Romance and Chinese New Year

This year Valentine’s Day and the beginning of Chinese New Year converge on the same day.  Both holidays abound with traditions and special nuances. In America we celebrate Valentine’s Day with loved ones by having a special meal, giving each other romantic cards and having a special libation. Chinese New Year celebrations are much the same way – spent with loved ones a meal filled with  symbolic foods and wishes of good fortune and health in the new year.

This year at Black Butte Ranch you can celebrate both holidays in style.  On Valentine’s Day commemorate the weekend with your sweetheart in true fashion. On Saturday, February 13  you can go on a guided snowshoe walk in the forest with a naturalist guide from Wanderlust Tours, then on Sunday, February 14 show you really care and come to the Lodge Restaurant for a divine Valentine’s Day Dinner.  This is a prix fixe menu ($80 per couple) replete with scallop terrine and grilled jumbo prawns served  with saffron lobster aioli, and for your second course get your choice of grilled tenderloin of beef, seafood duet salmon roulade, or jumbo mushroom ravioli. Dessert will certainly put you over the top with “Chocolate Passion”, a bittersweet molten chocolate tart with chocolate ice cream!

As Ron Popeil always said, “but wait, there’s more!”  To celebrate Chinese New Year – Year of the Tiger which begins on February 14 and ends on February 21 -  Black Butte Ranch is hosting a  Chinese New Year celebration on Saturday, February 20.

This event is a fundraiser for the Sisters High School Mandarin Chinese class which is planning a trip to China this summer.  This prix fixe menu includes a three course meal with entrée choices of Peking duck, vegetable fried rice, miso salmon lo mein or beef with pickled pears.  There will be a traditional Chinese dragon dance performed by the students, and other demonstrations as well as information about their trip. The cost of the celebration meal is $25 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 6-12, and 5 and under are free.

We would love to have you and your family join us for  both of these enchanting events.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Black Butte Ranch Turns 40!

To some a fortieth birthday is cause for comments like “over the hill” or “welcome to mid-life”.  Black Butte Ranch is anything but “over the hill” and she has definitely hit her mid-life stride full speed.  What was once just a glimmer in Mike Hollern’s eye is now a place that holds very precious memories for a lot of folks.  There is a multitude of  kids who spent their summers at the Ranch, lighthearted and free to explore, and parents who didn’t have to worry about the safety of their kids. Jean Nave, from the Sisters Historical Society, put it so well in her brief biography of Mike, she said he is “a man

of vision, yet grounded in simple values of family, community and concern for others. Mike Hollern is a special part of Central Oregon History.”

At one time Black Butte Ranch was an operating ranch with cattle and horses beginning in the early 1880’s.  The first structure built on the Ranch was a small log cabin with a split-rail fence built by Tillman Glaze.  Some people confuse the  log cabin remnants found on the Glaze Meadow golf course with the Tillman Glaze cabin.  Those are the remains of the Graham homestead cabin.

It is also well known that Brooks Resources (Mike Hollern’s employer at the time) also encouraged commercial development in the little town of Sisters, so that Black Butte Ranch could maintain limited commercial activity on the ranch. Brooks Resources even offered Sisters merchants  up to $5000 and free architectural help to create the “western” look to the town.

If you are at the Ranch be sure to take time to go to the Lodge and view the series of mint-condition marketing posters displayed by the dining podium.  These are the original marketing pieces sent to a select demographic to advertise the development of Black Butte Ranch, and the opportunity to purchase a lot in a very unique place.  The posters were graciously donated by Joe Erceg, the graphic artist who designed them.  When we first began our search for Ranch memorabilia, I remembered reading in Peggy Lucas’ book There is a Place about Joe.   So I “googled” him and found  a listing for Joe Erceg Design in Portland.  I called the phone number listed, and a gentleman answered the phone.  I introduced myself and said, “Is Joe Erceg available?”  He said, “this is Joe.”   I was so surprised to be speaking with the marketing genius himself that I replied, “the Joe?”  Our conversation was very lively and fun and then he told me about the mint-condition posters he had. He then said that he would be happy to donate them to our archive.

I hope you’ll come and visit us during this fortieth year and see what is so unique and special about this place.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Help and Prayers for Haiti

The aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti is truly tragic to see. The pictures and videos now being shown depict mass chaos for the poor Haitians.  Social media has truly proven to be the only lifeline the outside world has for getting information out of Haiti.  Many cell towers have been destroyed, however there are still a few that are operating and that is how information is being disseminated.  Also satellite phones , and cell phone videos are giving us a very vivid snapshot of what is happening.

Thankfully there have been hundreds of aid agencies mobilized to help with the rescue and recovery effort.  CNN has listed links to the major agencies that are accepting donations to help provide support for this very fragile and poor nation.  Amazingly enough you can also use your cell phone to text a donation that will be billed to your cell phone number.  Simply text the word “HAITI” to number “90999″, this will activate a $10 donation directly to the Red Cross, or you can text “YELE” to number “501501″ to activate a $5 donation to the YELE foundation in Haiti.  This foundation was created by musician Wyclef Jean to permanently improve the lives of the most impoverished in his home country of Haiti.

As we all go home this evening to our families, homes, a warm meal and bed, I hope that we will think about our fellow humans in Haiti  that need help as soon as possible.

Party for Your Eyes

The Gallery At the Lodge at Black Butte Ranch is proud to launch the solo exhibit of  Lindy Gruger Hanson, a local Bend artist.  Lindy’s art is bold, colorful and whimsical.  Inspired by symbolism, nature, and Native American motifs, her art is meant to inspire, heal and bring positive energy into the world.

