The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 1
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Forecast: Looks like a mild winter
SHS graduate is Educator of the Year By Katy Yoder Correspondent
Kate Tibbitts comes to her North Star Elementary School kindergarten class every day excited about teaching her students. She’s rewarded and challenged by her students’ unique personalities, learning styles, and stories. Watching Tibbitts teach reveals her skills and approach, grounded in life experiences and an education focused on helping students understand themselves and how their minds work. In her 10 years of teaching, she hasn’t focused on recognition or accolades, but last October the BendLa Pine School District singled her out as a teacher worthy of the moniker “2023 Educator of the Year.” In November, North Star Principal Tim Burdsall and his staff planned a surprise announcement with students, Tibbitts’ family, and teaching peers all in attendance. The Excellence in Education awards honored education staff including custodians, bus drivers, and classroom
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
the community. Tibbitts was shocked when she learned she was
Much of Sisters Country woke up on December 25 to what might be characterized as a minimalist white Christmas. There was just the lightest skiff of snow on the ground, and that was it. Temperatures have been mild and precipitation minimal in Sisters — and it’s likely to stay more or less that way through March, according to the latest forecast from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. According to Oregon Department of Forestry lead meteorologist Pete Parsons, we should “expect a relatively mild winter with minimal or absent cold intrusions.” We’re looking at mild temperatures — likely a little above average — and near-average or a little below average precipitation
See EDUCATOR on page 14
See FORECAST on page 16
PHOTO BY KATY YODER
Kate Tibbitts at work in the classroom. The Sisters High School graduate has found her calling in education. teachers. Recognizing exemplary staff began in June when Bend-La Pine Schools honored 77 staff members in the District who
distinguished themselves through leadership, innovation, outstanding professional practice, and positive contributions at work and in
Oregon health officials urge vaccination
Oregon wolves expected to spread
With the new year, Oregon health officials are asking people to resolve in 2024 to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses that are on the rise in the state. Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer, and state epidemiologist at OHA, says vaccination remains the best way for Oregonians to protect themselves against COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — and it’s not too late to get any of the vaccines. “While some resolutions require making healthy changes for the rest of your life, we’re asking you to resolve to make an appointment for a vaccination,” Sidelinger said. “We’re not asking you to change your behavior for the year. We’re asking you to change your
State biologists say Oregon’s gray wolf population may have reached its ecological limit in the eastern third of the state and that packs will probably spread out to the west and south in greater numbers. Those comments, made at a meeting of the state Fish and Wildlife Commission, came as Colorado released five wolves trapped from Oregon as part of a historic reintroduction program. Roblyn Brown, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s wolf coordinator, told ranchers and conservationists last week that about 200 gray wolves in nearly 25 packs call Oregon home. She said their numbers have leveled off in recent years because most wolves live in northeast Oregon, an area that’s becoming crowded for the species.
Inside...
risk of getting sick.” The renewed push for vaccinations comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the latest edition of its Morbidity and Mortality Week Report (MMWR) on fall 2023 respiratory virus vaccination coverage among adults. The report includes national and jurisdictionspecific estimates for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccination coverage among adults 18 and older from the National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module. According to the report, 25 percent of eligible Oregon adults have received the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, 40.8 percent have received the influenza vaccine, and 20.3 percent have See VACCINE on page 16
By Grant Stringer Oregon Capital Chronicle
PHOTO BY OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
The breeding male of the Chesnimnus Pack in Wallowa County in December 2018. Wolves first recolonized their native habitat there in 2009 after hunting and harassment eradicated them from Oregon for 50 years. The wildlife agency counted 178 wolves in the state in 2022, up from 175 in 2021 and 173 in 2020, though officials say that’s an undercount. Their numbers have
plateaued in recent years after spiking for a decade. Wolf packs have taken root in central and southwestern Oregon, including a pack in Jackson County that has become notorious for preying on cattle. “We’re going to start See WOLVES on page 21
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Obituaries ........................ 5 Tight Lines....................... 11 Stars over Sisters ............13 Crossword .......................21 Meetings .......................... 3 Announcements...............10 Entertainment .................12 Fun & Games ................... 20 Classifieds................. 22-23
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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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.
