There are a number of iconic aspects of the community of Rhododendron,
including the swinging bridge (rededicated last September), Steiner Cabins,
the Daughters of the American Revolution garden, the tollgate and so much
more that can be found while enjoying the woods or exploring the rich history
of the area. The Rhododendron Community Planning Organization (CPO)
wants to capture the spirit of the community in a new logo, offering area
artists the chance to submit their designs as part of a contest.

“There’s a lot of artistic people on the mountain; let’s turn this over to some
people who have artistic talent and let them go at it,” said Steve Graeper,
CPO President. “We want to make this a community effort and involve as
many community people as we can.”

The logo will ultimately appear on t-shirts, hoodies, hats and other
merchandise as part of the fundraising for the CPO’s Rhody Rising effort, a
plan to revitalize the community of Rhododendron. Graeper added that there
is also a possibility that the logo could also be used on a community gateway
sign, welcoming visitors to Rhododendron.

The first settlers arrived at the community by way of the Barlow Trail, due to
a wide spot in the road right after tollgate number five, Graeper noted.
Settlers would then decide to take the north or south route to Brightwood, but
would even stay for up to a week. In the 20th century, the community was
home to an opulent hotel built by Henry Rowe, where people from Portland
would come to visit.

Graeper stressed that the contest is open to logos of any variety and there are
no parameters for what the design should be.

“We don’t want to plant any seeds in anybody’s mind,” he said. “There might
be some ideas out there that we haven’t thought of. What does Rhododendron
mean to you and what image can capture that.”

Graeper added that the merchandise generated with the new logo will help the
CPO try to reach a goal of raising $10,000 to help with the Rhody Rising
effort. The CPO is currently approximately $4,000 away.

“We’re showing potential grant funders that the community is behind this
Rhody Rising effort,” he said, adding that they are looking into using local
businesses for producing the merchandise and that the merchandise could
potentially hit the shelves at local stores as early as next summer.

All design entries will be presented for public view at the March 18, 2018 CPO
meeting, and the CPO selection committee will seek community input on all
the entries before selecting the top three for submission to the CPO
membership for a vote.

The winning entry will win a prize package that will include: golf and cart for
two at The Resort at The Mountain, two lift tickets at SkiBowl, a gift certificate
to Skyway Bar & Grill and Cross Country Ski Rental from Otto’s Ski Shop in
Sandy.

The contest is open to all. Please submit design ideas to Rhododendron CPO,
P.O. Box 33, Rhododendron, OR 97049. All entries must be received by March
15, 2018.

For more information on the Rhody Rising effort, search for “Rhody Rising” on
Facebook.