The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVI No. 3 // 2023-01-18

Still a ways to go to bust drought

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Looking around Sisters Country and seeing standing water in many places might lead one to conclude that we’re inundated with water. Not really. While recent rains and snows are a welcome sign, and indeed there is some slight improvement to our years-long drought, the numbers say we have a long road ahead.

Sisters Country is still clocking in at D2 (Severe Drought) as compared to a year ago on this date when we were recording D3 (Extreme). Just a few miles away, Bend remains at D3 and our friends in Prineville are at D4 (Exceptional). Over the pass is still rated as Abnormally High.

Some 547,078 persons in Oregon are affected by drought; 23 of our 36 counties are in water distress. The year 2022 was the 32nd driest year in 128 years of record keeping.

There are encouraging signs, albeit slight. Sisters Country is in the Upper Deschutes River Basin, where reservoir storage

capacities are at 46 percent compared to 43 percent a year ago. Our precipitation storage is at 89 percent of median average versus 96 percent last January 15.

The most critical number

New councilors sworn in

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

Three City councilors were sworn in at the January 11 Council workshop. Returning councilors Michael Preedin and Gary Ross were elected to four-year terms and Susan Cobb to a two-year term. Following the oath of office, all five councilors received training on roles, protocols on public meetings, and records and ethics from the City attorneys of Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis.

City councilors reelected Michael Preedin to serve as mayor for the next two years, and Andrea Blum was elected Council president.

In other business, Interim City Manager Joe O’Neill reported that Creekside Campground reservations went live online on January 3. All spaces were

immediately reserved for Sisters Folk Festival, Sisters Rodeo, and the Quilt Show, plus many other reservations throughout the summer. The City has already taken in $62,000 in reservation fees, compared to $56,000 last year at this same time.

is SWE (snow water equivalent), the amount of water the snow is holding, the melt of which we will live off next summer. There, we are at 100 percent of normal, whereas last year on this date we were

at 108 percent.

and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Director takes reins at Explore Sisters

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

The first executive director of Explore Sisters, Scott Humpert, told The Nugget that the primary goal for the new destination management organization (DMO) is to sustain Sisters’ quality of livability by managing tourism to insure they attract “the right person at the right time in the right place.”

The City has been awarded $500,000 in American Rescue Plan funds by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners. The City made a request for the funds

At Three Creeks Meadow we are sitting on 26 inches of snow. OK, but not great, hydrologists worry. That is

DROUGHT on page 17

Rather than simply promoting general tourism through broad marketing, the DMO’s messaging will work to attract certain kinds of tourist who value the small-town atmosphere and surrounding nature that local citizens prize. The philosophy is that it’s not the quantity of tourists but rather the quality of tourists that will have a higher economic

See HUMPERT on page 17

Forest thinning reveals forest dwellings

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

If you have driven on North Pine Street, or the adjacent FS 100 Road spur, or along Highway 20 just west of the city limits, and the forest looks like somebody came in and mowed it one day — they did. Not in one day of course, but over a period of weeks. Suddenly the forest appears wide open, manicured even. The trees seem taller, more stately.

The intent is to reduce fuels — dense underbrush — and is part of an ongoing, multi-year, forest-wide strategy to mitigate fire risk. The section closest to Sisters just happened to come up this January in the schedule.

Dan Gordon, driving in from Camp Sherman, had

only one complaint: “You sure can see the homeless encampments more clearly now. This is starting to look more like Bend or Salem.”

The clearing made it possible for his wife, Geri, to see the new fencing going up on the forest side of Best Western Ponderosa Lodge.

“Is this to keep the homeless from camping on their property?” she asked, as their car was being refueled at Mainline Station.

In fact, it is, partly. Staff told The Nugget that guests were complaining about the unsightliness of the half dozen camps within view of their windows, one of which features a sizable makeshift tent homestead for a pair of houseless campers who

Susan Cobb, Michael Preedin, and Gary Ross were sworn in to new terms as Sisters City Councilors last week.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

See

Sisters’ water situation has improved, but we’re not close to being out of drought conditions.

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

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.

Good job, Oregon majority

To the Editor:

My compliments to the great state of Oregon, that, once again is at the forefront of advocating for common sense on a highly controversial issue. Yes, gun control boils down to “common sense,” not ludicrous views held by NRA-supporting, right-wing, “Don’t Tread on Me” extremists. I’ve read all of the recent columns, opinions regarding M114, mostly written by “gun rights at all costs” advocates. People that know me could probably see this coming, but I’ve held my tongue long enough on the topic of gun control. I am compelled to write something on behalf of the majority of Oregonians who voted last November to pass M114, knowing full well there will be backlash from Second Amendment misinterpreters, “constitutional sheriffs” (listen to NPR Today Explained podcast “Power Tripping Sheriffs,” December 7, 2022), or some judge in Harney County (pop. 7,495, twice the size of Sisters) — blocking the will of the people under the guise of his “due diligence.” Even though I have virtually no hope that any substantial revision of gun control laws will happen in my lifetime (I am not naive), and, granted, M114 is not perfect, still, I’m a “you have to start somewhere” kind of guy.

Gun ownership is not a “God-given” right. Nor do I think that the Founding Fathers would be too thrilled about mass shootings and school massacres that horrifically

are the “new normal” in American society. Uhh, last I checked it is now 232 years since the Second Amendment was ratified on December 15, 1791, and 10 years last month since the Sandy Hook slaughter, and just a few days since a 6-year-old shot his teacher; sadly, nothing is unbelievable anymore. Will gun control ever change? Maybe not, but as the passing of M114 proves, there’s plenty of us who will keep up the commonsense fight — just ask any parent of a child slaughtered by a lunatic who will always find a way to get a gun.

Dr. Steven Blauvelt

Sign of the times

To the Editor:

This is an open letter to the person(s) who stole the little sign from my driveway. You know, the little red, white, and blue one. The one that proclaims my values and beliefs around a number of subjects: hate, kindness, science, human rights, injustice, Black lives, etc.

You know the one. You took it twice. The first time throwing it away toward a remote end of my property. But I found it, thinking surely recent winds had blown it there. So I promptly put it back up only to find it gone again this morning. So obviously you and I

Jammin’ in Joe’s garage

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

A friend of mine here in Sisters once held high military rank that came with serious responsibilities. His job required that he handle sensitive, classified material.

I asked him the other day what would have happened if he kept a tranche of classified documents, say, in an office at his golf resort, or in a garage next to his Corvette.

“You mean after my courtmartial?” was his response.

At a minimum, he would have been fired — career over, pension at risk. He might have done time.

Recent incidents of former and sitting Presidents — commanders in chief of the Armed Forces of the United States of America — mishandling classified documents point up double standards that plague our political culture.

Not left versus right, Democrat versus Republican, but a double standard based on status. We like to say that we’re a nation of laws, but people at the top of the food chain seem to be above the law and seldom face real accountability, consequences for acts that would get the rest of us in serious hot water.

At a minimum, a public official — any public official — who mishandles classified materials should be removed from office and barred from serving again in positions of trust. Because, clearly, they aren’t worthy of being trusted with our national security.

These days, even when someone does get busted, the landing is pretty soft. High-flying General David Petraeus had to resign as director of Central Intelligence and was slapped with a misdemeanor conviction for mishandling classified materials, in a scandal that broke because it involved sexual shenanigans with his very attractive biographer. Without all the attendant media attention, the actual crime might well have never come to light — or been swept under the rug.

Petraeus didn’t suffer too much. He landed a cushy university gig, and was in the running in 2016 to become Donald Trump’s Secretary of State. Where he would have been privy to classified materials.

Yeah.

When episodes of bad behavior arise, partisans are quick to absolve “their guy” for the same sins for which they avidly pillory the “other guy.” Those of us who point out this hypocrisy are accused of “whataboutism”

or the false equivalence of “both sides do it.”

Except that, well, ummm, both sides do it.

Our own Senator Ron Wyden was at pains to point out “differences in context” between the current classified materials brouhaha regarding President Joe Biden and that surrounding former President Trump. We’re meant to give extra credit for Biden’s own people discovering and turning over errant materials, and cooperating with investigators.

Well, OK, we’ll stipulate that Trump’s behavior was, as usual, egregious and obstructionist, and Biden at least looks like he’s cooperative. And Trump’s case involves a lot more material — as of now.

But the fundamental issue remains: Both men appear to have handled classified materials inappropriately. Both men should be held accountable — to include being barred from running for the office again. But, as always, politics trumps principles.

And it does the President’s defense no favors when one of Biden’s supporters — Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia — throws out the possibility that the classified documents were “planted” in Joe’s garage (and think tank and…). That’s the kind of evidence-free conspiracy theory that would make a real, hardcore MAGAnista proud.

There’s not much to choose between in the monarchical condescension expressed by both Trump and Biden to dismiss their irresponsible behavior. Trump treats the work product of his administration as his personal property, which he can declassify “even by thinking about it.”

The current president offered this piece of dismissive snark in response to a reporter’s pressing on the location of some of the documents his lawyers handed over: “My Corvette is in a locked garage, OK? It’s not like they are sitting in the street.”

That attitude makes it pretty hard to believe him when he says that, “People know I take classified documents, classified information seriously.”

Isn’t it past time to stop tolerating politics-over-principle, and insist on accountability from all of our public officials, whether we voted for them or not? Shouldn’t we be holding our leaders to the same standard we expect of the rank and file who do the real work of the nation?

Sisters musicians played at major gathering

By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

Seven Sisters musicians worked with their accomplished peers from across the region in a district meet earlier this month.

For 20 years Central Oregon Music Education Association (COMEA) has hosted an annual district meet at Bend High School.

The experience consists of nine hours of ensemble practice, spanning over two days, to culminate in a final performance on the last day. The production featured guest conductor Diane Soelberg and combined students from nine different schools in Central Oregon.

More than 120 high school players attended this event, seven of whom came from Sisters High School. It was a compilation of kids with differing ages, outlooks, and musical levels.

However, all of the attendees agreed that, no matter their experience level, the workload was intense. Nevertheless, the enjoyment felt throughout the practice outweighed the discomfort.

“It was a ton of work but it was just amazing that all of these high-schoolers who had never played with each other sit down and make beautiful sounds,” said freshman trumpet player Ian Landon.

The goal of this event was to introduce young

musicians to something that may have been out of their comfort zone, in order to learn new things.

“They all grew so much,” said Sisters Band Director Kayla Golka, “especially in confidence.”

The students that attended were thankful for the experience, however challenging it may have initially been.

“I was super nervous at first, because I’ve only been playing clarinet for a year,” said sophomore Althea Trask, “but then I realized how many people of different musical levels were there, and I was like… ‘Oh, not everybody is perfect, I think I can do this.’”

