The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVI No. 11 // 2023-03-15

The Nugget

Snow buddy...

City, County talk tourism, housing

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

The March 8 joint meeting of the Sisters City Council and Deschutes County Board of Commissioners had an agenda packed with updates on a number of new and ongoing programs.

Sami Rheault built a snowman with her dad after last week’s stout snowfall. They made friends immediately.

Sheriff’s office investigates vandalism

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance from the public in identifying people responsible for gunfire vandalism to a newly constructed home in Sisters.

The DCSO reports that on March 7 the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of vandalism affecting the new construction in the 600

block of North Reed Street in Sisters.

Deputies were advised a property manager had completed a site visit of the newconstruction homes and witnessed what is suspected to be bullet holes in the exterior siding, interior drywall, and a window.

Upon arrival deputies

See VANDALISM on page 23

Road 16 to be rebuilt this spring

The Sisters Ranger District and Deschutes National Forest road crew plan to reconstruct the nonpaved portion of Forest Service Road 16 this spring and early summer. The road surface has degraded to a condition that is difficult for vehicles, in particular those towing trailers, to

safely navigate. The reconstruction work will improve forest users’ driving experience while increasing the long-term sustainability of the road.

The road crew plans to begin reconstruction activities as soon as spring snow

See ROAD 16 on page 11

Explore Sisters Executive Director Scott Humpert introduced himself to the Deschutes County Commissioners and explained how the world of tourism promotion has evolved from just marketing a destination to managing tourism as an economic activity incorporating

See TOURISM on page 18

Keeping the roads open at all costs

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Sisters Country woke up to snow Friday morning that persisted off and on throughout the day, with accumulations of five to eight inches depending on location. The weather event had been forecast fairly accurately and ODOT crews were ready.

The Nugget rode along with lead employee, George Ormsbee, in one of the two 465-horsepower plow rigs in the Sisters maintenance yard fleet on duty that morning. Many in Sisters do not even know of the yard’s existence two miles east of town on Highway 126, as it is concealed by trees.

The Sisters yard basically has only three roads to maintain — Highway 20 from Suttle Lake to Robal Road in Bend; Highway 126 through Redmond, and Highway 242. But two of the roads are essential arteries, one a federal highway that is the longest highway in the U.S., stretching from Massachusetts to the Oregon coast.

“Our primary goal is to keep the roads open at all costs,” Ormsbee said, as he pushed snow off the roads and/or sanded to keep the roads passable. “There better be a darned good reason to close the road, and we will do everything possible to keep that from happening.”

Indeed people’s livelihood, and occasionally life, depend on the roads remaining open. Ormsbee, who lives in Sisters, about a mile from the yard, wants the roads to be as they would

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

be for his family who, like him, use them for their shopping, getting kids to school, attending meetings, and being able to get about safely and efficiently.

Our travels began at 4 a.m. Crews are working a lot of 12-hour shifts during the winter months. Getting on the roads early and staying on them is the key. They rely on the same weather forecasts used by the general citizenry, mostly

See ROADS on page 7

ODOT snowplow crews were out in force to deal with the latest snowfall. Nugget freelancer Bill Bartlett got a ride-along.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Letters to the Editor…

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

Road repair

To the Editor:

Les Schwab has been a great goodneighbor business in Sisters for many years. Perhaps the city of Sisters would be so kind to pave the transition road that connects Highway 242 to Highway 20. This little section of road has had frost heave humps in it for several years. I think Les Schwab deserves better.

If the City determines it is not responsible for this section of road, perhaps the City can investigate who is responsible and have that section of road repaired.

Bill Anttila

s s s

Trail vandals

To the Editor:

Thank you for bringing attention to this issue yet again (“Sisters trails vandals caught on camera,” The Nugget, March 8, page 1). As stated, the Sisters Trails Alliance works in partnership with the USFS and deeply values the collaborative efforts together on the trails. We would like to clarify one point: This article featured myself, the primary representative of the Sisters Trails Alliance, speaking for our own organization, and not on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service does not have any investigations related to the stickers at this time.

Scott Penzarella STA Executive Director

No going back

To the Editor:

I am currently a resident of Sisters in a home that I just built two years ago. My sister has lived here for eight years. I was a regular visitor to our city, visiting her frequently from out of state. I fell in love with the beauty, Western feel, and, mostly, the people of Sisters.

I have personally witnessed the destruction of good communities around my previous home. I am afraid that Sisters is starting to go down the path of fast food, congestion, and premature approval of permits without the proper input from its residents. An article in last week’s Nugget newspaper by Bill Bartlett was quite revealing regarding the results of his online survey.

“The most lopsided question result was 80 to 20 percent” that the City and its officials

are not doing a good job regarding managing growth. The survey was taken by 275 people in a short time period. Maybe we all should take a time-out and examine this proposal again. The Space Age truck stop is really not in the interests of most people that I have conversed with around town. Firstly, I do not feel that the residents are seeing a correct and authentic depiction of the proposed “remodel.” Actually, this is a demo and a rebuild. The 16 pumps and their islands/canopy is almost two stories high. The 30 or so fluorescent lights will be on until closing time in the late evening (what about dark skies?). Space Age will design and build the new truck stop to their specifications. Check out these monstrosities in adjoining towns and cities. Mr. Pliska is the owner of a franchise. They design their own gas stations, not the owner. Your hasty approval of this permit will maybe encourage the other gas stations in the city to also “upgrade” their stations so that they can compete with the new guy in town. Are we going to have four to five truck stops in the downtown area of Sisters? Why do our officials and Mr. Pliska think that building this business in almost the center of town is a good idea? Mr. Pliska was honest when he said, “We’re a business and we’re discounters. Like any business we’re looking for efficiency, a way to drive down our costs.” Also, this other structure (“general store”) will be more like a mini food court with unhealthy and processed food around a large lampheated buffet. There appears to be no outside Western Architectural Design Theme involved (section 2.15.2600). So we trade the farmstand for an I-5 truck stop buffet?

Finally, funneling transient trucks through the center of town will be a logistical nightmare. If another competing gas station goes the same way with a “remodel” of their property, one can only imagine the gridlock that will occur between our two roundabouts. Foot traffic will become more dangerous and most drivers will start avoiding downtown, and then there goes small businesses. Why are we sacrificing our community’s beauty and ease of moving around for one person’s need to reduce “costs”?

Please listen to the residents of this community. Please go slowly on this process and look at the real depictions of this truck stop. Please consider what traffic nightmare that you are approving. Once it is built, there is no going back.

Elmer Carr

Give city planners something to say yes to

By Sam Horn Guest Columnist

Winters are prime time for reading.

I found myself deep in a Wendell Berry book of essays this week and couldn’t help but connect an anecdote to all the handwringing in town about change and development.

“We left the hunters behind and went down past a green grainfield where cattle were grazing and drinking at the waterside. They were not disturbed that the river had come up over part of their pasture, no more troubled by the height of today’s shoreline than they were by the height of yesterday’s. To them, no matter how high it was, so long as the ground was higher it was as ordinary as a summer pond. Surely the creatures of the fifth day of Creation accepted those of the sixth with equanimity, as though they had always been there. Eternity is always present in the animal mind; only men deal in beginnings and ends. It is probably lucky for man that he was created last. He would have got too excited and upset over all the change.”

— Wendell Berry, The Rise, 1969

since 1980 and the 227 percent growth in Deschutes County over the same time span (usafacts.org).

There’s no stopping people from procreating and moving. The challenge is, what are we going to do to plan for it? And by that I mean the bottom rung of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (food, water, warmth, rest, safety, and security). And individually, how are we each going to invest in this community during those microscopic moments of the day-to-day to help hold on to that experience of Sisters that we all love? And by that I mean the upper levels of Maslow’s model, which really comes in how to treat each other. Human history is best marked by groups of people coming together to accomplish something that everyone can benefit from.

When I read the stories in The Nugget earlier this year of how the school district was formed and the schools built, it checked the same box. While it sounded scrappy and a big endeavor at the time, it’s inarguably a positive for Sisters a generation later.

See LETTERS on page 4

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

Editor in Chief: Jim Cornelius

Production Manager: Leith Easterling

Creative Director: Jess Draper Community Marketing

Vicki Curlett

Janice Hoffman

In taking this one step further, albeit in far worse prose, all the conversation has been incessantly about change, but not in a positive, productive fashion. Instead, all the chatter is about trying to stop projects and improvements and how it’s all wrong. What I see is a city planning group trying to plan for and manage change to the best of their ability, and a lot of people talking about how it’s wrong and trying to stop it. The city planners aren’t creating change, they’re trying to help us manage it. Change is coming from the 8 billion-plus people on Earth. Change is coming from the 60.7 percent population growth in Oregon

So what are we working on today? All the conversation, while generally respectful, is resistant and oppositional. Can we look at what should change with the growth coming and work on that? Can we put our energy in that direction, please? Do we all have to pick up a shovel and work on the same project? No. But instead of knocking over somebody else’s sandcastle, or — as the recent story out of Peterson Ridge shows — mess up some volunteers’ trail sign, maybe you should try to build something, too. Go make something to make this town better. That’s how it seems this got here in the first place, because the people before us tried to build something great for others.

Now it’s our turn. Give the city planners something to say yes to.

Lola’s mustang journey from wild to calm

By Katy Yoder Correspondent

It’s been almost three months since we introduced readers to Maddie Siler and her mustang, Lola. The two are edging closer to the big day when they’ll compete in the final stage of the Teens & Oregon Mustangs Challenge. Lola has come a long way since being rounded up and kept in holding pens at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wild Horse Corrals in Burns.

Before Siler loaded her into their trailer and brought her home, Lola had never been touched by a person. Her first day with the Siler

Habitat for Humanity officials met with legislators at the Oregon State Capitol to discuss housing policy.

Pictured: Dwane Krumme, executive director, La Pine Sunriver Habitat for Humanity; Shannon Vilhauer, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Oregon; Senator Tim Knopp, Oregon Senate minority leader; Sharlene Weed, executive director, Sisters Habitat for Humanity; and Chad Kruse, executive director, Columbia Gorge Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat meets with legislators

More than 50 Habitat for Humanity advocates met with Oregon legislators on March 8 to advocate for policies that increase the supply of needed housing and promote broader access to safe, decent, and affordable homes.

Sisters Habitat Executive Director Sharlene Weed met with Representative Helfrich and Senators Bonham and Knopp.

“It was fun to spend the day at the Capitol sharing

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 610-73 83

Alcoholics Anonymous

the great work that is happening in our community and talking about the importance of homeownership asset-building and Habitat for Humanity’s legislative priorities,” Weed said.

Habitat representatives advocated for funding for Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) for homeownership. This fund has provided over $1 million toward building Habitat homes in Sisters. Advocates

also voiced support for Individual Development Accounts (IDA). IDAs are matched savings accounts that can be used for down payment assistance. NeighborImpact manages the accounts for Central Oregon. For information about volunteering with Sisters Habitat for Humanity or applying for the homeownership program visit sistershabitat.org or call 541-549-1193.

family began on December 3. She was wary at first, but soon realized she’d landed in a place full of love and promise.

The BLM manages and protects wild horses and burros on 26.9 million acres of public lands across ten Western states as part of its mission to administer public lands for a variety of uses. The Wild Horse and Burro Program’s goal is to manage healthy wild horses and burros on healthy public rangelands.

