When I was a child, every time we went on a picnic, it was a special, magical adventure. We always had the same meal. My mom prepared her traditional chicken (coated in crushed corn flakes), hard-boiled eggs, potato salad and cookies. Nothing too extraordinary, but taking it on the road

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes this year, both good and bad. Greenhouse gases have been on the decline since 3,400-pound roadsters and cars have stayed in their garage. There was also the sensational story about Venitian dolphins returning to the river. However, as many as 145,000 Americans

When you say “melt” in July, the immediate connotation is high external temperature. “The Melt” I am talking about is a food truck located on Bartlett Street on one of the two pads in Medford referred to as, “Bartlett Bites.” There are several options for choosing what to munch at

Reviewing restaurants right now feels like going for a bike ride in a wet-suit—awkward and unsettling in this new paradigm of how we do things. I was not ready to dine-in, but absolutely desperate for a meal not cooked at home without the accompanying dirty dishes. A teenager in the

Not all wine comes from grapes. Let that sink in: Wine can be made from flowers and berries—and an outstanding example of that diversity comes from southern Oregon’s own Wild Wines, a decade-plus old established winery near Jacksonville. Dreamt up by Carla David, the winery has grown steadily, picking up

Our continuing series profiling local breweries, and how they are managing COVID-19 shutdowns. In this year’s Besties, the Messenger’s readers’ choices for their favorites, Weekend Beer Company in Grants Pass traded wins with Medford-based Walkabout Brewing Company. Less than two years old, but already an institution in Grants Pass, they

On Thursday, June 4 at 4 pm, Caldera Brewing Company, southern Oregon’s largest brewery, reopens to the public. Over the next few days, Jim Mills is leading a number of meetings to talk with serving staff, kitchen staff and brewers about the new protocols. It will be a different world

Indeed, the tourism industry in southern Oregon has soured. Britt Fest and OSF both have shut down for the summer, and restaurants are closed indefinitely. But social distancing does not mean you cannot still drink local wines! And DANCIN Vineyard co-owner Dan Marca remains optimistic and upbeat. The Messenger caught up

While most people know Oregon for its beautiful landscape and rich woodworking scene, few people know that the state is actually one of the top producers of hazelnuts in the whole country. In fact, as many as 99% of the hazelnuts grown in the United States comes from Willamette Valley

  Pandemic or not, one has to eat. Hearty, nourishing food comforts the mind, body and soul. Not to mention that creating routines and normalcy at a time when most people’s lives have been radically upended is important as long as you “social distance.” And according to the CDC: “There