The Nugget Newspaper - Holidays in Sisters 2022 // 2022-11-30

Holidays in Sisters

This is the season when we remind ourselves of all we have to be thankful for: the natural beauty that surrounds us; the bonds of a strong community; friends and family who bring us joy. We are also fortunate to live in a community of creative makers, who provide food, gifts, and experiences that offer real meaning and lasting value. Meet them here…

Black Butte Ranch

For generations, Black Butte Ranch has been the place where beautiful family holiday memories are made. There is simply no more magical place anywhere south of the North Pole.

Enjoy a fabulous Christmas Day dinner at Robert’s Pub from 2 to 6 p.m. Reservations are required — call 541-595-1240.

Family Carriage Rides are one of the Ranch’s most beloved traditions, running this year December 26-31. You can rent the entire wagon or sleigh and enjoy the Ranch in classic old-time style.

Santa Claus will visit the Ranch on Saturday, December 17. The reindeer will drop him off at Lakeside Activity Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Remember your camera. There will also be cookie decorating and coloring activities. Enhance your time with Santa with a stop at Lakeside Bistro for dining or delicious holiday treats.

New Year’s Day brunch is on tap at the Bistro 10 a.m to 2 p.m. January 1.

You can give the gift of Black Butte Ranch with gift cards for lodging, dining, spa services, or golf — sure to be a treasure in a stocking!

High Desert Chocolates

High Desert Chocolates makes innovative treats for the Sisters community—chocolate for everyone on your list this holiday!

No one can have just a single hot chocolate bomb; there are so many flavors to choose from. What will your favorite be?

But that’s not all. Here you will find handpainted chocolates, and artisan truffles — delicious and classy holiday treats that will enhance any celebration. Yum!

Delicacies from High Desert Chocolates make perfect hostess and teacher gifts, thank-you presents for your closest friends, and sweet surprises as stocking stuffers. Wine baskets are a celebratory holiday gift. Speaking of hosting —book your holiday gathering, birthday party, or “just because” gathering at High Desert Chocolates today!

Your favorite furry pal will love the pet-friendly biscuits dipped in icing too (nonchocolate of course).

In a world where you can be anything, “Be Kind & Eat Chocolate!” Order gift cards or place your pre-holiday orders at high-desert-chocolates.square.site. Purchase a gift card of $25 ore more and get a complimentary $5 gift card for yourself!

Happy Holidays!

Bedouin

Bedouin has become a must-stop spot on many a holiday shopper’s caravan trail. That’s because they know they’ll find perfect gifts — and enjoy the experience of seeking them out.

This Sisters boutique is renowned for its carefully curated selection of clothing, jewelry, and household décor — items that make truly thoughtful and meaningful gifts.

In recent years, they’ve added an outstanding men’s section, with a gift selection that makes it easy to find something just right — even for those who are tough to buy for.

And it’s all accessible to anyone.

“We always work hard to have a wide variety of price points,” says Anya Race. “Anybody on any budget can come in and find a gift for everybody on their list.”

And to make things easy, complementary gift-wrapping is available.

Bedouin is a dedicated part of the Sisters community, and they note that the strong support they have received from customers makes it possible for them to give back to the community in a variety of ways. For that, they are grateful.

Volunteers in the greater Sisters area are once again celebrating the holiday season with several activities during the month of December, including: the holiday lights display at the main fire station in downtown Sisters, Spirit of Christmas gift drive, and the community Christmas dinner.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire and Ambulance Association is sponsoring the annual “Spirit of Christmas Giving Tree” to provide Christmas gifts to families in need in Sisters Country this holiday season. The Association expects to serve close to 200 children this year.

Gifts are available to chil dren age newborn to seniors in high school, of low-income families who live within the Sisters or Black Butte School Districts. Applications for the program are available to be picked up now at the follow ing locations: Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, Furry Friends Foundation, and the FAN office in Sisters. Applications are due by Friday, December 2 at 5 p.m. in order to receive a gift. Please get your applications in early, so your request can be filled.

