We here in the Tri-Village area are truly blessed to have such an array of baking experts- this writer will do his best to acknowledge the creators of these varied works of art!
But first, our introductions would not be complete without a shoutout to our talented trumpeters proclaiming the beginning of this year’s festivities, Scott Wagner and Bob Latorre, and our illustrious emcee Chip McGregor, always a hoot!!
I’ll begin with the savory pies- first course of any fine dinner: an Italian Chicken Pot pie created by master baker Evelyn Mast, followed later in the auction by 4 mini Elk sausage Quiche offering baked by Cindy Erickson, with Elk and Chanterelle mushrooms harvested from behind their family home, Peggy Schumann brought a wonderful traditional Beef Pot Pie (Yum!) and the final dinner delight was the Jennifer Childress masterpiece Goat Cheese and Roasted Vegetable pie- Molly outbid this writer in the final seconds of the auction to achieve highest bid for a pie of the day! Congrats!
Main dinner course finished, my niece won the Chambord
Cheesecake crafted by Evelyn for a nice dessert, James Lambert baked a gorgeous Triple Coconut Cream pie which tied for high bid on a dessert pie (and his slicing skills on the feast pies was much appreciated!), Megan Lucas foraged among the Deschutes River vipers for apples contained in her Rattlesnake Apple Pie (no snakes were harmed), locally sourced berries highlighted Mike Ehlan and Janice Gains’ huckleberry pie adorning a handcrafted pie plate made in the Nehalem Bay Pottery Studio, which went home with the winning bidder to keep…
Up and coming pie crafter and NKN middle school student Sophia Johnson showed off her culinary skills by offering up a Baloton Cherry pie- Scrumptious! Marionberries were well represented by Gladys Jacobson and her pie, one of 2 retired Home Ec educators in this auction, followed in the proceedings by the other Home Ec educator Evelyns’ yummy Lemon Angel pie.
Our neighbor out in 53 land, Candy Stark baked a delicious Salted Rosemary Carmel Apple pie, later followed by the Tall and Creamy Cheesecake topped with Marionberry sauce which this lucky author took home to be enjoyed- created by Evelyn (one of 3 pies she expertly created for this year’s auction), and folks were wowed by Bonnie Neugebauers’ Lemon Merange pie, fluffy topping and tart lemon filling (oh my!!) “a winner after any dinner!”
The featured raffle prizes included a pizza pie certificate from the Salmonberry in Wheeler, and a well-adorned Ohio Shaker Lemon pie crafted by Starr Misner under the supervision of daughters Valerie and Fionna, 10 and 11. Also a Red, White and Blue handmade quilt won at the State Grange convention and donated by Gayle Stephens went home with a lucky ticket holder.
A special Thank You to Linda DeGayner for the privilege of occupying her Handy Creek Bakery for Friday baking, and to Lorraine Ortiz for her graphic expertise.
Last, but certainly not least, the HUGE efforts of the 2026 Pie Day committee members Evelyn Mast, Cindy Erickson, Gayle Stephens and Vivi Tallman, and Sue and Gayle for the fancy decorating of our hall- couldn’t have done it without you and our WCG members and volunteers!!
Your lovely parking attendants (me, Joe and Mark) salute the participants and worker bees who made this years’ Pie Day a rousing success! We Thank You!
The White Clover Grange Family