The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLIII No. 50 // 2020-12-09 by Nugget Newspaper

Holidays in Sisters 2020 Pages 11-14

The Nugget Vol. XLIII No. 50

POSTAL CUSTOMER

News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

www.NuggetNews.com

SES forges path with in-person instruction

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Police investigate poaching incident

Hitting the slopes...

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

With every other public school in Deschutes County operating under the Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) model due to the coronavirus pandemic, Sisters Elementary School stands alone conducting in-person learning — leaving Principal Joan Warburg feeling quite fortunate and pleased for her students. “Our students are happy,

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

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Hoodoo Ski Area has opened on weekends for eager skiers and snowboarders.

See IN-PERSON on page 23

Oregon State Police are investigating a poaching incident that occurred near Sisters earlier this fall. They are seeking public assistance to solve the case. Poachers killed a bull, a cow, and a spike elk east of Sisters on or about October 28 and Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife troopers are looking for information leading to the culprits. The animals were discovered separately, but all three were in the same area and See POACHING on page 16

County responding to Finding truth of genetic identity surge in COVID-19 cases By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the region and across the state, Deschutes County Health Services reports that case investigation and contacttracing teams are currently not able to contact all residents who test positive for COVID-19 within 24 hours. Daily case reports hit a record on Friday, December 4, with 129 reported. Sisters cases stood at 92 on December 2, up from 78 a week before (cases are broken out by zip code on a weekly basis). There was a statewide record of 2,176 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases and 30 new deaths reported on Friday. Governor Kate Brown marked Friday’s statistics: “Today, Oregon marked a tragic milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “The Oregon Health Authority reported 30 deaths today, a record, and the number pushed us past the 1,000th death since the start of this crisis. This disease has

Inside...

touched every Oregonian. It has taken a devastating toll on our families, our communities, our businesses and our physical and mental wellbeing.” The local area is seeing more COVID cases than at any time previously in the pandemic. Deschutes County’s testing percent-positive rate is 11.3 percent, which indicates that testing is limited and that most cases may go undetected. Percent-positive rate gives an indication how widespread infection is in an area and whether levels of testing are keeping up with levels of disease transmission. Health officials consider test positivity of five percent or greater “too high.” On Monday, St. Charles Health System reported 49 COVID-19 patients; six in the ICU, with four on a ventilator. COVID-19 metrics have pushed local schools into the “red zone,” which may See COVID-19 on page 22

Wendi Babst was staying at her soon-to-be home in Sisters in March 2018 when she made a discovery that changed her life. Retired from law enforcement and now teaching criminal justice at Clackamas Community College, Babst and her husband, Greg, were on the cusp of moving permanently to the Sisters home they had purchased in 2012. Wendi wasn’t feeling well, and was looking to pass some time by delving into a commercial DNA test. “I bought a Black Friday gift to myself, and then I didn’t do it for months,” she recalled. When she looked at her results, there was an anomaly: She had a whole lot of half-sibling matches that shouldn’t be there. It didn’t take her detective’s intuition long to grasp what was going on. “It immediately started to click,” she told The Nugget. She knew that her mother had seen a fertility doctor — and she knew that that

PHOTO PROVIDED

Wendi Babst, right, with her mother, Cathy Holm, got their portrait shot at The Hen’s Tooth in Sisters during a visit. In 2018, Babst made a stunning discovery about her genetic history. Her story is now portrayed in the HBO documentary film “Baby God.” doctor had delivered her; his name was on her birth certificate. And she knew what her DNA test implied. And as she investigated her findings, she realized a shocking truth:

Her biological father was Dr. Quincy Fortier. Babst’s remarkable journey is recounted in the new See ‘BABY GOD’ on page 19

Letters/Weather ............... 2 Announcements................ 8 Holidays in Sisters .......11-14 Crossword .......................19 Sudoku ............................21 Meetings .......................... 3 Events .............................. 8 Student of the Month .......18 Classifieds................. 20-21 Real Estate ................ 22-24

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

N I

Keeping the Grinch at bay By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Sisters folks are going to have to work especially hard to keep the Grinch out of town over the Christmas holidays. A spiking pandemic has local people worried about their health and that of loved ones. At the same time, state mandated restrictions on business activity are choking livelihoods and threatening the survival of beloved local businesses. The toxic cauldron of national politics and culture wars bubbles over into social unrest, distrust and rage, and all of its toils and troubles leak into communities across America — including this one. Last weekend, a video made the rounds on Facebook of a woman in Bend ranting, cursing and flipping the bird at demonstrators protesting COVID-19 restrictions and demanding that the fetters be taken off local commerce. Local activists who have been on street corners in Sisters on a weekly basis demonstrating over matters of racial justice complain that they’ve been continually verbally abused and subjected to deliberately-deployed “coal rolling” exhaust fumes. Maybe it’s just the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones capturing thousands of examples of the Great American Meltdown, but it sure seems that emotional incontinence is trending across the USA. Last week, a local provider of health services reported that staff are being abused by patients demanding immediate service — never mind the 30 other people in the queue before them. People demand COVID testing and then argue about the results. People are scared, and a stuffy nose has become an emergency. Retail employees continue to bear the brunt of customer frustration with restrictions and protocols that those employees have no choice but to enforce. Everybody is in a heightened emotional state — maybe a little touchier than normal; maybe right at the end of our rope. There’s a Grinch in all of us, after all, and we’re all susceptible to his shriveledhearted emotions of negativity, anger, and resentment.

But we don’t have to feed the grumpy green critter. There are many ways to keep the Grinch at bay — and we all know how to do it. Getting out of our own heads helps. Looking out for others has a remarkable way of putting our own troubles into perspective. We can reach out to friends, family and neighbors — especially those we haven’t been in contact with for a while or with whom we’ve become estranged. I’m not talking about a text or a Facebook message — what’s needed is a real, live conversation over the phone or virtually — or maybe a nice, safe conversation outdoors. This might be a good time to do a little social media detox. It’s possible that the Grinch’s cave is actually located in Silicon Valley. We know that steeping ourselves in contentious back-and-forth that has no real impact is bad for us — but those platforms are built to be addictive. We keep on scrolling and end up feeling more negative, angry and resentful. Step away from the constant sound and fury and spend some restorative time in blessed quiet. The transition of presidential administrations and the Georgia Senate runoff election will almost certainly play out without our killer memes and commentary. The local economy could really use some support this year. Something as simple and pleasurable as doing our Christmas shopping here at home or ordering takeout from a local restaurant can make a real difference in people’s ability to sustain their livelihood. Most of all, maintaining an attitude of gratitude — despite all that militates against it — can spare us so many of the ill effects of stewing in negativity and lashing out at others. The great Texas songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard, who has graced the stage at the Sisters Folk Festival, laid out a philosophy of life that saved him in his song “Mother Blues.” It’s encapsulated in just two lines in a long discourse on strippers, gold-top Les Paul guitars, fatherhood and love: “…And the days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations/ Well, I have really good days.”

Sisters Weather Forecast

Courtesy of the National Weather Service, Pendleton, Oregon

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Partly Cloudy

PM Snow Showers

45/26

40/27

40/31

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Rain/Snow Showers

Rain

Rain/Snow

44/35

46/31

42/27

HOLIDAY DEADLINES

The Nugget will be closed Fri., Dec. 25 through Fri., Jan. 1 (Don’t worry, you’ll still get your Nugget!) DECEMBER DEADLINES: Issues of December 16 and 23 (regular deadlines) Display advertising ............................................Friday at noon Announcements & Events ............................Friday at 5 p.m. Classifieds...............................................................Monday at noon Letters to the Editor & Obituaries ............Monday at 10 a.m. Issue of December 30 (early deadlines) Display advertising ............................................Tues., Dec. 22 at noon Announcements & Events ............................Thurs., Dec. 24 at noon Classifieds...............................................................Thurs., Dec. 24 at noon Letters to the Editor & Obituaries ............Not running this issue Issue of January 6 (early deadlines) Display advertising ............................................Tues., Dec. 22 at noon Announcements & Events ............................Thurs., Dec. 24 at noon Classifieds...............................................................Mon., Jan. 4 at noon Letters to the Editor & Obituaries ............Mon., Jan. 4 at 10 a.m.

OFFICE PHONE 541-549-9941 News & Letters to the Editor: Jim Cornelius, 541-390-6973 (cell), editor@nuggetnews.com Display Advertising: Vicki Curlett, vicki@nuggetnews.com, 541-699-7530 (cell) Classifieds, Subscriptions, Announcements, Events: Lisa May, lisa@nuggetnews.com

Happy Holidays!

Letters to the Editor…

To the Editor: I am the chairman of the Kiwanis Food Share to provide the certificates for a Christmas dinner. We have worked together with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department for many years. This year, due to COVID-19, things are a little different. The Fire Department is not accepting applications after December 11, so that they will have time to get the gifts for children done in time for their distribution. The Kiwanis has in the past accepted applications up to and including the day we gave

them away at the fire hall. We all know this is not a normal year and the certificates will be mailed. So, this year the Kiwanis will accept applications until December 22. It will be for the certificates to buy a Christmas dinner only. If there are families with children, the applications definitely have to be turned in by Friday, December 11, to receive presents for children. Applications for dinner certificates will still be available at the Food Bank See LETTERS on page 16

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.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

N I

Working to celebrate Outlaws seniors Despite the disruptions of a global pandemic that have upended the school year for Sisters students, parents are seeking a way to provide traditional grad night festivities for Outlaws seniors. They are seeking “sponsors” for students for grad night celebrations in June. In a letter to parents, the grad night organizing committee noted, “...It is tradition in Sisters to host a post-graduation all-night party for graduating seniors. Graduation is scheduled for June 4, 2021, and the party will take place directly after the ceremony. Parties in past years have been from approximately 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The intent of the party is to

provide a drug- and alcoholfree alternative for graduating seniors to celebrate their graduation together.” It’s not clear what will be possible later in the year, and current conditions make fundraising for the traditional event a challenge. The letter noted, “In past years fundraising events have been held throughout the school year to raise funds to support the party... The committee decided to seek donations from parents and community members to effectively ‘sponsor’ each graduating senior.” The estimated cost of the party for each senior is $125. See SENIORS on page 16

Commentary...

Christmas: The birth of Jesus Christ By Lisa May Columnist

Christmas is the sacred day on which Christians celebrate the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ. But what is the primary focus of that celebration? Certainly, for Christians, the primary focus is not family, food, or festivities — as worthy as those things are of enjoying. If a Christian’s desire is to focus the Christmas celebration on the birth of Jesus Christ, exactly what

are we excited about? It’s pretty exciting that a multitude of angels showed up in the skies above some shepherds in the region of Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. I know I would be amazed to look up to see uncountable numbers of heavenly beings shining with the glory of the Lord. Not many people have witnessed such a miracle. I’d probably side with the shepherds to go check out See CHRISTMAS on page 15

PHOTO BY CEILI CORNELIUS

A group of community activists has been meeting — mostly virtually — to develop a community-based website.

Website aims to connect community By Ceili Cornelius Correspondent

Sisters Country has a new community-based website at sisterscommunity.org. Sisters Country Community Connects is the title of the new community website that was to launch Wednesday, December 9, built and created for and by Sisters Country residents, with the help from the organizations Citizens4Community (C4C), nonprofit Community Website Partnership (CWP) and funding from the Ford Family Foundation. Robyn Holdman, executive director of C4C spearheaded the project with a group of volunteers working with CWP. The Community Website Partnership is a nonprofit organization that strives to bring community websites to rural communities to create a place where residents,

as well as new people, have a resource to get connected to their community. Brooke Nuckles Gentekos, the CWP’s project manager said, “We strive to make connections with people and organizations in Oregon who are making a difference in rural communities.” The project started when Mary Ward, founder of community systems, saw a need for an online portal of websites for communities. She met Steven Williams, a web developer, and together, working with the Ford Family Foundation, they created the partnership that works in rural communities, which create their own leadership teams to develop a website. Each year, the partnership selects one or two communities to be a part of the partnership based on inquiries they receive from communities that want to develop a

website. “We try to select communities that are inclusive and already doing work within the community to connect its people,” said Nuckles Gentekos, whose role is to manage the website’s creation and keep the leadership team on task. “We’ve loved working with Sisters and with Robyn, who is a great lead on the project. We knew there was going to be a wealth of content and strong foundation laid prior by the community. We were impressed by the projects already happening in Sisters as well as with the visioning project.” The website strives to be a one-stop shop for information about Sisters, as well as a place to access volunteer opportunities and a place to have a community calendar to know when See WEBSITE on page 6

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to affect gatherings, please contact individual organizations for current meeting status

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch Tuesdays, noon, Sisters Community Church. 541-480-1843. Al-Anon Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. / Thurs., 10 a.m., East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Wednesday (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. 541-610-7383. Friends of the Sisters Library Board Alcoholics Anonymous Thurs. & of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 9 to 11 a.m., Sun., 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Sisters Library.www.sistersfol.com. Transfiguration / Sat., 8 a.m., Episcopal Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday, Church of the Transfiguration / Mon., 7 p.m. Sisters Community Church. All 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran ages welcome. 541-771-2211. Church / Big Book study, Tues., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Sisters City Gentlemen’s meeting, Wed., 7 a.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Hall. Materials provided. 541-408-8505. Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Thurs., Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 4 p.m. 541-549-1028 or 541-719-1230. Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fri., Citizens4Community, Let’s Talk noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 3rd Monday, 5:30 to 8 p.m. RSVP at Church. 541-548-0440. citizens4community.com Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Military Parents of Sisters Meetings Support Group 1st Tuesday, noon, are held quarterly; please call for details. 541-388-9013. SPRD bldg. 800-272-3900. Oregon Band of Brothers – Sisters Black Butte Ranch Bridge Club Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m., BBR community Chapter Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., room. Partner required. 541-595-6236. Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469. SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild & Enrichment) Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. For Saturday meeting dates and to 4 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation location, email: steelefly@msn.com. District. 541-549-2091. Central OR Spinners and Weavers Sisters Aglow Lighthouse Guild One Saturday per month, Jan. 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., Ponderosa Lodge thru Oct. For schedule: 541-639-3217. Meeting Room. 503-930-6158.

