Home for the Holidays

Returning to My Roots in Prineville, Oregon

David Scott Fields II, Senior Writer • December 31, 2024

PRINEVILLE, OREGON – For the last 21 years, my career as a teacher has taken me to schools and places thousands of miles from my hometown. I’ve made good friends, had exciting adventures, and seen many amazing things! From Alaska to Florida, I have seen so much of what this nation has to offer. And yet, despite all my travels, my hometown, Prineville, Oregon, has never left my heart. Part of me often wonders if I will end up back in Prineville one day, but one thing I do know for certain – each Christmas, there is nowhere I would rather be.

There’s something deeply nostalgic about coming home for the holidays. If you have never been there, Prineville is a place you simply must make it a point to visit. Snug at the base of a canyon in Central Oregon’s high desert and surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Ochoco Mountains, Prineville isn’t just where I grew up, it is the very definition of small town America.

Winter in Prineville has a special charm in my opinion. Though many years we do without snow, when it does come and blankets the trees and hillsides in white, the whole area becomes a postcard-perfect vista. This year, alas, the town got only a slight dusting of snow, but that made the weather perfect for a stroll around town to visit some of my favorite spots.

One those places without question is Ochoco Creek Park. Right at the heart of town, this park is nearly 15 acres of open green space, a playground, picnic pavilions, basketball courts, a skatepark, and even a swimming pool. A bike/walking trail also stretches through the park and then out through the town. During the summer, especially on the 4th of July, the park is usually packed with activity, but on the winter day when I visited, it was fairly quiet. Only a few kids and a family playing with their dog broke the stillness as I walked along the tumbling creek. As I did so, it was the perfect time to reflect. The park is the kind of spot where I feel closest to the Lord’s creation and I am reminded of Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Before I left the park, I took time to stop by the Wildland Firefighters Monument, which is at the edge of the park along Elm Street. This site honors the brave men and women who have lost their lives protecting our forests and communities. The monument itself includes tributes to several of the fallen including Don Mackey, Jim Thrash, Tamera Jean Bickett, Jon R. Kelso, Rob Johnson, Bonnie Jean Holtby, Robert E. Browning Jr., Richard Kent Tyler, Levi Brinkley, Scott Alan Blecha, Douglas Michael Dunbar, Roger Roth, Kathi Walsleben Beck, and Terri Ann Hagen. Though telling each of their stories is beyond the scope of this article, I highly encourage anyone visiting Prineville to stop by this memorial. Also nearby is the Blue Star Memorial By-Way which stands as a tribute to those who have served in the armed forces. Both sites remind me of the selflessness and courage that define the people of this country.

My walking tour also took me past Pioneer Park, another gem with its historical landmarks and public amphitheater. It’s a place where generations of Prineville families have gathered for community events. A little past the park is Neat Repeat! This local thrift store is a hallmark of Prineville. While the hard times of recent years have seen many other local businesses close their doors, Neat Repeat has endured for decades now (longer than I’ve been alive) and it is filled with hidden treasures. Browsing its aisles reminds me of the resourcefulness and caring of the community I grew up in. The store itself uses the funds it raises to support our local Senior Center.

There wasn’t really time to stop to eat on my walking tour, but I did happen past several of my family’s favorite restaurants and it brought back the memories of many great meals. First there is Dillon’s Grill which serves up some of the best burgers and barbecue in town. Next is Gee’s Family Restaurant, my parents go-to for the best Chinese food in Central Oregon. For Mexican cuisine, I head to Ranchero’s, where the enchiladas and taco salads never disappoint. Dad’s Place is another long time Prineville Restaurant. It is a daily tradition for many locals for a mouth watering breakfast and lunch. However, despite all the tasty locales and historic sites Prineville has to other, they aren’t really the reason I come home this time of year.

That reason, quite frankly is – CHRISTMAS! Christmas is huge for my family. The holidays in Prineville are something truly wonderful. My dad has a special connection to many of the families here as he has served as a personal Santa Claus (suit and all) for them across the years. On the nights when “Santa” isn’t busy, one of our family’s favorite traditions is driving through town to admire the Christmas lights. Many families in Prineville go all out, so you really could spent all evening looking at every display across town. From the twinkling displays on homes to the festive decorations lighting up the Fairgrounds, the whole town seems to shine with the joy of the season.

But for us, the heart of Christmas has always been found at Calvary Baptist Church. This is the church where I grew up and was saved. During my years living in Prineville, Joel Dunaway served faithfully as the senior pastor for decades. Now that torch of ministry has been passed on to his eldest son Andrew. The candlelight service at CBC on Christmas Eve is a tradition that I hold particularly dear. The glow of the candles, the familiar Christmas carols, and the retelling of Christ’s birth bring such peace and hope. Sitting surrounded by family, friends, and long time mentors who have poured so much into who I am constantly reminds me of the true meaning of the season.

As the lights were dimmed and we held our candles high together and sang “Silent Night” I was reminded of Luke 2:11, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” In that moment, I felt the depth of that message in a way that will stay with me long after the holidays are over.

Prineville isn’t just a place on the map—it’s a part of me. Each visit home, especially during the holidays, reminds me of the simple joys of community, faith, and family. As the Christmas lights twinkle and we see hints of snow in the Ochocos, I’m reminded of the greatest gift of all—the love of God, given to us through Jesus Christ. And in Prineville, I see that love reflected everywhere I look, making it the perfect place to call home for the holidays.