To donate to the Spirit of Christmas pro gram, please collect a tag with items requested by the families at one of the “Spirit of Christmas Giving Trees,” purchase a new gift listed on the tag, deliver the unwrapped gifts with the tag to the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District as soon as possible and by no later than December 12. Spirit of Christmas trees are located at Sisters Ray’s Food Place, Sisters Bi-Mart, SistersCamp Sherman Fire Station, Black Butte Ranch Post Office, and Black Butte Ranch Police Department. Tags will be available to collect from all locations beginning Saturday, November 26.

Sarah Bialous, program leader for the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, said, “While monetary donations are appreciated, the best way to help is to pick a gift tag for a child from one of the trees and purchase specific gifts requested by the families, rather than just donating a non-specific gift.”

The deadline to return your gift donation to the Fire Station is Monday, December 12, at noon. The gift requests that are not filled by the community will be filled by Fire District volunteer shoppers using donated funds, which means that no qualifying child will be left with out a gift.

For those folks that would like to participate in the program but are unable to purchase a spe cific gift, the Association will also accept cash donations. Cash donations are tax deductible and will go toward gift buying. Monetary dona tions can be made at the main fire station at 301 S. Elm St. in Sisters, by mail at PO Box 1509, Sisters, OR or online at www.sistersfire.com.

Families will receive their donated gifts via a drive-through pick-up event on Saturday,

December 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you haven’t seen the Christmas lights dis play at the main fire station at 301 South Elm Street in Sisters, be sure to drive by and stop and listen. The light display is accompanied by music each evening from parade day until after Christmas.

On Christmas Day, The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire and Ambulance Association will once again prepare a traditional Christmas dinner, which will be served from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Hall at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Station 701, 301 S. Elm St. in downtown Sisters. To request a meal, call 541-549-0771.

“We would like to sincerely thank our part nering agencies and community organizations for their support and assistance with making this holiday season special for our Sisters Country families: Sisters Kiwanis, Furry Friends, Black Butte Ranch Police, Toys for Tots, Ray’s Food Place, and Sisters Bi-Mart,” Bialous said.

For more information, please contact the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District at 541-549-0771.

Don’t forget your furry friends

Pets are part of the family too, and Furry Friends Foundation makes sure they have a good Christmsas — and stay well taken care of year-round. To donate to Furry Friends, make a tax-deductible contribution at the Furry Friends office at 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4 (behind The Nugget Newspaper), mail your check to PO Box 1175, Sisters, OR 97759, or donate online by clicking on the donate button at wwwfurry friendsfoundation.org.

If you need help with pet food this holi day season, call or text to schedule your nocontact pickup available every Thursday. Furry Friends has pet supplies — leashes, collars, har nesses, bowls, litter, beds, toys, treats, and more.

Contact Furry Friends Foundation at 541-7974023 or info@furryfriendsfoundation.org.

A big-hearted parade offers old-fashioned fun

— By Bill Bartlett, Correspondent —

“Macy’s has got nothing on you guys.”

So said Hank Young from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, taking in his first-ever Sisters Holiday Parade. He was serious.

“I mean, that’s a commercial spectacle. This is a small community with big heart. Nobody’s showing off. Everybody’s plain havin’ fun, the old-fashioned way.”

Well, Macy’s it’s not, but it appeared that spectators and participants alike were having just as much fun as those New Yorkers.

“And a whole lot less stress,” said Young’s wife, Frances.

They were just passing through, headed from Bend en route to Bandon for golf.

Carlos Alvarado and Sonia Estrada from San Diego were also passing though. They are coffee freaks (their words, not ours) and were huddled at Sisters Coffee sampling when they realized they were trapped, their car parked on the parade route.

“So, we just watched,” Alvarado said. “You guys do this every year,” Estrada asked. “This is, like, very cool.”

They reminisced about how their grandpar ents talked about life in their little villages.

“It might have been like this, maybe,” they both wondered aloud, “all the villagers getting together to celebrate each other.”

“I haven’t seen a horse in, like, forever,” Estrada mused as several passed before them.

Home Styled

“And the dogs pulling that little cart — that’s hilarious,” Alvarado laughed.

A number of visitors got caught in the parade, many of them snaking their way through town with Christmas trees atop their roofs or stretch ing out their pickup bed. (See story page 19).

It looked like half the locals were on hand for the fun. The day was picture-perfect. It was 57 degrees at start time, little to no wind, with an unobstructed sun beaming on beaming faces. The route stretched five blocks eastbound on Hood Avenue with the streets lined on both sides, although most were choosing the north side to absorb the sun’s rays.

