Chatter Spring 2016

Ski the Glade 2016

The annual Ski the Glade event at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum took place on Saturday, March 5. Mother Nature held off the rain that threatened much of the day. Nearly 50 skiers and Ski Patrol spent the day skiing the Glade Trail that runs from Timberline Lodge to Government Camp. Ski the Glade is a throwback to an earlier era on the mountain when the Glade Trailer was groomed on a regular basis. The trail is now groomed each year for this one-of-a-kind event. Shuttle buses bring skiers and boarders to the top of the trail at Timberline. Read board member Zeb Yaklich’s account of his first time at Ski the Glade here. Ski the Glade is one of the primary annual fundraisers for the Mt. Hood Museum. We are looking at making some changes to the event next year. What do you think about changing the event? Send us your thoughts at info@mthoodmuseum.org.

From the Board

To the community:

The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum marks a significant milestone this year. We will make the final payment on a loan from Clackamas County that enabled the museum to install an elevator in our building in Government Camp.

We are grateful for both the support and patience from the Board of County Commissioners who made it possible for the museum to pay off the loan over several years. In an era when distrust of government is commonplace, the support of the county for the museum is much appreciated.

With this capital project completed, it’s time for the community to help the Mt. Hood Museum determine priorities for future improvements. We have a number of projects under consideration including expansion of our Club Room, adding space for our growing collections or adding a library.

We are planning to celebrate paying off the loan in August at a community gathering. We’ll also have information about possible future projects, and we’d like input from you about what our priorities should be. Watch for information about the celebration in E-Tracks this summer.

Regards,
Gene Grant
Acting Board President
Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum

In Memoriam: Bing Sheldon

The mountain lost a good friend and advocate when Bing Sheldon, president of the Mt. Hood Cultural Center Museum, died on April 30.

Many people know Bing Sheldon as the founder of SERA Architects and founding member of Central City Concern. He helped shape the skyline in the city of Portland. But he was also very involved in Government Camp redevelopment and the museum.

In the late 1990s, Bing drafted the early plans for the revitalization of Government Camp. That’s when museum supporters first met him. When the museum found a permanent home, Bing provided the architectural expertise to convert the English tudor bed and breakfast to a Cascadia-style museum.

“He had the skills to convert the building,” said museum curator Lloyd Musser.

Bing saved the museum lots of money through designing the facade replacement and the elevator installation. He joined the board and served as its president since 2003, making contributions large and small to the museum. A few weeks ago, he donated a couple of low flow toilets to the museum’s popular bathrooms.

“He was such a visionary,” Musser said. “He quietly chipped away at the things that needed to be done.”

The museum is grateful for his contributions and leadership over the past nearly 20 years. He will be greatly missed.

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Download a PDF copy of the Spring 2016 Chatter Newsletter by clicking here