PNW Jam + Scones Class in Oregon's Willamette Valley

Thursday, July 9th, 5:00 to 8:00 PM

Join us in the beautiful barn at Sovereign Studio in Springfield, Oregon, for an evening celebrating Oregon's summer bounty through seasonal preserving, fresh-baked scones, and local flavors.

Certified Master Preserver Aletha of Cooking Kauai will guide participants through the timeless art of making fruit preserves using traditional techniques that highlight the natural flavor of peak-season fruit. Drawing on her Pacific Northwest roots and nearly three decades of preserving on Kauai, Aletha combines practical instruction with a passion for seasonal cooking and local agriculture.

During this hands-on class, you'll learn the fundamentals of exceptional jam-making, including fruit preparation, cooking methods, achieving the perfect set, and safe home canning practices. Aletha specializes in no-pectin-added, lower-sugar preserves that allow the true character of the fruit to shine.

In addition to preserving, participants will learn the secrets to creating tender, buttery scones—the perfect companion to homemade jam. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy tastings of seasonal preserves, local honey, and mead, celebrating the rich agricultural traditions of the Willamette Valley.

Whether you're new to preserving or looking to refine your skills, this class offers a delightful blend of practical instruction, delicious tastings, and inspiration for making the most of the harvest season.

Hosted in the charming barn at Sovereign Studio, this gathering is designed to bring together food lovers, gardeners, bakers, and preservation enthusiasts for an unforgettable evening of learning, sharing, and celebrating Oregon's abundance.

Come discover why jam-making is both a science and an art—and leave with new skills, recipes, and a deeper appreciation for the flavors of summer.

Age Requirement: Ages 16+

Location: Sovereign Studios in Springfield, Oregon. The exact location will be shared after registering.

Aletha Thomas is a certified Master Preserver, educator, and food entrepreneur with roots in the Pacific Northwest and nearly three decades of life on Kauai. Growing up in a region rich with berries, orchards, and home gardens, she developed a lifelong passion for seasonal cooking, baking, and preserving the harvest.

For the past 28 years, Aletha has called Kauai home, where she is the owner of Monkeypod Jam and founder of Cooking Kauai. Through her jam company and hands-on cooking classes, she teaches the timeless skills of preserving, baking, and cooking with locally sourced ingredients while celebrating the stories and traditions behind the food we share.

In this class, Aletha brings together the best of her Pacific Northwest heritage and preservation expertise, sharing practical techniques for creating delicious seasonal jams and tender, bakery-style scones. Her approach is rooted in simplicity, flavor, and making the most of each season's bounty.

When she's not teaching or making jam, Aletha writes Preserving Kauai, a Substack newsletter exploring food preservation, island agriculture, local history, and the connections between food, place, and community. Participants are invited to follow along for recipes, preserving tips, and stories from life on the Garden Isle.

Our host, Kathryn Belleville, is an artist, healer, educator, and visionary entrepreneur dedicated to helping people connect more deeply with creativity, wellness, purpose, and possibility.

She and her husband, Geoff, live on a five-acre homestead in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley, where they share their lives with bees, hummingbirds, chickens, fish, their dog Zeal, and the natural beauty that inspires much of their work.

A lifelong creative, Kathryn earned a degree in Theatre Arts and spent more than two decades in theatre before expanding into the healing arts, transformational education, immersive retreats, and entrepreneurial leadership. Known for her ability to inspire others and bring ideas to life, she has spoken on stages, led educational and transformational experiences, and shared wellness, leadership, and business teachings with audiences ranging from intimate workshops to large-scale live events. Her work has been featured multiple times in Prosper Magazine.

For more than 23 years, Kathryn has worked in private practice using energetic healing modalities that support wellness and human potential. Together, Kathryn and Geoff bring decades of experience in practitioner education, mentorship, quantum healing technologies, and transformational leadership.

Through Frequency Boutique and Sovereign Studios, Kathryn creates opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth through workshops, retreats, creative gatherings, and educational experiences. Their work also supports Villa Bee, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to education, stewardship, and community engagement.

As passionate beekeepers, educators, and community builders, Kathryn and Geoff are committed to inspiring future generations through creativity, wellness, and meaningful connection.

 Refund Policy

Due to limited seating and the upfront costs of food and its preparation, our classes are final and non-refundable.

Please consider signing up for our classes as you would purchasing a concert ticket- you can always send someone else in your place, but refunds cannot be issued.

Alternatively, you may reach out to us, and we will try our best to sell the seats on your behalf. If we do so, a future credit to a scheduled class will be issued.

Refunds will only be issued if Monkeypod Jam needs to shut down/cancel events due to unforeseen events or low participation (less than 6).

We appreciate your understanding that this is how we maintain our business and provide boutique-style service.