Pack Walks

Dog owners looking to socialize and exercise their pets are invited to attend the weekly “Pack Walks” at Walterville Pond. The free walks are held Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the east parking lot of Walterville Pond, 39389 McKenzie Highway.

Participants like that the structured group walks are designed to help dogs stay active, engaged and better socialized while giving owners an opportunity to connect with other pet lovers in the community.

The next walk is scheduled for Thursday, May 28. People are encouraged to bring leashed dogs ready for exercise and interaction.

For more information, email quickslyfox@duck.com.

Local Plants

Halfway Farm is launching a seasonal pop-up plant starter sale this Saturday in front of the McKenzie General Store in McKenzie Bridge.

The weekly sale will run Saturdays through mid-June at 91837 Taylor Road, offering locally grown plant starts, vegetables and canned goods produced in McKenzie Bridge. Plans call for the farm to return in early July with fresh locally grown vegetables and produce.

The sale highlights the benefits of supporting locally grown plants and produce, including stronger plant survival rates, reduced transportation-related emissions and support for native pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Halfway Farm features locally adapted plants that are better suited to McKenzie area soil and weather conditions, helping gardeners achieve healthier and more sustainable results.

Old McK Pass

With lower-than-normal snowpack this year, many travelers are already looking ahead to the reopening of the scenic McKenzie Pass Highway route through the Cascades. But Oregon transportation officials say reopening the seasonal highway involves far more than simply plowing snow.

The Oregon Department of Transportation typically targets the third Monday in June as the earliest possible reopening date for the highway, according to ODOT Region 2 Public Information Officer Mindy McCartt.

Transportation officials noted that maintenance crews and equipment are currently focused on higher-priority highways that remain open year-round and are critical for emergency response, commerce, and daily travel. Once those needs are addressed, crews can shift additional attention to the scenic byway.

ODOT said updates will be provided as sections of the highway become ready and safe for public travel.