The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVI No. 9 // 2023-03-01

The Nugget

Winter Carnival...

Anatomy of a development process

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

Understanding municipal development codes and land-use regulations can be a daunting task — but the average citizen can get the work done. Everything one needs to know is spelled out in the City’s documents available at City Hall and at www. ci.sisters.or.us in Chapter 4 of the Development Code.

“Growth and development” issues are currently in the forefront of public

and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

City Council setting goals for 2023-24

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

Sisters would pay closer attention to housing and aligning its development code with its comprehensive plan under new goals proposed for 2023-24.

Hoodoo Ski Area hosted its annual celebration last weekend, with a torchlit descent of the slopes, live music, and fireworks — all on a spectacular bluebird day.

The Sisters City Council is entering the new year by setting goals for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Every year, the Council gathers for a public

See COUNCIL on page 29

Space Age owner details expansion

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

interest here in Sisters. Three of the four front-page articles in the February 22 Nugget had to do with such issues –a new subdivision approval, a proposed new roundabout at Highway 20/Locust, and the role of short- term rentals in Sisters. Conversations at local coffee shops, watering holes, and other public gathering spots center on Sunset Meadows and the expansion of the Space Age Gas service station.

See DEVELOPMENT on page 21

Black Butte School to seek bond funding

The Black Butte School District has referred to voters a $2 million school bond measure that, if passed, would provide funds to repair and update aging facilities, replace the HVAC system and roof, and improve safety. The school board took the action on February 1, and voters will decide in the May 16

election.

The school has the opportunity to leverage voter-approved funding to double the impact. The District will receive a $2 million matching grant from the Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching Program (OSCIM) if

See SCHOOL on page 28

“No, it is not a truck stop.”

When asked by The Nugget what he’d like folks in Sisters to know about the expanded Space Age fueling station on West Cascade, that’s one of the things Jim Pliska emphasized. Pliska, along with his father, Harold, are the principal owners of the 21-station chain started in 1982 and headquartered near Portland.

The Pliskas’ expansion plan has fueled vociferous opposition from some locals, led by a fledgling ad hoc group known as CATS — Citizens Action Team of Sisters. Six of the group made brief statements at last Wednesday’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting, each attacking the expansion from a different angle.

Sharon Booth stood opposed on the basis of fumes, telling The Nugget, “I spoke about the health concerns. Given my background in medicine, I was especially interested in this aspect. I was able to find a few relevant medical journal articles and plan to continue to research this subject.”

Others expressed worries about lighting, traffic, and

the impact on other Sisters businesses. Mark Dickens, a CATS member, said, “Part of a reason of a company to build out at this scale is to put the competition out of business.”

Pliska scoffs at this idea. He’s already historically the lowest-priced seller in town among the four fuel stations. On Saturday, February 25, Space Age was selling a gallon of regular for $3.85. Mainline Chevron was at $3.99, Sinclair — closest in distance to Space Age — was $3.89, and 76 at the east portal was $4.19.

According to Pliska the main driver of the expanded station, which will increase its dispensers (hoses) from six to 16, is not what’s happening

in Sisters, but in Bend and Redmond. On Saturday you could fill up in Redmond for $3.22 a gallon.

“Our station in Sisters is marginal,” Jim Pliska said. “People in Sisters who work in Bend or Redmond drive right past us, and if somebody is going to Bend or Redmond to shop, they’ll time their trip to arrive close to empty and fill up there. We lose a lot of business this way, not to the other stations in town, where we are already the lowest price.”

Pete and Gloria Thompson seemed to prove Pliska’s claim when we talked with them at Space Age last Thursday. They were getting

See SPACE AGE on page 22

Space Age Gas is slated for significant expansion — which has drawn the ire of some locals.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

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.

Love, affirm, and accept our youth

To the Editor:

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and longtime Sisters resident, I read with dismay the February 22 letter to the editor in opposition to the support of transgender children.

They point to the language of a previous letter as being “manipulative,” while referring to transgender people and identity as being a “devastating cultural development.” Pot, meet Kettle.

This is not some “newfangled thing” that the kids are doing. Trans people, like all the other groups in the LGBTQ+ community, have always existed and will always exist. We just didn’t have words for them in our modern language until now.

Now, I do applaud them for noting that there is a distinct difference between sexuality: gay,

Let’s get creative

By Justin Little Guest Columnist

bi, lesbian, pan, etc., and gender: male, female, intersex, nonbinary, gender fluid, etc., but gay people don’t “choose to live as a homosexual.” The only “choice” I recall making was the choice to accept myself for who I am and not commit suicide. As for the gross comparison between female genital mutilation in Africa and top surgery for trans-men, that is a false equivalency. Trans-men give consent for top surgery, whereas female genital mutilations are usually performed regardless of consent. While we’re on the topic of consent, yes a 15-year-old can consent to puberty blockers and hormone therapy, but it’s not like they can just up and decide one day to ask their doctor to prescribe them with no questions asked. In order to qualify for hormone therapy, a person must first have persistent, well-documented

See LETTERS on page 30

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

Website: www.nuggetnews.com

Box 698,

Editor in Chief: Jim Cornelius

Production Manager: Leith Easterling

Creative Director: Jess Draper

Community Marketing

Partner: Vicki Curlett

Classifieds & Circulation: Janice Hoffman

Proofreader: Kit Tosello

I feel a bit nervous writing my first letter to The Nugget’s editor in about 25 years. When I was a student at Sisters Elementary School I decided to share my feelings about the Space Age gas station that, at the time, was a new business in town. I voiced what appeared to be popular opinion at the time, as Jim Cornelius responded to my pre-adolescent missive decrying a brand I perceived to be incongruous with our small town’s “feel” with a flattering, though I assume not serious, job offer.

My younger self did not contribute a positive review of the business, to say the least. Now, here I am, many years older and hopefully a little wiser, with a follow up: I invite the owners of the Space Age gas station to get creative as they are moving toward expanding their business in Sisters. I may be wrong, but it seems like the current plan would be to remove (or displace?)

Richard’s Farmstand and the C&C Nursery in order to achieve the goal of more pumps and a larger convenience store. This plan would possibly improve profits in the long run, but runs the risk of souring many in the community who are in opposition (for reference, I would like to present any recent copy of The Nugget ). Our more vocal community members are not too keen on the idea of Sisters’ downtown development going the way of other...ahem...regional examples.

In my opinion, it would also be obvious to any recent Nugget reader that Richard’s Farmstand holds a special place in the town’s heart, in addition to being one of the few sources of fresh, low-cost produce in town for many months out of the year. I graduated from SHS with Richard’s son, Mike, and have admired for decades Richard’s dedication to meeting a major need for the availability of affordable fruits and veggies in Sisters (both before

and after he opened his own business).

So I ask this of the gas station owners: Why not work with Richard’s Farmstand and C&C Nursery to allow them to continue business on the property as a part of the new development? What would prevent the convenience store from housing a produce section inside, in addition to snacks, drinks, etc.? Couldn’t there be a versatile indoor/outdoor space, a greenhouse, or some other solution attached to the structure for the nursery?

I have never patronized the Space Age station, but I know that if all involved found a way to get creative and include these vital businesses (and perhaps a local coffee company to serve drinks to go? Just sayin...), the Space Age gas station would absolutely earn my business as well as many others in our community who want to see our town grow in ways that are creative, thoughtful, and also good for business owners and our town’s health (both physical and social).

It is quite obvious that we cannot avoid growth, but to only see two options here (either the City rejects the Space Age’s proposal, or two out of two local businesses suffer or are closed in the expansion) would be, I believe, a heartbreaking missed opportunity for a creative third, or fourth, or fifth approach.

What is less quantifiable would be our town’s “feel,” or sense of shared story, but I believe the vast majority of us consider those “intangibles” a priceless asset. Sisters is what it is because of Richard’s produce stand as well as the Space Age Gas station, and we need to start thinking outside of the box to keep that “us-ness” alive. Jim, I still don’t need a job, but I hope this letter serves as at least a decent follow-up to my previous offering. And to the owners of Space Age, my apologies for the negativity I contributed to the conversation in the ’90s. I’m hoping to contribute something more constructive this time around.

Wednesday March 1 Mostly Sunny 40/22 Thursday March 2 Snow to Rain 42/26 Friday March 3 Partly Cloudy 40/24 Saturday March 4 Snow Showers 39/23 Sunday March 5 PM Snow — 1.2” 39/20 Monday March 6 Snow Showers 39/20 Tuesday March 7 PM Snow Showers 38/21

Band builds community through jazz music

By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

The Sisters High School Jazz Band focuses on making community connections as well as musical ones, and the festival they attended last month embodied that ethic.

The band visited West Salem to compete in the 3A division for its eighth annual Jazz Festival. The band had been working towards this competition for about two months, and felt prepared.

With 15 members attending the event, the band was small but mighty. The group performed four musical pieces, playing for 20 minutes on stage before

When blessings flow from tragedy

By Katy Yoder Correspondent

Jeff Lake is Connor Lake’s father.

He’s had his share of hardships and loss; from learning he’d been adopted, to losing a parent, divorce, and facing a drinking problem. It took time for him to realize blessings can be found in pain. That hardwon wisdom came in the aftermath of feeling swallowed by grief, resentment, and anger. With support from mentors, Lake realized destructive reactions only made matters worse. He learned that a faith-based

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

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

541-610-7383.

mindset, giving over his pain to God, made all the difference. He realized he had a choice to either be consumed by negative emotions or embrace the chance to transform adversity into healing himself and others.

Lake didn’t realize how all his past adversity and growth was preparing him for a parent’s worst fear — the loss of his beloved son. Connor Lake died by suicide in November of 2019.

Everyone’s experience is different. This is Jeff Lake’s story. Reach out if you need help. The resources found here are just some of the many options available to

provide support to anyone in need. (See list, page 15.)

After Connor disappeared, all of Lake’s mental and spiritual training was put to the ultimate test. He knew right away he had a decision to make. He could access what he’d learned and choose gratitude, or he could fall into despair.

“I’ve been taught to go to gratitude as quickly as possible,” he told The Nugget “My mentor, John James taught me the quicker you do it, the less pain and suffering you’ll go through.”

James, who passed

receiving input from the judges.

“The feedback we received was really helpful. It didn’t make us feel bad, it just gave us something to work towards,” said junior Kendall Guiney.

This is her first year of jazz band, and her first official festival.

“It was exciting. You would walk into a room and feel how fun and laid-back everyone was,” Guiney said.

The Outlaws Jazz Combo also attended, with selected students from the jazz band forming the smaller group. They competed in the combo

Aviation program getting back in the air

By Tatum Cramer Correspondent

Sheryl Yeager runs the aviation program at Sisters High School (SHS). Yeager has been teaching for 29 years and teaching aviation classes at SHS for seven.

Over the past summer Sisters Aviation experienced some challenges which concluded in the program no longer being able to fly. Although classes never stopped at Sisters High School, the opportunity to

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

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

Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers)

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.

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.

take flight lessons at Sisters Eagle Airport was no longer an option.

Aviation students were forced to drive to Bend to get flight instruction. This was a large problem because many of the students were too young to have their driver’s license. But thanks to COCC and Leading Edge, both located in Bend, flight instruction is being brought back to Sisters.

Leading Edge has agreed to provide flight instruction

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

Jeff Lake — pictured left with his son Connor — is seeking to turn the pain of loss into help for others in need.

Medical providers withdraw union move

The Central Oregon Providers Network (COPN) has withdrawn its petition to represent physicians, advanced practice providers, and many other caregivers within St. Charles Medical Group.

The union and St. Charles announced the move in a joint press release. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has agreed to the petition withdrawal.

COPN first filed its petition for representation of about 300 medical professionals in June 2022. The NLRB had scheduled an election for later this month before receiving the request to withdraw the petition. That election has now been canceled.

“We are eager to work with the new St. Charles leadership and are cautiously optimistic that during this six-month trial period they will deliver on their promise to continue to build a just culture organization that honors the vision to make patient care the top priority and embraces provider input and well-being,” said Dr. Les Dixon, an emergency department physician at St. Charles northern campuses and member of the COPN organizing committee.

Since the group originally filed for union representation, St. Charles has experienced changes in senior leadership and has announced a new strategic direction focused on developing service lines that align with the patient’s health care journey. The health system also began to achieve improvements in financial performance in the second half of 2022. Like all health systems in the nation,

Nordic skiers compete at state meet

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

St. Charles continues to face significant pandemicrelated shortages of staff, and increased expenses for equipment and supplies.

“After extensive internal discussion, our group determined that the best path forward for our providers and our patients was to give the new senior leadership team at St. Charles a chance to work with us directly to address our providers’ concerns,” said Dr. Michael Wahl, a radiation oncologist in the St. Charles Cancer Center, who was not involved in organizing the union. “I am grateful that union organizers have taken this step and am optimistic that we will be able to make significant progress in the coming months to address the needs of our providers. We all want to ensure that St. Charles can continue to attract excellent health care providers to Central Oregon to provide the best possible care for our community.”

St. Charles leaders and the physicians, APPs, and other caregivers in this group are looking forward to working together to address concerns related to contracting processes, compensation, and more while also focusing on patient care.

“It is my hope that we can come together to bridge our differences and develop a relationship of trust that is built on forward momentum and action,” said Dr. Mark Hallett, chief clinical officer for St. Charles. “I am humbled by this decision and profoundly grateful for the gift of time to work collaboratively on issues we all know need to be addressed.”

The Sisters High Nordic ski team completed its season at the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing AssociationNordic (OISRAN) State Championships held February 24-25 at Mt. Bachelor.

Ella Bartlett finished in the top quarter, in 20th place among 82 racers, in Friday’s five-kilometer skate race in a time of 19:59.4. Nevaeh McAfee placed 64th in 27:59.

Neve Gerard of Bend High School won the race handily in a time of 14:35.6, nintety seconds ahead of runner-up Piper Widmer, also of Bend High.

