The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLIII No. 17 // 2020-04-22 by Nugget Newspaper

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The Nugget Vol. XLIII No. 17

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News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

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Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) “Action Teams” received a $5,000 grant from The Ford Family Foundation (TFFF) to focus on their COVID-19 response. The grant will be split between the STARS “Action Team” and the newly formed Linked Villages — Sisters “Action Team.” Launched March 1, the Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) provides a free, all-volunteer ride-share service for round-trip transportation for non-emergency medical appointments in

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

A noble visage…

Action Teams step up to help seniors

PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15

Candidates vie for sheriff’s office Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

PHOTO BY CEILI CORNELIUS

A golden eagle had a successful hunt in Sisters on Monday, taking advantage of a newly-mown meadow.

Two candidates are vying for the office of Deschutes County Sheriff. As the only two candidates filed, they will bypass the May 19 primary election and face off in November. Bend Police Officer Scott Schaier is challenging incumbent Sheriff Shane Nelson for the position that Nelson has held since being appointed by the Deschutes County Commissioners in 2015 and then elected by See CANDIDATES on page 17

See SERVICES on page 18

Adaptability, patience, Drive-through testing at St. Charles for new teaching model By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

Teachers and students across Oregon are adjusting to a new way of doing school as the “Distance Learning for All” is being rolled out. Here in Sisters, creativity, flexibility, and learning new approaches to teaching through technology are abundant. Distance teaching looks a bit different depending on the grade level and subject matter, but a common theme runs throughout: adaptability, patience, and humor are required. Sisters High School art teacher Bethany Gunnarson explained that firing up “distance” art required a ton of preparation up front, but seems to be working out so far. “Last week, after calling students individually as a part of the district-wide effort to contact each family on the phone, I was working to get a survey out to all my classes to get a pulse of what was possible from home,”

Inside...

she said. “I found that most students were willing and able to continue their curriculum/projects at home if I could get materials to them, so that was the next thing I did. “All day Friday (April 10) I was running from the art room to the curb to handoff materials for students for the remainder of the term. I literally was hustling from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and felt dead tired by the end,” she said. She elected to forgo live classes in place of videos of herself outlining expectations for each week. “My philosophy as of Day 4 is that their art classes should be the ones that they use as stress-relief around their other classes, choosing the time of the day that works best for them, not in the 30 minute window that our classes are pared down to,” she said. At the other end of the educational spectrum, firstgrade teacher Annie Reid admits it has been a bumpy See DISTANCE on page 18

St. Charles Health System is now offering a drivethrough specimen collection service for COVID-19 testing outside of the St. Charles Family Care clinic at 2600 NE Neff Rd. in Bend. Those taking advantage of this service must have a providerʼs order and call 541-699-5107 to schedule an appointment. The ordering provider does not have to be employed by or affiliated with St. Charles. Individuals who do not have a providerʼs order will be referred to their primary care provider, or to an Immediate Care or Urgent Care clinic for evaluation. Initially, the drive-through will be open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Upon arrival, individuals will participate in a quick registration process, after which a specimen will be collected. All specimens will be sent to the University of Washington for testing, and results should be available within two to four business days. To use this service, individuals should enter the St. Charles Bend campus from Neff Road and follow the signage on Medical Center Drive

PHOTO PROVIDED

St. Charles in Bend has increased its COVID-19 testing capacity. to the drive-through entrance. In addition to offering drive-through specimen collection, St. Charles Bend is now also able to provide rapid on-site COVID-19 testing for eligible patients who are hospitalized. The health system received its first allotment of 120 test kits Friday, allowing its Bend laboratory to begin

performing COVID-19 tests on its Cepheid platform on Saturday. The health system is expecting a second shipment of 890 test kits within the next two weeks. Once that shipment is received, the health system expects to expand rapid on-site testing to its hospital laboratories in Madras, Prineville and Redmond.

Letters/Weather ............... 2 The Quarantine List........... 8 In the Pines......................13 Crossword .......................14 Sudoku ............................ 17 Meetings .......................... 3 Announcements...............10 Sisters Country Birds .......13 Classifieds.................. 15-17 Real Estate .................17-20

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Editorial…

Pivoting toward recovery

Ramp up COVID-19 testing Testing is the key to getting America working and living again in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every responsible roadmap to opening up the country places as its topline requirement “the ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed,” as California puts it — and Oregon and Washington are aligned with that approach. Though more extensive testing capability is coming online, it’s not happening quickly or extensively enough. America needs a major wartime effort to get this done NOW. We used to be really good at this sort of thing. Need thousands of B-17 bombers and Sherman tanks to crush the Third Reich? It’s on. Full court press. We have the capacity to do the same with COVID-19 testing — all we need is clear direction and a focused effort of will, starting at the top. Contact Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Rep. Greg Walden and let them know that there is no higher priority than placing fully adequate testing capability in the hands of healthcare providers across the fruited plain. Contact the White House and demand action. A little of that gung-ho all-the-way-to-

Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

victory spirit of yore would be most welcome right now. We can do it!

Jim Cornelius, Editor-in-Chief

Letters to the Editor… The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.

To the Editor: I would like to take a moment to thank you all as a community for the love and support you’ve given to the Health Care system during this COVID-19 time. As an ICU RN I find myself overwhelmed with appreciation and joy from all the support

through donations, thoughts, letters, masks, prayers and just your smiles. It truly brings us peace and strength as we walk in to do what we are all honored to do. I hear often how thankful we are as See LETTERS on page 11

THE NUGGET OFFICE IS CLOSED TO FOOT TRAFFIC, BUT WE ARE ANSWERING PHONES AND EMAIL ... 541-549-9941

NEWS: Jim Cornelius, editor@nuggetnews.com, 541-390-6973 ADVERTISING: Vicki Curlett, vicki@nuggetnews.com, 541-699-7530

Sisters Weather Forecast

Courtesy of the National Weather Service, Pendleton, Oregon

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The Nugget Newspaper, LLC Website: www.nuggetnews.com 442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, Oregon 97759 Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon.

Editor in Chief: Jim Cornelius Production Manager: Leith Easterling Creative Director: Jess Draper Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May Owner: J. Louis Mullen

The Nugget is mailed to residents within the Sisters School District; subscriptions are available outside delivery area. Third-class postage: one year, $55; six months (or less), $30. First-class postage: one year, $95; six months, $65. Published Weekly. ©2020 The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All advertising which appears in The Nugget is the property of The Nugget and may not be used without explicit permission. The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories, lists, calendar etc. within this publication. All submissions to The Nugget Newspaper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyrighting purposes and subject to The Nugget Newspaper’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially, that all rights are currently available, and that the material in no way infringes upon the rights of any person. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photos, or manuscripts.

West Coast states have agreed on a pact for a consistent, coordinated approach to pivot away from locking down to “flatten the curve” and toward recovering our economic and cultural life. This is good news. Central Oregon should craft a coordinated recovery plan as well. For life cannot indefinitely be decoupled from making a living. I am at pains to make myself clear here: I take this virus very seriously. I do not want to get it; I dread the very thought of my loved ones getting sick; and I understand the necessity of flattening the curve to stave off a collapse of red-zone health care systems. The world is in a terrible fix, with no good or easy options. But we must recognize that the social treatment for this pandemic is toxic. For, make no mistake, the economic fallout of this pandemic will blight and shorten lives as surely — albeit less dramatically — as shredded lungs. And the longer the near-shutdown continues, the deeper and more pervasive the damage will be. We in the West have lost our understanding of the connection between livelihood and life. We are so incomprehensibly wealthy and have been so secure for so long in our wealth and comfort, that we no longer recognize the wolf when he comes to the door. The wolf is about to make its presence known. At some point we will have to move past this moment’s stasis. And that movement will entail risk and sacrifice. Wo r l d Health Organization (WHO) special envoy David Nabarro said recently: “We think it is going to be a virus that stalks the human race for quite a long time to come until we can all have a vaccine that will protect us and that there will be small outbreaks that will emerge sporadically and they will break through our defenses.” And what if we can’t develop a vaccine in short order? That’s a real possibility, one that our pillfor-every-ill mindset can scarcely comprehend and

instinctively recoils against. Coronaviruses are not easy to vaccinate against, and we cannot count on swiftly conjuring one to save us. We’re going to have to learn to live with COVID-19. We will not return quickly to pre-COVID normal — not until herd immunity reduces its virulence and we have a testing program that can gauge how pervasive the illness actually is. We must continue to isolate and protect the vulnerable to the degree possible. We must adapt our way of living and take ongoing personal precautions, including modifying social interaction. But we must venture forth and live and work again. Western culture has become so imbued with the myth of zero-defect and absolute safety that it will require a massive cultural shift to accept that we actually must live with risk and danger. The notion that any measure is morally imperative “if it saves just one life” will crumble in the face of a brutal reeducation in what is actually feasible in a world of limited resources. Indian economist Sanjeev Sabhlok wrote in The Times of India on April 11: “Most nations are behaving like ostriches with their head buried in sand – with febrile dreams about vaccines and treatments. They want to keep their society in suspended animation while reducing the loss of life from the virus. They are oblivious to the incomprehensible cost their society will pay for indefinite lockdowns. Steve Kates, an economist I admire, has estimated that the cost to society of saving a life in extreme, extended lockdowns could be in the range of $300 million. Good luck to Western nations with that.” And, of course, Sabhlok recognizes that his own nation can’t even pretend to think that such a commitment is possible. Those who are living closer to the bone than Westerners have lived for generations understand something that we must relearn. Some things can’t be fixed; the best we can do is mitigate — and learn to live again, as our ancestors did, in the valley of the shadow of death.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Students adapt to learning at a distance By Chloe Gold Correspondent

Following the March 13 shutdown of all in-school education as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sisters School District students were able to virtually return to their studies on Monday, April 13. While elementary school students are being taught by their parents with videos and materials provided by their teachers, the high school students have been able to have a somewhat normal school day — from the safety of their homes. From Monday through

Thursday, the students of Sisters High School take part in three-hour school days. During these days, students have their normal class periods in 30-minute video conferences. Seniors at Sisters High School have been given their final grades and are not required to participate further in classes (although it is encouraged). For all the other students at the high school, like freshmen Ella Thorsett and Annie Cohen, their final grades have yet to be determined, and they’re still required to attend all classes. See ADAPTING on page 9

ESI earns recognition for hiring veterans ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc. (ESI) has been awarded the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion, a national honor by the U.S. Department of Labor, which recognizes exemplary efforts to recruit, employ, and retain American military veterans. ESI is one of five companies in Oregon to receive the national recognition, and is the only one in Central Oregon. The HIRE Vets Act was signed by President Trump in May 2017. It is the only

veteran hiring award at the federal level. In a letter from the U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia wrote, “By meeting the criteria for the 2019 Gold Medallion Award, ENERGYneering Solutions demonstrated patriotism worthy of praise, and showed recognition of the value veterans bring to the workplace.” The criteria require hiring, retention, representation, and support of veterans. First, See AWARD on page 12

PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER

Sisters artist and author Lisa May shows a digital art piece that is featured in her new book.

Sisters author launches Kickstarter Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Lisa May has experienced profound loss, and suffering so acute that it made her question her close-held faith. Seeking to make sense of it all — and to find ways to help others — sent the Sisters artist down a path that has

led to a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to produce her book “Transformed by God’s Nature: Finding Hope In God’s Character In The Midst Of Suffering.” “Honestly, what I did, I spent the last months of 2016 doing a lot of searching about what I should do with all I’ve been through,”

she told The Nugget. May describes her crisis of faith in her Kickstarter narrative: “My heart broke with the question that threatened my faith: ʻHow do I know that God is good when my life is not?’ I had served God, and See KICKSTARTER on page 13

As the COVID-19 crisis affects gatherings, please contact individual organizations for their current meeting status or alternate arrangements.

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wednesday (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Al-Anon Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. / Thurs., 10 a.m., Friends of the Sisters Library Board Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 9 to 11 a.m., 541-549-8737 or 541-549-1527. Sisters Library.www.sistersfol.com. Alcoholics Anonymous Thurs. & Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday, Sun., 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the 7 p.m. Sisters Community Church. All Transfiguration / Sat., 8 a.m., Episcopal ages welcome. 541-771-2211. Church of the Transfiguration / Mon., Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Sisters City Church / Big Book study, Tues., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Hall. Materials provided. 541-408-8505. Gentlemen’s meeting, Wed., 7 a.m., Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / 4 p.m. 541-549-1028 or 541-719-1230. Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Thurs., Citizens4Community, Let’s Talk noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fri., 3rd Monday, 5:30 to 8 p.m. RSVP at citizens4community.com noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-548-0440. Military Parents of Sisters Meetings are held quarterly; please call for details. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver 541-388-9013. Support Group 1st Tuesday, noon, SPRD bldg. 800-272-3900. Oregon Band of Brothers – Sisters Chapter Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Black Butte Ranch Bridge Club Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m., BBR community Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469. room. Partner required. 541-595-6236. SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings & Enrichment) Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild to 4 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation For Saturday meeting dates and District. 541-549-2091. location, email: steelefly@msn.com. Sisters Aglow Lighthouse Central OR Spinners and Weavers 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., Ponderosa Lodge Guild One Saturday per month, Jan. Meeting Room. 503-930-6158. thru Oct. For schedule: 541-639-3217. Sisters Area Photography Club Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch Tuesdays, noon, Sisters 2nd Wednesday, 4 p.m., Sisters Library Community Church. 541-480-1843. community room. 541-549-6157.

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Sisters Area Woodworkers 1st Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-639-6216. Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday, 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846. Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m., The Pines Clubhouse. Novices welcomed. 541-549-9419. Sisters Caregiver Support Group 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., The Lodge in Sisters. 541-771-3258. Sisters Cribbage Club Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ray’s Food Place community room. 541-923-1632. Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m. Location information: 541-549-1193. Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Brand 33 Restaurant at Aspen Lakes. 541-410-2870.

Sisters Trails Alliance Board 1st Monday, 5 p.m. Sisters Library. Public welcome. 808-281-2681. Sisters Veterans Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-903-1123. Three Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors 1st Tuesday, 4 p.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815. Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd Tuesday, noon, Ray’s Food Place community room. 541-419-1279. VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-903-1123. Weight Watchers Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. weigh-in, Sisters Community Church. 541-602-2654.

SCHOOLS

Sisters Parent Teacher Community 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at Sisters Saloon. 541-480-5994.

Black Butte School Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Black Butte School. 541-595-6203.

Sisters Parkinson’s Support Group 2nd Tuesday, 2 p.m., The Lodge. 541-668-6599.

Sisters Christian Academy Board of Directors Monthly on a Friday. Call 541-549-4133 for date & time.

Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday. Location information: 541-279-1977. Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Takoda’s. 541-760-5645.

Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wed. monthly, SSD Admin Bldg. See schedule online at www.ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.

Sisters Speak Life Cancer Support Group 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 1 p.m. Suttle Tea. 503-819-1723.

Sisters Middle School Parent Collaboration Team 1st Tuesday, 2 p.m., SMS. 541-610-9513.

CITY & PARKS Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., SPRD bldg. 541-549-2091. Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.

FIRE & POLICE Black Butte Ranch Police Dept. Board of Directors Meets monthly. 541-595-2191 for time & date. Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thursday, 9 a.m., Black Butte Ranch Fire Station. 541-595-2288. Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 7 p.m., 67433 Cloverdale Rd. 541-548-4815. cloverdalefire.com. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541-549-0771. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 541-549-0771. This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to lisa@nuggetnews.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Commentary...