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 4 p.m., meeting by Zoom. 541-549-6157.

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

Sisters Area Woodworkers 1st Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-639-6216.

Sisters Trails Alliance Board 1st Monday, 5 p.m. Sisters Library. Public welcome. 808-281-2681.

Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday, 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846.

Sisters Veterans Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-903-1123. Sisters Bridge Club In-person gathering suspended until further notice. Three Sisters Irrigation District For free online bridge info, Board of Directors 1st Tuesday, call Barbara 541-914-6322. 4 p.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815. Sisters Caregiver Support Group 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., The Lodge in Sisters. 541-771-3258.

Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd Tuesday, noon, Ray’s Food Place community room. 541-419-1279.

Sisters Cribbage Club Please call for details. 541-923-1632.

VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-903-1123.

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.

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, 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. 541-595-6203.

Sisters Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting by Zoom. 541-668-6599.

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

Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday. Location information: 541-279-1977. Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Thursdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645.

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, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

City to host Comp Plan SFF wraps up Winter JAM fundraiser virtual open house The City of Sisters is hosting a communitywide engagement opportunity for the Sisters 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this open house will take the form of an online, interactive survey and will be available to view from December 7-21 on the project website, www. sisters2040.com. At the virtual open house, citizens can learn about the Comprehensive Plan update process, review the draft housing and economic studies and share your feedback on them as well as on other items. “We want to hear from you,” said Community Development Director Scott

Woodford. “The more people who participate in the open house, the better the Comprehensive Plan update will represent the key values of Sisters.” When you participate in the online open house, you can enter into a raffle for the chance to win one of six $25 gift cards from a local grocery store: Oliver Lemon’s or Ray’s Food Place. The link to the online open house is available at www.Sisters2040.com. For more information, contact the Comp Plan team at www.sisters2040.com/ get-involved or contact Woodford at 541-323-5211 or swoodford@ci.sisters. or.us.

Supporting Sisters eateries in tough winter Sisters restaurants and eateries are facing unprecedented challenges this winter. Strict state-mandated restrictions imposed in an effort to slow a spike in COVID-19 cases are threatening those businesses’ ability to operate — and potentially their ability to survive the season. In an effort to help the Sisters community support its culinary culture, The Nugget has published a winter guide to groceries, dining, take-out and delivery services. “Let’s Eat Close to Home” is inserted in this week’s edition of The Nugget. It is designed to be kept on hand as a guide to local dining services. A digital version is also available at www.nuggetnews. com and on The Nugget’s Facebook page. The digital copy can be downloaded to

your device for easy offline access. Restaurants are featuring take-out/delivery menus of popular items and other outlets are featuring information on their goods and services. “The goal of Let’s Eat Close to Home is to make it as easy and convenient as possible for local folks to support our local restaurants and eateries,” said Nugget Editor in Chief Jim Cornelius. “When we ask, what’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this guide will be there to remind us to go out and grab something good, maybe try something new. We’re lucky to have the diverse dining options we have in Sisters — and we want to keep them. Eating well to support the local economy in tough times — seems like a win-win to me.”

with

STOMP OUT THE FLU

The Sisters Folk Festival Winter JAM (Journey/ Adventure/Music) Auction and Fundraiser wrapped up last Saturday with a raffle for an Ed Gerhard Signature model Breedlove guitar and an M. David mandolin. David Cautley was the lucky winner of the guitar, and Bonita Whitler took home the hand-crafted mandolin. The nonprofit cultural organization raised more than $27,000 for critical mission support in a year in which more than 80 percent of its program revenue has been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are so grateful for the level of support received from Central Oregon and beyond,” said SFF Executive Director Crista Munro. “This has been a rough year for so many and we are humbled by the outpouring of donations and encouragement from our community. We can’t wait until we can come together in celebration of live music once again and we urge everyone to stay safe and follow health guidelines now that there’s light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.” S F F ’s Wi n t e r J A M Fundraiser, presented by

ORDER ONLINE for takeout or delivery at SistersSaloon.net 7 Days a Week 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. 541-549-RIBS | 190 E. Cascade Ave.

Need help getting Christmas decorations up? Scissor Lift

Genie Z34 Man Lift

Ladders

Flu shots at no cost to you! Ages 4-64

Insurance will be billed. While supplies last. Expires 12/31/20. Call for an appointment.

541-548-2899 | yourcaremedical.com 3818 SW 21st Pl., Ste. 100, Redmond • Open every day

NEED IT, RENT IT!

541-549-9631

331 W. Barclay Dr., Sisters Mon-Fri: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

www.sistersrental.com

ReMax Key Properties, featured a free livestream celebration on Friday, December 4, with support from the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. The production was the third livestream by SFF and was produced in partnership with local businesses Alpine Internet and Grange Recorders. It featured performances from artists who were slated to play the Close to Home 2 concert in September, including Le Vent Du Nord, Judith Hill, Thunderstorm Artis, John Craigie, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Kristen Grainger & True North, Jenner Fox and The Parnells. Supporters can still view the livestream concert production on the SFF website. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, the SFF organization has adapted many of its programs and is currently delivering most programming virtually. Over the past few months, SFF successfully produced a socially distant concert, Close to Home,

at their new backyard venue, hosted two Creativity Camps for kids, held a virtual Song Academy for Youth for high school students, as well as the inaugural virtual Sisters Songworks retreat, a songwriting retreat for poets and musicians. “The JAM fundraiser provided the opportunity for us to offer fun, adventurefilled packages and virtual house concerts, as well as tell our story about the ways we have been expanding our educational programs and adapting to a very difficult environment as a nonprofit organization and live event producer,” said SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel. Supporters can still join SFF’s annual membership program, Sisters Folk Arts Circle, or make an endof-year contribution to the nonprofit organization in any amount. For additional information, or to view the livestream, visit www. sistersfolkfestival.org.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Teaching under the distance learning model A number of teachers reported that students’ ability Correspondent to access one-on-one help has As front-line workers fac- actually increased under CDL ing the challenges of work- and that the ability to rewatch ing through the COVID-19 video lessons for review has pandemic, teachers have been been instrumental to learning. Deb Riehle of SMS said, forced to pivot quickly and adapt on the fly, to meet the “I think the availability of lesneeds of their students in the sons 24/7 and the ability to remonths that have forced most watch videos is a real plus for schools in Oregon to oper- students in CDL. Overall, the ate under Comprehensive teachers are more available to help small groups and stuDistance Learning (CDL). The Nugget checked in dents really benefit when they with some of the teachers at access those opportunities.” Michele Hammer, who Sisters Middle School (SMS) and Sisters High School teaches social studies at SMS (SHS) who have been con- agrees. “One of the advanducting their instruction under tages with CDL is that students actually have more CDL since March. Fifth-grade teacher Tiffany one-to-one access to teachers Tisdel acknowledged the than when we are in person,” adaptations required of teach- she said. “Every teacher has ers and students to succeed at office hours available every day for students to get one-toCDL. “The learning curve has one help.” She added, “Remediation been steep for both students and teachers, and I think we is available as well, which are finding our rhythm with also can provide that connecthis distance-learning model,” tion that students are craving.” At SHS, students are carshe said. “The technology skills, resilience, and patience rying fewer classes at a time to problem-solve the chal- in shorter six-week terms, lenges that come up every day which makes organization are impressive. As teachers and management of students’ we are helping each other nav- academic loads more manageigate this learning model and able. Language arts teacher fine-tune systems that make Samra Spear explained that access easier on both ends.” for her two-hour sessions All of the teachers inter- “changing things up” and viewed expressed the view requiring students to stay that, while CDL is clearly online for the duration helps not ideal, most students have them succeed. Other keys to success, adapted effectively and some according to Spear, include advantages have emerged. By Charlie Kanzig

Are you a Veteran or supported our Veterans through peacetime or during a conflict? We honor and highly respect our Veterans and appreciate their service.

VETERANS

SPECIAL Limited Time Offer!

Special Move-in BONUS! Studio Apartments ONLY $2,995 a month! Your kind of living. The Lodge In Sisters is a welcoming, supportive, and nurturing community, where seniors and friends can live, relax, and have fun. If you move in by December 31, you can rent a studio apartment for only $2,995 per month!

411 E. Carpenter Lane, Sisters thelodgeinsisters.com

“Staying positive, being flexible, and giving screen breaks.” One of the universal concerns about CDL is the sense of connection and the impact overall of the pandemic on students’ social and emotional well-being. “Mental health is a concern for sure,” said Spear. “I try to check in with students outside of class, but I know these needs are not being met for each student. To be honest, I don’t know how we can fully meet these needs. This is a real concern and something that haunts me daily.” SMS staff have found creative ways to connect with kids beyond the academic portion of the day through breakout sessions and homeroom activities. “Breakout rooms and group work provide students with opportunities to work together on projects which keep them connected,” said Tisdel. “In our homeroom class we intentionally create time for community-building activities by playing games, sharing read-alouds, doing daily check-ins on student interests and sharing what is happening in their lives.” School counselors are available for check-ins and are reaching out to students

individually, as well as sharing resources with students and families for support. For students found to be struggling, both schools have offered in-person opportunities for students to come to the building to work with staff members. For example, earlier this fall ninth-graders who had failing grades were brought in for remediation work in a supervised meeting area in order to focus on learning that had not yet taken place. The middle school has operated similarly, including to help kids facing other obstacles including lack of access to WiFi. Riehle wanted parents to be reminded that they too can reach out to teachers for help in supporting their students. “Asking for help goes for parents too!” she said. “Parents are welcome to contact us for

suggestions on what would work to help their child,” she said. When asked what they believe are the keys for students to succeed under the CDL model, teachers agreed on some key elements, including consistent participation during live sessions, commitment to completing work and asking for help when necessary. “The biggest key to student success in the CDL model,” said Tisdel, “is really the same key to success in any classroom—it all comes down to students taking responsibility and ownership in their learning. This model has really brought the ownership of learning to the forefront.” Riehle added, “The best ways for students to be See CDL on page 17

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

GOOD BREAD…GOOD MEAT… GOOD GOSH, LET’S EAT! Bone-in or boneless PRIME RIB and fresh BEEF TENDERLOIN ROAST. ROAST. Pre-order now, limited quantity available. • Meat, poultry, game, Alaskan seafood • Smoked cheeses & jerky • Seasonings & sauces • Sandwiches & beer, wine, cider • Meat, cheese, and veggie platters too! (Pre-order required)

MADE-TO-ORDER GIFT BASKETS In appreciation of family, friends or business...Come in aand select your favorites from our wide selection of meats, cheeses, seafood, sauces and spices, craft beer and wine. Wrap up your shopping with gift cards, too. Order now...we can even ship! O

541-232-1009 or 541-719-1186 | 110 S. Spruce St. Open 9am-6pm Every Day | Closed Christmas Closing at 2 pm Thursday, December 24

MEATS • CHEESES • EATERY • DRINKERY

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

SENIORS: Hoping to provide grad night festivities

WEBSITE: Project aims at connecting Sisters community

Continued from page 3

“The committee recognizes that a $125 contribution is not a reasonable amount to ask from many of our families, and it is not a requirement for senior parents,” the letter stated. “We just ask that you consider making a donation in any amount, recognizing that the approximate cost will be $125 per senior. Additionally, if you can sponsor more than one senior, please consider doing so. Feel free to share this with other members of our community to assist us in reaching our fundraising goal of $125 per graduating senior. There are currently 106 graduating seniors making our overall goal $13,250.” Tax-deductible donations may be made at http://ssd6. org/ssf/donatenow/. Type “Class of 2021 Grad Party” on the donation line. Checks can be mailed to: Sisters School Foundation, PO Box 2155, Sisters, OR 97759, noting “Class of 2021 Grad Party.” Donors are urged to pass information along to other relatives who might be interested in helping. The committee hopes to complete fundraising in 2020 so that planning can begin for the event in 2021. Early donations will be helpful in planning, the committee notes. “These seniors have missed so much already and we are optimistic that by June we will be able to celebrate them,” said committee member Shari Bertagna.

events are happening. “Sisters really checked all the boxes for us as a good fit for the partnership with all the projects and wealth of information that is already there. This site brings it all together,” she said. C4C applied to be part of the website partnership in July of this year after COVID-19 put a kink in plans to continue community visioning work. A website project seemed like a doable option for the group to work on while socially distanced, with everything online and virtual. Holdman is the founder and president of C4C. For the website partnership project, she is the managing partner and she nominated Sisters to be a part of the project. “We wanted to find ways to bring community builders together to build a stronger Sisters,” said Holdman. During meetings about visioning for the community, the idea of a one-stop shop and access to information about nonprofits, homeless/

houseless community resources, and a place to better recruit volunteers. “The timing was perfect to begin this in 2020, with a way to redirect to keep people engaged and active by doing this website project,” said Holdman. Wi t h s o m e f u n d i n g received by the Ford Family Foundation, C4C was able to apply and get buy-in to do this project. “This site is another community-building asset to connect, engage, and inform within the community,” she said. Another aspect that the site promotes is the ability to engage people within the community that might not know where to volunteer or how to get involved. “Generally, we see the same handful of people, but now there are new people getting involved and blossoming within the community,” she said. Recently, the partnership just received grant funding from St. Charles Health System to translate the site into Spanish — another way that the site strives to increase inclusivity in the minority communities so they, too, can stay informed and involved. Holdman helped to put

Painted Lady

Antiques December Hours: Open Thurs.-Mon., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Tues. & Wed.

5541.904.0066 41 904 0066

141 E. Cascade Ave., Suite 104

10 OFF %

DOG & CAT BEDS! Offer good through 12/23/20.

102 E. Main Ave., Sisters • 541-549-4151 • Large organic produce selection • Huge organic & natural selection storewide Local is what we are. Local is who we love.