In Saturday’s four-kilometer classic race, Bartlett placed 23rd in the field of 84

with a time of 21:43.3, while McAfee took sixty-fourth in 28:32.6.

Gerard and Widmer once again took the two top spots leading Bend High to the team title over Summit and nine other teams.

Spencer Tisdel led the boys team with a 26thplace finish on Friday in a time of 17:41.3. John Berg came through next (21:03.8) in 51st, and Jack Turpen took 64th in 24:30.1.

Reed

Wuepper of Summit edged Fergus Wang of Hood River

Valley by 0.6 seconds to win the individual title in 13:42.5.

In Saturday’s classic race the trio finished in the same order, as Tisdel clocked 20:10, Berg 22:46, and Turpen 26:16.

Zachary Shockey of Mountain View High School held off Wuepper by 15 seconds to win in 13:48.1. Summit won the boys team title over Bend and four other teams.

During the awards ceremony freshman Weston Dean was named one of the most improved skiers for the season.

Head Coach Jeff Husmann said, “We’ll continue to build the program. These kids showed great heart and improvement. We shared a lot of kids with the Alpine team, which resulted in some schedule conflicts, but I’m certain we will come back bigger and stronger next year.”

The Outlaws Nordic team built skills and experience across a season that wrapped up last weekend at the Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association-Nordic (OISRAN) State Championships.

PHOTO BY JACK TURPEN

Ella Bartlett was the top finisher among the Outlaws girls in Nordic state championship action.

PHOTO BY BRAD TISDEL

City Council weighs in on Heavenly Acres rezone

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

An affordable apartment housing project in Sisters is continuing to move forward.

The Sisters City Council received an update from Community Development Director Scott Woodford and Principal Planner Matthew Martin regarding the rezone of Heavenly Acres at last week’s City Council meeting.

The rezone was approved by the Planning Commission last week (See “Rezoning approved for housing development,” The Nugget, February 22). The City Council’s public hearing regarding the rezone is on schedule for March 8 as of right now; The Nugget will provide updates to the public hearing date as we hear from city staff.

The proposed rezone will take the property near Wellhouse Church from the Urban Area Reserve with seven lots and a total of 27.3 acres. The area will be split into parcels zoned to Public Facility/Institutional (PFI), and Multi-Family Residential (MFR).

The rezone is part of the 2021/22 Council goals to achieve more affordable housing in the community.

According to the map, the Planning Commission recommendation was for Plot 4 to consist of one lot at 2.97 acres and a small area of right-of-way, zoned as MFR. Originally, staff proposed Lot 5 to be included as MFR, but with the Wellhouse Church mobile pantry on the lot, the

planning commission considered the area built out. All other lots in the proposed area will now be considered as Public Facility and Institutional, for a total of six lots at 24.35 acres.

With the proposed new zones, there was the question of building on PFI-zoned land. Housing is not permitted on PFI-zoned areas. The question of employee housing being placed in those areas also arose, but due to legal questions, there is a hold for now on looking at employee housing on PFI land. According to Woodford, they may revisit the process of employee housing as a conditional use on PFI. The area of Plot 4 will be the main area considered for MFR zone.

Along with rezone of the area, there were also a few text amendments to the Development Code. Due to the number of church facilities in the area, the Planning Commission will be adding “churches and places of worship as a conditional use in the zone district.”

They are also adding a new development code text amendment of “Subsequently Allowed Uses,” a “new chapter to address nonconforming uses that are subsequently made conforming by designating as a permitted use and lawfully established uses are subsequently designated as a conditional use. Allows continued use without alteration. Alterations must conform to current standards, including conditional use approval when applicable.”

Woodford mentioned that staff will look at what impact different buildings will have on the number of trips on the road system and into the Barclay roundabout. They’ll also look at the water fee impact on any subsequent buildings on the rezoned properties. The entire process for a rezone involves a multitude of data and impact studies.

In other Council business, Sarah McDougall was appointed to the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy that opened in January. McDougall previously ran for a seat on the Sisters City Council.

For more details on the rezone project and

Boys hoops falls in second round of state playoffs

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

GRAPHIC PROVIDED

background, see the story from Sue Stafford at https:// nuggetnews.com/Content/ Current-News/CurrentNews/Article/Rezoningapproved-for-housingdevelopment/5/5/33072.

The Outlaws started their week on Wednesday, February 22 with a 41-37 win on the road against Neah-Kah-Nie in the first round of the 3A State Playoffs. Three days later they traveled to Tigard to take on the No.1-ranked Westside Christian Eagles, and fell with a final score of 62-43. In Tuesday’s action the game went back and forth for the first four minutes of play with the Tigard Pirates holding several one-point leads. With 3:57 left in the

See BASKETBALL on page 6

Rezoning was required to accommodate a project to build affordable apartments in Sisters.

BASKETBALL: Outlaws never gave up in playoff battles

Continued from page 5

period, Jessey Murillo hit a free-throw to tie the game 7-7. From there the Outlaws closed out the quarter on an 11-2 run, starting when Adam Maddox-Castle got a steal and went coast-to-coast for the layup. Other highlights in the run were a jumper from the free-throw line from Diego Silva, a steal from Landon Scott, who passed the ball to Kale Gardner for a layup, and a steal from Silva, who passed the ball ahead to MaddoxCastle for a layup.

The Outlaws offense stalled in the second quarter; they were held scoreless for the first four minutes. That changed on a baseline out-ofbounds play when MaddoxCastle hit Murillo under the basket for an easy two points. Mehkye Froehlich hit a long ball that extended the Outlaws’ lead to 10. Hudson Beckwith stole the ball and took it the length of the floor for a layup with one minute left on the clock. Time ticked down and with just two seconds left Maddox-Castle hit Froehlich for a wide-open layup at the basket. Sisters’ defense continued to badger the Pirates, forced them into five turnovers, and held them to just six points in the quarter. At the half the Outlaws were on top 27-15.

Sisters came out firing on all cylinders at the start of the third, and scored the first play of the half on a pass from Scott to Murillo for an easy bucket. On the next possession, Scott hit a triple in the corner on an assist from Gardner. That gave the Outlaws a 15-point lead at 32-17.

The Pirates ramped up their pressure and went

on a 9-2 run to close out the quarter, trimming the Outlaws’ lead to eight.

The Pirates continued to apply defensive pressure in the final period and forced six Outlaw turnovers. Sisters didn’t score until Gardner hit Murillo for a reverse layup with 3:42 left on the clock. On the next possession, Froehlich took the ball at the wing, made a strong move to the hoop, scored a layup, and extended the Outlaws’ lead to 38-28.

Sisters committed some turnovers, and the Pirates crowd went wild. With 35 seconds left in the game, the Pirates had a chance to tie the game from the free-throw line. They made one of their two attempts and cut the Outlaws’ lead to just one point.

With 18 seconds left, Maddox-Castle was fouled and made one of his two attempts, to give the Outlaws a two-point advantage. The Pirates got the ball tipped out of their hands, and Murillo fired the ball to MaddoxCastle, who was fouled with six seconds left. This time, Murillo hit both shots to give the Outlaws a four-point lead. The Pirates missed a threepoint attempt at the buzzer, and the Outlaws walked off the court with the victory.

Murillo led the Outlaws with 11 points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Froehlich put up 11 points, and Maddox-Castle scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and two steals, and dished out three assists. Scott had three points and four rebounds, and Diego Silvia contributed two points, four rebounds, and two steals. Gardner tallied two points and three assists, and Beckwith pitched in two points in the contest.

Coach Chad Rush said, “I am proud of the team for this gutsy win on the road tonight. To make a five-hour trip through snow and multiple

stops and come out clicking at the beginning of the game is a testament to the team’s mental focus. While we weren’t able to close the game out like we wanted to, being able to earn the win and advance to the next round was our ultimate goal.

“Adam’s free-throws at the end of the game were huge and a testament to him for putting in extra time after practice working on his freethrows just for situations like this,” added Rush. “I was glad to see him knock those down and give us the final margin of victory.”

On Saturday the Outlaws made the trek to Tigard to take on the Eagles in the second round of the 3A State Playoffs, and a chance to advance to the final site in Coos Bay.

Teams traded baskets early and the Outlaws executed their offense with patience and precision and got several looks right at the basket. Sisters’ defense worked hard against the talented Eagles roster, but a couple of key turnovers gave the Eagles a nine-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second period the Outlaws missed several opportunities to put additional points on the scoreboard. They switched up their defenses frequently, which slowed down the Eagles and held them to just 11 points. At the half the Outlaws trailed 19-30.

The Eagles came out on fire from behind the arc in the third quarter and hit three triples to expand their lead to 21 points. Sisters stayed with their game plan and continued to be patient on offense and looked for opportunities to attack the basket.

Sisters went six-for-six from the free-throw line in the third, with Diego Silva going a perfect four-for-four, and Gardner going two-for-two.

— Coach Chad Rush

Silva also hit a driving layup to lead the Outlaws in scoring for the period, with six points. The Eagles racked up 18 points in the period and at the close of the third the Outlaws found themselves down 27-48.

In the final period the Outlaws showed the trait that has defined them the entire year: They never quit. The Outlaws outscored the Eagles 16-14. Eight different Outlaws contributed points in the quarter. Fischer hit the only three in the period; Gardner, Froehlich, Martin Murillo, and Oliver Bernhardt each scored a field goal; and Scott and Gardner both contributed points at the free-throw line. However, the Outlaws just couldn’t make up the earlier deficit and had to take the loss.

Silva and Gardner led the

Outlaws with eight points each, and Maddox-Castle and Scott followed with six each. Taine Martin and Murillo scored four points, Fischer contributed three, and Froehlich and Oliver Bernhardt pitched in two apiece.

Rush said, “I was extremely proud of the team tonight. Going up against the No. 1 team in the state is not an easy task, but our guys didn’t show any fear or hesitation. We battled and made Westside work tonight, which was our goal against the very talented Eagles team. This game hopefully showed our players, especially the returning players, that we have the ability to compete at the highest level. There will be things we need to work on and improve this off-season, but being able to compete tonight like we did shows a lot of heart and grit.

“I am so proud of our four seniors (Maddox-Castle, Murillo, Froehlich, and Martin) for working so hard this season to elevate Outlaws basketball to a place that will compete with the top teams in the state for a long time to come,” added Rush. “We couldn’t have done what we did without those four young men.”

I am so proud of our four seniors for working so hard this season to elevate Outlaws basketball to a place that will compete with the top teams in the state for a long time to come.

Cooper places second at state wrestling

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

Senior Ben Cooper capped his wrestling career at Sisters High School with a runner-up finish at the OSAA 3A Wrestling Championships held Friday, February 24 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

Cooper’s finish is the highest at the state tournament in Sisters High School history.

A snowstorm in Portland made Cooper’s path to the championship match different than anticipated. The storm hit hard on Wednesday, and wreaked havoc on traffic throughout the Portland area, forcing the OSAA to postpone the event to begin on Friday, rather than Thursday. Continued snowrelated issues caused further changes, and the OSAA was forced to change the event from a two-day tournament to a one-day event, all on Friday.

Both Cooper and fellow senior Hayden Kunz arrived at the Coliseum Friday knowing that if they kept winning they were in for a long day.

For the 152-pound Cooper, in his third career state tournament, the action would stretch almost 12 hours.

Cooper entered the championships seeded 10th, based on his record and finish at District.

“I was a little nervous when I saw the seeding, but I had to just take it one match at a time,” he said.

Cooper had the gift of a bye in the first round before facing Seth Drago, who beat

the third seed in his first match. Cooper won by major decision 12-0 to dispatch Drago and advance to the next round.

To make it to the championship match, Cooper had to get by second-seeded Gavin Hoelich of Pleasant Hill. Hoelich owned a stellar record this season of 45-1 with Hoelich knowing very clearly that his lone loss the entire season had come at the hands of Cooper.

Cooper prevailed again in a hard-fought 7-4 decision only to face his season-long nemesis, Hunter Kemper of Burns, the reigning state champion who Cooper has known through wrestling since second grade. In three previous meetings this season, Kemper was undefeated against Cooper.

The pair grappled through two rounds, with Kemper chalking up points and Cooper shut out. In the third round Kemper went ahead 15-0 resulting in a major decision victory.

“Even though I lost to him again, I think it was my best match of the season,” said Cooper. “I had some good chances to score points. He’s a really good wrestler.”

He continued, “My goal was to make it to the finals. That was my biggest dream of my life so I am really happy that I made that goal and gave it my best all the way to the end.”

Looking back at the tournament, Cooper said he preferred having everything happen all in one day. “I liked it a lot better. I didn’t have time to get nervous or have to cut weight.”

Going into the

tournament, fellow senior Kunz hoped to earn a medal. In his three years as a wrestler for the Outlaws, this was his third appearance at the state tournament. He began his wrestling career in sixth grade, sat out his freshman year, and returned to the sport as a sophomore.

“It was great to be at the Coliseum in Portland after the last two years of having the meet at Cascade High School,” he said. “It felt like a bigger deal, and it was a lot more exciting.”

His dream of a medal did not come to pass, as he lost his two matches.

Kunz faced off against fourth-seeded David Rice of Rainier in the opening match at 145 pounds, but got taken down by fall at 3:19 and moved to the consolation bracket. He got a reprieve with a bye in the next round before squaring off against Nephi Heakin of Harrisburg. Heakin got the best of Kunz, defeating him by fall at 4:07. Heakin went on to claim the third-place medal with two more wins.

“Looking back I still feel I could have beaten both of those guys, but things didn’t go as I had hoped,” he said. “In my second match I was too hesitant, and it cost me the match. It was still a good experience, but I am disappointed.”

First-year coach David Kemp said the weather delay made for “a fun and crazy weekend.

“We got stuck in the snowstorm in Portland and spent hours on the highway,”

he said. “We didn’t find out officially that the tournament was being postponed a day until late Wednesday night, which meant we had all day Thursday to sit and wait.”

On Thursday nearly everything around their hotel was shut down due to the snowstorm. Cooper said,

“Hayden and I just hung out in the hotel a little bit, and went walking. No one was out in the streets. We did eventually go to a movie to pass the time.”