The parade began in customary fashion, with the color guard provide by American Legion and Band of Brothers and a few dozen veter ans from all branches. Twenty-six entrants in all ranged from kids, to dogs, to horses (and a mule).

The Sisters Science Club had challeng ing posters for spectators to test their STEM skills. The Corgi Express, a perennial favor ite, was wonderfully cute, and a dozen or more Newfoundlands, large working dogs, got lots of “wows” — and food bill bets.

Hoodoo had folks pining for more snow. Other floats included Hayden Homes, who at the parade’s conclusion opened up their McKenzie

The holiday season is in full swing. Let Home Styled be your one-stop shop for all things festive. Whether you’re hosting this year’s big event or gathering around the table with family, let Home Styled help you bring style home. Owner Jennifer Beech says “The walls of your home create the space where memories are made, so let us help you create a lasting one this holiday season.”

From home staging to small dinners, Home Styled can provide everything you’ll need from furniture to tableware. The store is overflowing with beautiful linens, scented candles, charcuterie boards, books, holiday decor, and so much more. Stop by the shop to preview their seasonal selection and check off some things on your gift list…even Santa needs some help sometimes. And don’t forget gift cards!

As Home Styled nears two years in business, they thank you for your support and wish you a happy holiday season.

Sisters Cascade

Beginning in September, the magical transformation begins. Each week the elves of Sisters Cascade work late into the night bringing in new arrivals, including hundreds of Christmas ornaments, stockings, holiday decor, floral, kitchenware, and local-made candles, soaps, and jewelry. They have “Oregon” and “Sisters” souvenirs and ornaments, affordable stocking stuffers, and beautiful hostess gifts. Their Customer Appreciation Day is always the first Saturday of December (this year December 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) with storewide discounts, wine, Italian food catered by R Spot after 5 p.m. and a free dessert bar by The SweetEasy Co. Their chocolatiers are busy every day making jumbo peanut butter cups, pecan turtles, and of course the well-known classic, fresh fudge in 24 flavors. Sisters Cascade has been in the heart of downtown Sisters for 42 years and always welcomes you to stop by for a free sample of fudge, and they can help you find something very special for yourself or someone you love.

cocoa to parents and grandparents relishing the gesture.

Of course the big trucks were on the parade route, the ones little boys (and their dads) espe cially get carried away with. Mountain res cue, fire engines, paramedic units courtesy of Cloverdale and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Districts, and Three Creeks Backcountry.

High Velocity Training, The Gallimaufry, Claudia’s Kitchenware, Skinner Welding, and High Desert Chocolates were commercial entrants.

Horses were a big hit. Equestrian Trails, the Sisters Rodeo, and Kalamataca Ranch show cased a number of equines, complete with a trailing pooper-scooper.

The best seats in the house were pickup trucks, nosed to the curb with tailgates open to the passing parade. Some had elaborate seating

arrangements and most had a passel of kids or grandkids or dogs, or all three.

Everybody knew somebody. Friendly banter punctured thousands of holiday good wishes as treats flew from windows. The Batmobile was there, with Batman at the wheel and Batwoman tossing candy to joy-filled kids.

Nobody was in a rush to leave, many choos ing to hang around and bask in the good times with their neighbors and friends. A fair number headed for shopping and local watering holes and coffee dispensaries to further the mood.

No, it wasn’t the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But SPRD – Sisters Park & Recreation District, the organizer, was the beneficiary of hundreds of kudos and a thousand-plus happy customers, who were thinking Sisters on November 26, 2022, was pretty darned special.

Three Sisters Historical Society

Take a trip back in time this holiday season with a visit to the Three Sisters Historical Society’s museum, located at 151 N. Spruce St. in Sisters.

The museum’s home is itself a historic site — Sisters’ original library building.

“We’re very proud to be in the historic Old Maida Bailey Library,” says President Jan Hodgers.

Visitors strolling and shopping through town can take in the current exhibit, “Milling Around Sisters,” which celebrates Sisters’ rich heritage as a timber town. See photos, view a slab of a ponderosa pine, and check out logging tools a hundred years old or more.