Tree poaching
To the Editor: I live in Crossroads. I wanted to correct the information in The Nugget, “Tree poachers strike in Sisters.” In this article it stated that Jeremy Fields and Therese Kollerer found the old-growth tree outside Crossroads on a survey of a volunteer clean-up. My husband, myself, and our neighbor were the ones
involved in the clean-up of an abandoned homeless camp. However, it was my husband who discovered the tree on one of his daily runs. He reported the location (using Google coordinates) to the Deschutes National Forest Service (Jeremy Fields), who acted quickly despite it being his day off. When the Forest See LETTERS on page 8
Sisters Weather Forecast Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
January 3 Cloudy
January 4 Mostly Cloudy
January 5 Rain/Snow Showers
January 6 PM Snow Showers
38/30
42/30
42/28
38/26
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
January 7 Mostly Cloudy
January 8 Mostly Sunny
January 9 Cloudy
38/24
42/21
44/19
The Nugget Newspaper, LLC Website: www.nuggetnews.com 442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon.
Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius Production Manager: Leith Easterling Creative Director: Jess Draper Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May Proofreader: Kit Tosello Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen
The Nugget is mailed to residents within the Sisters School District; subscriptions are available outside delivery area. Third-class postage: one year, $70; six months (or less), $45. First-class postage: one year, $110; six months, $80. Published Weekly. ©2024 The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All advertising which appears in The Nugget is the property of The Nugget and may not be used without explicit permission. The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories, lists, calendar etc. within this publication. All submissions to The Nugget Newspaper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyrighting purposes and subject to The Nugget Newspaper’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially, that all rights are currently available, and that the material in no way infringes upon the rights of any person. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photos, or manuscripts.
Made it through Christmas...
A pair of geese on a pond in Redmond. PHOTO BY KRIS KRISTOVICH
Got a great photo of life in Sisters Country? Send your high-resolution photo to editor@nuggetnews.com.
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A dialogue between past and present By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
A few days ago, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley stepped on one of the most explosive landmines in the field of American history. Asked at a New Hampshire town hall what was the cause the American Civil War, the former governor of South Carolina tried to sidestep. “I think the cause of the Civil War was basically how government was going to run, the freedoms and what people could and couldn’t do,” Haley said. “I think it always comes down to the role of government and what the rights of the people are. And I will always stand by the fact that I think government was intended to secure the rights and freedoms of the people. It was never meant to be all things to all people. Government doesn’t need to tell you how to live your life. They don’t need to tell you what you can and can’t do. They don’t need to be a part of your life.” Haley quickly took fire from all directions for neglecting to mention the actual proximate cause of the war: the southern states, particularly her own state of South Carolina, were determined to protect the institution of slavery. A lot of smoke has been thrown up for more than a century around the causes of the 1861-65 conflict and its enduring fallout, with Confederate apologists eliding the importance of slavery in the decision of the southern states to secede from the union. But the secession declaration of South Carolina — the first state to break the union — makes the matter plain: “[T]he State of South Carolina having resumed her separate and equal place among nations, deems it due to herself, to the remaining United States of America, and to the nations of the world, that she should declare the immediate causes which have led to this act…. “[A]n increasing hostility on the part of the nonslaveholding States to the institution of slavery, has led to a disregard of their obligations, and the laws of the General Government have ceased to effect the objects of the Constitution.” Read the whole declaration for yourself (https:// avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_