Together, we can do this! By Katy Yoder Columnist

Sitting at our dining room table with two happy but confused pups looking at us lovingly, I’m feeling grateful for having a home and family to help move through these strange times. Like so many folks, business is waning and opportunities for freelance work is disappearing faster than toilet paper at Costco. I have my work-music playing: instrumental folk with gentle guitar played by artists like Brooks Williams and Adam Rafferty. The calming cords soothe my nerves as I listen and watch news revealing the escalation of the coronavirus. My husband, Gary, recently joked that I’m becoming a real “Debbie Downer.” I can’t help going to worst-case scenarios and possibilities of food shortages, roving bands of desperate people and the loss of Internet… now that would really mess with people’s ability to cope! I can’t stop running through possible disasters like no more food, fuel or toilet paper. What would that really mean for us? There are no fancy toilets in our house that shoot warm water on your bum to wash away the last porcelain deposit. We didn’t stockpile a six-foothigh wall of TP and if this situation goes on for months, we’ll be wishing the mulleins were already grown and those soft, green leaves were ready to be harvested and used for all kinds of personal hygiene. Then there’s the fact that we’ve chosen a plant-based diet. The bunnies that live free around our barnyard and have created dens beneath our barn are safe except for the red-tailed hawks, badgers and coyotes that come in for a quick lunch. I should have bought a 50-lb. bag of beans

ALS MET rtist By A

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and more rice. The beans might make for some entertaining, albeit nose assaulting humor as we digest and settle into this new way of living. My mom is celebrating her 87th birthday. I’ll bake a chocolate cake and order takeout from Open Door’s vegan dinner option. Our trip to California to be with her two siblings was canceled so we’ll celebrate virtually with family. We’re doing all we can to keep her well and safe from the virus. We’re taking walks down our wide rural road, chatting with neighbors as we keep our distance. It’s all so surreal. It feels like a movie or a show on Netflix that’s too far-fetched to be anything more than a fantasy. But here we are. I’m feeling the distance of our daughter 200 miles away and other family members who are hunkered down in their homes. Everyone’s dealing with their own version of the hardships the pandemic is bringing. Loss of income, sleep and security and feelings of anxiety and loneliness are making us all more sensitive. Keeping hopeful isn’t always easy with emotions ready to bubble up. During the White House briefing, a Ford commercial letting people know they would be postponing car loans, made me cry. Emotions are heightened and burst easily, causing tension and a wariness about what’s going to happen next. I’m angry, afraid, hopeful, confused, skeptical and concerned about those I love and share this planet with. The world is very small, very fragile and feels even more dangerous. I’m trying to balance allowing myself to voice my fears but not let them pull me into a spiral I can’t escape. Talking with family and friends helps. I can feel the love in their voices and know there are people out

there who care about me. Then there’s my spiritual connection. I know there is divine support ready to be tapped and integrated into my thinking. I have faith and know it can bolster me when I’m down. I know that regardless of my personal outcome, I will know peace when my time comes to leave this beautiful, blessed life and planet. Seeing people suffer and struggle is painful to watch. Dark humor is releasing some of the tension, but it also reveals our deepest fears. My husband is keeping me above water and had a great idea to look forward to… If we have any money left, we’re going to invest in companies that manufacture those toilets that spray away any need for toilet paper. Wonder why we didn’t think about that sooner! For now, our keyboards are tapping as we work on projects and deals. There are still a few people willing to buy houses and hire me to write articles about people and places that inspire. When that’s finished, I’ll tap into my creative side and let my imagination out for a quick exercise run. It’s the best way to keep my over-active mind under control as we wait for the next news report from stalwart journalists broadcasting from their living rooms and basements. It’s a weird reality. Stranger than fiction. But we’re living it together, and as Jake Shimabukuro passionately plays his ukulele in the background, I know someday this’ll be a story we’ll tell our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I want to make sure my story is one I’m proud to share. A story that reveals our nation’s resiliency, love for each other and ability to overcome incredible hardship. We will do this!

Bank will move to new site in Sisters By Sue Stafford Correspondent

MidOregon Credit Union is preparing for a move across town to a site between N. Arrowleaf Trail and Highway 20, across from the Ray’s Food Place parking lot. The Planning Commission, with a vote of 5-2, approved a review of MidOregon’s site plan and conditional use request for a 3,206-squarefoot building with a drivethrough and supporting infrastructure, as well as a shared 23-space parking lot. The property is 0.78 of an acre and is currently vacant. The site and surrounding properties to the west, east, and south are all zoned Highway Commercial and contain a mix of uses

including Ray’s, McDonald’s restaurant, St. Charles medical office, and Mainline Station. To the northeast across Highway 20 is the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge. The commissioners’ main areas of discussion centered around safety and function of the drive-through and whether the proposed rendering of the building adhered strongly enough to the required 1880’s Western theme. The City staff had recommended approval, with conditions, of the requested site plan and conditional use proposal, saying it satisfies the approval criteria. Five of the commissioners agreed; two thought the proposed exterior design was too contemporary. See MIDOREGON on page 11

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

In the

PINES By T. Lee Brown

Connecting in the weirdness In addition to earning a handsome salary with robust benefits as a freelance writer*, I do some coaching, readings, and creativity guidance for folks around the U.S. and UK. In the last few weeks, friends and clients have brought up the strange reconnecting brought about by the Recent Weirdness, or RW. (I can’t bear to call it C19 or come with a new corona pun). Some of it’s literal: longlost pals seek each other out on social media. Distant cousins gather for Zoom dance parties. Artists and writers delve into National Letter-Writing Month, plastering envelopes with goodies from The Portland Stamp Company, sending them out to Instagram followers in far-off lands. But some RW connecting is more mysterious. Confined to their homes, stripped of the busywork and socializing that keeps

them perpetually distracted and striving, the newly unemployed tune into their inner life. In the uncertain quietude, they sense the connections rippling through an unseen, etheric realm of visions, meditations and intuitions. Dreams become colorful and intense. Some people feel volcanic like Belknap Crater or Mount Saint Helens, their sleeping minds erupting with the hot magma of dreams. Some reasons are obvious: following an evening of dystopic Netflix viewings, peppered with news alerts on their phones, stressed-out sleepers wander post-apocalyptic dreamscapes, chased by monsters from the id. Old traumas re-emerge, attended by new worries. With no alarm clock to force people out of bed and resume the day-to-day motions of productivity, they have the luxury of dream recall. Experts deconstruct this into mechanisms that sound rational and scientific. Here is how the sleeping mind plays out its daytime anxieties, they say. Here is a simplistic explanation for why the dreaming mind brings a certain person back into our waking consciousness. But many experiences defy such explanations. A local woman finds herself receiving messages from the deceased loved one of a newish friend. The messages make no sense to the woman; some seem downright silly. But the friend immediately knows what

the dead loved one is talking about. Each message corresponds to something concrete from real life. When one person follows Alice down the rabbithole of sleep, they find their estranged sister waiting every night. Another finds her dreamworld visited by an old flame. Friends who haven’t spoken in years reach out simultaneously on their phones. A man who avoids superstitious, New Age claptrap finds himself pulled into conversation with the ghost of his mother. What to make of all this? A Jungian might say that our collective unconscious has been wildly aroused by the RW. An old-school rationalist might assert, “Piffle! It’s all in your imagination.” Some fundamentalist Christians might say it’s none of our business to even think about these things: psychic phenomena feel threatening to them, something to be filed away under “sorcery.” Some people believe that we are the universe communicating with itself. We pop out the way mushrooms do from the forest floor, then reflect our sensory findings

NTED LADY I A P

Antiques

back to the greater collective consciousness — or God, or the Great Woo, enter your preferred word here. Western-European types used to believe that mushrooms were individual plant-like things. Now it is known that for many mushrooms, each morsel appearing above the soil is part of a larger whole, a giant fungus connected beneath the earth via enormous mats of mycelium. You can call that an “organism” or you can call it a “colony.” Perhaps it is both. Scientists consider the largest organism in the world to be a mushroom over in Malheur that spans over 2,000 square acres and has lived over 2,000 years. Like each mushroom, each of us appears to be a separate, individual consciousness — at least if our beliefs were formed by certain cultures, such as the America I grew up in. In other belief systems, our interconnectedness is perfectly obvious and a rather

ridiculous thing to ignore. From quantum physics to biology, from science fiction to the labels of Dr. Bronner’s soap bottles, our culture brims with suggestions that we rugged American individuals are, in fact, All One. Perhaps we are all jewels, shards of mirror in Indra’s Net. Or, as the gentle Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh says, we are both wave and water. We emerge out of the vast ocean and surge toward the shore; then we subside back into the vast ocean. It’s a nice way to think about our inevitable, looming deaths. Personally, I suspect our view of what we consider space-time, and therefore of the universe, is so paltry and limited that we can’t possibly grasp (literally or linguistically) how these things work. Perhaps we don’t need to. Perhaps connecting with each other and our pulsing, living planet is enough — through whatever means we can. *Sarcasm alert!

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Commentary...

Coaches reflect on lost spring season By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

Jeff Larson had assembled what may have been the most talented team of track boys in Sisters High School many years with a real shot to make a lot of noise at the state meet. The season ended without a single report of a starter’s gun after Governor Kate Brown officially shut down schools across Oregon due to the coronavirus on Wednesday, April 8. “From an athletic standpoint,” said Athletic Director Gary Thorson, “this has no doubt been extremely tough and difficult on our athletes, their parents, and our coaches. I saw a lot of hard work and passion being put forth in both the offseason and this spring during the first few weeks before we got shut down.” Larson and many of his coaching peers reflected on the lost season over the past week. “I am sad for our kids on many levels,” he said. “There are individual goals which won’t be met, personal records that won’t happen, and most importantly, the unique lessons an athlete learns when they work hard with goals in mind.” In his final face-to-face practice with the track kids, Larson had a message for his athletes. “I can tell you that on the day of our last practice, that Thursday, I had a gut feeling the season wouldn’t go on and that it would be our last time sitting together on the grass at the beginning of practice,” he said. I took a moment to encourage the kids. My advice to them was, ʻWe can’t control what comes

Sisters shows resilience in pandemic By Janel Ruehl

at us, we can only control how we react to it.’ Advice as old as the hills, but I think it needed to be said at that moment. We went on and had a great practice that day too. Just amazing. The kids felt what was coming too and they just put it aside and threw themselves into the tasks of the day. Only kids can devote themselves to the moment with such abandon.” When asked about how the kids seem to be responding he said, “I’m hearing very little. Mostly it is hearsay through my daughter, a junior on the team, and social media. What I am hearing is that the seniors are frustrated and angry. The younger kids like my daughter are sad but seem to be rolling with it fairly well. He continued, “There’s talk of competing in the summer if the restrictions are lifted. And there’s the optimism of youth: ʻWe’ll do great next year’ — and stuff like that. That’s why I love working with kids.” Equestrian head coach Annie Winter said, “It’s so sad. Our athletes have been practicing since mid-November and only got to perform in one of three meets. They are all bummed.” Alan Von Stein, girls tennis coach had high hopes for the season with 25 girls on the team, including 11 seniors. “We were set for success and even had good weather,” he said. “We were showing improvement every day and our new kids were picking up the sport at a rapid pace, so the season was looking pretty exciting.” Von Stein has taken the time to learn more about See SPORTS on page 9

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As one of four focus areas of the Sisters Country Vision, “resiliency” has been top-ofmind for the Vision Implementation team this month, as Sisters Country grapples with changes to our daily lives, including the ways we connect with one another, plan for the future, care for the most vulnerable among us, and support our local economy. In these unprecedented times of global pandemic, the Vision Team has been inspired and encouraged by many examples of positive, community-led action. I had the honor of speaking with a few Sisters Country residents and local leaders who have learned to adapt and innovate to encourage community resiliency during COVID-19. “The support for our first responders and healthcare workers has been amazing. Restaurants have been dropping off food, and some private citizens have been picking up food and dropping it off at the fire station,” said Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Roger Johnson, whose local force has been on the front lines of emergency response and preparedness. His team has made significant changes to their daily operations to adapt to new CDC health and safety guidelines. “Our primary goal is to continue to provide highquality ambulance service, while mitigating risk for providers. This is a major challenge for a small agency like ours. If a few providers fall ill or need to be quarantined, that’s a large percentage of

support first responders and healthcare workers. Along with friends Elisa Melton and Timothy Gorbold, she founded Central Oregon Emergency Mask Makers (COEMM), a Facebook group mobilizing local residents to produce and distribute PPE, including cloth masks, 3D-printed face shields, and soon, gowns. The group took off quickly, rapidly expanding to include more than 3,400 members who have produced over 18,000 masks. Wang says the group has attracted international interest, with members as far flung as India and Australia. The PPE produced by this dedicated corps of volunteers has been distributed to hospitals, medical clinics, home health aides, retirement and assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and police and fire departments. They have supplied 35 major facilities, with fully 70 percent of masks going to hospitals. Facilities can sign up through the COEMM Facebook page to place a request for PPE. “Our request list is growing day by day, but with the peak coming we may slow down a bit. We’re trying to balance how to do this safely for all our volunteers” said Wang. Janel Ruehl is Program Administrator for Community & Economic Development with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. She is working on implementation of the Sisters Country Vision Project.

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our workforce.” Johnson points out. However, he has actually seen a decrease in demand for their services since the crisis began, which has him worried for another reason. “We’ve seen a 20 percent reduction in ambulance transports. People aren’t calling 911 as often and when they do, there’s a hesitancy to go to the hospital. Even if they have conditions that should probably be evaluated in an emergency setting, they are hesitant to go. If people have serious conditions, they should still see a doctor,” Johnson said. The Fire District, along with other fire agencies, are also thinking ahead and looking for ways to prepare for the upcoming fire season while adapting to social distancing requirements. “On the Sisters Ranger District, our goal is to fully staff two engines, a 10-person hand crew and the Black Butte Lookout. We’re working to include daily temperature and wellness checks for firefighters, offering virtual fire trainings and briefings, increased sanitation of crew quarters, and the potential of quarantines before and after wildfire incidents, if needed.” said District Ranger Ian Reid, who added that USFS has also recently authorized a powerline right-of-way clearing project to improve fire safety and resiliency. Sisters resident Laura Wang found another way to

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Newspaper pots are eco-friendly, easy on the wallet

The Quarantine List By Jess Draper Correspondent

Editor ’s note: The Nugget continues its series of recommendations for reading and viewing during the pandemic shutdown. “The Ve g e t a b l e Gardener ’s BIBLE” by Edward C. Smith. I’ve read my fair share of gardening books (during college I worked at a delightful garden store in downtown Seattle where we were encouraged to borrow the books) and this is the one that I open again and again — for the last 10 years! In this 350-page reference book complete with full-color photos of plants, pests, and processes, Ed shares his WORD approach to successful gardening in America’s northern regions: Wide rows, Organic methods, Raised beds, Deep soil. My family’s little garden here in Sisters is based on his methods and we do have successes (and plenty of failures since this is Central Oregon and nothing about gardening is a sure thing). Like most things in life, you need to consider your garden’s success over the long term, not by an individual crop or season. This book shines here as it takes you through nurturing soil health, crop rotations, composting, and more. The book is divided into three parts that cover planning your garden for higher yields with less work, how to nurture healthy soil and deal with garden pests, and a pretty comprehensive directory of vegetables and herbs. Starting seeds indoors has been on my agenda recently (see sidebar for a low-cost solution). While it really is doable for anyone, understanding how soon to get seeds started before the last frost date, what temperatures different seeds germinate at, and when to fertilize your seed starts will greatly increase your success. Ed’s book has you covered with all this information. Crop rotation is a great topic to read up on. Did you know that when you rotate your crops around the garden from year to year in a planned manner you can reduce incidence of disease and pests since many eggs, larvae, and soilborne diseases spend winter in the soil? When you strategically change locations of your crops, the nuisances are less prolific because their preferred food or host

isn’t readily available. Folk wisdom says that “a very good gardener grows soil” because that is the keystone that takes seeds to harvest. Good garden soil is a collection of the myriad nutrients plants need for healthy growth as well as the worms, beetles, bacteria and fungi that help create the living ecology where plants thrive. This past weekend as I worked on preparing our garden beds it was thrilling for me and my almost-four-yearold to spy all the worms, beetles, and spiders buried in the ground and hiding under rocks. Kohlrabi made its way into my garden lineup after reading about it in this book. As with all of the vegetables in the directory section, there are recommendations for choosing the best site, how to sow and grow it, and how to harvest and store it. I like to grow kohlrabi because you can eat young leaves as salad greens, the full grown vegetable is a great substitute for cabbage (without the insect troubles often associated with cabbage), and it stores well.