Kemp said, “The snow delay made it crazy, but the

Ben Cooper made Outlaws history, finishing second in the 152-pound class at the 3A State Wrestling Championships.

Learn about gardening in Sisters Country

The Central Oregon Chapter of OSU Master Gardener, in cooperation with the Oregon State University Extension Service, will present free vegetable gardening classes in cities around the region. A class is set for Sisters on March 25, 10 a.m. to noon, at Sisters High School.

Register at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/growingvegetables-in-central-ore gon-tickets-530706175457.

You can have a successful vegetable garden in Central Oregon and OSU Master Gardeners will teach you how. This two-hour free class covers Central Oregon climate, soil amendments, site selection, season extenders, and other techniques. You will learn the recommended vegetable varieties to grow here. The class also includes the free 24-page book “Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon,” published by the OSU Extension Service. Registration is required. For class information, contact Cheryl Hinerman at communityed@gocomga. com.

Additional information and resources about gardening in Central Oregon can be found at OSU Extension Service, http://extension. oregonstate.edu/deschutes.

Stars over Sisters

By Annalycia Erdekian and Dax Martinez Columnists

The brilliant luminaries that shine so brightly during winter evenings are beginning to slip into the western sky, a sure sign that a change of season is at hand. To celebrate the arrival of spring, this month we are featuring the interesting constellation of Coma Berenices.

Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair) is a dim collection of stars located in the northern sky sandwiched between Leo on its western border and Boötes to the east. To spot it, look for the constellation’s three brightest stars Alpha, Beta, and Gamma (all shining at about fourth magnitude), that form a half square, or an inverted “L” shape. The brightest of the three is Beta Comae Berenices, a yellow dwarf main sequence star about the same size and mass as our sun, located at a distance of approximately 30 light-years.

What Coma Berenices lacks in the way of bright stars is more than compensated for by its treasure-trove of spectacular galaxies. This part of the sky contains more than 1,300 individual galaxies belonging to the northern portion of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, plus an additional 1,000 members associated with the Coma Cluster of galaxies located much farther away.

A remarkable example of one of these objects is M64, sometimes referred to as the Black Eye galaxy. Recent evidence suggests that M64’s dark band of obscuring dust,

plus the fact that the inner and outer regions of the galaxy rotate in opposite directions, can be explained by a collision between the larger galaxy and a much smaller body about one billion years ago. It is located approximately 24 million light-years from Earth.

According to sky lore, Coma Berenices is associated with the beautiful hair of Queen Berenice II of Egypt in 246 BCE. Fearful for the well-being of her husband King Ptolemy III of Euergetes as he entered an important battle, the queen promised to sacrifice her hair to the goddess Aphrodite in exchange for his safety. When the king returned home unharmed, Queen Berenice honored her vow by cutting off her hair, which was displayed in the temple of Arisone II at Zephyrium. But when the tresses disappeared the next day, the Conon of Samos, a mathematician and astronomer, claimed that Aphrodite placed her hair among the stars.

Spring in the Northern Hemisphere officially begins on Monday, March 20, at 2:24 p.m. when the sun will cross the celestial equator traveling south to north (Vernal Equinox). At this time, all locations on the earth will experience about the same amount of daylight.

The best sky show of the month will take place on the evening of March 1 when Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, come into conjunction. Look for them low in the west after sunset,

where they will be separated by less than one degree of arc. Still riding high among the stars of Taurus, Mars is also a prominent evening object. Although Mercury and Saturn are currently found in the morning sky, the solar system’s smallest planet will race into the evening sky later in the month. It is difficult to overstate the significance of the cyclical effects the moon has on life here on Earth. Our only natural satellite drives ocean tides, regulates circadian rhythms of animal life, provides varying degrees of nighttime illumination, and much more. Humankind has learned how important it is to keep track of where the moon is in the sky. One example of this is the custom of assigning names to the full moons for each of the 12 months of the year, which are different for various cultures and countries. This month

the full moon falls on March 7, dubbed the Full Worm Moon by Native Americans. The Anglo-Saxons called it Lenten Moon after the Germanic Lenten for spring. To the Celts it was the Wind Moon and Plough Moon. In Old English, it was known as the Chaste Moon.

Become aware of how precious dark skies are to the Sisters community and learn of ways to help curb light pollution. On a clear, moonless night the canopy of stars that blaze overhead can still be awe-inspiring, but it is a sight we should never take for granted. There are many steps individuals can take to help minimize light pollution. These include closing inside drapes and blinds when it gets dark, using dimmer lights that direct light downward, turning off lights when they are not needed, and switching to warm-colored LED lights and bulbs.

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541-508-1500

Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759

The unusual Black-Eye Galaxy is located approximately 24 million lightyears away in the constellation of Coma Berenices.

PHOTO COURTESY NASA AND THE HUBBLE HERITAGE TEAM (AURA/STSCL)

Bill Bartlett Columnist

Many of us are old enough to remember the hit classic “Big Yellow Taxi” by 10-time Grammy winner, Joni Mitchell, whom Rolling Stone called “one of the greatest songwriters ever.” Two lines by the Canadian songwriter are indelibly etched in folk music. The first — “They paved paradise, put up a parking lot,” feels like a metaphor for the tension one feels when walking around town these days.

Sisters Country residents are concerned about planned or proposed developments, most notably the consideration of a Space Age modernization that would include an eight-tower (16 fueling pumps) island and an enlarged 3,500-square-foot

convenience store (see related story, page 1). In the process Richard’s Farmstand who has occupied part of the location for 22 seasons, and C&C Landscaping’s nursery operation would be forced to relocate or, as some fear, cease business.

As an old marketing guy who relied heavily on polling and focus groups, I put up an online survey last week in an effort to take the temperature of the room. The 10-question survey was taken by 275 as of Monday morning, February 20. That’s a statistically significant sample by polling standards.

In response to the first question: In general terms which best describes your feelings about growth in Sisters? 61 percent selected “I would be okay with limited, low-density growth.” 30 percent selected “I would like Sisters to remain as is with no further expansion of housing.”

Eighty-six percent were opposed to multi-unit housing over three stories, while 14 percent were okay with it; 64 percent said tiny houses (under 500 square feet were okay; 36 percent did not like the idea. Fifty-two percent think affordable housing is possible in Sisters, and 48 percent said it wasn’t possible.

With respect to homelessness in Sisters, 26 percent said “I feel badly for anybody in this situation”; 18 percent said: “I have safety concerns about the homeless/ houseless population causing fire or damage.” Another 18 percent said: “I am worried that Sisters will become like Portland, Salem, Eugene, or Bend.” And 37 percent selected: “I am worried that this problem will get worse in Sisters.”

Fifty-one percent are in favor of the City providing or assisting with housing for the homeless in city-owned land; 49 percent said no to that.

To the question: In terms of housing affordability in Sisters, what best describes your feelings? 45 percent chose “We need to have some level of entry-level or workforce housing” as their answer; 18 percent opted for “We should require more affordable housing options”; 17 percent expressed “It is a matter of supply and demand over which we have no control”; 10 percent answered: “We cannot attract necessary or essential workers”; while the remaining nine percent lamented: “My/our children/ grandchildren cannot afford to live in Sisters.”

To the question: Which statement best describes your feelings about the look/

appearance of Sisters? 58 percent want Sisters to maintain its traditional/Western look; 19 percent are worried that Sisters is starting to look like Bend; 12 percent are OK with the way Sisters looks; 3 percent are bothered by its looks, and 9 percent want to see more design options.

Remember, this is what we call in the business an attitude survey. To the question: What statement best describes your attitude of the kind of place Sisters is today? 38 percent answered: “A small town that is losing its character.” Twenty-five percent chose: “A place that is growing too fast.” Twentyfive percent, like me, selected “No other place I would rather be.” Eight percent said it’s a town for rich people, and 4 percent found it to be a place for retirees or empty nesters.

Forty-seven percent of respondents live inside the city limits; 7 percent are from Cloverdale; 7 percent from Black Butte Ranch; and the rest, 39 percent, somewhere else in Sisters Country.

Twenty-seven percent have lived here under five years; 23 percent over 20 years; 60 percent who weighed in are over 64, a full 82 percent are 55 plus; 30 percent men, 70 percent women; 19 percent live

alone and 66 percent live in a household with one other; 95 percent live in a single family detached home. Fifteen percent who took the survey have kids or grandkids in Sisters schools.

The most lopsided question result was 80 percent to 20 percent: Do you think City managers, planners and officials are doing a good job in managing growth? with 80 percent saying “no.”

The survey intentionally did not provide the option of “other” or room for your own narrative, as my experience has taught me the results would have been all over the map. You can draw your own conclusions and do your own analysis, but I actually found the results encouraging. There is a certain optimism that comes through, all things considered.

As for the second line of Mitchell’s classic, the refrain….

Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone As it plays in my head, I’m hearing is as a cautionary tale.

For complete survey results go to https://question pro.com/t/7BpOLSZwxwQ.

Editor’s note: numbers may not equal 100 due to rounding or insignificant responses.

Sisters American Legion post focuses on outreach to youth

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

The Sisters Post of the American Legion has a new commander. Charles White, a veteran himself, is striving to reach the youth community in Sisters.

The American Legion started in 1919 in France with World War I veterans getting together to help each other back into post-war life. The American Legion was officially chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1919. According to the American Legion national website: “Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at nearly 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.

“Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans, and produced many important programs for children and youth.”

Those youth programs are an essential piece of the

mission for the American Legion, particularly for Charles White taking over the Sisters post. Charles White served in the U.S. Coast Guard and became a member of the American Legion originally in Illinois, before moving to Oregon and starting his position as commander in August of 2022. White has a heart for getting the youth involved, and connected with former post commander Lance Trowbridge when he moved to Sisters.

White is striving to reach out to the younger community in Sisters to let them know the opportunities, scholarships, and programs that are available to them. Youth programs include the oratorical contest, boys state and girls state, where students learn about government and democracy and for those generally interested in a field in the public service realm. There are also programs to help families and youth of military members.

“We are really trying to bring in younger volunteers and participants for these programs in Sisters; as it is an older community, we want to bring in activities and opportunities for the youth,” said White.

One of the most notable programs for the youth is the

American Legion oratorical contest, which is a program that strives to get high school students a deeper knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. The program has been going since 1938 and is open to students in high school under 20 years old. According to the program website: “The program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.”

White is working at marketing the program to Sisters youth as an opportunity for scholarship money for college. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. The American Legion’s national organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.

As a student, you or you family member does not need to be a member to apply for the programs.

To learn more about how to participate. https://www. legion.org/oratorical/rules.

White is working with Sisters School District and other community organizations on creating familyfriendly events. The programs for students and families are available to sons and daughters and spouses of a veteran.

The American Legion helps veterans navigate returning from duty, and helps to serve the families of veterans, as well as the youth in their communities.

“The Legion also really helps veterans navigate the VA system, and if you connect with your local post, we can help you navigate the medical system and get the help you need and get the benefits information,” said White.

White has information on how to get involved, not only as a member but also as a student looking to be a part of the unique programs the Legion puts forth. White wanted to thank those in the community that help put up flags every observed holiday for veterans.

“I want to share my appreciation to those who put up flags and all those in the Sisters Post,” said White. For more information on Legion benefits, youth programs or American Legion veteran affairs, email Charles White at commander alpost86@yahoo.com.

You can also visit their Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100064781823365.

Charles White is the new commander of American Legion Post 86.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Americ an Legion and VFW Change of location. Meetings will be held in Main Church Building Sisters Community Church, first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information call Charles Wilson 847-344-0498.

Sisters High Deser t Chorale

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

Parkinson’s Support Group

Are you a person experiencing Parkinson’s disease (PD) or a care partner/ family member desiring to better support your loved one with PD? We invite you to join our support group to experience f riendship, shared experiences , and a better understanding of PD. Please join us the second ursday of the month 1-2:30 p.m. at the Sisters Library, 110 N Cedar St. Sisters . For more information contact Carol Pfeil, program coordinator of Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, 541-6 68-6599 or carol@parkinsonsresources.or

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Caregiver Support Group

elma’s Place Adult Day Respite Program in Redmond hosts a monthly support group for those caring for someone with Alzheimer ’s or another dementia-related disease. e support group is held ever y third Wednesday of the month f rom 4:30-5:30 p.m. is is a f ree f amilycaregiver support group featuring local organizations

Call 541-548-3049

Oregon Battle of the Books

Twelve teams from regional schools, ranging f rom 3rd to 12th grade, will compete at the Per forming Arts Center in Madras on Saturday, March 11 f rom 11 a .m. to 4 p.m. OBOB is a statewide volunt ar y reading motivation and comprehension program sponsored by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. To learn more, visit oregonbattleof thebooks.org.

A NNOUNCEMENT S

Sisters Garden Club

On March 11, guest speaker

John Herman with L azy Z Ranch will talk about bees and pollinators . e start time for meetings is 10 a .m., with doors opening at 9:30 a .m.

Location is Sisters Community Church. Contact Ruth Palmer at 971-246-0404.

Silent Echo eater Company

Auditions for Silent Echo eater Company ’s 2023

One-Acts will take place f rom 7 to 9 p.m. March 5 at Sisters Communit y Church and March 6 at 1687 Foundation, 260 E . Sun Ranch Rd. Actors

14 years old and older are encour aged to attend. For more information visit silentechotheatercompany.org or call 310 -710 -2874.

Sisters Careg iver Support

Group

A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church. For information, call 541-719-0 031, ask for Kay Museum is reopening!

e Sisters Museum, brought to you by the ree Sisters Historical Society, will be reopening on Februar y 17. Returning to regular hours of 10 a .m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays , they are looking for volunteers with an interest in Sisters history. Please call 541-5491403 or email volunteer@ threesistershistoricalsociet y. org to find out more.

