The Nugget Newspaper - Holidays in Sisters 2020 // 2020-12-02

Holidays in Sisters 11

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

s y a d i l o H in

s r e t s Si 0 2 20

While we celebrate close to home this year, you can remember friends and loved ones — near and far — with fine gifts, food, and experiences from the advertisers in these pages.

Holiday Specials at

Essentials Skincare • Enter RAFFLE DRAWINGS for 18 ÉMINENCE gift boxes, giveaways!

• $20 FACIAL in an organza bag... cleanser, peel, masque, moisturizer, eye serum • 10% OFF all starter sets • LED series of 6, $225 adyy!

• GIFT CERTIFICATES are wrapped, ready!

492 E. Main Ave. • Open Mon.-Sat., Flexible Hours Karen Keady Esthetician/Owner 541-480-1412 • www.SistersEssentials.com

Traditional holiday fun starts at Fika!

COOKIE DECORATING KITS TO GO!

Swedishh D Dala ala Horse Gingerbread Gingerbread, add baked and ready to decorate with frosting and toppings pp g pprovided.

TAKE KE FFIKA IK KA HO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Enjoy delicious scones, bread, quiche uic iche he aand nd oother ther th er ttreats! reat re ats

THURSDAYS TH HURSDAY

A special p surprise p cake day!

201 2 0 E. Sun Ranch Dr. 541-588-0311 Mon-Sat 7-4

Have a candy-coated Holiday with see’s candies!

Come by the Kiwanis See’s Candies Trailer in the Ray’s Food Place Parking Lot to order!

Monday-Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, November 24 through Thursday, December 24

Holiday Show!

QUICK & DELICIOUS HOLIDAY MEALS START WITH TAKODA’S TAKEOUT 541-549-8620

An invitation to shop

Pottery by Mitch &

Hope to see you there!

Menus at takodassisters.com And Our Gift Cards Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

Michelle Deaderick,

Jewelry by Mary Jo Weiss and Fiber Art

541.548.1704 17192 Jordan Rd., Sisters

Call for a private showing

Monday-Sunday, 11 am-8 pm | 425 W. Hwy. 20, Sisters

by Sharyl McCulloch

in a COVID-friendly outdoor setting with fire pits!

December b 5 & 6 • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Special…

All Handmade Jewelry! 20% OFF!

Natural gemstones, ling ng g Native American sterling silver and turquoise, leather, driftwood, Heishi beads, composite materials. (Good through 12/24/20)

EST. 1995

VISIT OUR STORE STO 7 DAYS A WEEK, 11-5 311 E. CASCADE AVE., SISTERS | 541-549-4251

Holiday Wines to fit every palate and every budget.

Order your party platters now for holiday entertaining!

541-549-2222 635 N. Arrowleaf Trail, Sisters • www.gorays.com

12

Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, December 2, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

We’re Planning Tours Over the River And Through The Woods for 2021!

Check out our website at www.touchofclasstours.com for scheduled tours, then give us a jingle to reserve your trip, making new friends and lasting memories in the New Year. 541-508-1500

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Christmas tree hunting in a COVID world — By Craig F. Eisenbeis —

Like most everything in 2020, Christmas is looking to be a bit different this year.

For many who heeded COVID warnings, Thanksgiving already fell victim to the rampaging virus, with infections skyrocketing in Deschutes County, most of Oregon, and the nation as a whole.

Although promises of a vaccine are tantalizingly close, all indications are that the heightened danger from the virus will continue for at least several more months. So, this is definitely not the year for the kind of Griswold-family Christmas portrayed in National Lampoon’s 1989 movie, “Christmas Vacation.” In that holiday comedy classic, multiple generations, including elderly grandparents and shirttail relatives converge to share the holidays together; and that just can’t be the model for 2020.

Still, the holiday season is upon us.

Christmas advertising is already staking its claim to television, and Hallmark Christmas movies have been playing for months. So, for many of us, one of the first activities that kicks off the season is finding a Christmas tree.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the first historical record of a Christmas tree dates to 1510 in Latvia.

Oregon is, by far, the nation’s largest producer of commercial Christmas trees, doubling the production of its nearest rival, North Carolina.

Here in Sisters Country, however, we are surrounded by thousands of potential Christmas trees right here in our local forests. Each year, the U. S. Forest Service hosts

thousands of private Christmas tree hunters; and, with COVID lurking, there is no better way to obtain your Christmas tree than by having a safe hunt for a wild Christmas tree in the great outdoors.