Easy — and free — seed-starting pots can be placed into a standard seed flat or whatever salad clam shell, large food storage container, etc. that you may have on hand. The only supplies needed are a couple copies of The Nugget (it’s printed with non-toxic soybased inks, in case you’re wondering) that you’re done reading, an empty toilet paper roll (or tomato paste can), scissors, pencil and a ruler. If you have kiddos, this is a fun activity to do together — my 4-year-old had a great time and was especially good at filling the pots with soil using an old coffee scoop. Measure and mark three-inch vertical strips on your paper. Cut the strips — I found about 10 sheets easy to cut through at once. Repeat until the paper (excluding folded spine) is all in threeinch wide strips. Position a strip perpendicular to the toilet paper roll with approximately one inch overhanging the end of the roll. Wrap the strip around the roll the entire length of the strip, not too tight or it will be difficult to slide off. Fold over the portion extending past the roll to create the bottom. Pinches the edges a bit so the form holds then pull the paper off the roll. Gently fill the pots with seed starting mixture all the way to the top, firm the soil so they are good and full. We used an old coffee scoop to make filling them easier. Line the filled pots up in your tray. Add seeds of your choice according to package directions — pay attention to planting depth, temperature required for germination, and how soon you should start seeds indoors before the last frost date. (In Sisters there may not be a “last frost” date, but when the

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

ADAPTING: Students and educators work toward success

SPORTS: Athletes and coaches face loss of spring season

Continued from page 3

Continued from page 6

When asked how the first week of distance learning went, both freshmen deemed it to be “definitely an adjustment.” For other students who live in more remote areas where the internet connection isn’t great, like Pearl Gregg, a junior, the first week of distance learning was a struggle because of “technical difficulties and communication breakdowns.” Gregg also pointed out that, “In these times, while this isn’t my first choice and I am running into my own challenges, I am a very fortunate individual in this situation. My parents both still have jobs, I have a safe place to call home, but this is not the case for all of the students in our community. For some school might be the safest, most supportive space they have, some don’t have a house to live in, some have violence or drugs in their household, or a variety of other negative factors that would make learning from home difficult, and that’s not the environment they deserve to have to try to learn in. Not having the best Internet connection, while it has been frustrating, I recognize that I am the fortunate one in this situation.” In addition to the week’s technical downsides, Gregg, whose mother is an educator, felt as if students were “putting in more effort to learn and getting less out of it” as they were missing out on the social and emotional learning that are “some of the most important things for a highschool student.” Sam May, a junior, had similar feelings to Gregg, noting that he “greatly prefers attending the brick-and-mortar building, as not only do I think it is better for learning, there’s a culture to it. “There’s not a culture to be had when you’re transitioning Zoom calls,” he said, referencing the passing periods in between classes at school that the video-conference classes lack. Acknowledging the week’s downsides, virtual schooling has some upsides as well. Gregg sees this time as an opportunity to “prepare for college and post-high school life as a result of having less resources and class time, which prompts us to learn about and adapt to work with less support than we are used to, much like the shift to life post-high school.” Students Thorsett and

coaching and share what he can with his players. “I have continued to improve my coaching education during this time, he said. “I have also sent out five videos to the girls that include instruction on some of the skills that we hoped that they would learn.” As for the players, Von Stein said, “They have been pretty silent. I am sure that the unknown can be daunting for them, just like it is for many of us adults.” Baseball coach Kramer Croisant echoed other coaches, saying, “This is a tough time for everyone for many reasons, but it is also a great learning opportunity for our student athletes. Life is about how you respond to adversity and challenges.” Like his players, Croisant is disappointed. “We had the opportunity, I think, to have a pretty special season and create some great memories for the guys,” he said. Neil Fendall, who took over the girls softball team for 2020, is juggling the perspective of being not only a coach, but also the father of three athletes, two in high school.

PHOTO BY CHLOE GOLD

School has moved online for students at Sisters High School. Cohen felt that the first week of distance learning presented the opportunities that come along with virtual schooling overall. Thorsett says she’s “found myself with more free time, which is an opportunity to find new hobbies and get outside.” Cohen had similar sentiments, and feels that there were many new learning techniques that come with distance learning, explaining that her “English class is watching different movies that correlate with a book we were reading.” May also feels that distance learning has many opportunities for the future, and while he’s “not personally a huge fan of distance learning,” he said, “an interesting prospect of distance learning is the possibility of no more snow days in the

future, even when we move back into normalcy. With the distance learning initiative, it’s proven that kids don’t have to come to school to learn, and so come winter, perhaps school won’t have to be ʻcanceled’.” Overall, while distance learning may have its ups and downs, it seems to be “the best adaptation we could’ve made with the given crisis,” as May said. And for many students, like Cohen, “it finally gave me something to do during the day and because we were on a schedule, it made my life more organized, which is pretty important while in quarantine.” Even though this week was an adjustment, students are grateful to teachers, staff, and administrators for their commitment to the success of students, regardless of the chaos.

“I’m handling it by trying to be there for my immediate family first,” he said. “We are active in many sports so our family has been adapting. Plus, we have a senior who is missing his last season of high school sports.” Fendall had words of wisdom to share as well. “Like any crisis, we are reminded to keep things in perspective. We have the benefit of living in a place that allows space and the capacity to actually slow down,” he said. “As parents, teachers, coaches, students and athletes, we get caught up in such breakneck speeds that we forget to take time to reflect, contemplate, and be present. I hope everyone can really pay attention to what you’re learning right now. Take stock of what is most important to you and ask yourself what items might you be willing to sacrifice in order to experience more quality in your life.”

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

A N N O U N C E M E N T S Furry Friends Pet Food

The Furry Friends (FF) office is closed but is still offering free dog or cat food to those in need. Pet food can be left outside the Sisters Art Works building where the FF office is located. It will be marked with your first name only. Pick-ups are available at an agreed upon time. (It can’t be left outside for very long as other critters may get into it.) Please call or text Furry Friends at 541-797-4023.

Circle of Friends

Circle of Friends, a mentoring program in Sisters, is continuing to find innovative ways to reach out and assist their mentors, children and families. Current needs include childcare to allow parents to continue to work, internet/computer access for online learning, supplies for athome learning and activity kits, and even basic needs, such as food and medical access. Circle of Friends has also established an emergency fund to provide immediate response for the most pressing needs. Contact Kellie at 503-396-2572 to help.

Sisters Community Church

Do you need help with running errands or deliveries or more? Sisters Community Church has volunteers available and is cultivating a caring community. Call Wendy at 541-389-6859. Visit the church website at www. sisterschurch.com.

Community Assistance During COVID-19 Pandemic

Age Friendly Sisters Country announced that VAST church is eager to help, picking up prescriptions, delivering groceries or food, helping however they can. People in need can call 541-719-0587 and press 1 to be connected to Mikee Stutzman, Ministry Coordinator or email her at admin@vastchurch.com. VAST Church is willing to help as long as resources and volunteers allow.

Pandemic Partners Sisters Facebook Page

A Facebook page has been set up to connect Sisters community members needing help with those willing to volunteer. Go to the link below, then ask to join and the moderators will approve those who qualify: www.facebook.com/ groups/502740160418961/.

Kiwanis Food Bank Change

Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank is making an operational change based on the evolving response to COVID-19. Beginning Thursday, March 19, visitors will be encouraged to shop for two weeks instead of one week. The Food Bank will then be closed every other week temporarily. This action is for the protection of volunteers, reducing their exposure by half. The Food Bank opens at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Questions? Email info@ sisterskiwanis.org.

Weekly Food Pantry

Westside Sisters Church has a weekly food pantry on Thursdays. For the next several weeks, food will be distributed drive-through style from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the New Hope building, 222 N. Trinity Way. People in need of food may drive through the parking lot and pick up a bag of food for their household. Other Sistersarea churches are joining with Westside Sisters to contribute financially to help sustain the program. Call 541-549-4184 for more information.

Sisters Business Online Forum

A new online forum for all owners of businesses located in Sisters has been created. If you have any business — retail, professional, trade or otherwise — you can sign up for free. This is not a news or chamber site, but rather an exchange of ideas to help your business survive the Coronavirus and thrive once the crisis is past. Initially the discussion will relate to handling the effects of the virus. When the virus threat is over the forum will function as a community hub, sharing details of ideas, events, sales, marketing, and basically any other information related to running a business in the wonderful town of Sisters. Share your business and marketing ideas. There’s strength in community! Register online at SistersBizOwners.freeforums.net

AA Meetings

As a result of COVID-19 mandates on meeting size and locations, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Sisters are currently continuing in creative ways. Some meeting times have moved to an online Zoom platform. Others are not meeting at this time. To talk to an alcoholic, find out about Zoom meetings in Sisters, or any other questions about Alcoholics Anonymous you can call one of the numbers below or go online at coigaa.org. Call Anne Z: 503516-7650 or Jan: 541-647-8859 or Agnes: 541-588-6778.

Sisters Community Garden

The Sisters Community Garden has a few raised bed garden plots available for the 2020 gardening season. Application materials and information are available on the Garden’s website, SistersCommunityGarden.org. For more information, please call 503-313-3076.

Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board Meeting

In response to the current health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Butte Ranch RFPD facilities are currently closed to the public and meetings are being held electronically. For information on the April 23 board meeting, please contact Jamie at 541-595-2288 or jvohs@ blackbutteranchfire.com.

PET OF THE WEEK Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537

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SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 10 a.m. Sunday Worship shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 Temporarily meeting virtually. See sisterschurch.com for details. | info@sisterschurch.com St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 8 a.m. Monday-Friday Mass Calvary Church (NW Baptist Convention) 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship | ccsisters.org The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 68825 Brooks Camp Road • 541-549-7087 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare) 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare)

Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Road • 541-389-8960 | 2sistersnaz@gmail.com Temporarily meeting virtually. See sistersnaz.org for details. Westside Sisters 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 Temporarily meeting virtually. See westsidesisters.org for details. Vast Church (Nondenominational) 541-719-0587 • 9:37 a.m. Sunday Worship Temporarily meeting virtually. See vastchurch.com for details. Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir Street • 541-595-6770, 541-306-8303 11 a.m. Saturday Worship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting Baha’i Faith Meetings Devotional Gatherings, Study Classes and Discussion Groups. Call for location and times • 541-549-6586

Meet Walla, a cute little guinea pig who is looking for his forever family! This friendly man loves to snuggle with his favorite humans while munching on tasty treats! Like most pets, guinea pigs need daily care and socialization to keep them happy and healthy! If you are looking for a handsome guinea pig to add to your family then Walla is the piggy for you! Hurry down to the Humane Society of Central Oregon and meet Walla today! NOTE: Walla is a repeat from last week because he is currently the only available animal at HSCO!

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Central Oregon Emergency Mask Makers

Central Oregon Emergency Mask Makers is a Facebook group started to produce Personal Protective Equipment for medical personnel and people at risk. The group is working closely with St. Charles and currently has over 2,000 members and is still growing! Efforts now are focused on Phase 1, which is cloth masks. Coming phases will include face shields, which will require volunteers with access to 3D printers. The owner of Stitchin’ Post has helped with fabric donations and the group hopes to rally more people in the Sisters community to join the effort. See the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ groups/2621082848019730/ or email Laura at chopsticks0036@ gmail.com for more information.

Habitat Thrift Store

Sisters Habitat Thrift Store and ReStore will remain closed until Governor Brown cancels the “stay home” executive order. However, the ReStore may be of assistance if anyone is in emergency need of a household appliance. Contact Sisters Habitat at 541-549-1193.

STARS...Sisters Transportation and Ride Share During the current pandemic STARS is expanding services to include pick up and delivery of pre-ordered groceries, health care products and prescription refills. Orders must be pre-paid. The driver service is doorstep to doorstep. STARS drivers can pick up bagged or boxed food and health care products from Oliver Lemons, Smokehouse, Bi-Mart and Ray’s Market. Drivers can also pick up prescription refills with patient authorization from Sisters Drug. Volunteer availability remains the same for this expanded service as for medical appointment rides: Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. STARS dispatch schedule however has been extended to accommodate added services. To schedule rides or deliveries call STARS dispatch at 541-9045545 on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. A volunteer will gather information and schedule your ride or delivery assisted by online software. Drivers will contact their clients by phone to clarify requests and verify the service date and time. STARS dispatch strongly suggests 48 hour advance notice to allow time to reach and schedule available drivers. STARS drivers are community members who generously donate both time and gas so that Sisters Country residents can get much needed help. All volunteers are screened and trained. All drivers continue to follow our CDC guided health protocol.

POLICY: Business items do not run on this page. Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding and anniversary notices may run at no charge. All submissions are subject to editing and run only as space allows. Email lisa@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Your text must include a “for more information” phone number. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Visit NuggetNews.com or Facebook.com/NuggetNews for breaking news, updates and the

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Construction

REAL ESTATE • AT THE TABLE

2020

Partners P

OUT L L PU CE N E R REFE ION SECT

in Construction

The Skilled Craftsmen & Industry Experts Who Serve Central Oregon

pg. 9

pg. 4

The ethic of genuine craftsmanship is alive and well in Central Oregon — and it’s not just for those with a big budget to work with. No matter what the scale of your project, you’re getting quality work from people who are invested in Sisters and truly care about a job well done.

pg. 12

Sisters is a place where people seek to create their dream home, either building from scratch or through extensive remodeling. Now, the craftsman’s commitment to quality and value for every dollar spent is more important than ever. Fortunately, Sisters is home to some of the finest craftsmen and builders to be found in the Pacific Northwest. These are outfits that could build anything anywhere. They choose to be in Sisters. One reason, obviously, is that there is a market for their skills and expertise. But there are deeper reasons. These partners in construction value the connection that can be found in working on behalf of their friends and neighbors and their community. And now more than ever, that really matters.

pg. 2 Hayden Homes committed to affordability.....pg. 2 You’re probably ready for a new roof ................................pg. 4 Riding to the rescue in plumbing emergencies.......pg. 4

Engineering for value in the home ....................... pg. 5 Safety, reliability key to tree care in Sisters Country ...pg. 6 Robinson & Owen is a Sisters powerhouse ...................pg. 8

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief The Nugget Newspaper

Striving for excellence in construction, renovation.......................................pg. 9 Helping residents thrive ........pg. 10

Craftsman loves working in stone and brick ..................... pg. 11 Sisters Fence Company builds a strong reputation ................. pg. 12

A Special Section presented by The Nugget Newspaper

Partners in Construction // The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

Hayden Homes committed to affordability By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