Houseless have professional advocate

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

David Fox spends a considerable amount of time in the forests near Sisters, working with the people who dwell there.

Fox is employed by Deschutes County and serves on the Homeless Outreach Team. The 32-year-old health professional was raised in Bend before moving to Kansas where, upon graduating from college, he was a Peace Corps

volunteer in Ukraine for two years. Following that he worked six years for the Social Security Administration as a case specialist.

He sees his strength as “navigating bureaucratic systems.” And that is a big part of his job. He’s in Sisters two days a week and the remainder of his week in La Pine or at the County Health Department’s office in Bend.

There are about 100

Families to break ground on new homes

Three families will break ground on their future Sisters Habitat for Humanity homes in the Village Meadows neighborhood on Monday, January 23, at 3:30 p.m. Habitat invites the community to join in the groundbreaking celebration.

Elia and Holly Mapusaga; Molly McShane and her children; and Julie Glanz and her children have completed many hours of sweat equity to achieve this milestone. They are all excited to get started building a home of their own. Construction will begin in February with completion anticipated late-summer 2023.

Heart of Oregon Corps YouthBuild will be constructing one of the homes. YouthBuild members transform their lives and roles in

society through earning their GED, high school diploma, or college credits, learning job skills, and serving their community through building affordable housing.

Sisters Habitat volunteers will build the other two homes. Each home takes 3,500 to 4,000 volunteer hours to complete. Construction volunteers are needed. No experience is necessary. Contact the Sisters Habitat office for information at 541-549-1193 or kristina@ sistershabitat.org.

“We are grateful to donors and volunteers who have generously given to make these three future homes possible. Sisters Habitat truly builds homes, community, and hope!” said Executive Director Sharlene Weed.

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al-Anon Mon., noon., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-610-7383.

Alcoholics Anonymous Thurs., 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration / Sat., 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration / Mon., 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Big Book study, Tues., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Gentlemen’s meeting, Wed., 7 a.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Thurs., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fri., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-548-0440.

Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelefly@msn.com.

Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In-person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab-and-go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sisters Community Church. 541-480-1843.

East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wednesday (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061.

Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday, 7 p.m. Sisters Community Church. All ages welcome. 541-771-2211.

Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers)

2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Community Church. Materials provided. 541-408-8505.

Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 541-668-1755.

Citizens4Community, Let’s Talk 3rd Monday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. RSVP at citizens4community.com

Military Parents of Sisters Meetings are held quarterly; please call for details. 541-388-9013.

Oregon Band of Brothers – Sisters Chapter Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469.

SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings & Enrichment) Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation District. 541-549-2091.

Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503-930-6158.

Sisters Area Photography Club

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

Sisters Area Woodworkers 1st Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897.

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

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters Community Church. Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregiver Support Group 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Church. 541-771-3258.

Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Location information: 541-549-1193.

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

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

Sisters Parkinson’s Support Group 2nd Thurs.,1 p.m. Sisters Library 541-668-6599

Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday.

Location information: 541-848-1970.

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645.

Sisters Trails Alliance Board every other month, 5 p.m. varies from in-person to zoom. Info: info@sisterstrails.org

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

Three Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors 1st Tuesday, 4 p.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815.

Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Restaurant. 541-419-1279.

VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., The Hanger, Sisters Community Church. 847-344-0498.

Weight Watchers Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. weigh-in, Sisters Community Church. 541-602-2654.

SCHOOLS

Black Butte School Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. 541-595-6203

Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www.ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.

CITY & PARKS

Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.

Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., SPRD bldg. 541-549-2091.

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

FIRE & POLICE

Black Butte Ranch Police Dept. Board of Directors Meets monthly. 541-595-2191 for time & date.

Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m., BBR Fire Station. 541-595-2288.

Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 67433 Cloverdale Rd. 541-548-4815. cloverdalefire.com.

Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541-549-0771.

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

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

PHOTO PROVIDED

Dugan Draper, Ian Landon, Althea Trask, Kendall Frutos, Norma Quero, Ana Landon, and Felix Fernandez participated in a region-wide band ensemble this month.

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The Sisters High School Nordic ski team returned to action on Saturday, January 14 for the Diamond Lake 5k Skate race, and the young team came away with strong results.

Ella Eby cracked the top half of the field on the way to 11th place in a time of 20:20 in the girls race, which was won by Kinsey Olarrea of Mountain View in a fast time of 16:35.

Olarrea’s efforts helped the Cougars win the team title over La Pine, Caldera, and Ashland. With Eby as the only racer for Sisters, the team was incomplete.

Corbin Fredland reached the finish line first among Outlaws in the boys race, placing seventh overall in 15:01.

Spencer Tisdel came through next in 12th (15:39), followed by John Berg (17:27), Cooper Merrill (18:18), and Jack Turpen (19:56).

Zachary Shockey of Mountain View won with a time of 12:18.3 as the Cougars swept the top six places to easily win the team title with six points. The Outlaws ended up in second place with 24 points to beat South Eugene (27), La Pine (45), and Ashland (51).

“These kids improved by the day and I can’t be more pleased with their spirit and competitiveness,” said Coach

Jeff Husmann.

Coach Tiffany Tisdel concurred, saying, “This was the first skate race for all of our athletes, and they were excited to test their abilities in the skate discipline. Everyone skied with enthusiasm and a lot of heart.”

Skate skiing is quite technical and both coaches have been impressed with the team’s willingness to take on the challenge to get better.

“There is a lot of learning that occurs with anything new, and our racers gained valuable insight into areas to improve their technique for future races,” said Tisdel.

The Outlaws were scheduled to host the Hoodoo Night Sprints January 16. Results will be in next week’s Nugget

Wrestlers compete well in Oregon Classic

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The Oregon Classic drew dozens of schools from throughout the state, including Sisters, for a full weekend of wrestling action.

Friday’s action included dual meet matchups among teams split up in pools by classification size. In the 3A classification, eight teams (two from each of the four pools) advanced from pool competition to wrestle in the championship team bracket. Sisters finished fourth in Pool C against Burns, Scio, and Glide.

Carter Van Meter competed at 122 pounds and finished the competition 4-1, winning with two falls and two forfeits. His lone loss came against Preston Hill of Burns.

Tyson Kemp only had two matches at 134 pounds, losing to Lucian Miller of Burns (fall 2:56) and Bryan Parazoo of Scio (fall 1:40).

Brennan Frutos, wrestling at the junior varsity level at 134 pounds, recorded two wins against three losses.

Hayden Kunz got taken down by Camaron Houston of Coquille (fall 1:53) in

the 147-pound class first round, but won the next four matches handily against wrestlers from Glide, Scio, and Burns.

Three consecutive wins for Ben Cooper at 154 pounds set him up for another showdown with Hunter Kemper of Burns. The pair has faced one another three times this season previously, with Kemper, the reigning state champion, winning each time.

Jace Owens picked up two wins by forfeit and had another win with a fall over Haylee Davids of Glide at the 2:25 mark. Levi Forson of Scio handed Owens his only loss with a fall at 1:24.

The next competition for the Outlaws is a threeway meet at Cascade on Wednesday, January 18.

Coach David Kemp felt good about how his five wrestlers competed.

“Since we only had five guys wrestling we couldn’t beat any of the teams in the duals matchups so we didn’t get to advance to the final eight,” he said. “But our seniors, Hayden and Ben, both took on some stateranked wrestlers and came away with wins,”

PHOTO BY JACK TURPEN

team is pleased with results so far this season.

PHOTO PROVIDED

USFS to burn slash in Glaze Meadow area

Sisters Ranger District firefighters plan to ignite 51 acres of debris piles approximately one mile west of Highway 20 in the Glaze Meadow area — if conditions are favorable.

Firefighters were to ignite the piles Monday and continue through Wednesday.

Smoke may be visible from Highway 20 and Black Butte Ranch. No road or trail closures are anticipated.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition. Once ignited, firefighters monitor piles until they are declared out. Please do not report ignitions.

While smoke may linger in the area, removing these large accumulations of woody debris during the winter months minimizes fire danger. The piles are concentrations of leftover materials from vegetation management activities being done to help maintain and restore forest and ecosystem health while reducing hazardous fuels loading.

The possibility exists for smoke to settle in low-lying areas due to cool night-time temperatures.

• When driving in smoky areas, drivers should slow down and turn on headlights.

• If you have heart or lung disease, asthma, or other chronic conditions, ask your doctor about how to protect yourself from smoke.

• Go to www.central oregonfire.org to learn more about smoke safety and pile burning in Central Oregon.

For more information on hazardous fuels reduction projects in Central Oregon, visit www.central oregonfire.org or fs.usda. gov/deschutes and follow on Twitter @CentralORFire.

Text “COFIRE to 888-777 to receive wildfire and prescribed fire text alerts.

Submissions open for Waterston writing prize

The High Desert Museum is now accepting submissions for the 2023 Waterston Desert Writing Prize.

The Prize honors outstanding literary nonfiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place, and desert literacy with the desert as both subject and setting. Emerging, mid-career, and established nonfiction writers are invited to apply.

The Museum will award one writer with a $3,000 cash award as part of the Waterston Desert Writing Prize. The Prize also includes a reading and reception at the Museum in Bend on September 14, 2023 and a residency at PLAYA at Summer Lake, an arts and sciences residency campus located in Summer Lake, Oregon that sits on the edge of the Great Basin in Southern Oregon. The tranquil natural setting is a hidden gem for artists to focus on their work.

To learn more about the Waterston Desert Writing Prize and how to submit an entry, visit www.highdesert museum.org/waterston-prize. Submissions will be accepted through May 1.

The guest judge for this year’s Waterston Desert Writing Prize is Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest (Lummi). Her literary debut, “Patriarchy Blues,” was published in 2017. The

poetry collection received the American Book Award. Priest holds a Master of Fine Arts from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York and is the Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writers Fellow at the University of Washington. Priest’s most recent book, “Northwest Know-How: Beaches,” is a love letter to 29 of the most beloved beaches in Washington and Oregon. Priest is the first Indigenous poet laureate of the state of Washington.

Inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love of the High Desert, a region that has been her muse for more than 40 years, the Prize launched in 2014 and annually recognizes the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and human narrative.

“The many gifted writers who submit their work expand how we think about deserts,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “We look forward to how our perspectives will grow this year.”

The mission of the High Desert Museum’s Waterston Desert Writing Prize is to strengthen and support the literary arts and humanities in the High Desert region through recognition of literary excellence in nonfiction writing about desert landscapes,

community interaction with the winning authors of the Prize, and presentations and programs that take place in association with the Prize.

