew up loving numbers and decided to major in math at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. When Fallscheer developed misgivings about her chosen career path, she found inspiration from a nearby source. “My roommate was an astronomer, and she would come home and tell me about all the galaxies she was studying,” Fallscheer said. Astronomy had more allure than math, it turned out.

Fallscheer switched majors and dove headfirst into her new path, first serving as a summer camp docent at an observatory in her hometown of Chico, California, and later working a summer internship at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After receiving her doctorate in astrophysics, she got into teaching and is today a professor of physics and astronomy at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.

CLIMBING TOWARD THE CREATION OF AN OBSERVATORY

Fallscheer’s 2019 enchantment with Central Oregon’s night skies blossomed three years later when she attended the Craggin’ Classic Climbing Festival, held in an empty field across the street from Smith Rock State Park. That evening, she set up her telescope and invited other attendees to take a look. Fallscheer gave a constellation tour, viewed planets and star clusters, and spied a distant galaxy alongside more than 50 fascinated climbers.

Buoyed by their enthusiasm, she inquired about building an observatory on the vacant plot. The landowner loved the idea and, within a year, Fallscheer was laying the groundwork for her new venture.

OVERNIGHT STAYS AND SKY VIEWS AT THE SPOT

Less than two years after toting her telescope to Smith Rock, Fallscheer opened the Asterisk Observatory at The Spot in March 2024.

A two-part experience begins with an overnight stay in what is known as The Spot—a brand-new guesthouse that’s open in spring, late summer and autumn; the threebedroom home comes with a kitchen, hot tub and firepit. The Spot is open to groups who want to rent out the whole place, as well as solo travelers and smaller parties who’d like just one or two bedrooms, and who may share the house with other astronomy enthusiasts.

Overnight guests can then book an additional stargazing experience in the open-air Asterisk Observatory, which resides in a small wooden structure just behind the guesthouse. There, a local astronomer—typically Fallscheer—leads a 90-minute session that includes an educational overview, stargazing, 360 degrees of night-sky viewing through a 17-inch telescope and a question-and-answer session.

Along the way, Fallscheer wants visitors to understand the universe a little bit better and see a bit of the magic she first felt under the same starry skies on her first visit.

“I hope they leave with a sense of wonder and awe.”

See asteriskobservatory.org

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How About ‘Dem Apples

Rediscovering and rehabilitating a historic orchard

WRITTEN BY AMANDA SNODGRASS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOMA SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Crooked River National Grassland is more than earth and sky; it is a land steeped in history that whispers to passersby. Observant locals have long heard this call and noted clusters of unusual trees tucked on the hillsides across the grasslands, including in the foothills of Grey Butte near Culver. Surviving more than 120 years, the trees are a rare grove of fruit trees that persist in what is known as the Enoch Cyrus orchard, a remnant of the Cyrus homestead settled in the 1880s.

Taking a bite of one of the apples that ripens in this orchard might be like tasting time itself—a shared experience eating an apple from the same tree that Enoch Cyrus did 130 years ago. “These orchards are a unique blend of natural heritage, cultural memory and resilience; they evoke a zen that brings people together for a common cause,” said Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, founder of In-Cahoots Heirloom Apple Collaborative and one of the residents leading the charge to draw attention to these early orchards. The fruit trees are modern day denizens from the cusp of a period known as the age of fruit diversification and migration (1801-1880), an era in American agricultural history typified by the transition from wild seedling orchards associated with icons like Johnny Appleseed to the development of varieties with more commercial potential. Before the Honeycrisp and Red Delicious apples found on grocery shelves today came hundreds of heirloom varieties used for drying, eating and cider making, important elements in the livelihoods of families on the Western frontier.

HERITAGE APPLES LINK PAST TO PRESENT

The genetic diversity of apples is extensive. Apples are “not true to seed,” meaning the seeds in the apple you eat do not grow a tree that produces the same type of apple. The apples in the Cyrus orchard tease an imagination with names such as Yellow Transparent, Blue Pearmain, Northern Spy and Red Astrachan. But they aren’t the only varieties in the orchard. Genetic testing has identified a number of trees that do not share all of the genetic markers of any documented varieties of apple—meaning they may very well be one-of-a-kind trees that exist nowhere else on earth. Duane Ecker, a retired Forest Service silviculturist who first noticed the trees more than 20 years ago, shared how important it is to protect and maintain these apples for generations to come. “If we lose them, we have lost the genetic source of these varieties,” he said.

In 2023, a dedicated group of fruit lovers rallied around these tenacious trees that had survived without attention, determined not only to fortify the orchard remnants, but preserve the heritage varieties and share their story with the community. The U.S. Forest Service and In-Cahoots Heirloom Apple Collaborative hosted workdays to clear brush from the orchards and undertook genetic testing to identify fruit varieties. In 2025, they partnered with The School of Ranch to create the Heritage Apple Corps. The Heritage Apple Corps recently hosted a workday with the descendants of the Cyrus family and secured financial support from Discover Your Forest to lead restorative efforts and rejuvenate the surviving trees. “These orchards are living histories,” Forest Service botanist said Maddy Shriver said, “connecting people to their community’s past. See schoolofranch.org.

Western Soul, Modern Spirit

Design meets storytelling in the home of Jackie and Tinker Hatfield

WRITTEN BY LEE LEWIS HUSK

Alarger-than-life image of Will Rogers peers out over the great room. It sets the tone for many design choices that Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield and his wife Jackie made for their newly completed residence in Bend.

Jackie’s connection to Rogers, an American humorist, vaudeville performer and Oklahoma native, dates back to the early 1990s when she saw “The Will Rogers Follies,” a Broadway musical celebrating his life and legacy. Jackie’s degree in recreation and park management from the University of Oregon influences how she hosts family and friends, and how she envisioned a home. When the couple visited Rogers’ historic ranch in Pacific Palisades, both its spirit and style left a lasting impression. (It was destroyed by fire in 2025.)

Tinker, a University of Oregon-trained architect and the designer behind many iconic Nike sneakers like the Air Jordan series, used his laptop stylus like a brush to create the image of Rogers.

Set in the American West, Rogers is wearing jeans, boots and a cowboy hat, and holding a lasso.

A rope coils across the living room table, a temptation to throw it around “Rusty,” the metal steer just beyond the sliding glass doors. A replica of Rogers’ cattle brand leans against the stone fireplace, its shape echoed in architectural details and ironwork throughout the residence.

DESIGNING A MODERN RANCH HOUSE WITH CHARACTER

“Apart from the Will Rogers story, there’s a design story,” Tinker said. As the home’s architect, he faced the challenge of a triangular lot on a sloping hillside set in an older neighborhood off Portland Avenue. “Simplicity was the driving factor in design,” he said, adding that Bend architect Thomas Fagan partnered with him to create design plans. Another challenge was trickier: getting Jackie’s approval. “I spent five months [on various designs].

She was the most difficult client I think I’ve ever had,” he joked. “It’s a compliment because most people don’t really know what they like.” In the end, the couple found shared inspiration in the world of Will Rogers, blending western motifs with modern design that pleases both.

The modern farmhouse, rectangular in form, has a great room anchoring one end. A stone fireplace, wood ceiling and exposed steel cross supports lend a rustic feel with a touch of contemporary grit. Tinker gave the room expansive windows

to take in views of the surrounding neighborhood, while Jackie chose curtains, rather than blinds, similar to those in the Will Rogers house.