Lola and Siler are an inspiring team. It’s obvious the young mare has bonded

SFF unveils 2023 poster and initial lineup

Sisters Folk Festival will host an official 2023 poster unveiling and initial lineup announcement party on Thursday, March 16 at the Cindy and Duncan Campbell Gallery at Sisters Art Works, 204 W. Adams Ave. in Sisters from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Local painter, musician, author, and longstanding SFF poster artist Dennis McGregor will be in attendance to reveal this year’s unique painting. The SFF has commissioned artwork from McGregor since 2000, with 23 festival posters now in

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’

Post All are welc ome. 541- 549- 60 61

Go Fi sh Fishing Group 3rd Monday

7 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church 541-771-2211

Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration / Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration / Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Big Book study, Tuesday, noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Gentlemen’s meeting, Wednesday, 7 a.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Sober Sisters Women’s meet ing, Thur sday, noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fr iday, noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 54 8- 04 40

Central Oregon Fly Tyer s Guild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om

Ci tizens4Communit y Let’s Talk

3rd Monday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. RSVP at citizens 4c ommunity.c om

Council on Aging of Central Oregon

Senior Lunch In -person communit y dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Graband- go lunch Tues Wed. Thurs. 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters Communit y Church 541- 48 0-18 43

Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s)

2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church Materials provided 541- 40 8- 8505

Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1

to 4 p.m. 541- 668 -1755

Milita ry Parent s of Sister s Meetings are held quar terly; please call for details. 541- 38 8- 9013

Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys,

11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant.

541- 549- 64 69

SAGE (S enior Ac tivities , Gatherings & Enrichment) Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.

to 4 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation District 541- 549-20 91

Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4t h Saturday, 10 a.m., meet ing by Zoom.

503- 93 0- 6158

Sisters Area Photography Club

2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church 541- 549- 6157

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

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:3 0 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Support Group 3rd Tues 10:3 0 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Church 541-719- 0031

Sisters Cribbage Club Meets 10 a.m. ever y Wed. at SPRD 50 9- 947- 5744

Sisters Garden Club For mont hly meetings visit: SistersGardenClu b.com.

Sisters Habitat for Humani ty Board of Director s 4t h Tuesday, 6 p.m. Location information: 541- 549-1193

Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Brand 33 Rest aurant at Aspen Lakes. 541- 410-2870

Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at Sisters Saloon. 541- 48 0- 59 94

Sisters Red Ha ts 1st Fr iday. For location information, please call: 541- 84 8-1970

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-76 0- 5645

Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 541- 419-1279

Sisters Veterans Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 903-1123

Sisters Trails Alliance Board Meetings take plac e ever y other month, 5 p.m. In -person or zoom. Cont act: info@sisterstrails.org

Three Sister s Irrigation District Board of Director s Meets 1st Tuesday, 4 p.m., TSID Of fice 541- 549- 8815

VF W Post 8138 and American Legion Po st 86 1st Wednesday of the mont h, 6:30 p.m., Main Church Building Sisters Communit y Church 847- 344- 0498

Sisters Area Woodworker s Held the first Tuesday of the mont h 7 to 9 p.m. Call 541-231-18 97

SCHOOLS

Black Bu tt e School Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. 541- 59 5- 6203

Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday mont hly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www.ssd 6.org. 541- 549- 8521 x5 002.

his portfolio.

“I love the Sisters Folk Festival and it has been a delight to create their posters for the past 20-plus years,” said McGregor. “Sometimes I have to think about how to keep it fresh. I’ve already done instruments, people with instruments, and animals behaving like people with instruments.”

Offering a hint at the theme of the 2023 poster, McGregor said, “I’m happy to say that this year’s is

CITY & PARKS

Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h

Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541- 549- 6022

Sisters Park & Recreation District

Board of Director s 2nd & 4t h Tues., 4:30 p.m. SPRD bldg. 541- 549-20 91

Sisters Planning Commission

3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541- 549- 6022

FIRE & POLICE

Black Bu tt e Ranch Po lice Dept.

Board of Director s Meets mont hly. 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date

Black Bu tt e Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BB R Fire Station. 541- 59 5-2288

Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors

3rd Wed. 5:30 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 541- 54 8- 4815 cloverdalefire.c om

Sister s- Camp Sherman RFPD

Board of Director s 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541- 549- 0771

Sister s- Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 541- 549- 0771

This listing is for regular Sisters Countr y meetings; email information to nugget @nuggetnews.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Benefield serves medically fragile people in Sisters

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

For a position that requires compassion, empathy, and a deep desire to be of assistance, Partners In Care has the perfect person offering their Transitions program here in Sisters.

Within five minutes of meeting Bethany Benefield, her passion for her work with medically fragile individuals is unmistakable. Her eyes light up as she talks about those who are benefitting from the assistance offered through Transitions in Sisters, Bend, Redmond, La Pine and south county, Sunriver, Prineville, and Madras. Benefield and four other Transitions staff serve about 400 clients throughout the tri-county area. Benefield is the transition coordinator lead for the entire program, overseeing the program and troubleshooting as needed, in addition to her 20-25 Sisters clients.

Benefield and her husband met at Belmont College in Tennessee, where she received her degree in social entrepreneurship with plans to pursue a master’s in social work. Her husband worked for Gibson Guitars after college.

Upon moving across the country to Bend, where her husband went to work for Breedlove Guitar, Benefield began working in the referral office at Partners, and then moved to community outreach. Six years ago, she was asked to join the Transitions program and realized she had found what she loves and is meant to do. This is in addition to being a mom to two young children.

Plans for the master’s degree were shelved, and

instead she earned her certification from the Oregon Health Authority as a Community Health Worker (CHW) after taking coursework at Central Oregon Community College. She is also a certified Oregon Health Plan registrar, helping many of her clients apply for Medicaid and the Oregon Health Plan.

Benefield’s work with her clients is supplemented by Partners volunteers, who are assigned to check in with and visit clients in their homes. She can also enlist the Partners Palliative Care department when medical questions need to be addressed. Clients can connect through telehealth calls, in the clinic, or whatever way suits their situation. Partners also offers home health services.

Transitions clients come to the program through referrals from their doctors (although referrals aren’t required), family, and friends, and by contacting Partners themselves. The entire program and all services are free of charge.

Benefield explained the value of Transitions this way:

“As we age and health changes, it can be difficult and intimidating when trying to figure out what makes sense. It doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to be alone with those changes. With help from Transitions, I can help someone decide what the next step should be and what can wait. I can provide answers. Call me. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll find out for you.”

The Transitions coordinators are comfortable having meaningful conversations about difficult topics like worsening health and aging

conditions necessitating possible moves, securing inhome care, making appropriate decisions about end-oflife care, and helping the client and their family address these and other issues.

A typical Transitions case might involve an older parent who lives alone and an adult child who notices changes in the parent’s health, abilities to care for themselves, mental lapses, increasing falls, or just subtle changes that impact the parent’s ability to continue living alone.

Benefield can come to the home, assess the situation for what may be needed. That may be just a one-time visit to help answer questions and provide possible referrals to a variety of agencies and services. For someone who has never experienced this type of situation, it can feel daunting to identify needed services and then locate the appropriate resources, such as Meals on Wheels, Project Independence, in-home care, transportation, etc.

For others, enrolling in Transitions may be appropriate so they can receive ongoing support as their health condition and/or living situation change. Clients can smoothly move from the free non-medical Transitions program to full hospice care with Partners when the time comes.

Benefield also keeps an eye out for robo calls, inhome sales, and marketing mail making sham offerings that can bilk seniors out of money. She provides another set of eyes to help

keep people safe in their homes, whether that home is a house, apartment, assisted living facility, or a nursing home.

Benefield’s contributions to her clients are appreciated by those at Partners.

Director of Business Development, Lisa Hurley, told The Nugget, “I have really enjoyed watching Bethany grow in her various roles at Partners In Care. After starting in the referral services department, she moved into the Community Relations Coordinator position. In this position, she was an ambassador and educator,

helping others learn about how Partners In Care can support patients and families. Her passion and dedication to helping others in a more direct way, led to her joining the Transitions team and she recently became the lead for the group of Transitions Coordinators. She has provided support and resources to so many who have needed help and guidance. We all feel so lucky to have such a compassionate and caring person on our team.” If you or someone you know could benefit from Benefield’s services, contact Partners at 541-382-5882.

Th

r ee Sister s Hist or ical Society FIRESIDE SERIES

TUESDAY, MARCH 28 An Insider’s View of Local Logging, Lumber & Milling

Jim Crowell, a Bend resident since 1940 and a longtime employee of Brooks-Scanlon (from summer help to top-level management, including with Brooks Resources as they developed Black Butte Ranch) will share his perspectives on the origin, growth, and impact of this vital industry on Central Oregon for more than a century

SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 25: Lorie Hancock presents “If the Trees Could Speak: Stories of Camp Sherman”

Reservations: 541-610-6323

Tickets are $10 at the Door (Free to TSHS members)

FivePine Conference Center

1021 E. Desperado Trail, Sisters

7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Seating is first-come, first-served

Bethany Benefield is the transition coordinator lead for Partners In Care. Much of her work is in Sisters.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Continued from page 3

with Siler and trusts her completely. Siler’s training gives Lola the chance to start a new life. She’ll be offered in a live auction held on March 26, which takes place after the riding competition at the NW Horse Fair & Expo at the Linn County Expo Center in Albany March 24-26.

With just a few weeks to go, Siler is happy with their progress. She’s getting in as much training as possible before she competes in two classes. The first is called Halter and Handling. Lola’s body condition will be judged on things like muscle tone, if her hooves look good, how healthy her coat is, and how clean she is. The handling portion of the class will be based on Siler’s showmanship maneuvers. To see how Lola is when not on a lead, she’ll be turned loose in a round pen, Siler will leave the round pen, letting Lola go free for a while. Then Siler will go back in and catch her.

“You’re judged on if your horse comes up to you or runs away from you. That’s worth 35 percent of the score,” said Siler.

The remaining 65 percent of her score is in a class called Trail that has five obstacles to navigate. The obstacles will show how calm the horse is and whether they spook at things. Of the 38 trainers competing, only 10 will qualify for a final competition called the Top Ten Showdown.

“It’s a five-minute freestyle class where you get to wow the audience as best you can. You can get as creative as you want, like costumes and music. My goal is to make top 10, and do the freestyle event. I might have her pull a sled or I might carry a flag, or maybe have

one of my sisters ride double with me. Siler continues to be amazed at how trusting and willing Lola is when ridden. The stereotype of a wild horse being a bucking bronc couldn’t be further from the truth with Lola.

“I found out Lola has an amazing mind, she is so calm… more calm than our domestic horses with a lot of things. She just takes everything in stride. Because of that, I think she’d be a great kid’s horse or a beginner-safe horse. If I make it in, I want my freestyle to reflect her safety as well as her training. She’s a really handy horse and can do things that a lot of other horses can’t,” said Siler.

A funny memory Siler has with Lola began with Lola lying down in her paddock.

“I decided to take a couple of minutes to go say hi. She let me sit down next to her with her head in my lap. I rubbed her forehead and she fell asleep with a line of drool coming out of her mouth… then she started snoring. I just sat there covered in dirt, in 32 degrees with a snoring mustang. It was the best day,” said Siler, laughing.

It turns out Siler’s biggest challenge with Lola had nothing to do with safety.

“My biggest challenge is not letting myself fall in love with her. I went into the challenge with a goal to help the mustangs. I wanted to show how versatile the mustang is, and part of that was creating an amazing horse for somebody. But I also created a horse that I want to keep. That’s the hardest, biggest challenge for sure,” said Siler.

Siler had help from her family, local businesses, and friends.

“I want to thank Hoyt’s Hardware, and Tyler and Meredith Hoyt, who donated $1,000 I used to buy Lola hay. Becky Boots from Mountain Montessori Pre-school also donated money. I’m so grateful for the support,” she said.

Siler has already committed to training another mustang, so it’s a pretty good bet Lola will be in the March 26 auction. The online auction will have pre-bidding available and an option for remote bidding. To see Lola’s progress, follow her on her Facebook page “Maddie’s Oregon Mustang”: https://bit.ly/3mQ2qW7. To learn more about the competition and auction visit: https://www.teensand oregonmustangs.org/events/ adults-competition/.

Competition is just around the corner for Maddie Siler and Lola.