Affordability is at the core of Hayden Homes’ mission. Hayden Homes’ Regional Director Chris Davis notes that the goal of each community is to build at “the highest quality at the lowest possible cost” in order to serve underserved rural markets. Starting home prices are based on the area median income threshold in a community rather than being driven by market rate of the homes. In turn, Hayden Homes’ homes are virtually always “the most competitivelypriced homes in all of the communities we build in.” The commitment to affordability is especially apparent in Hayden Homes’ McKenzie Meadows Village project, which is now underway in Sisters. The 195-plus-unit development combines 116 single-family detached homes, 18 single-family attached/ townhomes, and 61-65 multi-family units plus 3.32 acres of open space, and recreational amenities and supporting infrastructure. Among the homes built in the three-phase development will be 10 homes dedicated to affordable housing for families qualifying at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) threshold of 80 percent or below of Adjusted Median Income (AMI). The homes are being made available through the First Story program, Hayden Homes’ nonprofit charitable arm. “What we’re doing in Sisters is the largest, most impactful project the nonprofit has done,” said First Story Executive Director Claire Duncan. Three families have been selected for First Story homes in the initial phase of the project, which is expected to take three years to complete. “All three families are the first in their families to own their own home,” Duncan said. Two of the three families currently live and work in Sisters. The nonprofit First Story reached out into the Sisters community to seek applicants and to

photo provided

help prospective homeowners prepare for the responsibilities and burdens of home ownership. “Those families then participate in a homeownership class through NeighborImpact,” Duncan said. “That’s where we feel the magic really starts to happen.” First Story’s affordable loan program provides zero-down, zero-interest, 30-year loans to qualified individuals purchasing their first home. The First Story homes are triplex units — but they are only attached at the garage and do not share a living-space wall, giving them the feel of a single-family detached home. They are 1,058 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. “This is a brand-new home plan designed specifically for McKenzie Meadows,” Duncan noted. They come with appliances, air conditioning, fencing and landscaping in place. “We sell all of our homes move-in-ready,” Duncan said. Since 1989, Hayden Homes has built over 16,000 homes in

photo provided

underserved, secondary markets throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, making them the largest privately owned new homebuilder in the Pacific Northwest. Economies of scale help to keep land and materials costs down so that Hayden Homes can be affordable to working families and first-time homebuyers. Homes in McKenzie Meadows Phase I will run from 1,058 to 2,042 square feet with prices start in the upper $200,000 range. Davis said they’re planning for a July grand opening for the development’s model home. While COVID-19 impacts have led to the sales and office staff working from home, it has not had significant impact on construction. Crews are out on the site daily, and the supply chain for materials has not been interrupted, Davis reported. While the initial First Story homes in the development are spoken for, there are still opportunities for families to qualify for the next phases. “We’ll be accepting applications for the next homes we will be building at the end of this year,” Duncan said. Those interested may monitor the application process by visiting FirstStory.org and clicking on the “own a home” tab. There is a special section on McKenzie Meadows, which includes the floorplan for the units. The wait to apply can be beneficial. “It can take a year for a family to be ready,” Duncan noted. A prospective homebuyer can spend that time working on debtto-income ratio and saving money to be prepared to become a homeowner. Every time a Hayden Homes home is sold, one-eighth of one

percent of the sale price goes to First Story. The funds collected are distributed into the local community, where First Story makes chari table grants in support of community programs. For the sale of a new home, Hayden Homes pays the percentage. When that first buyer sells the home, they pay the same percentage and so on, each time the house sells. “Deschutes County is one of our largest recipients of this grant funding, so hundreds of organizations have received this grant funding,” Duncan noted. Hayden Homes and First Story have made considerable contributions to Sisters High School, the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, the veterans outreach programs, Central Oregon Council on Aging and many more projects and programs. Nearly 700 charities providing shelter, food, emergency relief and services to families in crisis, homeless teens and veterans have received a grant from First Story. While Sisters may be one of the smaller communities Hayden Homes builds in, their footprint has been large. Their Village at Cold Springs development is now complete, and McKenzie Meadows Village — which Davis notes “is a pretty big project for us” — will add to the inventory of housing for the community. Davis notes that the location of the development — right next to Sisters Middle School and Sisters High School, and close to the National Forest — make it a perfect spot for families. Through their approach to building and the First Story program, Hayden Homes is offering an affordable opportunity to many families to call Sisters home.

The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

// Partners in Construction

Partners in Construction // The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

You’re probably ready for a new roof

Riding to the rescue in plumbing emergencies

By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

There are a lot of roofs in Sisters Country that are ready for replacement — whether the homeowners realize it or not. A roof in this country realistically lasts from about 21 to 25 years. Old concrete tile roofs or shake roofs are almost certainly at the end of their life, and there are telltale signs that your composite asphalt shingles are giving out. If you’re seeing “sand” in your gutters or downspouts (a sign that shingles are breaking down) or shiny or white spots or curling ridges… it’s time. Getting your roof replaced at a reasonable cost with quality materials and workmanship means seeking out a reliable company — like Elite Roofing. They work with virtually every kind of product and application, and they have the experience to get the job done quickly, efficiently — and to the highest standard. “Most of our employees have been with us for a really long time,” said owner Jon Corbett. That means each member of a roofing crew knows his job. And that makes a difference both in the quality and consistency of the work and the timeframe needed to complete it. “I think you end up with a better quality product in the long run,”

Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for good times — they happen when they happen, and homeowners need someone they can rely on to help. For more than a quarter-century, that’s been Sweeney Plumbing. “We try to come in and kind of save the day when people are in dire straits with plumbing and they don’t know what to do,” said Zach Sweeney, who is now the second generation running the family business. “If you need a plumber, usually you need a quick response.” Sweeney Plumbing has always prided itself on treating everyone from its nine employees to its customers like family. Sweeney Plumbing handles everything from service calls to complete plumbing on new homes and commercial buildings. The crew is very thorough in its work plumbing a house, knowing that it’s more than a job — they are often at work on a family’s Sisters dream home. The Sweeney Plumbing showroom features fixtures from toilets to tubs and sinks; kitchen and bathroom faucets from all of the major manufacturers like Delta, Kohler, Moen and Grohe. Customers are invited to peruse the showroom and handle the merchandise to see what

photo provided

Corbett said. “It doesn’t take quite as long to get the job done.” There’s no getting around the fact that a tear-off is messy, but Elite Roofing makes a point of being as clean as possible through the job, and a cleanup crew comes in at the end with magnets to make sure there are no stray nails laying around your driveway. Estimates are also efficient, using computer modeling for measuring, and a consultation will present options for materials and warranty coverage so the client can make an informed decision. Replacing a roof is a significant and important project for a homeowner; it pays to seek out experience and expertise so that you can get the work done and not have to worry about it for another couple of decades.

they like. If what’s on display in the showroom isn’t enough of a selection, Sweeney has access to local distributors’ showrooms and can arrange a tour. But it’s not the fixtures that make Sweeney Plumbing what it is — it’s an ethic of service and respect, hard work and professionalism. They make a point of respecting the homes and properties where they do their work. Each crew totes a shop vac on their van for thorough cleanup and they wear booties to make sure they don’t track in. Under current conditions, they are careful to follow guidelines and maintain all health protocols.

We try to be as clean and efficient at possible. — Zach Sweeney “We try to be as clean and efficient as possible,” Zach said. Reliable, responsible, professional: That’s the way Sweeney Plumbing has worked for going on three decades in their hometown.

• Re-Roof & New Construction • Composite, Metal, Flat & Cedar Shake Products • Residential & Custom Home Framing • Gutter Installation • Free Estimates • Financing Available • Transferable Warranties • 10-Year Workmanship Guarantee

FAMILY OWNED SISTERS PROUD LOCAL. RELIABLE. PROFESSIONAL. Residential/Commercial New Construction Emergency Service Repairs & Remodels Experienced, Reliable Team

Family Owned & Operated for 20 Years • CCB#203769

541-526-5143

541-549-4349 260 N. Pine St., Sisters Licensed Bonded / Insured CCB#87587

The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

// Partners in Construction

Where construction investments become reality

photo provided

Engineering for value in the home By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

“The most expensive handmade product that people buy… is a house,” Chuck Koon of DCK Construction says. In a long career in the construction industry, Chuck and his son Don have found many ways to provide solid value while keeping costs down. DCK offers standardized plans and the ability for the customer to customize those plans in strategic, cost-effective ways. “We’re not a total custom home builder,” Chuck explained. “We have economy of scale and keep the prices down by having standardized plans.” But those plans can be adapted to specific customer needs and desires. Chuck loves working with clients to meet the needs of both their lifestyle and their budget. “That’s always been part of the business that I enjoy,” he said. Don notes that customer input shapes their business, from homebuilding to remodeling. “We’ve changed our homes based on what homebuyers have told us that I didn’t even think of,” he said. “We always listen to our homeowners.” DCK has built homes from Klamath Falls to Prineville, Broken Top and many homes in Eagle Crest, just east of Sisters. They were named “Preferred Builder Partner” by Eagle Crest and Running Y Ranch Resorts and have won numerous honors in Central Oregon, including 2003 Central Oregon Tour of Homes Best Design and Best of Show; Top 100 Best Master-Planned Communities named by Where to Retire Magazine; Redmond Chamber of Commerce Award for Most Innovative Product & Service; and the Summit Award for Excellence. Chuck followed his father

into the plumbing business in California, then branched out into designing coin-operated laundries for Maytag and Whirlpool corporations. He’s always enjoyed the engineering aspect of the business as well. Chuck and his wife were working in San Diego when they started looking at places to retire. Like so many, they decided on Central Oregon and bought a condominium at Eagle Crest, then moved to a home of their own favorite design. Rather than retiring outright, he started building in Central Oregon. Don worked for several firms doing commercial construction work before partnering up with his father in DCK Construction. He’s applied steel framing construction he employed in commercial work to home construction — and DCK is looking to move back into commercial construction to take advantage of Don’s expertise. Currently, they do all kinds of work, including new home construction, remodels, tenant improvements and multi-family buildings, and they offer a variety of interior design services. “We can build just about anything,” Don said. Their work is readily seen at Eagle Crest. Much of their work is based around presenting options for multiple copyrighted plans and the ability for buyers to choose the right options and modify plans as needed to meet their needs, all while keeping costs under control. The ultimate goal is creating a happy home for a happy client. Chuck and Don want their homebuyers to end up “having a home they can stay in, entertain in, and enjoy for many years to come.”

DCK Construction

Family-Owned. Hands-On.

75 Years Combined Experience 700+ Custom Homes • Multi-Family Developments Commercial & Tenant Improvements

Each custom home includes FREE design assistance to truly reflect your personal tastes and budget, and a 10-year home warranty.

Preferred Builder Partners: • Yarrow & Bitterbrush Estates, Madras • Running Y Ranch, Klamath Falls CCB#204139

• Eagle Crest, Redmond

541-480-1199 • 541-279-8192

Partners in Construction // The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

Safety, reliability key to tree care in Sisters Country By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

A lot has changed in Sisters and the world in recent weeks — but the need to care for our trees remains. Doing that job right requires a wide range of knowledge and experience; the right equipment for the job; and a commitment to safety and reliability. James Hatley and 4 Brothers Tree Service has quickly built a reputation in Sisters Country for responsiveness, reliability and high-quality work. That reputation allowed Hatley to run two crews last summer to keep up with demand for his services. Tree work is something of a calling for Hatley. He’s been in the trade since he was 18 in Yakima, Washington, and he launched 4 Brothers Tree Service in Central Oregon in May, 2017. Since then, the business has been thriving. The company is named in honor of his four young sons and the logo is a silhouette of the boys. Family is a key aspect of the way Hatley operates. “I’ve always been in family business,” he said. “My dad and my grandpa had a wrecking yard in Washington for 33 years and all the companies I’ve worked for have been family owned and run.” The family aspect puts “a little bit more integrity into the work, I

believe. A little more caring in the work. It puts it a little more on the personal level than the business level to me.” 4 Brothers Tree Service provides a full range of services — tree removal, pruning, stumpgrinding, fire-fuel reduction, lotclearing and commercial thinning. In winter, they provide snowremoval services. He’s well-equipped to handle any tree service job, from a planned project to an emergency such as a tree limb falling on your house or vehicle. That helps ensure that work is done in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. “The equipment I’ve acquired has made the job faster and therefore less expensive for the customer,” Hatley said. Over the past year, he’s added a larger, more efficient stump grinder and a new four-wheeldrive bucket truck. Their grinders are able to fit through 36-inch wide gates to access hard-to-reach backyard stumps. “For a surface grind we will grind the stump below grade so you may grow grass where the stump was or if you choose to replant another tree or shrub, we’ll grind the stump completely out,” Hatley said. When finished, the wood chips

are raked into a mound over the concerns about high mortality hole and the lawn is left looking events have not come to pass so better than before. Hatley notes far. that many homeowners enjoy “There was supposed to be using the remaining wood chips as a wave of beetle kill coming mulch for flowerbeds. through,” he said. “I haven’t really “As an option, we can remove seen a lot of it.” the wood chips, fill the hole with While it might seem that topsoil, apply seed/straw or sod, they’re in the straightforward or leave a hole so you can plant business of cutting down trees, your next valuable tree,” he said. 4 Brothers Tree Service is really 4 Brothers also provides lot about the health of the landscape. clearing services — not just trees They’ll save trees wherever they and shrubs, but also removal of can. stumps, logs, rocks, dirt, gravel, Often 4 Brothers Tree Service demolition, grass, weeds, etc. can save a vulnerable co-dom“Don’t be afraid to ask,” Hatley inant tree (one that forks into said. “We’ll come take a look and more than one trunk) by tying it help any way we can.” off so that the trunks grow closer A couple of days’ lead-time together and are less likely to split is usually all that is necessary to away. Or, if one trunk is less domobtain an estimate for work. inant, sometimes that one can be The 4 Brothers Tree Service limbed off. crew is working through the “No two trees are alike,” Hatley current coronavirus crisis. said. “It’s all job-specific — treeDiscussions about the work are specific, you could say.” done by phone or at a distance, A dead or dying tree can pose a and crews mainbig hazard to life tain social disand property, and There are still things tance and are property owners just working and that need to be done should regularly going home to assess the condias far as fire fuel their families. tion of their trees. reduction. Necessary “There are still “Look up!” things that need Hatley urges. things as opposed to be done as far Sometimes to aesthetics. as fire fuel reducbranches are bro— James Hatley tion,” Hatley notken and go unnoed. “Necessary ticed until wind things as opposed or snow brings to aesthetics.” them down. Junipers — as many Customers usually know what folks in Sisters discovered last they want him to do, but Hatley month — are brittle and subject to will assess conditions and risk. breaking under load. Sometimes he is able to allay a Look for discolored needles — homeowner’s concern about a tree that’s a sign of ill health. A tree and let them know it’s fine. that has been girdled by having When it’s evident that trees the bark chewed off by animals have to come down, Hatley will is in bad shape, too. It’s best to provide a variety of options as to be proactive rather than risking a disposition of the wood — leave catastrophic event. it down, haul it out, cut firewood Hatley enjoys climbing. — that give customers a range of “I don’t mind being 100 feet in prices to choose from. the air,” he said with a smile. Many homeowners strongly But he also acknowledges that desire to save a tree, and Hatley his is one of the most dangerwill do everything he can to make ous jobs around, and safety for that happen. He notes that, “we all concerned is always the top don’t like topping trees, because priority. it’s not right — it’s not good for Another important priority is the tree.” Under certain circum- making sure you have whatevstances they’ll do so because er permits and paperwork are “sometimes it’s the safest way required before starting to remove while still keeping the tree.” trees. Check with your homeownHatley is glad that Sisters ers association or with the City of escaped the heavy snowfall that Sisters about requirements and damaged so many trees a couple make sure all is in order before of winters ago. starting work, as fines for illegal “I’d rather not go out taking tree removal can be steep. down broken trees — because the And if you have any questions, customer didn’t want that tree James Hatley and 4 Brothers Tree removed,” he said. Service are ready to come to your He’s also pleased to see that property to make an assessment.

The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

// Partners in Construction

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CALL US TODAY

541-815-2342 CCB#215057

Partners in Construction // The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

Robinson & Owen is a Sisters powerhouse By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

Robinson & Owen Heavy Construction is a full-service excavation, grading and rock production company based in Sisters. The company was started in 1996 by Rod Robinson and Michael Owen and has a 25-year history of completing private and public projects throughout Oregon. Rod and Mike started working together in logging operations in 1986. As the logging industry declined, they decided to turn their experience and expertise in operating heavy equipment into their own business. And they took their ethic with them. As Mike puts it: “If we’re honest, fair and follow through with everything we say we’re going to do, everything will be good.” With the experience of longterm employees, company-owned material sources, and a wide range of equipment, Robinson & Owen has a history of finishing projects, large and small, on time and on budget. Robinson & Owen has been involved in the construction of more than 75 subdivision

infrastructures in the Central Oregon area and has earned an excellent reputation working in environments that involve a multitude of restoration projects, where the protection of the surrounding ecosystems is of utmost importance. Robinson and Owen has also successfully completed countless government contracts for the BLM and U.S. Forest Service, performing road reconstruction, material processing, instream fish habitat construction, culvert removal and construction, water tank construction and dam removals. Robinson & Owen’s heavy construction fleet includes 10 highway trucks, three off-road rock trucks, five wheel loaders, eight excavators, full-scale rock production equipment, and grading equipment for small and large projects. The company has also given back to the community, grading and trenching Sisters’ Little League fields, providing work and materials for the Sisters Park & Recreation District’s bike park, excavating SPRD’s skate park and sponsoring Sisters’ OHSET team and Sisters Rodeo.