Free Lunches for Seniors

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

Weekly Food Pantry

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

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

Visit www FamilyKitchen.org

Mission 22 Equine Program

Closure and Sale

All sale proceeds will f und the nonprofit Mission 22’s veteran support programs, which provide help to current service members , veterans, and their families for PTSD, traumatic brain injuries , and other challenges. To see the extensive list of equine equipment being sold, look for the ad in this edition of e Nug get. e sale will be held March 3 and 4, f rom 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 16054 Perit Huntington Rd., Sisters . Email devan@mission22.com for more information

Sisters Communit y Garden

Opens Applications

Join Sisters Community Garden and reser ve a place to grow your favorite vegetables , flower s and herbs

Applications for new and existing members are available through March 1. Returning gardeners have until that date to reser ve the same raised bed they used last year. e application, release of liability form, garden rules and further information are located on the group’s website at sisterscommunitygarden org. Email questions to SistersCommunityGarden@ gmail.com or call 503-6800691

Free Pet Food Budget tight this month, but you still need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule your pickup. Pickups available ursdays , beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located at 412 E Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get O ce.

New Grief Share Group

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

Black But te School

Hoodoo Celebration

Black Butte School & Hoodoo are celebrating 50 years of ski & ride on Friday, March 10 at 5 p.m. at the Fireside Room at Hoodoo Ski Lodge. e celebration will feature a slideshow of highlight s across the decades , words f rom the program’s biggest supporters , a ra e and silent auction, and refreshments! Transportation provided! Ride the Ski Bus to and f rom Camp Sherman To reser ve your spot, email transportation@blackbutte. k12.or.us

Cloverdale Rural Fire Protec tion Distric t

Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District is accepting nominations for the Don Johnson Communit y Service Award until Friday, March 10. Nominee must reside in the Cloverdale Fire District and exhibit a notable sense of communit y spirit, support, and volunteerism. Any resident of Cloverdale Fire District may submit a nomination to: Board Secretar y, Cloverdale RFPD, 67433 Cloverdale Rd., Sisters , OR 97759

Announce Celebrations! Sisters communit y members , email nug get@nuggetnews com. Deadline 5 p.m. Fridays

PET OF THE WEEK

Humane Societ y of Central Oregon 541-382-3537

yHello world! I’m Gordy the bearded dragon!

I’m looking for a reptilesavv y home where I can stay warm and snuggly on these cold winter night s. My kind are quite popular pets , and I will make an excellent, entertaining , easy-to-carefor companion if given appropriate care and veterinarian treatment I love to chomp on veggies , bask in the sun, and I may even wave to you if I see you coming with some treats! Come and check me out, because I am quite an interesting fellow!

— SPONSORED BY — The Arends Group Phil Arends: 541-420-9997 phil.arends@cascadesir.com

Thomas Arends: 541-285-1535 thomas.arends@cascadesir.com

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Baha’i Faith

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

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

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

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

8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

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

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

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)

130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201

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

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

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

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

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

www.shepherdof thehillslutheranchurch.com

St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h

123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391

5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass

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

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

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

10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting

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

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

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

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

11 a .m. S aturday Worship

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

‘March MADness’ on tap at Sisters Movie House

While the country experiences its traditional college basketball March Madness this month, Sisters Movie House is putting its own spin on things with a “March MADness” theme. In this case, the “MAD” stands for “Music – and Adventure.”

Each Tuesday night during the month, the theater will debut a special, onenight-only event film, focusing on outdoor adventure or music. The series kicks off with the “Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2023” featuring footage of extraordinary women across the globe — just ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8. It screens for one night only on Tuesday, March 7, at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15 and available at www.sisters moviehouse.com or at the theater box office.

“Yes, it’s pretty good timing,” said Drew Kaza, managing partner of quoin media & entertainment LLC, which owns and operates Sisters Movie House. “We couldn’t be more excited to highlight what women are doing all over the planet — in a spirit that will truly resonate with the adventurous residents and visitors to Sisters Country.”

That is just the beginning though. The series continues on Tuesday, March 14, with an extremely rare screening of Carole King’s breakthrough 1973 concert at New York’s Central Park. It’s a movie that languished unseen for 50 years, but is now being given a proper theatrical release. “Carole King: Home Again Live at Central Park” is also priced at $15 with tickets on sale now.

“We expect something close to a sell-out for this one,” said Kaza. “Everyone

of a certain age remembers Carole King — and her bestselling album ‘Tapestry’ — with very fond memories. And she is absolutely at her peak in this remastered documentary.”

The series rounds out with another adventure flick on Tuesday, March 21, plus yet one more intriguing music documentary on the last Tuesday of the month, March 28. On March 21, Sisters Movie House will hit another landmark with a first-ever fly-fishing film.

The “Fly Fishing Film Tour” lands for one night only at 6:15 p.m.

Concluding the “MADness” is a justreleased documentary about ’70s band Blood, Sweat & Tears and their groundbreaking concerts beyond the Iron Curtain. “What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?” is a fascinating time capsule of music and political intrigue. It will screen for one night only on March 28 at 6:15 p.m.

“It’s a pretty crazy story, involving the Nixon administration, foreign dictators, and the power of music to spread freedom,” said Kaza. “It’s the perfect capper to March MADness for sure.”

Festival celebrated beer and winter

By Ceili Gatley Correspondent

Beer-and-winter-weatherlovers gathered at the Suttle Lake Lodge last weekend for days filled with beer tasting, campfires, plenty of snow, and a little Central Oregon sunshine.

The Suttle Lake Lodge hosted its fourth annual Winter Beer Fest at the Lodge and throughout the lodge property. Twenty different Oregon breweries brought their best beers for patrons to try, highlighting their winter beers as well as any new beer they were excited about featuring. The fest was three days of “Bavarian-inspired outdoor fun with 25+ craft breweries, food and snacks, live music, and all the cozy winter lodge vibes,” as described on their website.

Donald Kenney is one of the owners of management company The Mighty Union — a group from The Ace Hotel based in Portland that owns Suttle Lodge, having purchased the property in 2015. He spoke with The Nugget about the event.

“The whole idea for the event came from experiencing in Europe during the winter months where you ski and duck in for a beer and pretzel, and we thought it would be a good fit for the Lodge to do an event like

Conditions put the ‘winter’ in Suttle Lake Lodge’s Winter Beer Fest last weekend. Patrons gathered around campfires while sampling beers from an array of Oregon breweries.

this and highlight the Lodge being open year-round,” said Kenney.

The event also supports good causes. In 2020, the event was held virtually and raised funds for the Independent Restaurant Alliance, a group of individuals vying for food service

workers to get health insurance and benefits after losing their jobs due to the pandemic shutdown. For the last two years, the event has benefitted CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

As their website notes,

THURSDAY • MARCH 2

Suttle Lodge Fireside Music by Scout Harris Band

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

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk Local thriller/mystery writers Frank Zafiro and Jamie Lee Fry read from their new works “Hope Dies Last” and “The Liar ’s Club.” 6:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.

FRIDAY • MARCH 3

Hardtails Karaoke with KJ Mindy

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

SATURDAY • MARCH 4

Chops Bistro Live Music: Deni Herrmann & Bob Baker Playing 6 to 8 p.m. in the lounge at 370 E. Cascade Ave. Information: 541-549-6015

THURSDAY • MARCH 9

Suttle Lodge Fireside Music by Jeshua Marshall

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

Sisters High School Band & Choir Concert 7 p.m. SHS jazz and concert bands and choirs will perform in the high school auditorium. Free; donations to band/choir programs happily accepted. Info: kayla.golka@ssd6.org

FRIDAY • MARCH 10

Hardtails Karaoke with KJ Mindy 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. For more information call 541-549-6114.

SUNDAY • MARCH 12

The Belfr y Live Music by Charlie Parr with Marisa Anderson presented by Sisters Folk Festival. Doors open at 6, music at 7. Parr ’s poetic lyricism and expressive, gritty voice ring clear over deft acoustic guitar that references folk and blues motifs. Tickets: aftontickets.com/SFFCharlieParr

THURSDAY • MARCH 16

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

PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

See BEER FEST on page 18

Connor Lake remembered

By Katy Yoder Correspondent

This is the story of a kind, caring young man, Connor Lake, who died by suicide in November of 2019. He left behind a shocked, grieving family and countless friends. But this story is also about his family and the gratitude, forgiveness, and blessings found in sorrow.

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or struggling from the loss of someone you love who died suddenly, there are resources available to you. As sad as it is, this is a story of hopefulness. Anyone can have thoughts of suicide, but we may not know who those people are. Learning what the signs are and accessing help can make all the difference.

Connor’s father, Jeff Lake, moved to Central Oregon when Connor was in high school. Connor loved Sisters. He enjoyed the changing weather, the snow, mountains, and spending time on the water.

“It was a place of healing for Connor in a special community,” said his father.

Connor loved being on a team and was into sports like tae kwon do, baseball, basketball, and football. When he was 11, he played on an AllStar baseball team that competed in a World Series. But his number-one passion was riding dirt bikes.

“When he was little, I got him and his younger brother dirt bikes. He loved the freedom, adrenaline, and power of going fast. But he was always very safe,” said Lake. “Connor loved his brother, Austin, and sister, Jenna, stepsiblings, and had friends from all walks of life. People easily gravitated towards him.”

“When he passed, Connor was almost 6-foot-9. He was this big teddy bear,” said Lake. “He loved little kids and was a big jokester. We miss his humor. It was never a dull moment with Connor. From childhood on, he had a giving heart. If it snowed, he’d shovel the driveways for neighbors who needed help and didn’t want anything in return,” he said, smiling.

After moving with his family from Eugene, Connor had a lot of injuries because he grew seven inches in a short amount of time.

“Even though he kept getting injured and couldn’t play a lot, he was still the glue that kept his basketball team together. He was a leader,” said Lake.

After graduation, when Connor wasn’t working at Outlaw Auto Detailing with his mentor, Desmond Boots, he loved spending time with his sister, Jenna, and brother, Austin. They went for rides in the mountains in his truck with country music playing.

“He was an awesome stepbrother to my wife, Corrie’s, son Jordon too. I’m grateful that Austin and Jenna have another brother… it’ll never fill Connor’s shoes but it’s nice they have each other,” said Lake.

Connor loved life; that’s why his passing was such a shock to everyone.

“When he went missing, we thought there was foul play at first,” said Lake. “One thing I’ve learned is that for young men their frontal lobe doesn’t fully develop until they’re about 29, and that fight-or-flight region can be tough for them. He would never want to leave any of us or his brothers or sister or hurt us.”

Connor was reported missing on Friday, November 22, 2019. He was found the following Sunday in his truck on Cache Mountain. His truck’s hazard lights were flashing, which eventually caught the attention of a pilot searching for Connor. Seeing the flashers gave searchers hope he might be alive. But when Lake and his pastor arrived at the scene, Connor was gone.

After Connor’s death, his family asked people to make donations to the Elrod Center in Eugene. A room has been set up in Connor’s memory. The center helps kids with trauma and suicide issues using art and animals. Everyone is welcome regardless of their ability to pay. Contact information for the Elrod Center is in the resources sidebar, page 15.

LAKE: Father is working to help others in need

Continued from page 3

away August of 2021 in Sisters, founded “The Grief Recovery Method” more than 40 years ago, and was known worldwide for his work and teachings in grief recovery. Lake credits James with guiding him for six years and for his mentorship and friendship.

“When we heard Connor was missing, I gave it to God, with no expectations. That’s key. Call on whatever your faith is and don’t have expectations about the outcome,” he said. “I’m almost 55 and it took me until about 48 to really learn it well. Right away, going into gratitude, I was amazed at the hundreds of people that started helping us search. The local television and radio stations helped us as well.”

Blessings were abundant and beyond Lake’s expectations. A man who Lake mentors went all over Central Oregon with his wife, putting up fliers.

“When we learned Connor had died, they went back and took them all down so I wouldn’t have to see them,” he said. “I’ve never been in a situation that required a search party but all of sudden, I intuitively knew what to do, which in my belief was not under my own power,” said Lake.

Country Coffee Sisters gave free drinks to everyone who was searching, and Sisters Coffee provided gift cards. Vast Church took care of some of the cremation costs. It was the week of Thanksgiving, and all of a sudden, Lake’s family had 50 people at their house, including Lake’s ex-wife and her family who were staying there. Lake attributes the ease with which he worked with everyone as part of another pearl of

wisdom James taught him: Whoever forgives first wins.

Thanksgiving has always been Lake’s favorite holiday. Having Connor’s death occur close to Thanksgiving could have changed all that, but he wouldn’t allow it.

“Thanksgiving brings people together. Even though it was the time of Connor’s death, I went straight to gratitude and remembered the blessing of having 50 people in our living room for Thanksgiving and being together in the midst of having Connor pass away four days prior,” Lake recalled. “I was grateful to see kids playing and people interacting. I pulled into Sisters Smokehouse and told them I needed more turkeys and prime rib. They asked me where my car was and loaded it with a $1,000 worth of turkeys and prime rib, cheeses, and snacks. Chops generously provided side dishes as well. Tony at Outlaws Barbershop wouldn’t charge me for a haircut I needed before the service. Davis Towing came and got Connor’s truck for free, then stored it until I was ready to deal with it. Van Handel Automotive put in a new window. Another outfit cleaned the truck and disinfected it and didn’t charge us. Everywhere I turned I was forced into gratitude because of all these acts of kindness happening.”

Having been reunited with his biological parents three years before, Lake was overwhelmed with gratitude to see his mom and dad pushing a grocery cart down the aisle at Ray’s Food Place.

“I just stood there and thought, ‘God, you always put the people and situations around me to get through whatever I need to get through, even if it’s tough stuff because that’s the reality of life.’ I share with people that, having experienced the greatest pain of my life, I can also experience greater joy today.

That’s only because I’ve removed anger and resentment, the what-ifs, fear, and anxiety out of that situation. That decision allowed me to be in the present and feel the painful moments. I used to avoid pain by drinking and medicating myself. I’ve been sober for over six years and I’m grateful for what I’ve learned and how I’m still supported through AA,” said Lake.