There are books for sale, and you can leave a donation in the name of a loved one for the holidays.

Three Sisters Historical Society provides oral history resources on tape, and they host historically oriented Fireside Chats. Keep an eye out for the next chat on February 21.

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

There is no more precious gift than the gift of health and well-being.

Alesha Faris, licenced massage therapist, is dedicated to making people feel better — knowing that, at the end of the day, she has made people’s lives better is the key motivation for her practice.

You can give that gift of well-being to a loved one.

“It’s a great gift to give to your family,” Alesha says.

Get a gift certificate for six-hour bundles and brighten a loved one’s world. And you might want to give yourself that gift of well-being, especially in this sometimes-stressful (and injury-prone) season.

Alesha can offer massages to de-stress, for workout recovery, and for rehabilitation from injury, with referrals coming in from local physical therapists. She can currently get someone in within a week.

The gift of well-being makes the world a better place.

As Alesha says, “When people are feeling good, it makes the world go around more smoothly for everyone.”

PHOTO BY JAROD

Holiday season launches

— By Bill Bartlett, Correspondent —

More than 700 gathered at Fir Street Park the day after Thanksgiving to celebrate the annual tree lighting, a long-standing and grow ing Sisters Country tradition. Following a “three, two, one” countdown led by Mayor Michael Preedin, the 65-foot tree burst into luminance with 2,500 shimmering white bulbs at 5:50 p.m.

During welcoming remarks — less than three minutes by design — Preedin acknowledged the crowd size, by all accounts the largest ever.

“I personally counted 843,” the Mayor said facetiously, although he was not far off the mark.

According to Jan Holland, Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) executive director, the count well exceeded 700. The Nugget’s unofficial count was closer to Preedin’s. But numbers alone didn’t tell the tale — that lay in the high spirits of the crowd.

Mother Nature forced everybody into sweat ers and parkas. Although dry, the temps were high 40s with close to an 8 mph wind making it feel colder. Sponsor Hayden Homes provided hot chocolate and the line was steadily 50 deep.

The conversation was, as one would expect, mostly stories of how Thanksgiving Day was spent and what plans were for the December holidays. All were in a bright, festive mood with an abundance of hugs and back patting.

Dozens of dogs took part in the festivities; there were scores of strollers and toddlers on parents’ shoulders for better views.

Holland opened the ceremony promptly at 5:30 p.m. It had been preceded by recorded carols and popular Christmas songs delivered by soundman DJ Chuck Boogie. Following remarks from Hayden Homes community man agers and Preedin, Peggy Tehan, SPRD (event organizers) board chair, took to the stage with her ukulele for some holiday songs.

This was the moment during the event when the deficiency in the sound system was most prevalent. Given the size of the crowd, at least

Radiant Day Spa

two hundred more than last year’s happening, the audience filled the space clear to the side walk on Main Avenue. Those in the back rows could only guess what was happening on stage.

Holland intends to beef up the sound output next year. She gave glowing reviews of City staff who prepped the park. Likewise she had praise for the event’s previous organizer for 21 years, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

The High Desert Chorale took the stage for two songs. They were 25 in strength, about half their full roster. The audience joined in as they sang a medley: “Childhood Christmas Favorites (Frosty the Snow Man, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, and Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer).” They followed with “Glow,” a Christmas song that served as a pre-show to Disney’s “World of Color: Winter Dreams.”

The event, as in years past, drew visitors from long distances. Carol and Greg Duskin were on hand from British Columbia along with their daughter, Elise, from Madison, Wisconsin. They were part of a large family gathering from as far away as Michigan, which takes place regu larly in Sisters. This was their fourth or fifth tree lighting participation.

“It’s so celebratory,” Carol said with agreement from Greg and Elise. “You don’t find this kind of thing very often, even in other small towns,” Greg added. “What’s happening tonight is spe cial. We’re really glad to be here and be part of it.”

The Crenshaws from Bremerton, Washington, were also delighted, as were many other long-distance observers. Mom and dad Jesse and Randy had kiddos Harper Lee (5) and Mattie Lou (3) in tow, along with cousin Brayden Wilson (5) from Bend. It was part of a recurring holiday visit to Sisters grandparents Bill and Lee Kelly.

