FWIW, I have made a point to stop at the Narrows whenever I’ve gone by since
the ownership change, and each time I’ve found the staff to be exceptionally
friendly. And each time I’ve made sure to wear binoculars around my neck and
work into the conversation that I am there birding. - Jay W, Portland
On Aug 24, 2021, at 3:04 PM, Sheran <sheran@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I think they’ve been there maybe a year and a half or so? It could be longer
than that. Sheran
From: Mary Garrard <>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 1:20 PM
To: BOO List <>
Subject: [boo] Re: The Narrows and Diamond hotel
This is good to know. How long have the new owners been there? I’m always
behind the curve. I generally tried to avoid The Narrows for the Bundy
reasons, but also I didn’t feel comfortable there even before the takeover.
Just didn’t seem very friendly in general. And after the takeover, I remember
someone behind the counter wearing a button supporting it. That was at the
Migratory Bird Festival in April of that year. At the banquet at the Burns
fairgrounds, this woman was one of the staff serving the meal, and I noticed
that she had removed the button. Probably figured it wouldn’t be the best
place to display her politics.
Mary
On Aug 24, 2021, at 10:21 AM, Sheran <sheran@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <>> wrote:
These new owners didn’t “just decide” to be cordial to birders, they have
always been that way. Tim Blount, the former Ex. Director of Friends of
Malheur Wildlife Refuge (FOMR) who is now living in Arizona, said they have
been friends of his since even before becoming the new Narrows owners. I
have found them to be very friendly and welcoming folks.
Sheran Wright
Bend, OR
From: Joel Geier <>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 7:18 AM
To: David Stone <>
Cc: judy <> ; boo <>
Subject: [boo] Re: The Narrows and Diamond hotel
As I recall, Linda went considerably beyond just feeding the refuge
occupiers, speaking favorably about them and their cause in a television
interview. Most people are not apolitical, they just express their politics
through their actions or inactions rather than waving signs, and this was
one of those cases.
She and her husband weren't financially distressed at the time. They were
reaping a windfall at a time of year when normally they would have had very
few customers. They were selling meals, gas and campsites to journalists,
sheriff's deputies, FBI agents etc. as well as the Bundy crowd and its
hangers-on. But it was just one of those groups that they chose to speak
warmly about to national reporters, even mentioning how they made special
deliveries up the road to the illegal occupiers to enable them.
Later on, when she realized that her statements had alienated many of her
customers who would usually show up at other times of the year, and it was
affecting her bottom line, she tried to walk that back. But even then, it
took the form of complaining to reporters about former customers who had
written or called to express their disappointment.
With new ownership, thankfully all of that is water under the bridge, and
I'm glad that the new owners have decided to strike a more positive tone
toward a major part of their spring/summer clientele.
About the mileage, I guess 100 miles was hyperbole. My map shows a distance
of just 21 miles from Burns/Hines to The Narrows. There are no doubt places
in Burns that would be happy to sell you a box lunch to take along on a day
trip. Fields is a good place to stop for food if you're making a longer
loop, or driving through on the way to other places (as is usually the case
for me).
Joel
From: "David Stone" <dns@xxxxxxx <>>
To: "judy" <jmeredit@xxxxxxxxxxx <>>
Cc: "clearwater" <clearwater@xxxxxxxx <>>, "boo" <boo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <>>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2021 8:17:53 PM
Subject: Re: [boo] Re: The Narrows and Diamond hotel
I, too had misgivings about the Bundy connection, but I figured Linda was
apolitical, as most people are. She was just trying to survive financially,
especially since so many of us were not going to Malheur.
If she didn’t serve them, who would be her customers? And not feeding them
wouldn’t have make them leave or change their beliefs, it would just make
the Narrows collateral damage.
The only thing that boycotting the Narrows would do, would make us burn all
that gas by driving 100 miles to Burns and back for a meal.
Dave Stone
On Aug 23, 2021, at 7:34 PM, jmeredit@xxxxxxxxxxx <> wrote:
Narrows spot -
I avoided it for a long time, esp after the Bundy occupiers of the refuge
were catered to by Linda. I went inside on Sunday to check out the attitude
and was favorably impressed and decided to be a supporter. I had harbored
irritation and disappointment about zoning changes that allowed it in the
first place, but hey, 16 Sage Thrashers, 2 Loggerhead Shrikes, Burrowing
Owls, Brewer's and Vesper Sparrows! Birds are more evident there than in
the heavily grazed land nearby. Judy
On 2021-08-24 02:07, Joel Geier wrote:
I'm glad to hear that the Narrows place is under new ownership, and that
the new owners realize that birders are customers too. I haven't wanted to
go in there since the old owners cozied up to the Bundy crowd.
Knowing that there are some new owners, I might give it a try next time I'm
out in the area, even though I still think it's unfortunate that the local
real estate tycoon was allowed a special legislative exemption to finagle a
development which has led to planting trees in the middle of Greater
Sage-Grouse habitat. But that's not really the fault of the new owners, and
I guess there's no way to roll it back now.
Joel
Subject: [boo] Re: The Narrows and Diamond hotel
From: Dave Stone <dns@xxxxxxx <>>
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:44:41 -0700
I always make a point of, at least, buying dinner (open till 7pm) at the
Narrows.to support them. Yurts are also nice. Good to hear new owners like
birders.
Nighthawk on fence at east entrance is reliable.
BTW, In June, the Diamond hotel was up for sale and they were only serving
dinner to guests.
Dave Stone
Msg: #1 in digest
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2021 01:10:03 +0000
From: jmeredit@xxxxxxxxxxx <>
Subject: [obol] The Narrows "RV resort"
New owners are very friendly. The trees in the campground are growing
nicely and berries on the elderberry were drawing in groups of Sage
Thrashers. We had 16 of them around 3 separate trees. Also nighthawks
roosting on the pole fences etc. Owner welcomed us to bird and even told
us where to look for a Burrowing owl.
So I recommend a stop and maybe buying fuel or a coffee. Nice there for
birds and birders!. Judy, jmeredit@xxxxxxxxxxx <>