In August 2020, the High Desert Museum’s official adoption of the Waterston Desert Writing Prize was announced. Since its inception, the awards ceremony has been hosted by the Museum. The mission and goals of the Prize complement those of the High Desert Museum, emphasizing the importance of protecting deserts and creating important conversations about the issues affecting them.

“The Waterston Desert Writing Prize continues to grow in its fourth year as a High Desert Museum program,” said Ellen Waterston. “The Museum support of the literary arts has helped us reach new audiences.”

The winner of the 2022 Waterston Desert Writing Prize was Caroline Tracey. Her submission, “Salt Lakes,” is a collection of 18

essays providing a queer perspective on climate change in arid environments. Salt lakes make up approximately one third of inland waters globally and provide crucial wildlife habitat. These important bodies of water are shrinking and becoming more saline due to increased evaporation from a warming climate, secondary salinization from irrigation of desert soils, and other factors.

Outlaws teams lose on the road

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The boys and girls basketball squads both lost their games on the road at Harrisburg on Friday, January 13; the boys in a 50-38 loss and the girls a 60-40 loss.

In the boys matchup, it was a close first quarter that ended in a 10-10 tie at the close of the period. The Outlaws switched up their norm and, instead of coming out in a man-to-man defense, came out in their 1-3-1 zone. That worked at times, but the Eagles had strong outside shooting and hit two three-pointers in the quarter. Sisters’ offense had several strong shots inside the paint and at one time the Outlaws held an 8-3 lead, but the Eagles tied it up to close out the quarter.

Coach Chad Rush said, “In the second quarter the Eagles switched to an extended matchup zone, and that caused us to struggle to find our rhythm offensively.”

The Eagles hit four long balls in the second quarter and outscored the Outlaws 12-6. Harrisburg finished the half with 18 of their 22 points coming from behind the arc. At the half Sisters trailed 16-22.

Rush said, “The Eagles’ strong shooting forced us to switch to our man-to-man defense. We knew we would have to force pressure as the Eagles are a very methodical team that is patient and poised on the offensive end. As a result the Outlaws came out trapping ball screens and handoffs to try and force pressure, which did cause some turnovers.”

The Outlaws continued to struggle to finish shots against the aggressive Eagles’ zone. Landon Scott scored five of the Outlaws’ eight points, including a three-pointer just a couple

minutes into the period.

Sisters continued to apply pressure to the Eagles in the final quarter, but the Eagles remained patient and poised. The Outlaws were forced to foul and stop the clock, but the Eagles hit their shots at the line. They went 14-21 at the charity stripe on the night, and the Outlaws didn’t have a chance to get back in the game.

Scott led the team with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Adam MaddoxCastle put up 10 points, and Kale Gardner recorded nine. Mehkye Froehlich recorded six points and three assists, and Jessey Murillo added two points and pulled down eight boards.

Rush said, “We knew tonight was going to be a tough game if we let Harrisburg get the lead. With the style of play they play, we knew we would have to try and force tempo and turnovers. When we got down in the second half, that became even more important.

“I once again credit the guys for their grit and feistiness as they continued to battle and work all game. This was disappointing as we felt that is a game that got away from us. We will look to bounce back with two home games this week and keep plugging away at our goal of making the league playoffs.”

The Outlaws will play at home against Pleasant Hill on Wednesday, January 18, and at home again on Friday against Creswell.

The Lady Outlaws also suffered a loss. Once again they were shorthanded due to illness, with four players out sick and two others ineligible to play. Only eight girls were able to make the road trip, and three of those with very little varsity experience.

Sisters had a very good first quarter, starting their experienced players, Ashlynn Moffat, Ellie Mayes, Haleigh Froehlich, and Josie Patton. At the close of the quarter they only trailed by one, 15-16.

The second quarter was a completely different story, as the Outlaws had several defensive lapses and turnovers, which allowed the Eagles to rack up 25 additional points.

Sisters kept it a bit closer in the second half, but they just couldn’t recover from the second-quarter deficit.

Moffat played well for the Outlaws and led the team with 10 points. Froehlich scored eight points, and Mayes, Schar, and Norah Thorsett added six points each. Moffat, Froehlich, and Patton had to play pretty much the entire game due to the Outlaws’ limited number of substitutes.

Coach Paul Patton said, “It’s very frustrating that we have not been able to put our best team on the court at all this season due to recurring bouts of sickness.”

The Lady Outlaws will play at home against Pleasant Hill on Wednesday, January 18, and at home again on Friday against Creswell.

Library transitions to temporary facility

The Sisters Library is closed as of January 15 to allow for remodeling. The updated library will reopen in fall 2023. A temporary Sisters Library facility opens January 24, in a mobile unit on the current library property at 110 N. Cedar St. in Sisters. The library asks that customers hold their returns during the transition week (January 15-23). No late fees will be charged for materials, and holds will be available once the temporary space opens on January 24. Learn more about the new library and get updates at www.deschuteslibrary.org/ futurelibraries/sisters/.

“We’re so appreciative of all the work library staff did to find temporary locations and to make the transitions as smooth as possible,” said Library Director Todd Dunkelberg. “While everyone is excited to get into the new library in Redmond and the remodeled library in Sisters, being able to offer temporary locations during construction and remodeling

is a great way to continue supporting our communities during this time.”

Updates to the Sisters Library include bright and open spaces that welcome customers with amenities such as flexible meeting and tutoring rooms, an enhanced children’s discovery space, improved lighting, a cozy fireplace and reading area and a large community gathering space.

In November 2020, Deschutes County voters supported the Library’s bond measure to expand and improve libraries across the county. In addition to building a new library in Redmond and updating the Sisters Library, bond funds are being used to remodel and update existing libraries in Downtown Bend, La Pine, and Sunriver, as well as the construction of a new library at Stevens Ranch in east Bend to serve all Deschutes County residents.

For more information visit www.deschuteslibrary. org/futurelibraries.

Sisters schools looking at state school funding

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

Sisters School District (SSD) is looking forward to the next two years and the state budget that will be proposed mid-2023, determining the funding for schools for the 2023-2025 biennium.

Superintendent Curt Scholl spoke to The Nugget about what potential budget numbers look like for SSD.

“We are looking at a lot of inflationary trends with affordable housing for our staff, and costs of operations being higher with the cost of fuel rising last year, things like that,” said Scholl.

According to discussions with the legislative forums over the last couple of months, the budget number that the State had come up with so far was a school fund of $9.52 billion.

“This is the first mention and first number we’ve heard, so they will continue to lobby it and dance with the number before landing on a final number sometime in June,” said Scholl.

Based on previous years and working on Sisters’ budget, the state number that SSD needs to fully fund all services — special programs, paying staff, operations, mechanical etc. — is

$10.3 billion.

“We get an amount from the State, and we have to provide certain services that are required no matter what they give us,” said Scholl.

Scholl said some things would have to be put on hold if the budget was underfunded, such as upgrading textbooks, maintenance, and purchase of support materials.

“We try and do more with less and do things that have the least impact on kids, but with maintenance and textbooks — when does that start to have an impact as well?” he said.

The School District uses the school state fund mainly for operations, paying staff, and overall programming, providing the basic needs for the schools in the District.

“This is not to say if we have that proposed number, we will have to make cuts, but there will be an impact on what we can upgrade with technology, hardware, and maintenance, and how long we can limp those things along,” said Scholl.

The money allocation of the state school fund depends on number of kids enrolled at the school, and higher and consistent enrollment numbers at SSD will help with the allocated money. A shortfall in state budget funds will

potentially threaten some of the unique aspects of Sisters schools, like small class sizes and specialty programming.

“We are far from the end of the process — I am not panicked,” Scholl said. “I trust the process in place to work with the number.”

Inflationary costs across the board are creating moments of choosing where money is allocated dependent on the budget.

“$10.3 billion allows us to do full-service support of organizations at that number, but lower than that we have some things to consider,” said Scholl.

Through generous support of the Sisters community, SSD is able to provide unique services and programs for students.

“We are blessed to be in a supportive community with the local option and bond, the concern is to fully fund every aspect of our services of where we need to be,” said Scholl.

The local option is voted on by Sisters residents and is in its fifth renewal cycle, coming back on the ballot in May 2023. The local option supports specialty programming and small class sizes within Sisters schools.

“The local option helps operations overall as well,

and is voted on and can be used to target those class sizes, programs, and counselling support,” said Scholl.

There are also occasional bonds for infrastructure and maintenance that go on the ballot for voters as well. The last was in 2015, which allowed the SSD to catch up on maintenance and operations across all three schools.

The most recent bond passed in 2021 as a capital asset support and supports infrastructure, which is currently funding the construction of the new elementary school set to open in 2024.

According to the SSD website: “On May 18, 2021, Sisters voters passed a $33,800,000 general obligation bond to pay for the construction costs of a new elementary school within Sisters School District (SSD), as well as related support and

maintenance costs associated with the District’s 2016 Master Plan. The new ‘Shared Campus’ location for the elementary school is a critical component of the 2016 Master Plan. It will allow for increased safety, transportation, operational and educational benefits for all of the students in the District. Fifth grade will return to the elementary school location, which is better aligned with educational best practices and provides additional capacity in the middle school.”

State school allocations fund basic services, while local options support smaller class sizes and unique programing. Bond funds for capital projects can only be used for those projects, not for operations.

“We are so blessed by the Sisters community and the support they show our schools, and the local option that has been renewed once before in my tenure here. We will continue to work the numbers and come up with contingencies to be able to provide the same level of services to our kids,” said Scholl.

The school board will vote on the budget in June, hopefully with a final number from the State for the state school fund provided before their final vote.

We are looking at a lot of inflationary trends with affordable housing for our staff, and costs of operations being higher with the cost of fuel...

— Curt Scholl

must have different worldviews on those subjects. Let’s do this. How about coming down for a cup of coffee so I can better understand and consider your views, and why you feel that way. You obviously have very strong reasons for them. And beyond the sign’s proclamations, perhaps you can better understand and consider mine and the reasons I feel as I do. There is room for both. Maybe we will change minds, maybe not. But it’s worth a shot. And oh, please bring back the sign. You know where I live.

Clyde Dildine

s s s

Pride of place

To the Editor:

As a councilor elect, last week, Paul Bertagna, director of Sisters Public Works took me on a town tour so full of impressive and detailed information that all I am able to share is a 40,000-foot perspective. Besides Paul, there are five full-time employees in Public Works — hold that thought.

Public Works is about water, sewer, roads, and parks. It entails the creation and maintenance of public roads, bridges, fencing, sidewalks, bikeways, pathways, and parks. Our Public Works installed and maintains our water lines and wells, the chlorination systems, and manage the water systems’ pressure. We have excellent water quality, and a high-capacity aquifer. They keep it all so clean one could eat off the beautiful, huge, blueand-green water pump pipes.