“No way we miss this,” Randy said. “It is just a lot of fun and very meaningful, a real family tradition.”

Radiant Day Spa in Sisters is founded on the belief that we all need more beauty in our lives. And that’s what clients experience at this boutique spa located on Main Avenue. During this holiday season, you can give yourself and loved ones a Radiant Experience. Stop by Radiant Day Spa and ask about in-spa incentives on treatments and product— or seek out a truly fabulous Royal Treatment. Someone on your list would love a gift certificate for a treatment or for product from the Éminence Organic Skin Care line or other brands. Ask about the Bundle of the Month program for ongoing skin care. This is a perfect time to schedule a massage —a great way to relax, de-stress, and fortify your health and well-being in the busy holiday season. Massage is also a wonderful gift to give to those you love.

Winter is hard on our bodies and skin in Central Oregon — making it the right time of year to visit Radiant Day Spa. As owner Marianne Kennedy says, “It’s just nice to go somewhere warm, and wonderful, and inviting.”

Mayor Michael Preedin welcomed a record crowd to Sisters’ community tree lighting ceremony Friday evening.

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

Tree hunters preserve family tradition

— By Bill Bartlett, Correspondent —

The price of cut Christmas trees has been rising steadily, and this year shoppers in Sisters Country should expect to pay $80 for a six- to seven-foot tree. Or for only $5 a family can gather in the woods and harvest their own tree up to 12 feet in height. That same size tree at a big-box store would run close to $150 — if you could even find one.

The biggest tree The Nugget found in Redmond was nine feet for $109. Overall, cut live trees this year are up about 20 percent, according to the industry trade group Real Christmas Tree Board. So a trip to the Sisters Ranger District Office at Cascade and North Pine for a $5 tree permit may be in your future.

Far more than the savings is the satisfaction and sheer fun of bundling up the kids and heading into the forest and finding that perfect tree, cutting it, and hauling it out, the latter often being the hardest part of the endeavor.

The Nugget met the Blair family from Bend, who come to Sisters annually for tree hunting.

“There are plenty of trees a lot closer to where we live,” mom Becky said, “but it’s so much fun coming to Sisters for our tree. We like the small-town atmosphere and it’s less crowded.”

Dad, Mark, said: “It’s more of a wilderness feel here.”

Their children, Sam and Melinda, were all smiles and occasional squeals as they traipsed through nine to 10 inches of snow at around 5,000 foot elevation near Three Creek Butte. Their goal was a Balsam (subalpine) fir that they like for its nar row shape as it must fit in a particular spot in their home.

Mark was aided by helpful free guides from the Sisters Ranger District office that identify by type and map where to find a dozen different species.

The rules for taking a tree from the Deschutes National Forest are few and clear. The tree must not exceed 12 feet. Trees always look smaller in the forest than on a retail lot, particularly if found in snow. Many a hunter has cut what they thought was a six- or seven-foot tree only to find it was too big to fit on the roof of their car.

Only take a tree that is within 20 feet of another tree. Do not cut trees within 150 feet of state highways, picnic areas, campgrounds, and other developed areas.

Do not take trees from designated wilderness areas.

In general, pines can be found on flatter ground at lower elevations. Firs and cedars are found at higher elevations.

Ward and Ella Farnham from Redmond combine snowshoeing with tree hunting.

“It can be quite comical hauling a tree out in snow shoes,” Ella said.

They found their prized tree, an incense cedar, well above the snow line at Black Butte, just in time, as the snow lasted only a few days.

Most hunters come on the weekend when the District office is closed. That is not the problem it might seem, as permits can be obtained from Sisters Ace Hardware on East Hood Avenue, Bi-Mart, Mainline Station, and the Camp Sherman Store. Each tree harvested requires a separate permit.

Rangers say that some hunters mistakenly think that they first get the tree and then stop by to get the permit. You must have the permit in advance, and it must be attached to the tree during transport.

Another occasional issue Rangers see is hunters mistaking private land as public land. Privately owned land is intermingled with public land, and the two can be dif ficult to distinguish without a map or good sense of your location.

SUTTLE LODGE

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

Blake Carr, age 4, from Bend helped bag the family tree.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Sisters Holiday Parade

— Saturday, November 26, 2022 —

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY