Always been meaning to explore more of Gilliam County and the surrounding area? Local and looking for a curated “staycation”? New to the area and wondering where to explore first? We’ve got the itinerary and connections through this “Explore Oregon” package. You could conceivably fit all of these activities into a fun-filled long weekend. Or, consider stretching things across a couple different outings.

Start out by staying overnight at Wilson Ranches Retreat on your way to the Painted Hills. 

Set out on another outing with a couple of nights at The Hen House farm stay in Ione (up to six guests). From here you can take in the Sage Center and then take the scenic route to Lexington to pick up 5 Dahlia Tubers at the Seed & Trowel Flower Farm (tubers available in April).

Use your subscription to The Times-Journal and 1859 Magazine to do additional planning.

We are packing this trip with road trip essentials – a coffee gift certificate and Painted Hills Beef Jerky.

You'll also get an Arlington Hardware Gift Certificate that you can use to get more snacks, a flashlight, new batteries, and or motor oil – or anything else you might need for a proper roadtrip.

Do this all while wearing your new custom “explore” leather patch cap. Be sure to take pictures and share when you get back. We can’t wait to hear about your adventures.

Package Includes: gift certificate for one-night stay at Wilson Ranches (Fossil)  for 2 people, gift certificate for 2-night stay at The Hen House (Blown Away Ranch; Ione) which offers a chance to discover real farm life in a century-old farmhouse (includes breakfast delivered on morning; home sleeps 6 – one queen bed, one twin bedroom, 1 queen pull-out  in living room), $50 gift certificate for Bobbi Joe’s in Arlington and $50 Arlington Hardware gift certificate, certificate for 4 entry tickets and icecream at Sage Center in Boardmanpackage of Painted Hills Beef Jerky (2), gift certificate for package of 5 dahlia tubers (“growers choice” from Seed & Trowel), and an “explore” leather patch “trucker”/baseball-style hat, an annual subscription to The Times-Journal and Oregon 1859 Magazine.

We are lucky to live where we live. And this package is here to remind us of all that Oregon’s farmers, gardeners, master food preservers, producers and orchardists have to offer.

We’ll help you fill your pantry with jerky from Painted Hills Natural Beef, canned preserves (apple juice, jams, corn salsa and Oregon tuna), canned pears and plum cardamom jam from Portland Fruit Tree Project.

This package also includes Deck Family Farms Honey and Fiddlehead Farms Polenta.

And as the Rock Creek Community Center is located in the heart of wheat country, you’ll also receive a bag of flour from Rye & Shine for your winter baking needs.

Additionally, do some of your own shopping for a few favorites from Two Boys Grocery in Condon; and for your favorite loaf of Bingo’s Barkery Bread at A-Station in Arlington.

This bounty is packaged up in a basket with Lady Fern Designs tea towel.

Package Includes: Gift certificate for loaf of bread (Bingo’s Barkery; A-Town Station), package of Painted Hills Beef Jerky (3), $50 Two Boys gift certificate, 8 oz jar of honey with wooden honey spoon (Deck Family Farms), 1 lb. polenta (Fiddlehead Farms), 20 lb. bag of Flour (Rye & Shine), Home Preserves (½ pint plum cardamom jam, pint of corn salsa, ½ pint fig jam, 2-6oz jars of Oregon tuna, a quart of apple juice), pint of Pears in medium syrup (Portland Fruit Tree Project), 4 oz. jar plum cardamom jam, 12 oz. jar of Oregon Growers' marionberry jam, 10 oz. jar of Trader Joe’s fleur de sel caramel sauce, pound of Oregon hazel nuts, 4 oz of Jacobson pure sea salt with metal salt spoon, and a tea towel.

You and 3 friends will participate in a hands-on workshop where you will learn to make tortillas. You’ll never buy store-bought again. A demo will be given by JR Davis, one of the directors of the Rock Creek Community Center. A taco lunch at the schoolhouse will follow – and will include the freshly made tortillas.

The package also includes a denim apron made by Kimberly Davis. You will also receive one tortilla press, which you’ll also use during the workshop (donated by Phil Davis).

Plan on 3 hours for the tortilla making and lunch, which will both take place at the Rock Creek Community Center. Contact JR Davis when ready to schedule.

Package Includes: gift certificate for a class for 4-people, taco lunch at Rock Creek Community Center, one denim apron, one cast iron tortilla press ($60 value).

