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East Oregonian - Sunday August 26, 2007
A New Attitude
Bar M Ranch reinvents itself
By Phil Wright
of the East Oregonian
Mike Monaco eased back on the reins and brought his horse to a halt. He turned slightly in his saddle, checking on the small troop of mostly inexperienced riders who were following near behind.
"Just pull his head up when he does that," Monaco advised one of the riders, whose horse decided to stop walking and start eating along the trail.
The wrangler's advice worked and the riders continued along a trail on the side of a crest in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Below, peaking out from fir trees and old growth pine, rests the headquarters, cabins, bunk house and grounds belonging to the Bar M Ranch.
The dude ranch spreads across 3,000 forested acres about 45 minutes east of Pendleton, with a portion of the Umatilla River running right through it. Cell phones don't work here. The Ranch House, which serves as the central hub, was built in 1864 as a stage coach stop.
But for years, the dude ranch has been burdened with a rather snooty reputation because it was closed to anyone not willing to spend the night and thus pay a premium to visit.
That often cut locals off from much of what the Bar M has to offer, including horseback rides, catch-and-release fishing, hardy and mouthwatering meals or a dip in the pool filled with natural hot springs water that flows right out of the mountain and stays near 86 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Now, however, that attitude has gone the way of the stage coach. Bar M owners Kent and Shannon Madison, who also own Madison Farms in Echo, have given the Bar M staff wide latitude to open the ranch for day use and to host a variety of events.
Office Manager Rebecca Whitmore, 55, and the crew are excited about the change and have been brainstorming possibilities for the ranch.
"We're all working together to come up with different ideas, Whitmore said.
There are plans to bring in bands for barn dances, weekend events for singles or for hunters, wine tasting, bridal fairs, yoga and maybe even playing host to churches to hold Sunday services.
Whitmore said the idea is simple: "... accommodate the guests and help make their dreams come true."
Kay Sheridan, the Bar M's head housekeeper, who worked at the ranch as a young woman, is 100 percent behind this approach.
"I think there are a lot of possibilities that haven't been tapped yet, so the place can shine," Sheridan said.
Kitchen Manager John Sterling also is keen about sharing the ranch. Guests now can come up for lunch or dinner.
"I think what's cool about this place is it's age ... lot of history here, you know ... ," he said.
Including recipes in the Bar M's kitchen, some of which have to be 100 years old or older, Sterling said.
And while Sterling may be called a manager, the 47-year-old Michigan transfer is a dynamo in the kitchen.
That might seem a bit odd for a man who spent more than 20 years as a real estate broker, but Sterling's roots in cooking run deep. He said his grandmother, his mother and his three sisters were all great cooks and when he was a child he worked in his grandmother's restaurant.
All that familial kitchen time has rubbed off on Sterling, who produces rich and simple food that leaves guests wanting more, even to the point of asking for cooking lessons, another activity the ranch is considering.
"I don't think I reinvented fire here," Sterling said, "I just think it's good home cooking."
And everything in the kitchen, even the bread, is homemade.
While his eastern upbringing influences his cooking, Sterling focuses on creating food reminiscent of a Western ranch. The chicken quesadillas at lunch are tangy and sweet, and Sterling's raspberry ribs are succulent.
While the ranch is moving to this arms-wide-open posture, Whitmore and company haven't strayed from the Bar M's authentic Western atmosphere, which is evident from the ranch's distinctive Bar M brand on the wooden fence to the quilted blanket draped over a stairway railing to the quaint cabins and sleeping accommodations.
If anything, the customer-friendly sensibility harkens back to a those older days. Whitmore said she's already heard feedback from customers about how the ranch now operates.
"We had a lady from Pendleton who said there's a lot of yes's and very few no's," she said.
Melissa and Darin Davis
Porter - Davis
Melissa Porter and Darin Davis, both of Pilot Rock, were married Aug. 28, 2004 at the Bar M Ranch, Adams. The bride is the daughter of Kent and Darcia Porter of Pilot Rock. Davis is the son of Lois and the late Bud Davis of Scio.
Dwayne Rodgers of Hermiston presided at the double ring ceremony.
Avril Williamson of Las Vegas was maid of Honor. Bridesmaids were the bride's sister, Karissa Porter of Pendleton and her cousin Sorrel Ward of Pilot Rock. Junior bridesmaids were the bride's niece, Cortley Williams of Pendleton and Davis' cousin, Chelsea Netz of Spokane.
Jeremy Vandever of Hermiston was the best man. Groomsmen were Tom Flanagan and Randy Schaeffer, both of Hermiston. The bride¹s son, Jacob Porter of Pilot Rock, was the ring bearer.
The bride wore a white gown with a beaded bodice, scalloped back and train. A jeweled tiara held her fingertip veil. She carried a collection of blue, lavender and white flowers in a cascading bouquet, made by her sister, Tisha White of Pendleton.