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Partner with us on your next project!

Mike Owen & Rod Robinson | 541-549-1848 750 Buckaroo Trail, Sisters | CCB#124327

Jeff Meadors CCB #218429 541-410-7983 jwmeadors63@gmail.com 69240 Enewetak Ln., Sisters

The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

// Partners in Construction

Striving for excellence in construction, renovation By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

A family connection to Black Butte Ranch led Mike Dyer into the construction business in Sisters, where he has built a reputation for creativity and expert craftsmanship. While Mike was growing up on the beach in Corpus Cristi, Texas, his future wife, Jill, was growing up vacationing at Black Butte Ranch. The couple met in college in Lubbock, Texas. Mike’s education and early work experience was in a field unrelated to construction — and he found he did not enjoy it. On a visit with Jill’s parents at the Ranch, he was introduced to a local builder, and in 1998, he went to work for the well-regarded contractor. “I was green as all get-out. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing,” Dyer recalled. But it turned out he had a knack for construction — and he fell in love with the work. He learned to work successfully in high-end construction by adhering to a high standard of excellence. By 2001, when Mike and Jill’s first child was born, he was ready to venture out on his own with Dyer Construction and Renovation. For Dyer and his crew of craftsmen, “good enough” just isn’t. Every

photo provided

person on the crew is expected to always give their best — and that’s the way they want it. “Building a house is not rocket science, but it requires structural integrity from dirt to roof. ” Mike said. “Every nail, every 2 by 4, every cut builds on the one before. We are not perfect but we’re always striving for excellence.” With that commitment, Dyer has developed a reputation that has made them a go-to firm for crafting homes in Black Butte Ranch, Sage Meadow, Coyote Springs, Deer Ridge, Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. In addition to new construction, Dyer specializes in cohesive remodels, bringing a new project to sync with an existing home. Many of their clients invest in sustainable homes and are passionate

about “green” projects, as is Dyer himself, who is professionally certified in Earth Advantage Sustainable Homes. Dyer also offers “universal design” principles that allow for a home to continue to be suitable as the Sisters population ages in place. Dyer points to a home in Pine Meadow Village where they installed an elevator, and to a home on Jordan Road that featured wider hallways and doorways that allowed the home to remain functional for an aging client. “It’s our job to provide ideas to improve on the design, and it’s your job to say yes or no,” Dyer said. Dyer recognizes that residential construction can be a very emotional process — after all, home truly is where the heart is. For many people, a home is

a family legacy. Mike is good at helping people work through the anxieties and pressures of the building or renovation process. And he loves it when clients give him and his crew the freedom to be creative. He cites a home at Black Butte Ranch where “they really allowed us to be artistic.” With freedom to innovate, the house became Dyer’s biggest-budget home and one of his favorite projects. “That house is beautiful and the design stands out,” he said. Clients looking for the highest level of quality in realizing vision for their home have learned to turn to Dyer Construction and Renovation. And a commitment to the craft keep Mike Dyer and his crew turning out to the job site each day loving what they do.

We craft custom homes that reflect the lives of our clients and the values of Dyer… Our experience was enhanced because of the flexibility, vision, and dependability of Mike Dyer. It was also good to work with a contractor who takes pride and delight in his work. — Kevin & Shannon M.

From our first deck in 2001, to the custom homes we now build from excavation to roof,

we love what we do.

Whether new construction or renovation, we build with innovative and energy-saving materials. Our founder, Mike Dyer, is professionally certified in Earth Advantage Sustainable Homes, using cutting edge materials and technology.

For a free initial consultation, call

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dyerconstructionrenovation.com CCB#148365

Partners in Construction // The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

Helping residents thrive By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

For Jenalee Piercey, work is very personal. As a loan originator with Northwest Mortgage Advisors, she helps all types of borrowers find the best and smoothest path to home ownership—a goal that resonates deeply with the Sisters native. “I started out as a single mom,” she reflected. “And I saw that it was hard to attain home ownership.” Many people just don’t know the steps to take — and that’s where Piercey’s background, experience and temperament shine. “I started out in education,” she said. “So I really like to inform people and make things easy to understand.” Piercey recognizes that every client is different; they have different stories, different goals, different needs. She listens to them and helps them determine the path they seek. “Jenalee is about solutions,” said Sisters resident Debbie Bucher. “She listens; she asks questions; she makes sure she understands your needs and objectives. She does not take a cookie-cutter approach in this business, but searches out the best solution for your needs.” With Northwest Mortgage Advisors, Piercey has a multitude of tools to meet individual needs. “We fund our own loans, so basically, we’re a mortgage bank,” she said. There are 31 investors and “each person fits a different investor better.” Jenalee is patient, understanding that it can take time and work to develop a plan that gets a client over the finish line. Successful qualification for a mortgage comes down to a relatively simple calculation of income, debts, assets, and credit. “Each product has different qualifications,” Piercey said.

“Once they have a plan in place, it’s pretty simple from there,” she said. “I show them what debt to pay down first; what’s going to have the biggest impact to improve their credit score… A lot of people are six months to a year out — and that’s OK.” The current economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are sure to have an impact on clients. “You can’t be laid off and be approved,” she said. “So that’s affecting people.” But Piercey remains committed to her service. She educates herself on the state of the market every day, in order to provide the best information possible to her clients. “That’s my main goal — to be that person,” she said. “They know I’ve got their best interests at heart. There’s something about someone who wants the best for you.” Piercey is with her clients for the long haul — and that doesn’t stop with a successful completion of a mortgage. “I am very relationship-oriented and stay connected with people I’ve worked with in a lot of different ways,” she said. That sense of connection is vital to her. She moved away from Sisters to Southern Oregon for her teaching career — but she came back because she craved the powerful sense of community she finds here, and she wanted that for her children. In addition to her work with Northwest Mortgage Advisors, Piercey is developing a nonprofit to assist single mothers with access to resources. She’s paying forward help she got in her earlier days. “I got some help from some really neat ladies from Black Butte Ranch when I was a single mom,” she recalled. A commitment to education and to service is the hallmark of all that Jenalee Piercey does. She simply wants to help the people of her community thrive.

FINANCE WITH

CONFIDENCE

“As a mortgage loan originator with Northwest Mortgage Advisors, our relationship is my top priority. I look forward to helping you find the best loan product and rates.” — Jenalee

Mortgage Calculators at www.nwmortgageadvisors.com Apply online with SAME-DAY PRE-APPROVAL... Northwest Mortgage Advisors is an affiliate of Golden Empire Mortgage, one of the most respected lenders in the industry for 30 years. We offer competitive loan programs and interest rates.

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The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

// Partners in Construction

Craftsman loves working in stone and brick move here and join him in the construction industry. Cesar and his wife Ruth talked about it — but there was a concern: Cesar had no construction experience. As Ruth put it, he knew “absolutely nothing” about construction. They decided to take the plunge anyway, and they moved to Oregon in 2005, where Cesar went to work and Ruth worked in residential cleaning. And it turned out that it was the right move. Almost immediately, Cesar discovered that he had a knack for masonry — and he loved the craft. There is a certain satisfaction in laboring in such an elemental medium, and there is an almost endless variety to the work. “There’s nothing the same, there’s always something different,” Ruth said. Over the years, Cesar gained a wide range of experience and a mastery of the craft he loves. A couple of years ago, they decided to start their own company, and Lara’s Construction & Cleaning was born. Part of the motivation was a desire to work directly with clients to realize their visions for their home. Cesar remains the hands and the passion behind the work, even

By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

If a project involves masonry work — fireplaces, interior and exterior stone or brick work, perhaps a barbecue or a paved walk — Cesar Alvarez will not only get the job done, he’ll revel in it. The lead craftsman for Lara’s Construction & Cleaning absolutely loves stonework. And he loves pleasing his clients. “When you’re done and the house looks different and they’re happy, that makes me happy,” Cesar said. Jonathan Hicks, a Sisters resident and real estate professional, is one of the happy ones. He had Lara’s Construction & Cleaning build a fireplace in his home and lay pavers outside. “Ruth and Cesar have been a pleasure to work with through multiple projects,” Hicks reported. “They offer the highest quality craftsmanship with reasonable price points. I regularly recommend their services to friends and clients.” Cesar came to his passion for masonry on a winding path. Fifteen years ago, he was working in the restaurant business in Chino, California. A friend who lived in Oregon urged him to

photo provided

when he has others working with him on the job. “Cesar is always there,” Ruth said. “He’s always making sure the job is good.” Reliability, craftsmanship and

a fair price are the hallmarks of Lara’s Construction & Cleaning’s work. That commitment, along with a pure love for the work, leaves everybody happy and satisfied.

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Partners in Construction // The Nugget Newspaper // April 22, 2020

Sisters Fence Company builds a strong reputation By Jim Cornelius editor in chief

If the old saying that “good fences make good neighbors” is true, Pat Burke and his crew at Sisters Fence Company are doing more than their share to make Sisters Country neighborly. For the past five years, Sisters Fence Company has been serving the Sisters community with an ethic of reliability, fair pricing and customer satisfaction. They take on a wide variety of projects, from backyard fences to ranch work. “When I needed a permanent round pen for starting colts I called Sisters Fence Company,” recalled Sisters resident and horse trainer Craig Rullman. “I did that because it is important to me — and recent events show us all how important it is — to support local businesses wherever I can, and also because I was confident that Pat and his crew would build me a professional round pen that would be perfect for my needs. I wasn’t disappointed. Pat came in with a great bid, and his crew got after it. They were fast, efficient, and professional, and most of all it was fun to work with them. “In the end, ahead of schedule, Sisters Fence Company built me a highly professional pen for

starting fine young colts, and added a thoughtful touch with a hand carved sign over the gate.” That kind of customer satisfaction is Sisters Fence Company’s goal — every time. “I try to instill that in the employees — ‘Hey, we have to go the extra mile; one, because that’s just what we do. Our customers need to be happy and feel like they’ve been taken care of in the project.” Sisters Fence Company was founded as organically as it’s possible for a small business to start. “When I built my fence behind my house … my neighbors asked me, ‘can you build my fence?’” Burke notes that he always strives to maximize the value the customer gets out of their investment. Clear communication with clients on costs, scope of work, materials and the desired end product is key to a successful project. Burke says his crew, “really try to figure out what they want and how they can do it, so when the project is complete, they say, ‘This is what I envisioned, and thank you.’” Sisters Fence Company prides itself on being “locally-owned and craftsman-built.”

While Sisters Fence Company can build virtually any type of fence, they also do snow removal in winter and they build decks and install brick pavers. In fact, one of Burke’s favorite projects is a 1,500-square-foot brick paver project that involved a complete concrete tear-out. “There were a lot of moving parts, and it came out really well,” Burke said. Learning, adapting, finding new niches, and developing their capabilities are among the great satisfactions of the work for the Sisters Fence Company crew. Client Bill Willitts noted that he asked Sisters Fence Company to build a Priefert fence, an unusual all-steel ranch fence, for the first time. “It’s tricky to put in and get

photo provided

it right,” Willitts said. “And (they) got it right. The gates are right, everything’s right.” Burke also emphasizes supporting the local economy. Sisters Fence Company strives at every opportunity to buy materials and supplies in Sisters and Central Oregon. Burke grew up here and he wants his company to be integrated into the life of the community. “This is our community. We’ve been here since ’94 — we’re here for the long haul,” he said. Burke has always carried an ethic of service, and that’s ultimately how he sees his company’s work. “Looking back, seeing what we’ve done — it’s fun,” he said. “We enjoy it. We’re helping people.”

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

Site preparation is underway for the new home of MidOregon Credit union in Sisters.

MIDOREGON: Planners urge more work on Western theme Continued from page 4

During their deliberations, five of the commissioners urged stronger adherence to the 1880s Western theme but three of those five were willing to accept the proposed site plan. Commissioner Scot Davidson thought the site plan was great and remarked, “MidOregon is a great contributor to the community.” He expressed concern about the requirements for maintaining the Western theme is too vague. “The 1880s Western theme represents the brand or character of our town and should be maintained,” said Davidson and he urged the architect to work more on the design. Commissioner Art Blumenkron thought the tall wraparound windows in the rendering looked too modern. MidOregon representative Kevin Cole pointed out that banks located along main highways are more prone to be robbed and the large windows provide more visibility to see what is going on both inside and outside the building. Darek Olson of Steele Associates stated, “The design meets the intent of the Western theme with covered walkways, lap siding, benches, parapets, and a plaza out front with Western artwork.” They wanted to provide the 1880s feel while still offering a modern look on the inside. Concerns about the safety and function of the drivethrough were addressed and satisfied. Staff explained that the rendering is only a concept and not the finished blueprint and elevations. The site plan basically designates placement of the building, landscaping, and parking on the property. Staff attached 23 conditions of approval that must be met prior to either issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy unless otherwise stated within each Condition of Approval. Most of the conditions address issues required by the Fire Marshal and Oregon Fire Code, landscaping requirements, outdoor lighting

compliance, and public works requirements (water meters, site drainage, drywells, public improvements, utilities, etc.). Prior to or at the time of building permit application, the applicant will provide final exterior building materials and colors to ensure compliance with the submitted elevations and Western design theme requirements. A variety of pine, deciduous, and street trees must be planted. A shared access easement off of Arrowleaf Trail will serve both MidOregon and the St. Charles medical office. There will be 23 parking spaces, 12 of them to be shared between the two offices. Site preparation work on the property is underway.

caregivers the respect our community has given for the Stay Home request. As we see on the front lines, this has made a difference and I want to thank you for that. You are a part of this fight for the health of us all. I am proud to be working for St. Charles. They have been very supportive through this time emotionally, financially and physically. For that I want to say thank you to them for all their hard work to keep the care team safe. Please know, community, we as caregivers will give all we can to care for you no matter what. We are honored to care for all that are in need. Thank you for loving us and supporting us, it truly makes our shifts even more possible than it already is. Stay Healthy and THANK YOU! Emily Kroytz



“Visiting Thailand before pandemic,” in which you show a photo of a couple riding an elephant. As mentioned in this article: (https:// www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/ make-a-difference/planet/why-elephantriding-should-be-removed-from-your-list), riding of an elephant is extremely harmful to these amazing creatures and in order to do so they are put through extreme torture including a “bullhorn” (basically a giant metal hook), which is used to hook the elephants by the ears to get them to turn as you can see the person controlling the elephant holding the handle to a bullhorn. Obviously, I assume as always that this is just simply due to being unaware, so in this instance, “the more you know.” This message does not come from a place of negativity, but simply a place of education and awareness. J.D. Alex



To the Editor: Recently you ran a ʻCommentary’ piece



See LETTERS on page 19

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc. operates out of Sisters Airport. The company is comprised of 23 percent U.S. military veterans.

PHOTO PROVIDED

AWARD: ESI one of just five companies in Oregon to be honored Continued from page 3

new hires for the year must be comprised of at least 7 percent veterans. ESI new hires were 18 percent veterans. Second, the retention rate of veterans hired must be at least 75 percent over the year. ESI retained 100 percent of their veterans. Third, the company must have a minimum 7 percent veteran representation in their overall employee base. ESI veterans comprise 23 percent of their total employees. And fourth, the company must have a Veteran Resource Group, which ESI provides for their veteran employees. ESI actively recruits veterans, which are employed in every department of the company. In particular, ESI values the discipline and hands-on skills learned in the military. Pete Terzo, ESI’s Director of Operations, explains why ESI prefers to hire veterans. “Veterans have to perform their jobs under some of the most stressful situations imaginable,” he said. “Military personnel are required to set priorities, accomplish missions, and meet schedules on a daily basis. With this responsibility comes added pressure and stress, but veterans are trained to handle these factors in a constructive way. This special training consists of inspiring leadership, motivating others, setting examples, delegating tasks, and giving clear and detailed directions. We call upon these assets every day in our line of work. We are very fortunate to have these veterans as employees.” Elysia Zarate, the Health and Safety Officer for ESI, says of the veterans: “Key phrases that spring to my mind are strong work ethic and integrity. Two qualities the military strives to instill, and ESI appreciates.”