Public Works installed and maintains our sewer system that is a work of artful engineering, top-ofthe-line infrastructure, and, as with our water system, the sewer system is monitored 24/7 and there is always someone on call. Both systems are also very secure. The sewer system engineering makes efficient use of the gentle slope of our topography to receive our refuse at the Rope Street pump house and move it out to be biologically processed and put back into nature – treated. We are returning water even as we use it. The sewer system is environmentally sound, from our drains all the way out to three effluent ponds in southeast Sisters.

Our Public Works headquarters is completely fueled by solar energy! It’s a huge building that is built to last with thick, insulated concrete walls, metal roof, and concrete floors. Within those walls are a few offices, a workshop (one employee was putting new coats of paint on our 75-plus park picnic tables after having cleaned them), an auto shop (another employee was servicing one of our big trucks – one of his many roles), and there are three garages for all kinds of maintenance and service vehicles. Everything a city needs is there, from the biggest truck, built to be a humongous vacuum in case we have a major sewer problem, to a cute little Bobcat with lift or shovel to get into tiny spots in town. All the equipment, vehicles, parts, tools, machines, and supplies to keep our town in working order is there, was acquired with economy, and all is maintained by six dedicated employees — another savings to the City.

Public Works staff also hang and take down signs, flower baskets, banners, and decorations as seasons and events demand, sweep and snowplow our streets, and beautify our parks and common areas. Most importantly, they advise Council on every future concern you or I could possibly imagine; future needs of water for fires and growth, future sewer lines and pumps, increasing connectivity for all of us in Sisters, and more. Six Public Works employees, and all who work for Sisters, constantly think about the future because they truly embody the phrase “pride of place.”

Susan Cobb

s s s

In defense of the Country Club Republican

To the Editor:

Recent presidential scandals, involving the hoarding of top-secret classified documents by a shambolic buffoon and a geriatric dinosaur, call for the return of a refined, privileged class of leaders to manage the fair prosecution of government. We need to resurrect Republicans who can argue in the House Chamber and Senate Floor during the day and then indulge in Malbec and steak with their political rivals at night. It’s a far better option than our current state of partisan futility. I yearn for a

time when this country was great and led by the haute bourgeoisie. The current bunch of wannabe dictators who shovel ketchup-laden meat down their greedy gullets is a dangerous harbinger of a governmental Frankenstein.

The GOP finds itself at an evolutionary impasse, teeming with populist Lumpenproles. Malignant junk DNA within the party has metastasized, spawning nefarious Trump acolytes like Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The disruptive House Speaker election drama was a shameful display of ideological autocoprophagy led by a small faction of plebeians.

Nevertheless, it’s not too late to revive the traditional, small government, cocktail wielding, country club, cigar-chomping Republican. You know, the archetype that adheres to corporate philosophy aligned with the opinions and preferences of the business community. They tend to be economically conservative but mostly hands-off on societal matters. They possess a sense of superiority and are reluctant to change, but are courteous, respectful, civic-minded, and have a paternalistic sense of obligation to the “great unwashed.” Let us return to the Rockefeller aristocrats who maintain American capitalist supremacy, but also discreetly “take care” of a teen daughter’s unwanted pregnancy or pull strings to quash pop-collar frat-boy drug dalliances.

Country Club Republicans, while Christian, differ from the evangelical “God, Guns, and Gays” crowd that is vehemently concerned with outlawing abortion, banning same-sex marriage, and having the government promote modern Christendom. Trump nearly extinguished the mellow compromise Republicans who, frankly, were the sane members of the party. They recognized that compromise is the very heart of democracy.

Replace the ReTrumplican Tea Party with “Jurassic Herbert Walkers.” This noble movement is necessary to return political normality; to fend off mobocratic, rabble-rousing January 6 rioters; to prioritize structure over anarchy, respect compromise, and occasionally break campaign promises for the unpardonable offense of doing the right thing.

Obituaries

Abner Callaway Allen Jr.

Passed January 13, 2023

Abner Callaway Allen Jr. will be missed by his loving family and the whole Central Oregon community.

Cal passed away on January 13, comforted by his wife and close friends. These words cannot possibly sum up the life of such a beautiful person, but serve rather as a glimpse into, and inspiration for, a life well lived. He loved nature, science, community service, and most of all his family. He believed in people, education, and possibilities. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, curiosity, and altruism.

The best way to honor Cal is to act like him. Cal was raised in Tennessee and Missouri, where he was an altar boy, developed a love of black-eyed peas and grits, and embraced southern hospitality. From there, he attended Cornell University, where he received a master’s degree in chemical engineering, and met Marsha, his wife of 63 years.

He spent his career working for Standard Oil Company of California in the Bay Area. His natural connection with people and devotion to a job well done endeared him to employees as he rose through the ranks of the company, retiring as vice president of supply and distribution. He garnered acclaim not only as a compassionate manager, but also as the engineer who rode his bike to work, belonged to the Sierra Club, and windsurfed beneath the Golden

Gate Bridge.

After retiring to Sisters, Cal immersed himself in the community. He was the director of Friends of the Library, treasurer of the neighborhood water board, Sisters Kiwanis Club volunteer, organizer of local walking and snowshoeing groups, leader of community bird walks, board member for the Deschutes Land Trust, and most notably cofounder of Sisters Science Club. His infectious enthusiasm got kids excited about physics and adults clamoring to launch Ping-Pong balls from catapults.

His countless contributions to Sisters and surrounding communities continue to benefit all. A celebration of Cal’s life will be held in the spring, date to be determined.

Cal’s wife, two children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren ask that in lieu of flowers, you consider continuing Cal’s passion for protecting local wildlands by supporting The Deschutes Land Trust, www.deschuteslandtrust. org.

Chuck Marshall of Sisters passed away in his home on Friday, December 2. He was 92 years old. He leaves behind many dear friends in Sisters, where he and his late wife, Peggy, had lived since 1990. Peggy passed away in January 2017.

Chuck was born in April, 1930 in Portland, the firstborn child of Charles W. Marshall and Gertrude M. Marshall. He attended Lincoln High School and Benson Tech, both in Portland.

He met and married Peggy Camp, on January 19, 1951. She was a receptionist at a Nash car dealership where he worked.

Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served during the Korean War until he was discharged

Marilyn T. O’Hern

April 11,1935 — December 14, 2022

Marilyn O’Hern was the mother of six children, grandmother of eight, and great-grandmother of eight.

Her son Shawn O’Hern and wife, Kate; grandchildren Keenan and wife Stacy, Tessa, and Leah O’Hern have lived in Sisters since 2004. Her daughter Bonnie O’Hern lives in Sisters; and grandson Owen and wife Kimberly, and great-grandson live in Bend.

and came back to Portland in 1955. He was in the Air Force Reserves for over 20 years and also worked for the Oregon Air National Guard, the Portland Airbase, until he retired in April 1989.

He and Peggy moved to Sisters shortly after he retired.

As a veteran, Chuck was a proud member of the Band of Brothers in Sisters. He was also a member of the American Legion and attended Sisters Community Church.

He was a patriotic American who loved his family, his friends, and our country. He always enjoyed the company of his many veteran friends.

Chuck is survived by his son, Charles “Chuck” Marshall of Washougal,

Marilyn’s other children: Don, Tamara and Jim, Erin and Doug, and Kerri and Thomas, live out of state.

Marilyn and her deceased husband, Donald, raised their six children in the Midwest; that is where their roots are.

She was a public health nurse for 18 years and loved her profession, along with being a mother, wife, sister, and daughter.

She was a chauffeur to all her family’s activities

Washington; and daughters Becky Buckelew of Bakersfield, California, and Patty Crechriou of Gazelle, California; their spouses; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; also a sister, Donna O’Brien of Beaverton.

Interment will be with his beloved wife, Peggy, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Memorial services are pending.

and the neighborhood go-to person for health concerns. She is missed.

Charles R. “Chuck” Marshall 1930 — 2022

Cele ation of Life

You are invited to celebrate Rod on Sunday, Januar y 22, 2023 , 1p.m. at the clubhouse at Aspen Lakes . Please bring stories and memories of Rod to share with our communit y of f riends and f amily. Meat will be provided by the family but please bring a side dish to share.

Hunter Education Class

Starts Februar y 7. For information, call Rick Cole at 541-420- 6934

Community Academy

e Deschutes Count y Sheri ’s O ce will host two classes, on January 18 and 19 from 6 to 9 p.m at Sisters Fire Communit y Hall, 301 S . Elm St. ese classes will cover the operations of various Sheri ’s O ce divisions , including Patrol, Detectives, Corrections , Search/Rescue, and S .W.A .T. Open to the public, no registration needed. Call 541-388-6 655.

Furr y Friends

Volunteers Needed

Furr y Friends is looking for volunteers to help with its bottle and can f undraiser drive once a week (Monday, Friday, or Saturday). It takes about 45 minutes to put donated bottles and cans in our blue fundraiser bags . e bags are processed at our donation drop-o spot on e Nug get porch, then bags are delivered to the Bottle Drop at Ray ’s . To volunteer please call 541-797-4023

Weekly Food Pantry

e Wellhouse Church will have a weekly food pantr y on ursdays at 4:30 p.m. (222 N . Trinit y Way) Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-st yle distribution are available. Call 541-5494184 for information

New Neighbors Meet-Up at e Barn

On January 31, C4C (Citizens for Community) will hold their first New Neighbors Me et-Up of 2023 at e Barn from 5-6:30 p.m. Please come, bring f riends, and help kick o their 2023 meet-ups . All are welcome. To learn more, email information.director@ citizens4community.com

Free Lunches for Seniors

For those 60 and older. the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers a fun, no-cost social lunch ever y Tuesday from 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at the Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed . e Council also provides nocost Grab-N- Go lunche s on Wednesdays and ursdays each week at Sisters Communit y Church f rom 12:30 to 1 p.m. For further information, please call 541797-9367.