The first step, of course, is to obtain a Forest Service Christmas tree permit. One twist in this COVID year is that the local Sisters Ranger District office is not open for the purchase of permits. However, permits may be purchased online at https://www. recreation.gov/tree-permits/ or at one of several commercial outlets, including Sisters Ace Hardware, Bi-Mart, Sisters Mainline (Chevron) Station, Sisters Rental, and the Camp Sherman Store.

Kassidy Kern, public affairs specialist for the Deschutes National Forest is, herself, a big fan of the annual tree hunt. “This year has been pretty intense,” she said. “I’ve seen so many people already putting up their Christmas tree or lights to capture that spirit of joy even earlier, and I have decided to join in as well. I would normally wait until around the first weekend of December to get my tree, but I’m actually getting it Thanksgiving week. Putting up the Christmas tree at this point in the season is doing what I hoped it would do — bringing warmth to my heart and home.”

Amy Lowe, Contracting Officer for the Deschutes/Ochoco National Forests and mother to three boys, is a Christmas-treehunting enthusiast, as well. “It’s our time to pack some hot chocolate and sandwiches, get the sleds out and make a day of it,” she said.

“We trade our minivan in for the truck and all

Black Bu e Ranch

Canyon Creek Pottery

541-390-2449 541 1-390 390 0-24 244 2449 449 Visit our website at CanyonCreekPotteryLLC.com 310 N. Cedar St.

Black Butte Ranch has been making family memories for 50 years. Gather your loved ones together to connect during the holidays at Black Butte Ranch — with fine meals, cozy accommodations, and a chance to relax and just be together.

The Ranch is a safe place to be, with lots of fresh air and wide-open spaces to enjoy.

Indulge in a massage, facial, or mani/pedi at the spa; take advantage of holiday sales at Big Meadow Golf and the Glaze Meadow Sports Shop; create lasting memories with a family carriage ride.

Explore their winter playground on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or by sled; play catch with your dog in the meadow; watch the otters slide down the bank or dart under the ice.

There are wonderful dine-at-home or cook-at-home options available for celebratory holiday and Christmas dinners and The Lodge Restaurant will host Christmas dinner if conditions allow.

Gypsy Wind Clothing

Gypsy Wind Clothing

MISTAKE-FREE HOLIDAY SHOPPING! One-Size-Fits-All Two Button Shawls

SHOP GYPSYWINDCLOTHING.COM

Gypsy Wind Clothing is a Sisters destination shop for fashionable, unique, and fun clothing for play, work, and travel.

You are sure to find a special gift for a special person by shopping Gypsy Wind Clothing. Owner Janet Kronemeyer makes it easy to shop safely at her website (www. gypsywindclothing.com) or Etsy page (https:// www.etsy.com/shop/GypsyWindClothing).

“Mistake-free” shopping is easy at Gypsy Wind Clothing, with a line of shawls that fit anyone and look great on everyone. There are also onesize jackets and vests that make outstanding gifts.

A gift card may be just the ticket for a stocking stuffer, and it’s a convenient way to put a check mark on your “nice” list.

“People can call me and I mail to them if they don’t want to go out,” Janet said. “I’m a small shop — I can take care of my customers. I love to take care of my customers.”

of us pile in to...find that perfect fir tree for our home. I want my boys to treasure these memories we’re making in the forest; and, hopefully, they’ll want to do this with their own families when they grow up as well.”

Christmas tree permits cost $5 each, and up to five permits are permitted per household. Keep in mind that a Forest Service permit is valid only on Forest Service lands, so tree hunters must be certain that the selected tree is not on private land. If unsure, it is a good idea to have a Forest Service map that clearly shows forest boundaries.

Trees selected for cutting must be at least 200 feet from state highways, picnic areas,

campgrounds or other developed sites. Trees within 300 feet of streams and lakes are also off limits.

Other guidelines include selecting a tree that is no more than 12 feet tall; so no Griswold-style antics, please. Trees taller than 12 feet require a special permit. The tree to be cut must also be within 15 feet of another tree; so, if the tree is standing alone in an open space, find another tree. Complete copies of Christmas-tree-hunting guidelines and regulations can be obtained online and wherever tree permits are sold.

See TREE HUNTING on page 16

Hood Avenue Art

Now, more than ever, art has the ability to brighten our lives and deepen our experience.