Located in the Cascade Village Shopping Center, Bend Open every day, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Isolated shopping hour: 6 to 7 a.m.

• Meat cut & ground fresh daily • Huge bulk-foods department • All your favorite local brands & items • Only 20 minutes from Sisters • Proud to be 100% locally owned & operated

Open for curbside pick-up or takeout! Thursday-Saturday, 4 to 7 p.m.

Weekly dinner & wine to-go specials 391 W W. C Cascade d A Ave. | 541 541-549-2675 549 9 2675 corkcellarswinebistro.com

together a leadership team of community builders to develop the website that included a number of people from different fields and areas within Sisters. They hired a project coordinator, Wrenna Rose, who helped develop a lot of the creative aspects of the site. “Everyone was volunteering except the coordinators, to help put this website together into a one-stop shop for community building,” said Holdman. One of the volunteers within the development was former school superintendent, Steve Swisher. His role was being involved with the visioning team members and connecting the visioning project. “I was also there to make sure we weren’t detracting from what we already had in Sisters, but to enhance what is there,” said Swisher. Swisher has been a part of Sisters’ community visioning process since 1996 when he began his career in the Sisters schools. The most recent vision project has a focus on

connectedness. “We were focusing on a connected Sisters and it seemed like a perfect fit to have a Sisters community website that really fit within the visioning project,” said Swisher. The site allows for one place to have press releases sent to multiple outlets to promote events, it allows for information about nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers, and a community calendar to be organized and interactive. “It is a networking tool and it lets people connect better and I am excited to see it come into being and be used,” said Swisher. “This has the opportunity to sustain the visioning work going on and be able to keep track of the work and focus on the intention of it and continue.” The site will be monitored and continue to grow after its launch on December 9. “We hope people will utilize it every day and see it as a community asset,” said Holdman. Visit the site at www. sisterscommunity.org.

Sisters Dental WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! Trevor Frideres, D.M.D. Greg Everson, D.M.D. 541-549-2011

491 E. Main Ave. • Sisters www.sistersdental.com Hours: Mon., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Newcomer made contributions to site By Ceili Cornelius Correspondent

Wrenna Rose Lee is creative by trade and by passion. She was an instrumental contributor to the new community website, Sisters Country Community Connects, as a project coordinator and designer of the logo and brand of the site (see related story, page 3). Preferring to be known simply as Wrenna Rose, she currently works as a writer and an artist. She and her husband moved to Sisters from Salt Lake City, Utah, in February 2020. They moved here to “simplify and we were wanting something smaller,” she said. They traveled to various towns across the Pacific Northwest, particularly Oregon, and landed on Sisters. “We wanted to live somewhere where we could tap into the community and connect,” she said. Wrenna Rose is a former teacher and retired in order to pursue more of her own art and writing. “I wanted to focus my energy on own creative projects,” she said. Wrenna Rose used her own creative skills and applied them to the work she did on the community website designing the logo and other aspects of the site. She also assisted with some of the written aspects — editing content and choosing photos and colors. “It was interesting being

a newcomer and making creative decisions about something in a place I am new to,” she said. Wr e n n a R o s e w a s walking through Oliver Lemon’s store and saw the Citizens4Community “civility” card and reached out to Robyn Holdman about volunteering and getting involved in the community. “Robyn reached out when the website project was in play and it was sort of a leap of faith to reach out and it is the gift that keeps on giving,” said Wrenna Rose. Wrenna Rose moved to Sisters right before the pandemic hit in full force, bringing a halt to some community-building projects and involvement opportunities — but the website project was something that could still be done, while everything went online and virtual. “This has felt like a lifeline this year and being able to merge creative work and get involved in the community. I’ve met people through it and am learning about my new home,” she said. Wrenna Rose started out as a volunteer for the project and is now one of the project coordinators organizing the volunteer team and keeping everything organized to promote functionality of the website now and in the future. “I think the website will be a tool to those who live here as well as to newcomers to have info on a place

Jazz Choir to raffle quilt

PHOTO PROVIDED

Wrenna Rose contributed to the design of a new community site. in one spot to reference,” she said. She looks forward to life opening back up and being able to meet the people she’s worked with on the project in person and stay involved. “I am looking forward to seeing how the website lands in the community,” she said. For more information on the website, visit www. sisterscommunity.org. For more information on Wrenna Rose visit www. wrennarose.com.

Due to the COVID-19 greater thank you to Susan pandemic and the cancella- Cobb for her beautiful quilts. tion of the 2020 Choir Pop Thanks to all of your supConcert, the Sisters Jazz port we have been able to Choir Quilt Raffle has been continue doing what we love extended. The drawing for virtually, in these difficult the 2019-2020 school year times. When COVID allows, quilt, titled “It’s Heating we have received another Up” will be held on Friday, incredible quilt titled ‘We December 11. Are All Connected’ from The SHS Jazz Choir will Susan Cobb to raffle in the post a video of the draw- future.” ing to the Sisters Choir Program Facebook group at 9 a.m. They will then call the winner and arrange for a safe pickup of the quilt. The choir offered, “A great big thank you to the community that has supported us through PHOTO PROVIDED these times and an even “It’s Heating Up” by Susan Cobb.

Headed south for the winter? Call today to get your home winter-ready for your time away! 541-549-4349 5 41 549 4349 41

260 N. Pine St., Sisters

Licensedd Li Bonded / Insured CCB#87587

STAY CONNECTED WITH SPRD THROUGH THE WINTER MONTHS!

Visit our virtual recreation center for new and fun ideas that are a safe way to recreate during these cold and blustery months at sistersrecreation.com!

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

SISTERS LES SCHWAB

600 W. HOOD AVE. • 541-549-1560

REDMOND PRINEVILLE 845 NW 6th

1250 East 3rd

541-548-4011 541-447-5686

MADRAS

La PINE

541-475-3834

541-536-3009

BEND-SOUTH BEND-FRANKLIN BEND-NORTH

1412 SW Hwy. 97 52596 N. Hwy. 97 61085 S. Hwy. 97

541-385-4702

105 NE Franklin

541-382-3551

63590 Hunnell Rd.

541-318-0281

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

A N N O U N C E M E N T S Weekly Food Pantry

Wellhouse Church has a weekly food pantry on Thursdays. Food is currently being distributed drive-through style from 12:30 until all food is distributed at the Wellhouse Market 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 Sisters-area churches are joining with Wellhouse Church to contribute both financially and with volunteers to help sustain the program. Info: 541-549-4184.

Free Weekly Grab-N-Go Lunches For Seniors

The Council on Aging of Central Oregon is serving seniors (60+) free Grab-N-Go lunches on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week. The lunches are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis drive-through style from 12 to 12:30 p.m. at the Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. Mckenzie Hwy. Seniors may drive through the parking lot and pick up a meal each day of service. Come on by, no need to make a reservation. For info call 541678-5483.

Christmas Dinner

On Christmas Day, the SistersCamp Sherman RFPD and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Association invite the public to the Annual Sisters Community Christmas Dinner. This year, meals will be available for takeout only and can be collected from the Sisters Fire Station Community Hall located at 301 S. Elm St. between 1 and 3 p.m. Everyone in the community is welcome. For further info and to reserve meals, contact SistersCamp Sherman RFPD at 541-5490771, info@sistersfire.com or via the Sisters Fire Facebook page.

Deschutes Public Library Online Programs

Deschutes Public Library virtual events are now being featured on the Virtual Calendar on this page. Parents, don’t miss the opportunity to pick up a Winter Wonderland craft kit at any library location during open hours on Saturdays (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Sisters) in December. Available while supplies last. Call 541-312-1032 for more info.

See’s Candies Sales

The Kiwanis Club of Sisters will be holding their annual See’s Candies sales fundraiser in a Sisters Habitat for Humanity’s trailer in the Ray’s Food Place Thrift Store, ReStore, and parking lot. Place your order by construction sites need more visiting the Kiwanis See’s Candies volunteers! Are you interested? New Volunteer Orientations take trailer. Price list is online at SistersKiwanis.org. Sales continue place every Tuesday, Wednesday through Thursday, December and Thursday at noon in the 24. Pick up orders at the trailer Sisters Habitat office, upstairs at from noon to 5 p.m. every day. 141 W. Main Ave. CDC protocols are followed. RSVPs are required as Support Kiwanis in their efforts space is very limited in the socially to provide scholarships and career-change assistance as well distanced meeting room. Each as a number of other service person must wear a mask and sanitize their hands when entering projects. Every penny of profit goes back to the community. the building. A mask will be provided if needed. Please contact Marie at marie@sistershabitat.org Sisters History Museum or 541-549-1193 to save your spot. Three Sisters Historical Society seeks history enthusiasts to volunteer in our new museum. Career Funds Available Don’t know anything about Applications are available for the Sisters Kiwanis Career Opportunity Sisters history? No problem, we will provide training so that you Fund to help adult residents of can lead our guests through the Sisters establish an occupational path. Pick up forms at the Kiwanis museum and its exhibits. Enjoy sharing our Sisters history and House, corner of Oak and Main, learning special stories that few 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, and people know! Interested? Leave a during regular hours from the Sisters Habitat for Humanity office. message at 541-904-0585 or email to tshsvolunteers@gmail.com. For more info, call 541-410-2870.

Furry Friends Needs Your Help

Furry Friends Foundation (FFF) needs your support in this time of crisis. During the holiday season, please consider a donation to this vital Sisters-area program. FFF operates two petfood banks, a coat and pet-supply bank and sponsors free spay/ neuters/vaccinations. For more info call 541-797-4023. Mail your donation to PO Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759 or donate online at www.furryfriendsfoundation.org

Antiques & Jewelry Donations Needed

Sisters Kiwanis takes donations of antiques, collectibles and jewelry throughout the year for its annual Antiques, Collections & Jewelry Sale, held on Saturday every Memorial Day weekend. Your donation is tax-deductible! For more information and to arrange for pickup of large or small items, please call Pam at 541-719-1049.

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

Volunteer with Habitat!

Sponsor an Impoverished Child from Uganda

Hope Africa International, based in Sisters, has many children awaiting sponsorship! For more information go to hopeafricakids.org or call Katie at 541-719-8727.

Organ Donor Awareness

A new nonprofit is in the planning stages to educate the community on the importance of organ donation. Fundraisers and events will be discussed. If interested call Fifi at 541-419-2204.

On the hunt...

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

Sisters photographer Jerry Baldock captured an overflight by a magnificent golden eagle.

TIME TO PUT ON

WINTER TIRES Call and make an appointment starting November 1 for NO-WAIT SERVICE!

DAVIS TIRE Serving Sisters Since 1962

188 W. SISTERS PARK DR. IN SISTERS INDUSTRIAL PARK

Meet GRACIE, a silly 1-yearold kitty who is ready to meet her forever family! This goofy little gal is very playful and would love to find a home where she is the center of attention and spoiled silly on a regular basis! If you are looking for a young playful cat with a great sense of humor and charming personality, then Gracie is the kitty for you! Come to the shelter and meet Gracie today!

Calendar

Things to participate in online while staying safely at home. DEC

THUR

DEC

13 SUN

SPONSORED BY

ALLAN GODSIFF SHEARING 541-549-2202

DEC

16 WED

Please call the church before attending to verify current status of services as restrictions are adjusted.

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 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (with signing) sisterschurch.com | 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 Rd. • 541-549-7087 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare) 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare)

541-549-1026

Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 | sistersnaz.org 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship | 2sistersnaz@gmail.com Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 | wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (Indoor & Outdoor Venues available) Vast Church (Nondenominational) 541-719-0587 • 5 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Worship at 442 Trinity Way (Wellhouse building). See vastchurch.com for details. Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir St. • 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 • 541-647-9826

DEC

17 THUR

DEC

19 SAT DEC

20 SUN

Deschutes Public Library: Billy Mickelson, “Third Seven,” Cello Performance 6 p.m. Listen with headphones for the greatest impact. Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/ calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: “A Christmas Carol” Readers Theater 3 p.m. Take part in a virtual reading of Dickens’ classic. Roles randomly assigned. Registration required. Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: Tin Foil Icicles 10 a.m. Kids can create their own icicles from aluminum foil and other supplies from home. Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: Dennis McGregor Solo Performance 4 p.m. Enjoy songs accompanied by illustrations from his book, “You Stole My Name.” Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: Holiday Cocktails Demonstration 6 p.m. Perfect your mixology skills to make tasty holiday drinks at home. Go to www.deschuteslibrary. org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: DIY Indoor Snow 3 p.m. Kids can create their own DIY snow from simple household ingredients! Registration required to reserve a supply kit; kits are limited. Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: Who Stole Christmas? 6 p.m. Explore the Pagan origins of the holiday and winter solstice in this live, interactive Zoom presentation. Go to www. deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: DIY Holiday Decor 10 a.m. Take-home craft to assemble felt mistletoe décor and a reindeer ornament. Registration required for a supply kit. Go to www.deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/. Deschutes Public Library: Rhodd Caldwell Reads “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” 3 p.m. Watch lavish illustrations accompanying the reading. Go to www. deschuteslibrary.org/calendar/.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Three Sisters Floral has moved

Sisters salutes...

