Student Chefs at work

Black Butte Ranch Executive Chef Dean Ecker, who’s also president of the High Desert Chefs Association worked with the Institute’s culinary students to prepare the meal which served 385 diners at the black-tie function. Chef Ecker is very involved in the Cascade Culinary Institute as a mentor and teacher.  He was point man in the preparation of the “Meal of the Year” and worked with 40 scholarship recipients to put the event on.  The culinary students, who received scholarships, worked the “back of the house” doing all the prep and cooking while the other scholarship recipients worked the “front of the house” serving and busing tables. Proceeds from the evening benefit the COCC Foundation scholarship programs and activities.

Chef Ecker's signature dish - Tataki of Ahi Tuna with lime ponzu and cucumber kimchi

Congratulations to Chef Ecker and all the students for a very successful evening!

Shamrocks - the harbinger of St. Patrick's Day

Spring is a time of renewal and resurgence, and what better way to celebrate than with family and friends as we cloak ourselves  in the many traditions that help us honor these holidays.  With the emergence of the seasonal “seamrog” plant (which has been anglicized to “shamrock”), it brings thoughts of  St. Patrick’s Day and the jubilant sound of  Celtic music and Irish step-dancing that Americans have adopted as a way of lifting themselves out of the dregs of winter. This year at Black Butte Ranch we will be celebrating with a special menu created by Adam Kapela – straight from his experiences in Ireland – replete with Guinness Lamb Stew and Soda Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce.

Following on the heels of St. Patrick’s Day is Easter (on April 4 – a bit earlier this year), a holiday rife with traditions all its own. For many it is an ecclesiastical celebration, and for others it is a time of egg hunts and visits from the Easter Bunny. No matter which camp you fall into we can all agree that a huge part of celebrating this holiday is the near legendary Easter Brunch at Black Butte Ranch. Indulge with the Ranch Benedict with Parisian Ham and Pepper Vodka and herb hollandaise  followed by a slice Dulce de Leche Cheesecake.

How about nine holes to work off the calories?  So far March has not entered like a lion, making it possible to open nine holes of Big Meadow golf course on March 5.  So you can enjoy your Easter Brunch and follow it up with a rousing round of family golf.  This spring, as unpredictable as it will be, has boundless possibilities.

We look forward to seeing you around the Ranch!

Katie

Americans are very proud of their athletes and it’s interesting to watch people rooting for athletes competing in a sport that we sometimes know nothing about.  Obviously we all know skiing and snowboarding, but there are a multitude of events such as curling or skijoring (huh?).

The Olympics is a time when the world can come together and put differences aside for hi-caliber competition.  I look forward to watching how it all plays out and cheering on our Central Oregon athletes.

US Olympian Chris Klug (originally from Bend now living in Aspen, CO)

I came across this list sometime ago and felt now was a good time share it.  These aren’t revolutionary ideas or comments, just some that need repeating from time to time.

1.  Frame every so-called disaster with these words:  “In five years, will this matter?”

2.  Always choose life.

3.  Forgive everyone everything.

4.  What other people think of you is none of your business.

5.  Time heals almost everything.  Give time time.

6.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

7.  Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Yours friends will.  Stay in touch.

8.  Believe in miracles.

9.  Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

10.  Growing old beats the alternative.

11.  Your children get only one childhood.  Make it memorable.

12.  Get outside every day.  Miracle are waiting everywhere.

13.  If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

14. Don’t audit life.  Show up and make the most of it now.

15.  Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

16.  All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

17.  Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all that you need.

18.  The best is yet to come.

19.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

20.  Take a deep breath.  it calms the mind.

21.  If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

22.  Yield.

23.  Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Celebrate your life; come to Black Butte Ranch, take in the mountain views; go for a walk in the surrounding Deschutes National Forest; Celebrate what an amazing place Black Butte Ranch truly is with someone special.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

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.

Year of the Tiger drawing by Sisters student Hannah King

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

Circa 1970

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.

Looking out from the Lodge - circa 1970 - 1975

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

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.

Title - "My Family Plays with Color" by Lindy Gruger Hanson

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.

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”.