century/csa_scarsec. asp). It’s not ambiguous. The rights and freedoms at stake for the South Carolina elite was the right and freedom to own other humans and exploit their labor. Haley did her best to contain the blast: “I want to nip it in the bud,” she said a few days later. “Yes, we know the Civil War was about slavery. But more than that, what’s the lesson in all this? That freedom matters. And individual rights and liberties matter for all people. That’s the blessing of America. That was a stain on America when we had slavery. But what we want is never relive it. Never let anyone take those freedoms away again.” There are those who think that what is past should be left in the past — but even if that were possible, it wouldn’t be desirable. The past shapes the present and the future, and understanding that interplay matters. The brilliant narrative historian of the Middle Ages, Dan Jones, notes that, “History is a dialogue, I think, between the past and present… Every generation has its own preoccupations, which it seeks to somehow see reflected or see the foundation of them in the past.” Jones believes that we should embrace bringing our own preoccupations and outlook to that dialogue — as long as we’re honest about it, and recognize that we won’t always be comfortable with the complicated answers the past gives to our questions. Jones, on Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History podcast, notes that when he was writing his excellent overview of the Middle Ages, “Powers and Thrones,” he explored contemporary concerns like climate change, mass migration, pandemic disease, technological change, and global networks. All of those elements were important in the Middle Ages and they’re important now. Understanding how they played out hundreds of years ago can help us understand what is happening now — and what might happen in the future. “History is for creating a context for the now,” Jones asserts. “What are we going to learn from it if it’s not going to give us context for the now?” We’re still struggling with what that context tells us about our now. Just ask Nikki Haley.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Emergency vehicles hit on icy road
PHOTO BY SARAH CRABTREE
Scott Crabtree (back row, center) will host an open mic series at Sisters Depot starting this month. Sisters musicians are invited to participate.
Open mic event welcomes musicians Sisters Depot is starting a monthly open mic night on January 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. For musicians, this is a new opportunity to share music at a prime time and in a wonderful venue. For music lovers, it’s a chance to see a variety of local musical talent, in a fun atmosphere with food and drinks available. “ B o b D y l a n d i d n ’t become Bob Dylan by staying home,” said Scott Crabtree, host of “Saturday Night Mic.” “He really blossomed when he went to Greenwich Village and immersed himself in a community of musicians and creative people. This monthly open mic gives Sisters Country musicians a place to hear each other,
cross-pollinate ideas, and build musical community.” This open mic night will differ from others in a few ways: • There’s a mic — one, going into a small PA with two mic or line inputs; one instrument could be plugged in here as well. Musicians are welcome to bring their own mic and/or small amplifier if they prefer. • This will be in the main ground-floor restaurant space. This will support groups of three or fewer musicians; there will not be physical or sonic space for full drum sets. • Organizers expect this to be a Saturday night party atmosphere more than a quiet listening environment. Upbeat tunes will probably
work better than very quiet, slow, intimate ballads. • Performers will be given slots up to 10 minutes, and possibly even multiple slots if time allows. This will allow musicians to play multiple songs, or longer songs, such as ‘looper’ performances where musicians layer tracks over each other. • While they might accept last-minute in-person sign-ups if time is available, more time will be given to those that sign up in advance. Performer slots are first come, first served; sign up in advance at https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ DepotOpenMic. “We’re focused on music at this open mic,” Crabtree See OPEN MIC on page 16
Winter may not have hit Sisters Country in earnest, but roads can still be icy, especially in the morning. An incident on Highway 20 near Suttle Lake demonstrates the importance of slowing down and adjusting for conditions. According to Black Butte Ranch Police, on Tuesday morning around 8:26 a.m., Black Butte Ranch Police responded to assist on a crash on Highway 20 near the entrance to Suttle Lake. A vehicle had slid off the road due to icy conditions. Black Butte Ranch Fire Department medics arrived on scene to assess the patient. A Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputy assisted by setting up west of the accident
to slow traffic down. An Oregon State Police trooper arrived around 9:06 a.m. to take a report on the crash. Before he was able to even put his vehicle into park on the eastbound shoulder, his SUV was struck by an Isuzu commercial truck that had lost control on the ice due to speed and the icy conditions. After hitting the OSP SUV, the Isuzu continued forward, hitting the front of the Black Butte Ranch Fire Department ambulance and coming to rest near the back of the ambulance. Three medics and a patient from the first crash were in the back of the ambulance. No one was injured, and the driver of the Isuzu was cited for careless driving.