ROADS: Operators ask for patience from drivers

Continued from page 1

from the NOAA, (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) but he has a couple of TV meteorologists that he thinks are particularly skilled at forecasting, one from Portland.

Still, it’s largely educated guesswork. Preparedness is the key. The trucks, very complicated mechanical rigs, look like an airline cockpit inside, with levers, dials, and switches to operate the plows and the sander. It’s a pneumatic tangle of hoses and lines and a web of springs, pins, chains, pulleys, and cables. Loaded, they weigh about 28 tons.

While strong, and built to custom specs that exceed the typical truck of its size, the rigs take a beating and require constant maintenance. Snow is heavy; when wet, very heavy. The front plow is eight feet wide and over three feet high. The side (wing) plow gives the rig another roughly four feet. The standard for U.S. highway lane is 15 feet.

On average a plow truck will run 25-35 mph as it’s removing snow. That translates to frustrated drivers behind the plow truck. We asked Ormsbee what’s the

most important thing he wants other drivers to know.

“Patience,” he pleads. “Just let us do our job.”

Common misperceptions that Ormsbee cites include one that a plow truck has better visibility. He has the same thing in front of him as the cars behind him. Swirling snow or driving sleet is equally troublesome, meaning he could just as easily come around a blind curve with a disabled vehicle stuck in the middle of the road. Or a thousand-pound elk could jump in front of him.

With his weight and plows, he has great stopping

power, generally more than the driver behind him. Following too closely to a plow truck is dangerous, to say nothing of sand hitting your paint job and windshield. Yet many drivers persistently follow too closely.

He is often “pushed” by cars behind him eager to get to Hoodoo for skiing. He has nowhere to pull off to let them pass even if it was safe.

As the crews had been out all night, Highway 20/126 was in relatively good shape by the time we hit it a little before 5 a.m. Ormsbee skillfully touched up some edges

and inclines in need of a little more sand or blade action.

Highway 242 (McKenzie Highway) was another story. It’s a secondary road so it gets serviced last, but because it’s used by school buses and is the only route for residents of Crossroads, it gets priority at least to the Crossroads entrance. Beyond that, to the gate closed in the winter, it’s catch-up.

Snowmobilers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers are plentiful here, and rely on the road to be plowed. Friday morning it had a good eight or more inches when Ormsbee deftly took it down

to bare pavement.

ODOT shares Sisters Country plowing with Deschutes County and the City of Sisters, and Friday they were all out in force tackling the wet mix.

Ormsbee chuckled a bit when he said, “In the winter, we’re all heroes. In the summer, not so much, when we are paving, striping, or removing the winter’s accumulation of sand.”

What goes down must all be picked up in the spring. Ormsbee is one of six fulltime, permanent employees and one seasonal worker based in Sisters.

Visibility in a snowstorm is just as much of a challenge for plow operators as it is for any driver.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Photo safari inspires fundraiser

By Katy Yoder Correspondent

Photographer Wendy Birnbaum spent years perfecting her craft. Her photographs are on display at Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop. A world traveler, she always wanted to go to Africa. When she found her dream trip, called “Tribes and Animals,” it felt like her heart jumped out of her body.

The trip Birnbaum found was guided by renowned photographer Piper Mackay. Because of deep relationships Mackay established with various tribes, her African tours are more than snapping photographs.

“Because of Piper’s outreach and action, we had a more interactive experience than just pointing a camera at people. It was magic. There really is something about Africa that sets it apart from anywhere else,” said Birnbaum.

The group visited five tribes and took food to all of them.

“That’s part of what Mackay does. There’s a reciprocal relationship between her and the tribes. Her safaris help support the tribes with income and resources,” said Birnbaum.

Julius Dabalen works with Mackay as a tribal liaison. Birnbaum met him. and knew

he was a person she could trust. He is now her liaison for providing continued support to four northern tribes.

Birnbaum visited the Turkana tribe up in the Northern Kenyan desert near Ethiopia.

“There are four nomadic tribes, one does goats, another fishing, and two have cattle. They move to locations where there is grass for the animals. This year there’s terrible drought and many of their animals are dying,” said Birnbaum.

Driving away after one of the African photo shoots, Birnbaum looked at the images she’d taken and had an epiphany: “I knew I wanted to give back to the tribes with proceeds I’d receive from selling their images. They gave me a gift to take their photographs and tell their story. Any money from that should benefit them.”

Since then, Birnbaum and fellow tour participant Kim Schnell have started supporting the tribes.

“After we provide money for resources, Julius sends me photographs showing huge bags of corn and beans and rice. He sent photos of them doing a thankyou dance, which feels like a blessing forever!” said Birnbaum.

“Our connection with the tribes is heartfelt and

community based. Being with them, it feels like their souls connect all the way to the center of the earth. Julius is the biggest happiest, joyful guy with a belly laugh. With times being so hard, I wondered how he could be so happy, but his attitude is, this will pass. Julius has adopted three boys in addition to three of his own because they needed a home. He just took them in,” she said.

Kim Schnell considers herself incredibly fortunate to have joined Birnbaum on her African adventure. Schnell is a retired corporate pilot and an amateur photographer.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Africa,” she said. “Wendy waited two years to go on this trip. Because of a cancellation, I got on in two months. I just got lucky! We were so excited about all the tribes. You can’t help but fall in love with them. At the end of each village tour, the women laid out their wares of elaborate beads and jewelry for us to buy and reciprocate for being allowed to take their photos.”

Schnell met Samuel Lekatoo, who was raised in the Amboseli village. He is part of the Tareto Entito Foundation that supports Maasai girls’ rights through education.

Wanting to help more,

Schnell and Birnbaum decided to do an African fundraiser.

“Wendy and I decided

the money raised from the fundraiser in April will be

See SAFARI on page 9

Young warrior Samuel Lekatoo teaching children about the world.

PHOTO BY KIM SCHNELL

SAFARI: Donation, auction will raise funds for programs

Continued from page 8

split between two of the tribes, Julius’s Turkana in the far North and Samuel’s Amboseli in the far South,” said Schnell.

Since her visit, Schnell has supported the Amboseli Maasai near Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with personal donations. She’s hopeful the fundraiser will help provide much-needed money to educate every child. To learn more about the community, visit the Amboseli Maasai Community Organization’s website, www.taretoentito foundation.org.

The April fundraising event from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, will be held at the Red Tail Ranch Barn owned by Julie Escobar and Gordon Robertson.

“We love hosting these kinds of events,” said Escobar. “In the two last years, we’ve hosted fundraisers and a concert to help Ukrainian refugees. It’s a passion for us.

With my nonprofit, Global Women Fresh, we’re focused on women and girls. We’ve donated to both Wendy’s and Kim’s tribes with a focus on little girls’ education. We’re excited to support the cause. These two ladies have taken beautiful photographs, and I think it’s going to be a great event to pull the community together and give the flavor of what’s going on in the rest of the world. It’ll bring people together with wine and appetizers, art, and some music. It’s an afternoon to do something good for the vulnerable.”

Red Tail Ranch Barn is located at 17830 Mountain View Rd. in Sisters.

“Being a part of this gives you a similar experience to traveling around the world,” said Escobar. When I was in India, the people were so nice and so humble and so willing to talk and connect. It’s like that in Africa. They can go through so many challenging things, but their spirit is incredible and inspiring and a good lesson for us all,” she said.

For Escobar, working in agriculture around the world,

it’s obvious what the impact of climate change is doing to these communities.

“People here can resonate with the drought and losing so many animals. Listening to Wendy’s and Kim’s stories and comparing them to what’s happening in the western hemisphere, I can only imagine the suffering these tribes are experiencing. The safety

net is much thinner there — if it exists at all,” said Escobar.

There’s a suggested donation of $25 to attend the event, which will have silent and live auction items. Schnell is offering an hour flight in her Bonanza from Sisters Eagle Airport. There will be photographs from the safari to purchase. Birnbaum is auctioning off a family

There will be a raffle for an exquisite elephant photograph by safari participant Mike Reardon. RSVP by March 19 for the April 2 event to Wendy Birnbaum at wendybirnbaum@yahoo. com, or Kim Schnell at kimschnell19@gmail.com, or Julie Escobar at Julie. escobar@globalwomenfresh. com.

photo session

Titus Ngoyoni Memorial School students have new supplies

PHOTO BY WENDY BIRNBAUM Amboseli Maasai children.

PHOTO BY KIM SCHNELL

Happy 70th!

A NNOUNCEMENT S

e Sisters Museum Seeks Volunteers

e Sisters Museum, brought to you by the ree Sisters Historical Society, reopened on Februar y 17. Returning to regular hours of 10 a .m.

to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays , they are looking for volunteers with an interest in Sisters history. Please call 541549-1403 or email volunteer@ threesistershistoricalsociet y. org to find out more.

Sisters Communit y Garden

Free Weekly Meal Service

Family Kitchen hosts weekly to-go hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Communit y Church Visit www FamilyKitchen.org

Holidays in the Pines

Presents: March Market

Photog raphy open house to benefit African tribes

Sisters Cub Scout Troop

Welcomes New Members

Come join the troop! Cub Scouts supports both boys and girls f rom kindergarten through high school. Starting March 8 , meetings will be held at Sisters Middle School Commons ever y other

Wednesday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Contact Joshua Smith 541-549-74 41

Sisters High Deser t Chorale

Practices for Spring Season

begin on March 27. e group meets each Monday night f rom 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration on Brooks Camp Road. Spring concerts are planned for the first week of June. ere are no auditions required. If you would like to lend your voice to this f riendly musical group, we would love to have you as a member. For more information, please contact Connie Gunterman at 541588- 0362

Sisters Careg iver Support Group

A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church. For more information, contact Kay at 541-719- 0031

GriefShare Group

Beginning March 16 , join a friendly, caring group who will walk alongside you through the experience of losing a loved one. Meetings will be ursdays f rom 6 to 8 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church. For registration and more information, visit http://www griefshare.org/groups/162504.

Weekly Food Pantry

e Wellhouse Church will have a weekly food pantr y on ursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N. Trinity Way. Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-st yle distribution are available. Call 541-5494184 for information

e Communit y Garden has a few spots lef t for the 2023 season. Apply for a garden bed at www sisterscommunitygarden org. For questions , call 541-760-20 84, or email sisterscommunitygarden@ gmail.com.

Sisters 4 -H Dog Group for Youth

Have f un and meet new friends while learning to train dogs in care, obedience, showmanship , agility, and more. Sisters K9 Paws 4 -H encour ages youth to set goals and develop selfconfidence, problem-solving , self-discipline, and self-worth. In August group members can show their dog at the Deschutes Count y Fair 4 -H Dog Show. is group is open to children 9-18 years of age who weigh as much as their dog. Cost is $85. Register at Deschutes Count y E xtension 541-548- 6088, e xt. 2. For more information, contact: Nancy Hall 541-9 04-4433 , nancyhall4h@gmail.com.

Sisters Habitat Board Openings

e Sisters Habit at Board has openings for people passionate about building desp erately needed a ordable housing in Sisters . Board members ser ve for three-year terms. If you are interested in ser ving on the board you can email info@sistershabit at org or call the Habit at o ce at 541-549-1193 to contact Board President, Joe Rambo

Free Lunches for Seniors

For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers a fun, no-cost social lunch ever y Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches take place weekly Wednesdays and ursdays at Sisters Communit y Church 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.

Announce Your Celebr ations!

Sisters communit y notices may run at no charge. Email nug get@nuggetnews com.

Featuring local small f arms and artists, this indoor market will take place March 18 , f rom 10 a .m. to 4 p.m. 272 S . Cedar St., Sisters . e market will have wooden vases , specialty dahlia tubers , ranunculus starts, hand-painted wooden signs, bird houses and much more. Future market s will be April 15, and May 12 and 13 . A portion of proceeds will benefit Central Oregon Veterans Ranch. For more information see f acebook. com/Holidaysinthepines , or email holidaysinthepines@ outlook.com.