And supporting artists in these times means supporting our local community.

Hood Avenue Art makes it easy, safe, and enjoyable to do all of that with an exceptional holiday sale that makes truly unique, one-of-akind art available at an affordable price.

The gallery is a beautiful space where patrons can enjoy innovative artwork in a friendly, intimate setting — with all COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

There are many small works available that are ideal for gifts and economically priced — starting as low as $20. The gallery’s roster of local artists offers many personalized services, like commissions, portraits, customized fabrications and classes.

Hood Avenue Art is home to a wide range of artists working in a variety of media, so there is truly something for everyone. The artists welcome your visit.

Holidays in Sisters 13

FREE T-SHIRT! With every $ 30 you spend (Offer valid through 12-24-20)

541-549-2059 121 W. Cascade Ave.

LOCAL ARTISTS GALLER RY Y

Holiday Sale

Thank you for shopping locally for affordable gifts of jewelry, art, pottery & more!

On the corner of S. Pine St. & W. Hood Ave. 541-719-1800 • info@hoodavenueart.com

Relaxing Skincare & Natural Nail Services Custom gift baskets and gift cards too!

Metolius River Lodges “We have been coming to the Metolius River Lodges since we moved to Oregon over 30 years ago. We stayed for variable lengths of time in almost every cabin until we learned that week-long stays can rebook their cabin for the following year. Our grandsons have come with us since they were toddlers. They are now 19 and 17, and have been joined in recent years by their twin toddler cousins. We cherish our time together in the beauty of the forest and this magical river; the yearly renewals have been formative in all our lives.”

— Tony & Marianne Wilcox, Grandparents

Sarah Woods | 541-953-7112 | 392 E. Main Ave., Sisters roamnaturalskincare.com

A peaceful holiday setting for your family

Unwind by the Metolius River with us!

“And we love having your family here each summer. We feel like the twins are part of ‘our family’ too. Thanks for your continued friendship.”

— John & Vickie Hornbeck, Owners

Sisters Coffee Co.

Sisters Coffee Co. is sharing their latest release, the Holiday Cheer Blend — because we all need a little more cheer this holiday season.

Shop local for the holidays! Treat your loved ones to a coffee date with a Sisters Coffee Co. gift card, or choose from the new selection of mugs, cozy crewnecks, and Oregon-knit beanies.

You’ll also find a wide array of new coffee offerings that are hitting the Sisters Coffee Co. shelves this holiday season — the perfect stocking stuffer for the whole family to enjoy. Need a larger quantity for corporate gifts? Reach out to customercare@ sisterscoffee.com for discount pricing on coffee orders of 50 bags or more.

Sisters Coffee Co. is a favorite from the North Pole to the South Pole. As always, you can order online and ship a little piece of Sisters to your loved ones far away this holiday season at www.sisterscoffee.com.

Gift Certificates Available 541-595-6290 • MetoliusRiverLodges.com MetoliusRiverLodges.c toliusRiverLodges.c toliusRiv om

HOLIDAY CHEER BLEND IS HERE! Our holiday coffees make great stocking stuffers or corporate gifts.

Coffee, gift boxes, mugs, crewnecks, beanies and gift cards are available in-store or online at www.sisterscoffee.com

Coffee Roasted Daily 273 W. Hood Ave., Sisters

541-549-0527

12

Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, December 2, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

We’re Planning Tours Over the River And Through The Woods for 2021!

Check out our website at www.touchofclasstours.com for scheduled tours, then give us a jingle to reserve your trip, making new friends and lasting memories in the New Year. 541-508-1500

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Christmas tree hunting in a COVID world — By Craig F. Eisenbeis —

Like most everything in 2020, Christmas is looking to be a bit different this year.

For many who heeded COVID warnings, Thanksgiving already fell victim to the rampaging virus, with infections skyrocketing in Deschutes County, most of Oregon, and the nation as a whole.

Although promises of a vaccine are tantalizingly close, all indications are that the heightened danger from the virus will continue for at least several more months. So, this is definitely not the year for the kind of Griswold-family Christmas portrayed in National Lampoon’s 1989 movie, “Christmas Vacation.” In that holiday comedy classic, multiple generations, including elderly grandparents and shirttail relatives converge to share the holidays together; and that just can’t be the model for 2020.

Still, the holiday season is upon us.

Christmas advertising is already staking its claim to television, and Hallmark Christmas movies have been playing for months. So, for many of us, one of the first activities that kicks off the season is finding a Christmas tree.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the first historical record of a Christmas tree dates to 1510 in Latvia.

Oregon is, by far, the nation’s largest producer of commercial Christmas trees, doubling the production of its nearest rival, North Carolina.

Here in Sisters Country, however, we are surrounded by thousands of potential Christmas trees right here in our local forests. Each year, the U. S. Forest Service hosts

thousands of private Christmas tree hunters; and, with COVID lurking, there is no better way to obtain your Christmas tree than by having a safe hunt for a wild Christmas tree in the great outdoors.

The first step, of course, is to obtain a Forest Service Christmas tree permit. One twist in this COVID year is that the local Sisters Ranger District office is not open for the purchase of permits. However, permits may be purchased online at https://www. recreation.gov/tree-permits/ or at one of several commercial outlets, including Sisters Ace Hardware, Bi-Mart, Sisters Mainline (Chevron) Station, Sisters Rental, and the Camp Sherman Store.

Kassidy Kern, public affairs specialist for the Deschutes National Forest is, herself, a big fan of the annual tree hunt. “This year has been pretty intense,” she said. “I’ve seen so many people already putting up their Christmas tree or lights to capture that spirit of joy even earlier, and I have decided to join in as well. I would normally wait until around the first weekend of December to get my tree, but I’m actually getting it Thanksgiving week. Putting up the Christmas tree at this point in the season is doing what I hoped it would do — bringing warmth to my heart and home.”

Amy Lowe, Contracting Officer for the Deschutes/Ochoco National Forests and mother to three boys, is a Christmas-treehunting enthusiast, as well. “It’s our time to pack some hot chocolate and sandwiches, get the sleds out and make a day of it,” she said.

“We trade our minivan in for the truck and all

Black Bu e Ranch

Canyon Creek Pottery

541-390-2449 541 1-390 390 0-24 244 2449 449 Visit our website at CanyonCreekPotteryLLC.com 310 N. Cedar St.

Black Butte Ranch has been making family memories for 50 years. Gather your loved ones together to connect during the holidays at Black Butte Ranch — with fine meals, cozy accommodations, and a chance to relax and just be together.

The Ranch is a safe place to be, with lots of fresh air and wide-open spaces to enjoy.

Indulge in a massage, facial, or mani/pedi at the spa; take advantage of holiday sales at Big Meadow Golf and the Glaze Meadow Sports Shop; create lasting memories with a family carriage ride.

Explore their winter playground on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or by sled; play catch with your dog in the meadow; watch the otters slide down the bank or dart under the ice.

There are wonderful dine-at-home or cook-at-home options available for celebratory holiday and Christmas dinners and The Lodge Restaurant will host Christmas dinner if conditions allow.

Gypsy Wind Clothing

Gypsy Wind Clothing

MISTAKE-FREE HOLIDAY SHOPPING! One-Size-Fits-All Two Button Shawls

SHOP GYPSYWINDCLOTHING.COM

Gypsy Wind Clothing is a Sisters destination shop for fashionable, unique, and fun clothing for play, work, and travel.

You are sure to find a special gift for a special person by shopping Gypsy Wind Clothing. Owner Janet Kronemeyer makes it easy to shop safely at her website (www. gypsywindclothing.com) or Etsy page (https:// www.etsy.com/shop/GypsyWindClothing).

“Mistake-free” shopping is easy at Gypsy Wind Clothing, with a line of shawls that fit anyone and look great on everyone. There are also onesize jackets and vests that make outstanding gifts.

A gift card may be just the ticket for a stocking stuffer, and it’s a convenient way to put a check mark on your “nice” list.

“People can call me and I mail to them if they don’t want to go out,” Janet said. “I’m a small shop — I can take care of my customers. I love to take care of my customers.”

of us pile in to...find that perfect fir tree for our home. I want my boys to treasure these memories we’re making in the forest; and, hopefully, they’ll want to do this with their own families when they grow up as well.”

Christmas tree permits cost $5 each, and up to five permits are permitted per household. Keep in mind that a Forest Service permit is valid only on Forest Service lands, so tree hunters must be certain that the selected tree is not on private land. If unsure, it is a good idea to have a Forest Service map that clearly shows forest boundaries.

Trees selected for cutting must be at least 200 feet from state highways, picnic areas,

campgrounds or other developed sites. Trees within 300 feet of streams and lakes are also off limits.