The bride graduated from Pilot Rock High School in 1997 and from Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. She works as an advertising assistant for the East Oregonian.
Davis is a 1997 graduate of Elgin High School. He works for Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Hermiston.
Following a wedding trip the couple reside in Pilot Rock.
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Area welcomes visitors from Kyrgyzstan
By CHUCK SLOTHOWER of the East Oregonian
cslothower@eastoregonian.com
Mirlan Karabukaev, left, and Kubanychbek Sheyitov shop for crafts at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino Pow Wow Saturday in Mission. Karabukaev and Sheyitov are part of a business internship program that brought seven business owners to Oregon from Kyrgyzstan. Staff photo by E.J. Harris
PENDLETON - A group of seven business owners from the central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan visited Pendleton over the weekend to watch Independence Day celebrations and see what rural Oregon has to offer.
The international visitors hold internships with a variety of Portland-area businesses and said they hope to use their new knowledge of American business practices to improve their own companies in Kyrgyzstan.
Talgat Chinetov, who owns a construction business in Kyrgyzstan, said his visit to America convinced him that his business is on the right track.
"We try to make our business on Western standards," Chinetov said. "I can say now that I'm on the right way. In any case, it's been very interesting to see American businessmen and talk to them."
Chinetov added that he will try to import construction materials that are unfamiliar to Kyrgyzstan but commonly used in America before his competitors do.
Kyrgyzstan, which sits on China's western border, was part of the former Soviet Union. The economy is struggling to convert to a market-based model but has made strides in recent years, the Kyrgyzstanis said.
"I think the biggest difference is you have a developed market economy," Chinetov said. "We just started. We're just at the beginning of development and that's why we have problems."
Chinetov said high interest rates and an inadequate legal infrastructure discourage business growth in Kyrgyzstan.
Businessmen in Kyrgyzstan also have to work particularly hard to stay ahead of the competition, said Mirlan Karabukaev, who owns a cellular phone service and sales company.
"People are not rich so we need to work hard and come up with new ideas," he said.
Turkestan Travel Company Manager Sergey Pyshenko added that it's impossible to focus on a niche market in Kyrgyzstan because of the poverty. Successful businesses need to have a wide appeal, he said.
The Kyrgyzstanis stayed at the Bar M Ranch near Adams. World Affairs Council of Oregon Program Coordinator Christine Jacobs said the council, which arranges the internship program, was trying to show the Kyrgyzstanis "the whole American experience in a nutshell."
The Kyrgyzstanis visited the Wildhorse Pow Wow, attended a get-together in Pendleton and planned to see the fireworks in Pendleton as well.
The Kyrgyzstanis leave the United States July 10. Amy Barss of the World Affairs Council said the Kyrgyzstanis appreciated their time in Eastern Oregon.
"It's just been wonderful how open the community of Pendleton has been," she said.
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Dining adventures both tasty and interesting
PENDLETON - Heritage Station Museum will offer a variety of meals served in interesting settings. The 2005 Dining Adventures will span two Saturdays, May 7 and 14.
Guests may choose among between two adventures on May 7. On May 14 there are four choices. All proceeds will benefit the museum. Reservation deadline is Friday, but since seating is limited, reserving as quickly as possible is recommended. For more information, contact Julie Reese at 276-0012.
The Adventures:
Bar M Ranch Barbecue: The historic 1864 Ranch House, once used as a stagecoach station, will be the setting for the May 14 adventure. Hosts Kent Madison, Barb Seeger and Maxine Davis welcome eight guests to bring suits and swim in the pool or soak in the hot tub - before or after dinner. Dinner will be in the dining room or on the deck if weather allows. The menu includes barbecued smoked prime rib, baked potatoes, fresh vegetables, green salad, homemade rolls or bread, cheesecake, two bottles of Three Rivers Wine, coffee, tea, and lemonade.
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Sisters from The Netherlands get a taste of the Real West
By CHUCK SLOTHOWER of the East Oregonian
cslothower@eastoregonian.com
ADAMS - The typical ranch hand doesn't wear a Gucci watch and practice yoga, but then again the typical ranch hand isn't a college student from the Netherlands. 
Lara Schuil, 24, and her sister, Sabine, 21, arrived July 26 at the Bar M Ranch, nestled in the hills 30 miles east of Pendleton on the Umatilla River, to work the ranch and get a brief glimpse of the American cowgirl lifestyle.
The sisters, both psychology students in the Netherlands, have extensive equestrian experience and spend most of their time at the 2,500-acre ranch riding, brushing, feeding and cleaning up after the Bar M's stable of horses.
The Schuils were surprised by several things in Eastern Oregon, including the prevalence of pickups, which are rare in the Netherlands, and true-to-life American cowboys.