Nurturing the Nex t Gen Summit National author and speaker Lori Wildenberg talks about the power of kindness, the early years, f amily connections, anxiet y and depression among youth, and dealing with addictions , f aith, and prodigals . March 31, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and April 1, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Designed for parents, grandparents, and youth workers who care about our kids. Get details on the sessions & register at sisterschurch.com/events-one Free Pet Food Budget tight this month?

Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule a pet food pickup. Pickups available ursdays , beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located at 412 E . Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get

View a photographic journey of Kenya featuring the Amboseli Maasai and Turkana tribes at an open house Sunday, April 2, 3 to 6 p.m. at e Red Tail Ranch Barn, 17830 Mountain View Rd . Kenya stories begin at 4 p.m. Photographs of Kenya for sale, silent auction, and more. Sug gested donation $25. Proceeds benefit the tribes . R SVP by March 26 by email to kimschnell19@gmail. com., or text 541-633-9715.

Fireside Story Evening on March 28

ree Sisters Historical Societ y will host “An Insider ’s View of Local Logging , Lumber & Milling” presented by Jim Crowell. Jim will share his persp ectives on the origin, growth, and impact of this vital industr y on Central Oregon. Location is FivePine Conference Center, 1021 E Desperado Trail. Doors open 6 p.m., presentation begins at 7 p.m. Ticket s are $10 at the door, or f ree to Historical Societ y members . Call 541610- 6323 for reser vations.

Go Fish Group

Meeting Monday, March 20 at 7 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church , a program will be presented by Tye Krueger, owner and operator of Confluence Fly Shop and Deep Canyon Outfitters Guide Ser vices. He has fished all over the world and has a passion for teaching others how to become more proficient fly anglers . In the program he will tell us about fishing in Mongolia for the world’s largest trout. For more information contact Gary Kutz 541-771-2211.

Barr y

ere ’ s no doubt about it. I’m a charismatic love bug of a pup!

I lived previously with many other dogs and felt that I just wasn’t getting enough human attention So I decided to go on a walk-a-bout and found my way to the Humane Societ y of Central Oregon. Did you know HSCO is a great place for me to find a loving , attentive home where I will end up the happiest pup in the world?

I am the per fect size and easy to have around, while still being active enough to keep up with you on hikes and walks.

Come meet me!

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Baha’i Faith

Currently Zoom meetings: devotions , course trainings , informational firesides. Local contac t Shauna Rocha 541- 647-9826 • www.bahai.org or www.bahai.us

Wellhouse Churc h 442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 68825 Bro ok s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087

8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship www.transfiguration-sister s.org

Sisters Church of the N az arene 67130 Har ring ton Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz .org • info@sistersnaz .org

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)

130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201

9:30 a .m. Sunday Worship www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com

Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N . Fir Street • 5 41-549-5831

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

www.shepherdof thehillslutheranchurch.com

St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h

123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391

5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass

9 a .m. Sunday Mass • 8 a .m. Monday-Friday Mass

e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s

452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 541-420 -5670;

10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting

Calvar y Church 484 W. Washing ton St , Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288

10 a .m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

386 N . Fir St. • 541-595-6770, 541-306 -8303

11 a .m. S aturday Worship

POLICY: Nonprofits, schools , churches , birth, engagement, wedding , and anniversar y notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions are subject to editing and run only as space allows. Email nug get@nuggetnews com or drop o at 4 42 E . Main Ave

Cynthia Joanne Cowan turned 70 on Feb. 26th!

Obituary

November 15, 1947 – March 4, 2023

“Suzi” Geneva Ruth (Lowery) Tewalt of Sisters, Oregon passed away March 4, from diabetes complications.

She was born November 15, 1947 in Bend, Oregon to Bernadine and Jack Lowery. She graduated from Sisters High School in 1965, and then from American Airlines Stewardess School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She returned to Sisters and married Gerry Tewalt in 1967, on September 2.

Road 16 has gotten badly chewed up in the gravel section heading into Three Creek Lake.

ROAD 16: Work will begin this spring and run into summer

Continued from page 1

melt permits access, which could be as early as the end of May. The work will take five weeks to complete.

During the reconstruction, Forest Service Road 16 will be closed to all access, including vehicle, pedestrian, biking, and equestrian use, between the gate at Upper Three Creek Lake SnoPark south to Three Creek Lake, to provide for public and operator safety due to heavy equipment and large truck traffic in the area.

Due to the temporary road closure, Driftwood Campground, Three Creek

Lake Campground, and Three Creek Meadow Campground and Horse Camp will delay their openings to July 21. Central Cascades Wilderness Permits for Park Meadow and Tam McArthur Rim Trailheads will also be delayed until July 21. Campgrounds and wilderness permits may be available earlier if roadwork is completed ahead of schedule.

The reconstruction work will include reshaping the prism of the road to restore a crown in the road surface. Restoring a crown in the road surface will allow water to properly drain off the road, preventing erosion and loss of surfacing. The road crew will then use heavy equipment to haul and place new aggregate on the road surface. Resurfacing the road

will improve the longevity of the roadway and improve the efficacy of annual grading, the Forest Service reports. For more information, contact the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700.

WORD OF THE DAY…

Nidification

NID-ə-fe-keh-shən

Nest building

She was a great friend to many and had three children, Tammy Chappell, Daryl Tewalt, Carol Tewalt. She had eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. She was a champion wife, mother, grandparent, and friend.

Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of

God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all the power of going out of one’s self and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another. A celebration of life potluck will be held at the Tewalt house, 16410 Hwy. 126, at 1 p.m. on April 22. Main course meats will be provided; if you wish to contribute, please bring sides.

THURSDAY • MARCH 16

Suttle Lodge Fireside Music by Hayley Lynn

6-8 p.m. Reservations required; tickets at bendticket.com. For more information: info@thesuttlelodge.com.

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk David Baker presents “The Lost Continent: Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration in the Age of Extinction.” 6:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.

FRIDAY • MARCH 17

The Belfr y Live Music: St Paddy’s Day with Skillethead and the Muddy Souls Celebrate the holiday with two bluegrass bands! Local favorites Skillethead are joined by The Muddy Souls of Eugene Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music at 7 p.m. Tickets $17 at BelfryEvents.com.

Hardtails Karaoke with KJ Mindy

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. For more information call 541-549-6114.

MONDAY • MARCH 20

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk Mark D. Owen presents “Impact.” 6:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.

THURSDAY • MARCH 23

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk

Kim Cooper Findling presents “Bend Daycations.”

6:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.

Suttle Lodge Fireside Music by D.V.R. 6-8 p.m. Reservations required; tickets at bendticket.com. For more information: info@thesuttlelodge.com.

FRIDAY • MARCH 24

Hardtails Karaoke with KJ Mindy

8 p.m. to 12 a.m. For more information call 541-549-6114.

THURSDAY • MARCH 30

Suttle Lodge Fireside Music by New Victorian 6-8 p.m. Reservations required; tickets at bendticket.com. For more information:

Suzi Tewalt

PHOTO COURTESY USFS

Girls tennis returns veteran squad to the courts

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Lady Outlaws return 13 players to the varsity squad this season and will add four new players to give extra depth to the team. Last year the team finished third at Districts, and this year they feel they can do even better.

Leading the Lady Outlaws will be junior Juhree Kizziar, who will once again be a force at the No. 1 singles spot. Kizziar had a great season last year as a sophomore, finishing as runner-up at Districts. She was also a state quarterfinalist.

“Juhree is an experienced player with exceptional defensive skills and court coverage. Her complete game has improved,” said Coach Bruce Fenn. “She hits her forehand harder, moves through the court with faster speed, and her service speed has also increased. She is very athletic, competitive, focused, and has a great will to play her best. Her net play has become more confident with a complete arsenal of volleys and overheads. Her serve is much better, with faster pace and placement, and she can end the point with confidence.”

Brooke Harper (junior) will play No. 2 singles. Last year at that position she finished with an 8-3 record and made it to the third round in Districts.

“Brooke moves well with great anticipation, has a strong-hitting forehand, is very smart, and doesn’t make unforced errors,” said Fenn. “She has the ability to defend and hit winners on her forehand side.”

Starting out at No. 3 singles will be junior Katie Ryan, a returning varsity player from the 2020 team. Fenn stated that Ryan has good hands, moves well around the court, places the ball, and makes her opponent run.

Rounding out the singles will be senior Cadence Dahl at the No. 4 spot. Dahl is a second-year player whose strengths lie in her foot speed, her hustle, and her will to win.

Starting the season at No. 1 doubles will be senior Josie Patton, who played at that position last year, and her new partner, junior Charlotte Seymour.

Fenn noted numerous qualities about Patton.

“Josie is very athletic, has great hands, is competitive, has good forehand groundstrokes and forehand volley, and a powerful first serve,” said Fenn. “Josie moves fast and covers a lot of court space, and is a good doubles player.”

Of Seymour, Fenn said, “Charlotte is athletic and covers the court really well.

She’s fast and can hit on both sides of her body. She’s a good doubles player and can change the outcome of the match by her strong play.”

Senior Lanie Mansfield and junior Leah O’Hern, who played No. 3 doubles last year, will move up and start as the No. 2 doubles duo. Fenn stated that their experience playing together is their major strength as they know each other’s moves and can act accordingly to win the point.

“Lanie is very focused, tries her best all the time, has a nice forehand groundstroke and an effective approach shot going to the net. She also has good foot speed and her forehand volley is very effective,” Fenn said. “Leah

also has a good forehand groundstroke and forehand volley. She moves around the net to block shots, and covers the court well. She has good foot speed and competes and never gives up.”

At No. 3 doubles will be sophomore Sophie Rush and freshman Ava Stotts, who is new to the team this year. Rush is a competitive player who is quick around the court and has good hands. Fenn noted that Rush has a fast first serve, and a fast forehand ground stroke. Stotts is also competitive, moves well on the court, and has a strong forehand.

Filling out the doubles teams will be senior Adrianna Luna and sophomore Jasmine Luna at No. 4 doubles.

Adrianna is very consistent and had good lobs that are very effective against her opponents, and Jasmine has improved on all her shots.

Also back for another season are Molly Greaney and junior Presley Adelt.

Fenn told The Nugget that Greaney is a good doubles companion, has a good forehand, gives her best effort, and supports her teammate. He noted that Adelt is athletic, moves well, and has great hand-eye coordination.

Four freshmen are new to the team this year: Ava Stotts (No. 3 doubles) Ryle Buick, Ava Riehle, and Emma Long.

“The entire group looks athletic and excited to play their best,” said Fenn. “Kizziar will set the example

of what it takes to play your best and that will give the whole team incentive to learn and become better tennis players as well as better students in the community.”

Fenn shared with The Nugget that the only position that is set is stone is Kizziar at No. 1 singles. Players will compete for positions, and lineups may change. All team members will have a chance to play on the varsity squad.

The Lady Outlaws’ first home match was Monday, March 13 against Crook County at the middle school courts. They were also slotted to play at Bend on Tuesday. They will wrap up their week on Thursday, March 16, with a match at Mt. View High School.

Lucky Leprechauns loop around town in annual run

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The luck of the Irish smiled upon over 200 greengarbed runners and walkers, as Saturday morning dawned bright and clear for the second annual Lucky Leprechaun 10k and 5k on March 11.

A day earlier, snow covered all the roadways in Sisters, which would have made for a treacherous time for even the most nimble leprechauns.

Kyle Gray and Katie Black had no trouble navigating the course out and around the Sisters Industrial Park area as the two claimed the men’s and women’s 5-kilometer titles. Gray, of Bend, got off to a quick start and maintained his lead throughout on the way to a time of 18:24.9. Drew Dinan

finished second (19:10) and 14-year-old Broderick Womack of Sisters took third in 21:02.