The other end of the home contains the private quarters: a bunkroom behind the kitchen that sleeps nine grandchildren, and above it, a second story with the primary suite, a guest bedroom and a “flex” room that serves as an office and guest space, complete with a Murphy bed. One last-minute addition from Tinker during

construction was a playhouse outside the primary bedroom, cleverly tucked into a hidden space.

“There is a story behind every corner of the house, from the hammered stairway ballasts to the wheel-brushed hemlock trim and the custom fireplace stonework,” said Sarah Westhusing, House of Milo founder and interior designer. “This project is a beautiful showcase of local craftsmanship and modern architecture.”

A WELCOMING HOME

Renowned for their hospitality, the Hatfields chose the location not just for its walkability to downtown, but for the open-door lifestyle it supports. Their daughter lives across the street with two of their grandkids, who are always running back and forth between the two homes.

“Friends can stop by unannounced on their bikes and hang out on the porch or have something to drink,” said Jackie. “That’s the way we want it to be here. That’s why we didn’t build in a gated community. We want to be part of the neighborhood. It’s an invitation to connect.”

It’s easy to imagine friends milling around the firepits beneath a large solar tube, holding plates of home-cooked food Jackie prepares and sets on a buffet counter near the grill. When it’s time to eat, she assumes the role of a camp counselor—a position she actually held at Colorado’s Sanborn Western Camp—and rings the dinner bell.

The scene wouldn’t be complete without the Hatfield’s grandchildren barreling out of the bunkroom, a space designed just for them, with built-in cubbies, wall niches for reading lights and spots for a favorite toy or stuffed animal. “It’s perhaps everyone’s favorite room,” said Westhusing.

NOT JUST A HOUSE

From the Robert Wesley Amick painting Tinker found at a garage sale—now hanging over the fireplace and inspiring the design of his Nike Air Mowabb sneaker—to the many custom, often quirky details, the home reflects his creative spirit. “[That] combined with Jackie’s consistent vision, everything works together,” Westhusing said. “The house feels full of life and personality.” Whether they’re hosting friends, watching their grandkids play or gearing up to ski, cycle or stroll into town for morning coffee, their Bend home is a lived-in expression of creativity, connection and warmth. As Will Rogers once said, “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” With its open-door charm and personality-infused character, the Hatfields’ home speaks volumes—no parrots necessary.

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Modern Mirage

Privacy and personality coexist in a screenwall that creates both a sanctuary and an evocative dreamspace. Here, the Painted Hills in Eastern Oregon were the inspiration for laser-cut metal art with high contrast and low tones that is also functional, sliding open for a real-world view.

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Built to Ride

Custom bikes are a growing industry

WRITTEN BY DANIEL O’NEIL

Downhill, cross-country, touring, road, gravel—the high desert offers every option a cyclist could ask for. It follows, then, that the area is also home to a core group of custom bike builders who are pushing bicycle engineering and production past any preconceived boundaries, while also maintaining the spirit of elation and freedom that cycling can provide.

In the United States, about 20 million bikes are sold each year, generating a market revenue of $8 billion. Some 98% of these bikes are manufactured in Asia. This may seem like an unfair headwind for Central Oregon’s bike companies, but instead they use it to their advantage by providing a custom bike build experience.

As Central Oregon’s trail systems expand and more cyclists move to the area, the pack of custom bike companies is gaining speed. Their market, from local to international cyclists, is starting to take notice.

PURSUING PERFECTION

Argonaut Cycles designs and builds some of the world’s most customized road and gravel bikes, which start at $16,000. Founded by Ben Farver in 2007, today Argonaut rolls out 200 high-end bikes a year, all made by hand starting with raw sheets of carbon fiber. Design, product testing and fabrication all happen in Central Oregon.

For cyclists who have spent enough time in the saddle to become one with their bike, customization offers an opportunity to exploit the benefits of different bike-frame geometries and flex patterns. Rather than ride a bike designed for a predetermined style of riding, and a particular weight and height range, a custom bike fine tunes performance.

“Our bikes really do improve folks’ cycling experience,” said Argonaut’s Joe Rudisill. “It’s not just marketing jargon. It comes from our client feedback. So it’s pretty special to see that all the way through, from hands-on, raw frames to getting to see and know the people who are really feeling the labor of love that we put into those bikes.”

FOR THE LOVE OF IT

Due to steeper prices, and the challenges of reaching a niche market, custom bike building is a small but strong segment in Central Oregon. Without the deeper financial resources of major bike brands, custom builders rely on commitment and stoke instead.

Bend-grown 21-year-old Ethan Eggert founded Arid Cycles after high school. Arid’s full-suspension mountain bike frames are modular, allowing for a rider to select customized options when building the frame. Still in the prototype phase, Eggert plans to open pre-orders this fall. He’s proud to have stayed in Bend to pursue his project. “The market for high-end is there, and it still has room to grow,” Eggert said. “We’re in a good place because we have what people are looking for that they can’t find at the other brands.”

Besides the technical merits, working with a custom builder offers real-life value, allowing rider and builder to develop a relationship like that between surfer and shaper. “You’re supporting someone who’s passionate about what they’re making,” said Max Keegan, who custom welds about three to five bike frames a year as part of his project, Mostly Forever. Frames sell for between $1,900 and $2,500. “It’s sort of the farm-to-table deal, a closer circle. I get the materials, I make a bike frame, and I give it to you—versus a bike frame made overseas, shipped to a distribution center and then shipped to a bike shop.”

Cyclists from Bend and beyond are becoming aware of the incomparable custom-build options taking off in Central Oregon. “For those riders who have been on the other top-shelf bikes, there’s a growing segment of folks who are

looking for something different, cooler and more progressive that separates their riding and puts it on the next level of what’s possible,” Argonaut’s Rudisill said. As far as cycling in Central Oregon goes, from its extensive trail options and routes to its emerging custom builds, nothing is impossible.

ACCESS FOR ALL

Rich in innovation and collaboration, Central Oregon does not limit itself. When Geoff Babb suffered a paralyzing stroke in 2005, he refused to give up his passion for trails. In response, Babb pursued an off-road wheelchair that could explore places like the Grand Canyon. Babb tested his first AdvenChair in 2016, and today his volunteer-run nonprofit provides all-access wheelchairs for people from age 6 to 96 who previously couldn’t get to places such as Smith Rock in a standard wheelchair.

An AdvenChair costs around $12,000, but Babb works with outdoor schools and tour operators in the United States and beyond to make the chairs themselves more accessible. “We’re allowing a whole range of people to be outside enjoying nature,” Babb said.

Central Oregon’s strong sense of community and entrepreneurship provided the ideal environment for AdvenChair to get rolling. “Really important locally is just being in Central Oregon where there are so many small businesses, so many startups,” said Babb. “I really benefited from being in this incubator, in this small, very supportive group of companies.”

e.

f.

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Accelerating Toward Success

Taking a family business into the future

When it came time for a fourth-generation company to step into the 21st century, there was no better person for the job than Tiffany Huey. As founder and CEO of Bend-based Snowshoe Leather Care, she stepped into the shoes of her great-grandfather, who transformed the business from a hobby to become a thriving heritage brand.

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Huey has a broad marketing background and built her career with Fortune 500 companies such as Starbucks, PepsiCo. and Nestle. To help position Snowshoe Leather Care, Huey participated in the Bend Outdoor Worx program, which supports innovative outdoor-focused companies. Here, she shares her experience of respecting a company’s history while accelerating it into the future.

What is the lineage of your family business?

