We’re Paige and Mason. The Bend Banner is our way of keeping tabs on this wild, beautiful place we call home. To the mornings that start with coffee and mountain air, the trails that somehow always lead to a brewery, and the kind of small-town stories that remind you why you chose to live here in the first place.

That Halloween Sunset

This was last Halloween. We were nearing the end of trick-or-treating when the sky went full orange and pink over the Cascades. Every parent on the block stopped and pulled out their phone. The kids didn’t care. They were busy enjoying candy, costumes, and all the wild decorations you see around town.
It’s been on my mind all week.

Halloween is the one night a year this whole town opens its front door. Neighbors you only wave at in the summer are suddenly sitting in the driveway with a fire pit and a bowl of full-size candy bars. Someone always turns their garage into a haunted house. Someone always forgets to buy candy and hands out granola bars, and we love them anyway.

This year, those open doors mean a little more. After the last couple of weeks, I think a lot of us are going to hug our kids a little longer at the door. Wave at their teachers a little bigger. Stay out on the porch a little later.

The excitement started early at our house. Our crew is going as Mickey Mouse characters. Our 3-year-old has asked to wear his Donald Duck costume every morning for two weeks. On Saturday, we’ll be out there with everyone else, chasing a duck and a mouse from porch to porch, hoping for another sunset like last year’s.

A Few Halloween Events Worth Mentioning:

Downtown Bend Trick or Treat Trail @ Downtown Bend | 3 pm
Halloween in the Old Mill District @ Old Mill District | 3 pm
Witches Paddle @ Old Mill District | 3 pm
Fright Night @ Discovery Corner | 4 pm
The Halloween Bar Crawl @ Downtown Bend | 4 pm

This Week’s Conditions
☀️ Sunrise: 7:35 am
🌅 Sunset: 6:02 pm
High Temp: 49°F (hope you enjoyed those last few warm days)
Mt. Bachelor: Snow Cams
Local Shop of the Week: Central Oregon Locavore
Local Weather of the Week: Weather Max

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🐾Bend’s Best Good Boys & Good Girls 🐾

🐶 Ranger – 2 Years, Husky Mix
He’s shy at first and slow to warm up to people, but loves to play right away with dogs. If you’ve got a dog at home already, Ranger would be very excited for a play partner.

🐕 Hobbes – 2 Months - Mix
He’s already working on “sit” and “come,” figuring out the whole leash thing, and will do just about anything for a treat.

🐶 Minnie – 5 years - Great Dane
Minnie is feeling stressed at the shelter and is hoping for her forever home soon.