Other guidelines include selecting a tree that is no more than 12 feet tall; so no Griswold-style antics, please. Trees taller than 12 feet require a special permit. The tree to be cut must also be within 15 feet of another tree; so, if the tree is standing alone in an open space, find another tree. Complete copies of Christmas-tree-hunting guidelines and regulations can be obtained online and wherever tree permits are sold.

See TREE HUNTING on page 16

Hood Avenue Art

Now, more than ever, art has the ability to brighten our lives and deepen our experience.

And supporting artists in these times means supporting our local community.

Hood Avenue Art makes it easy, safe, and enjoyable to do all of that with an exceptional holiday sale that makes truly unique, one-of-akind art available at an affordable price.

The gallery is a beautiful space where patrons can enjoy innovative artwork in a friendly, intimate setting — with all COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

There are many small works available that are ideal for gifts and economically priced — starting as low as $20. The gallery’s roster of local artists offers many personalized services, like commissions, portraits, customized fabrications and classes.

Hood Avenue Art is home to a wide range of artists working in a variety of media, so there is truly something for everyone. The artists welcome your visit.

Holidays in Sisters 13

FREE T-SHIRT! With every $ 30 you spend (Offer valid through 12-24-20)

541-549-2059 121 W. Cascade Ave.

LOCAL ARTISTS GALLER RY Y

Holiday Sale

Thank you for shopping locally for affordable gifts of jewelry, art, pottery & more!

On the corner of S. Pine St. & W. Hood Ave. 541-719-1800 • info@hoodavenueart.com

Relaxing Skincare & Natural Nail Services Custom gift baskets and gift cards too!

Metolius River Lodges “We have been coming to the Metolius River Lodges since we moved to Oregon over 30 years ago. We stayed for variable lengths of time in almost every cabin until we learned that week-long stays can rebook their cabin for the following year. Our grandsons have come with us since they were toddlers. They are now 19 and 17, and have been joined in recent years by their twin toddler cousins. We cherish our time together in the beauty of the forest and this magical river; the yearly renewals have been formative in all our lives.”

— Tony & Marianne Wilcox, Grandparents

Sarah Woods | 541-953-7112 | 392 E. Main Ave., Sisters roamnaturalskincare.com

A peaceful holiday setting for your family

Unwind by the Metolius River with us!

“And we love having your family here each summer. We feel like the twins are part of ‘our family’ too. Thanks for your continued friendship.”

— John & Vickie Hornbeck, Owners

Sisters Coffee Co.

Sisters Coffee Co. is sharing their latest release, the Holiday Cheer Blend — because we all need a little more cheer this holiday season.

Shop local for the holidays! Treat your loved ones to a coffee date with a Sisters Coffee Co. gift card, or choose from the new selection of mugs, cozy crewnecks, and Oregon-knit beanies.

You’ll also find a wide array of new coffee offerings that are hitting the Sisters Coffee Co. shelves this holiday season — the perfect stocking stuffer for the whole family to enjoy. Need a larger quantity for corporate gifts? Reach out to customercare@ sisterscoffee.com for discount pricing on coffee orders of 50 bags or more.

Sisters Coffee Co. is a favorite from the North Pole to the South Pole. As always, you can order online and ship a little piece of Sisters to your loved ones far away this holiday season at www.sisterscoffee.com.

Gift Certificates Available 541-595-6290 • MetoliusRiverLodges.com MetoliusRiverLodges.c toliusRiverLodges.c toliusRiv om

HOLIDAY CHEER BLEND IS HERE! Our holiday coffees make great stocking stuffers or corporate gifts.

Coffee, gift boxes, mugs, crewnecks, beanies and gift cards are available in-store or online at www.sisterscoffee.com

Coffee Roasted Daily 273 W. Hood Ave., Sisters

541-549-0527

14

Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, November 25, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Stitchin’ Post

Stitchin’ Post encourages folks in Sisters to give the gift of creativity this holiday season.

For many of us, holiday activities have been disrupted and traditions modified — which is all the more reason to create new ones by making handmade Christmas décor and gifts.

Stitchin’ Post kits provide everything you need to take on fun and rewarding projects all through the winter.

Put together felt advent stockings with an inexpensive kit. Make your own stocking advent calendar from felt and colorful trims with Stitchin’ Post’s instructional video and kit. String them up along your mantle, down your staircase railing, above a door — or anywhere else you’d like to liven up with some Christmas cheer!