Jeff Tryens, Seed to Table Deggendorfer, Kimry Jelen Board Chair wrote: and Winnie Givot. Special By Jodi Schneider “On behalf of the board thanks to Emily Green for Correspondent and staff of Seed to Table, her assistance. I want to thank those who “While these funds go a Three Sisters Floral has a participated in our first-ever long way toward reaching new location at 243 N. Elm in silent auction. We raised over our goal of raising $40,000 Sisters — formerly The Porch $14,000 that will go toward to match an anonymous restaurant. expanding the farm operation donor’s generous offer, it’s This unique flower shop — allowing us to grow more the expression of the wideowned by Ruth Raizin had fresh produce for local food spread support Seed to Table been located on Main Avenue. banks, provide more student engenders across the comRaizin told The Nugget, field trips for schools want- munity that matters most to “Our move was precipitated ing to participate in our edu- those of us involved with by sale of the building we cation programs, and expand Seed to Table.” were in. However, we found our produce share program. a beautiful old farmhouse and PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER “We especially want to more than doubled our indoor Three Sisters Floral is open in a new, expansive location. thank those who stepped space, with beautiful shopYear-round ping quarters.” w i t h t a s t e f u l , u n u s u a l variety of product in season,” up to donate items for t h e a u c t i o n i n c l u d i n g “The large store makes arrangements. said Raizin. “A lot of our cussocial distancing easy — The flower and gift shop tomers are repeat customers Black Butte Ranch, Disc people are very respectful has unique things, like fra- and we’re very proud of that.” Ventures, FivePine Lodge, and masks are always worn,” grant roses in a rainbow of — Kindling — She added, “We also carry Goby Walnut, Hydroflask, — — Raizin noted. “We’re happy colors, wildflowers in the a large selection of house- Rainshadow Organics, Shibui SISTERS with the store and the plants middle of winter, and cre- plants which people are espe- Spa, Sisters Coffee Co., 32 FOREST PRODUCTS are too, they love all the atively arranged and custom cially interested in now as Winds Winery along with windows.” everyone spends more time at artists Holly Rodes Smithey, bouquets for any occasion. SistersForestProducts.com Jordan Kramer, Kathy Raizin has always loved “We shop all over the home these days.” gardening and is known world for our flowers in order Flowers, plants, gourmet for her attention to detail to have the freshest and widest truffles and a great assortment of cards make perfect gifts as friends and family are looking for something special to lift their spirits these days. Raizin also noted that the backyard is roomy and this caseygardnerbloom spring they will have hanging CUT • COLOR • HIGHLIGHTS baskets which they are known for and vegetables and perennials — a full nursery. 110 S. Elm St., Sisters “We love what we do, and we offer delivery, as we always have, from Camp PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER Sherman to Black Butte Houseplants — which Three Sisters Floral has an excellent selection of — Ranch and to Bend and We do repair work & fabrication in steel, can be a welcome addition to our homes, potentially boosting our moods. Redmond, too,” she said.

FIREWOOD SALES

541-410-4509

Bloom Studio Check out my work on Instagram

541-306-1120

Don’t throw it away, we can fix it

Quality Truck-mounted

CARPET CLEANING

Quality Cleaning 16 years in Reasonable Prices Sisters! — Credit Cards Accepted —

ENVIROTECH 541-771-5048

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB#181062

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

Let us show you how much you can save this year!

Call 541-588-6245, for a free quote! 257 S. Pine St., #101

www.farmersagent.com/jrybka

Auto • Home • Life • Business

“Your Local Welding Shop” CCB# 87640

PHOTO BY ALEX JORDAN

aluminum, copper & other metals.

541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Martolli’s has new owners By Jodi Schneider Correspondent

Jennifer and Kelly Brock have recently taken the reins as new owners of Martolli’s of Sisters Authentic HandTossed Pizza. Martolli’s was born when Mark Hedford and Brad Martell opened their doors in Sisters offering pizza by the slice in 2002. The popular pizza parlor has continued its commitment to the traditional perfected recipes and fresh ingredients since its inception. Kelly noted, “Dawn Jones and Julie Prather were the previous business owners for the past six years. We’ve become friends with them both during the process of transferring the ownership.” The Brocks have recently purchased property in Sisters and plan to build a home on the property in the next few months. “ We both ar e from small towns in the northwest and raised our kids in Camas, Washington,” said Kelly. “Jennifer and I both have always loved Sisters and Central Oregon. After retiring from 30 years as a mechanical engineer for Hewlett Packard, we were on a camping trip in Sisters, and it was at that time it became clear that this was the place we wanted to eventually retire.” Jennifer added, “We love the small-town Western style that Sisters has to offer.” Jennifer is a quilter and fits right into Sisters cultural arts scene. She said, “I have attended Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show every summer. And while I was here, I would have pizza at Martolli’s and really liked it.” The Brocks always enjoyed making pizza at home in their small stone pizza oven. “We always considered switching over our previous business to pizza because we always loved to eat the pizza

The menu and all ingredients will remain exactly the same. Why change perfection? — Kelly Brock at our events,” said Kelly. The couple owned a food truck business for over seven years and would set up at large events all over Southwest Washington and Portland. Kelly noted, “Our biggest and most fun event was the Washougal Nationals where we met some of the best motocross riders from around the world. Serving coffee and donuts was a great experiment for our entire family. The business gave us the opportunity to teach our kids the values of serving the public and gave them experience in the future jobs.”

When Martolli’s came up for sale it was a perfect fit in a perfect location for the Brocks. “The menu and all ingredients will remain exactly the same. Why change perfection?” Kelly told The Nugget. What’s new? They will be offering delivery every day, from 3 to 8 p.m. and will continue to offer takeout. Martolli’s of Sisters Authentic Hand-Tossed Pizza prepares dough and sauces fresh daily. Pizzas are hand-tossed in the traditional way and baked in old-fashioned slate ovens. “Fortunately, the pizza business is doing good during the pandemic and offering delivery should also be good for us and the community,” Kelly said. The best way to order for delivery is on the slice app on their website, www. martollisofsistersmenu.com. As for the Brocks favorite pizza: Pepperoni, mushroom and olives.

PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER

Jennifer and Kelly Brock are in the kitchen at Martolli’s.

Wishing You Peace & Comfort This Holiday Season

Holistic Mental Health Solutions Counseling • Functional Medicine Medication Management

Audry Van Houweling PMHNP-BC

Quick and Affordable Help

541-595-8337 • www.shesoarspsych.com

We can help ease the burden of winter! Snow Removal • De-icing Wood Splitting/Stacking • Hauling

THE GARDEN ANGEL Call 541-549-2882

23 years in business • LCB#9583

Remember to clear the snow off your car. It can be dangerous to you and others!

AUTO • HOME • HEALTH • LIFE • BUSINESS • FARM • RENTAL

541-549-3172 1-800-752-8540

704 W. Hood Ave., Sisters

Christmas Ma es Thursday, December 24 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m. Friday, December 25 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Solemnity of Mary Ma Thursday, December 31 • 5:30 p.m. Friday, January 1 • 10 a.m.

Please call the office for reservations. Following all COVID safety requirements.

St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church

123 Trinity Way, Sisters | 541-549-9391 | stedwardsisters.org | Rev. Sibi Poulose, Pastor

GIFT Cards

& Certificates The gift that makes everyone’s dreams come true, with no returns!

SHIBUI SPA AT FIVEPINE

Give the Gift of Health ... a Shibui Spa gift certificate is the perfect way to show your loved one just how much they mean to you.

541-549-6164 | shibuispa.com

FAITH HOPE & CHARITY

Add some red or white wine to your holidays. Stop by our local tasting room and pick up a gift card or order one online.

541-526-5075 | faithhopeandcharityevents.com

RANCHO VIEJO

Give the gift of Mexico with our authentic Mexican cuisine. Get a gift card for a stocking stuffer to spice up your holidays.

541-549-3594 | ranchoviejosistersoregon.com

STITCHIN’ POST

A gift card opens up a world of options! We have fabrics, yarns, art quilting supplies, books, patterns, gifts and more!

541-549-6061 | stitchinpost.com

Wednesday, December 9, 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.

Holidays in Sisters

A peaceful holiday setting for your family

Unwind by the Metolius River with us!

Gift Certificates Available 541-595-6290 • MetoliusRiverLodges.com

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

L O C A L A R T I S T S G A L L E RY

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

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

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

Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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

An A n iinvitation n to shop and enjoy e njoy beautiful pottery by llong-time ong Sisters potters

Mitch & Michelle Deaderick Hope to see you there!

Call C l ffor a private ll i t appointment or always showing at Hood Ave. Art

541.548.1704 1 17 17192 Jordan Rd., Sisters N Northwest corner of Cloverdale & Jordan Roads

Including your pet this holiday season — By Jodi Schneider —

While the holidays will look a little different for just about everyone this year, one thing remains the same: Pet owners consider their furry friends to be part of the family, which means including them in holiday traditions. This holiday season, we’re especially grateful for our wonderful, sometimes quirky, loving fur kids who were a very good aid in a strange and stressful year. We can always count on our pets to inspire us to find joy in traditions, both old and new. Spend quality time together: Between shopping, cooking, and decorating, the hustle and bustle of the season can be distracting. However, no matter what’s going on, it’s important to spend quality time with your pet each day. So, go on some extra-long walks with your dog and extend your cat’s playtime sessions. These activities may help you through situational anxiety brought on by shifting holiday routines due to COVID19 restrictions. When selecting holiday décor, remember to prioritize your pet’s safety above all. Steer clear of plants toxic to pets, like holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe; and avoid stringy items such as tinsel, curling ribbons, or other tree and gift trimmings that — when ingested — can cause intestinal blockage. However, the holidays don’t have to be consumed in worry and safety concerns for your pets. There are many ways to get your furry friend involved in the fun and put everyone in a festive mood. Here are some creative ideas for making your pet a part of the holiday celebrations: Picking out that special Christmas tree is a fun outdoor activity that can be even more memorable if you take your furry friend with you. Many tree farms and tree lots will allow you to take your dog provided he is on a leash. This year bring your pooch along in the car, turn on the holiday music, and hit the road in search of fabulous displays of Christmas lights. From main streets to backroads, it’s forecast that this year you might see plenty of old school décor, from lights around roofs to bright drive-through displays. The lights may not mean the same thing to him, but he’ll still like the excursion and being with his pack.

Takoda’s

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

Menus at takodassisters.com

And Our Gift Cards Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

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

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Getting the annual Christmas photo can often be a chore to accomplish but including your dog or cat in the Christmas family photo can liven up this activity and turn it into a fun family event. Christmas Eve or Christmas morning — depending on your tradition — is a fun time highlighted by unwrapping gifts to see what Santa brought. Allow your furry friend to join in on the fun. Pamper your pet with wrapped toys and take a moment to watch as he joyfully unwraps his gifts or pulls out his favorite treats from his Christmas stocking. Does anything say “holidays” more than baking delicious treats? The abundance of fresh baked goodies is one of the most appealing parts of the Christmas season. Bake some healthy goodies for your dog so he doesn’t feel left out, and it may also prevent him from hijacking your baked goods. Now that you have special holiday cookies just for your furry friend, play games together. For one game, your dog will use his communication skills. The other requires memory skills. Both are fun and mentally challenging for your dog. Communication game: Hide treats while the dog is in another room. Bring the dog to the room and have him find the treats by following your pointing gesture. Memory game: Hide treats while the dog is watching. Then remove your dog from the room for a short time. Return to the room and see if your dog can find all of the treats he saw you hide. It’s not just people who love playing video games. Today’s cats can have a lot of fun with high-tech games. These games tend to feature fish, insects or mice that digitally crawl across the screen and respond to your cat pawing at the screen trying to catch them. It’s entertaining to watch cats become enthralled with screen time. After all that you’ll both be tired, and the only thing better than snuggling up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book, is doing it together with your pet. Let your furry family member get close this season and keep you warm!

Takoda is a Lakota word for “friend to all” — and the restaurant has been demonstrating its friendliness to Sisters for almost a decade now. Nowadays, hearty, tasty meals with no fuss mean more than ever. Takoda’s offers menu items that hold a chilly winter’s evening at bay. Their burgers go down mighty nice after a long day’s work — and their pizzas are an absolute take-home favorite in Sisters. Great food at a reasonable price and friendly service that lives up to the restaurant’s name have helped Takoda’s build up a loyal following in Sisters, from veterans groups who have met there each week to folks who love to pick up a burger or a pizza once a week. That clientele has helped Takoda’s stick things out through the ups and downs of 2020 — and Takoda’s is very grateful for the support.

Holidays in Sisters

Have a candy-coated Safe decorating for the holidays Holiday with see’s candies!

The winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District urges you to be fire smart. Following a few simple tips can help make your holidays fire-safe: • Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is a fire hazard. Trees too close to a heat source cause one in every four winter fires. • Make sure you are using the right lights. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. • Choose holiday decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. • Keep lit candles away from decorations and things that can burn. More than onethrid of home decoration fires are started by

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

candles. Consider using flameless candles, they look very similar and are safer. • Blow out lit candles and turn off all light strings and decorations when leaving the room or going to bed. • Make sure your decorations don’t block windows and doors.

Antler Arts

“I’ve driven by here for years but never been in, I had no idea you had so many beautiful things!” Antler Arts hears that all the time. The Sisters shop is a true treasure trove — so here’s a short list of some of the locally handcrafted gifts that can put the ho-ho-ho in your holiday gift-giving. Let Antler Arts’ personal shoppers help you with: jewelry; Western art; belt buckles; bolos; steak and hunting knives. Find wine, spirit, and serving accessories; antler guitar stands; toys; Western boots; books; hides; pelts and Native American baskets and dreamcatchers. Pick up walking sticks; shed antler chandeliers and floor and table lamps; moose and elk candelabras. Find shed antler wedding cake toppers and décor; lodge-style furniture and antler pet chews. They also have gift baskets, and if you’re not sure just what to get, a gift certificate is always a welcome gift. It gives your friend or loved one a chance to come in and explore for themselves!

Touch of Class Tours

We’re all eager to travel — and Touch of Class Tours is looking ahead to 2021. Over 35 years in business, Connie Boyle has created an exceptional travel experience for her customers with her personal touch. She loves to interact with her clients and enjoys honoring special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. “I’ve been passionate about this since I stepped on my first [travel] coach,” Connie says. “And I think people feel that.” Connie goes above and beyond to create specialized tours. Everything about Touch of Class Tours is carefully thought out, with decades of experience helping to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. “There’s a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t know about,” Connie says. “That should not be their worry.” Winnemucca tours are still happening, with distancing and masking in place. Book now for 2021, when it will feel oh so good to get on the road again.