"They really wear a hat and they really wear boots and they really wear jeans," Lara said. "It was quite funny."
Another surprise came Wednesday, when the Schuils encountered a rattlesnake on a horseback ride along the Bar M's long stagecoach trail. "I really hate snakes," Lara said. "I was freaking out."
Despite the snake encounter and an earlier bear sighting, the sisters had good things to say about Eastern Oregon.
"It's really peaceful," Lara said. "It's totally different from Holland."
The Netherlands, also called Holland, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It has more than 10 times the population density of Oregon.
"The first day we were here, we were thinking, 'where are all the people?'" Sabine said.
The manner in which Americans treat horses also caught the Schuils by surprise. At the Bar M Ranch, wranglers send horses fording through rivers and climbing steep hills, while giving them just hay to eat. That contrasts with the Netherlands, where most horseback riding takes place in groomed arenas and the animals receive special food.
"The horses there are really spoiled," Lara said.
The Schuils work nearly full time on the ranch, Manager Barb Seeger said. Seeger has been stuffing the Schuils full of comfort food such as pies and brownies, which the sisters raved about.
"We thought we were going to lose weight here," Sabine said.
Head Wrangler Maxine Ryan said the sisters are fitting in just fine, working hard with the horses and helping the ranch get extra projects done. The Schuils have also found time to have fun away from the ranch. They went water skiing and inner-tubing recently, which only added to their soreness from the horse rides. They also tried a yoga class in Pendleton, where their distant cousin, Tania Wildbill, teaches yoga.
Seeger offered the Schuils free room and board in exchange for their work and a promise to promote the Bar M Ranch among the Dutch equestrian community. The Schuils plan to leave in mid-August, giving them a three-week look at Eastern Oregon.
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OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE HONORS COOPERATORS (10/3/03)
CORVALLIS - The Oregon State University Extension Service has recognized several "outstanding cooperators" at a special presentation ceremony sponsored by the OSU Extension Association.
"The OSU Extension Service's cooperator awards are our way of saying thank you to several individuals and organizations that have made generous contributions of their time and resources in support of Extension Service programs throughout the state," said Tonya Aitkin, Wasco County Extension field faculty and public relations chair of the OSU Extension Association. Those recognized were Carol Spellman, Lake Oswego; Dale Dow, Eugene; Daryl and Marcia Eash, Dallas; Pen? Marquette-Ballini, Eugene; Morrow County Livestock Growers, Heppner; Multnomah County Friends of Fair members Frank and Mary Knapp, Rick Paul, Greg Flakus, Mary Trupp, Lillian Adams, Sandy Miller and Kyle Robinson, Portland; Madison Farms owners Ken and Shannon Madison, Pendleton; and Mike Schlolerman of Darigold Farm Store, Astoria.
Madison Farms owners Kent and Shannon Madison were recognized for their contributions to on-farm OSU Extension Service research efforts in Umatilla County. The Madisons have donated land, equipment, operator time, and materials in support of research projects on large-scale test plots. Kent Madison also serves on the Umatilla County Extension Advisory Committee, and Shannon Madison is active in the county's 4-H home economics programs.
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EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF THE WEST - BAR M RANCH OPEN UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
Contact(s): Kent, Shannon Madison
Bar M Ranch at Bingham Hot Springs
58840 Bar M Lane, Adams, OR 97810
(541) 566-3381
Toll Free: (888) 824-3381
Email: barmranch@eoni.com
Experience the Wonders of the West - Bar M Ranch Open Under New Ownership
Adams, OR- The 3,000 acre Bar M Ranch at Bingham Hot Springs is now open under new ownership. Come to the majestic Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon and escape from reality at the newly renovated ranch where the Umatilla River runs through the center of the historic stagecoach stop. Relax, as there are no clocks, and no cell phone reception. Escape from the hurry of life, and bring the whole family along!
Built in 1864, the Bar M Ranch was purchased on June 20, 2002 by Kent and Shannon Madison of Madison Farms, Echo, Oregon. Gene Baker, whose family purchased the property in 1938, previously owned the historic site. The property was once a stopover point in the days of the stage.
The summer season, (Mid May - Mid September), is a wonderful season in beautiful eastern Oregon. The Ranch serves 50, with the Main Ranch House, Bunkhouse, and several private cabins. Attractions include horseback riding, a suspension bridge over the river leading to the large natural mineral hot springs swimming pool and hot tub, row boating, fly fishing, dancing in the recreation barn, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking and deck relaxation. Children will especially enjoy fishing in the stocked pond, basketball and volleyball, and a barnyard petting zoo. Enjoy home-cooked, family-style meals thrice daily, and clean, western-style accommodations for the whole family.
The Bar M Ranch is open year round. Prices vary, some activities are season-pending. For more information call toll free 888.824.3381 or visit www.barmranch.com
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