On the other hand, Black won her race by little more than the length of an Irish walking stick (shillelagh) as she held off Margaret Reilly by less than five seconds to cross the line in 23:31. Deb Elliott of Bend came in third in 27:38.

Claudia Williams of Sisters, 75, was tops among three finishers above the age of 70.

Eli Nixon, a 26-year-old from Eliot, Maine, led all the green-clad costumed runners in the 10-kilometer race to win in 35:53. Michael Stadnisky of Bend came through second (41:21) and David Cowan of Sisters finished third (44:09).

Dory Goodrich of Bend won the women’s division

in 46:44 while finishing fourth overall, just over a minute ahead of the next two women, both from Sisters, Sarah Cribbin (47:47) and Lauren Baeten (48:01).

The race attracted runners mostly from throughout Central Oregon but included a sprinkling of contestants from the Willamette Valley and beyond.

The course started and finished at the Three Creeks Brewing facility on Barclay Drive, where participants enjoyed refreshments and live music.

“It was a beautiful day with a good course and a fun atmosphere,” said Bob Dannenhoffer, of Bend, who ran the 5-kilometer race along with his wife, Annie.

Gail Little of Sisters was joined by her adult children Scot and Melissa and their four children for the 5k, but the group split apart a bit during the race when hot chocolate was discovered at the aid station midway.

“About half of our group stopped there and the rest of us kept going, so the hot chocolate drinkers had some catching up to do,” she said, laughing.

Marsha Marr, well known locally as Miss Sew-It-All, won the costume contest hands down, portraying an Irish gentleman — complete with beard.

“I felt very happy with the turnout and everyone seemed to be in good spirits,” said race director Kelly Bither. “What a beautiful sunny day!”

Sisters resident Marsha Marr was the winner of the costume contest at

PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG

PHOTO BY JACK TURPEN

Ski & Ride program celebrates 50th anniversary

By T. Lee Brown Correspondent

Pink balloons, history installations, and delicious snacks awaited guests at the 50th anniversary party for Black Butte School’s Ski & Ride program at Hoodoo Ski Bowl last Friday. Some had to wait in traffic for an hour, as wintry conditions and tow trucks brought vehicles to a standstill on Highway 20.

“It’s really about getting people together,” said Delaney Sharp to the crowd. “I appreciate you guys sticking with it.” A round of applause went out for “Gary the bus driver.”

Sharp is head teacher of Black Butte School (BBS). “Keep going up that hill, that’s what you’ve gotta do,” he said.

Ski & Ride is a partnership between BBS and Hoodoo that has now been underway for half a century. On Fridays for two months each year, kids head “up the hill” for their education. One historic photo on display showed students sitting on red-topped stools in front of ancient-looking computers, studying for a history competition in the old Hoodoo lodge with its familiar wooden siding.

“It’s really fun,” proclaimed 10-year-old Gavin Schultz. Now in fifth grade, he’s been attending BBS and Ski & Ride for four years. “For eight weeks we basically go up to the hill and we have instructors who teach us stuff. Our turns, then we start learning tricks after we finish basic skiing.” Computers are not involved.

“I like powder,” Schultz continued. “My favorite run is probably Face.” Face is a black diamond run, meaning it’s for expert skiers.

Ski & Ride is one of Gavin’s favorite parts of school. As for the rest, “There’s a lot of field trips.

Also, the teachers always make things fun.”

“Fifty years is a long time,” Sharp told the audience. “A lot of people came through this program.” Some went on to serve on ski patrol or pursue careers related to the outdoors.

“Our kids challenge themselves here on the mountain,” he said. Through outdoor education on the mountain, BBS teachers “put students in situations where they have to persevere, and do it together. It’s a bonding experience.”

Some alumni from years past were present in the lodge (see related article, page 15). “They still remember learning to ski, learning to snowboard, making friends,” Sharp explained, “memories that last a lifetime.”

“This would not happen if we didn’t have a ski area that works with us and our students, no matter what level of ability they’re at,” enthused Sharp. “There’s something special about Hoodoo that makes this program what it is.”

At this remark, the audience burst into applause, over the sound of the band Broken Charley jamming out a cover of the ’80s classic “8675309” from the other room.

Mark Foster took the mic, telling stories of earlier days when Hoodoo newbies had to wrestle with a rope tow to get up the bunny hill. One 5-year-old “fell to the ground, kicking and screaming,” refusing to try. Foster

told her, “Well, I think you can scream louder than that.” So she did. When she saw he wasn’t going to give up, she stopped screaming and stood up.

“By the end of the day she could ski,” Foster said with a smile.

Hoodoo’s new owner as of 1999, Chuck Shepard, insisted that he had nothing to do with the program (though in actuality, his support has been necessary and very much appreciated).

Legendary BBS teacher Toni Foster informed him that along with Hoodoo Ski Bowl, he had acquired Ski & Ride.

After Shepard recalled an anecdote about Camp Sherman’s dearly departed “Sheriff Dave” and some drunk teens on the mountain, it was time for the raffle and silent auction.

Local businesses donated to fundraising efforts, offering gift cards, blankets, tea baskets, and more. Hola! restaurant, Camp Sherman Store, Suttle Lodge, Jessie Dale, Holly Foster, and Lindsay Gilmore Art were among the donors from communities near Hoodoo.

Generous lodgings on nearby waterways were provided by Lake Creek Lodge and House on Metolius. Various winners took home gift certificates to Daybreak

Wellness in Sisters, hoodies with a 50th anniversary design created by Plazm Media, and private stargazing tours courtesy of Starshine Theater.

Outdoor gear included ski goggles donated by Smith, paddle boards from Latitude 44, and gift cards from Hike-n-Peaks in Sisters and Gear Fix in Bend. Hoodoo offered free lift tickets, and Ray’s Food Place donated refreshments.

Molly Schultz of Black

Butte School’s parentteacher organization thanked numerous volunteers and staff from past years, including Toni Foster, Steve Johnson, Stephanie Conner, Mark Foster, Marti Dale, Ann Schreiner, Tonye Philips, Joan Judy, John Judy, Steve Davis, Nancy Dyer, Jade Scheringer, Kathy Blann, Karen Sheldahl, Jon Sheldahl, Pam Titchner, Doug Hancock, Lorie Hancock, Doug Curtis, Scott McNitt, and Sarah Haynes.

Gavin Schultz, right, is a fifth-grade student at Black Butte School. Holding balloons is Orion Roper, who took part in the school’s Ski & Ride program for a year during the pandemic.

PHOTO BY T. LEE BROWN

Local school program launches careers and memories

By T. Lee Brown Correspondent

Back in the 1980s and ’90s, Nate Turner lived in Camp Sherman, near Lake Creek Lodge. Little did he know that his elementary school experience was unusual compared to that of most young Americans. Now he’s living the dream as a professional outdoorsman.

Turner attended Black Butte School (BBS), a tiny, single-school district and schoolhouse that now serves kindergarteners through eighth graders. On Fridays, the kids head up the hill to ski at Hoodoo, just like when Turner was a kid.

This weekend he returned with his family to enjoy some night skiing and take part in a reunion of sorts: the 50th Anniversary of Ski & Ride, a collaboration between BBS and Hoodoo Ski Bowl.

“It absolutely carved out who I am right now,” he said of the Ski & Ride program. “I chase snowstorms and I chase fish for a living.” He paused to help his daughter Talulah put on her gloves.

“I didn’t know how different Black Butte School really was until afterward. A two-room schoolhouse with kids of all ages, friends who were older and younger,” he recalled. “After school you’re out exploring the creeks and rivers, getting taught how to ski up here by ski schoolers and ski patrollers and parents, getting drug through rain and mud and slush and powder... It set the bar.”

Turner didn’t know this was wildly unlike normal American education until he transferred to Sisters School District. “That was a shell shock for sure. A big school, nobody knows anybody,” he remembered, shaking his head.

“I kind of ignored what was normal after that,” said Turner, who graduated from Sisters High in 1997. “I just wanted to go fishing and snowboarding. And that’s what I do.”

As the owner of Skookum Outfitters, Turner is a fulltime professional fishing guide on the Lower Deschutes and other rivers, including the Columbia and the Klickitat. “I was in the ski and snowboard industry almost my whole life, until now,” he explained. “I got out of that to pursue the fishing thing.”

Based in The Dalles, he has sought out a nature- and outdoor-based education option for his own children. Back at Hoodoo, he described fond feelings for BBS and Ski & Ride. He concluded, “I just hope it keeps going.”

Also at the 50th anniversary party, parent Emily Roper shared her family’s story. “We moved up here during the pandemic,” she explained. “The school is amazing. It was such a nice opportunity, not just for the Friday Ski & Ride, but on Wednesdays they do experiential education.

“Black Butte School was such a great, magical, wonderful opportunity for our kids. The pandemic was so hard, and yet we have this incredible memory of the experience of being here,” Roper said. “If we could have stayed, we would have stayed.”

The Roper kids now go to school in the Valley, where the family normally lives. “We’re really big fans of Hoodoo,” said Roper. “We’re on HART (Hoodoo Alpine Race Team), the ski team here; we spend a lot of time up here on the mountain. It’s our home away from home.

“It’s such a unique opportunity to have one day a week that the school gets to spend out in the snow, breathing fresh air, learning to ski. Not too many schools in the world have this,” Roper went on. “I’ve told people, ‘You won’t believe what my kids got to do during the

pandemic!’”

Munching on snacks at the anniversary event, Amy “Rainbow” Duarte described being on the teaching end of the equation. “I think Ski & Ride is amazing,” Duarte said.

“It gets the kids outdoors, and it actually shows them what the community is about,” Duarte explained. “We have Mother Earth at our fingertips. We are so blessed in this area.”

The 35-year-old graduate of Sisters High School was born and raised in Sisters. In her sixth season as a ski and snowboard instructor, she is now the on-snow supervisor and staff manager of Hoodoo Ski School.

Nicknamed Rainbow “because I’m usually very happy and positive,” Duarte appears to be living the dream. “I’m living my dream,” she specified, “to be out in the woods and to be happy. Here I am.”

What would she like to see the kids learn? “For some of them, patience. For some of them, to continue with the sport, whether it’s skiing or snowboarding. I’ve seen a lot of them progress.”

She’s watched some BBS kids grow and mature. “They’re amazing kids and they’re given a huge opportunity. I honestly wish that a few of them would come and work in ski school.”

She imagined what it might be like if more kids could take part in this kind of hands-on, outdoor programming. “I think it would

open a whole new avenue for a lot of kids,” stated Duarte. “Growing up in Sisters and coming up through the SOAR program, which is now SPRD—that’s how I started snowboarding. Given that opportunity, I found my passion and I’m living my dream. People don’t know what they like until they try it.”

Duarte said she wished there was “more awareness of the mountain” throughout Sisters Country. In particular,

she’d like people to be more aware of ski and snowboard lessons and mountain safety. Tree wells, avalanche training, and a responsibility code should be learned by people of all ages.

“There’s so many people who come here who are not aware of those things. If the community could do more multi-week programs, mountain and outdoor programs, that would be great,” Duarte finished. “This is my passion, this is my dream.”

Students from Black Butte School’s Ski & Ride program sprawled in the snow atop Hoodoo back in 1986 with Steve Foster.

PHOTO BY TONI FOSTER

SFF: Artist has painted festival poster images for decades

Continued from page 3

unlike any other. Where did the idea come from? I’m not sure, but possibly from my song, ‘Front Porch to the Moon.’”

After serving for years on the talent committee and as an emcee of the Festival, McGregor has a unique take on the Folk Festival.

“I appreciate Dennis’ clever eye and sense of what is in the collective consciousness of our society, and how he brings it to the Folk Festival poster each year through his art. We asked Dennis to think outside the box, and this year’s image is exceptional in defining how the Sisters Folk Festival stretches the boundaries of what people think of as ‘folk’ and the impact of the music,” said Creative Director Brad Tisdel.