The gift of creativity comes in the form of kits or online classes, from quilting to block printing. Classes offer opportunities to really absorb lessons in instructional videos and engage with instructors via Zoom.

Shop Paulina Springs Books and our Holiday Gift Guide.

It’s close to home!

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE! E! Mon-Sat 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

COVID precautions in place

252 W. Hood Ave. | 541-549-0866 866 paulinaspringsbooks.com

Paulina Springs Books

Books and games are just the ticket for long winter evenings — especially as we’re sticking close to the home fireside this season.

Paulina Springs Books is open for browsing under COVID-safe protocols. Come in and explore the books from the holiday catalogue — all at a 15-percent discount. There is a wide selection of new non-book gift items as well, and a fine variety of engaging games to enjoy with your family.

There is also a selection of author-signed and book-plated books that make special gifts for readers.

The bookstore is hosting the Annual Angel Tree Book Drive. Books purchased for the Angel Tree are given to children participating in SMART (Start Making A Reader Today). Shoppers choose a card from the Angel Tree and select the book(s) they would like to purchase.

Paulina Springs thanks Sisters for the community’s ongoing support.

Marigold & True

The joy of Christmas shopping in Sisters is finding gifts that feel handmade and heartfelt — something outside of the ordinary.

Nowhere in Sisters will you find more such treasures than at Marigold & True. This new addition to Sisters’ unique shops specializes in items produced by small-batch, women-owned companies, often with culturally diverse backgrounds.

That means your holiday gifts will be artful, artisan products that really speak to the recipient. You’ll find a wide range of price points — starting as low as $3 for a handmade ornament.

The shop operates under safety protocols, and people who can’t go out can spot an item on Instagram and call in for it — they’ll get it in your hands. Gift cards are always a great option and they are available in any amount.

Original artwork is a feature of Marigold & True, and there will be festive decorations and new art on display in December.

Coco Loco

The Coco Loco food cart located in the Eurosports courtyard offers an ideal place to enjoy some great Mexican food at a time when “to-go” is the order of the day.

Owner Mark Keefe traveled a lot to Baja California with his dad and loved the culture and the food. He and his wife, Suzy, cooked quite a bit of Mexican food at home — often for friends and family — everything from heartwarming chicken soup to grilled fish tacos in the same style as what Coco Loco serves today, which have become their most popular dishes.

“We place a heavy emphasis on fresh food that’s satisfying but not too heavy,” Mark says. “For example, we use avocado oil for grilling and make fresh pico de gallo and guacamole daily. We also use whole organic pinto beans and non-GMO rice, plus a lot of great local products in our food.”

16

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

WINTER: “Know before you go” when planning forest outings Continued from page 1

PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG EISENBEIS

A Christmas tree hunter loads up his prize in the forest just west of Sisters.

TREE HUNTING: Get a permit; be prepared for winter conditions Continued from page 13

Another change for 2020 is that the Forest Service’s program of free trees for fourth-graders has been expanded to include fourth- and fifth-graders.

To claim one of those free Christmas-tree permits, visit https://everykidoutdoors. gov/index.htm. A free holiday-tree permit can then be obtained at https://www. recreation.gov/tree-permits.

Finally be sure that your Christmas tree hunt is a safe one and be properly equipped. Also, unlike the Griswolds, remember to bring a hand-saw or axe as well, along with winter clothing and safety equipment. Tire chains and a shovel are recommended, as is extra food, drinking water, blankets, a flashlight, firstaid kit and survival gear.

Tree cutting and travel can take longer than anticipated, so notify friends or family of your destination and return time. Be sure to leave the woods well before dark.

Kern had some specific safety advice for tree hunters: “We have had a decent amount of snow this year so make sure that you are ready for winter conditions with good tires, and if you start running into more than a few inches of snow on the road, stop, get out and walk or be prepared with some skis or snowshoes. Making a family memory of finding the right Christmas tree could easily take a turn if you get stuck in deep snow or muddy conditions, ruining the whole experience. Be prepared, but be flexible in your plans so everyone can have a great time and then get home safely.”

If multiple households are involved in your tree hunt, separate vehicles should be used to promote COVID s a f e t y. W h i l e o u t d o o r

activities are generally safer in the prevention of virus spread, masks should also be employed if safe distancing is not possible.

