Damian Fagan is a freelance writer and COCC Community Learning instructor. He enjoys birding and botanizing while hiking in Central Oregon’s wild lands. He lives in Bend with his wife, Raven.

A native of Sweden, Tor Hanson moved to Bend in 1991. He is a published journalist and author in both Sweden and the United States. Also a regional historian, Tor is currently conducting research for his latest book. He and his wife, Nancy, have two daughters.

Native Oregonian Holly R. hutchins retired to Bend after 17 years in Houston in public affairs and corporate communications. He has an MA in public relations from the University of Houston, a journalism degree from UO, and worked at several Oregon newspapers before joining the corporate sector. A regular contributor to area magazines, he teaches business and business writing at COCC.

Tara Marsh is a native Oregonian who has written feature stories for local newspapers for nearly 20 years. Her husband and 11-year-old son keep her laughing. She also has two grown daughters and two granddaughters. She and her family love to play music (and secretly dream of being rock stars), ride dirt bikes, and plant fruit trees.

Freelance writer and editor Gregg Morris honed his wit in a suburban Michigan basement and his gift for the written word at Michigan State University. After obtaining his BA, he packed up his midwestern charm and headed west. When not writing, Gregg can be found riding his bike or playing guitar alongside his wife and daughter.

Rachel Raburn is a freelance writer and portrait photographer, with dreams of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with her husband someday. She also enjoys painting and quilting and keeps busy home-schooling her five kids. Her busy, crazy, and amazing family live in Madras with their fat orange cat, Garfield.

After three decades in Seattle, where she raised her family, Sue Stafford returned to her native Oregon and Sisters, the place of her heart since childhood. Her days are now filled with freelance writing, weekly for the local Nugget in Sisters, and teaching a 10-week guided autobiography class. With several other Sisters locals, she recently established the Three Sisters Historical Society.

Darlene Veenhuizen has been sharing food stories for 13 years. She has created written and visual content for brands like New Season Market, Burgerville, and Humm Kombucha and has worked with several local food companies. Along with husband Joel and two-year-old daughter Libby, she has called Central Oregon home for the last three years. Find her work at picklejarstudios.com.

Grant Woods is a freelance writer. An insatiable curiosity and diverse background allow him to approach new projects with enthusiasm. He is inspired by honest and courageous writing. The open-ended quality of storytelling constantly brings him back to the keyboard.