This 75” x 75” handmade quilt will keep you warm all winter, and is so stunning, that you’ll want to have it on display whether draped across your couch or hung on the wall.

This quilt of dark blue, slate blues, tan and white cotton fabrics, was pieced by Rock Creek School alum, Becky Ellis Morgan. Becky lived in Rock Creek and attended school in Arlington through her sophomore year. 

Long-arm quilting and binding were done by Just for Fun! Quilting, in Vancouver, WA .

The quilt backing is a soft and cozy dark blue Minky fabric.

Quilt pattern: Polestar, designed by Janet Clare.

A 75" x 75" quilt is considered a large throw quilt or a smaller full/double-bed-sized quilt. Its square shape and generous dimensions make it suitable for a variety of uses.

Package Includes: one 75”x75” handmade quilt.

This package highlights handmade goods of leather, beads, woven art, and wool — all rooted in skilled craftsmanship.

You’ll benefit from the work of two artisans in Gilliam County with a $100 Gift Certificate for custom leather work by Ron Wilson and a one-sided Welsh Fan (woven wheat art) made by Cori Mikkalo. This isn’t just any woven wheat art, this particular fan won first place in the Gilliam County Fair in 2025.

You’ll also get a one-of-a-kind natural stone beaded necklace handmade by Kathy Kornei from Portland. The natural stone is surrounded by Peyote stitch beadwork with tiny glass beads. It is finished with a dark metal chain and clasp. 

And to top this all off, you’ll have a Pendleton Woolen Mills Blanket to keep you warm this winter.

Package Includes: gift certificate for $100 for custom leather work from Ron Wilson, beaded necklace ($200 value), one-sided Welsh Fan wheat weaving ($30 value), and a Pendleton Woolen Mills Blanket (Motor Robe Throw with Leather Carrier - Ruby Beach; $129 value).

This package is all about a little indulgence and a lot of self-care. We’ll kick things off with a $100 shopping excursion to Andee’s Boutique in Hermiston where you’ll be stepping out in style (whether it's a new pair of jeans, a sweater, coat, jewelry or a new wallet).

This package includes two bright and cheery zippered pouches handmade by Cover Me Carry Me. Keep all your favorite things tucked inside (make-up, person items, travel accessories, hand-sewing supplies, art supplies).

Speaking of art supplies, light a few candles with your vintage interlocking tea light votive set and open up a page in your new journal or coloring book and settle in for a little “me time”.

And along the way, enjoy one of your three craft chocolate bars (sustainable cocoa, solar energy, clean ingredients). What’s more indulgent than really good chocolate, am I right?!??

Package Includes: $100 gift certificate for Andee’s Boutique (Hermiston), gift certificate for soap and lip balm (Bingo’s Barkery; A-Town Station), 2-zippered pouches ($60 value), miniature enchanted forest woodland illustration coloring book (Johanna Badsford), trio of Chocolate Company Bars , leather journal ($30 value), and vintage Ehlen Johansson interlocking tea light set (IKEA).

Are you already dreaming about the new additions you want to make to your garden and yard in the Spring? Maybe you are a Dahlia lover looking for new locally cultivated varieties? If so, this is the package for you. 

Seed & Trowel had a busy fall digging up Dahlia tubers just for you. In the Spring you’ll be able to prick up a Grower’s Choice package of 5 dahlia tubers from the Flower Farm near Lexington.

We are providing the perfect pair of pruners to harvest your beautiful Dahlia Blooms – along with the cutest new cap to protect yourself from the sun.

This package is ideal for beginning gardeners and expert gardeners alike. You don’t need a lot of space for Dahlias, but you do need well draining soil and lots of sun, which Gilliam County has plenty of both.

Package Includes: gift certificate for package of 5 dahlia tubers (“growers choice” from Seed & Trowel), garden stakes, Okatsune 103 bypass pruners ($27 value), and an “explore” leather patch “trucker”/baseball-style hat.

Rock Creek School Alum and Gilliam County resident, Sherrie Wilkins, quilted a table runner set specifically for this fundraiser. This set which includes handmade four placemats, four coasters, four cloth napkins and two hot pads.

The package also comes with a Farm House centerpiece made by another local artisan, Erin Hansell-Heideman.

Now that the table is set, all you need to do is invites some friends to brunch.

Package Includes: one hand-made quilted table runner with 4 coordinating napkins placemats, coasters, 2 hand-made hotpads, one floral farmhouse centerpiece.