“When I learned Connor wasn’t alive, God put my pastor, Ryan Moffat, right next to me to hug me in that moment of despair, hopelessness, and pain. He reminded me of the big picture… that I’m only on this earth for a short time and I’m going to see Connor again. With that I was able to keep my joy, as crazy as that sounds, and keep my gratitude. That night we were hit with a few feet of snow, and it could have been a month or two before we found him. I don’t know if other family members could have dealt with that kind of elongated pain. I’ll never forget coming down off of that mountain, knowing I had to come in and tell everyone he’s not alive after they were full of hope that he might be alive. God put the perfect person, Joel Stutzman, who was head of fire and police chaplains, there to help me. He told me, ‘Jeff, we’ve got you.’ I was grateful for that.”

There’s been a lot of young people lost in the Sisters community in the past few years. Lake wants to share what he’s learned and be there for others.

“When someone loses a child, somebody who understands their pain and what they’re going through is very valuable. Having another person who’s lost a child lets you know you’re not alone. It helps to have them listen,” said Lake. “Find some gratitude, big or small.”

In all things, Lake believes you can find nuggets of joy, energy, and forgiveness.

“My contact with Tammy and Bisnett was an easy flow of communication, via phone and email. I was taken care of efficiently and promptly with good service of insurance for both my car and home. Thank you very much!” — K. Marshall

RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED

• Deschutes County 24-Hour Crisis Line: Crisis services is a 24-hour program that responds by phone or face-to-face: 541-322-7500 ext. 9.

• Deschutes County Stabilization Center: The Stabilization Center provides a wide array of crisis services to community including: crisis walk-in appointments, adult respite services, Forensic Diversion Programs, peer support, and more. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Nonemergency, 541-585-7210.

Walk-in appointments: 63311 NE Jamison St., Bend.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis

Lifeline: We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. https://988lifeline.org/howwe-can-all-prevent-suicide. Call 9-8-8, text 9-8-8, or visit 988lifeline.org to message.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.

1-800-273-TALK (8255) text “273Talk” to 839863. For veterans, press 1. Ayuda en español llame (for Spanish language call) 1-888-628-9454, text “MIL1” to 839863. For Hearing and speech impaired, call 1-800-7994TTY (4889).

• Oregon YouthLine: YouthLine is a free, confidential teen-to-teen crisis and help line. 1-877-968-8491 or text “teen2teen” to 83983.

• Trans LifeLine: a transled organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive. 1-877-565-8860 (nonemergency, limited operating hours).

• The Trevor Project: crisis intervention resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people ages 13-24.

1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678678.

SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS

Bereavement Groups

• The Compassionate Friends: A self-help group for parents who have had a child of any age die under any cause. Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. (except December). Located at Partners In Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Ct., Bend. For more information contact Carol Palmer at 541-4800667 or carolpalmer004@ gmail.com.

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Healing Conversations gives survivors of suicide loss the opportunity to speak with volunteers, who are themselves loss survivors.

Outreach Visits for Survivors of Suicide Loss: The American Foundation for Suicide Loss (AFSP)

Survivor Outreach Program provides outreach visits for bereaved survivors of suicide loss and their families. Local trained volunteers from the Oregon Chapter of AFSP, who are survivors themselves, are on hand to listen with compassion, offer reassurance that surviving a suicide loss is possible and provide information about helpful books, support groups, healing conferences and other resources. To request a visit or for more information visit http://afsp.org. Request a visit through your local AFSP Chapter by contacting the Oregon coordinator via email or phone number as listed on the website.

Individual Grief Support

• Partners In Care offers short-term individual support counseling sessions to families and children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Call 541-382-5882.

COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS

Counseling Services in Deschutes County:

• Deschutes County

Behavioral Health: 541-322-7500.

• St. Charles Behavioral Health Services: 541-706-2768.

• OSU-Cascades Free

Counseling Clinic in Bend: To make an appointment call 541-322-2047 or email cascades.counseling@ osucascades.edu.

• Best Care Treatment Services Outpatient

Counseling: Bend: 541617-7365; Redmond: 541504-2218; Madras: 541475-6575; Prineville: 541323-5330; https://www. deschutes.org/health/page/ suicide-prevention.

• ElRod Center in Eugene helps kids with trauma or suicide issues using art and animals. They opened the Connor Lake Memorial Room; elrodcenter.org.

• Sisters High School resources page: http://ssd6.org/departments/studentservices/ suicideprevention/.

• oregon.gov/oha/ ph/PreventionWellness/ SafeLiving/Suicide Prevention/Pages/response.

aspx.

KNOW THE RISK FACTORS

Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can’t cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they’re important to be aware of.

• Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders

• Alcohol and other substance-use disorders

• Hopelessness

• Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies

• History of trauma, abuse

• Major physical illnesses

• Previous suicide attempt(s)

• Family history of suicide

• Job or financial loss

• Loss of relationship(s)

• Access to lethal means

• Local clusters of suicide

• Lack of social support and sense of isolation

• Stigma associated with asking for help

• Lack of health care, especially mental health and substance-abuse treatment

• Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma

• Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via media and Internet.)

Gracie Vohs will play volleyball for St. Mary’s College

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

Junior outside hitter Gracie Vohs has verbally committed to play for St. Mary’s College of California, and will officially sign with the college the fall of her senior year.

Vohs started to play organized volleyball in second grade and has played ever since. Former Sisters High School (SHS) players were a big part of her decision to play the sport.

Vohs shared early memories of her high school idols:

“My old babysitter, Kendra Sitz (former SHS student and volleyball player), always played volleyball with me in the yard, even before I really got started in second grade,” said Vohs. “I looked up to and admired all the SHS volleyball players. Gracelyn (Myhre) and I would always play volleyball at recess, and we went to all the volleyball games and would wear the huge T-shirts the players would throw to the fans.”

At that point Vohs was hooked, and she has played organized volleyball every year for the past 10 years. From second through fifth grade she played through Bend Parks and Rec and then from sixth through eighth grade on the Sisters Middle School team.

In seventh grade, she started to play club ball through the Outlaws Volleyball Club (OVC), and in eighth grade switched to the Central Oregon Volleyball Club (COVC). She has played with that club ever since. The team has played in tourneys in Eugene, Salem, and Portland, and traveled to Las Vegas and Spokane for bigger tournaments.

In Vohs’ sophomore year, she started to visit colleges, including Boise State and Lane Community College, with the intent to play volleyball.

In November of 2022

she visited St. Mary’s, and she immediately loved it. St. Mary’s is a small college in the town of Moraga, just outside San Francisco. The small campus is comprised mostly of athletes, and Vohs said they have a lot of resources specifically for athletes.

Vohs shared her experience with the volleyball coaches and players on her visit to St. Mary’s.

“I loved the coaching staff!” said Vohs. “They were personable and they wanted to get to know me and family outside of volleyball, and the team welcomed me with open arms. I was there for two of their games and they included me in their locker room dance party and their morning breakfast, and I got to sit in on their film studies, where they scouted their upcoming opponents. I also got to sit behind the bench during the games, and before the games started they all came and gave me a big hug.”

Vohs loves the sport.

“I love that the team

always feels like a family,” she said. “There are six individuals on the court, but we’re still one team and you have to work together to be successful. Of the game itself, I love that it’s fast-paced, something is always happening, and you have to trust the people around you.”

Vohs has played both as a middle, and most recently, as an outside hitter, and explained why she prefers to play as an outside hitter.

“It’s a way different block than the middle and you have way more shots that you can use,” said Vohs. “And when you play outside you get to play back row too, and at middle you typically don’t. In the back I love serving, and passing is super calming to me because I know if I get a good pass I’m setting my teammates up for success.”

Vohs is excited for the new challenge that lies ahead. She told The Nugget that she feels that playing at a higher level will give her a new perspective on the game.

The Juniper Tr ee and Me

ByBrad

B.

As I star e out my window

I see me

I star t small and str aight

Full of life and ener gy

My r oots ar e shallow

But my will is strong

I gr ow tall and pr oud

My top is full

My tr unk is nar row

Year s pass

My tr unk gets wider and full

My top gets thin and star ts to shed

My limbs get thin and brittle

They twist and turn

The seasons pass faster

My neighbor s get closer

They ar e small and shar e my gr ound

I wonder w hen

The Nugget Poetry Corner

Requiem for a Border Collie

ByLawrence Green

Bobby’s dying his fate is sure

He moans in his kennel at night and str ains w hen he pees Grief, despair and dar kness r eign with us among the national tur moil and strife as unseen forces impel us toward a godless utopia.

We need more w hite-bibbed Bobbys, faithful and tr ue, to or der our lives

Enthused in the joy of wor k and play, defining our bor ders, nipping at the heels of the unr uly, favoring no shee p blac k or w hite.

Democr acy dies in dar kness but Bobby guar ds our House at night our liber ties to secure He bar ks a war ning We aw ake startled and turn on the lights.

My Bob by boy died today. We grieve and mour n but memories bu rn bright Who will fill the void when our Bob bys die, and tend fr eedom’s fire keeping us worthy of the blessings of liber ty

Yet, God’s in his heaven so all’s right with the world. Don’t you see, God cr eates us all Bobbys to be.

Hike 165 miles ar ound the Tahoe Rim Tr ail

By Karee Edwards

A r eally big mountain up ahead.

Just a fe w more feet to the top

Please guide, can I stop?

Almost dar k,

Tir ed body, I par k.

Why did I think this would be a la rk?

Can’t put up my tent

The poles all twisted and bent.

Oh no, another blister

Dehydrated food

It’s not ver y good.

Fr esh water I must pump

T highs so sore I’ ll site on a stump

My hair so filthy, skuzzy and flat

I will shove it under my hat.

I see the end

Ar ound the next bend

Finished it, 165 miles, wow!

I’ ll take a bow

No Words Are Spoken

ByJessDraper

In the dar k forest, I cannot hide; Your pr esence enfolds me, calms me, guides

You bathe me in light when the sun is shining bright ,

Or thr ough shadows dar k and br oken.

Like a warm hug that lasts... And no words ar e spoken

You love me all day, in ever y moment;

You love me whole, you love me br oken

Like a warm hug that lasts; and no words ar e spoken

Empower ed to tr ust you, thr ough peace and stor m; By your side I am safe, aw ay I can’ t be torn

Hate – Hides Under Rocks

ByEdieJones

Hate hides under roc ks — waiting When hit by oxygen it explodes The ember s scatter — feeding ideas that simmer. Ideas need fuel. When nur tur ed — they grow Unsuspecting, other s get caught in the path. Without realization, they ignite. A fir e of hatr ed spr eads quic kly. Love, it devour s — soon, gone fr om our sight. Like a wildfir e, it stays on the move. Little time is spar ed befor e all is consumed. It sneaks up, unassuming, w hispering lies Even w hen smoldering, it funnels and fumes Stay aler t. It cr eeps in — unexpected. Attac k it we must, with car e and with speed. Counter act its evil with a blaze of love. With goodwill and knowledge, we can succeed Be wary. When all seems well, hatr ed will cower, stay hidden — appear dead. Without war ning it stealthily returns, cr eating fear of a life we all dr ead. We can win if we’r e diligent. Never forget, it hides in the shadows, a ppear s to fade. Constant we must be. To quenc h its flame join hands and form a love bu cket brigade!

Your spirit ind welling, increases the glow; as a candle, a flame in motion.

Like a warm hug that lasts... And no words ar e spoken

Through trials you refine me, making something ne w.

You call me to pr ay, pr aise, and point to you;

Your pur pose in me awoken

Like a warm hug that lasts... And no words ar e spoken

Gracie Vohs is a standout Outlaws volleyball player.

PHOTO BY RONGI YOST

Matthew Riehle takes on a lot of work and a lot of responsibility — and he wouldn’t have it any other wa y.

Riehle is carrying a serious academic load — with AP calculus, lit & comp, and biology. But he also finds time for creative endeavors: He built his own guitar in the luthier class and learned to play it through the Americana Project

He’s also the Communit y Health Advocate Inte rn, helping to implement Sisters High School’s Sources of Strength program. He feels that COVID pandemic disruptions weakened the bonds that link students and he is working to restore a welcoming communit y.

“Sisters needs to get back on its feet a little bit,” he said

Riehle enjoys the outdoo rs and has worked with Youth Conser vation Corps on projects to restore, enhance, and protect habitat in the Sisters backcountr y.

With an evident passion for science, he has already selected Florida Institute of Technology for college work , where he will study astrobiology and the origins and distribution of life in space. His work will explore how explorers and pioneers will live in space.

He works hard, but there’s joy in all of it

“The way the world work s is just super fascinating,” he said. “Science and learning has always been re ally fun for me.”

Matthew is a determined, hardworking young man who not only sets goals but meets them. He is impressive in multiple ways, but I would like to highlight how Matthew can be trusted even when no one is watching, and how he will never give up. He is wired to look at setbacks as opportunities to push harder

and to be better I run and open the hands were full, his time even when new student to join his group of pick up garbage to pay it forward. soul into all he does. And stand up for what he belie is right. Honestly, because positive attitude and vation and commitment, difference. He is truly him. — Samra Spear

Matthew Riehle Outlaw His enthusiasm tagious in my classr the Americana Pr his guitar playing leadership in the gram is also appr school. Congratulations Johnson

Mathew is such with all groups of part of the school. — Rand Runc

Matthew is a gr kid. He’s creative, Matthew has a high to see what cool big brain! — Dan O’Neill

Matthew Riehle has such a wonderful mind and spirit! I appreciate the curiosity and caring that characterize his learning. He brings an energy to all it does that makes it more thoughtful and fun! I love to hear what he thinks about books and to watch him with a table full of folks at their gaming table. It has been especially great to see him step up into positions of leadership and service over his years here at SHS. I am counting on being able to say I loved his writing way back

that he surely will. He is a gift to SHS and the world! — Jami Lyn

Weber

Matthew approaches life with a smile and a deep curiosity and openness to learn. His inclusive nature and welcoming approach, along with his desire to grow and learn enhances our community in so many ways. He is authentic and kind! Matthew has had such a positive influence on our school community! I wish him the best as he dives into life after high school! —

Rima Givot

BEER FEST: Event features brewers from across Oregon

Continued from page 13

“The National CASA/GAL Association for Children supports and promotes courtappointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect. We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.”