Along with the poster design, SFF will reveal the initial 15 artists slated to perform at the 2023 Festival from September 29 through October 1. Three-day all events passes to the Festival are on sale now at https:// aftontickets.com/SFF2023tix at the advance price of $225/ ticket for adults and $85/ ticket for youth 17 and under. A limited number of singleday tickets will be released later this summer when the lineup and schedule are complete.

Refreshments and snacks will be served at Thursday’s event. For more information, follow @SistersFolkFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

—Brad Tisdel

A long and winding road for Sisters musician

In 2019, Slater Smith sat down with three very close friends to deliver some big news: He was planning to move to New Zealand. He wasn’t sure what their reactions would be. After all, they’d been performing music as a group for almost a decade. He was leaving because he was in love, and he and his partner were ready to go back to her home country. He explained that it was also for the adventure, that he would miss Portland, and that he hoped to visit often.

And then came the really hard part — he floated the idea of continuing The Weather Machine in New Zealand with Oceania-based musicians, effectively moving forward without them.

His bandmates’ response?

“Hell yeah!”

Smith relates that, as true friends always are, Luke, Andre, and Tim were nothing but excited for him.

As the conversation went on, a plan began to take shape. They would make a record together before he left. Something splashy that would represent their last decade of time together on the road. Smith had about six months left in America, so they committed to touring the West Coast to workshop new material in front of live audiences. Instead of DIYing it, they planned to bring in a proper producer this time. In doing so, they hoped to finally capture the energy and magic their live shows had come to be known for.

It almost happened that way. Instead, 2020 brought with it the COVID pandemic. The Weather Machine canceled their shows. Their producer could no longer safely fly out to Portland, so they had to cancel that as well. Suddenly, music dried up all over the country and the world. In the isolated quiet,

Smith kept writing, but at more of a distance. The songs that came out of the period carry a mix of emotions, as Smith reflected on his time as a singer-songwriter in an American context; all of the joy and hope, but also the anger at his home country’s systems, cultural letdowns, burning forests, and tough, dark days on the road. In his songs, he found himself trying to express the dire need to feel and find hope that had gotten him this far, working through his own complex relationship with creativity and identity, vacillating between grief and gratitude every day.

Then a kind of miracle occurred. The team found themselves standing in Flora Studios three weeks before Smith was to fly overseas. Tucker Martine, who worked on some of the band’s absolute favorite records, was able to take the project on in the midst of the pandemic. In their little corner of the Pacific Northwest, working within a bubble, The Weather Machine carved out the sounds that would become their fourth studio album, “Applecore.”

The record is a far cry from The Weather Machine’s previous recorded work. Instead, it sounds much bigger. Applecore captures the energy, precision, and depth of the live show its members built over ten years together, and it will be a treat to any longtime fan or newcomer.

At first listen, these songs are fun. Tracks like “Protection” and “Boxes” contain cheeky musical reference to retro psychedelia while also remaining grounded in catchy pop rhythms. Songs like “Uncle John” and “Applecore Part II” revel in the gaudy arena rock its creators grew up on. Dig a little deeper though, and things become more bittersweet. Beneath the surface, Applecore is thematically

rooted in questions about the soul, as Smith examines his own intentions and embedded biases in an America that he sees as both shadowy and sparkling. The creative contradiction is maybe best summed up in the final words of the record:

“The world’s gonna end, and when it does I want to be in it. In the dust and the rain and all of the negative space. And if the world’s gonna end, I want to be here with you in it, and not in my head.”

The Weather Machine will open for Hillstomp at The Belfry on Saturday, March 18, 7 p.m. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave. in Sisters. For more information visit https://belfryevents. com/event/hillstomp-w-theweather-machine.

1. Pick up a specially labeled BLUE BAG from the porch of Furr y Friends or The Nugget.

2. Fill the bag with Oregonredeemable bottles and cans. (Max 20 lbs. per bag.)

3. Drop off at any BottleDrop location including Ray’s in Sisters (scan code on bag to open door), or on The Nugget’s porch (now on the right side).

Slater Smith, center, came up through the Americana Project at Sisters High School and has gone on to work internationally with his band The Weather Machine.

PHOTO PROVIDED

This year’s image is exceptional ...

Bluegrass bands celebrate St. Paddy’s

The Belfry will host two bluegrass bands in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17.

The Muddy Souls of Eugene will kick off the evening at 7 p.m. with their unique and energetic brand of progressive jamgrass.

Local favorites, Skillethead, will then take the stage. They offer a more traditional approach to bluegrass with a hard-driving and danceable repertoire.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $17 at BelfryEvents.com.

City council gives green light to Heavenly Acres

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

The Heavenly Acres Rezone project took another step forward last week in a public hearing before the Sisters City Council.

This rezone project in the neighborhood where many Sisters churches are located is included in the comprehensive plan map and zoning map amendment to rezone the subdivision on the west side of Sisters from Urban Area Reserve (UAR) to Public Facility/Institutional (PF/I) as well as MultiFamily Residential (MFR).

The rezone will involve seven lots with a total of 27.3 acres of land being rezoned under the new categories of MFR and PFI.

Community Development

Director Scott Woodford and Principal Planner Matthew Martin presented the rezone changes. They also presented

findings on transportation. They found that the legislative rezoning of the properties to PF/I does not alter the long-term plans or needs identified within the city’s transportation plan.

The planning commission recommendation was that one lot be zoned as MFR with the potential for affordable housing, with the remaining six to be zoned as PF/I.

The city council voted to approve the comprehensive plan map and zoning map amendment to redesignate and rezone Heavenly Acres as proposed, concluding the public hearing on the matter.

The procedural next step in the project is to formerly adopt the ordinance which will come forward to the council on April 12 as a final adoption of the map and text amendments included in the comprehensive plan.

The Nugget is also the place to find interesting stories of people in our community living intentionally and helping to make our community special.

And let’s not forget the opinions of our diverse community members: The Nugget is a place to discover what others are thinking about issues (and a place for you to express your views as well).

• Got thoughtful opinions you’d like to share? Submit a letter to the editor (300 words or less) to editor@nuggetnews.com. Have more to say than that? Discuss a guest editorial with Jim Cornelius.

• Support the businesses that advertise in The Nugget

• Read your Nugget — and discuss the articles that garnered your attention with a friend or neighbor

Skillethead will bring the St. Paddy’s Day fun.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Each week The Nugget delivers hyper-local news coverage of what matters to you and your neighbors...

...local government, land use, forestry, schools, environment, art & music scene, high school sports, business, and more.

Nugget staff (left to right): Leith Easterling, Vicki Curlett, Janice Hoffman, Jess Draper, Jim Cornelius, and Kit Tosello.

Continued from page 1

marketing, management, stewardship, and sustainability. The Destination Management Organization (DMO) role is to promote responsible visitation while maintaining livability for the residents.

Humpert and the board are currently working behind the scenes, getting the stage set for the organization. Humpert is spending time out in the community meeting residents, business owners, and community partners. One high-priority project currently underway is the establishment of a strategic plan which will guide policies, procedures, and budget forecasting. The University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year program’s nonprofit management track is doing research to be used in developing a solid business plan.

Another high-priority project is developing brand identity for the DMO. The brand will drive the marketing function, providing the underpinning of an ad campaign and the website. The goal is to do intentional targeted advertising. Requests are currently out for proposals.

Down the road, Humpert hopes to increase capacity by hiring another employee, who may work on projects like advertising or identifying other sustainable funding sources beyond the transient lodging tax (TLT) and grants.

Board member Nancy Connolly stressed that the Explore Sisters Board is made up of Sisters residents who value the livability of

the town. “We don’t want to add to the demise of the beauty here,” Connolly said to the assembled officials.

Landfill siting

Chad Centola, solid waste director for Deschutes County, who will retire at the end of 2023, provided an overview of the process involved in siting a new landfill in Deschutes County. He said no new landfills have been permitted in the state of Oregon for 30 years.

He explained the pros and cons of possibilities for handling future waste such as hauling to facilities in the Columbia Gorge, which would be impacted by winter road conditions and the problem of increased production of greenhouse gases from the trucks’ internal combustion engines. He said a waste energy facility to produce electricity isn’t feasible due to the county not producing enough waste to make it practical.

In community surveys, 80 percent of respondents favored siting a new facility in Deschutes County. They didn’t like the idea of sending local waste somewhere else.

In a survey of private and public lands in the county, 204 potential sites were identified. Due to wetlands, seismic areas, incorporated cities, shallow groundwater, unstable slopes, sensitive natural areas like the Metolius Basin and the Badlands, and other exclusionary areas, the 204 were narrowed down to 31, which upon closer review whittled down to six. By spring 2024, a finalist site recommendation will be made to the Board of County Commissioners.

Incoming Solid Waste Manager Tim Brownell gave a short presentation on the Recycling Modernization Act (SB582, 2021), which

will promote a homogenized recycling approach throughout the state of Oregon where recycling practice will be uniform no matter where you live in Oregon.

The list of materials eligible to be recycled with curbside pickup will be expanded with a universal materials acceptance list. More materials will also be eligible for drop-off at recycle centers.

Producers of materials like polystyrene will be required to pay for centers where their materials can be recycled rather than going in the landfill. They will also be required to pay for staff at drop-off centers.

Affordable housing update

Scott Woodford, Sisters community development director, provided an update on the 40-unit apartment complex proposed for siting on a lot in the current Heavenly Acres. An agreement between the City and Northwest Housing Alternatives (NWHA) is currently being negotiated. The City has received $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the County to help fund the project. An appraisal of the land needs to be completed so NWHA can secure a loan.

Houseless strategies

Cheyenne Purrington, executive director of the Coordinated Houseless

Response Office, outlined strategies in response to the governor’s order to increase shelter for unsheltered houseless individuals. Central Oregon will be receiving $14 million to address this emergency, with the per capita number of unsheltered citizens in Central Oregon one of the highest in the nation as well as high acuity of mental health and addiction issues and a high number of unsheltered families.

The one-time funding is being reallocated from other state budgets and is targeted for the development of 81-83 new shelter beds and rehousing 151-162 individuals. The money will be directed toward acquisition, remodeling, and the expansion of existing programs. Prevention efforts will receive funding from a separate source.

Delivery of the money and identification of the programs are being expedited as the program will expire by the end of 2023. Programs identified for funding will be collaborating, not competing. Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) will administer the program with a template from the State.

An executive committee will be screening applications using factors such as risk of project, what other funding is being leveraged, the experience of the organization and whether they already do something similar, whether there’s a program model and if it fits within best practices, and what is the per person ask (return on investment).

A variety of models could be funded, such as master leasing, where a property is leased by an organization for a period of years and is then leased or rented at an affordable rent to those seeking

housing. The same can be done with the acquisition of a property. Rent buy-downs involve an agency paying rent ahead for a tenant to encourage property owners to rent to low-income individuals.

Regional Public Safety Training Center Commissioner Tony DeBone, as chair of CORE3, reported on the progress of establishing a training center north of Highway 126 in Redmond on 300 acres of County land.

The center will contain a burn building for use by firefighters to train. Flames can be turned on and off, which eliminates the need for departments to have an actual house to burn for training purposes. A pursuit track will allow for high-speed driving training for police officers.

The center’s being located in Redmond could provide a training center for all of Eastern Oregon, which could provide revenue for Deschutes County. There is one comprehensive center located in Salem, and Washington County has a training site.

Redmond currently has the airport and fairgrounds, and with CORE3 there would be a consolidated center which would be vital in case of a large disaster west of the mountains, like a Cascadia earthquake, when Redmond would become the command center.

The 300 acres donated by Deschutes County has a value of $16.4 million. The Commissioners are hopeful their many partners will contribute to the financing of the center for relief efforts.