Snowshoe Leather Care was founded in 1927, back when snowshoes were made with leather bindings—hence the name. Those bindings had to be soft, supple and waterproof to perform well in harsh conditions. While leather snowshoes are a rarity today, the product lives on because it restores leather’s beauty and enhances its durability. My grandfather purchased the business from my great-grandfather around 1950 after he retired from the railroad. It was meant to be a small hobby, but he grew it significantly. At one point, Snowshoe products were sold by retailers like L.L. Bean and JCPenney. During the past few generations, the company became more of a side hustle for my family until I decided to leave my corporate career and return to my roots. I knew we had a remarkable product with a cult following and a rich story—I just needed to give it the care and attention it deserved.

You refer to yourself as a re-founder? What does that mean?

Although Snowshoe Leather Care has been around for nearly 100 years, in many ways it operates like a startup.

During the past two years, I’ve rebuilt the foundation by streamlining operations, refreshing the brand, updating our packaging, building a digital presence, scaling distribution and relocating manufacturing to a rustic barn on the east side of Bend.

I may not be the original founder, but I’ve taken on the role of reimagining and reinvigorating the brand for a new era. “Re-founder” feels like the perfect word to describe that journey—and it gives me a meaningful way to tell the Snowshoe story.

The process and formula seem like an ultimate recipe for Pacific Northwest success. What can you tell us about it?

Being based in the Pacific Northwest has shaped our identity. We know rain. We know cold. And we know how to protect leather from moisture, mold and the elements. Here in Central Oregon, it’s important to moisturize leather to prevent it from drying out and cracking. With nearly a century of experience, we’ve truly perfected our approach. We still use the same formula, equipment and ingredients my grandfather used—including beeswax, pine resin and carnauba wax which is a type of palm wax. Our customers include saddle makers, rodeo outfitters, motorcycle leather enthusiasts and cobblers who’ve sworn by Snowshoe for decades. We’ve never felt the need to change a winning formula with a new and improved version because it already works beautifully and has such a loyal following.

How do you envision your company evolving?

We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead. We’re currently expanding our product line, with special interest in product-specific offerings and the furniture care space. Customers have shared amazing before-and-after stories

of restoring dry, pet scratched leather sofas and chairs with our conditioner, and we see a lot of potential there. We’re also approaching our 100-year anniversary—an incredible milestone that deserves to be celebrated. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to honor the brand’s legacy. One idea I’m exploring is finding century-old leather items and telling the stories they carry. If anyone has a treasured leather heirloom with a story to tell, I’d love to hear from you!

What are some other stories that span across time?

One of the unexpected joys of taking over the business has been digging through old bankers’ boxes full of dusty files. I’ve uncovered correspondence between my grandfather and the U.S. Naval Academy, supply negotiations with European vendors and all kinds of fascinating documents. It’s been meaningful to see how he navigated the same types of business decisions I now face.

One story that stands out is Richard’s, a rodeo cowboy, rancher and longtime customer from The Grove, Texas, with a lifetime of rich experiences. He first discovered Snowshoe back in the 1960s while apprenticing under master saddlemaker Floyd Lingle in Kissimmee, Florida. Richard still rides with a saddle Floyd made for him in 1973—kept in “mint” condition thanks to decades of care and consistent use of Snowshoe Leather Conditioner. It’s stories like his—of craft passed down, of cherished items, and of loyalty that spans generations—that make this work so rewarding. See snowshoeleathercare.com

Watch for an interview with Tiffany Huey on the new “Birth of the Brands” podcast series. Bend Magazine’s “The Circling Podcast” with Adam Short can be found on all major podcast platforms.

NaturalINSTINCT

MOMENTS OF CONNECTION DURING BIRD HUNTING SEASON

On the migratory superhighway of the Pacific Flyway, Oregon is an avian apotheosis, or at least a scenic resting spot on the 5,000-mile route for more than one billion birds annually. Offering cover in riverside thickets, forest understory and marshland, the state also has one of the longest bird hunting seasons in the country—duck season begins the second weekend in October and runs through January. In the same way that patterns of flight are imprinted by evolution, hunting is part of canine DNA and that goes for humans, too.

Gillian Murkin was introduced to hunting 13 years ago by her husband Andrew and his dog, Mally—short for Mallard. She fell in love with the sport by watching dogs and how they worked. "If you’ve ever seen a child with one toy at the top of their list, it’s like that for the dogs.

They get that look on their faces when retrieving as if it’s Christmas, a birthday and New Year’s Eve all at once. It’s everything they love all in one moment,” she said.

The Murkins, with their labs Quin and Widge (named for Harlequin and American widgeon ducks) have been to the wetlands near Summer Lake for opening day of duck hunting season for the past eight years, but it’s not just for sport. "People may get a negative impression of hunting, but it’s an intentional use of time," Gillian said. "I get to sit in nature with my dog. If we’re lucky, we’ll get something to eat, a bird or two, but the best part is the magic of being out there when nature doesn’t know you’re watching.” Hunting allows instinct take the lead, naturally.

“QUIN’S

GOAL IS TO BE WHERE ANDREW IS. SHE’D BE IN HIS SKIN IF SHE COULD. IT MAKES HER HAPPIEST TO GIVE UP WHAT SHE RETRIEVES SINCE HER WHOLE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND HIM.”

—Gillian Murkin

“THERE’S A QUIET COMPANIONSHIP TO HAVE A DOG BY MY SIDE, BUT IT IS REALLY ABOUT THEM. IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SEE A DOG FULFILL A DEEPLY INGRAINED INSTINCT.”

—Gillian Murkin

ARE HER LIFE'S WORK

AN ESSAY BY GARY LEWIS

Pepper. I wrote her name on a piece of paper. Stuck it on my bulletin board. Looked at it a few times for the better part of a week. I knew the right pudelpointer was out there somewhere. The promise of this breed is to be a versatile dog with "birdiness," desire, a strong field nose, endurance, pointing instinct and a family companion. I made a couple of phone calls and heard of a female puppy with no name and a purple collar, owned by the Daytons of Lost Valley Gundogs in Nampa, Idaho. We drove to Nampa, picked her up and brought her back home to Bend.

Then, at four months old, she knew it was a special day because I put a bandana on her. A red bandana meant a ride in the truck. This new fuzzy-faced pup was so young that she did not even know what she was made for. We drove north to Maupin and ended up at Sage Canyon Outfitters where I asked if I could take the puppy for a walk, let her smell the smells and hear the sounds of guns in the distance. We walked in and out of the marshes and once she jumped a pair of meadowlarks and then a snipe. She quartered back and forth, checking back to see that I followed.

Back at the clubhouse, I let her get a sniff of a rooster's tail feathers. "This is your life's work," I told her. Lucky dog.

A DOG WITH HEART

Sometimes we hunt in asparagus fields, sometimes in furrows sown to wild rye and sorghum. We might walk along a railroad track with a quarter mile of Russian olive and cottonwoods, tall grass and tangles of blackberry with cattails in the creek bottoms. We want to start quietly with no slamming of car doors or whistles or shouts.

If the birds are before us, there will be a scent cone to find. A dog quarters back and forth to sort through the smells, discovering, cataloging and discarding tendrils of scent. While there may be rabbits and meadowlarks in the cover, dogs know these are not our game. As a dog works out the trail, a rooster is likely to move ahead at first and then buttonhook and go back the way it came.

The dog may lose the scent and reacquire it a dozen times, but if it is experienced, it will make smaller moves, adjusting to find the scent cone again. And when the scent is strong, the dog knows to stop, often with one front foot held off the ground, its body rigid, tail flagged, afraid to move, nose and eyes locked on the spot where the bird has stopped.