One of Kenney’s friends in Portland works with CASA, and he wanted to partner with them and have a portion of the proceeds of the Beer Fest benefit CASA in Central Oregon.

Each of the breweries had their “tasting rooms” in the cabins located on the Lodge property, just up from the beach at Suttle Lake. The snow-covered, frozen lake served as a grand backdrop, providing all the après ski winter vibes at Suttle Lodge. The last day of the event, Sunday, was a blizzardy day, but crowds were still out in force gathered around the fire with their Suttle Lodge MiiR camp mugs, which came with a ticket to try the beer. Many patrons on Sunday came from Sisters and Bend, as well as tourists in the area staying at the Lodge from Portland and throughout the Willamette Valley.

There was a VIP bar upstairs in the Lodge, where specialty cocktails were available for tasting.

“We really want to showcase the Lodge as a winter setting and we felt as if an outdoor winter beer fest could really only take place in Central Oregon,” said Kenney.

Suttle Lodge curates the breweries in attendance with breweries from Central Oregon as well as an extensive list from the Valley that Kenney’s management company works with.

“We look at what people respond to, and we have dialogue with the breweries ahead of time and explain what we are trying to achieve with the experience and see what they can come up with in the timeframe. There is a spectrum of unique winter beers, including porters and other nice mixes,” said Kenney.

The Suttle Lodge is open year-round for stays in the Lodge, cabin rentals, and a full restaurant and bar.

“We want people to get to know that they can rent yearround, and the winter is a great season because you are eight minutes from Hoodoo,” said Kenney.

The event was made possible by volunteers, who served the beer tasters to patrons. Two volunteers from Seattle had never heard of the event before seeing a poster and deciding to volunteer for the event and stay at the lodge.

JAZZ BAND: Sisters musicians earned accolades

Continued from page 3

division of the Festival, against nine other bands. This was the SHS Outlaws

Jazz Combo’s premiere performance, three years after COVID.

“A lot of the combo participants are so young, I was really impressed with how we played with the time that we had,” said senior Dominic Martinez.

The combo includes six musicians, with ages ranging from 13 to 18. The group’s performance within the Festival was smaller, with a chance for more one-on-one feedback. All members agree that it was a learning experience with a lot of valuable insight toward communication and playing style.

“It was cool to have the combo back together again, even three years ago when we started it wasn’t ever ‘official,’ so it’s nice to see it all working out,” said Martinez.

At the end of the day, the jazz band was provided with accolades, including a second-place trophy in the 3A division and an Outstanding

Soloist Award given to eighth-grader Jesus Quero.

“When they called out my name for our school I was really surprised, but also really proud of myself, because I wasn’t expecting the award to be given to me, especially to a 13-yearold eighth grader,” Quero said.

Quero has been a member of the band for a year and a half, beginning in seventh grade playing tenor saxophone. The jazz band has been incorporating musicians of all ages into the class for many years to create connectivity between students, so having a middle schooler performing in the Festival wasn’t unorthodox.

“I aspire to be a part of honor bands throughout high school, especially the Oregon

Ambassadors of Music (OAM) like my older sister, Norma Quero,” he said.

Jazz Combo (left to right): Micah Dachtler, Dominic Martinez, Olivia Nieto, Ian Landon, Dugan Draper, and Frankie Borla

PHOTO PROVIDED

Jazz Band, left to right: (back row) Josie Patton, Micah Dachtler, Dominic Martinez, Ian Landon, Dugan Draper, Brennan Frutos, Liam Hubbell; (middle row) Justin Bowe, Norma Quero, Jesus Quero, Caitlin Carter, Olivia Nieto, Frankie Borla; (front row) Band Director Kayla Golka, Molly Greaney, Janelle Guiney, and Kendall Guiney.

PHOTO PROVIDED

LOVE

IN SISTERS

Sabrina Robinson Columnist

A memorable first kiss

A couple’s first kiss is memorable, but for Alissa and James Cowan, theirs was unforgettable.

They met at a church conference in Redmond — James was setting up the stage lighting when he saw Alissa’s silhouette. Tripping over cables in his scramble to find out who she was, he tracked her down and they exchanged information. Several phone calls and emails later, James made the trip from Sisters to Las Vegas to visit Alissa for a week. Their first dates included dancing by car light to Brian Crain’s “Song for Sienna,” a formal night out on the town in Vegas (complete with gondola ride), and a ’50s night with burgers, bowling, and poodle skirt.

By the end of the week, they both felt that spark. While hiking at the Calico Hills in the Red Rock Canyon, James gave Alissa a promise ring, declaring his intention to court her. Alissa gladly accepted and had her own proposal — to save their first kiss for their wedding day.

They continued their long-distance relationship the following year, getting to know one another and their families, and splitting

their time between Sisters and Las Vegas. During a sunset hike at Calico Hills, James got down on one knee and proposed to Alissa in September 2008.

Nine months later, James and Alissa married on May 16, 2009, at Spring Creek Gardens in Utah, where they said “I do” and shared their very first kiss (and second, and third) at the altar. Afterward they released butterflies into the gardens and danced their first dance to “Song for Sienna.”

They honeymooned in Canada, visiting the national parks then moved to Sunriver, Oregon. After living in Sunriver and Bend, they built their home in Sisters, where they have spent the past eight years raising their six children. They love living on the land they used to explore while dating and having space for their kids to play. They happily agree it’s their forever home.

After 14 years of marriage, Alissa and James still make time for one another. They have enjoyed a staycation at FivePine Lodge and

a recent date night chocolate tasting at High Desert Chocolates. Throughout their years together they have found the importance of keeping God at the center of their relationship, practicing grace and forgiveness, and working together as a team.

Recently, self-care has been a priority — Alissa takes ballet at Sisters Dance Academy and James consistently exercises in the morning before work. They stress the value of not feeling guilty about regularly taking time for yourself and your relationship — including spa days!

“You come back refreshed,” says Alissa. They recommend continuing to learn how to strengthen your marriage by investing time in each other, and choosing to stay devoted to your spouse. As their love story continues, they have learned that “fairy tales don’t end because of a bad spot; a bad spot becomes a part of your story, and this is where you grow, and draw closer to each other.”

WRESTLING: Program has grown strong in Sisters

Continued from page 7

fun part was getting Ben into the finals, which was an amazing accomplishment for him and for the program.”

Cooper is looking into

in contact with the coach at Umpqua Community College. Kunz on the other hand says he is moving on to other things. Both boys say they found satisfaction in their careers and Kemp hopes that younger wrestlers will be inspired by their example.

“These guys have done things right and I am proud

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

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

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

Mission 22 Equine Program Closure

Equine Tack & Equipment Sale

All sales proceeds go toward funding Mission 22’s Veteran Support Programs

MARCH 3-4, 2023 | 9 AM-1 PM 16054 Perit Huntington Rd., Sisters, OR 97759

Mission 22 is a national community supporting active service members, veterans, and their family members, addressing Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, suicide risk, and other challenges.

• Halters

• English bridles

• Bitless bridles

• Bits

• Reins

Alissa and James Cowan.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Hayden Kunz and Ben Cooper pose with coaches Dustin Smith and David Kemp.

PHOTO PROVIDED

A new citizen committee called Citizens Action Team for Sisters (CATS) has formed, with the goal of helping to formulate policy for growth and development in the city. City meetings, which used to play to sparse audiences, now attract standing-room-only crowds, with many testifying during visitor communication and public hearings.

For all this activity to be of value and have influence, it is useful to understand the guidelines that must be followed by City staff, elected officials, and volunteer commissioners when considering development applications.

To help paint the picture from a variety of viewpoints, let’s visit one recent development approval:

Property owner

For 50 years, Richard Patterson owned and operated his iconic 350-acre ranch along Highway 242, where he raised prize Arabian horses, wooly llamas, and domestic elk. Patterson loved that ranch and the people of Sisters.

During his ownership of the ranch, he also purchased the 12.92 acres of trees due north of the ranch across 242. Despite private ownership, the public has enjoyed access to that acreage for walking their dogs and communing with nature. It was also occasionally used as a campsite by our neighbors in the forest. Patterson used to regularly conduct litter patrol and watch for any fire danger.

In the early years, the ranch lay outside the city limits and was part of rural Deschutes County. Today, the 12.92 acres are inside the city limits and were zoned multi-family residential (MFR) when brought into the city.

After 50 years of loving his land, in his 80s, Patterson realized it was time to cut back on his responsibilities, and he and his wife, Linda, sold the ranch to Glen and Jen Cole, who had loved that property from their many visits to Sisters. The Pattersons are now living in Bend.

The acreage across the road was offered for sale by Patterson as a separate parcel. His realtor, Pam Mayo Phillips, said that in three years, there had been two offers. The first prospective buyer couldn’t make it pencil to develop. The second, George Hale of Woodhill Homes, has been working with the City for almost a year to reach agreement.

Patterson’s vision had been to see the land divided into large-acreage lots with luxury homes, to take advantage of the stunning views of the mountains. But with the MFR zoning, that wasn’t possible, so it became necessary to find a developer who could make use of the MFR zoning.

When Patterson decided to sell his ranch in 2017, he had to pay $63,486.19 in farm deferred back taxes.

The most recent property tax on the 12.92 acres is $18,728.62. Because he no longer lives in Sisters, Patterson was no longer able to regularly patrol the woods and watch for problems. He was particularly concerned that a fire might get started and spread to adjacent homes and apartments.

“I will be 85 years old soon, and I want it to be remembered that I was so blessed to have that chunk of raw land to take care of,”

Patterson told The Nugget When told about the opposition to Sunset Meadows, Patterson said, “I just love the people of Sisters. I agree with them. I want what’s best for the town of Sisters. My hands are tied. Zoning is in control.”

From a property owner’s perspective, Patterson had limitations on the sale of his property.

Purchaser

George Hale of Woodhill Homes had an opportunity to purchase one of the few remaining large pieces of land in Sisters on which to build homes. One drawback: It was zoned MFR, not single-family residential (SFR), so he had to design a development that would meet the density requirements for housing built in MFR zones. The development is called Sunset Meadows.

Woodhill will construct 24 attached townhomes and 36 detached single-family homes. Hale’s partner in the project will build 72-124 apartments on the northeast portion of the property to create the appropriate minimum number of housing units required on the 12.92-acre MFR land.

Woodhill has had to comply with over 15 conditions of approval required by the City. There have been multiple public hearings before the Planning Commission. Some of the surrounding neighbors have been opposed to the development as a whole, or certain portions of it, and their opposition did result in a number of changes to the master plan. The Planning

Commission eventually approved the master plan with all its conditions, including a change in the phasing of the build.

All the changes, extra steps, and professional time required, has added to the overall cost of the project.

City

All land-use and development permit applications, except building permits, are decided by using the procedures contained in chapter 4 of the Development Code. The procedure “type” assigned to each permit governs the decision-making process for that permit. There are four types of permit/decision-making procedures –Type I, II, III, and IV.

Type I (Ministerial) decisions are made by the community development director or someone they officially designate, without public notice and without a public hearing. The Type 1 is used when there are clear and objective approval criteria and applies city standards and criteria, that require no use of discretion. Appeals are possible to Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

Type II (Administrative) decisions are made by the

community development director or designee with public notice, and an opportunity for a public hearing if appealed. The appeal of a Type II decision is heard by the Planning Commission. The Space Age station improvement is an administrative decision.

Type III (Quasi-Judicial) decisions are made by the Planning Commission after a public hearing, with appeals heard by the City Council. Type III decisions generally use discretionary approval criteria. Sunset Meadows was a Type III application.

Type IV (Legislative) procedures apply to legislative matters which involve the creation, revision, or largescale implementation of public policy (e.g., adoption of land-use regulations, zone changes, and comprehensive plan amendments which apply to entire districts). They are considered initially by the Planning Commission with final decisions made by the City Council, with appeals possible to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals. The rezone of Heavenly Acres is a Type IV procedure (see related story, page 5).

Space Age expansion approval process

Opponents of the Space Age fueling modernization are apt to be frustrated when lobbying City Hall. As the plans do not request any code variances nor change in designated land use, such as from commercial to residential or vice versa, neither the Planning Commission nor City Council will have to rule on the application per se.

City Planner Matthew Martin confirmed to The Nugget that the application by Pliska Investments falls under municipal code 4.1.200 section B Type II Procedure (Administrative). Type II decisions are made by the community development director or a designee with public notice, and an opportunity for a public hearing if appealed. The appeal of a Type II decision is heard by the Planning Commission.

With that said, Martin expects a usual rigorous review that will ensure the application meets all existing building and development codes, including with respect to dark skies. The City has an outdoor lighting ordinance in the Sisters Development Code –Section 2.15.400, which was adopted in 2010 and contains requirements for outdoor lighting that applies to all

new building and development in town and provides a timeframe for bringing existing, nonconforming lighting into conformance.

Jim Pliska of Space Age said, “We will fully comply with every aspect of the code and cooperate fully with the City. Nothing in the code as it exists stands in the way of our vision.”

As Space Age is located in the core district, it must also meet the requirement of section 2.15.2600 Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme.

A. Purpose. The purpose of the 1880s Western

Frontier Architectural Design Theme is to improve the city’s image and visual appearance. It has also been developed with the desire to establish city identity and interest and to attract visitors and tourists in support of a significant community economy.

B. Applicability.

The Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme applies to all new, reconstructed or remodeled uses in all Commercial Districts. Each proposed development is required to complete land use review process subject to the following standards. All designs must comply with

all applicable Building and Fire Codes.

Pliska’s application includes renderings shown here with a look he believes passes the test.