In addition to the National HIRE Vets Gold Medallion, ESI has received the National Guard Seven Seals Award from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Best of Business i n R e n e w a b l e E n e rg y Award from the Oregon Small Business Commerce Association, Oregon Business 100 Best Companies to Work For Award, Sisters Country Business of the Year, and Sisters Pioneering Spirit Award. Benny and Julie Benson, both mechanical engineers,

started ENERGYneering Solutions in a spare bedroom of their home in Sisters in 2007, and have grown the company to over 50 employees. ESI is an engineering and operations firm specializing in renewable energy from biofuels. ESI has done projects in 23 states and territories, including the biomass heating at Sisters High School. Their projects collectively offset the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 1.5 million vehicles, and generate power for over 150,000 homes.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

KICKSTARTER: May hopes book will help people in trying times Continued from page 3

it seemed that He had failed me. But I knew in the deepest parts of my soul that if I couldn’t find answers in the Bible, I wouldn’t find them anywhere else.” Transformed By God’s Nature is crafted as a daily d e v o t i o n a l . A s M a y ’s Kickstarter narrative states: “Each week focuses on one of God’s attributes. At every turn, artistic renderings of His creation extend the message and opportunity to reflect. Transformed by God’s Nature is uniquely crafted through study of God’s authoritative Word and recognition of how He shows Himself in Creation — honoring two key ways God has chosen to reveal himself. Action steps give readers further opportunity to pause and worship, as well as to grow in resemblance to Jesus Christ in the attributes He shares with us.” She finds the format conducive to learning and reflection, offering readers “small chunks that someone could sit down and read each day… It’s so comfortable to read and to learn that way.” May had already been exploring the themes that would inform her book in journals, and “as I started writing, it really started to click.” May chose to bring her visual arts background into the creation of the book. From 2012 to 2014, she had been actively involved in producing artwork in a technique she calls “paper layering.” It’s a time-consuming process, and by the time she started on the book, she wasn’t actively working in the medium. But she discovered a means of producing the same type of effect digitally in a much more time-expedient manner, and thus began to illustrate her writing with her original work.

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Transformed by God’s Nature is a 23-week study on God’s character, based on a close study of Scripture, with each week focusing on a particular attribute. “Each attribute has an illustration,” May explained. All of those illustrations are available to Kickstarter patrons as fine art prints. They can be viewed at May’s self-publishing website, www.logbridgebooks. com. The path to completion of the book has been long, and involved “mostly just learning an incredible amount about the Bible and who God is.” May had been an ardent student of the Bible since she was a teenager, but the process of creating the book revealed depths that she had not yet plumbed. “If you’d have asked me 10 years ago, I would have said I’m kind of an expert,” she said. “But not so.” May’s fundraising goal is $20,000. She believes the work will help people in times that try their souls. As she states in her narrative: “I learned that when

life is painful, confusing, and unpredictable, God’s unchanging character can be a relief — if you know Him for who He has revealed Himself to be. But when my understanding of God was inaccurate, then suffering left my faith on shaky ground. It took years of study in the Bible to find a firm foundation of trust in God that was not shaken in the most difficult circumstances. We are all facing great challenges with the current coronavirus pandemic and there is widespread need to find rest in the God of all comfort.” May has felt guidance all along the long and challenging creative path. “I have seen God walk me through this,” she told The Nugget. “There is no doubt that this is what He wanted me to do. To what end, I don’t know.” May’s Kickstarter can be accessed at https://www. kickstarter.com/projects/lisamay/transformed-by-godsnature. For more information visit www.logbridgebooks. com. Lisa May is an employee of The Nugget Newspaper.

Sisters Country birds By Douglas Beall Correspondent

The canyon wren [Catherpes mexicanus] is a small wren found in arid, rocky habitats from southern British Columbia throughout the western United States and Mexico. The canyon wren is visually inconspicuous but easily detected during the breeding season by its loud, distinctive song, often heard throughout canyonlands of western North America. Few terrestrial birds are as restricted to rocky cliffs or outcrops as this one. It inhabits the same territories year-round, commonly nesting in sheltered rock crevices, using its long, decurved bill and flattened head to probe for spiders and insects in rock crevices. The canyon wren is not known to drink water. It probably gets all the water it needs from its insect prey. It has been seen foraging along the sides of desert springs — but not drinking. Listen for their haunting yet melodious songs in echoing river canyons and desert

rock formations. It may be the only bird whose song consists of descending notes. Incubation is by female, 12-18 days. Male may feed female during incubation and both parents feed nestlings. Young leave the nest at about 15 days and remain with parents for several weeks or more. A group of wrens has many collective nouns including a “chime,” “flight,” “flock” and “herd” of wrens. For more canyon wren photos visit http:// abirdsingsbecauseithasa song.com/recent-journeys.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS BEALL

Canyon wren.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Social distancing marathon in Sisters By Jodi Schneider Correspondent

If you’ve started running or gotten back into it in the last few weeks during the pandemic, you’re not the only one. Cities across the country have seen a rise in the number of people walking, hiking and biking outside as social distancing guidelines have taken hold. Runners across the country are still hitting the pavement and the trails even while most races are canceled or postponed, including the Boston Marathon. Sisters resident Virginia Silvey, a marathoner who has been running/walking for nearly 40 years, had been recently training for a race that was canceled as a consequence of COVID-19. She told The Nugget, “Eight of us Sisters ladies have been training for the Avenue of the Giants Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10 K Run that was to be happening May 3, 2020.” Silvey ran quite a few marathons, including the New York City Marathon, with her oldest son Troy, and ran the Portland Marathon with her younger son Brandon. “We have trained hard for 12 weeks and believe we are all winners,” Silvey said. “We decided to keep training and hold our own race here in Sisters — with social distancing — at the beginning of May without spectators.” It’s a way to get in their workouts, reduce the sense of isolation and work off some stress with gyms closed amid the coronavirus. Running provides a social outlet in a time when officials are encouraging social distancing and limiting the size of gatherings to 10 or fewer. The group met and became friends through the Sisters Athletic Club. Group member Heidi Franz-Tremblay, an employee at The Paper Place, said, “We are all between 51 and 75 and even have a dog in our group, Mabel, a black lab.” Franz-Tremblay ran three half marathons over a decade ago in her early 40s. “Doing a half marathon again seemed like a great challenge and a way to push myself physically and mentally again,” Franz-Tremblay said. “I think our entire group felt that quitting and giving up was not an option, and I find the ladies in our group to be incredibly inspiring! They are great role models on what can be accomplished in your 60s and 70s.”

The Nugget Newspaper Crossword

By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service

Silvey and another member, Anna Blumenkron, ran a half marathon in August of 2019 and began talking about participating in the Avenue of the Giants Marathon, Half Marathon and 10 K Run as a group.

We are all winners because we are doing it. You can keep going — doesn’t matter your age. — Virginia Silvey Franz-Tremblay noted, “This was a race through the old growth redwoods and was on Virginia’s bucket list. Virginia, Anna and I all signed up right away and told our friends at the Sisters Athletic Club about the race. Others expressed interest and our group grew from three to eight, nine including the dog.” She added, “As everything began to change with the coronavirus, our race was eventually moved to October. We talked, and all agreed we did not want to give up on our race that we had been training for since the end of January. So, we continued our training with our long group runs on Sundays (socially distanced of course) and began talking about how we could make it as authentic as possible.” Franz-Tremblay worked with a T-shirt designer in Bend. Their neon green racing T-shirts say: “Social Distancing Sisters 10K and a half.” Another member, Sara Euser, is crafting race bibs, while Silvey, Marna Griffin, and Blumenkron picked the route for the race. Silvey noted, “We are running through some of the open trails through the forest. We are following the rules and carry our own water, keeping 9-12 feet apart.” Non-runners Susan Wilson and Sara Eastler helped by making race medals out of wood that all the participants will receive, and racing numbers, so each participant will look official. Pat ObrackPiper is the finish-line official. Participants for 10 K are: Pam Christ, 61; and Sarah Griffin, 51; with Mabel, her dog. Several will run the 13.1-mile half marathon: Joan Blancett, 63; Heidi Franz-Tremblay, 54; Sara Euser, 65; Anna Blumenkron, 62; Virginia Silvey, 71; and Marna Griffin, 75. Silvey said, “We are all winners because we are doing it. You can keep going — doesn’t matter your age.”

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. CLASSIFIED RATES COST: $2 per line for first insertion, $1.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $2 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate. DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. VISA & MasterCard accepted. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application. CATEGORIES: 101 Real Estate 102 Commercial Rentals 103 Residential Rentals 104 Vacation Rentals 106 Real Estate Wanted 107 Rentals Wanted 200 Business Opportunities 201 For Sale 202 Firewood 203 Recreation Equipment 204 Arts & Antiques 205 Garage & Estate Sales 206 Lost & Found 207 The Holidays 301 Vehicles 302 Recreational Vehicles 401 Horses 402 Livestock 403 Pets 500 Services 501 Computer Services 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish 504 Handyman 505 Auto Repair 600 Tree Service & Forestry 601 Construction 602 Plumbing & Electric 603 Excavations & Trucking 604 Heating & Cooling 605 Painting 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint. 701 Domestic Services 702 Sewing 703 Child Care 704 Events & Event Services 801 Classes & Training 802 Help Wanted 803 Work Wanted 901 Wanted 902 Personals 999 Public Notice

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102 Commercial Rentals

MINI STORAGE Sisters Storage & Rental 506 North Pine Street 541-549-9631 Sizes 5x5 to 15x30. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. On-site management. U-Haul trucks, trailers, moving boxes & supplies. STORAGE STEEL CONTAINERS FOR RENT OR SALE Delivered to your business or property site Call 541-678-3332 Ground-floor suite (1,300 sf), available at 392 E. Main Ave. $1,300 - Call 541-549-1086. STORAGE WITH BENEFITS • 8 x 20 dry box • Fenced yard, RV & trailers • In-town, gated, 24-7 Kris@earthwoodhomes.com Studio/Office/Workspace 470 sf, $425/mo. Well-lit bsmt., In-town Kris@earthwoodhomes.com Prime Downtown Retail Space Call Lori at 541-549-7132 Cold Springs Commercial CASCADE STORAGE (541) 549-1086 • (877) 540-1086 581 N. Larch – 7-Day Access 5x5 to 12x30 Units Available 5x5 - 8x15 Climate Control Units On-site Management Ground-floor suite, 290 sq. ft. 581 N Larch St. Available now, $375/month. Call 541-549-1086. SNO CAP MINI STORAGE www.SistersStorage.com LONG-TERM DISCOUNTS! Secure, Automated Facility • • • 541-549-3575 Office Suite on Main Ave. 1,170 sq. ft., street frontage with private entrance, reception area, two private offices, file room, kitchenette, ADA bathroom. $1,400/month. 541-549-0829 THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER 442 E. Main Avenue Sisters, Oregon 97759 541.549.9941 www.NuggetNews.com

103 Residential Rentals

PONDEROSA PROPERTIES –Monthly Rentals Available– Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com Printed list at 221 S. Ash, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC

104 Vacation Rentals

In the Heart of Sisters 3 Vac. Rentals – Quiet 1-2 Bdrm Sleep 2-6, start at $145 per nt. vrbo.com/442970 or /180950 or /337593 • 503-730-0150 ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 www.SistersVacation.com CASCADE HOME & VACATION RENTALS Monthly and Vacation Rentals throughout Sisters Country. (541) 549-0792 Property management for second homes. CascadeVacationRentals.net

201 For Sale

“Support Sisters” SHOP LOCAL! Ruger .22, 6-inch barrel, blue. Magnum cylinder included. Like new. $425. 541-771-6687. TOO MUCH STUFF? Advertise your excess with an ad in The Nugget!

202 Firewood

SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD • SINCE 1976 • Doug Fir – Lodgepole – Juniper DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509 FIREWOOD, dry or green Lodgepole, juniper, pine. Cut & split. Delivery included. eaglecreekfire@yahoo.com

204 Arts & Antiques Shop On-line! Materials for craftsman, fossil walrus ivory and bone... Trade beads chaforthefinest.com chaforthefinest@gmail.com

205 Garage & Estate Sales Happy Trails Estate Sales! Selling or Downsizing? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150

206 Lost & Found

FOUND: Fishing poles in woods near Sisters. 541-549-5862

301 Vehicles

We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

401 Horses

Certified Weed-Free HAY. Orchard Grass or Alfalfa Hay, Sisters. $275 per ton. Call 541-548-4163

403 Pets

FURRY FRIENDS helping Sisters families w/pets. FREE Dog & Cat Food No contact pick-up by appt. 204 W. Adams Ave. 541-797-4023

Bend Spay & Neuter Project 504 Handyman Providing Low-Cost Options for LAREDO CONSTRUCTION Spay, Neuter and more! 541-549-1575 Go to BendSnip.org Maintenance / Repairs or call 541-617-1010 Insurance Work CCB #194489 Three Rivers Humane Society Home Customizations, LLC Where love finds a home! See the Res. & Commercial Remodeling, doggies at 1694 SE McTaggart Bldg. Maintenance & Painting in Madras • A No-kill Shelter Chris Patrick, Owner Go to ThreeRiversHS.org homecustomizations@gmail.com or call 541-475-6889 CCB #191760 • 541-588-0083 500 Services JONES UPGRADES LLC GEORGE’S SEPTIC Home Repairs & Remodeling TANK SERVICE Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, “A Well Maintained Fences, Sheds & more. Septic System Protects Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 the Environment” Local resident • CCB #201650 541-549-2871 THE NUGGET BOOKKEEPING SERVICE NEWSPAPER ~ Olivia Spencer ~ C L A S S I F I E D S!! Expert Local Bookkeeping! They're on the Web at Phone: (541) 241-4907 www.nuggetnews.com www.spencerbookkeeping.com Uploaded every Tuesday afternoon at no extra charge! FIFI'S HAULING SERVICE Call 541-549-9941 Dump Trailers available! Deadline for classified is Call 541-419-2204 Monday by noon ~ WEDDINGS BY KARLY ~ Custom Wedding Ceremonies 15+ years • 541-410-4412 revkarly@gmail.com • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279 MOVING TRUCK FOR HIRE –COMPLETE MOVING, LLC– Sisters' Only Local Moving Co.! Two exp. men with 25+ years comm. moving. Refs! ODOT Lic. Class 1-B • Call 541-678-3332 SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 506 North Pine Street 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Tecumseh Your Local Online Source! NuggetNews.com

501 Computers & Communications

Technology Problems? I can fix them for you. Solving for business, home & A/V needs. All tech supported. Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329 SISTERS SATELLITE TV • PHONE • INTERNET Your authorized local dealer for DirecTV, ViaSat HS Internet and more! CCB # 191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008 M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery & tile cleaning. Steam cleaning sanitizes & kills germs. 541-549-9090

600 Tree Service & Forestry

SISTERS' OLDEST & BEST TREE SERVICE! (Formerly Bear Mountain since 1997) Providing high risk removals, trims/prunes on native/non-native trees, stump grinding, forestry thinning/mowing, light excavation. Firewood. Free estimates gladly! 10% lower than your lowest bid! Your satisfaction is our guarantee! EagleCreekFire@yahoo.com CCB #227275 - 541-420-3254 Top Knot Tree Care can handle all of your tree needs, from trims to removals. Specializing in tree assessment, hazard tree removal, crown reduction, ladder fuel reduction, lot clearing, ornamental and fruit tree trimming and care. • Locally owned and operated • • Senior and military discounts • • Free assessments • • Great cleanups • • Licensed, Insured and Bonded • Contact Bello @ 541-419-9655, Find us on Facebook and Google CCB#227009 4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT Tree care and vegetation management Pruning, hazard tree removal, stump grinding, brush mowing, certified arborist consultation, tree risk assessment qualified, wildfire fuels assessment and treatment, grant acquisition, lot clearing, crane services. Nate Goodwin ISA-Cert. Arborist PN-7987A CCB #190496 * 541.771.4825 Online at: www.tsi.services Sisters Tree Care, LLC Preservation, Pruning, Removals & Storm Damage Serving All of Central Oregon Brad Bartholomew ISA Cert. Arborist UT-4454A 503-914-8436 • CCB #218444 Buried in Pine Needles? Check out The Nugget's Yard Care advertisers!