We communicate with whispers or hand signals, guns muzzle-up, trigger fingers along the actions. This is when a

young rooster will flush, while an older bird might lock up tighter. The bird lifts its wings and—kuk-kuk-kuk—clears the cattails and tilts into the wind and for a moment it is in range of the guns.

There is no more glorious moment than when the dog has pointed the rooster and the approaching hunter puts it to air. There is a shot, and the dog sees the bird drop and dashes forward to catch its scent again, pin the rooster to the ground then turn to seek its master.

Pepper will be going into her first full hunting season with as good a start as we could hope for. She’s a dog that back home is eager to please, knows her place at heel and by the hearth, and has won our hearts. Because she gives all of hers.

EPIC BEND

EXPLORING BEND'S MOUNTAIN BIKE MECCA

n ordinary Monday morning. Two wheels dance beneath your body as you fly through a sun dappled forest of ponderosa pine trees. The dance floor is an endless ribbon of flowy singletrack trail. You’ve enjoyed a leisurely 10-mile mountain bike ride and still have time to grab an Ocean Roll and wipe the dirt from your brow before your 10 a.m. office meeting. Welcome to Bend, a mountain biker’s dream. The proximity of Deschutes National Forest land near town allows access to hundreds of miles of trail and is just one of the elements that make Bend the mountain bike mecca it is today. With trails ranging from mellow double track and technical cross-county to downhill and jump—plus a lift-access bike park at Mt. Bachelor—the region is touted as a world-class destination that offers trails for all abilities. The ease of incorporating rides into daily life without making an all-day ordeal of it is high on the list of attractive qualities. Sometimes making an ordeal is a big part of the fun, though. Fortunately, a cornucopia of mind-blowing adventures lies within an hour’s drive.

Bend’s mountain bike aura is the confluence of several factors, including accessibility, top-notch bike shops, guide and shuttle services, organized group rides and a remarkable trail alliance. Plenty of trails in Bend are usable year-round and many mountain bikers also fancy skiing in the winter, adding to the allure. Several existing trails have been assessed by adaptive riders and deemed appropriate for adaptive mountain bikes like the Bowhead Reach—an electric adaptive off-road bike with two front and one rear wheel that is customizable to fit a rider’s specific mobility needs—allowing more riders to enjoy the trails.

DEVELOPING A TRAIL UTOPIA

Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, protecting and enhancing the mountain biking experience throughout the area, is perhaps the most significant instrument in Bend’s reputation as a mountain bike hub. The nonprofit stewards more than 520 miles of singletrack trails, five bike parks and nine miles of groomed winter fat bike trails. “COTA was established in 1992 and has been pivotal in the creation, development and continued maintenance of trails,” shared Alex Brieger, the trails program director for the organization. Driven by his deep passion for big backcountry mountain bike rides, Brieger directly oversees all aspects of trail planning, building, maintenance and training, ensuring trails in Central Oregon meet the highest standards for quality and sustainability. “We have about 80 miles of trail currently in the plans,” he said. The ongoing development of new trails keeps locals engaged and gives visitors a reason to return year after year. For instance, five new trails at the Wanoga Sno Park—including a novice jump line and two advanced downhill trails—strengthen Bend’s magnetic force. Nearly 70% of COTA’s funding comes from donors and members with the remainder funded by grants. “We have a staff of just four people, so we rely heavily on volunteers. I truly enjoy connecting with all of them,” Brieger said. He invites folks to get involved by digging in the dirt at a trail work event or simply joining COTA’s membership program.

ALL RIDERS ARE WELCOME

Not only does Bend attract seasoned riders, it’s a welcoming place to dip your toes into mountain biking. With myriad bike shops that have gear to get you out on the trail, knowledgeable mechanics to keep your bike rolling, educational events, meet-ups and group rides, there is no shortage of opportunities to throw your leg over a bike and get riding. Local businesses like Grit Clinics and Cog Wild provide lessons, coaching and skills camps to help riders improve confidence and ability on

the trail. Riders can hop on a shuttle or guided tour, streamlining the process. “We make it easy for folks to come ride with us by having everything they need. We teach skills, guide rides, rent bikes and explain routes. Someone can show up with just athletic clothes and—with our support—have a full adventure on trail,” said Kirin Stryker, co-owner of Cog Wild, a small, family-operated outfitter and long-standing pillar in the community. Offering bike shuttles, guided tours and lessons, Cog Wild has been a valuable catalyst in facilitating adventure tourism and attracting riders to the area from all over the world. It also runs Cascadia Junior Cycling, which provides programming for youth through off-road racing teams, clubs and bike camps.

“My favorite part of the job is coaching a group of elementaryaged girls through Cascadia Junior Cycling. They are so much fun, and it’s a great reminder to be less serious while out riding. We stop for snacks, look for frogs and lizards, and play games while shredding singletrack trails,” said Stryker.

GROW UP, OR GROW OLD, ON A BIKE

Kids who grow up in Bend have a unique opportunity to benefit from bike programs like Cascadia Junior Cycling, Bend

Endurance Academy and Vámonos Outside. With a bounty of beginner-friendly trails right out their doors, it’s inevitable that many mature into talented bikers. The easy-to-ride trail systems allow families to introduce little ones to mountain biking as soon as they can balance, and the progression to more aggressive downhill and jump trails is natural. Bend native, 13-year-old Soren Donnelly can vouch for that. He and his sister have been hitting the trails since they were toddlers. “Being in this community, it’s easy to progress. Biking has definitely made me closer with my family, especially my dad,” Donnelly shared. “Having family friends who all bike has made it easier for my dad to push me and support my riding. When there’s a big group who are all going together, it’s motivating.”

It’s no secret that the one-time small town of Bend has evolved into one of the most celebrated mountain biking destinations in the United States. Whether you can backflip a dirt jump, hit the 8-foot drop feature at Mt. Bachelor, or you’re a trail-curious 7- or 70-year-old, Bend has a little slice of mountain bike heaven for all to enjoy.

ICONIC RIDES

Tiddlywinks Trail

A 7-mile intermediate level trail with jumps and rock features in the Wanoga Complex.

Lookout Mountain Trail

Located in the Ochoco National Forest outside Prineville, Lookout Mountain offers a 4,500-foot descent and a 360-degree view from the summit.

Lower Whoops

This downhill only jump trail in the Phil’s Complex is one of the most popular rides in Bend.

Old Cascade Crest (OCC) Trails

True backcountry all-day epics are the name of the game in the OCC. Situated off the Santiam Pass highway, these are steep, primitive, remote trails with several route options.

The Making of a

FOR OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY–CASCADES, THE FUTURE IS NOW

WRITTEN

BY

LEE LEWIS HUSK

Once a dusty pumice pit and landfill at the edge of nowhere, it’s one of the most ambitious campus projects in the country today. Oregon State University-Cascades has transformed Central Oregon from a university desert into a rising academic power. In just 25 years, blighted ground has become the beating heart of Central Oregon’s evolution into a vibrant educational city.