Sisters Habitat Celebration

On Monday, January 23 at 3:30 p.m. three f amilies will break ground on their future homes in the Village Meadows neighborhood. Call 541-549-1193 for more information.

e Ar t of Falconr y: Ancient Sport in a Modern World

On Sunday, January 22, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Sisters Firehouse Communit y Hall, 301 S . Elm St., Sisters f alconer Hank Minor will present a look at the art and practice of falconr y. e star of the show will be his hunting partner, “Molly.” Questions and photographs welcomed. Presented by the Deschutes Count y Librar y 541-312-1029

Parkinson’s Support Group Are you experiencing Parkinson’s disease (PD) or a care partner/f amily member wishing to better support for your loved one with PD? Please join us the second ursday of the month, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sisters Library, 110 N . Cedar St. For more information contact Carol Pfeil, program coordinator for Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, 541-6 68-6599

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Caregiver Support Group elma’s Place Adult Day Respite Program in Redmond host s a monthly support group for those caring for someone with Alzheimer ’s or other dementia-related disease. e support group is held monthly ever y third Wednesday f rom 4:30-5:30 p.m . is is a f ree f amilycaregiver support group featuring local organiz ations Call 541-548-3049

Baha’i Faith

Free Pet Food Budget tight this month? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule a f ree food pickup. Furr y Friends is located at 412 E Main Ave., Ste. 4, in the buildings behind the Nug get in n

Free Weekly Meal Service Family Kitchen is hosting a weekly to-go hot meal ser vice on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy For information visit www FamilyKitchen.org.

Sisters Careg iver Suppor t Group A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets the 3rd Tuesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church , 10. to 11:30 a .m. For information, call 541-719-0 031, ask for Kay

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

HONEY

Check out Honey! She’s the per fect little companion to add to your home! Honey would do best in a low-key home with an equally mellow furr y companion, or she could be just as content living with only her humans . She is as sweet as her name, and looking for someone to give her all she needs in her golden paw years

Removing brush to reduce fire risk

Sisters Ranger District fire specialists are conducting brush removal work with Forest Service staff and contractors to mow approximately 3,300 acres of brush across several sites within three project areas.

Equipment operators have been conducting this work since late fall of 2022. Starting this week, they will be shifting brush mastication operations to the Highway 20 Project Area located on National Forest System lands immediately adjacent to Highway 20 and northeast of the West Barclay Drive roundabout.

In addition, equipment operators will continue intermittent mowing operations in the Camp Sherman area along Forest Service Roads 14, 1120, and 12 as snow conditions allow. No trail or road closures are anticipated; however, the Forest Service asks the public to be aware of this work and avoid areas when mowing is occurring.

Mowing reduces hazardous fuels loading and helps prepare areas for prescribed fire treatments. Both mowing and prescribed burning can reduce the potential of high-intensity wildfires. Mowing work is scheduled in the fall and winter months to take advantage of cooler weather and increased moisture, as well as to minimize impacts to groundnesting birds and other wildlife.

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@nug getnews .com or drop o at 4 42 E . Main Ave

This fuels reduction work is funded, in part, through the Joint Chief’s Landscape Restoration Partnership, a national initiative between the USDA Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service to invest in projects aimed at mitigating wildfire risk, improving water quality and restoring healthy forest ecosystems on public and private lands.

For more information on hazardous fuels reduction projects in Central Oregon, visit http://www. centraloregonfire.org, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/ deschutes and follow on Twitter @CentralORFire. For further information contact the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700.

Eggs exacting toll on shoppers

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

What’s with the price of eggs? That’s being asked across the country and especially in Sisters, where a dozen white Grade AA large eggs at Ray’s is $4.99, and at Oliver Lemon’s those same white eggs are sold only by the half dozen for $3.79. Bi-Mart sells a dozen for $2.99.

Nationwide the average price of eggs has risen 59 percent from December of 2021 to December 2022. The median price of a dozen rose to $4.25 vs. $1.78 one year earlier according to the latest Consumer Price Index report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In neighboring California, the average is right about $7! The industry blames this almost entirely on the outbreak of avian flu that has resulted in farmers culling 57 million birds. Translation: 57 million eggs per day.

The outbreak has appeared in 47 states including Oregon. However, Oregon in general and Deschutes County specifically have few cases. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a serious and deadly disease in domestic poultry. The 2015 outbreak of HPAI was the largest and most

Journalist unearths family story of homesteading

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Erika Bolstad, a Portlandbased journalist, followed the thread of family lore back to North Dakota to pick up the trail of her great-grandmother Anna, a homesteader in the early 1900s whose husband committed her to an asylum under mysterious circumstances.

Bolstad’s journey became her book “Windfall” — finished during a residency at Pine Meadow Ranch Center For Arts & Agriculture in Sisters. Bolstad returns to Sisters on Thursday, January 26, to share her work at Paulina Springs Books.

“This was one of those family stories that I had heard whispers about my entire childhood,” Bolstad told The Nugget. “These stories about having a homesteading past, I carried with me.”

Family lore had it that their family still owned the mineral rights to Anna’s land — and oil companies were interested. The family could be rich.

The matter of mineral rights hit right in Bolstad’s professional wheelhouse.

She had become a highly regarded environmental reporter for McClatchy newspapers, whose work on the effects of climate change has appeared in numerous national publications.

“I started to put the pieces together on this,” she said. “Suddenly, I had a personal connection to something I had previously maybe treated

at arm’s length.”

She traveled to North Dakota, and felt a powerful sense of connection.

“From the first hours I was there, I was so drawn to and compelled by the place,” she said. “I couldn’t help but follow this thread.”

The thread unraveled a story not only of her family but of the boom-and-bust cycle that has long characterized the West, and the question of what it actually means to be rich.

This is the territory Bolstad will explore in her visit to Paulina Springs. Her realding and talk starts at 6:30 p.m., and the author is looking forward to engaging with the Sisters audience.

“I hope that people come with questions — about homesteading, about resource extraction, about individual choices…”

Bolstad feels a particular connection to Sisters; her time spent at Pine Meadow Ranch in August of 2021 helped her complete the book.

“My month-long residency in Sisters was pivotal in finishing the book,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without it.”

She recalled eating food procured at Sisters Farmers Market, riding into town on an e-bike, and working in a congenial environment.

“It was such a wonderful place to work,” she said.

Bolstad hopes that her work connects with a diverse audience.

“I tried to write something that is really accessible to a lot of different kinds of readers,” she said.

She hopes to reach armchair travelers, people interested in tracing their own

genealogy, and “people who are interested in the darker side of America’s story, and perhaps their connection with it.”

Erika Bolstad will discuss “Windfall” on Thursday, January 26, at 6:30 p.m. at Paulina Springs Books, 252 W. Hood Ave. in Sisters. For more information call 541-549-0866.

Erika Bolstad finished her book “Windfall” during a residency in Sisters in 2021. She will discuss the family story she explores in “Windfall” at an event at Paulina Springs Books.

PHOTO PROVIDED

By Maret Pajutee | Correspondent

A veteran trapper, on his day off he liked to relax by heading to the high country with his dog Rusty to check his traplines.

stuffed and mounted and presented it to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office in Bend, where it stood in the front office for many years.

A month before he passed away, our beloved friend, naturalist Jim Anderson, suggested a quest was still needed to follow a tale he had been intrigued with for many years.

Jim wrote, “I just happened to be in town the day the old Sisters Marshal, the guy who was also a trapper, came to town carrying the (last?) wolverine he got up on the edge of the wilderness in an old cow camp, Dean &

Lily Hollinshead took me on a horse ride there back in the mid-’50s. Fred Painter was his name and he was quite a character.”

So was Jim!

Fred Painter served as the Sisters police chief for many years. He was a municipal one-man band, performing law-enforcement duties, as well as being in charge of the city water system and water bill collection.

Trapping was once part of the way of life and economy of Sisters. Tillie Wilson and Alice Scott recount trapping history in their book “That Was Yesterday.” Beginning in the 1880s, trappers built cabins along their traplines for shelter in the high country, where they sought pine marten, montane foxes, and bear, which were then prolific. Wilson and Scott report a man named Herb Glazier once brought in 200 pine marten furs from around South Sister.

That day in 1969 when Fred Painter came back to town from Broken Top, it caused quite a stir because everyone said he had caught the last wolverine. In a show of respect, Fred had it

Many find wolverines intriguing. Ochoco National Forest Wildlife Biologist Monty Gregg explained the charisma of these solitary creatures, which resemble a cross between a big dog and small bear. Mostly scavengers, they can also kill with sharp claws and strong teeth.

“I think it’s because of what a hearty critter they are,” he said.

“They have no problem summitting a 14,000-foot peak just to see what’s up there. They can travel 60 miles a day scavenging for food. They gain weight in the dead of winter. They are proficient eaters, they don’t waste anything, they consume bones, hide and all, everything but an animal’s

Middle and North Sister photographed from South Sister in October of 2022.

PHOTO BY DANNY KUETTLE

teeth.” This could explain their scientific name Gulo. “Gulo” being Latin for ‘glutton.’”

Wolverines use subalpine and alpine forests for foraging and need steep, persistent snow banks for denning, and to store food. They cleverly use snowbanks like a fridge, burying carcasses for later. They have low reproduction and need large areas to forage. Sensitive to people and habitat fragmentation, they have vanished from many areas.

Former Sisters Wildlife Biologist Lauri Turner reviewed reported sightings near Sisters. Size is telling, since wolverines are sometimes confused with smaller marmots or marten. Turner said they are “short, stocky, and dog size, but not as big as a lab.” Few have seen a wolverine in the wild. From 2012 to 2014, Gregg and Tim Hiller of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) did wolverine surveys in the Central Oregon Cascades. It was grueling, hiking on snowshoes in deep snow to remote areas with heavy packs of frozen roadkill. They set up baited photo stations that also captured traces of hair for DNA analysis. They got photos and hair of pine marten and montane foxes. Ancient rusted traps still sat in some trees, visible during the deep snows of the winter, but six feet

off the ground in summer. No wolverine.

However, ODFW Carnivore Biologist Derek Broman had good news: “The wolverine topic may be more alive than people think.”

In a show of collaboration, five western states banded together for broad surveys. Twenty sites were surveyed in Oregon alone. New technology lightens the load by using scent pumps that emit a concoction of odors wolverines find delicious. This allows longer sampling periods and reduces risk to staff hiking to remote areas. There were two new detections, and a video by an observant hunter of a wolverine walking by with an elk leg in its mouth, that Broman termed “just incredible!”

As the glaciers of the Cascades

shrink and human activity in the wilderness grows, we may not see a wolverine in Sisters Country again. But a keepsake of our wilder days, Fred Painter’s wolverine, still survives in the ODFW office. After 54 years, he is a bit pale, faded from years of Central Oregon sunlight. But he still looks like the wild child of a dog and a bear. The biologists keep him close now, out of the sun, a guardian in their break room. Was he the last we’ll see? You never know... Keep your eyes open if you are one of those that is drawn to the quiet high country. Maybe you will glimpse this lonely spirit of the wild. Imagine Jim’s delight.

Middle and North Sister photographed from South Sister in the summer of 1978.

PHOTO BY MARET PAJUTEE An old trappers cabin near Trapper Meadow at Three Creek Lake, circa 1964.

PHOTO BY ROD BANACKER

Fred Painter’s wolverine.

