K.M. Collins, Author at The Source - Bend, Oregon

Through the Roof

If you’ve tried to buy building materials lately, you might have encountered unwelcome surprises. What’s driving price hikes and back orders for construction supplies in Central Oregon?

by K.M. Collins October 28, 2020July 21, 2024

Shuffling a pallet of tile around for a kitchen remodel, Bend Craftsmen Company Owner Hank Hill remarks on the state of the industry. Most quality builders in the region are booking six months out, at least, and that’s not to mention the costs of the materials those builders will use. Both issues can be tracked […]

Bend Nest

Blazing Global Trails

Study abroad students and host families choose the road less traveled

K.M. CollinsJanuary 30, 2020August 11, 2025

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. — Robert Frost When asked for a snapshot of her study abroad program in Xi’an, China, Bend teen, Linnea Lane, recalls, “Walking down the street outside of the school gate to explore or […]

Special Issues & Guides

Green Rush Red Tape

Hindrances to bringing hemp to market in the High Desert

K.M. CollinsOctober 9, 2019July 11, 2025

After the obstacle course of legislative hoops and cultivation balance beams that Oregon industrial hemp farmers have already maneuvered, this summer’s unseasonable hailstorm along the Deschutes River corridor, just north of Bend, was a disheartening blow. Flower, leaf and stock were pelted into debris until wiry branches were all that remained. At Kaleb Kelleher’s 35 […]

Outside

Bend or Bust

Water sports giant, Aquaglide, moved to Bend last year. Now it has big plans for local water fun

K.M. CollinsOctober 9, 2019December 25, 2024

Aquaglide designs and manufactures aquaparks, inflatable kayaks, standup paddle boards and towables for watersports enthusiasts and outdoor recreationalists. The company moved to Bend last October.

Bend Nest

Join the FAN Club!

Family Access Network serves children and families in the Central Oregon community

K.M. CollinsJuly 30, 2019January 28, 2024

Imagine being too young to provide for yourself, but your family is struggling to provide for you. It’s not because they aren’t trying, but because they have encountered some obstacles in our ever-changing community of Central Oregon. Imagine winter break is approaching and a Family Access Network advocate prepares a backpack full of non-perishable food […]

Bend Nest

Call Time

Local children’s theatre group, BEAT, prepares for “Frozen JR.” this fall

K.M. CollinsJuly 30, 2019August 11, 2025

“Places everyone, places, AND action!” Listening to the detailed planning and logistics which funnels into each production at BEAT Children’s Theatre, the operation could easily be mistaken for Broadway. Since its inception 13 years ago, BEAT has hosted over 57 productions. Having recent playbills like “Lion King JR.,” “Oliver!” and “Peter Pan” under their belt, […]

Culture

Well-Crafted Philanthropy

A toast to beers that give back in Central Oregon

K.M. CollinsJuly 24, 2019April 30, 2024

Put into your mind the shaky, Irish-Catholic voice of John F. Kennedy saying something like, “And so my fellow Bendites: Ask not what beer can do for you, but what the money you spend on beer can do for the community?” Not every drinker in Central Oregon has knowledge about hops or IBUs or the […]

Outside

Creating a Crew

A Central Oregon whitewater matriarchy is raising an emerging paddler generation

K.M. CollinsJuly 3, 2019January 29, 2025

Water pulling us ever closer toward the blind entrance of the Class III Fish Ladder rapid, my R2 shredder partner, Chloa Ulrich, shows not a stitch of fear. Throughout our McKenzie River route, she’s gently ruminating about nutrition, weighing the pros and cons of the histamines in fermented food. No matter the subject, her sing-song […]

Outside

Half-Throttle Adventures

Summer wandering is calling. But when time is short, let these three local-ish motorcycle rides give you some bite-sized adventure

K.M. CollinsJuly 3, 2019May 7, 2025

A couple of weeks ago, my fairy godmother unearthed my hibernating motorcycle and got her purring like a fat cat. Who knew all it would take was draining and replacing fluids? This summertime transportation development has jump-started my relationship with Little Red Riding Hood, my ’77 Kawasaki, dual-sport KL250. When you need a dose of adventure, […]

News

Close Calls

Making mistakes in the outdoors, and how you can learn from our follies

K.M. Collins, Jason Chinchen, and Linda EnglishMay 29, 2019June 16, 2025

Safety Third Lessons learned from a spring solo on the North Fork John Day River Anyone who boats knows: However full the river is, it contains at least as many lessons. Amongst a deluge of teachings, a core reminder rises above all others: safety third. Equal parts jest and cautionary tale, safety third appeals to […]

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