Until the late 1990s, it was merely a long-held dream among Central Oregonians that they or their children could earn a four-year degree without leaving the area. As Bend moved beyond its roots as a timber town and entered the 21st century, it began reshaping itself around outdoor recreation, tourism, craft brewing, healthcare, tech startups and remote workers. The population grew, demographics evolved, and what was once a distant hope for local higher education began to feel possible and, in many ways, essential.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 1999, an Oregon University System advisory board recommended a partnership between a capstone university and COCC to bring four-year degrees to Central Oregon. Oregon State University was selected and opened a branch campus on COCC’s campus in 2001, supported by $7.2 million from the state legislature. Students followed a “two-plus-two” path, starting at COCC and finishing at OSU-Cascades. By 2009, enrollment hit 611, but the campus faced challenges, including leadership turnover and confusion with the University of Oregon’s presence on the COCC campus. That year, Becky Johnson, OSU vice provost for academic affairs, was brought over from Corvallis to lead the campus as lawmakers questioned whether it should remain open. “The Ways and Means Committee was holding hearings about shutting us down, but the community rallied,” she recalled, noting that more than 600 people either attended the hearing or submitted letters supporting the proposed campus. “I was so moved—I didn’t expect that level of support.” If there was any doubt in the legislature about Central Oregon’s commitment, Jane Teater and Amy Tykeson quickly put it to rest. The two spearheaded a grassroots fundraising campaign that raised $4 million in private donations within weeks, a clear testament to the region's strong belief in the vision for OSU-Cascades. Around the same time, a State Board of Higher Education working group, chaired by Kirk Schueler, president of Brooks Resources—who brought expertise in real estate, finance and accounting—recommended that Central Oregon be served by a single, comprehensive, degree-granting institution that could offer graduate programs and research aligned with local industries. That institution, the group concluded, should be Oregon State University.

THE NEXT STEP:

A PERMANENT CAMPUS

Johnson assembled a star-studded group of seasoned experts in local real estate and development, including Schueler, Mike Hollern, Todd Taylor, John James and Bill Smith. “We got a map of everything in Central Oregon—from Bend to Redmond to Prineville—to keep our eyes wide open,” Johnson said. The team settled on an old pumice mine and a demolition landfill in the heart of Bend with 10 acres of clean dirt.

“It gave us so much long-range opportunity for the university to pursue a 50- to 100-year vision,” Johnson said. “Who better than a university to take that on? And who else can take the time and get help from the state and Corvallis?”

Rod Ray, a key supporter of OSU-Cascades from its inception and former CEO of Bend Research who grew up in Bend, recalled the early years as rocky. But he credits Johnson’s determination with seeing the vision through. “She was relentless,” he said. “She was the visionary. Sure, we all helped her, but she was clearly the leader, and she had Ed’s support,” he added, referring to then-OSU President Ed Ray.

MOMENTUM GROWS

Between 2009 and 2019, momentum for OSU-Cascades surged through community advocacy, government backing and

significant philanthropic support. Residents traveled to Salem to lobby for legislative support, while local leaders advanced plans for a 128-acre campus.

The campus opened in 2016 with its first building, Tykeson Hall, and its largest incoming class ever. A 300-bed residence and dining hall, plus academic space, followed in 2017. In 2018, the Oregon Legislature approved $39 million for the university’s second academic facility—a STEAM building to expand programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. It would be named Edward J. Ray Hall in honor of the former OSU president. The most recent addition is the $22 million Student Success Center, which opened in January 2025, partially funded by the students themselves.

Taha Elwefati, the son of Libyan immigrants and a Summit High graduate born and raised in Bend, earned his degree from OSU-Cascades two years ago. Of his many accomplishments during his three years as student body president, he’s most proud of helping secure the student contribution of $5 million for the new student center.

REPURPOSED GROUND: A CREATIVE VISION FOR LAND USE

Oregon State University-Cascades campus is a striking example of transformation,

rising like a phoenix from a landscape once scarred by a demolition landfill and pumice mine. For the past several years, the campus has undertaken a massive remediation project to clean and recycle debris from Bend’s dismantled timber mill and other construction projects in Deschutes County.

University leaders believed building a campus from nothing was an opportunity to showcase sustainability through reclamation and remediation. Jarrod Penttila, associate director for capital planning and construction management, said that the campus is designed with the future in mind. “We’re putting in infrastructure to improve our sustainability over the next 30-plus years,” he explained. The ultimate goal is to achieve net-zero status in terms of energy, water and waste. The first phase of OSU-Cascades’ land reclamation project focused on stabilizing the steep, 80-foot cliffs of the old pumice mine and testing methods for cleaning up a former landfill. Crews have been working on the site’s 72 total acres of landfill, using a giant vibrating screen to separate soil from larger pieces of waste, such as metal and plastics. “We’ll likely reclaim about 50% soil from the landfill, which we’re able to test for contaminants like asbestos and monitor in cooperation with Oregon DEQ,” Penttila said.

Reclaimed soil from the landfill now forms the understructure for the grassy Oval Green at the center of campus.

A key element of preparing the land for use was to keep all the materials on site.

“We’re able to clean up the landfill and pumice mine without taking anything on or off the site,” Penttila said. Instead, the waste is being re-landfilled in a giant hole in the northwest corner of campus to create passive uses like parking lots and recreation fields.

A MISSION TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY

The 2025 numbers tell a clear story of success. Oregon State University-Cascades has graduated 5,960 students, 67% of them from Central Oregon—many the first in their families to earn a college degree.

“Proximity still matters a lot,” said Sherm Bloomer, chancellor of OSU-Cascades.

“Many students in this region don’t want to leave for other universities. So increasing access here is critical.”

Compared to other Oregon public universities, OSU-Cascades students are distinct in that they are choosing an education from a top-tier research institution in a smaller setting. In 2025, 340 students graduated, including 23 active-duty military or veterans. The campus serves 1,500 students across more than 25 majors.

COMMUNITY VISION: LEADERS GUIDE THE WAY

"We were proud to stand up the new program for a molecular biology and biochemistry degree in support of regional talent needs and opportunities.”

—Lisa Hale, CEO, Grace Bio-Labs

OSU Board of Trustees

“Proximity still matters a lot. Many students in this region don’t want to leave for other universities. So increasing access here is critical.”

—Sherm Bloomer, Chancellor, OSU-Cascades

“The benefit of having an innovation district at this campus is that two or three industry sectors are gravitating toward Central Oregon, and OSU has built up a curriculum that supports the business side of it.”

—Katy Brooks

Economic Development Director, City of Bend

Elwefati chose OSU-Cascades after visiting the campus and connecting with its tight-knit community. “The small class sizes, engaged faculty—many with impressive credentials—and affordability made it a compelling choice,” he said, adding that scholarships and proximity to home also played a major role.

Chancellor Bloomer emphasizes that the campus is shaped by regional needs. “We started mechanical engineering because there’s a demand in the community. We’re launching an accounting program this fall. Outdoor products are another—something that doesn’t exist in Corvallis but makes perfect sense here,” he said. Other locally relevant degrees include environmental science, hospitality management, energy systems engineering, natural resources, and tourism and adventure leadership.

“It’s not about building a college town. It’s about being in service to the community,” Bloomer said. “We don’t aspire to be a standalone four-year university. We’re part of a big, nationally prominent research institution. Most regional public universities don’t offer a doctoral degree in physical therapy.” The program, which launched in 2021, graduated 44 students in 2024. Many are now working in clinics and rural areas where access to physical therapy is limited. “It works here because dozens of clinical sites exist in this region that don’t exist in Corvallis.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

“We’re now looking ahead to the next five to eight years of program development,” Bloomer said. An innovation district is planned on 24 acres of the campus to accelerate regional economic development and foster innovation in Central Oregon. Ten acres of that district are near completion, and 14 acres are set aside for that goal.

“OSU-Cascades has created a campus that understands the climate we’re in and the things students need.”

—Taha Elwefati, Class of 2023

Faculty Research Assistant, Laboratory for the American Conversation

“There are very few places in the United States where you have a new university in a town like this...I think of it as ‘beachfront.’”