CITY: Work moving ahead on affordable

housing

plans

in 2022 and asked that they be designated for distribution to the City when they had a definite plan for an affordable housing project. The City is working with Northwest Housing Alternatives on plans for an affordable housing complex to be built in what is now Heavenly Acres.

Students in the Sustainable City program at the University of Oregon will continue to work with the Sisters School District on possible use of the current elementary school building after the new school is completed. During winter quarter, architectural students in the program will be working on design possibilities for the building.

The new Parks Master Plan should be completed this week and ready for review by the City Parks Advisory Board at their February 1 meeting.

Council approved a contract for Cable Huston LLP to provide code compliance hearing services. When violations of the City code are not voluntarily corrected by the offending property owner, one option to encourage compliance is to issue a civil penalty, which can be appealed to a hearings officer who may affirm, set aside, modify, reverse, or vacate the decision based on a preponderance of the evidence. The City doesn’t currently have a hearings officer, so the contract with Cable Huston LLP will provide those services.

ADVOCATE: Health assessment is top priority

woods,” Fox said, “but it can take years, maybe five, to get back to a safe, stable environment.”

workers in his group, Behavioral Health, of which eight are tasked with aiding the homeless, or, as is the preferred term — houseless. Fox meets people where they are, and with the houseless in Sisters that usually means individuals or families living in tents, makeshift lean-tos, sleeping bags, their cars, or sub-standard RVs.

He doesn’t go out into the woods looking for clients. They are usually referred to him by somebody else working the forest or streets. Often it’s law enforcement. Just as frequently it will be one of the staff of Sisters Ranger District.

However he first encounters those in distress, the initial task is the same — assessing their physical and mental health. The latter is a specialty of sorts for Fox.

“If there is one shared characteristic — not universal — with the homeless, it’s chronic health issues,” Fox told The Nugget.

The word “health” is in his department’s name, and it’s on his business card.

“Health can cover a broad spectrum and includes a range of issues from food security to addiction,” Fox said. “And it’s not always what’s pictured — a strung-out addict sleeping on the sidewalk. It can just as easily be a mom and her kids living in a car. The same mom who until a month or so ago was in traditional housing.

“It only takes two or three months of severe financial hardship or distress from abuse or a sudden job loss to be on the street or in the

The work Fox does is slow and tedious, with many obstacles along the way. He and his team can generally find temporary shelter for the houseless, especially when bitter cold, if they want it. Permanent or longer-stay transitional housing is in extremely short supply.

As always, getting a client clean or sober is the first step toward recovery and the possibility of traditional housing and/or employment. About half of Fox’s cases are with those suffering from addiction. Those who are a danger to themselves or others often are referred to the County’s Stabilization Center.

The Deschutes County Stabilization Center (DCSC) serves children and adults who are in need of short-term mental-health-crisis assessment and stabilization, but do not require the medical capabilities of an acute care hospital or longer-term residential care. The DCSC cares for individuals who walk in when they are experiencing a mental health crisis, or when

referred by local law enforcement and other community partners.

The Stabilization Center provides a wide array of crisis services including: adult respite services, the Forensic Diversion Program, peer support, and more. Oregon Health Plan coverage is not required.

From the 2022 Point In Time Count (taken annually in January) there was a 17 percent increase in homelessness in the county over 2021. A total of 1,012 persons experienced literal homelessness in Central Oregon, 79 percent of whom were unsheltered. Sixty percent had been homeless for more than 12 months, and 65 percent of those counted had lived in Central Oregon for more than three years.

Among the numbers, 110 were children under 18 (18 unaccompanied); eight were chronically homeless vets; 165 were families of at least one adult and one child.

Not everybody who is homeless will accept the help Fox and his team can offer, and Oregon has some of the most permissive laws in the country protecting an individual’s rights to live where and

how they please, even if that situation may be unsanitary or unsafe.

On July 1, Oregon House Bill 3115 will take effect protecting homeless campers in public spaces. Some concern has been raised in Sisters that homeless campers may take up residence in Village Green or Creekside Park.

For his part, Fox doesn’t see the problem of homelessness ebbing any time soon. He struck us in the interview as striking the right balance between compassion and practicality. The Nugget will report the results of the upcoming 2023 Point In Time Count as soon as the results are released.

David Fox works with the houseless community in Sisters Country on behalf of Deschutes County.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Build a memory palace with a healthy brain

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

According to Scott Crabtree, to get the best from our brain we must feed it with nutritious foods and rich information.

In his presentation last Thursday morning at the Sisters Fire District Community Hall, sponsored by Citizens4Community (C4C), Crabtree gave an engaging, informationpacked workshop, providing guidelines for better remembering.

He used the visual concept of a “memory palace” in which each room represents one facet of memory assigned a vivid visual aid. Memories are attached to locations, and Crabtree encourages learning in more than one location to enhance remembering what is being learned. When trying to remember something, moving your eyes left and right can help activate both hemispheres of the brain, creating a better chance of accessing a particular stored memory. Exercise (moving) helps retain memories. The final thing heard is the best memory moment, so save the best for last. Repetition and picturing what you want to remember helps retain the information. The brain remembers stories and visualizations connected to things to be remembered, the more vivid the better.

Crabtree’s presentation, which was lively and interactive, is one of a dozen workshops he leads all over the country under the umbrella of the Science of Happiness. He offers the ability to learn how to “gain and retain with less pain.”

Crabtree grew up in upstate New York,

graduating from Vassar College. He came to Portland in 1992 to work for Intel as a tech strategist and manager. In 2011, he began his Science of Happiness presentations.

He has a friend who grew up in Sisters with whom he visited here. Five years ago, Sisters became his “favorite place in the world.”

After the COVID-19 shutdown and working virtually, Crabtree realized he didn’t need to live in Portland to do his work, so two years ago he and his wife made the decision to relocate to Sisters. They purchased a home in Tollgate. He now travels one to two times a month for business.

Their two daughters, Zinnia, 10, and Althea, 14, attend Sisters schools. His wife, Sarah, is the librarian at the middle school. Crabtree said the whole family loves it here.

“We are so happy here. I love the nature and fishing on world-class rivers. I hope to die in Sisters,” Crabtree said.

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

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

He has become involved in the community, currently serving on the C4C board of directors. More information on the Science of Happiness is available on Crabtree’s website www. happybrainscience.com. He can be reached at scott@ happybrainscience.com.

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).

Scott Crabtree shared information on brain science and improving memory in a C4C workshop last week.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

We are so happy here. I love the nature and fishing on world-class rivers. I hope to die in Sisters.

— Scott Crabtree

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

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

HUMPERT: Organization is planning community outreach

impact on the economy while maintaining the livability and sustainability for permanent residents.

Humpert and his Explore Sisters board of directors focus on promoting local sustainability and livability.

“It’s what we believe in,” Humpert said. “We want the community’s input as we organize. We will be taking surveys to assist us in developing our business plan and strategic plan.”

The DMO will also be engaging with the students in the University of Oregon Sustainable Cities program in designing their business plan as well as developing a brand which Humpert said will be crucial to future marketing. Engaging in outreach to the community and gathering input from stakeholders will take some time, but Humpert believes it is the

right way to go about establishing Explore Sisters on a firm foundation.

Being a lifelong Oregonian, Humpert says he “gets it,” and looks forward to “starting with a blank slate and building from the ground up.”

Humpert, his wife, Rachel, and their three school-aged children moved from Lincoln City and have purchased a home in Sisters. His wife is working for the Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener program. Their children are in the local second, sixth, and eighth grades. They have visited Sisters numerous times over the years and are pleased to now call it home.

Humpert grew up in Salem, visiting Sunriver as a child with his family, and was admittedly one of the “cone lickers” visiting Sisters. He graduated from the University of Oregon before working in Salem. Beginning in 2012, he moved to Lincoln City as the public relations coordinator. When the department

director retired in 2014, he was made the interim director and then named the marketing manager. He likened trying to make changes to an already existing program like “working on a car while it’s running.”

Travel Oregon is the state tourist organization with regional offices throughout

the state. Humpert served on the Oregon Coast Visitors Association board for eight years, the last as its chair. Over that time, their budget grew from $300,000 a year to $2 million, starting with a staff of one and growing to seven employees.

The founding board of Explore Sisters includes Greg Willitts of FivePine Lodge & Conference Center, chair; Crista Munro of Sisters Folk Festival, vice chair; Jesse Durham of Sisters Coffee,

secretary; Casey Meudt of Blazin Saddles, treasurer; Michael Preedin, mayor, City Council representative; Nancy Connolly, memberat-large; and Kerry Prosser, City of Sisters liaison.

The board has been working behind the scenes getting the DMO organized over the past year. They meet the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. in their Main Avenue headquarters at 219 E. Main Ave. Attendance is by invitation.

an improvement from last January 15 when it was at 21.2 inches.

Statewide, prospects are brighter. As worrisome as the drought has been for our basin, the Klamath and southeast Oregon basins have faced devastating drought.

On Sunday, snow water equivalency in the Owyhee Basin registered 154 percent of normal. At bordering Harney Basin it’s a whopping 186 percent. Klamath is registering 122 percent.

Hoodoo Ski Area’s base is at 43 inches — enough to

ski on. That could improve as the forecast for the week is colder temps and heavy snow, which will increase snow coverage. It is not snow depth that has kept Hoodoo’s popular Autobahn tubing park closed — it’s staffing.

Next door in Crook County they are recording the highest drought level — D4 — for the fourth straight

year. Only Crook County is in the D4 index. The Ochoco and Prineville reservoirs are at just 10 percent capacity, the lowest January readings in decades.

The County has declared an emergency and has asked Governor Kotek to do the same, providing relief funds for distressed farmers and ranchers.

Scott Humpert is the executive director of the new Explore Sisters destination management organization.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

Cultivating Community IN SISTERS

Steve Stratos Columnist

Caring for people

As 2022 ended, The Nugget ran a section honoring those who died in 2022. Men and women who mattered to the community, in both large and small ways. However, my mind immediately went to those who were left behind, the spouses, the children, the parents. Are they alone? Is someone reaching out to them? Is someone sharing their grief? Whose responsibility is it?

Our culture of giving special attention to the deceased individual is honorable, but what about the surviving loved ones? Do we consider what they have gone through or are going through? Are friends and family — ones who’ve historically given care — being overlooked? I recently received a phone call from my sister. She told me my 93-year-old dad, who lives alone in Massachusetts, fell and broke his ribs. He is alone and already compromised with cancer and hearing loss — how do we care for him?

This raises another question: Has today’s cultural climate altered our ability to care for one another?

