There was a time when I dreaded raising a middle-schooler—the eye-rolling, sarcasm and moodiness is like the “terrible twos,” but in a taller, more hormonal body. As a former elementary school teacher, I used to wonder why anyone would ever choose to become a middle school teacher, but now I understand. This is a special […]
Sarah Isak-Goode
Posted inBend Nest
Holiday DIY Gifts
Festive handmade fun for every age
The best holiday gifts are the ones made by hand—the kind that capture tiny fingerprints, watercolor splashes or creative flair that only kids can bring. From keepsake plates and homemade greeting cards to jars of rich hot cocoa and colorful rock photo holders, these affordable projects make it easy to craft something meaningful, memorable and […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
Building Community, One Gecko at a Time
Meet the Redmond shop owner transforming fear into fascination
After more than a decade of hands-on reptile breeding and care, owner of High Desert Geckos, Samantha Weist, has turned a childhood passion into a thriving small business. What began as a hobby breeding crested geckos has evolved into a downtown Redmond storefront teeming with snakes, arachnids, lizards and more. In a field largely dominated […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
Unleashing Happiness with Off-Leash Dog Hikes
The story of Ponderosa Paws
Travis Fuller didn’t set out to build a booming dog-walking business in Bend. But thanks to a stoic old sled dog named Mutt — and a little trial and error — he ended up creating something special. Since 2016, Ponderosa Paws has grown into a go-to for off-leash dog hikes, thanks to Fuller’s deep connection […]