Also, keep in mind that children have a tendency to wander off, so keep a close eye on children while in the woods. If you travel any significant distance from your vehicle, you should be prepared for outdoor winter travel; and remember that winter weather conditions can change rapidly.

Be prepared, but be flexible in your plans so everyone can have a great time and then get home safely.

— Kassidy Kern

plowed or maintained during the winter. Several Forest Roads, particularly on northfacing slopes, now have areas that are icy or covered in unstable, early season snow that presents risks to drivers.

With the holiday season underway and many people traditionally planning on harvesting a Christmas tree on the national forests, forest managers are concerned, if precautions aren’t taken, more people may require assistance. (See related story, page 12.)

On another note, winter recreation is already taking off on the Deschutes National Forest. Forest managers expect to see record-breaking winter recreation similar to the summer months, given people’s desire to recreate outdoors during COVID19 restrictions. (See related story, page 1.) People recreating outdoors should “know before they go” and be aware of winter regulations.

During the winter, road closures are in place in four areas of the forest to protect wildlife and their winter range. Additionally, in winter (November 1 to May 1), dogs, leashed or unleashed, are not allowed north of the Cascade Lakes Highway. The closure includes areas accessed by the Virginia-Meissner,

We’ve Got Tons of Great Gifts and Tools for Christmas!

Swampy Lakes, Vista Butte and Dutchman Sno-Parks (see map at www.bit.ly/35Z8iBs).

Dogs are only allowed in the area, with a permit, for the purpose of skijoring or dog sledding.

The dog closure order applies to only 1 percent of the Deschutes National Forest. The closure is in place for a variety of reasons.

Snowmobiles may not be able to stop when a dog runs through a snowmobile trail.

In addition, Nordic skiers and snowshoers rely on the work of volunteers who groom winter trails. Dogs running through and playing in these winter trail areas can quickly destroy a winter trail and the work of volunteer groomers. On the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest there are many locations where people can safely take their dogs.

Some tips for those enjoying winter recreation on their public lands: • Plan your trip — check the weather, bring plenty of warm clothes, enough water for everyone for 3 days, emergency food, tire chains, shovel, flashlight, flares and/ or something to start a fire with, camp saw or hatchet, and cold-weather sleeping bag or blankets.

• Make sure you have a

full tank of gas when you leave and are prepared for changing conditions in the mountains and high desert.

Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.

• Keep vehicles on designated roads and be aware of changing weather and road conditions. Wet dirt roads can quickly turn to mud, making it possible to get stuck and causing damage to road, soil and water resources.

• In snowy conditions, if the snow is on the road three inches or greater, turn around – conditions are not likely to improve ahead.

• If there are puddles in the road, mud flipping off the tires, or you can see your ruts in the rearview mirror, turn around.

• Do not count on technology — GPS can steer drivers onto impassable roads and cellphone service can be inconsistent.

When enjoying a more remote primitive recreation experience in dispersed areas, it’s advised to turn around when road conditions begin to deteriorate and find a safe place to pull over and park to recreate. Pay attention to weather conditions, including increased winds and snowfall, to ensure plenty of time to safely head back home.

The Nugget is serving customers by email, phone,

and curbside!

In accordance with current state mandates, our office is closed to the public at this time.

Sisters Wrapping Paper 20 sheets $8 5 each of 4 designs

40 sheets $15 H Hours: M-F M F 8 to 5 5, S Sat. 8 to 4 4, Cl Closed dS Sundays d 440 N. Pine St. • 541-549-8141 • www.hoyts.net

Off those holiday pounds!

ZUMBA CLASS GOES VIRTUAL!

Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays, 9 to 10 a.m. $6 ID • $8 OD drop-in per visit or $60 ID • $80 OD for 11 visits

Register and purchase passes at

SistersRecreation.com reation com m 541-549-2091 • 1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd., Sisters

10 each of 4 designs

If you would d like to pur purchase rcha ase “Season’s Greetings from Sisters” wrapping paper or need back issues of The Nugget, call 541-549-9941 and we’ll bring it to you curbside.

The Nugget Office: 541-549-9941 News & Letters to the Editor: Jim Cornelius, 541-390-6973 (cell) editor@nuggetnews.com Classifieds, Subscriptions, Announcements, Events: Lisa May, lisa@nuggetnews.com Display Advertising: Vicki Curlett, 541-549-9941 vicki@nuggetnews.com Office hours are Monday & Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Nugget Newspaper