Lindy earned a BFA from Washington State University and began working as a graphic production artist so0n after graduation.  At the same time, she was creating a variety of fine art ranging from charcoal drawings and mixed media collage to acrylic paintings. Lindy has developed her own unique ways of painting, building radiant layers of paint over textured surfaces. A list of Lindy’s accomplishments include exhibiting her artwork at the Art Not Terminal Gallery in Seattle, working with the 14th Street Painters in Manhattan, and being chosen by Deschutes Brewery in 2007 competition  to design the annual  Jubelale beer label.

As you walk into the Lodge you will be greeted by an explosion of color and happiness.  “It’s a party for my eyes,” said catering director Aimee Smith and she couldn’t be more right.  This is a must see exhibit, and Lindy will be the featured speaker at the January 18 Artists’ Talk at the Lodge.

New Years Day Proposal

Over the holiday Oregon State  Linebacker Tony Wilson surprised his girlfriend Kierstan Vettrus by proposing to her on New Years Day while the two were on a romantic carriage ride through Black Butte Ranch. Black Butte Ranch holds so many special memories such as this; we host numerous weddings here at the Ranch and I believe it is one of the most romantic settings in Central Oregon no matter what time of year it is. Congratulations to Tony and Kierstan, I know that Black Butte Ranch will always hold a very special place in your hearts.

Once in a Blue Moon

A rare “Blue Moon” will preside over New Year’s Eve tomorrow.  This rare occurrence will not happen again until 2028.  A blue moon is essentially a second full moon in a month.  While that in itself is not rare, having it occur on December 31 is.  the name “Blue Moon” is sort of a mistake that came about after a writer for Sky & Telescope magazine in 1946 misinterpreted the Maine Farmer’s Almanac and labeled a blue moon as the second full moon in  a month.  They later corrected the error, but the name stuck.  So in the midst of all your festivities of the evening, if we have a clear night, be sure to look up and gaze on the “Blue Moon”.

Snow, Beloved Snow

What is it about snow that is so fascinating?  When I see snow I get excited like a little kid itching to go play in it; make snow angels and a snowman.    In the high desert here in Central Oregon, snow is a welcome marker of winter.  It jump starts that nesting instinct to light the home fires, make some hot cocoa and yet you still want to pull on your snow boots, down jacket , hat and gloves and frolic in the wonderful substance.  I’m extremely lucky in that I have a big picture window in my office from which I can spy Black Butte and whatever weather event is happening at the Ranch.

With Hoodoo Ski Area so close to the Ranch it offers guests and residents many winter activities.  The hill has runs for beginner to advanced, and the back country area, which is not groomed, offers an amazing powder experience.  Both Black Butte Ranch and Hoodoo cater to families – which is why we are their preferred lodging partner.  Hoodoo also offers the Autobahn Sled Hill.  If you’ve never been you simply must take the kids or grandkids there – it is a blast!  Another great activity is to rent snowshoes from the Glaze Meadow Rec Center – Equipment Rental shop at the Ranch and snowshoe around the Ranch or on various trails in the forest.  Winter is a great time to experience the Ranch and the surrounding Sisters area. Come Play with us!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

Happy Holidays to all who follow the blog. Our wish is that you find time to count your blessings, have an extra piece of fudge, take the dog for a walk, snuggle on the sofa, but most of all be safe and healthy!!

See ya around the Ranch,

Katie

Central Oregon Holiday

At this time of year it’s only natural to reflect on the past year, the happy memories as well as the trials and tribulations we’ve all experienced. Well, I say let’s put all that aside and focus on the here and now. If you aren’t spending your holiday or at least some time in Central Oregon, or

better yet at Black Butte Ranch, then you really need to adjust your schedule.  There is no  place that is as alluring in the winter time as this place.  This morning we woke up with a sparkling blanket of snow on the ground and the true sense that old man winter has finally arrived. Nothing can match the majestic view of the rising sun shining on the snowy peaks of the Three Sisters (Faith, Hope and Charity), Central  Oregon’s centerpiece, or the alpenglow on Mt. Washington as you drive into the entrance to  Black Butte Ranch.

These are the amazing gifts that we are given at the Ranch. They are priceless jewels in the crown of the Cascade range in Central Oregon. You can’t buy them at a store, you can’t order them online and you don’t need free shipping to enjoy them immediately. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to spend winter.  With access to Hoodoo Ski area just 15 minutes away, and a plethora of sno-parks to play in, your options are limitless. Take a snow day and come and join us – you deserve it.

See ya around the Ranch

Katie

The Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come

Are you in the Christmas Spirit?  This year it may be particularly difficult to  get into the holiday mood due to economic difficulties, job loss, or quite frankly all the negative news we’ve been hit with.  You agonize about the amount of gifts you’ll be able to purchase for family and friends; however, this is a great time to keep in mind these  wise words, “the best things in life aren’t things.”

Here at Black Butte Ranch, nestled at the base of the magnificent Cascade mountain range in Central Oregon, life is simple.  We live in a perpetual “Santa” state of mind.  All you have to do is look out your window to experience the most amazing gifts of all. Fresh snow on the mountain tops,  ice

covering Phalarope lake, the winter air making your cheeks rosy, the taste of a hot cocoa while you sit by the fire.

You can make this Christmas, yet to come, the most treasured by simply spending time (instead of money) with your family.  Share stories of Christmases past with your children and grandchildren. Revel in the simplest traditions such as caroling, carriage rides, snowshoeing, making snow angels, baking Christmas cookies and snuggling by the fire afterward.

On behalf of Black Butte Ranch, we wish everyone happy holiday memories  to cherish for a lifetime ( and no batteries required).

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

P.S. Don’t forget this Saturday is the Tom Browning Artist Reception at the Lodge from 4-6pm.  All ages welcome, there will be milk and cookies for the kids (and those young at heart) and complimentary wine and hors d’ouevres for the adults.