601 Construction

JERRY WILLIS DRYWALL & VENETIAN PLASTER All Residential, Commercial Jobs 541-480-7179 • CCB #69557

Construction & Renovation Custom Residential Projects All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448 JOHN NITCHER CONSTRUCTION General Contractor Home repair, remodeling and additions. CCB #101744 541-549-2206

Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-549-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com Earthwood Timberframes • Design & construction • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantles and accent timbers Kris@earthwoodhomes.com CCB #174977 LAREDO CONSTRUCTION 541-549-1575 For ALL Your Residential Construction Needs CCB #194489 www.laredoconstruction.com SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523 Carl Perry Construction LLC Residential & Commercial Restoration • Repair – DECKS & FENCES – CCB #201709 • 541-419-3991

C L A S S I F I E D S

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553 CENIGA'S MASONRY, INC. Brick • Block • Stone • Pavers CCB #181448 – 541-350-6068 www.CenigasMasonry.com

CURTS ELECTRIC LLC – SISTERS, OREGON – Quality Electrical Installations Agricultural • Commercial Industrial • Well & Irrigation Pumps, Motor Control, Barns & Shops, Plan Reviews CCB #178543 541-480-1404 SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587 IN NEED OF A SERVICE PROVIDER? Always check out the Sisters-area advertisers in THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER Classifieds!

Companion/Caregiver for younger adult with short-term ACTION AIR memory loss. No personal Heating & Cooling, LLC hygiene care needed. Care to take Retrofit • New Const • Remodel place at caregivers residence. Consulting, Service & Installs Call Fifi at 541-419-2204. actionairheatingandcooling.com AQUA CLEAR SPA SERVICE CCB #195556 Hot tub cleaning technician 541-549-6464 needed. Training provided with –THE NUGGET– opportunity for advancement. Competitive pay. Clean driving 605 Painting record required. Serious Custom Homes Riverfront Painting LLC applicants only. Call or email for Residential Building Projects Interior/Exterior • Deck Staining interview: 541-410-1023; Concrete Foundations SHORT LEAD TIMES aquaclearoregon@gmail.com Becke William Pierce Travis Starr, 541-647-0146 CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 • • • • • • • • • • License #216081 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com SERVICE TO PROVIDE? ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ BUSINESS TO PROMOTE? McCARTHY & SONS Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. VEHICLE FOR SALE? CONSTRUCTION Refurbishing Decks HOUSE TO RENT? New Construction, Remodels, CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 OFFICE TO LEASE? Fine Finish Carpentry www.frontier-painting.com LOOKING FOR LAND? 541-420-0487 • CCB #130561 GARAGE TOO FULL? 606 Landscaping & Yard NEED SOME HELP? Maintenance Advertise in All Landscaping Services The Nugget Newspaper's Mowing, Thatching, Hauling... CLASSIFIEDS 603 Excavation & Trucking Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740. For no additional cost your classified goes ONLINE! Go to www.NuggetNews.com SIMON CONSTRUCTION DEADLINE: Every Monday by SERVICES noon. Call 541-549-9941 Residential Remodel Complete landscape construction, • • • • • • • • • • Building Projects fencing, irrigation installation & Bruce Simon, Quality craftsman 999 Public Notice trouble-shooting, general Cascade Bobcat Service is now for 35 years cleanups, turf care maintenance SCHERRER EXCAVATION NOTICE OF BUDGET 541-948-2620 • CCB #184335 Lic. & Bonded – CCB #225286 and agronomic recommendations, COMMITTEE MEETING bsimon@bendbroadband.com fertility & water conservation scherrerexcavation.com A public meeting of the Budget management, light excavation. Mike • 541-420-4072 Committee of the Sisters Park & CCB 188594 • LCB 9264 Logan • 541-420-0330 Recreation District, Deschutes 541-515-8462 County, State of Oregon, to BANR Enterprises, LLC discuss the budget for the fiscal Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, year July 1, 2020 to June 30, Hardscape, Rock Walls Pat Burke 2021. For a Zoom meeting link, Residential & Commercial LOCALLY OWNED visit the district website. The first From design to installation we CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 CRAFTSMAN BUILT meeting will take place on can do it all! Pavers, water www.BANR.net CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at features, irrigation systems, sod, TEWALT & SONS INC. www.sistersfencecompany.com 5:30 p.m. with the option of plants, trees etc. Excavation Contractors continuing the meeting to 541-771-9441 LCB #8906 Sisters’ Oldest Excavation Co. Thursday, May 14, 2020 at J&E Landscaping Maintenance Our experience will make your 5:30 p.m. if needed. LLC Clean-ups, raking, mowing, $ go further – Take advantage The purpose of this meeting is to hauling debris, gutters. of our FREE on-site visit! receive the budget message and Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 Hard Rock Removal • Rock to receive comment from the jandelspcing15@gmail.com Hammering • Hauling public on the budget. This is a Trucking • Top Soil • Fill Dirt – All You Need Maintenance – public meeting where Ground-to-finish Site Prep Pine needle removal, hauling, Lara’s Construction LLC. deliberations of the Budget Building Demolition • Ponds & mowing, moss removal, edging, CCB#223701 Committee will take place. Any Liners • Creative & Decorative raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, Offering masonry work, person may attend the meeting Rock Placement • Clearing, gutters, pressure washing... fireplaces, interior & exterior and discuss the proposed Leveling & Grading Driveways Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 stone/brick-work, build programs with the Budget Utilities: Sewer Mains, Laterals Austin • 541-419-5122 barbecues & all types of Committee. For members of the Water, Power, TV & Phone masonry. Give us a call for a free public who will not be able to 701 Domestic Services Septic System EXPERTS: estimate. Zoom in, questions or comments BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Complete Design & Permit 541-350-3218 can be emailed to Home & Rentals Cleaning Approval, Feasibility, Test Holes. HAVE A SERVICE SPRD@sistersrecreation.com or WINDOW CLEANING! Sand, Pressurized & Standard TO PROVIDE? mailed to SPRD, C/O Jennifer Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897 Systems. Repairs, Tank Let the public know Holland, PO Box 2215, Replacement. CCB #76888 – CUSTOM HOUSE CARE – what you have to offer in Sisters, OR, 97759. All written Cellular: 419-2672 or 419-5172 TLC for your Home. Let us The Nugget Newspaper’s comments and questions must be • 541-549-1472 • sparkle your house for C L A S S I F I E D S! received by May 11, 2020. TewaltAndSonsExcavation.com a fresh start! Call to schedule an Submitted written comments and immaculate home cleaning. ROBINSON & OWEN 602 Plumbing & Electric questions will be read aloud at Emilee Stoery, 541-588-0345 Heavy Construction, Inc. MONTE'S ELECTRIC the meeting during the designated customhousecare@earthlink.net All your excavation needs • service • residential public comment period. *General excavation • commercial • industrial A copy of the budget document 802 Help Wanted *Site Preparation Serving all of Central Oregon may be viewed or obtained on or Lake Creek Lodge *Sub-Divisions 541-719-1316 after May 4, 2020 by emailing Seeking seasonal, part-time and *Road Building lic. bond. insured, CCB #200030 jennifer@sistersrecreation.com or full-time cooks, servers, *Sewer and Water Systems R&R Plumbing, LLC calling (541) 549-2091. The bartenders, dishwasher/bussers, *Underground Utilities > Repair & Service budget document will be baristas, housekeepers and *Grading *Snow Removal > Hot Water Heaters concurrently posted on the Sisters receptionists. Apply in person at *Sand-Gravel-Rock > Remodels & New Const. Park & Recreation District 13375 SW Forest Service Road Licensed • Bonded • Insured Servicing Central Oregon website at 1419, Camp Sherman, or email CCB #124327 Lic. Bond. Ins. • CCB #184660 www.sistersrecreation.com. gm@lakecreeklodge.com. (541) 549-1848 541-771-7000

604 Heating & Cooling

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

CLASSIFIEDS

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Black Butte Ranch Rural Fire Protection District, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, will be held at the Black Butte Ranch Fire Station, 13511 Hawks Beard, Black Butte Ranch. In response to the current health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the District facilities are currently closed to the public and meetings are being held electronically. The meeting will take place on May 5, 2020 at 9 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. Public comment will be taken in written and phone in format. Written comments received by 9 a.m. on May 4, 2020 will be read during the public comment section of the meeting on May 5, 2020. Comments by phone will be taken on a scheduled basis during the public comment section of the meeting on May 5, 2020. Comments, both written and phone in, will be subject to a three minute limit per community member. To schedule public comment, please provide your name, phone number, and address to the district at (541) 595-2288, or email to jvohs@blackbutteranchfire.com. Public comment must be scheduled no later than 9 a.m. on May 4, 2020. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may comment at the meeting. A copy of the budget document may be inspected online at www.blackbutteranchfire.com or obtained by mail on or after April 28, 2020, via email request to jvohs@blackbutteranchfire.com or phone request to (541) 595-2288. Construction Contractors' LICENSING – Information for the Public – Oregon law requires those who work for compensation (except bona fide employees) in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to be licensed with Oregon CCB. (There are several exemptions.) An active license means the contractor is bonded and insured. Visit www.oregon.gov/CCB THE NUGGET SISTERS OREGON SEEKING AFFORDABLE ADVERTISING? Do You Have A BUSINESS TO PROMOTE? PRODUCTS TO SELL? SERVICE TO PROVIDE? Place your ad in The Nugget! DEADLINE for classifieds is MONDAYS by NOON Call 541-549-9941 or submit online at NuggetNews.com ••••••••••••••••••

C L A S S I F I E D S

CANDIDATES: Nelson and Schaier will face off in Nov. election Continued from page 1

voters in 2016. Nelson recently presided over the negotiation of a significantly revised contract with the City of Sisters for law enforcement services. The $661,200 base contract calls for Sisters to have a dedicated force of one lieutenant and three deputies, with an emphasis on building relationships between the Sisters-assigned deputies and members of the community. The lieutenant will report to the DCSO command, but will work closely with City officials. “I’m excited about it,” Nelson told The Nugget. “I think this is going to be a great opportunity not just for the City but for the residents out here.” Nelson is sheriff in one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and he said his office is continuing to develop proactive programs to enforce the law and maintain the quality of life that draws people here. In 2018, DCSO created the Community Action Target Team, or CATT, to work on quality-of-life issues. CATT focuses on locations within Deschutes County needing additional enforcement to deal with issues such as distracted driving, drugs, theft, trespass and criminal mischief. Quality of life issues are significant matters in Sisters Country. “We want to focus on livability out here,” Nelson said. He noted that DCSO has doubled its number of marijuana enforcement detectives to crack down on activity that falls outside cultivation and sales that are legal in Oregon and the County. “It’s their job to make sure that illegal, black market activity is curtailed,” he said. Nelson acknowledged that there have been several high-profile firings, reprimands and other personnel issues in his department since he took the helm, creating an impression in some quarters that DCSO is a department in turmoil. “That’s because we talk about it,” Nelson said. He believes that the public has a right to know about personnel issues to the degree authorized under the law. “We employ human beings, just like anybody else,” he said. “I don’t expect them to be perfect,

but we will deal with personnel issues as they come up.” He said DCSO is improving supervisory training and professional development, with an emphasis on working efficiently with different demographics, providing good customer service, employee wellness, and character and ethics. “If folks want to work with the Sheriff’s Office, I want them to be in line with the mission and values of the Sheriff’s Office,” He said. “That’s huge. That’s key.” Schaier began his law enforcement career with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and since moving with his wife to Central Oregon in 2013, he has served with the Bend Police Department as a patrol officer, training officer, and as a member of the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team. He was serving as a school resource officer until the COVID-19 school closures and is now back on patrol. Schaier believes he can be a change agent at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. “The culture of that agency is in dire need of change right now,” he told The Nugget. Schaier cited a recent inmate death in the jail, several lawsuits and personnel dismissals and what he perceives as a lack of collaboration with other agencies as evidence of a need for change. He believes that bringing up personnel who have served with the agency for decades means “falling into the same rhythms over and over.” You’re just a product of your environment,” he said. Schaier acknowledges that he has no administrative experience in law enforcement — but he sees his background as an advantage. He worked in the hospitality industry out of high school, where he learned to build teams, and in the automotive industry at a Nissan dealership in Long Beach, California, where he managed personnel and budgets. And he worked for a very large municipal police department in a highly diverse and challenging environment in Las Vegas. “I have, I believe, a unique background and experience that I think would serve Deschutes County well,” he said. Schaier told The Nugget that the on-duty December 2016 shooting of 31-yearold Michael Jacques was “without a doubt not only the worst day of my career, but the worst day of my life.”

An Oregon Department of Justice investigation concluded there wasn’t sufficient evidence to find Schaier criminally liable. In 2018 the City of Bend’s insurance company paid an $800,000 settlement to Jacques’ family. The officer told The Nugget that he was not privy to the reasoning behind the settlement. He said that the incident affirms two priorities for him: addressing the growing incidences of mental health crises law enforcement personnel interact with, and preserving officer and deputy well-being. “When I’m elected sheriff, one of the things that I’m going to implement is a mental health team countywide,” he said.

Schaier said that he is “happy that there’s going to be focus in the Sisters community” with the enhanced services provided under a new contract. He said that he would have made community policing and dedicated deputies a priority by “(making) the Sisters area a special assignment detail.” In any case, he wants to see a consistent roster of deputies engaged with the community. “I think that special touch is what Sisters needs,” he said. The candidates will potentially participate in public Q&A forums or debates during the summer and fall, as COVID-19 restrictions permit.

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SUDOKU Level: Easy

Answer: Page 18

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

DISTANCE: Sense of humor helpful with new teaching model Continued from page 1

ride to start off, but a sense of humor and teamwork helps. “I have been forced to learn about how to effectively use technology in different ways to reach my students and their families,” she said. “For example, it’s a real challenge videotaping a lesson from my home with a shared screen in Google Meets with a document camera plugged in — and actually having the sound work — while my kid and dog vie for my attention.” Reid deeply appreciates the “can-do” attitude of her colleagues. “Working as a grade-level team we all bring different experiences, passions, and knowledge to the table,” she said. “We are communicating with each other multiple times every day to problem solve, teach, and learn from each other, and plan together so that our students are all receiving similar lessons, just as they would in our regular classrooms.” Middle and high school choir director Rick Johnson is doing all he can to keep his students engaged, but trying to direct a choir via video conference has its limitations. “The choirs are meeting ʻlive’ online up to three times a week,” he said. “The students get to see their teammates

and still make music, even though it is from a distance. Unfortunately, Zoom and Google Hangout technology is not advanced enough to let us all hear each other in a rehearsal. The sound lags and breaks up, depending on the quality of each student’s Internet connection.” However, he and his students appreciate being able to work together. Johnson also teaches the Americana Project classes at the high school, which he says works quite fluidly. “I meet with the students live, guitars in hand, through online conferencing three times a week,” he said. “Every two weeks, the students will perform song tests demonstrating the skills they have learned in class in front of the rest of the class in the online conference. After they perform, the rest of the class has the ability to offer constructive comments and share in their success.” Gail Greaney teaches U.S. History, AP Government, and a literature class at the high school and said, “A lot of things are really going well. Students have been great about really trying to engage and adjusting to this new reality. They have problemsolved ways to work around technology issues and have been pretty tenacious in making sure they connect with me and with the class,” she said. Speaking of her colleagues she said, “The staff has been

incredibly supportive and helpful and everyone has really been kind and forgiving and understanding when things don’t work out perfectly or take longer or have to be adjusted. I’ve gotten a lot of help from our technology department, especially Wes Estvold, on trying to help me get set up and deliver my content.” She does think it is important for everyone to understand the complexity of what teachers are facing to make distance learning work. “Even though I had lessons already planned for my classes, digitalizing everything is a herculean task that takes gobs of time,” she said. “It’s a challenge to do everything — live class time, office hours, preparation, answering emails, helping students with make-up work — in the span of a day.” She continued, “Technology has been a challenge both for me and for some of my students. More importantly, I find it challenging not to be around my colleagues and students. I chose teaching because I love kids and like being around them. To be at home looking at a Zoom screen all day is not optimal. It’s difficult to ʻread the room’ and to have those interactions with students and staff that are so rewarding. I’d say the biggest challenge is adjusting to that relational/ interactive piece. That’s the part I miss the most.”