—Rod Ray, Former CEO, Bend Research OSU-Cascades Advocacy and Advisory Board

“The benefit of having an innovation district at this campus is that two or three industry sectors are gravitating toward Central Oregon, and OSU has built up a curriculum that supports the business side of it,” said Katy Brooks, Bend’s economic development director.

Ray, former CEO at Bend Research, teaches a class on thermodynamics, giving him a unique perspective.

“I’m right at the interface between the university and many of the companies around town,” he said. “The community has started to perceive a lot of value in the university, and industry is seeing its potential…It’s on a very positive trajectory.”

“I see a university that took a moonscape and turned it into the ultimate high-value use of public investment—getting something ready for private investment,” Brooks said. “That changes a hole in the ground into a world-class university. Shame on us if we don’t leverage that.”

In Crust We Trust

A guide to Bend’s pizza with personality

WRITTEN BY MAISIE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY TINA PAYMASTER

Some foods work hard to impress. Pizza doesn’t have to. It’s the familiar answer to a hundred tiny cravings—melty comfort after a dusty trail, a weeknight shortcut or the thing everyone can agree on. In Bend, pizza comes with personality. Some pies show up as blistered rounds, others in thick slabs. There’s no strict style, no hierarchy of toppings, just a shared belief that pizza still has the power to surprise.

THE TWISTS

Abe Capanna’s opened its brick-and-mortar location in July 2025. The space buzzes with a neighborhood vibe that turns quick bites into long hangs. The pizza is Detroit-style, baked in blue steel pans that guide cheese into the corners. Per tradition, cheese goes on first, then sauce. “There’s no other way to get the right kind of caramelized crust,” said chef and co-owner Cliff Abrahams. Toppings like the ones on the Buffalo’ 66—meticulously hand-pulled chicken wing meat—are high quality, never cutting corners. “It’s how they did it back home,” said Abrahams, nodding to the pizza joint from his childhood.

There’s a window on Galveston Avenue where locals hover like moths, waiting for their box of square-edged joy. Kitchen Window Pizza is a compact operation where everything from red sauce to pickled chilis is housemade. Owners Brittaney MacFarland and Will Forbes call their airy, golden pizzas “mountain pie.” The dough is slow-fermented and baked with a layer of cheese along the edge of the pan, creating a unique and crispy frico crust. “Our Spicy Chicken Parm pizza has a soft spot in our hearts,” said MacFarland. “It’s a little nod to our Scoutpost [former food truck] days, using the same hot sauce we served on our fried chicken sandwich.”

At Lady Bird Cultural Society, the wood-fired oven pulls double duty, turning out artisanal pizzas alongside roasted oysters, vegetables and whatever else the kitchen chooses to elevate that week. Prohibitionstyle martinis, Negronis and ingredient-driven craft cocktails, like the Moonlit Garden, clink glasses across candlelit tables as an unexpected pairing with pizza. The Fluffhead pie is a standout—blistered and topped with rosemary cream, cascade mushrooms, mozzarella, burrata and truffle oil. It’s pizza, sure, but in the company of caviar, coupes and chandeliers, it’s more than a meal. It’s an experience.

THE RISING STARS

At Ken’s Artisan Pizza, the dough is slowfermented and adjusted daily for Bend weather. Too dry, and the chew’s gone. Too wet, and the whole thing falls flat. Peter Kost, who opened the Bend location in early 2025, leaves nothing to chance. Pizzas—like the beloved Fennel Sausage and Onion—bubble to life in an 800-degree wood-fired oven, then face red-carpet scrutiny. “We use tweezers to remove any rogue char,” Kost said. “If it’s not perfect, it doesn’t go out.”

Fat Tony’s lives for the curveball. Mortadella and pistachios as toppings? Done. Pizza scissors at the table? Obviously. Chef and co-owner Roberto Cardenas cut his teeth on Florentine recipes and ended up naming his pizza joint after a character from The Simpsons. “Now everyone just calls me Tony,” he laughed. The dough at Fat Tony’s is hand-tossed and the sauce is made from San Marzano tomatoes. “You must use the very best tomatoes,” Cardenas noted. Among the crowd favorites is the Le Margherite, made with fresh mozzarella, rustic pepperoni that curls into crispy chalices of oil and fresh basil tossed on post-bake.

Pinky G’s pizza is classic New York-style with hand-tossed, chewy, floppy crust. Pulled pork is beer-braised overnight in the pizza oven, then piled onto specialty pies like The Fatty. There’s a Guy Fieri collab in the mix, but it’s the daily slices that keep things interesting—Big Mac one day, Thai chicken the next. “The best thing about pizza is that it can be whatever you want,” said co-owner Adam Hoff. Ideally, it includes a crust dunked in Pinky G’s Hot Honey because no true fan leaves a pizza bone behind.

THE LOCAL LEGENDS

At Pizza Mondo, the dough starts with live cake yeast. “It gives the crust that toothy first bite,” said co-owner Steven Koch, “but the center stays soft and airy.” Known for fast lines

and hoard-worthy garlic knots, Pizza Mondo has been slinging slices downtown since 1996. Pies come and go, but the Bella Luna—a roasted potato white pie—has held its spot on the menu since day one. Another pizza with a loyal following is the Big Island, a tangle of pulled pork, bacon, pineapple and Mama Lil’s peppers that proves pizza can do anything.

Little Pizza Paradise is Bend’s pizza time machine. Teens who once lined up after school now bring their own kids in for a slice. When Brad Harris took over in 2022, he simply kept the wheel turning with the same care and confidence as the founder, Pete Wojda. Marty Barnes, the Dough Guy, manages fermentation like a mood ring, adjusting each batch of dough to the day’s weather. Emma Cochran, the resident topping tinkerer, brings big flavor energy with her ever-evolving pizza experiments. Her most loved pie, The Dirty Italian, layers marinara, pepperoni, salame, grape tomatoes, three cheeses, red pepper flakes, and finishes with a drizzle of honey and fresh basil. “We’re staying true to ourselves. We remember names. We watch kids grow up,” Harris said. “It’s a special place.”

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At Deschutes Public Library—and at libraries across the county— we recognize that intellectual freedom is intertwined with the fundamental right to freedom of speech, and an informed citizenry is essential to exercising that free speech. What you read is your business. Learn more about intellectual freedom and your First Amendment rights at dpl.pub/int-freedom.

A Taste of the World

Exploring Spork’s global kitchen in Bend

Spork has been a Bend institution since its opening day 13 years ago. From its origin as a wildly popular food cart to its now consistently packed brick-and-mortar restaurant, Spork has reliably fed and shaped the Bend community through quality, curiosity and collaboration. It began in 2009, when co-founders Jeff Hunt and Erica Reilly made their case at Bend City Hall to serve globally inspired street food from a 1962 Airstream trailer. At the time, food trucks were still a novelty in Bend. Spork was at the forefront of the food truck revolution in the city, and it’s likely thanks to its knockout flavors and inventive dishes that helped pave the way for the now thriving nomadic food culture.

In June 2013, Spork opened its permanent space on Newport Avenue. Today, you’ll step into line with anticipation, treated to a lively preview of your meal. The open kitchen buzzes with energy and colorful fare in stainless steel bowls fly past packed tables. An international soundtrack plays overhead while lush, greenhouse-worthy plant installations fill the restaurant from wall to ceiling. There’s an unshakable sense that something delicious is soon coming your way.