The chorus of opposition is growing, and those concerned about the scale of the expansion will have a heavy lift to bypass the process. Appeals are possible pursuant to section 4.1.800, but require more than showing up at Planning Commission or City Council meetings or demonstrating at City Hall. To succeed, an appeal must demonstrate that the application fails to meet land use planning requirements.

Continued from page 1

$5 of gas, just enough to get them to Bend when making their biweekly Costco run, where they would refuel at Arco for $3.39 — 46 cents per gallon less, saving them “about $7 we reckon.” Pliska’s Bend station sells a gallon for $3.45.

It’s all in the cost of fuel transport and station tank storage. It’s another 40 miles and an hour in labor to refill the underground tanks in Sisters.

“We’re a business and we’re discounters,” Pliska said. “Like any business we’re looking for efficiency, a way to drive down our costs.”

Pliska assumes that the higher costs of his competitors’ stations in Sisters is in part their having to pay for use of the national brand name, e.g., Chevron. And he suggests that their business model is to sell less fuel at higher margin, whereas his is to sell more for less. The Pliskas own the Space Age brand name and logo.

Most of the opposition seems to be centered around the more than doubling of pumps. However, there is also vocal and growing opposition to the new 3,500-square-foot general store that will be

Planned convenience store at Space Age Gas.

RENDERING PROVIDED

An artist’s rendering of the proposed expansion of Space Age Gas in Sisters.

RENDERING PROVIDED

SPACE AGE: Proposal has generated opposition

This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper

built to replace the existing 1,700-square-foot store, which is cramped and outdated.

The new store will be located behind the current one and overtake the space occupied by Richard’s Farmstand and C&C Nursery, seasonal tenants who sublet on a monthto-month basis. Richard’s Produce has been a fixture for 22 years and C&C for 14. Both businesses enjoy good reputations and loyal customers.

Chad Stadeli, who, with wife, Cathy, owns C&C told The Nugget that he knew it was only a matter of time before Space Age would embark on a major upgrade and they’d be forced to vacate. Not only is Stadeli not opposed to the expansion, he thinks it makes sense, and will end up being good for Sisters.

“The store now is not very attractive and is showing its age,” he said. “Not sure they need that many pumps, but overall it will be a good improvement, and make for nice entry into downtown.”

Like the Stadelis, Rich Greene and wife, Caroline Lucas, spoke well of Pliska, saying they were always treated fairly and in a straightforward manner. Greene, who will be 80 in a month and who has an aching back, is worried about the future, however.

“We need the income from the business and we’re

really not in a position to give it up,” he said. “This is not how I imagined the end of it.”

Both tenants are in discussion for new sites.

Pliska thinks the tenants will be able to have another year if they want, as there is still considerable time before all the approvals are met and site prep is completed. Assuming that the plan makes it through the approval process, the store would be built first, the old one then torn down, after which the station would be closed for three to six months as the new islands, tanks, paving, and canopy are installed.

The upgraded station would also be readied for three to four rapid EV chargers for deployment at a later date.

Pliska is optimistic that the community will welcome the new station eventually.

“I think when people see it and realize the additional jobs we’ll add, they’ll be persuaded,” he said.

Lady Outlaws name All-League selections

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Lady Outlaws basketball squad had three players earn All-League honorable mention, including Josie Patton, Ashlynn Moffat, and Shae Wyland.

Patton was a starter for the Outlaws all four years and this year a team captain. She has well-rounded skills, and this year was asked to play three different positions, including point guard, but her real presence was in the post.

Coach Paul Patton said, “Josie is what is referred to as a ‘glue player’ because she just held the team together on the court with her hustle and leadership.”

Moffat (senior) was one of the Outlaws’ steadiest contributors all season. She could be counted on to chip in points, grab rebounds, dish out an assist, or get a steal on defense.

Patton said, “Ashlynn was also a team captain who led the team by example with her determined style of play and

her hard work in practice. Most importantly, she is a kindhearted person who cares about doing what she can to help out her teammates.”

Wyland rounded out the honorable mention picks and was also selected to the AllDefensive team.

“Shae is just a sophomore and probably the best athlete on our team,” Patton said. “She would work her way into a starting role for us by the end of the season, but even as a backup was playing as much as anyone. Shae ran the court well and was especially good at converting steals or rebounds into layins on the other end.”

Patton told The Nugget he had to mention another one of his players who wasn’t recognized, but was worthy of All-League honors

Patton said, “Because of the nomination limits I was unable to get Haleigh Froehlich recognized. She was Second Team All-League last year as a junior in a tough 4A league and had an equally good season this year.”

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

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

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

• Support the businesses that advertise in The Nugget

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

Not sure they need that many pumps, but overall it will be a good improvement, and make for nice entry into downtown.

— Chad Stadeli

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

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

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

FUN & GAMES

C TS IN THE PICTURE

DINOS A UR W ORDFIND

FIND 10 DIFFERENCE S

Find words forward, backward, horizontally, or diagonally.

Building communities around music

By Tom Nechville Guest Columnist

I have now lived in Sisters three years, and I love it. The community is so supportive of the creative pursuits of artisans. I want to reinforce that and thank this community for embracing artisanship as a major value we promote and are proud of.

As a musical instrument manufacturer and repairman, here is my somewhat idealized view on the merits of playing acoustic music as one of the many forms of creative expression that are prevalent in Sisters Country:

In the spirit of history’s success in finally setting mankind on a course of selfcorrection, I believe that participatory music will play a vital role. As a curriculum of culture, Bluegrass and other forms of folk music invite participation and act as a vehicle which people can freely board to reach new peaceful destinations.

A music-driven destination might be as simple as one person showing another how to play a G chord, or — projected into a utopian future — it might be envisioned in the prescient name of a famous Colorado-based festival producer, “Planet Bluegrass.”

As businesses are continually automating, jobs are being done with less human engagement, freeing up time for more self-expression. It also frees up time for Netflix, but I think that growth-minded people will gravitate toward creative endeavors, furthering evolution in ways that lead to a more peacefully functional world. It is up to visionaries and policy makers to imagine ways to encourage this positive societal trend.

From the Neanderthal flute to Einstein’s fiddle, music tends to represent a peaceful antithesis to war. What if 20 percent or even 10 percent of mankind accepted music’s challenge; how would it change the world?

As we receive energy from all sources of nature, seen and unseen, humans

transduce that energy into generally productive things like time-saving technology, which facilitates generation of creative expression.

Of the many modes of expression that art pro vides, Bluegrass represents a traditional form with his torically defined param eters. Learning within this context encourages begin ners because the body of accepted material is gener ally simple and universally straightforward.

As participants of Bluegrass become more advanced they may hone their skill into nuanced heartfelt expression, emu lating the original masters yet incorporating their own techniques, which over time expands and diversifies the genre.

We aspire to meaning, friendship, learning, fun, and happiness yet we are simultaneously faced with the inherent loss and regret that looms around us. Music is the best coping mecha nism for mediating between happy and sad. Thriving together involves sharing these realities in a community of human beings.

My hope for humanity is to recognize the unending possibilities offered by adopting a musical mindset and embarking on our own artistic adventure during our limited time on this earth.

While I appreciate the discipline of recreating Bluegrass’s most traditional form, I love it in its potentials as heard in the many soulful and creative musicians that play it. I will promote Bluegrass in both its traditions and in its potentials and leave those passionate about other forms of music to work in parallel with me with the same goal in sight — unification of peoples by building communities around music.

This phenomenon is currently happening in Bluegrass, rock, jazz, classical, reggae, Irish and folk festivals everywhere.

For more information on Tom Nechville and Nechville Banjos, visit www.banjos west.com.

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NOTICE OF DISTRICT MEASURE ELECTION SISTERS PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT

Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, a measure election will be held in Sisters Park and Recreation District located in Deschutes County, Oregon. The following shall be the ballot title of the measure to be submitted to the district’s voters on this date: CAPTION: Renew five-year levy to maintain recreation programs and facilities.

QUESTION: Shall SPRD renew its $0.15 per $1,000 of assessed value to maintain programs/ facilities, beginning 2023-2024, for five years? This measure renews the current local option taxes.

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

Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com. The Garden Angel is now filling landscape supervisor and maintenance crew member positions. LCB #9583 Inquire at 541-549-2882 or thegardenangel@gmail.com

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

SUMMARY: In May 2018, voters approved a local option levy of $0.15 per $1,000 of assessed property value to support Sisters Park & Recreation District's programs and facilities which expires in June 2023. This and facilities which expires in June 2023. This measure will not increase current taxes and would renew the current levy for five years at the same rate approved in 2018. Sisters Park & Recreation District would use funds to maintain programs and services, including programs for youth offered for children from preschool to high school; programs for adults of all ages, including seniors, that focus on health, fitness, and education; community events for all ages, and maintenance of skatepark, disc golf course, bike park, and community center. The owner of a home assessed at $255,000, the median assessed property value in Sisters Park & Recreation District, would pay less than $3.19 per month or $38.25 per year. The rate renewal will raise approximately $277,352, in 2023-2024, $289,833, in 2024-2025, $302,875 in 2025-2026, $316,505 in 2026-2027, and $330,748 in 2027-2028, for a total of $1,517,313.

Notice of Receipt of Ballot Title Notice is hereby given that a ballot title for a measure referred by Sisters Park and Recreation District has been filed with the Deschutes County Clerk on February 23, 2023. The ballot title caption is: Renew five-year levy to maintain recreation programs and facilities. An elector may file petition for review of this ballot title in the Deschutes County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 p.m., March 6, 2023. Steve Dennison, Deschutes County Clerk.

Construction Contractors Licensing Information

OR law requires those who work for compensation (except bona fide employees) in construction activity involving improvements to real property be licensed with Oregon CCB. (There are several exemptions.) An active license means contractors are bonded and insured. oregon.gov/CCB

SCHOOL: Building is in need of maintenance and upgrades

Continued from page 1

voters pass the proposed bond measure. If the proposed bond measure does not pass, the District would not receive the matching grant, and the proposed projects would not be completed.

The small school in Camp Sherman has built a strong reputation for academic excellence — but the school house itself needs help. According to the District, the roof and HVAC systems at Black Butte School have reached the end of their usable life.

The school was built in 1951, and many of the operating systems are outdated and inefficient. There is asbestos in the roof and flooring. Most of the windows are inoperable and can’t be opened to improve air circulation.

Voters have not voted on capital construction bonds for Black Butte School since 1963.

In an information sheet provided to patrons of the District, the board notes that, “Volunteers have helped with many facilities projects over the years, but the scope and complexity of the proposed upgrades require the expertise of licensed professionals. If the proposed bond measure passes, the bond and grant funds would pay for facilities upgrades at the school to improve safety and security, energy efficiency, and learning and operating environments.”

The District reports that, if the proposed bond measure passes, the funds would be used to:

• Replace the roof.

• Upgrade HVAC system.

• Remove asbestos.

• Replace flooring.

• Create a secure entry to better control access.

• Upgrade door locks/ hardware.

• Install energy-efficient windows.

• Update restrooms.

• Improve and expand instructional space.

• Provide space for confidential meetings.

• Site improvements, furnishings, equipment, bond costs.

Bond funds can only be used for costs associated with the projects listed in the bond proposal. Proposed bond funds cannot not pay salaries or operational costs.

April 25 is the deadline to register to vote in the May 16 election. Ballots will be mailed starting April 26, and must be deposited in an official Jefferson County Elections ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on May 16. Ballots that are mailed must be post marked by May 16.

Rob Overstreet fulfills his real estate dream

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

In Rob Overstreet’s new office at Coldwell Banker Bain Realty in Sisters, there’s a poster with a quote from the great American man of letters, Mark Twain:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.”

That’s a statement Overstreet lives by. When he dreams of doing something — he does it. Back in the 1970s, that meant homesteading a property in Okanagan, Washington. Later, it meant moving with his wife, Becky, to Sisters, remodeling homes, including their own. During that time, Overstreet dreamed of getting into the real estate business — and now he’s done it.

“When my wife and I moved here in 1999, I wanted to get into real estate,” he told The Nugget. “I’m not going to sit and ‘always-wished’ I had done this.”

With encouragement from broker Mike Mansker,

Overstreet took the plunge, studying for his license last year. Signing on with Coldwell Banker Bain was an easy decision for him.

“I just like the office here in Sisters,” he said. “I came and just felt very comfortable. Great, awesome crew here — everybody’s concerned about everybody else. It’s a great establishment.”

Throughout his working life, Overstreet has always focused more on building relationships than crafting deals.

“I always wanted to make a friend before I made a deal,” he said.

With his background and experience, Overstreet is interested in helping clients who are selling their home. He knows how to stage a home and create curb appeal. On the buyer’s end, he is looking forward to helping clients

who “maybe see the potential in something, a piece of property.” He knows how to take a “fixer-upper” and make it shine.

“I love farming, I love building,” he said. “I’m a real do-it-yourselfer.”

He forged those traits right

out of high school, in 1975, when he built his own home in the Okanagan Valley in Washington, not far from the Canadian border.

“That was a tremendous experience,” he said. “Kind of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ living, you know?”

When his in-laws bought property in Tumalo, Rob and Becky came down to visit — and fell in love with Sisters. When they moved here, both went to work at Oregon Log Homes. Rob also worked for a time at Big Country RV. And they remodeled two houses — one to sell and another to live in.

All that experience ultimately pointed to his current career, and built an ethic that has always served him well.

“I’ve always tried to put the client’s interests first,” he said. “Everything else falls into place.”

Contact Rob Overstreet at robert.overstreet@cbrealty. com or 541-280-9563.

SUDOKU Level: Moderate Answer: Page 30

Rob Overstreet has launched a real estate career at Coldwell Banker Bain Realty in Sisters.

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

I’ve always tried to put the client’s interests first. Everything else falls into place.

— Rob Overstreet

Code, comp plan alignment is included

Continued from page 1

meeting to discuss goals proposed by the staff, and to amend any existing goals or change the language of goals set forth before them. The Council met for such a session last month.