At Sisters Community Church (SCC) we’ve adopted a mission statement that I’ve shared in this column before: Connecting with God, Caring for People, Cultivating Community. Our commitment to care for people comes from God. We believe he’s a caring God, and we want to act in ways that reflect that. But how is that done?

Our “virtual” lifestyle has left us more disconnected than ever before, resulting in more needy and hurting people — people without caregivers, the kind of caring people who can sit and listen. We have seen an increase in mental illness producing an even greater degree of separation. Many who are without family, lonely people who cannot afford the kind of care that a residential facility can

provide.

Who will care? The lack of real answers leaves us all feeling ill-equipped. How do we provide the care so desperately needed?

According to a Gallup poll, over 300 million adults live in total loneliness. Global research reports that unhappiness is at an unprecedented high. This is a worldwide problem. The poll also concludes that people everywhere feel sadder now than any other time in the past 16 years.

According to a Gallup research project called Blind Spot (focused on the global rise of unhappiness), it takes 50 hours to make an acquaintance, 90 hours to make a good friend, and 200 hours to make a best friend. Caring for one another requires time!

In the book “The Good Life,” a research project out of Harvard determined that true happiness comes from meaningful relationships and caring for one another. Caring for one another is a win-win — it rewards both the giver and the receiver. The Golden Rule seems to emphasize that: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Caring for people is a part of the reason why SCC exists. We believe that begins with caring for one another both within the church and beyond it. I loved seeing a bunch of our middle school children, all on their own, raise funds in order to provide the homeless with socks, gloves, and underwear. That is caring in action!

During the Christmas season we shared in the grief of those who had lost loved ones with an event called Blue Christmas. We wept with those who wept because we know a shared burden is half a burden.

We’ve learned that putting our resources together makes a difference. Caring makes a huge difference. We believe caring is born of love — and love changes things. Love finds a way to bridge economic barriers, racial barriers, gender barriers, and age barriers. Love teaches us to care!

And we have a great example, because Jesus cares! We follow the one who cared so much that he sacrificed himself for his friends — and for his enemies. With some of his last words, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Jesus changed the world. Lives are changed forever because he cared... He still cares. Our prayer is SCC will continue to learn how to better care and serve our whole community.

Steve Stratos is a pastor at Sisters Community Church.

Raising thousands for food security

As food insecurity reaches crisis levels in Central Oregon, Newport Avenue Market and Oliver Lemon’s shoppers and employees are bridging the gap, raising over $76,044 to provide food to fuel the local community. Throughout December, shoppers donated money to the Food for February fundraiser, and the 100 percent employee-owned markets matched the funds.

The funds will be used to purchase groceries at wholesale cost for Family Kitchen of Bend, Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, Sisters Family Kitchen, and Bethlehem Inn of Redmond.

It is not commonly known that February is one of the hardest-hitting months for hungry families in Central Oregon. Money is tight after the holidays, donations

dwindle, and food pantries are depleted.

Newport Avenue Market created Food for February to help fight hunger in Central Oregon. Since 2011, shoppers and the markets have raised over $487,500 for hungry families in Central Oregon, including $219,000 in matching funds from Newport Avenue Market and Oliver Lemon’s.

According to the Oregon Food Bank, one in 10 Oregonians is facing food insecurity, with 1.5 million expected to seek food assistance this year alone.

“Since last year, our meal count has grown by 80 percent,” said Donna Burklo, program director of Family Kitchen. “The Food for February program is a critical upstream partnership pairing Newport Avenue Market’s

expertise and buying power with community-minded shoppers who want to make a difference.”

Newport Avenue Market and Oliver Lemon’s work closely with wholesalers to purchase thousands of pounds of food, including fresh produce and meat, from the shopping lists of Family Kitchen of Bend, Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank, Sisters Family Kitchen, and Bethlehem Inn of Redmond.

“Our customers’ generosity is the reason we made our goal of matching $30,000 for Food for February,” said Lauren G.D. Redman, CEO of Rudy’s Markets Inc. “The December giving campaign at the register helps feed our hungry neighbors in Central Oregon. Thanks to our amazing customers, we are fortunate to be able to help.”

Oliver Lemon’s shoppers contributed over $76,000 to boost food security across Central Oregon. Pictured left to right are: Lauren G.D. Redman, Rudy’s Markets Inc. CEO and president; Donna Burklo, Sisters Family Kitchen program director; Wade C., Oliver Lemon’s Sisters manager; Shirley Miller, Sisters Kiwanis board member; Doug Wills, Sisters Kiwanis vice president; Scott M., Oliver Lemon’s Sisters produce manager.

PHOTO PROVIDED

expensive animal disease response in U.S. history.

Oregon had two HPAI detections in backyard flocks, none among major producers. The other roughly two dozen cases were in wild birds, geese primarily. Of the eight reported cases in Deschutes County they are all on farms that are non-poultry producers.

What makes this outbreak different?

According to Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, low pathogenic strains of avian flu naturally circulate in wild waterfowl and do not kill wild birds. Detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza strains are less common. The last one occurred in the winter of 2014-2015 and mostly affected domestic poultry and some raptors, before being replaced by a low pathogenic strain.

“Unfortunately, the current highly pathogenic strain first detected in North America a year ago is causing more sickness and death in wild birds, especially geese, shorebirds, raptors, and scavengers such as vultures. In other parts of North America, this strain has also been detected in some mammals, such as coyotes, foxes, and skunks that have likely fed on infected birds,” ODFW says.

The virus is infecting more birds in Oregon as they migrate and winter here, and the outbreak is expected to continue into 2023.

Is there relief in sight? Possibly. However, many consumers have turned to eggs as a source of protein in the face of unaffordable rises in meat prices, and that will keep pressure on supply. The peak for egg consumption is December when millions of eggs are used in baking recipes. But producers are not certain they can

get prices to a comfortable level by the next big egg season — Easter, in April.

In California the painfully high egg prices for consumers are primarily attributed to a state law requiring egg producers to raise cage-free hens. The bird flu has killed 4 million cage-free hens alone, keeping supplies low as demand remains high.

Surprisingly, the price for organic eggs in some cases is close or even lower. The wholesale price of non-specialty eggs went from $1.15 to $2.88 last year while organic and cage-free eggs rose from $1.81 to $2.37.

Ray’s and Bi-Mart do not presently stock organic eggs. Oliver Lemon’s does. A dozen, AA large, cage-free eggs are $5.79/dozen and brown organic sell for $6.39.

So many chicken farmers have been decimated by the outbreak, losing entire flocks, that they have exited the business, putting more pressure on the supply.

Local options

Gone are the days when you could drive around Sisters Country and find hand-painted signs tacked to a gate or fence of local farms or backyard producers offering fresh eggs for sale.

There are 20 egg vendors in the 2022/23 Annual Guide of the HDFFA (High Desert Food & Farm Alliance), a community-based group of 150 food producers and purveyors based in Deschutes County.

Not a single one has eggs at this time. Many are seasonal and closed for the winter. Others have egg-based products, but not raw eggs. A couple have poultry, no eggs, but are lumped into the Poultry/Eggs category.

Walmart has large AA eggs for $1.86/dozen and at Fred Meyer’s they are under $2; however it takes $4 or $5 of gas to drive to Redmond, making it hard to rationalize going so far afield to hunt for eggs.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Indian Meadow Water Company

Going after pests safely and sustainably

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Sisters Country has its share of pests, from infiltrations of ants to tunneling voles in the grass to rodents getting into the garage or the house. Birds and bats can pose a problem.

Pests can be a nuisance — and sometimes they can cause significant damage.

Owner-operator Mike Larson has been in the pest control business in Central Oregon since 2002, and he’s developed an approach that goes way beyond period mitigation measures like spraying.

“I’m more an integrated pest management kind of person,” he said. “Our focus is the long-term fix.”

That might mean eliminating a source of moisture that attracts ants, or fixing a flaw in your house that allows pests to get in.

“We view pests as the symptom of a bigger issue,” Larson said.

Solid Pest Solutions really is about solutions. They don’t push maintenance contracts, and they’re handy enough to take care of most projects that require modifications to keep pests out of buildings.

“Most things we can fix,” Larson said.

In cases where a pest has done a lot of damage — say a raccoon gets into your crawl space and wreaks havoc — they’ll refer a homeowner to a restoration company.

If they just can’t get to a long-term fix, they will do periodic maintenance to mitigate a problem.

Larson started Solid Pest Solutions four years ago with the aim of applying his science-based approach to pest control. The company minimizes the use of pesticides and emphasizes mechanical fixes.

Larson got into the

business two decades ago at the recommendation of a friend who thought it would offer him more consistent work than roofing, which was the trade he was engaged in at the time. It turned out that he really liked the work, particularly the problem-solving aspect of it.

“I love what I do,” he said. “It’s not boring.”

At one stage, Larson was able to work for a practitioner who was both a biologist and an etymologist, and he learned a great deal about animal and insect behavior. One of his current employees has a degree in environmental science and another a degree in biology.

“They’re both good, critical thinkers,” he said. “Outof-the-box thinking is what you need.”

At this time of year, Solid Pest Solutions can usually get to work on your property within a couple of business days of a call for service. In summer, it gets busy, and the timeline can stretch out to a couple of weeks. His crew will do an assessment of a pest problem, and offer a bid on larger projects.

Honesty and integrity are cornerstones of the business, and local knowledge and commitment makes the search for real, environmentally sound fixes paramount.

“All of us are local and know the area,” Larson said.

For more information, contact Mike Larson at 541678-2166 or email mike@ solidpestsolutions.com.

Coty Weston of Sisters is the service manager for Solid Pest Solutions. The company seeks to eliminate or mitigate the source of a pest problem, rather than just treating the symptoms.

PHOTO PROVIDED

C L A S S I F I E D S

ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

CLASSIFIED RATES

COST: $2 per line for first insertion, $1.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $2 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.

DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication.

PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. VISA & MasterCard accepted. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application.

102 Commercial Rentals

220 SW PINE ST., SUITE 106

For lease 582 SF RETAIL space available February 1, 2023. Great location with on street parking.

Email lorna@nolteproperties.com or phone 541-419-8380. Lorna Nolte, Principal Broker Lic #200105010 MINI STORAGE Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS

8 x 20 dry box

Fenced yard, RV & trailers

In-town, gated, 24-7 Kris@earthwoodhomes.com

BEAUTIFUL HOME IN THE TOWN OF SISTERS

Bedroom, 2 bath. $2,600 unfurnished or $2,800 furnished. Call 541-788-8383.