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

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

Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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

An A n iinvitation n to shop and enjoy e njoy beautiful pottery by llong-time ong Sisters potters

Mitch & Michelle Deaderick Hope to see you there!

Call C l ffor a private ll i t appointment or always showing at Hood Ave. Art

541.548.1704 1 17 17192 Jordan Rd., Sisters N Northwest corner of Cloverdale & Jordan Roads

Including your pet this holiday season — By Jodi Schneider —

Takoda’s

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

Menus at takodassisters.com

And Our Gift Cards Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

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

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Holidays in Sisters

Have a candy-coated Safe decorating for the holidays 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

Antler Arts

Touch of Class Tours

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

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

Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Relaxing Skincare & Natural Nail Services Custom gift baskets and gift cards too!

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

FREE T-SHIRT! With every $ 30 you spend

541-549-2059 121 W. Cascade Ave.

Gypsy Wind Clothing

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

SHOP GYPSYWINDCLOTHING.COM

Pottery

Everyone wants to look and feel their best during the holiday season. A visit to Roam Natural Skincare is a gift you can give yourself — or give to others with a gift card for all services. Roam Natural Skincare is a safe, single-person environment, carefully sanitized between appointments, so you can relax and feel secure while you enjoy an experience that is healthful inside and out. Sarah Woods brings a depth of knowledge and experience as an esthetician to bear in providing the highest quality service and experience. Natural skincare ensures that the products you are putting on your skin are good for you — and good for the environment as well. You can enjoy a true sensory experience with a facial, restorative manicures or pedicures and a wide range of other services. Give the gift of well-being to yourself and loved ones this holiday season — with Roam Natural Skincare.

Your Store

(Offer valid through 12-24-20)

Canyon Creek

Roam Natural Skincare

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

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

Sisters folks looking to put checkmarks on their Christmas list without putting a dent in their wallet owe themselves a visit to Your Store. Give the gift of Outlaws spirit with blackand-white Outlaws logo T-shirts and sweatshirts. Celebrate your favorite Pacific Northwest recreation area in a Hoodoo, Mt. Bachelor, Metolius River or PNW graphic T-shirt or sweatshirt. This year, there’s a whole lot of camp options available. The selection is huge, the prices are elf-friendly, and the shop is conveniently located right on Cascade Avenue. Through December 24, get a free T-shirt with every $30 you spend.

Canyon Creek Po ery

If shopping local — and handmade — means something to you, a gift from Canyon Creek Pottery is as local and handcrafted as it gets. For 16 years, Ken Merrill has been at work in his pottery studio and adjoining gallery creating one-ofa-kind functional art. Come to Canyon Creek for beautiful, handmade… Mugs for your special cup of coffee. A pie plate for the baker in the house. A soup tureen. Candle-holders to spice up your holiday décor. Colorful rectangular platters for Santa’s cookies. Ken has been a potter since 1983, and opened his pottery studio in Sisters in 1998. He has won renown for his beautiful, functional handmade pottery. Each piece is handthrown on a potter’s wheel, then fired in a kiln to 2,400 degrees where it becomes stoneware. All of Ken’s pottery is made of the finest clays available and makes a gift that gives each time it is used.

Ray’s Food Place

This is the season for great meals with family and for parties and get-togethers to celebrate with friends. Ray’s Food Place is your one-stop resource for everything you need to make those holiday parties and dinners really special. From company parties to holiday entertaining, Ray’s can make your life so much easier — and fill your guests with holiday cheer! Ray’s has a magnificent selection of wines, including the sparkling and dessert wines that are so important to the convivial spirit of the season. The deli can put together all your party foods for you, including spectacular desserts (give the elves 24 hours notice; they’ll appreciate it). The floral department can create exquisite centerpieces or provide the perfect floral hostess gift. Turn to Ray’s Food Place this holiday season and make your celebrations special.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

CHRISTMAS: Celebrating the birth of Christ Continued from page 3

the baby the angels were announcing. But I don’t think the angels are what we are supposed to be most excited about. Then there are the magi — wise men or kings, depending on your version. They saw a star in the sky unlike anything they had ever seen. This was so miraculous that it caused them to pack their camels and travel hundreds of miles to follow this unique star that came to rest where there was a child that they believed to be a king. People have always used the positions of the stars in the sky to find their direction, but this time the star apparently actually moved across the sky and came to rest! But it is not the wise men or their expensive gifts or even the miraculous star that Christians should be most excited about. What about the virgin birth? Now we are getting close to something that is most worthy of our excitement. An angel announced to Mary that she was about to have a baby. Mary pointed out the obvious inconsistency that she was a virgin. She knew a conception

without a father was biologically impossible. But the angel promised that the Holy Spirit would conceive a baby in her body. The Creator would create a son in her womb because nothing is impossible with God. This is the Christmas miracle most worth exploring. Yet if we leave our contemplation of the miracle of Christmas at a mere reading of the angel’s announcement to Mary, we have barely begun to grasp the mystery and the miracle of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The central tenet of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We celebrate that at Easter. Paul writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is no Christian faith. What does that have to do with Christmas? Without the reality of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is simply a miracle that happened 2,000 years ago with no impact on anyone today. The reality of the incarnation is that God became man. The eternallyexisting Son of God took on human flesh. The death and resurrection of the incarnate Son of God changes everything. He now lives forever, not only as the eternal Son of

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

H Hours: M M-F 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

Thursday, December 24 Services at 3 & 5 p.m. Join our candlelight Christmas Eve gathering in person or online at sistersnaz.org All measures will be followed to ensure a safe yet joyful setting. Come celebrate the good news of Christ’s birth! Blessings for a safe and Merry Christmas!

67130 Harrington Loop Road (5 miles east of Sisters) 541-389-8960 or visit sistersnaz.org

God, but as the man, Jesus. The Bible teaches that God is one, but He exists in three persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This teaching, referred to as the Trinity, is a mystery that Christians can attempt to put words to, but in the end, we admit we do not completely understand. In the same way, we cannot completely understand that the Son, who has always existed in eternal relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, added something to His existence 2,000 years ago. And what He added was human flesh. The divine Son of God remained unchanged and yet at the same time, He was made flesh in a human body. Two natures — God and human — existing in

one Person. Now that is a mystery worthy of our excitement. This Person, Jesus, from the moment of conception, was in His humanity confined to His mother’s womb and yet His divine nature was present throughout the universe. He was born completely dependent on His parents and yet had power to uphold the universe. As an adult, He thirsted and yet He provided living water so that people would never be thirsty again. He hungered yet He multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people. As a human, He died on a Roman cross but, as God, He defeated the power of death. The sorrow of the human condition gives way to the divine

redemption. Peace on earth is not just a hope for wars to cease but a promise of peace between humanity and God, mediated by the divine man, Jesus Christ. All this Jesus Christ was capable of because of the astonishing miracle of the incarnation — the miracle that God so loved the world that, while remaining fully God, He became fully human. Christmas is the story of Immanuel — the humble birth to a poor Jewish family of a baby who was in every way God with us. Those who would like to truly celebrate Jesus at Christmas will find the most wonder and joy in pondering both the miracle and the mystery of the incarnation.

Oregon GIFT BASKET EMPORIUM Gift baskets are a great way to surprise friends and family locally and afar! Order your favorites for Year’s. Christmas and New Year s. At Hazelnut Hill, we go nuts for the holidays, and your friends and family will, too! We make small-batch Oregon hazelnut products and then box them up to make great gifts — roasted hazelnuts, chocolate hazelnut toffee, brittle, hazelnut pancake and waffle mix, hazelnut butter and artisan chocolates. Shop online!

541-510-4464 | www.hazelnuthill.com Give the gift of locally roasted, premium coffee this holiday season! Coffee subscriptions available on our website, or stop by the cafe. New merchandise and holiday gift boxes also adorn the cafe. Not sure what to choose? Buy a gift card for your loved one and treat them to a coffee date.

sisterscoffee.com | customercare@sisterscoffee.com Dan’s Gourmet Baskets are filled with your favorite Dan’s treats. We have over ten baskets to choose from filled with Dan’s Honey Smoked Steelhead, Dan’s Spread, handmade Beecher’s Flagship cheeses, gourmet English toffee, fancy cashews, boutique cookies and more. Order online or give us a call!

970-623-5804 | www.danssmokedsalmon.com Rainshadow Farm to Table Kitchen and Store is open through the holidays, 11 am to 3 pm, Thurs.-Sat., with lunch 12 to 2 pm. We have custom gift baskets, certificates, sauces, and ingredients for your holiday feast! Check our website for ticketed dinners and brunches.

541-977-6746 | rainshadoworganics.com Winter weather is here and, with increased stress, self care is one of the most transformative things you can do. Botanically driven, ethically sourced products. Facials, pedicures, manicures, waxing and complimentary skincare consultation. Custom gift baskets by request and gift cards too.

541-953-7112 | roamnaturalskincare.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

December 10 and December 17. After that, I can be called at 541-977-6643 to make arrangements for certificates. Because of the pandemic, we would like to make sure that no one goes hungry on Christmas. Merry Christmas from the Sisters Kiwanis and the Sisters community, whose donations make this possible. Shirley Miller Sisters Kiwanis

To the Editor: The “Merriam-Webster Dictionary” defines ‘fraud’ as deceit, trickery; specifically: intentional perversion of truth to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right or an act of deceiving or misrepresenting. If we all take an objective and common-sense review of the last four years; that describes precisely what the Democrats in power, fake news, Obama swamp holdovers, and certain tech companies have perpetrated on President Trump and our nation. Even before election night 2016 they concocted the biggest failed hoax in history with a Russian connection that in fact was based on a fake dossier paid for by Hillary Clinton and the DNC. Then came the drummed-up impeachment initiated behind closed doors that again dragged our nation thru months of invented testimony with not one witness claiming to have actual evidence of laws broken or specific violations of the Constitution. All through those years the Democrats were wasting our time they contributed nothing to the average American worker as the Trump administration gave us win after win. When the virus hit and Trump closed flights from China Dems continued their fake impeachment and called his actions “racist.” Strange how Dems having caused the Civil War to preserve slavery, gave birth to KKK, lynching and school segregation keep accusing others of being racist. They have zero credibility. Does there exist the possibility that Dems might commit fraud to win an election? Didn’t they say nothing’s off the table? Didn’t they say they’d pack the court and end the Electoral College to gain absolute power? Think China or Iran might want to help defeat Trump? While the fakes continues to ignore actual news and avoid any journalistic investigation, sworn testimonies and visual evidence is mounting daily that fraud and cheating is/was occurring. Its time truth seekers check out FOX News or The Epoch Times Newspaper to see actual claims that enable an objective and common-sense conclusion void of emotion. Jeff Mackey

We Do The Job Right, The First Time...

541-610-5760 • Cesar

Continued from page 1

appear to have been killed at the same time, OSP reports. Two were left to waste in what police call “a blatant demonstration of a thrillkill.” The third, a large bull, had its head and shoulders removed as a trophy. OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers discovered the first carcass, a cow elk, on October 30 after a call to the Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line from a hunter who came across the carcass while scouting the Dry Canyon area east of Sisters near Highway 126 and Quail Tree Drive. Troopers investigating the area around the cow subsequently discovered a large bull elk carcass. Although bull elk were in season at the time, the poacher had taken only the head, antlers and some shoulder meat. It is a crime to leave carcasses to waste even if it is legal to kill the animal. Two days later, on November 1, another call came through on the TIP Line from a hunter who reported finding a spike elk carcass. A spike elk is a one-year-old male. Troopers located the spike elk about 40 yards from where the cow had been. Based on decomposition, all three animals

NuggetNews.com is your online source for

Breaking News Classifieds | Weather Road Reports

were shot at or near the same time, and certainly the same day according to OSP F&W Sergeant Lowell Lea. “They were all killed at the same time — or close to it — on opening day of the season,” Lea said, “Even if someone makes a mistake and kills the wrong animal, at least if they report it they aren’t committing the additional crime of leave to waste.” Senior Trooper Creed Cummings, who processed the scene, agrees. “Sometimes people are reckless in shooting and they get the wrong species or gender. We were hoping that at least the cow (meat) would be salvageable, but it wasn’t,” he said, “It’s disappointing that they were just left. And it adds another charge to the initial crime.” Oregon’s Stop Poaching campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw said, “This is a blatant waste of Oregonians’ natural resources. Not only have these animals been removed from legal hunting in season, they are also removed from chance encounters with hikers, photographers and others who appreciate the opportunity to experience wildlife. We

treasure those memories for the rest of our lives.” All three elk were most likely shot on opening day of the East Central Cascade elk season which runs October 28 through November 1, OSP reports. OSP Troopers would like anyone in the area who heard shots at night or noticed anything unusual on opening day of the season to call the TIP Line and report it. The Stop Poaching Campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among hunters, conservationists, land owners and recreationists. The goal is to increase reporting of wildlife crimes through the TIP Line, increase detection by increasing the number of OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers and increase prosecution. The Oregon Hunters Association manages TIP Line reward funds. This campaign helps to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Contact campaign coordinator Yvonne Shaw for more information at Yvonne.l.Shaw@state.or.us.

The Law Office of

JOHN H. MYERS, LLC — Downtown Sisters —

WILLS & TRUSTS W Make iit easy for you and your loved ones. Call C Ca ll for fo a free 30-minute consultation.

Let me help you get your ducks in a row. 541-588-2414

CHRISTMAS EVE

14 YEARS EXPERIENCE! • Residential & commercial housekeeping, move-in/out cleaning • Winter services include snow removal on driveways, roofs and sidewalks • Putting up and taking down holiday decorations

Mendoza’s Cleaning Services LLC

POACHING: Incident occurred during hunting season

FREE ESTIMATES!

CUSTOM FENCES, DECKS & PAVERS

Candlelight Service December 24 • 6 p.m. We will follow all current safety directives. Please go to our website www.sisterschurch.com to reserve a spot and for updates to our program.

a family friendly event for all Sisters Community Church 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy.