The evolving menu is informed by Chef Hunt’s travels around the world and a deep respect for culinary cultures. Spork doesn’t call its food “fusion,” but certainly nods to the overlap between Latin American and Southeast Asian cuisines. “We have always tried to present our food in ways that feel like an eye of travel,” said Reilly.

In the ultra-bright Shrimp & Pork Belly Yellow Curry, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass—staples in Southeast Asian cooking—add citrusy depth. “We honor dishes and their origin, serving dishes the way they should be served. It makes all the difference,” said Katrina Spatrisano, director of operations and chef de cuisine at Spork. Among the many other offerings are tender Broccoli Beef, Spicy Pork Noodles and specials such as the Elote—grilled bi-color corn topped with citrus browned butter, chili mayo, cotija cheese, cilantro, green onions, tajin and lime. One of the most popular dishes is the Spicy Fried Chicken—chicken thighs coated in rice flour, fried to a perfect crisp and always juicy on the inside.

Nearly every dish comes with the signature Spork accent: a leafy trio of mint, basil and cilantro. Crispy, chewy, crunchy and saucy, it makes sense why the kitchen’s expo station is entirely dedicated to garnishes. Dishes are layered with texture. Take the seasonal Crispy Rice Salad. It’s served year-round, but its toppings shift with the season: watermelon in the heat of summer, apples in fall, mandarins in winter, asparagus in the spring. Cabbage, bean sprouts, toasted coconut, crispy shallots, a citrus-heavy dressing and palm sugar chili peanuts turn this salad into a must-order.

The craft cocktail program, piloted by Reilly, is a collaborative endeavor shaped by her years behind the bar, and a formative chapter opening a classic cocktail venue in Jackson, Wyoming, where she trained with some of the country’s best mixologists. From bright mezcal sippers such as the Barefoot Desert to the herbaceous Maui Z, drinks at Spork are deeply considered. You’ll find the best expressions of the classics and spirited cocktails born from group collaboration that reflects the creative minds behind the bar. Spork is an eatery distinguished for its flavor, no doubt, but also for its open-minded ethos: “Let’s be curious,” said Reilly. That candor radiates from the crew, many of whom have stayed for years. Menu development is a team effort, and specials “become a playground for new ideas,” explained Spatrisano. It’s a spot where Bend gathers. The line that snakes out the door each evening spans first dates and families. It’s dotted with locals and people from around the world. “Spork is a bit of a watering hole,” said Reilly. This is a place as much about people as it is about food. Locals send visitors here for the unforgettable menu as well

as for the fun energy, eclectic vibe and a staff that brings heart to every shift. There’s no industry ladder-climbing here, just a team that’s genuinely all in. Growth, Reilly defined, means becoming a better teammate and a better person. Spork maintains four-day workweeks, health benefits for its team and is closed on Sundays. A percentage of gross sales is put into a community abundance fund, and the restaurant periodically becomes home to pop-ups for upand-coming food establishments.

As it continues to evolve, which it’s distinctly expert at, Spork remains itself—curiosity-fueled, people-powered and led by the conviction that things are better when created together. Maintaining consistency and quality for 13 years, from its Airstream beginning to a high-volume Bend restaurant, hasn’t been easy, acknowledged Reilly. “Yet we do it, and keep doing it better each year.”

Spork

937 NW Newport Ave., Bend 541-390-0946

We’re here to help!

133 SW CENTURY DR · 420 NE WINDY KNOLLS DR

OPEN 7 DAYS · 2 LOCATIONS · FREE DELIVERY · LOCAL TO THE CORE

Something Blue

A fragrant tea served for health and steeped with heritage

WRITTEN BY SIENA DORMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALYSON BROWN

Some teas ask for your full attention. Sakari Farms’ Blueberry Tea isn’t one of them. Instead, it offers a tender moment of calm—something fragrant to savor while you ease into a morning or unwind into an evening. Made with antioxidant-rich blueberries, wild rose petals, jasmine flowers and bachelor buttons, the blend is as visually striking in its violet color as it is grounding in flavor.

Sakari’s founder Spring Alaska Schreiner of the Chugach Alaska Native Corporation/Valdez Native Tribe, is an Indigenous agriculturalist, ecologist, seedkeeper and Native fashion designer (among other roles). She created the tea as part of her mission to restore access to First Foods—those traditional, culturally meaningful ingredients that have nourished Native communities for generations. “We grow everything ourselves,”

Schreiner said, with the exception of the jasmine flower, which is organic and ethically sourced. “It’s all medicine. And it’s simple.”

Steeped hot and sipped with a spoonful of local honey or poured over ice in the fading heat of September, the tea is versatile, seasonal and clean. It’s not perfumey, but rather just aromatic enough to feel special. The rose petals support digestion, the bachelor buttons are known to ease headaches, and the blueberries, beyond their vitamins, may awaken memory for Native drinkers. Schreiner calls this “blood memory,” where the sight of a familiar berry recalls ancestral knowledge, such as moments spent gathering food with aunties and grandmothers along the creek.

Originating from a six-acre farm in Tumalo, Sakari’s products are viewed as more than a provision; they’re a source for education and reconnection. “I’m trying to slow people down,” she said. Sometimes, it just takes a teapot and a moment of intention. See sakarifarms.com

Brew Tip:

1 tablespoon loose tea per 6 ounces of water. Steep covered for 5 minutes. A longer steeping time yields a stronger jasmine flavor.

S TILSO N B UILD E RS

Emotional Paintings Invite Presence

Meditations on memory, change and the beauty of impermanence

WRITTEN BY CATHY CARROLL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN MATHIAS

Erin Bodfish’s work invites viewers on a personal, visual and emotional journey shaped by color, movement, shape and form. Free of recognizable imagery, it opens a visceral, imaginative path of discovery—one that is quietly guided by the artist’s experiences. Her latest series of work, created at her studio in Bend, draws from her early life, growing up in northeastern Oregon as part of the third generation of a familyrun flower shop. Using encaustic paint, a beeswax-based paint mixed with pigments, she encases dried floral matter into the works, exploring themes that have always been integral to her process: how we locate and feel grief in the body.

That was also the driving force behind her previous project, a collection of paintings for the solo exhibition, “At the Altar of My Own Love,” held in May at after / time, an artist-run gallery and experimental curatorial platform in Portland. “Themes were centered around grief and love and cycles of the ends of friendships and relationships … chapters in our lives as we move forward into new spaces,” said Bodfish. She’s carrying that same emotive tonality into her new work. “It’s really important to me to have those different layers present in the pieces,” she said. She seeks to create artwork offering places of solace. Following intuition and instinct, she draws on her own experiences, particularly moments of deep grief juxtaposed with moments of joy.

Those included the death of two relatives with whom she was close: her grandmother, 10 days before she graduated from high school with honors, and her great uncle, just before she was going to study abroad in London for a summer. She went on to complete a dual master of fine arts in visual studies and a master of arts in critical studies at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland. Three days before her graduation, her partner abruptly ended their relationship.

“I had these big moments of grief accompanied by accomplishment, where it was this severing of a past life,” she said. “The ending of my time in my hometown, me going off to a new place for the first time and really stepping fully into myself, then finally completing my education after seven years and having this abrupt end to a relationship that had been there with me through all of it. So, the past lives that I reference [in the work] are in relation to those different versions of myself that I’ve been through in these major chapters of my life,” she said.