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 CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

Downtown Vacation Rental

403 Pets

BIEWER male, 9 months AKC registered, neutered. He is a very loving boy. Doggy door trained and crate trained $2800. Call or text 541-413-0912

Great Pyrenees Puppies

All white, ready now. Two boys, $250 each, two girls $300 each. Call or text for details. 530-905-2250

FURRY FRIENDS helping Sisters families w/pets. FREE Dog & Cat Food No contact pick-up by appt. 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4 541-797-4023

Three Rivers Humane Society Where love finds a home! See the doggies at 1694 SE McTaggart in Madras • A no-kill shelter. Go to ThreeRiversHS.org or call 541-475-6889

500 Services

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

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

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475

BOOKKEEPING SERVICE ~ Olivia Spencer ~ Expert Local Bookkeeping! Phone: 541-241-4907 www.spencerbookkeeping.com

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

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

~ WEDDINGS BY KARLY ~ Happy to perform virtual or in-person weddings. Custom Wedding Ceremonies 20+ years • 541-410-4412 revkarly@gmail.com

Home Repairs & Remodeling Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more. Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Local resident • CCB #201650

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

— Certified Arborist — Nate Goodwin 541-771-4825 Online at: www.tsi.services 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 CCB #240912

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

601 Construction

SPURGE COCHRAN

BUILDER, INC.

General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74

C L A S S I F I E D S

ROBINSON & OWEN

CCB:

541-350-6068

Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701

Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701

Offering masonry work, fireplaces,

Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior

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

604 Heating & Cooling

ACTION AIR

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 604 Heating & Cooling ACTION AIR

Heating & Cooling, LLC

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051

802 Help Wanted

802 Help Wanted

Looking for an experienced caregiver or two for an easy-going male incomplete quadriplegic for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Duties will include operating a Hoyer lift, medication, bathing, dressing and other bathroom needs. For more information, please call or text 541-815-2351

Looking for an experienced caregiver or two for an easy-going male incomplete quadriplegic for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Duties will include operating a Hoyer lift, medication, bathing, dressing and other bathroom needs. For more information, please call or text 541-815-2351

Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464

Heating & Cooling, LLC Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464

605 Painting

605 Painting

EMPIRE PAINTING

Reliable and Professional Housekeeper wanted to take care of general cleaning, and am willing to pay $535 per week. Contact me for more info at: pricericky05@gmail.com

Reliable and Professional Housekeeper wanted to take care of general cleaning, and am willing to pay $535 per week. Contact me for more info at: pricericky05@gmail.com

803 Work Wanted

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining

EMPIRE PAINTING

803 Work Wanted

Available in Sisters COMPANION CAREGIVER

CCB#180042 541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com

METOLIUS PAINTING LLC Meticulous, Affordable Interior & Exterior 541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042 541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com METOLIUS PAINTING LLC Meticulous, Affordable Interior & Exterior 541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067

606

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

– 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

– 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

Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345

Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345

All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling and SNOW REMOVAL Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740 J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, gutters. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com

All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling and SNOW REMOVAL Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740 J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, gutters. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com

Please call or text 503-274-0214 for more information.

Available in Sisters COMPANION CAREGIVER Please call or text 503-274-0214 for more information.

999 Public Notice

999 Public Notice

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE

Sealed bids for the construction of the City of Sisters, Best Western Waterline Extension 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 97759, on February 9, 2023 and then publicly opened and read at 2:00 PM at Sisters City Hall. Bids shall be labeled: Best Western Waterline Extension Project. Improvements generally include the construction of 12-inch water main, 8-inch water main and a hydrant at Best Western in Sisters, Oregon. This project is required to comply with FHWA Buy America guidelines which stipulate that steel, iron, and manufactured products used in the project are produced in the United States. Contractors will be required to submit Certificates of Materials Origin prior to delivery of such products.

Sealed bids for the construction of the City of Sisters, Best Western Waterline Extension 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 97759, on February 9, 2023 and then publicly opened and read at 2:00 PM at Sisters City Hall. Bids shall be labeled: Best Western Waterline Extension Project. Improvements generally include the construction of 12-inch water main, 8-inch water main and a hydrant at Best Western in Sisters, Oregon. This project is required to comply with FHWA Buy America guidelines which stipulate that steel, iron, and manufactured products used in the project are produced in the United States. Contractors will be required to submit Certificates of Materials Origin prior to delivery of such products.

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE

On 1/25/23 at 1 p.m. the entire contents of Unit P-4 belonging to Donna Petersen and Unit A-59 belonging to Liz Mutch will be sold to the highest bidder. The high bidder(s) must remove the contents within 3 days. Sale takes place at Sisters Rental, 331 W. Barclay Drive, Sisters, OR. 541-549-9631

On 1/25/23 at 1 p.m. the entire contents of Unit P-4 belonging to Donna Petersen and Unit A-59 belonging to Liz Mutch will be sold to the highest bidder. The high bidder(s) must remove the contents within 3 days. Sale takes place at Sisters Rental, 331 W. Barclay Drive, Sisters, OR. 541-549-9631

BEST WESTERN WATERLINE EXTENSION PROJECT

BEST WESTERN WATERLINE EXTENSION PROJECT

Bids due 2:00 p.m., February 9, 2023

The invitation to bid, plans, specifications, addenda, and notification of bid results for this project may be viewed on line from Premier Builders Exchange at http://www.plansonfile.com. There will be no Pre-Bid Conference for the Best Western Waterline Extension 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).

The invitation to bid, plans, specifications, addenda, and notification of bid results for this project may be viewed on line from Premier Builders Exchange at http://www.plansonfile.com. There will be no Pre-Bid Conference for the Best Western Waterline Extension 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).

SERVICE TO PROVIDE? Place your ad in The Nugget!

SERVICE TO PROVIDE? Place your ad in The Nugget!

Bids due 2:00 p.m., February 9, 2023

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

CORRECTION

Due to an editorial error, the lede on the story “Skiers kick off season at annual race,” (The Nugget, January 11, page 13) misstated the overall winner of the boys downhill race. That winner was the Outlaws’ Bela Chladek.

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

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

CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462

701 Domestic Services

701 Domestic Services

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

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

CAMPS: Mowing has opened forest, making camps more visible Continued from

took up residency about five months ago — Brian and JD, “as in Jack Daniels,” JD said when we met the pair.

Forest dwellers without transportation congregate in this area, given its proximity to food and other services. If they weren’t actually camping on Ponderosa Lodge’s property, they were using it as a shortcut to stores across Highway 20. The area has long been a source of irritation, especially by residents along North Pine Street and the neighboring ClearPine subdivision of 101 homes.

Some Ponderosa Lodge guests can also see the recently installed portable toilet, as can observant drivers on Highway 20. The portable is the gift of an anonymous citizen trying to improve the lives of forest dwellers. The Forest Service allowed its siting on a trial basis. An unintended consequence of the gesture is the large numbers of truck and delivery drivers and other Highway 20 motorists who know of its existence and take advantage of its location.

It now has to be serviced more often, increasing its cost.

The Forest Service’s prevailing preference is to have many of the houseless grouped in smaller, concentrated areas, where it is easier to monitor their activities, rather than have them dispersed deeper or more widely in the forest, where careless actions, such as illegal campfires could pose a greater risk.

Seemingly a practical strategy, it comes with

costs, like the fencing for Ponderosa Lodge and what some neighbors perceive as blight. There is a chorus of concern: “If we build it, they will come,” a reference from the popular movie “Field of Dreams” starring Kevin Costner, is oft heard by passersbys.

One good citizen is supplying firewood to some of the houseless to help them keep warm, and another attempted to provide hot soup off the back of her pickup, but had so few takers that she directed her good intentions to other means.

To alleviate the amount of discarded plastic water bottles, a group of volunteers is providing refillable water flasks for the campers, whose numbers are thinning. The extreme cold in late December reduced the number of known houseless by a little more than half as they sought shelter elsewhere.

The Gordons challenged that, saying, “Just look around. There are tents and rickety RVs everywhere.” County health and Forest officials say that many of what the Gordons and others are seeing are actually sites abandoned by dwellers driven out by the nearzero temps. It is unknow if they will return to resume

The Arends Realty Group

occupancy.

Next week, January 24, The Homeless Leadership Coalition will conduct their annual Point In Time count of the homeless in Central Oregon. Trained volunteers will take to the forest in hopes of obtaining a reliable estimate of the houseless in Sisters.

There is growing concern that as Bend takes more assertive action in minimizing and policing homeless camps, Sisters will see more displaced campers settling here. David Fox, who does outreach for Deschutes County in the Sisters area, has not seen that yet and doesn’t expect it (see related story, “Houseless have professional advocate,” page 3).

With such a large collective of young and hardworking musicians, remarkable things were to be expected.

“The growth between the first time they played together and their final polished performance was insane,” said Golka.

At the end of the second day, the musicians held one large concert featuring five songs. Fifteen sections of instruments, over 120 people in total, sat down together and gave an astounding performance.

All participants agree they discovered many new techniques and skills, and would return again next year.

PROVEN RESULTS Give us a call for a free market analysis or to start your home buying search! Ser ving all of Central Oregon ROSS KENNEDY Principal Broker 541-408-1343

Seerving all of Central O e rego g n TIFFANY HUBBARD Broker 541-620-2072

A partnership beyond expectations westerntitle.com | 330 W. Hood Ave. | 541-548-9180

I love real estate... and hope it shows! 19 years living in Central Oregon, 7 years helping buyers and sellers find the home of their dreams. I welcome your call to get started.

BAND: Ensemble event was challenging, satisfying Thomas Arends Broker 541.285.1535 thomas.arends@ cascadesir com cascadehassonsir com | 290 E. Cascade Ave. | PO Box 609 | Sisters OR 97759 EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED LICENSED IN THE STATE OF OREGON.

Continued from page 3 arendsrealtygroup com

Sheila Reifschneider Broker 541-408-6355 sheilareifschneider@ cbbain.com 291 W. Cascade Ave. 541-549-6000

Now, more than ever, YOU NEED TO WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR skilled in reliable competitive market analysis, networking, pricing, and negotiation. We take pride in being relationship-builders whose relationships with clients continue long after the transaction with repeat business and referrals. Don Bowler President and Brok 971-244-3012

Serving Grea te r Central Oregon Buyers & Sellers! Specializing In Residential Resort Properties

Corrie Lake Principal Broker 541-521-2392

Serving the Community for Over 17 Years! connie@TeamStellarNW.com 382 E. Hood Avenue, Sisters, Oregon 97759

Connie Mitchell, Broker 541-610-8011

Stop by and visit with Shelley Marsh, Krista Palmer, and Sam Pitcher blackbutterealtygroup.com 37 7 W. Sisters Park Dr., Sisters | 541-549-5555

Francis Houlé, Broker 541-788-3606

A portable toilet set up for the use of forest dwellers has become a pit stop for travelers along Highway 20.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ensemble performance at Bend High School.