541-588-2062 CCB#228388

LLocally ocally O Owned, wn ned C Craftsman raftsman B Built uiilt Residential & Commercial Custom Ranch & Domestic Privacy Fencing Decks • Pavers • Gates | Stain & Paint • Repair p

FREE ESTIMATES & COMPETITIVE PRICING

www.SistersFenceCompany.com

CDL: ‘Comprehensive Distance Learning’ has some advantages Continued from page 5

successful is simple: show up and participate, keep your video on and complete assignments on time, because getting behind is when kids feel overwhelmed.” Tisdel said she has used Limited In-Person Instruction (LIPI) also to help struggling students. “I use LIPI for small group instruction,” she said, “and my focus is twofold. The first is providing additional repetition of the current concepts and topics we are studying in class. The second is to support students that have gaps in their learning continuum so they can access the new concepts that are introduced in the group lessons.” As the name indicates, LIPI is limited in the sense that it has to take place outside the normal instruction windows, and by how many students can be in the building during a certain time period. In wrapping up her view of CDL overall, Spear shared the sentiment of her colleagues, concluding, “I miss seeing students in-person, that’s for sure. But I am really proud of my students — their commitment, their efforts, their positivity, and their grit.”

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Deschutes River Conservancy names director Deschutes River Conservancy’s Director of Operations Kate Fitzpatrick has been selected as the next executive director for the organization after a board of directors review of over 300 candidates from across the U.S. Fitzpatrick started her career at the Deschutes River Conservancy in 2004 after earning her Master of Science in Collaborative Natural Resource Management from the University of Oregon. During her tenure at DRC, Fitzpatrick has provided leadership in the development and implementation of collaborative strategies to restore water to the rivers and streams of the Deschutes Basin. She has also played an

active role in both the Upper Deschutes Basin Study and the Deschutes Basin Water Collaborative. “Kate is supremely qualified to lead us into our next 25 years of the DRC,” said DRC Board of Directors Chair Bobby Brunoe. “Her 16 years of service to the organization and her unwavering commitment to improving conditions in the Deschutes Basin make her a clear choice. Her dedication to community and consensus building is what we need to lead the DRC into the next phase of its journey.” Fitzpatrick will be transitioning into her new role during the month of December, with the intention to fully take the reins beginning in

January. The board and staff are excited to work with Kate in her new capacity and welcome her leadership as they continue with their mission to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes River Basin. “I am honored and excited to step into the role of executive director, and to work alongside our committed staff, board and community partners to achieve even more for the river,” Fitzpatrick said. “I believe that the DRC’s unique approach to collaborative restoration results in the most durable solutions for our rivers and community. I also want to thank outgoing ED Ron Nelson for two years of invaluable leadership and

PHOTO PROVIDED

Kate Fitzpatrick is stepping into role of executive director for conservation nonprofit. service to the DRC.” Current Executive Director Ron Nelson will be returning to retirement, but will continue to advise the DRC in the years to come.

Oregon may get more initial virus vaccine than expected SALEM (AP) — Oregon health officials anticipate receiving at least three times as many initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as originally expected. The availability will depend on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration giving special, emergency-use authorization for two vaccines. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that Joe Sullivan,

an Oregon Health Authority senior health adviser, said Wednesday, December 2, it’s expecting to receive approximately 35,100 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on December 15 and then another 71,900 doses from Moderna on December 22. These first vaccines have been earmarked for healthcare professionals. The number of doses far exceeds

the 30,000 that OHA said last week it was expecting to get in December. The 100,000 doses are enough to give about one-third of the state’s healthcare workforce the first of two doses they’ll need to be protected against COVID-19. Sullivan said Oregon will get enough doses to provide the second shots to all 100,000 of those who

received a first round, “and then we’ll also vaccinate the rest of the healthcare workers in January.” Oregon is prioritizing healthcare workers — nurses, doctors, and others working with or near COVID-19 patients for the first available vaccinations. The state has cautioned that it will take months before doses will be available for the public.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Mary Root

Mary Root says that she strives to lead a life of service. At Sisters High School, that means she serves her peers as senior class president and is a student board member with Sisters Habitat for Humanity. In that capacity, she engaged fellow students to volunteer as greeters at the Habitat Thrift Store to help shield older, at-risk from potential COVID-19 exposure. She is a dual-sport athlete, with a particular involvement in lacrosse, where she has played on a club team out of Canada (though her recent tournaments were canceled due to border closures). She is a student pilot through the Outlaw education program and plans to pursue military aviation as a career. She attended the U.S. Naval Academy’s summer youth program. Mary acknowledges that school has been tough under distance-learning constraints. Organizing students for activities has inevitably been challenging. She appreciates the faith her fellow students showed in her by electing her senior president. “I’m happy they saw leadership in me,” she said. “Mary Root is one of the most hard-working, motivated, and generous Outlaws I have had the honor of teaching. I admire her fierce determination to be her absolute best whether in the classroom, on the lacrosse field, flying airplanes, volunteering in the community, fostering shelter puppies or creating her amazing homemade marshmallows. She manages to do all of this with a positive attitude and hilarious sense of humor. I am so excited to see what she accomplishes in the future, I have no doubt that it will be epic! Go Rooty!” — Sheryl Yeager “Mary is everything we look for in an Outlaw! Upbeat, hard working, friendly, and always there to help out wherever needed. She provides a positive spirit in the halls, classrooms, and athletic fields and SHS is blessed to have her with us!” — Gary Thorson “Mary does embody the Outlaw Spirit! What

ingenuity and thought she shows! Thank you, Mary, for being part of our SHS team. Having Mary in Ceramics was such a creative journey because she always pushed above and beyond and let her curiosity guide her. Congrats, Mary!” — Bethany Gunnarson “Mary is an extremely hard worker and communicates so well. She is involved in so many activities, but takes the time to do each thing well. She is such an asset to SHS. She will be a world changer.” — Rand Runco “Mary Root is not only an incredible student, she is an outstanding person, a pure joy to be around. Can’t wait to see what she does in the future.” — Tony Cosby “Mary Root graces our community with her creativity, sharp wit, diverse interests, ambition, and deeply caring nature. From making marshmallows of all flavors, to concocting natural freshener, to holding a high academic bar, to quick skills on the lacrosse field, Mary inspires others and contributes to our school. It has been such a pleasure to be Mary’s teacher and watch her grow into the capable person she has become. Congratulations, Mary!” — Rima Givot “I appreciate Mary’s passionate spirit and keen mind, her strong work ethic and her creativity. She is a gift to the classroom and Sisters High School.” — Jami Lyn Weber “Mary has a deep passion for learning. Her drive and determination knows no bounds and I am confident it will take her far on any journey she pursues.” — Emily Kernen “Mary is one of the most determined students I have ever met. Her work ethic is amazing and she is very appreciative of the teaching and help that she gets. I can’t wait to see what Mary makes of her future, I’m sure it will be filled with many meaningful adventures.” — Daniel O’Neill

541-549-5900

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

Wishing you a healthy dose of success! WALK-IN • URGENT CARE Occupational Medicine

Hwy. 126 to Redmond, two turns and you’re there! (Near fairgrounds) YourCareMedical.com

We are proud of your achievements. 260 N. Pine, Sisters • 541-549-4349

CCB#87587

www.fivepinelodge.com

“Mary is a self-starter, competitive, creative, compassionate and determined. She shows a high level of devotion to her academic studies, as well as being a servant. She is a humble, quiet leader who will undoubtedly have a positive impact serving our country and community.” — Joe Hosang “Mary Root impresses me; she is a go-getter in life. She always has a project that she is working on, whether in student government or perfecting her lacrosse game. Mary will go far in life, and it will be neat to see where she ends up.” — Rick Kroytz

541-548-2899 3818 SW 21st Pl.

These businesses have joined The Nugget in supporting our youth and their accomplishments by co-sponsoring the Student of the Month program.

Continue Striving For Excellence!

photo by Engracia Diez

Sisters High School November 2020 Student of the Month

Visa & Mastercard Accepted

Congratulations! Your contribution to your school and community is truly appreciated.

Climb High, Climb Far

541-549-3534

440 N. PINE ST., SISTERS • 541-549-8141 Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

325 N. Locust St., Sisters

greenridgept.com

C o n g r a t u la t io n s to our future leade r s-5!49-1026

103 E. HOOD AVE. • 541-904-0778

Trevor Frideres D.M.D. & Greg Everson D.M.D.

541

DAVIS TIRE

541-595-3838 The Ranch 541-549-5555 in Sisters| blackbutte.com

Celebrating over 50 years of our local, family-run business! Proud to offer American-made tires. 188 W. Sisters Park Dr., Sisters

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 541-549-2011 • 491 E. Main Ave., Sisters www.sistersdental.com

‘BABY GOD’: Documentary is available on HBO Continued from page 1

HBO documentary film “Baby God,” which premiered on HBO on December 2 and is available for streaming on HBO MAX. As the film recounts, Dr. Quincy Fortier opened Women’s Hospital in Las Vegas in the 1960s and practiced obstetrics, gynecology, and fertility medicine for decades. He became known as something of a miracle worker for his ability to help women struggling with fertility to conceive and carry babies to term, and was named the 1991 Nevada Doctor of the Year. “It didn’t sink in at first,” Babst told The Nugget. “At first I thought, ‘This doesn’t change anything.’” She had an adopted sibling, and never felt anything short of full kinship. Blood and DNA don’t matter so much, really. Do they? Her initial reaction came out of her law enforcement background. She realized that her mother had been victimized. “I really wanted to interview him; I wanted to go investigate him,” Babst said. “Why did you do this to my mother without her permission? I felt like there should be some justice.” But justice was out of reach. Dr. Fortier was long dead. And, perhaps inevitably, an unsettled feeling crept in, raising questions of identity. “I definitely had that every time I looked in the mirror for months after this happened,” Babst said. “Who am I?” She never let the question derail her. “I didn’t get to that point,” she said. “But I did feel like an alien in my own skin for a while.”

...I did feel like an alien in my own skin for a while. — Wendi Babst Though there could be no reckoning with Dr. Fortier, Babst continued to investigate. “I’m someone who believes in the truth,” she said. “People who have had this happen to them deserve the truth.” Perhaps the toughest aspect of the matter was broaching the truth with her mother. “I’m very protective of my mother,” she said. Her mother, Cathy Holm, had sought help getting pregnant at the age of 22. She,

of course, believed that she would share a baby with her husband. She had no inkling that her child was conceived with the sperm of a doctor in his 50s. “She said, ‘Oh my gosh — he was older than my dad,’” Babst recalled. “I think she was pretty devastated at first.” But, ultimately, love for her daughter overcame shock and anger. She told Wendi: “I wanted you so bad and you were so loved. I can’t be angry at this overall — because I got you.” Babst has, over the past couple of years, contacted and developed relationships with many of her siblings through Dr. Fortier. She feels a strong connection to some of them — which, under the circumstances, raises questions of genetic coding versus environment. “I’m not sure if our connection is genetic as much as it is having gone through a shared experience,” she mused. Either way, she says, “I’m looking at my half siblings as a gift. I’m closer to some than others and they really are a gift.” Through interviews with Dr. Fortier’s patients, family and newfound offspring, “Baby God” turns to questions of identity and genetic imprint. According to HBO, “one of the doctor’s biological sons, Brad Gulko, who inherited his father’s medical mind and established a career as a geneticist asserts that, ’50 percent of a person’s traits are determined by DNA.’ This leaves Babst to wonder, ‘Do you want to say your father was a monster? And what does that say about you?’” In addition to airing the truth, Babst hopes the HBO film will serve as “a cautionary tale.” She hopes people who delve into their background through commercial DNA tests recognize that in unlocking their genetic background, they might be opening a door into unexpected and lifechanging territory. “Take that to heart,” she said. “Be ready and prepared to find out things you might not want to know about it.” Babst has five adult children and recognizes that she has propagated a genetic legacy that she knew nothing of until 2018. The enormous reality of that truth has “faded back a bit” over the past two years, but reminders are always there. Now living full-time in Sisters and teaching at both Clackamas Community College and Central Oregon Community College, Babst has adjusted to a reality forever altered by delving into her genetic history and her subsequent investigations. She knows the truth and she has told it. And, she says, “I’ve definitely come to terms with it.”

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

The Nugget Newspaper Crossword

By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service

— Last Week’s Puzzle Solved —

This Week’s Crossword Sponsors

Greg Wieland L.Ac. Practicing since 1989 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E

Sisters Acupuncture Center

CCB#220624

D ESIGNERS & B UILDERS of D ISTINCTION

541-549-1523

Residential Remodels New Construction Water & Fire Damage Repairs Commercial Tenant Improvements Handyman Services

www.laredoconstruction.com • 541-549-1575

Wednesday, December 9, 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

C L A S S I F I E D S 101 Real Estate

FSBO 10 acres next to Sisters Rodeo grounds. Large 5 BR, 3 BA home, barn, and shop. $595K. 541-419-0272. Please no agents.

