April 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 28
Oregonians visit Costa Rica during American adult cultural exchange
By Lee Haroun
Sunriver residents and avid
travelers Lucy and Dan Hilburn recently returned from
three weeks in Costa Rica
where they served as group
leaders for 10 Oregonians
who participated in the Oregon-Costa Rica Partners of
the Americas adult cultural
exchange.
This successful program has
been a popular connection between Costa Rica and Oregon
for more than 45 years.
“Travel via a resort vacation
package is like dipping your
toe in a river. Participation in
homestays in four communities
over three weeks with Partners
of the Americas is like jumping
into a raft with friendly locals
and paddling, laughing, eating
and celebrating during an
exciting journey downriver,”
Lucy Hilburn said. “It's a richer, deeper experience that leads
to more fun and friendships.
I look forward to hosting the
Ticos here in June as much
as traveling to Costa Rica in
February and I am grateful to
Partners of the Americas for the
opportunity.”
Dan Hilburn added that people can learn a lot from visiting
Costa Rica.
“Their national slogan is
Pura Vida, which isn't just a
slogan – it's a way of life,” he
said. “They sing and dance at
the drop of a hat and are wonderfully friendly to visitors.”
In June, Oregonians will be
Dan Hilburn having a really happy, typical Costa Rica
experience with the native wildlife.
welcoming “Ticos” (affectionate name for Costa Ricans)
in their homes. Costa Ricans
will visit the Oregon Coast,
Eugene, Portland and Central
Oregon.
Hosts will focus on sharing
Oregon’s beautiful natural settings as well as the history and
culture of Central Oregon.
The homestays offer both
north and southbound travelers opportunities to make new
friends, practice Spanish and
learn about Tico daily life. The
cultural exchanges between
Costa Ricans and Americans
have resulted in at least four
marriages.
Central Oregon has an active
group of partners and welcomes new members.
For more information, contact the director of membership Kasuna Duffey at friend
sofkasuna@gmail.com or state
chapter president Lee Haroun
at lcharoun@gmail.com
Stories of artists' favorite places at local gallery
Look at the world through
artists’ eyes at the Nancy
McGrath Green Gallery in
Sunriver. Plein Air Painters of
Oregon (PAPO) opens “Stories
of Our Favorite Places: Landscapes From the Heart” on
Thursday, April 2.
The show features paintings
of places dear to the artists’
hearts. PAPO members paint
outdoors using a variety of mediums, including watercolor,
pastel, acrylic, oil, and digital.
“Stories of Our Favorite Places”
offers a sampling of mediums
and styles. Each piece includes
a story about the pictured
landscape, providing viewers a
rare glimpse into the intimate
relationship between painter
and landscape.
Join the artists for light refreshments and lively discussion at the opening reception
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Please donate your cans & bottles!
Sunday, April 12 at the gallery
inside Sunriver Christian Fellowship, 18139 Cottonwood
Rd. The exhibit runs through
Sunday, June 28.
Nancy McGrath Green Gallery is open from 1 to 4 p.m.
weekdays and directly after
church service on Sunday.
For information, visit sunriverchristianfellowship.org/
nancy-mcgrath-green-gallery
or pleinairpaintersoforegon.org
‘Contemplation,’ oil painting by Telma Setti.
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Page 28
APRIL 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
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