SERVICES: Seniors can reach out for free rides and deliveries Continued from page 1

Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. The TFFF grant and the active cooperation of local merchants will allow the STARS drivers to pick up and deliver pre-paid orders for groceries and healthcare products from Ray’s Food Place, Sisters Drug, Bi-Mart, Oliver Lemon’s and The Smokehouse. Prepaid prescriptions can be picked up and delivered from Sisters Drug. To arrange a ride or delivery call 541-904-5545 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Two-day advance notice is strongly recommended. The other half of the TFFF grant is funding a rapid startup of the Linked Villages of Sisters Country with COVID features enabled that allow a neighborhood to locate their members, match need requests with volunteers, provide “buddy check-ins” and communicate information of importance quickly and easily to the members. The Village will also be able to direct available resources

where they are needed: such as masks, grocery and meal delivery, etc. (The latter will be coordinated with the STARS program). The Village concept offers more than just the COVID-19 applications and strives to develop a multigenerational network that strengthens the social fabric of a neighborhood. It is being rolled out neighborhood-by-neighborhood in our area as volunteer team leaders reach out to AFSC. Tollgate is underway piloting the first Village. Others are invited to join by contacting Chris Laing, AFSC Board Liaison at linked villagessisters@gmail.com. The first Zoom meeting of the Tollgate neighborhood was held April 17 with 20 members attending. The next will be April 23. Residents of Tollgate who wish to attend may contact Jane Killefer, the team leader in Tollgate, at villagestollgate@gmail. com. The Villages Action Team will use the Tollgate Village as a hub and expects to add and support other neighborhood Villages as they form. AFSC thanked The Ford Family Foundation for quick and decisive action in providing support for Sisters Country during the COVID19 challenge.

THE ARENDS & SCOTT REALTY GROUP Discover the Difference

Liquor stores set new March record Oregon Liquor Control Commission liquor stores sold close to $66 million in distilled spirits in March, an almost 20 percent increase in sales compared to March 2019, and a new March sales record. December 2019 is the alltime monthly sales record for liquor at $75.85 million. The upsurge in sales from agent-operated liquor stores is attributed to changes in consumer behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, liquor consumption has shifted from sit-down bars and restaurants to consumers purchasing distilled spirts by-the-bottle for at home consumption. March liquor sales figures show the shift from bar and restaurant licensees to consumers. Licensee sales were $6.4 million in 2020 compared to more than $13.7 million in March 2019, a drop of 53 percent. In comparison, consumer liquor sales increased from $41.2 million in March 2019 to $59.5 million last month, a 44 percent increase. OLCC liquor stores have issued more than $500,000 in

refunds to 94 licensees (bars and restaurants) for returned liquor. The value of store inventory – unsold product – at liquor stores increased from $67.5 million to $78.6 million. “These numbers may be alarming to those concerned about alcohol dependency, but it reflects the shift in consumption, not an increase in consumption,” said Steve Marks, OLCC Executive Director. The rise in liquor sales mirror the shipping volume increase from the OLCC’s Milwaukee warehouse to retailers across the state during March. The OLCC shipped 367,563 cases of distilled spirits in March 2020 compared to 278,407 in March 2019, a 32 percent increase. The OLCC had two recordshipping days in March with 26,685 cases shipped on March 19, the largest shipping day in OLCC history and a 117% increase over the same day in 2019; the secondlargest shipping day in agency history was recorded March 18 when 22,547 cases were shipped. Shipments have now dipped below normal levels.

“We appreciate our warehouse employees and liquor store agents across the state for being nimble enough to adapt to the new business model imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Marks. “Despite operating with less staff, and being open shorter hours, the combined efforts of liquor store agents are continuing to provide service while also generating an important source of revenue for the state during a time of limited economic activity.”

SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 17

Phil Arends

Principal Broker

541-420-9997

phil.arends@cascadesir.com Licensed in the State of Oregon

Chris Scott Broker

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chris.scott@cascadesir.com Licensed in the State of Oregon

Superior Escrow Execution Ultimate Service Stop by and visit with Tiana Van Landuyt & Shelley Marsh. 220 S. Pine St., Ste. 102 | 541-548-9180

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541-408-1343

Serving Black k Butte Ranch h & The h Greater Sisters Area

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

LETTERS

Continued from page 11

To the Editor: Under the guise of his “just askʼn questions,” Mr. Tom Donohue, who doesnʼt identify himself as either a scientist or medical professional, wants his readers to believe: 1. The COVID-19 pandemic is like the seasonal flu; 2. We need to get back to work (whatever that means); 3. That going out in public without personal protective clothing in a pandemic is just like engaging in other risk taking activities such as driving a vehicle and flying in an airplane; and 4. The preventable deaths of up to “a few million” from a flu virus may be a price we have to pay for “the needs of the many.” In other words, the current right-wing talking points. I choose to act in accordance with the best judgments and advice from scientists and medical professionals regarding this pandemic. They tell us that the COVID-19 pandemic is not like the seasonal flu; it is far more lethal and has the same or greater ability to spread to others, including days before anyone feels any symptoms. The same experts tell us that ending social distancing must be preceded by widespread and accurate testing for infections, something that the current administration utterly failed to initiate or coordinate. As to helping our small businesses, I prefer to listen to small-business owners like Jen McCrystal who writes in the same issue about buying gift certificates, an easy and safe way to help. I will act in a manner that minimizes the risk to me, my family AND others from a slow and agonizing suffocation from this disease. To do otherwise would be irresponsible and dangerous. Michael Wells

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To the Editor: Sisters, Central Oregon and, indeed, the Planet Earth all face seemingly insurmountable problems. Passionate advocates young and old cry out “save the planet.” Others with different beliefs will argue and all day long; fingers are pointed in the wrong direction. At this time in history the Planet Earth is faced with only one problem. Man. The terrible impact made by the human virus can only be ended in one way. Controlled population

growth needs to be the key that unlocks the door to the future. Dave Elpi

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To the Editor: The Wall Street Journal mentioned in its April 17 issue a website designed by volunteer coders to facilitate the sale of gift cards for local businesses hurt by COVID-19 restrictions. The website is called helpmainstreet.com. I purchased a gift card for a Sisters restaurant listed on the site, but only a handful of Sisters businesses are listed. My husband sent an email to a Sisters retailer to suggest the owner register to be listed on the site. We are writing this letter to suggest that Sisters merchants hurt by travel and other restrictions take a look at the site and see if it makes sense for them to sign up. The site claims that 100 percent of the gift card purchase prices goes to the local businesses. Jane Poss

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To the Editor: The world we live in today is more complex and nuanced than any time in human history. Most people only have a notional grasp of the systems and technologies that we rely on everyday. So, when weʼre unable to understand our world and weʼre scared, humans still reach for the same comfort blanket weʼve been reaching for hundreds of thousands of years: Mythology. No, 5G does not spread COVID-19. No, Bill Gates is not trying to secretly microchip you. Yes, social distancing is saving millions of lives, particularly of those who have already-compromised immune systems. No, this is not a conspiracy to undermine U.S. politics. Uncertainty is scary. This actually lies at the root of most common phobias. But, now is a time when itʼs crucial for people to confront uncertainty by embracing science and strategic thinking, not mythology. Seek out information from reliable sources (scientists, doctors, non-partisan news reporting); question idealogues (politicians, religious leaders, talk radio entertainers). Mythology is not a solution. Just ask the Dark Ages. Josh Groves

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All connected...

PHOTO PROVIDED

Mac Maloney showed the work he and Mason Brang and his brother Cameron did for Mason’s fifth-grade project was to use sidewalk chalk to create messages for people to show that we are all connected even though we are all secluded. They decided to post their message on the walk near The Lodge at Sisters.

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18117 CASCADE ESTATES, BEND 3 BD | 3 BA | 3,708 SF | $1,200,000 Top-notch horse property on 9.51 acres with gorgeous 7-stall 2,640 SF barn, 2 fenced pastures & access to BLM. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, family room or 2nd living area, kitchenette, 2 utility rooms & office, 2 upstairs hobby/bonus rooms. Gourmet kitchen with island, walk-in pantry & outdoor pizza oven. Master on the main level with fireplace, sauna, jetted tub, walk-in closet, 2 patios & outdoor hot tub. | MLS#202003067

www.CascadeEstatesBend.com

“Sisters Businesses are Here to Serve” page to find curbside pick up, delivery, and more.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Serving the Sisters, Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch Areas

R E A L T O R S

A N D

P R O P E R T Y

The Locals’ Choice! M A N A G E M E N T

At Ponderosa Properties… …It’s About the People PEAKS AT PINE MEADOW Wonderful townhome complex in Pine Meadow Village. Like-new, 2-level unit with upstairs reverse living. Lots of windows and natural light. Greatroom space with modern design features gas fireplace and access to upper-level patio. Master bedroom is on lower level and has functional and practical workspace cubby. $397,000. MLS #202000483.

SOUTH MEADOW #8 One-third ownership! Enjoy an open floor plan with views of pine trees from the living room, featuring stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings, kitchen and dining room. Three bedrooms, 2 baths, master on ground floor, offering a private retreat for guests or a place for kids to hang out. Huge windows provide abundant natural light. Loft for additional sleeping area. Wood detail throughout gives off the classic BBR feel. Black Butte Ranch amenities include restaurants, golf courses, spa, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, fitness facilities, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking and biking trails, and more! $185,500. MLS#201909261

Kevin R. Dyer 541-480-7552

Rad Dyer 541-480-8853

Debbie Dyer 541-480-1650

Shane Lundgren 541-588-9226

CRS, GRI, Principal Broker

GRI, Broker

ROCK RIDGE #37 Vacation location in Black Butte Ranch! Partial ownership allows so much fun for a portion of the costs. Three bedrooms plus a bunk room in this 1,528 sq.ft. Rock Ridge home. Many upgrades including granite countertops, new decks, appliances and engineered flooring throughout the living area. Efficient propane stove in the great room. Easy access to pools, tennis, bike paths and the Glaze Meadow Sports Center. 1/4 Interest - $115,000. MLS#202002138 1/2 Interest - $229,500. MLS#202002132

BE A PART OF IT... Sisters’ Only Custom Mixed-Use Community INNOVATIVE NEW CONCEPT • Light Industrial/Commercial • Live/Work Loft Apartments • Opportunity for Economic Diversity • Small Condo-type Spaces • Perfect for Start-ups and Entrepreneurs Lot 17 MLS#201803204 ............ $210,000 Lot 5 MLS#201803205 ............$240,000 Lot 4 MLS#201803206 ........... $250,000 Lot 7 MLS#201803202 ........... $260,000

60030 RIVER BLUFF TRAIL Build your dream home close to skiing, biking and the Deschutes River in Bend's popular Sunrise Village neighborhood. This large .58 acre homesite is septic approved, flat and one of the last remaining opportunities to build a new home in this quiet gated community. Walking/biking paths, tennis courts, pool and community center. Great trail access to the river corridor, mountain bike trails to the west and paved trails toward Old Mill. $350,000. MLS #202002312

ABR, CCIM, CRB, CRS, GRI, Principal Broker

Broker

Carol Davis 541-410-1556 ABR, GRI, Broker

Greg Davidge 808-281-2676 Broker

Catherine Black 541-480-1929

CRS, Broker, Realtor Emeritus - 40+ years

Jackie Herring 541-480-3157 Broker

541-549-2002 1-800-650-6766 18108 FADJUR LANE Treasured unobstructed view of the Cascade mountains overlooking irrigated pasture. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3,850+ sq. ft. custom home w/multi-use barn/shop outbuilding. Paved circular drive leads to the qualityconstructed home in like-new condition. Many windows providing natural light in abundance throughout home. Spacious kitchen w/large cooking island, ample counters & cabinetry. Greatroom w/soaring ceiling & gas fireplace set in dramatic floor-to-ceiling river-rock display. Plenty of flexibility in living space. In addition to primary bedrooms, enjoy an office/den & bonus rooms. Property fenced & cross-fenced, served w/5 acres of Three Sisters Irrigation District pressurized water. Nearby access to BLM property for riding & outdoor recreation. $1,175,000. MLS#202001136

40 ACRES – 17672 WILT ROAD Private, yet close in, less than 10± miles from downtown Sisters. Forty acres with elevated building site and modest mountain views. Mix of pine and juniper. This property would be a great candidate for off-grid power, but power access is available. Call Listing Agent regarding power. Needs septic feasibility. Conditional-use permit to build a home was recently renewed for two years. Borders government land, State of Oregon, BLM and Deschutes County on three sides Owner will consider short terms. $275,000. MLS#201908158 MOUNTAIN-VIEW ACREAGE! 11.5 acres slope gently to the northwest with great mountain views and high desert beauty. Paved access, electricity and approval for a septic system, this acreage is ready for your Central Oregon dream home. The property offers views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Black Butte, Mt. Washington, Black Crater and the Three Sisters, plus elevated views of the surrounding area. There are adjacent parcels for sale on either side that expand the possibilities. BLM lands are nearby and the fishing is great along this stretch of the Middle Deschutes. $239,500. MLS#201910345

Guy Lauziere 541-410-9241

www. P onderosa P roperties.com 221 S. Ash St. | PO Box 1779 | Sisters

Broker

PAINT BRUSH SPECIAL Tile and bamboo flooring in the living areas help with easy maintenance in this 1,460 sq.ft. residence. Monitor oil heater provides low-cost heating in addition to electric heat. New lighting in dining area. Kitchen includes a breakfast bar. Bonus room for an office, mudroom or wellplanned storage. New granite in the 2 bathrooms, newer carpet in the 3 bedrooms. Fenced backyard. Covered patio. This .6-acre lot borders public land. Pool, tennis, rec center & trails for homeowners. $349,000. MLS#202000173

69114 BARCLAY LANE Beautiful 10 acres with Cascade mountain views! Close to town with paved access, natural sub-irrigated meadow, ponderosa pines, septic approval, excavated pond and shallow well depths. The building site offers views of Broken Top, the Three Sisters and Black Crater. There are views from the property of Mt. Jefferson, Black Butte, 3-Fingered Jack and Mt. Washington. An early morning walk through the meadow is spectacular with chest-high meadow grasses, wildflowers, grazing deer, circling raptors and countless native birds. This rare setting has Indian Ford Creek along its east boundary.$399,000. MLS#201906185

EXCITING NEW TOWNHOME Located in The Peaks at Pine Meadow Village. Two bedrooms, 2 baths and 1,455 sq.ft. Contemporary style and design features upper-level living for privacy and view from the greatroom. Practical kitchen opens to a large spacious living/dining with vaulted ceilings and lots of windows to let the natural light in. Propane fireplace provides a cozy and warm living space in the cooler months. Ductless heat pump and lower-level radiant floor heating gives year-round efficiency. Master is on the entry level and enjoys a large closet and luxurious bathroom. Guest suite is located off the greatroom, as well as an enjoyable upper-level patio to enjoy the outdoors. An auto courtyard leads to the attached garage. $432,500. MLS#202000020

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Just minutes from town with filtered mountain views. Prairie-style home in Indian Ford Meadows features vaulted ceilings, open beams and style. Well-built but dated interior ready for your dreams of renovation to make this special home and property your own. 4-bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3,014 sq. ft. with oversize double garage. Weathered vintage barn. Gorgeous setting amid mature ponderosa pines. Fenced and cross-fenced and set up for your horses with access to National Forest. $799,000. MLS#201910970

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