102 Commercial Rentals

Prime retail space available in the Gallery Annex building (Sage Antiques location). Call Jim at 541-419-0210 for more info. 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, $325/month. Call 541-549-1086. MINI STORAGE Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies. STORAGE WITH BENEFITS • 8 x 20 dry box • Fenced yard, RV & trailers • In-town, gated, 24-7 Kris@earthwoodhomes.com Prime Downtown Retail Space Call Lori at 541-549-7132 Cold Springs Commercial Office space for lease. The Place on Main. 101 Main Ave. in Sisters. Three spaces available. $575/month and up. Call Ralph 541-390-5187

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

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

500 Services

Black Butte WINDOW CLEANING Commercial & Residential. 18 years experience, references available. Safe, reliable, friendly. Free estimates. 541-241-0426 MOVING TRUCK FOR HIRE 205 Garage & Estate Sales –COMPLETE MOVING, LLC– Sisters' Only Local Moving Co.! RANCH DRESSINGS Two exp. men with 25+ years VINTAGE MARKET comm. moving. Refs! ODOT Lic. Grand Opening - Holiday Sale. Class 1-B • Call 541-678-3332 337 SE Railroad Blvd., Redmond. Dec. 11, 12, 13. 10-4. ~ WEDDINGS BY KARLY ~ Vintage, cottage, shabby-chic, Happy to perform virtual or farmhouse. Furniture, home in-person weddings. decor, Western, holiday, & so Custom Wedding Ceremonies much more. 20+ years • 541-410-4412 revkarly@gmail.com Happy Trails Estate Sales! Selling or Downsizing? • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Locally owned & operated by... Call 541-419-1279 Daiya 541-480-2806 GEORGE’S SEPTIC Sharie 541-771-1150 TANK SERVICE “A Well Maintained 207 The Holidays Septic System Protects • • • • Thank you, St. Jude • • • • the Environment” for prayers answered 541-549-2871 BOOKKEEPING SERVICE 301 Vehicles ~ Olivia Spencer ~ We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Expert Local Bookkeeping! Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Phone: (541) 241-4907 Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 www.spencerbookkeeping.com Sisters Car Connection da#3919 RV repairs, yard cleaning, SistersCarConnection.com hauling, have references. Call 401 Horses Andersen’s Almost Anything at 541-728-7253. TRITICALE MEADOW GRASS HAY SMALL Engine REPAIR ORCHARD GRASS HAY Lawn Mowers, New crop. No rain. Barn stored. Chainsaws & Trimmers 3-tie bales. $185-$250/ton. Hwy. Sisters Rental 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines

Miniature horse for sale! 13 y.o., fully trained. Great with seniors and kids. Jumps, lunges, drives. Healthy, sweet boy. Cart/harness included. $1,500 OBO. Contact Cara at drinkwardc@gmail.com. Certified Weed-Free HAY. Orchard Grass or Alfalfa Hay, Sisters. $275 per ton. Call 541-548-4163

50% Off Furnished Condo 2 BR/2 BA. Downtown. Available March thru May, 2021. Rent one month or more. Call 503-730-0150. ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 403 Pets www.SistersVacation.com Adorable puppies. Mini fox CASCADE HOME & terrier/shihtzu & mini-dachshund. VACATION RENTALS Ready Jan. 1. 3 girls, 2 boys. Monthly and Vacation Rentals $450 each. 541-350-1627. throughout Sisters Country. Female pot-bellied pig. (541) 549-0792 5 months, pet-friendly and cute. Property management $50. 541-350-1627. for second homes. FURRY FRIENDS CascadeVacationRentals.net helping Sisters families w/pets. FREE Dog & Cat Food 201 For Sale No contact pick-up by appt. Holiday shopping from the 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4 comforts of home. 541-797-4023 Shop www.youravon.com/ Bend Spay & Neuter Project joannacooley Providing Low-Cost Options for Or call/text Joanna Spay, Neuter and more! ~ 541-588-0886 ~ Shop local! Go to BendSnip.org It's All About Sisters! or call 541-617-1010 SistersOregonGuide.com Three Rivers Humane Society 202 Firewood Where love finds a home! See the doggies at 1694 SE McTaggart FIREWOOD, dry or green in Madras • A No-kill Shelter Lodgepole, juniper, pine. Go to ThreeRiversHS.org Cut & split. Delivery included. or call 541-475-6889 eaglecreekfire@yahoo.com

Snow removal, junk removal, garage & storage clean-out, yard & construction debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-598-4345. SNOW REMOVAL Residential driveways & sidewalks. Commercial snow blower & front loader. Guaranteed lowest prices. Call 541-678-3332. UPLOADED EVERY TUESDAY! The Nugget Newspaper C L A S S I F I E D S are at www.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

FREE LASERJET PRINTER HP LaserJet 5200 (black and white laser printer), plus two 16A cartridges. Stop by The Nugget to look at or pick up.

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090 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

504 Handyman

JONES UPGRADES LLC Home Repairs & Remodeling Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more. Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Local resident • CCB #201650 LAREDO CONSTRUCTION 541-549-1575 Maintenance / Repairs Insurance Work CCB #194489 Home Customizations, LLC Res. & Commercial Remodeling, Bldg. Maintenance & Painting Chris Patrick, Owner homecustomizations@gmail.com CCB #191760 • 541-588-0083 No job too small. $15-25/hour. 40 years in the trade. References available. 541-549-4563.

600 Tree Service & Forestry

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 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 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

601 Construction

Earthwood Timberframes • Design & construction • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantles and accent timbers Kris@earthwoodhomes.com CCB #174977 JERRY WILLIS DRYWALL & VENETIAN PLASTER All Residential, Commercial Jobs 541-480-7179 • CCB #69557

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701 Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues & all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate. 541-350-3218

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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

SIMON CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Residential Remodel Building Projects Bruce Simon, Quality craftsman for 35 years 541-948-2620 • CCB #184335 bsimon@bendbroadband.com

Construction & Renovation Custom Residential Projects All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448 LAREDO CONSTRUCTION 541-549-1575 For ALL Your Residential Construction Needs CCB #194489 www.laredoconstruction.com

Custom Homes • Additions Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-549-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com CENIGA'S MASONRY, INC. Brick • Block • Stone • Pavers CCB #181448 – 541-350-6068 www.CenigasMasonry.com Carl Perry Construction LLC Construction • Remodel Repair CCB #201709 • 541-419-3991 JOHN NITCHER CONSTRUCTION General Contractor Home repair, remodeling and additions. CCB #101744 541-549-2206 –THE NUGGET–

SUDOKU Level: Difficult

Answer: Page 23

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.

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 McCARTHY & SONS CONSTRUCTION New Construction, Remodels, Fine Finish Carpentry 541-420-0487 • CCB #130561

TEWALT & SONS INC. Excavation Contractors Sisters’ Oldest Excavation Co. Our experience will make your $ go further – Take advantage of our FREE on-site visit! Hard Rock Removal • Rock Hammering • Hauling Trucking • Top Soil • Fill Dirt Ground-to-finish Site Prep Building Demolition • Ponds & Liners • Creative & Decorative Rock Placement • Clearing, Leveling & Grading Driveways Utilities: Sewer Mains, Laterals Water, Power, TV & Phone Septic System EXPERTS: Complete Design & Permit Approval, Feasibility, Test Holes. Sand, Pressurized & Standard Custom Homes Systems. Repairs, Tank Residential Building Projects Replacement. CCB #76888 Concrete Foundations Cellular: 419-2672 or 419-5172 Becke William Pierce • 541-549-1472 • CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 TewaltAndSonsExcavation.com Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com THE NUGGET 604 Heating & Cooling NEWSPAPER ACTION AIR 442 E. Main Avenue Heating & Cooling, LLC POB 698, Sisters, OR 97759 Retrofit • New Const • Remodel 541-549-9941 Consulting, Service & Installs

701 Domestic Services

BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897

802 Help Wanted

Home caregiver needed. 2-3 shifts per week. 541-598-4527. ADVERTISE HERE! Do you offer LESSONS, WORKSHOPS or CLASSES? Let our readers know! JUST $2 per line the first week, $1.50 per line for repeat weeks. And online at no extra charge! Call by 541-549-9941

803 Work Wanted

Home Health Professional Strong medical, domestic, and personal care experience. Please call 541-420-0501.

999 Public Notice

CITY OF SISTERS LOCUST-CEDAR ALLEY WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT Bids due 2 p.m., January 14, 2021 actionairheatingandcooling.com 602 Plumbing & Electric INVITATION TO BID CCB #195556 SWEENEY Sealed bids for the construction 541-549-6464 PLUMBING, INC. of the City of Sisters, “Quality and Reliability” 605 Painting Locust-Cedar Alley Water Repairs • Remodeling Main Replacement Project, ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ • New Construction addressed to the City Recorder, Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. • Water Heaters City of Sisters, Oregon will be Refurbishing Decks 541-549-4349 received until 2 PM local time at CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 Residential and Commercial City Hall, 520 E. Cascade www.frontier-painting.com Licensed • Bonded • Insured Avenue, P.O. Box 39, Sisters, Riverfront Painting LLC CCB #87587 Oregon, on January 14, 2021 Interior/Exterior • Deck Staining R&R Plumbing, LLC and then publicly opened and SHORT LEAD TIMES > Repair & Service read at 2 PM at City Hall, in Travis Starr, 541-647-0146 > Hot Water Heaters Sisters, Oregon. Bids shall be License #216081 > Remodels & New Const. clearly labeled: Locust-Cedar Servicing Central Oregon 606 Landscaping & Yard Alley Water Main Replacement Lic. Bond. Ins. • CCB #184660 Project. Improvements generally Maintenance 541-771-7000 include the construction of two J&E Landscaping Maintenance 6-inch water mains, seven water CURTS ELECTRIC LLC LLC Clean-ups, raking, mowing, services, trenching and patching, – SISTERS, OREGON – hauling debris, gutters. and appurtenant improvements Quality Electrical Installations Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 between Locust St. and Cedar St. Agricultural • Commercial jandelspcing15@gmail.com in Sisters, Oregon. This project is Industrial • Well & Irrigation All Landscaping Services required to comply with FHWA Pumps, Motor Control, Mowing, Thatching, Hauling... Buy America guidelines which Barns & Shops, Plan Reviews Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740. stipulate that steel, iron, and CCB #178543 manufactured products used in 541-480-1404 the project are produced in the MONTE'S ELECTRIC United States. Contractors will be • service • residential From design to installation we required to submit Certificates of • commercial • industrial can do it all! Pavers, water Materials Origin prior to delivery Serving all of Central Oregon features, irrigation systems, sod, of such products. 541-719-1316 plants, trees etc. The invitation to bid, plans, lic. bond. insured, CCB #200030 541-771-9441 LCB #8906 specifications, addenda, and bendorganiclandscaping.com notification of bid results for this 603 Excavation & Trucking project may be viewed at Sisters BANR Enterprises, LLC City Hall at 520 E Cascade Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Avenue, Sisters, OR 97759; or Hardscape, Rock Walls printed or ordered on line from Residential & Commercial Premier Builders Exchange at Complete landscape construction, CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.plansonfile.com. fencing, irrigation installation & www.BANR.net There will be no Pre-Bid trouble-shooting, general ROBINSON & OWEN Conference for the cleanups, turf care maintenance Heavy Construction, Inc. Locust-Cedar Alley Water and agronomic recommendations, All your excavation needs Main Replacement Project. fertility & water conservation *General excavation This project is subject to the management, light excavation. *Site Preparation provisions of ORS 279C.800 CCB 188594 • LCB 9264 *Sub-Divisions through 279C.870 regarding 541-515-8462 *Road Building payment of prevailing wages. – All You Need Maintenance – *Sewer and Water Systems Bidders must be registered with Pine needle removal, hauling, *Underground Utilities the Construction Contractors mowing, moss removal, edging, *Grading *Snow Removal Board (ORS 701.055) or the bid raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, *Sand-Gravel-Rock will not be received or gutters, pressure washing... Licensed • Bonded • Insured considered. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 CCB #124327 Published December, 9, 2020 Austin • 541-419-5122 (541) 549-1848

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

COVID-19 rates continue to impact schools By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

In what has become nearly a weekly pattern, Sisters School District superintendent Curtiss Scholl shared a letter with the school community last week regarding what the rising infection rate in Deschutes County means to students and families. With a record number of weekly confirmed COVID19 cases, Deschutes County has remained in the “red zone” which has both immediate, and potentially future, impacts on when and where students will be able to receive in-person instruction. In his letter Scholl said, “Unfortunately, our current trend has Deschutes County COVID metrics well into the red zone. The metrics do not allow us to bring our fifth grade back at this time. The next date to re-engage our fifth grade will be January 11, which will be based on the metrics released on January 4.” The winter break for schools is scheduled from December 19-January 3. Remaining in the “red zone” could ultimately impact the students at Sisters Elementary School, who are currently attending in-person classes Monday-Thursday, potentially forcing them back into Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) for a time. Scholl explained, “Additionally, if we continue in the red zone through the ‘safe harbor’ period (which ends January 4), we will be required to have our K-4 go back to Comprehensive Distance Learning as well. Elementary school families will be kept up to date on that situation by Principal Joan Warburg and Scholl. Scholl ended his letter urging everyone to do their part in minimizing the spread of the virus in the weeks ahead. “I continue my plea that we need all Deschutes County citizens to be leaders when it comes to the COVID protocols,” he wrote. “We need continued vigilance around fighting the spread of this virus. For the sake of our students, our vulnerable populations, and everyone, please continue to follow the physical distancing, hand washing and mask wearing protocols that have been put in place to stop the spread of this virus.”