Phase I of the process includes land-use approval, controlling the perimeter, and construction of the training building and pursuit track.

TOURISM: City and county held joint meeting last week

The DMO role is to promote responsible visitation while maintaining livability ....

PHOTO BY LOMA SMITH

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Outlaws have new tennis coach

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

David Rowell was recently hired as the new head coach for the boys tennis program. Rowell, 26, played competitive soccer since he was 10 years old, and played tennis in high school.

Rowell graduated from Canby High School and then attended Oregon State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in math in 2018. While working on his master’s at George Fox University (GFU), David was the JV2 boys soccer coach from 2019-2020 at Canby.

Rowell graduated from GFU and started to send out job applications. In the fall of 2020 Rowell was hired as a math teacher at Sisters High School, where he teaches Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry. He has been an assistant coach with the girls soccer squad under Coach Brian Holden for the past three years, and was hired as the boys tennis coach this past January.

It’s the first time Rowell has coached tennis, but he told The Nugget he knows the sport, loves the sport, and plays for fun.

“The most attractive thing about tennis is that it’s something you can play your whole life,” said Rowell. “There’s so much room for growth and continual learning.”

Last year the boys tennis team only had four players on their roster and this year they are up to nine. Many are out for the sport for the first time. This year will definitely be a building year for the young Outlaws squad, as five of the

The Nugget Newspaper Crossword

nine have never played the sport before and will most likely play JV.

Rowell shared with The Nugget that he wants his players to love the sport. He plans to have a lot of activities and games during practice that will help players become more competitive and into the sport. He stated that the games will be lowstakes so athletes won’t feel self-conscious or judgmental about their ability.

“At a small school like Sisters I have a variety of kids, a lot of whom are out for the sport for the first time, and others who are returning players with more experience,” said Rowell. “I’ll need to find a balance while making it for everybody, while teaching fundamentals.

“This season I want more boys to come out for the sport, and see the program continue to grow,” added Rowell. “I’m excited to coach the boys team, and my hope is for them to have a love for tennis while teaching them the fundamentals of the sport.”

City Council adopts 2023/24 goals

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

The Sisters City Council officially adopted their new set of goals for the 2023/24 fiscal year in a meeting that was held Wednesday, March 8.

The Council discussed the goals in a workshop on February 15. The goal-setting workshop is a place where the Council adds, changes, or wordsmiths the goals put together by the staff. See related story with the goals in detail in the February 29 edition or at https://bit. ly/3ZXU9xq.

Some of the most noteworthy aspects of the goals

are included in the section of Housing, Livability and Growth. The word “housing” was added to the section so it can encompass various goals relating to housing. Those goals include evaluating short-term rental codes, pursuing resources for the development of affordable workforce housing, and leveraging local and regional resources and partnerships to help the Sisters houseless community.

The housing section of the goals was the most discussed, as community discourse is often focused on development and finding houseless resources within the community.

5- Hidden

6- Roster used to assign duties

7- Drops the ball

David Rowell has taken the reins of the Outlaws boys tennis program.

PHOTO BY RONGI YOST

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.

201 For Sale

QUALITY HAY FOR SALE

1st and 2nd cutting available. Barn stored, no rain. Call 541-279-5252 or 541-420-1764.

202 Firewood SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS

DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

• SINCE 1976 •

Doug Fir – Lodgepole – Juniper

DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509

205 Garage & Estate Sales

Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!

Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?

Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150

301 Vehicles

We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397

Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

~ WEDDINGS BY KARLY ~ Twenty+ years of officiating and writing wedding ceremonies. 541-410-4412 revkarly@gmail.com

Mobile heavy equipment and truck mechanic services. Call 541-408-3238.

• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279

501 Computers & Communications

Technology Problems?

I can fix them for you. Solving for Business & Home Computers, Tablets, Networking Internet (Starlink), and more!

Jason Williams

Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329

Oregontechpro.com

SISTERS SATELLITE

TV • PHONE • INTERNET

Sisters Tree Care, LLC

Tree preservation, Pruning, Removals & Storm Damage

Brad Bartholomew

ISA Cert. Arborist UT-4454A 503-914-8436

• CCB #218444

TIMBER STAND

IMPROVEMENT

TREE SERVICES: tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, brush mowing, Firewise compliance.

— Certified Arborist — Nate Goodwin 541-771-4825

Online at: timberstandimprovement.net

CCB#190496 • ISA #PN7987A

LOLO TREE WORKS

Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services.

ISA Certified Arborist

Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com

Call / Text: 503-367-5638

Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com

One bedroom with access to kitchen and living area in exchange for light caregiving duties. Duties include but are not limited to: Dressing, emptying catheter, assist with stretches and exercises, cooking, and basic house cleaning. Contact Steve Rollins at 541-549-6213.

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

403 Pets

FURRY FRIENDS

FREE Dog & Cat Food

We help Sisters families in need by providing pet supplies. Pick-up is by appt. 412 E. Main Ave., Suite. 4, behind the Nugget Office. 541-797-4023

Three Rivers Humane Society

Where love finds a home!

1694 SE McTaggart in Madras • A no-kill shelter. Go to ThreeRiversHS.org or call 541-475-6889

500 Services

We’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com 541-306-7551 • Julie

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

104 Vacation Rentals

~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898

www.SistersVacation.com

Downtown Vacation Rental

Five star. 1 and 2 bedroom. SistersVacationRentals.net

Great pricing. 503-730-0150

106 Real Estate Wanted

Wanted: A small lot to set up a (1,100 sq. ft. to 1,400 sq. ft.) new manufactured home.

Location: Close to town. Call Shelley 503-351-4767.

107 Rentals Wanted

Seeking space in Sisters for woodworking shop, approx. 30x30 feet, and space for wood storage, approx. 15x20 feet. Can be separate or together. Contact Greg at 808-281-2676, or email gmdavidge@aol.com.

GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE

“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment”

541-549-2871

MOVING TRUCK FOR HIRE

–COMPLETE MOVING, LLC–

Sisters' Only Local Moving Co.!

Two exp. men with 25+ years comm. moving. Refs! ODOT Lic.

Class 1-B • Call 541-678-3332

SMALL Engine REPAIR

Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers

Sisters Rental

331 W. Barclay Drive

541-549-9631

Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris.

You Call – We Haul!

541-719-8475

Your authorized local dealer for DirecTV, ViaSat HS Internet and more! CCB # 191099 541-318-7000

CCB #240912

• 541-306-0729

502 Carpet & Upholstery

Cleaning GORDON’S

LAST TOUCH

Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY

Member Better Business Bureau

• Bonded & Insured •

Serving Central Oregon

Since 1980

Call 541-549-3008

M & J CARPET CLEANING

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

504 Handyman

SISTERS HONEYDO

General repairs, interior painting and trim, carpentry, drywall, lighting, and much more-just ask.

25+ yrs. Maint. exp./local refs.

Scott Dady 541-728-4266

JONES UPGRADES LLC

Home Repairs & Remodeling

Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more.

Mike Jones, 503-428-1281

Local resident • CCB #201650

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

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 Winter @ 541-419-9655, Find us on Google CCB#238380

601 Construction Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT

CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062

www.sistersfencecompany.com

Earthwood Timberframes

• Design & shop fabrication

• Recycled fir and pine beams

• Mantels and accent timbers

• Sawmill/woodshop services

www.earthwoodhomes.com

Lara’s Construction LLC.

CCB#223701

Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218

Custom Homes • Additions

Residential Building Projects

Serving Sisters area since 1976

Strictly Quality

CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764

John Pierce

jpierce@bendbroadband.com

SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC.

General Contractor

Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder

Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016

To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS

Factory Trained Technicians

Since 1983 • CCB #44054

541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

Custom Homes

Residential Building Projects

Concrete Foundations

Becke William Pierce

CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com

T H E N U G G E T online at NuggetNews.com

ROBINSON & OWEN

Heavy Construction, Inc.

All your excavation needs

*General excavation

*Site Preparation

*Sub-Divisions

*Road Building

*Sewer and Water Systems

*Underground Utilities

*Grading

*Sand-Gravel-Rock

Licensed

• Bonded • Insured

CCB #124327

541-549-1848

Full Service Excavation

All Landscaping Services

Mowing, Thatching, Hauling and SNOW REMOVAL

Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

999 Public Notice CITY OF SISTERS HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION PROJECT

Bids due 2:00 p.m., March 21, 2023

INVITATION TO BID

Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail

.com

541-549-1472 • CCB #76888

Drainfield

• Minor & Major Septic Repair

• All Septic Needs/Design & Install

General Excavation

• Site Preparation

• Rock & Stump Removal

• Pond & Driveway Construction

Preparation

Keeping Sisters Country

Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com

541-549-2345

– All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing.

Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

701 Domestic Services

BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING!

Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC

Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051

801 Classes & Training

Wheel & Handbuilding Classes

We are Hiring!

Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge.

We're recruiting for: Housekeeping, Baristas, Kitchen, and Maintenance Teams. We are proud to offer flexible schedules, excellent compensation & opportunitiesfor onsite housing.

www.lakecreeklodge.com

13375 SW Forest Service Rd.  #1419, Camp Sherman.

541-390-1206

beavercreeklog@yahoo.com

Log repairs, log railing, log accent, log siding, etc.

CCB #235303 Insurance & Bond

• Building Demolition

Trucking

• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water

• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly

• The Whole 9 Yards or 24

Whatever You Want!

604 Heating & Cooling ACTION AIR

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

CENIGA'S MASONRY, INC.

Brick • Block • Stone • Pavers

CCB #181448 – 541-350-6068

www.CenigasMasonry.com

602 Plumbing & Electric Ridgeline Electric, LLC

Serving all of Central Oregon

• Residential • Commercial

• Industrial • Service

541-588-3088 • CCB #234821

SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC.

“Quality and Reliability”

Repairs • Remodeling

• New Construction

• Water Heaters

541-549-4349

Residential and Commercial

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

CCB #87587

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Electrical Installations LLC

Residential & Light

Commercial • Service

No job too small.

503-509-9353

CCB# 235868

SISTERS OREGON GUIDE

Pick up your copy around town today!

603 Excavation & Trucking

BANR Enterprises, LLC

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial

CCB #165122

• 541-549-6977

www.BANR.net

Heating & Cooling, LLC

Retrofit • New Const • Remodel

Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com

CCB #195556

541-549-6464

605 Painting ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks

CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620

www.frontier-painting.com

EMPIRE PAINTING

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining

CCB#180042

541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk

METOLIUS PAINTING LLC

Meticulous, Affordable

Interior & Exterior

541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067

606 Landscaping & Yard

Maintenance

J&E Landscaping Maintenance

LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, gutters.

Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com

Tumalo School of Pottery & Craft offers ongoing pottery. Sign up at tumaloschoolofpottery.com.

802 Help Wanted

Seeking experienced salesperson who absolutely loves hats and is willing to learn our brands! Please inquire if you meet the following: Outgoing, retail experience, ability to multitask, and eye for detail. Commission offered based on experience. Part-time, must be willing to work some weekends. $15-18/hr depending on experience. stacey@sistershatsandco.com

Caregiving needed for a 71-year-old man who recently had a spinal cord injury. Wanting to exchange a bedroom with access to kitchen and living area for light caregiving duties. Duties include but are not limited to: Dressing, emptying catheter, assist with stretches and exercises, cooking, and basic house cleaning. Contact Steve Rollins at 541-549-6213.

Sisters Cold Weather Shelter is hiring! We are looking for a year-round, part-time coordinator, starting at $22/hr. Go to sistersshelter.org for a full description. Email cover letter and resume to sisterscoldweather shelter@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you. The Garden Angel is now filling landscape supervisor and maintenance crew member positions. LCB #9583 Inquire at 541-549-2882 or thegardenangel@gmail.com

Part Time Sales Associate

We are looking for a person who is friendly, outgoing, and reliable; someone who enjoys working with the public in a team environment. Workdays are Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Applications available at the Stitchin' Post, 311 W. Cascade in Sisters or by email diane.j@stitchinpost.com.

Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com.

Sealed bids for the City of Sisters, Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, addressed to the City Recorder, City of Sisters, Oregon will be received until 2:00 PM local time at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Avenue, P.O. Box 39, Sisters, Oregon, on March 21, 2023 and then publicly opened and read at 2:00 PM at City Hall, in Sisters, Oregon. Bids shall be clearly labeled: Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project. Project generally includes tree thinning, full log removal from both parcels, ladder fuel removal, slash piling and burning at the city owned Wastewater Treatment Plant and the city owned Edgington Road Property in Sisters, Oregon. Bid documents, addenda, and notification of bid results for this project may be viewed on the City of Sisters website www.ci.sisters.or.us or printed or ordered on line from Premier Builders Exchange at http://www.plansonfile.com. There will be no Pre-Bid Conference for the Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project. This project is subject to the provisions of ORS 279C.800 through 279C.870 regarding payment of prevailing wages. Bidders must be registered with the Construction Contractors Board (ORS 701.055) or the bid will not be received or considered.

Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.

CCB #188594

• LCB #9264

www.vohslandscaping.com

541-515-8462

Sisters Liquor Store is looking for a team-oriented person who can lift 45 lbs., is available for weekends, and who wants to work either part- or full-time.

–

110 W Cascade Ave.

It pays to advertise in The Nugget News!

We are your local "Yellow Pages" for Sisters! Deadline to place your ad is Monday before noon...

Call 541-549-9941, or email nugget@nuggetnews.com.

Fire has to be ‘just right’ to help forest health

CORVALLIS – Oregon State University research into the ability of a wildfire to improve the health of a forest uncovered a Goldilocks effect: Unless a blaze falls in a narrow severity range, neither too hot nor too cold, it isn’t very good at helping forest landscapes return to their historical, more fire-tolerant conditions.

The study led by Skye Greenler, a graduate research fellow in the OSU College of Forestry, and Chris Dunn, an assistant professor in the college, has important implications for land managers charged with restoring ecosystems and reducing fire hazard in dry forests such as those east of the Cascade Range.

The findings, published in PLOS One, shed light on the situations in which managed wildfires, as well as postfire efforts such as thinning and planting, are likely to be most effective at achieving restoration goals.

Wildfire has shaped ecosystems for millennia, the researchers note, but its impacts have become an increasing social, economic and ecological concern across the western United States. Aggressive fire exclusion policies, forest and resource management practices, and climate change have altered forest structure and composition – increasing forests’ vulnerability to extreme wildfires and drought.

“As wildfire activity continues to intensify in the West, it’s becoming clear that a variety of management activities are necessary to make ecosystems healthier and to lower wildfire risk,” Greenler said. “Fuel reduction treatments like mechanical thinning and prescribed fire can reduce community and ecosystem risk, but in most places, the pace and scale of treatments are way below what’s needed to substantially alter fire effects and behavior.”

In an independent project, Greenler and Dunn in a collaboration with College of Forestry colleagues James Johnston, Andrew Merschel, and John Bailey developed a new way to predict the fire severities that are most apt to help eastern Oregon forests return to their historical

for puzzle on page 21

density, species composition, and basal area, a measure of how much ground in a specific area is occupied by tree stems.

“We built probabilistic tree mortality models for 24 species based on their characteristics and remotely sensed fire severity data from a collection of burned areas,” Greenler said. “Then we looked at unburned stands in the Ochoco, Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, and Malheur national forests to model postfire conditions and compared the results to historical conditions. That let us identify which fire severities had the highest restoration potential.”

The research team, which also included scientists from the University of Washington, the U.S. Forest Service, and Applegate Forestry LLC of Corvallis, generally found that basal area and density targets could be met through fire within a fairly narrow range of moderate severity.

However, one blaze can’t restore species composition to its historical norm in a forest that evolved amid frequent, low-severity fires, the scientists found.

“Landscapes have likely passed thresholds that preclude the effectiveness of managed wildfire alone as a restoration tool,” Greenler said. “In a large number of fire-prone Western landscapes, forest structure and composition are no longer resistant or resilient to natural disturbance processes like fire, drought, and endemic insects and pathogens, and

interactions among all of those.”

Although more and more wildfires are burning large areas and at high severity, the majority of fires in the West still burn at low or moderate

severity, the authors note. They cite a recent analysis that found about half of the burned area in Oregon and Washington from 1985 through 2010 did so in lowseverity fires.

“Low severity may be ‘too cold’ to meet restoration objectives in areas where significant tree density reduction or big shifts in tree species composition are needed,” Greenler said.

Fire has to be neither too hot nor ‘too cold’ to have a positive effect on forest health, according to Oregon State University research.

WisdomScottie &Faith

Jean Russell Nave

Scottie enemies

Bernie, our 12-year-old black Scottie, has walked the roads in our neighborhood for all but the first six months of his life. Many people have moved in and out of the neighborhood during those 12 years. Thus, many dogs have come and gone too.

Bernie was badly abused during the first six months of his life. He came to our home with a number of fears and anxieties. Because of those issues, Bernie seems to build a dog enemies list. As an observer, he seems to have included people and their dogs who won’t greet him. He appears to have been looking for friends.

Wild dogs cannot forget anything that indicates danger. I learned when we adopted him that Bernie’s wild DNA was well fixed. I tried two dog trainers, shock collars, noise collars, and anything else anyone could suggest to alter Bernie’s dislike of unfriendly dogs. Nothing ever worked.

Because dogs have ingenious ways of communicating, Bernie immediately informed Piper and Chewy about the enemies when they joined our family. Chewy, who was a young male, took up the cause with greater zeal than Bernie.

What can we learn from this? For one thing, we as people accumulate enemy lists and we telegraph and outright spread that word to our fellow humans rapidly and continually.

From ugly gossip about our neighbors, to national enemies lists of people living in our county, to our messy international affairs, we have all been affected by enemy consciousness.

For those of us who want to improve our thoughts and actions, we need to reconsider all of those lists. Jesus told us to love our neighbors. He meant all people, because to Jesus, everyone was his neighbor. If we set up a list of exceptions, we have missed the whole point. Because, as Jesus said, if we only love the nice people, the kind people, the people who go to our church or live in our neighborhood, then we aren’t behaving any better than everyone else.

There is a bigger issue.

We are all children of God. God is the heart of every person on earth, whether they know it or not. Many people are completely oblivious to God and faith, but God is still in their soul. Following is a story that demonstrates that divine power operating in a man who grew up in a society that during his lifetime forbade any discussion of God and which had been on the American enemies list for a very long time.

On September 1, 1983, in the middle of the Cold War with the U.S.S.R., Korean Air Lines Flight 007, flying from New York City to Seoul via Anchorage, Alaska, was shot down by a Soviet Sukhoi Su-15 interceptor.

Everyone held their breath as U.S./Soviet tensions grew.

On September 26, 1983, Stanislav Petrov and his unit were alerted by the nuclear early-warning radar system they watched for the Soviet Union. It reported an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile, with four more missiles behind it, from bases in the United States of America.

At 12:30 a.m., under extreme U.S./U.S.S.R. political tension, the unthinkable had happened. Warning lights

flashed, sirens sounded, and computer screens displayed the five missiles that could start WWIII. One man, Petrov, had to make the decision as to whether this was real or a computer error. He was a well-trained military professional. He knew his duty. If this was a real attack it was his job to inform his superiors and push a retaliation button that was failsafe. Once pushed there was no turning back.

With only one minute to make his decision, he concluded that if the attack was real there would be more missiles on their way. He reported to his superiors that the missiles were a false alarm. If he was wrong, their world would end within 15 minutes, without retaliation. He and his men sweated his decision for a very long 15 minutes.

It turned out to be a false alarm. Between the complex system of satellites and computers, the system hit a glitch.

Something deep in Petrov’s soul guided him through the most difficult time of his life. There was so much stress to believe in the system and so much pressure to act aggressively as a

military man. But deep in his soul was the presence of God, guiding him to not make a world-changing mistake.

That same individualized essence of God is in each of us. High-ranking military and political leaders have sometimes shared how this inner strength has guided them during extreme trials. Yet it does not take extreme circumstances to find this guide, this strength. We can each learn how to access this power, which will bring peace and joy into our lives.

First, recognize any enemies list that may be in your head. Eliminate that list immediately, and begin spending quiet time listening to your inner voice that brings peace. As the peace grows with daily quiet time, you will begin to hear a guiding voice that leads you to a better world.

We can help the world find peace, one person at a time.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12: 30-31).

VANDALISM: Public assistance sought to ID perpetrators

Continued from page 1

confirmed the damage to the new-construction home, which was confirmed to be vacant at the time of the vandalism.

Deputies conducted a neighborhood canvas and determined that incident possibly took place between 2:30 p.m. on March 3 and 4 p.m. on March 7. Currently, there is no suspect information.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the public, specifically those who reside in the McKenzie Meadows Village subdivision and may have external surveillance (i.e. Ring, Arlo, Nest) on their residences.

If any suspicious surveillance is located and possibly related to this time frame and incident, contact Deschutes County 911 Dispatch at the nonemergency number, 541-6936911 and reference case number 23-12419.

New Listing New Listing

ML S# 22016039 4 4 bed / 2.5 bath / 2,38 3 sq ft

AN T REMODE L! $6 50,000 Quail Run / .13 Acre

airs full baths with double sink s an d tubs Over size d closets, laundr y room an d pant ry Excellen t proximit y to me dical fa cilities an d stor es Remodel completion ex p ected mid to en d of April.

ML S# 220142 80 9

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5.48 ACRE HOME SI TE INDI AN FORD

$750,000 Rural Acreage

Rare re sidential home site along beau tiful Indi an Ford Ro ad ne ar Blac k Bu tt e Ranch and Sisters. Gently sloping ridge se tting with moun tain view s and ponderos a pine Border s US Na tional fore st on th e nort h prop er ty boundary Pave d ro ad fronta ge and ea sy access to Sister s and Hw y 20 west Build your dr ea m home here and enjoy all that Central Oregon ha s to of fe r. Adja cent parc els are also available.

ML S# 22014988 4 20 Acres / Zoned RR 10, WA

MOUN TA IN VIEW S & RIMROCK

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Se cluded prop er ty NE of Sister s of f Holm es Ro ad An cien t junipers & natural ground cove r, with a fe w scat tere d ponderos a pines. Ap prox 2/ 3 of prop er ty is within th e rimrocks & slop e of McKenzie Canyon & 1/ 3 is level, situated on top of th e ca nyon rim. Bordered east & sout h by BL M land Wildlife & bird viewin g oppor tunities abound. Grea t potential for ca mp site ca bin ge ta wa y, or a custom home

ML S# 220157 73 8 .8 6 Acre / Zoned L SISTER S INDU STRIAL PA RK

$4 99,000 Ligh t Indu st rial

Light in dustrial lot in th e original Sister s Indu strial Pa rk Corner .8 6 acre site with good visibility on th e corner of We st Sister s Park Drive an d Nort h Sister s Park Cour t. Almost square shap e provid es multipl e layout alternatives for building, driveway an d parkin g.

ML S# 220150 19 1 79.5 4 Acres / Zoned EFUS C, WA

MOUN TA IN VIEW S & 80 ACRE S!

$6 10,000 Rural Acreage

Privat e paradise ! This land gently slopes of fering view s of Fr emon t Canyon Mt Wa shin gton an d Mt Je ff erson. Pond eros a pine tree s dot th e land which ha s been prof es sionally limbed an d brushe d to reduce fire fu els. Adjoins public land Deer, turkey, an d coyote s will be your neighb or s. Just 7 mile s to th e to wn of Sisters. Pric ed belo w current ta x assessed valu e!