Mayor Michael Preedin led the meeting, reading through each one of the goals within different sections of issues that concern the City overall. New goals proposed by staff were highlighted by the Council. The purpose of last month’s workshop was to delve into the language and the goals themselves; Council will not adopt these goals until late March in an official City Council meeting.

To kick off the discussion, the word “housing” was added to the Livability and Growth section of goals. The staff recommended the addition of housing to the section due to increased houselessness and increased development. With that now included in the section, Council discussed adding the goal of leveraging resources to help Sisters’ houseless community. This goal overall allows for flexibility within programs to help the houseless

community.

“What we have been looking for recently in addition to affordable housing is workforce housing… I think it’s appropriate to have both statements in there,” said Council President Andrea Blum.

This potential amended goal will be added, in addition to the continuation of pursuing resources for partnerships for development for workforce housing.

In addition, the new goal proposed by staff to the section involved “prioritizing amendments to the Sisters Development Code to bring it into conformance with the Sisters Comprehensive Plan and develop a process to monitor the effectiveness of code amendments.”

“The theory behind a comprehensive plan is that your development code is the implementing document for your vision,” said Scott Woodford, community development director.

This type of goal does not mean a complete rewrite of the Development Code; it includes prioritizing potential amendments to the code and different state and federal laws they must abide by as things evolve and change.

“In the meantime, we could do some sort of audit of our existing code, and choose the highest priority

areas,” said Woodford, when discussing what this goal would look like in action.

Councilors suggested their own additions, including a goal of prioritizing dark-sky codes and updating the language in the ordinance for all development in Sisters.

In addition, councilors discussed adding a goal of conducting a study or report on options for managing short-term rentals in Sisters. The potential goal would look at having a study conducted to collect data on short-term rentals and second homes, to see what we have in Sisters as well as what other policies around the state have been put in place surrounding short-term rentals. The goal would involve evaluating the current code to determine what modifications need to be made to mitigate the effects of short-term rentals and second homes in the community.

Within the Wildfire Mitigation section, there were discussions on working toward adopting defensible space requirements and structural-hardening modifications within the city code, and continuing work with partners on wildfire home and city hardening.

The Economic Development section features a potential goal that includes exploring project concepts

for a multipurpose covered recreational facility that supports both residents and visitors at the future park adjacent to the Sisters Woodlands development. The goal of continuing partnership with EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) to support traded sector economic development was supported by Council, with the addition of including the assistance with childcare and workforce housing in partnership with EDCO.

Under Essential Infrastructure, Council wants to continue the goal to create a funding strategy for design and construction of the Water and Wastewater and Capital Improvement Plans. The process is being worked through by City staff. An added goal may include constructing an emergency preparedness project, including backup generators at wells, which will be followed through by City staff.

Under Good Governance, Council discussed setting a goal of implementing a community outreach plan as well as updating utility rates and system development charges. Staff is continuing to develop an environmental sustainability plan for City operations and will begin implementation of the plan. An added goal was the design of the East Portal Mobility Hub, based off the approved

final concept plan.

The hub project is moving forward, with design and then construction in 202425. An additional goal proposed by Council involved charging stations for electric vehicles being readily available in Sisters Country. There will be charging stations available in the East Portal Mobility Hub as well. Councilors brought up the point that the City should be able to Advocate for having a charging unit station in our community. They set a goal to discuss alternative energy and what that looks like for Sisters Country in regard to cost and electricity pull, information that will come from data studies and from the State.

Under Urban Renewal Agency goals, two of the remained the same from 2022-23, with the addition of completing the design and initiating construction of the Westside Pump Station, which is all development related and includes a new pressure main that will run across the highway, down Pine Street and into Jefferson Avenue. The last addition was to allocate the remaining Highway 20/Locust roundabout funds for a future landscaping project. Council was excited about discussing the addition of local art created for the middle of the new roundabout.

Sisters students are getting back into the air in the Outlaws’ aviation program.

AVIATION:

Class at SHS is full of aspiring pilots

Continued from page 3

to SHS student pilots at the Sisters Eagle Airport.

“Leading Edge brings one or two planes down from Bend once or twice a week,” said Yeager.

“The fact that the SHS students can receive ground instruction at the high school, and flight instruction here locally in Sisters, is what makes our program one-of-akind,” said Yeager.

This gives students the opportunity to learn to fly as well as attain their pilot’s license by the time they graduate. Student pilots can also log hours if they already have their pilot’s license.

“I am excited about the program opening back up again, and for the kids who have not had the opportunity to fly to try it out locally here in Sisters,” said Corbin Fredland

Fredland is the youngest Sisters student to have attained a pilot’s license

in Sisters Outlaw Aviation history.

“Currently four students are working on their Private Pilot’s License (PPL), one student has his PPL and is working on his instrument rating. There are six others who are scheduled to begin their flight training soon,” said Yeager.

Yeager has had a total of 16 students complete the entire program and go on to attain their private pilot’s license.

“There are currently 22 kids in PPP (Private Pilot’s Preparation), working on passing the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) written exam,” said Yeager. All ground instrumental classes and COCC dual credit courses at the high school have continued and are full.

This program is only achievable because Yeager herself is a certified flight instructor as well as a high school teacher.

The staff recognize that the program would not be possible without the generosity and constant support from the community of Sisters, as well as the continued support

from the school board. Yeager offered a special thank-you to Julie and Benny Benson, owners of the Sisters Eagle Airport. The Bensons host a major event at the airport over the 4th of July, along with providing a space for the Sisters High School students to set up instruments and flight simulators. These instruments allow kids to practice and learn on a simulator to prepare them for when they step into a real plane.

“The kids and I are very grateful for this,” said Yeager For more information, contact Sheryl Yeager at sheryl.yeager@ssd6.org.

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

gender dysphoria and a psychosocial assessment by a qualified mental health professional. The requirements are even more arduous for gender-affirming surgeries. In short, these kinds of gender-affirming health care cannot be undergone on a whim. “Transgender ideology” doesn’t exist, transgender people do. If a child is experiencing anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts due to gender dysphoria then they are not truly healthy, and denying them gender affirming care is akin to neglect and abuse. Gender-affirming care in trans youth reduces their suicide rates from 30 percent to 50 percent and saves lives.

Guys, gals, and nonbinary pals, I do not say this lightly: Do not aim for tolerance, aim for acceptance. We can love, affirm, and accept our youth without kowtowing to antiquated and obsolete ideas of gender and sexuality.

Bobby Joe Christensen

Vote them out

To the Editor:

Just when you thought the Biden Administration couldn’t possibly do more damage to America or our sovereignty, they appear to be in negotiations to give the WHO authority over U.S. pandemic policies.

In the February 18 issue of Epoch Times, Kevin Stocklin reports that “Biden Administration is preparing to sign up the United States to a ‘legally binding’ accord with the World Health Organization that would give this Geneva-based UN subsidiary the authority to dictate America’s policies during a pandemic.”

What could possibly go wrong? How did WHO perform during last COVID pandemic? I can’t think of one accomplishment that brought praise from around the globe or within America concerning the WHO. Besides, didn’t we have the CDC and Dr. Fauci? Can you imagine some far-off bureaucrats dictating lockdowns, vaccine mandates, global supply chains, and monitoring and surveillance of populations? Of course they’d need a “Council of Misinformation” to guide tech giants in silencing free speech. Smells of population control; just like attempted on us during 2020/2021 with lockdowns, masks, and experimental drug injection mandates. Decline, you lose your job.

Had enough woke, pronouns, inflation, CRT, attacks on free speech, everything’s racist, open borders, deaths by fentanyl, indoctrination of our children, explosion of national debt, weaponizing justice system, escalating crime, and weakening of our military? It’s beyond time to vote them out, and replace with those that actually love America and will uphold their oath of office to “we the people.”

Jeff Mackey

PHOTO BY JACK TURPEN

The fact that the SHS students can receive ground instruction at the high school, and flight instruction here locally in Sisters, is what makes our program one-of-a-kind.

— Sheryl Yeager

Oregon’s water problems are accumulating

By Randy Staples Oregon Capital Chronicle

The January 25 report on Oregon’s water shortage, released by the Secretary of State’s office, prominently included a cautionary quote from the legendary western explorer John Wesley Powell, delivered in 1893 as the regional approach to water management started to take form:

“I tell you gentlemen you are piling up a heritage of conflict and litigation over water rights, for there is not enough water to supply the land.”

He spoke as though that were a bad thing. Experience across the West shows that it might point to a useful direction for Oregon.

The report, “State Leadership Must Take Action to Protect Water Security for All Oregonians,” points out that despite the national myth that Oregon is waterdrenched, most of the state is arid, and even many of the wetter areas — including much of the Willamette Valley — have seen belowaverage water supplies in recent years. Travelers near the Willamette can see many farms using irrigation more intensively than they once did.

The problems are accumulating: “Many communities are not fully integrated into water decisions and often not even aware there is a problem,” the report stated.

“The Oregon Integrated Water Resources Strategy is not clearly connected to state and regional planning efforts and does not have clear implementation pathways.

Oregon’s state leadership and agencies do not necessarily share water security priorities. Agencies have distinct areas of focus and limited resources and capacity that limit the ability to engage broadly with communities or work across agency lines.

Oregon water data is disaggregated, sometimes incomplete, and not set up to support regional governance needs. … State water regulatory agencies have broad discretion but face external pressures that may hinder them from fully using this discretion to benefit the public.”

Oregon has worked on water planning for half a century, but its basic approach is top-down prescriptive: an attempt to set statewide or basinwide policies intended to address water needs.

The 11 recommendations in the new report, for example, call for “sustain(ing) legislative commitment”

and “connect(ing) a regional planning system with an integrated state water plan” and setting up new planning and improving communications, in both government and with the public, on water issues.

An Oregon water framework would include statewide priorities, a statewide water plan, a coordination body, regional and local water plans, and additional regional and local “planning bodies” — a highly complex system that might have a hard time with effective coordination and with clarity.

However helpful these ideas are, they are incomplete. No other Western state — and every state from the Great Plains west has significant water challenges — has succeeded in managing water this way. Nearly all emphasize another approach, one already built into Oregon’s water system: administration through the prior appropriations doctrine.

An example (possibly the most successful in the country) can be found next door in Idaho.

Idaho’s available water resources are, in most regions, weaker than Oregon’s, and it has sometimes struggled to deliver water as needed. For decades, the state tensely balanced

water demands for its agricultural and hydropower systems (and in smaller amounts for other uses), an arrangement that blew up in 1982 with a state court decision giving primacy to water use by an electric utility. A series of negotiations followed, and the settlement that emerged included an adjudication of all of Idaho’s water in the Snake River system. That covered close to 90 percent of all the water in Idaho, and the court case that resulted was the largest of its type in the nation’s history.

It was also highly successful. The 28-year adjudication — done at what amounted to light speed in the world of water adjudications — took account of every person and organization seeking to use water in the system, and rationalized who was able to receive what. The court (and administratively, the state Department of Water Resources) bases case-bycase decisions on state law and court precedent, with some leeway to account for specific local conditions and needs. A state water resources board sets overall policy.

Oregon has in place the basis for taking a similar approach. Like other Western states, Oregon allows users to obtain water rights under the

“prior appropriation” system, in which senior users (“first in time, first in right”) have priority as long as they use the water beneficially. Policy decisions are made based in part on what is considered a beneficial use, and who can claim it, followed by negotiations among the people affected. In some places, fish and wildlife can obtain what amounts to water rights under a trust system, as can recreational and other users.

In limited ways, Oregon already does some of this. A major water adjudication is underway in the Klamath River basin, and much of the rest of the state has been adjudicated at various times. But the results have never been well integrated and have not been developed statewide, a key element to successful state water management.

Oregon can’t, through legislation or regulation, create more water. But it can more clearly articulate how its water should be used. The new advisory report, coupled with case studies from around the regional neighborhood, can show how.

Republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, courtesy of https://oregoncapital chronicle.com.

New Listing

ML S# 22014148 0

1 bed / 1.5 bath / 2,010 sf

SM AL L RA NC H IN MC KE NZI E CANYON $6 75,000 Rural Acreage

Ranch prop er ty with 10.2 acre s of 3- Sister s Irriga tion. Pa rt fore sted slop e w/ home ; pa rt level sa nd y lo am ba sin w/ water rights by buried pr es surized ir riga tion line & mete r. Ceda r chalet with woodstove, gr ea troom, loft , 1 be droom plus more rooms that could be fl ex ibly utilized Covere d entr y porch, re ar pa tio. Loca te d be tw ee n Sisters, Redmond, & Te rrebonne. Sister s or Redmon d Sc hool District

ML S# 220142 80 9

5.48 Acres / Zoned EFUS C 5.48 ACRE HOME SI TE INDI AN FORD

$750,000 Rural Acreage

fronta ge an d ea sy access to Sister s an d Hw y 20 we st Build your dr ea m home here an d enjoy all that Central Oregon ha s to of fe r. Adja cent parc els are also available.

ML S# 22015682 0 3 bed / 2 bath / 1,674 sq.f t.

ACRE AG E, VI EW S & PRIVAC Y $799,5 00 Rural / 9.91 Acres

Proper ty adjoins thousands of acre s of National Forest , lo ca te d be tw ee n Sister s & Be nd, Sister s Sc hool District Ex pansiv e composit e deck s provid e a gorgeous entertainin g spac e with view of public land s & Casc ad e ra nge. Junipe r post f encin g for pets four runout s with availabl e move able f encin g. Insulate d 3-ca r garage, concrete floor & elect ricity Ne w privat e well, ne w septic drain fi eld.

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

MOUN TA IN VI EW S & RIMROCK

$2 87,5 00 Rural Acreage

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

ML S# 220157 73 8 .8 6 Acre / Zoned L

SISTER S INDU STRIAL PA RK $4 99,000 Ligh t Indu st rial Light in dustrial lot in th e original Sister s Indu strial Park Corner .8 6 acre site with good viabilit y on th e corner of We st Sister s Park Drive an d Nort h Sister s Park Co ur t. Almost square shap e provid es multipl e layout alternatives de sign or building, driveway an d parkin g.