COVID-19: Hospitalizations have gone up significantly Continued from page 1

impact whether or not students can participate in inperson education (see related story, this page). Restrictions put in place to stem the spike in COVID-19 cases have severe impacts of their own, putting small businesses and people’s livelihoods in jeopardy. Sisters businesses have been forced to adapt repeatedly and many local residents have made personal commitments to “shop local” to support them. Restaurants have been particularly impacted by restrictions. Some Sisters restaurants are offering outside dining, despite the advent of cold temperatures, and many are focusing on takeout options (see related story, page 4). Health Services officials ask those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are awaiting a call to: • Stay home and self-isolate for 10 days from symptom onset. If you do not have

symptoms, self-isolate for 10 days following your test date. • Common symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Some people may have loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, sore throat, and muscle pain, or feel very tired. • Notify individuals you were in close contact with and let them know they should quarantine for 14 days. Contacts can resume normal activities on day 10 of their quarantine if they have no symptoms, but please continue to self-monitor for the full 14 days and stay home if you have symptoms. • Close contacts are people you have been within 6 ft. of for more than 15 minutes, beginning from two days before your symptoms began. • For people who test positive but do not have symptoms, notify all close contacts beginning from two days before you were tested. • If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider. Tell them you tested positive for COVID-19. Public health officials encourage individuals who are symptomatic or were

exposed to someone with COVID-19 to obtain rapid or point-of-care testing. For information on where to get tested in Deschutes County, visit www.deschutes.org/ covid-19testing. Public health officials are asking those who have had a COVID-19 test, other than rapid or point of care tests, and are still awaiting their test results to: • Stay home and away from others while waiting for results. • Notify individuals you were in close contact with and let them know that you are awaiting test results and that they should stay away from others. • If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider. Tell them you are waiting for COVID-19 test results. “Our public health team needs the support of our community to follow public health guidance and selfisolate and begin notifying your close contacts if you test positive,” said Public Health Director Nahad Sadr-Azodi. “With this increase in cases,

With this increase in cases, it’s critically important that we continue to be vigilant in taking precautions — wear your mask, keep your social ‘bubble’ small, and maintain good hand hygiene. — Nahad Sadr-Azodi it’s critically important that we continue to be vigilant in taking precautions — wear your mask, keep your social ‘bubble’ small, and maintain good hand hygiene.” Deschutes County Health Services expects that the current delay in the contact tracing process is temporary. The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners has approved additional positions to support COVID-19 response and the County is actively working to post and recruit for these positions.

www.NuggetNews.com

Your Perfect Home Is Out There… Let’s Find Fin nd It It Together! Tog

Successfully representing buyers and sellers, both residential and commercial. JJen McC McCrystal, C Broker

Happy s Holiday

Ross Kennedy

541-420-4347 • jen@reedbros.com 5541-420-

Principal Broker

Loan Originator NMLS #1612019

Reed Bros. Realty

Licensed in the State of Oregon

291 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters 541-549-6000 | www.reedbros.com Each office independently owned and operated.

541-408-1343

Serving Black Butte Ranch & The Greater Sisters Area

NEW YEAR, NEW TEAM! PATTY CORDONI Principal Broker 541.771.0931 patty.cordoni@ cascadesir.com

SUZANNE CARVLIN Broker 818.216.8542 suzanne.carvlin@ cascadesir.com

RealEstate@PattyandSuzanne.com www.PattyandSuzanne.com

We are teaming up our experience and knowledge, specializing in farm, ranch, and residential properties, to be a real estate team serving buyers and sellers in Central Oregon. Sotheby’s International Realty© is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. All associates are licensed in the State of Oregon.

IN-PERSON: School has seen success with program Continued from page 1

our parents are happy and our staff is happy,” she said. “I have seen a deep appreciation in our students for being able to be in school learning. They come to school with smiles on their faces, eager to engage in the day.” Sisters Elementary School is technically considered to be operating under the state’s “Hybrid” model since students are in class in the building Monday-Thursday and do Comprehensive Distance Learning on Fridays. Kindergarten through third grade have been back in school since late September and fourth-graders returned last month. After being away from in-person instruction since last March, Warburg reports, teachers have been working to overcome some learning gaps that resulted from distance learning — but she says the most visible change has been in students’ social and emotional well-being. “The biggest thing we have noticed is the almost immediate transformation in our students’ socio-emotional well-being once they enter our building,” she said. “Students who were really struggling in the CDL environment are thriving in the in-person environment. We have also noticed a dramatic decrease in the number of discipline incidents

SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 21

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

compared to previous years. The school is a peace-filled and happy place for our students and staff.” Warburg acknowledges that the success has not come easy and not without times of unease. “Our entire community has had to make huge adjustments in systems and procedures in how school functions this year in almost every activity,” she explained. “We had to consider all of the logistics of school and plan completely different scenarios than what we have ever done before.” Some of those logistics include planned bathroom breaks, students eating lunch in their classrooms and having recess with only their own cohort, and highly organized protocols for entering and exiting the building. Warburg reports a tremendous amount of positive feedback from parents. “Parents are so grateful for our team and the work our staff has invested to teach their children in person and they have shown amazing support for our school staff,” she said. The herculean effort to be open and stay open is not lost on Warburg. “It is important to give credit to our success to our entire support team,

including those people who work in maintenance, nutrition services, and bus driving for investing hours to ensure that all of the COVID requirements are met,” she said. “We could not have opened without their expertise.” Warburg also has high praise for her educational staff. “Our teaching staff is passionate about doing what it takes to provide our students with a quality education in the midst of so many obstacles,” she said. “Every SES team member has brought their innovation and creativity to create the absolute best learning environment for our students that we can.” Warburg appreciates the efforts by parents and the school nursing staff as well. “The key to remaining open has been the investment by our entire community to adhere to the guidance protocols,” said Warburg. “Parents are exercising an abundance of caution and keeping their children home for even minor symptoms and are quarantining proactively. They are communicating with our nursing team to ensure that they are doing their part to support our health and safety. Our district nursing team is doing a great job in following up

with each family when students are absent, and communicating and supporting their children with what they need.” While counting all the blessings of being open, Warburg acknowledges that there is a constant, underlying concern, about keeping everyone safe and healthy. “Honestly, for me as the school leader, there is also the weight of responsibility over the health and safety of our students and staff,” she said. “This is why we have been such sticklers about the minutiae of the guidance from ODE. We want to ensure that we have done everything possible to keep each person in our building healthy.” That concern has obviously increased recently as infection rates for COVID-19 have skyrocketed in recent weeks, putting Deschutes County in the “red zone,” which could mean a return to distance learning in January if that trend continues (see related story, page 22). Warburg hopes that with broad, concerted effort by the Sisters community and the

It is my hope that we can bring our Sisters numbers down for the well-being of all of us. — Principal Joan Warburg county at-large, the infection rates will slow, because she believes that children being out of school can have longlasting, negative impacts. “My greatest fear is that choices made by the greater community in our county, by people not connected to our school, could ultimately create a situation where we will have to close our school and move to distance learning,” she said. She continued, “I feel that the real losers in this COVID crisis are our children, so I encourage our families to continue to practice safety measures by limiting exposure whenever possible, wearing masks, and washing their hands. It is my hope that we can bring our Sisters numbers down for the wellbeing of all of us.”

Grounded in your community • Superior closing experiences • Strong relationships that last • Services and online resources that are second to none

Stop by and visit with Shelley Marsh & Tiana Van Landuyt. 220 S. Pine St., Ste. 102 | westerntitle.com | 541-548-9180

1110 E. Cascade Ave., Rolling Horse Meadow Updated farmhouse on a large fenced corner lot in town. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2,354 sq. ft. Newly remodeled kitchen and master bath. New roof, furnace, heat pump and more. Backyard with paver patio and water feature for entertaining, chicken coop, woodshed and RV parking. $789,000. MLS#220113298

Khiva Beckwith Mayfield Realty 809 SW Canyon Dr., Redmond

Broker

541-420-2165

khivarealestate@gmail.com

www.khivasellscentraloregon.com

SOLD!

GOLF HOME 13 • $999,000 • mls 220108804 Custom home located in quiet, secluded setting yet close to Lodge amenities

Backs to Indian Ford Meadow!

15868 W. Meadow Lane Mark Ossinger Ossinger, Broker — 206-713-1045 —

Licensed in the State of Oregon #201236356 and State of Washington #25554 61651 Gemini Way, Bend, Oregon 97701 Mark@fathomrealtywa.com www.fathomrealtywa.com

Updated 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 5,361 sq.. ft. home on 1.16 acres. Entertainment room with kitchen area/large screen/ projector and sound system – great for entertaining! Close to Sisters. Just 1/4 mile from Deschutes National Forest! $929,000. MLS#220105960

Sheila Reifschneider, Broker, 541-408-6355 Licensed Broker in Oregon | sheila@reedbros.com Coldwell Banker Reed Bros. Realty 291 W. Cascade Ave. | 541-549-6000

Exclusive Onsite Realtor for the Ranch Don Bowler, President and Broker 971-244-3012 Gary Yoder, Managing Principal Broker 541-420-6708 Ross Kennedy, Principal Broker 541-408-1343 Carol Dye, Broker 541-480-0923 | Joe Dye, Broker 541-595-2604 Corrie Lake, Broker 541-521-2392

Open daily, 9 to 5, by the Lodge Pool Complex 541-595-3838 Black Butte Ranch 541-549-5555 in Sisters, 414 W. Washington Ave. see all our listings at blackbutterealtygroup.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Serving the Sisters, Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch Areas

Ponderosa Properties R E A L T O R S

A N D

M A N A G E M E N T

At Ponderosa Properties… …It’s About th e People

New Listing

ACREAGE & MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Enjoy the mountain views & beautiful setting on 9.3 acres near Sisters. Custom 4-bed./3.5-bath, 3,330 sq. ft. home with family room, separate office & double garage. Three separate outbuildings offer incredible possibilities to protect your RVs, indulge hobbies & house overflow guests. There is a 36x40 shop with 2nd level guest suite, 48x60 RV barn with 1,650 sq. ft. finished studio, 12x12 greenhouse & gardening area plus high-fenced landscaped grounds for the master gardener. So many amenities and possibilities. Only minutes to town in a secluded, quiet neighborhood off of Barclay Drive. $1,950,000. MLS#220113206

P R O P E R T Y

ON TOP OF MCKINNEY BUTTE Overlooking the Cascade mountains and Sisters, this property has a combination of special features not often found. Main house has a rustic yet modern interior with knotty pine & accented by juniper logs. Exciting 3-level floor plan, high vaulted ceilings & spaces filled with Cascade view windows providing natural light. The 9.9-acre rural lot features detached guest accommodations w/ garage & long-term cell site camouflaged into the charming architecture. End-of-the-road privacy – forested with ample sunlight – dramatic setting with Cascade views – private guest accommodations – income stream – what more could you want! $999,000. MLS#220110633

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

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 MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Mountain views from this 83-acre parcel. Tree groves or open skies…choose your estatecaliber homesite. US Forest Service public land borders one-half mile for added privacy. A water hook-up available if desired or drill your own. Horses, hermits or homebodies, a beautiful spot to create your custom dream. Eight miles to the Western town of Sisters. $980,000. MLS#220103712

1087 E. CREEKSIDE COURT Premier building lot in one of Sisters' finest neighborhoods. 12,320 square feet of level land with city utilities available. Nicely treed with native pines. Whychus Creek access. A quiet corner of Sisters, yet easy access to town. $255,000. MLS#220102860

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 5 MLS#201803205 ..........$240,000 Lot 4 MLS#201803206 ......... $250,000 Lot 7 MLS#201803202 ......... $260,000

LIKE-NEW TOWNHOME! Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Ultra-modern interior design features upper-level living. Light and bright greatroom with south-facing windows, cozy propane fireplace and high vaulted ceilings. Sunny patio with mountain view and feeling of openness. Comfortable upper-level master suite with high ceilings, plenty of closet space and spacious bathroom. Also, a half-bath plus utility room upstairs for convenience. Lower level has 2 bedrooms plus guest bathroom. Heat pump on upper and efficient in-floor radiant heating on lower level. Single attached garage. $449,000. MLS#202000010

www. P onderosa P roperties.com 221 S. Ash St. | PO Box 1779 | Sisters Guy Lauziere 541-410-9241

Broker

The Locals’ Choice!

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE! This 2.5 acre property is waiting for your dream home. Level land with a nice mix of pines and junipers. Paved access and a community water hookup available. A separate shop or RV building is allowed. Just minutes to Sisters. Bring your builder and let’s walk the property corners. $299,000. MLS#220112822

A VERY SPECIAL SETTING! A paved lane winds up to an elevated ridge top where this exciting home sits with forested overviews & peek-a-boo views of Black Butte & Mt. Jefferson. Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths & 2,408 sq. ft. Great room, kitchen, living & breakfast nook plus formal dining room. Main-level master suite, jetted tub & walk-in shower. Two large bedrooms upstairs, spacious bathroom & loft overlooks great room with Mt. Jefferson view. Two double garages with lots of potential uses. The larger is attached to home by covered breezeway with finished upper-level multipurpose room, lots of windows, plus full bathroom. Extensive paved parking leads to covered porch entry, paver stone patio & enjoyable lawn. The forested setting provides privacy. $819,900. MLS#220106968

GOLF COURSE FRONTAGE A beautiful setting overlooking Aspen Lakes' 16th Fairway with tee-to-green fairway views. The vista includes fairway ponds and a forested ridge/open space as the backdrop. Ponderosa pines and open skies highlight this large homesite ideal for your custom-home dreams. Underground utilities and water available, septic approval and close to Aspen Lakes Recreational Center. $299,500. MLS#220106225

RIVER FRONT PROPERTY In the City of Sisters with water, power & sewer to the property, storage shed, & approval for 2,500 sq. ft. home. Distance of building setback from river is difficult to obtain, making this a rare property. Large ponderosa & cottonwood trees plus 200± ft. of river frontage, accessible at multiple points. Peterson Ridge Trail system less than a block away. Miles of walking, jogging & mountain bike trails through the USFS just down the road with additional access to river on public land. So private, yet walking distance to Sisters. $479,900. MLS #202002392

LAKE CREEK LODGE, #18-U2 Turnkey in every sense of the word! 1/4 interest in this 3-bedroom, 3-bath cabin at historic Lake Creek Lodge in Camp Sherman. Set on a small rise overlooking the creek basin, this vacationready cabin offers quality throughout. Knotty-pine paneling, plank fir floors, stone/gas fireplace, butcher-block countertops, stainless appliances, farm kitchen sink, tile bathroom & showers, cedar decks, stone exterior accents & locked owner storage. Enjoy the common area, tennis, pool, creek & open spaces. Nearby trails lead to the Metolius River and U.S. National Forest. $224,500. MLS#220103280

NEW TOWNHOME! Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Ultra-modern interior design features upper-level living. Light and bright greatroom with south-facing windows, cozy propane fireplace and high vaulted ceilings. Sunny patio with mountain view and feeling of openness. Comfortable upper-level master suite with high ceilings, plenty of closet space and spacious bathroom. Also, a halfbath plus utility room upstairs for convenience. Lower level has 2 bedrooms plus guest bathroom. Heat pump on upper and efficient in-floor radiant heating on lower level. Single attached garage. $449,000. MLS#202000015