A new chapter in Central Oregon brought connection. She moved to Bend three years ago to teach art history and studio art at OSU-Cascades. The summer of 2023, she was awarded an artist residency at the Scalehouse Gallery downtown. “I had a studio space with them for about six months, and that really allowed me to be connected more to the arts community here and our faculty at both colleges,” said Bodfish, who now also teaches painting at Central Oregon Community College. “They’re wonderful people and are so passionate about the work that they do, so I feel incredibly supported in the space that I’ve been in,” she added. Bodfish’s work continues to evolve, rooted in both loss and renewal. By embedding dried flowers in her work, she reflects on life’s impermanence—an ephemerality she finds deeply beautiful, and one that reminds her, and us, to always seek moments of presence. See erinbodfishart.com

Mentoring Filmmakers

BendFilm’s Basecamp is a creative launchpad

WRITTEN BY CHERYL PARTON

At a moment when Sundance Film Festival is poised to move from its Park City, Utah, home of four decades to Boulder, Colorado, BendFilm is doubling down on staying local and being indie. With a honed vision to support emerging independent filmmakers at its new Basecamp mentorship retreat and with a program of North American films, the nonprofit’s Bend Film Festival moves into the future with a focus on connection.

Founded in 2004 by Katie Merritt, the first Bend Film Festival brought culture, cash prizes for filmmakers and parties open to all attendees to Bend, plus VIPs, like Gus Van Sant, and put it on the national filmcircuit map.

Being part of a community and a shared experience is one of the incomparable experiences of a film festival. In 2024, Bend Film Festival drew its highestever attendance, and with that momentum in mind, it added a day—going from a four- to five-day event held October 8 through 12, 2025. It also introduced Basecamp, an immersive retreat held at the Caldera Arts Center near Sisters, Oregon.

“Basecamp feeds into the idea of a discovery film festival,” said BendFilm’s executive director Giancarlo Gatto. “We’re helping build a platform for filmmakers. It’s not just people coming here to see the films, but for people to connect within the industry.”

EXPANDING THE LENS OF A FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

In its second year, Basecamp’s intensive four-day residency program invites 45 emerging or midcareer filmmakers for hands-on workshops, industry networking, creative collaboration and real-world guidance from film-industry experts. “We wanted a program to help launch a career, not just a film,” said John Cooper, former director of Sundance Film Festival and a consultant to BendFilm. The Basecamp cohort spent three days at the inaugural session with mentors including power agent Craig Kestel, producers Christine Vachon (“Carol”) and Effie Brown (“Real Women Have Curves”).

One of the inaugural participants was Bend filmmaker Erin Galey, whose work has screened at festivals around the globe. “Basecamp gave me the creative reset I didn’t know I needed,” she said. “It was mentorship, community, and creative oxygen all in one. It put the wind back in my sails and gave me inspiration to continue to try and open doors.” Her film “SEE YOU SEE ME” was workshopped in Basecamp, and the experience for her was invaluable, even after attending film school at NYU and spending 23 years working in the film industry. “This keystone skill [pitching] is one you need as a filmmaker and nobody taught us that in film school. It usually happens behind closed doors so it was so useful to be privy to the process and get immediate feedback,” Galey said. But it wasn’t all about the nuts and bolts of education. “Something inexplicable happened when we were there, which created a connection that was really magical,” she said.

BASECAMP AND BENDFILM FORGE CONNECTIONS

“The secret is that the mentors get as much out of it as the fellows,” said Cooper. Basecamp adds one more layer of connection to a film festival

experience—whether it is filmmaker to mentor or audience to the art. “What you’re really building is relationships and a form of loyalty to a place and an experience.”

Furthering the interaction, this year’s Basecamp program culminates in a public pitch event during Bend Film Festival’s opening day, allowing audiences and industry insiders alike to witness stories at their inception. This is an increasingly rare opportunity in a marketplace that often only rewards finished products, according to Cooper. Providing momentum leading up to the festival, it also ties the public into the filmmaker experience. “The experience is a stoke. To be in an audience, to rub elbows with filmmakers and the industry,“ BendFilm’s Gatto said. “Basecamp is an opportunity for us to lean in and create something special as an education piece and to platform these emerging filmmakers.”

DEFINING FESTIVAL MARGINS

BendFilm has also strengthened its own point of view. Starting in 2025, the juried competition will spotlight films with majority financing from, or shot in, North America. “It’s not about excluding the rest of the world,” Gatto explained.

International films will be shown in noncompetitive categories to ensure the festival retains its global lens while amplifying regional voices, he said. A major festival like Sundance shifting out of its founding location signaled both a logistical and philosophical rethinking of how and where stories are shared. Today, viewers are curators by streaming a personalized experience each evening in their living room. But BendFilm’s programming power can connect communities and continuously contribute to the local cultural landscape. Year-round, BendFilm operates Tin Pan Theater, a boutique cinema, and supports the Future Filmmakers Program, summer camps, the IndieWomen advocacy group, and a BIPOC Women Production Grant.

“Theories may divide us, but stories unite us,” said Cooper. “Telling stories is what helps you break down walls. It’s a shared drama when as humans, we have something that resonates with you. Film is an amazing storytelling device.” By attending a film festival, “you can own a moment in a film’s life,” he said.

BendFilm’s Gatto agreed, “We’re not just building a festival,” he said. “We’re building a pipeline, a culture, a community.” See bendfilm.org

GLOBAL THINKERS

ARTS & CULTURE

BEND’S CHRISTIAN MURILLO FEATURED IN SMITHSONIAN

Bend-based photographer Christian Murillo’s photograph, “Glaciers, Last Call” is on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as part of the Art x Climate exhibit. Taken while camping on Mt. Shuksan in northern Washington, the photo captures the last ray of light reflecting off the glacier. The exhibit combines art and science to raise climate awareness. Murillo’s art was one of 92 pieces selected from more than 800 submissions from across the nation. “We cannot truly protect something we do not love, and we cannot love something that does not move us,” Murillo said. See murillophoto.com.

THE OPEN ARTS CENTER TO WELCOME TEENS & ARTISTS IN BEND

A new nonprofit has a mission to nurture creativity, community and belonging. The Open Arts Center (OAC) at 175 NE Greenwood Avenue, will offer free after-school programming, mentorship and self-directed learning opportunities for teens ages 12 to 18. Half of the space will also serve adult artists and creatives through studio rentals, workshops and drop-in opportunities. Co-founded by Claire Brislin and Maija Kellner-Rode, the OAC aims to build intergenerational connections, promote accessibility and provide a safe, inclusive space for creative expression. See theopenartscenter.org.

THE ANNEX AT SCALEHOUSE PRESENTS ARTIST J LONG

Following a six-month residency at Patricia Clark Studio, Bend artist J Long unveils her first solo exhibition For the Light Within, September 2 through November 2, 2025 in The Annex at Scalehouse. The mixed-media collection comprises paintings, drawings, ceramics and fiber material. Rooted in Long’s background in landscape architecture, the art examines how individuals shift their emotional openness in response to their environment. Long calls the work a celebration of the creative process. See scalehouse.org.

BREEDLOVE & BEDELL GUITARS HAS NEW OWNERS

Breedlove and Bedell Guitars, longtime staples in Bend’s music and luthier community, have new ownership but are remaining local. Nashville-based musicians and entrepreneurs Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard recently acquired the brands from Two Old Hippies Guitars. “This isn’t just a business venture,” Pollard said. “It’s a personal and passionate commitment to ensuring Breedlove and Bedell continue to inspire and serve players around the world.” The new owners each bring decades of experience in music, design and sustainability. They will continue operations at Breedlove and Bedell’s custom shop headquarters in Bend. See breedloveguitars.com

AUTUMN LINGERED ON AS IF FOND OF ITS OWN PERFECTION.”

—WILLA

BY

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