#Pandemic Normalcy

 

    Elikamida Toran enjoys a moscow mule outside and fireside, at Four Spirits Distillery, Corvallis, after a long day at work. "I really love all the additional outside space that many places in Corvallis now offer, even with the winter months arriving. The open space and air makes me feel much more safe with everything going on, especially when you have a larger group (pictured behind)", says Toran. "The restaurant industry as really taken a hit because of the virus, and it's good to see business adapting and still getting business". Elikamida is an engineer who works near by, and who studied at LBCC and OSU. Wednesday, October 28th, 2020. 

Kevin Thomas hosts outside at one of Corvallis's longest standing establishments, The Peacock, which has been in business since the 1920's. Kevin continues to work through the pandemic with a big smile under the mask and an injured leg. Business at The Peacock has definitely declined with the virus-related new world, but that doesn't stop their welcoming energy and high hopes for a busier future.  Thursday, October 28th.

Bald Hill of Corvallis, Tuesday evening, October 27th. What used to be an extremely busy walking/running/biking trail, often filled with families, is now empty among the pandemic. "The sunsets especially used to entice people here around this time. Sometimes I walk the whole loop and don't see a soul", said an 'anonymous frequent walker.' 

A local favorite, The Corvallis Old Spaghetti Factory

 

    Luke Hughes, the General Manager of The Old Spaghetti Factory in Corvallis, Friday, October 23rd. Smiling wide behind his mask in front of the beautifully custom stain glass window, Luke eagerly awaits the next guest at host desk. He has been with OSF for more than 5 years, where he has put his heart and soul into creating a family-like working environment. Covid-19 really put a wrench in the wheels of the restaurant business, especially here where the primary business is dine-in, but this hasn't stopped Luke and his wonderful team. They have done a fabulous job at adapting to our new "virus revolving" lives. As you can see, the mask *never* leaves his face, and he enforces the same standards for his crew. "We high standards and the best view in town" Luke states as he gestures towards the large window lining the dinning room, just a few yards away from one of Corvallis Willamette Rivers banks. 

Alli Bradford (left to right, front to back), Shea Clarke, Oliver Tymoshuk and Luke Hughes are working diligently, literally behind the giant red velvet curtain, used to hide the "behind the scenes" at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Corvallis, Friday, October 23rd. This tight, but long hallway provides more room then you'd think. "The masks never come off, in addition to this being one of the cleanest places I've ever worked", says Shea Clarke when asked about Covid-19 related practices. Oliver Tymoshuk has worked at OSF on and off for about 3 years, where he states Luke, and the management team, is "one of the best you'll ever find". 

Luke Hughes, General Manager of The Old Spaghetti Factory, Friday, October 23rd, 2020.

Just A Girl

 

Asia Lederer reads a fantasy novel outside of New Morning Bakery, downtown Corvallis, October 19th. Asia has just arrived back to Oregon from Yosemite, where she has been on the furthest possible back trail crew, caring to trails in the large park, where she spent much of her day operating a large chainsaw. The smoke from the fires got so bad out in the woods of Yosemite, that she, and much of her crew, were offered paid leave. 

Sitting outside of New Morning Bakery, Corvallis, 26 year old Asia Lederer says "Fantasy, or fiction, is the only thing that allows me to fully escape from the mundane world". Asia who is a student at LBCC in her off seasons from work. Her current position, is a crew member on the furthest back trail crew at Yosemite sate park. However, with how bad the smoke from the fires has gotten, her and much of her chainsaw-operating-trail-crew have been offered paid leave until the air quality gets better.  October 19th, 2020. 

Downtown Corvallis, Oregon, October 19th. Many gather outside of the restaurants lining Corvallis's downtown are, such as Bellhop and Tride and True (pictured above) and New Morning Bakery which is just around this corner of 2nd street. 

Wanderlust - Humans of Corvallis

    

                                        

Chris Hanson plays his saxophone everyday here on the Corvallis waterfront. His only exception - when it rains. Thursday, October 8th.

     Chris Hanson playing "My one and Only Love" by John Coltrane. Thursday, October 8th, Corvallis waterfront. 

      Corvallis east waterfront, Thursday October 8th. It was humbling to stumble upon this shot on this brisk Thursday morning.