New law addresses insurance, wildfire With homeowners in Sisters Country — and across Oregon — concerned about keeping their homeowners insurance policies in the face of industry-wide wildfire risk concerns, when the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2024 many new laws immediately take effect. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) reports that Senate Bill (SB) 82 strengthens consumer protections for homeowners dealing with wildfire-related issues. It
requires insurance companies to explain, using propertyspecific characteristics, why a policy might not be getting renewed or why a rate is going up, and to reflect in rating and underwriting plans how that insurer addresses or considers wildfire risk mitigation actions. These actions could include creation of defensible space, home hardening, and community-based mitigation See NEW LAW on page 12
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday. For location information, please call: Al-Anon 541-848-1970. Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Sisters Area Woodworkers First Lutheran Church. 541-610-7383. Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645. Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897. Alcoholics Anonymous Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday, Sisters Veterans Thursdays, Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills East of the Cascades Quilt Guild noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846. Lutheran Church 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ 541-903-1123. Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Sisters Trails Alliance Board Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church p.m. at Sisters Community Church. Meetings take place every other month, Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday Wednesday, 7 a.m.,Gentlemen’s Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com. 5 p.m. In-person or zoom. Contact: meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 7 p.m., Sisters Community Church. Sisters Caregiver Support Group info@sisterstrails.org. 541-771-2211. Church 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Three Sisters Irrigation District Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) Church. 541-719-0031. Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Board of Directors Meets 1st Tuesday, Lutheran Church Community Church. Materials provided. Sisters Cribbage Club Meets 11 a.m. 10 a.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815. every Wed. at SPRD. 509-947-5744. Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of 541-408-8505. Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd the Transfiguration Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Sisters Garden Club For monthly Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, Friday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com. Restaurant. 541-419-1279. 1 to 4 p.m. 541-668-1755. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. VFW Post 8138 and American Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board Military Parents of Sisters Meetings 541-548-0440. Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday of the of Directors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m. are held quarterly; please call for Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of month, 6:30 p.m., Main Church Building Location information: 541-549-1193. details. 541-388-9013. the Transfiguration Sisters Community Church. Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild 541-549-1462 (John). a.m., at Aspen Lakes Golf Course. Chapter meets Wednesdays, For Saturday meeting dates and SCHOOLS 541-410-2870. 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. location, email: steelefly@msn.com. 541-549-6469. Black Butte School Citizens4Community Community Sisters Parent Teacher Community Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visit Elementary School Commons. 541-595-6203 503-930-6158. citizens4community.com for location. 917-219-8298.
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
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.
Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church. 541-549-6157.
This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to nugget@nuggetnews.com.
Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www. ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.
CITY & PARKS
Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tues., 4 p.m., Coffield Center. 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.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Sisters gets new plant-based food option By Katy Yoder Correspondent
Sisters Country folks who love to eat fresh and plantbased have a new option in town. Lively Up Yourself, a vegan food cart in Bend, has opened a second location at Eurosports at 223 E. Hood Ave. Owners, Sarah McKay and Elliott Roloff were inspired to create vegan comfort food based on their Midwestern upbringing. Their Midtown Yacht Club location in Bend has grown a loyal following of both vegans and many who just love their flavors and healthy offerings. When their families back home were excited and ready to try their veganized, comforting food, they knew they’d figured out a way to combine dishes made without animal products and their creamy, mouth-watering tastes of hometown favorites. The couple has been serving up vegan food since 2019, when they opened their first dream kitchen at Bunk + Brew Hostel in Bend. Settled and popular at the Yacht Club, they were thrilled to hear there was an opening at Eurosports at the corner of Hood Avenue and Fir Street. The additional location has its own menu and can be ordered in person or online. See www.
livelyupyourselffood.com for menus and online ordering. “We’ve been wanting to open a food cart in Sisters for quite a while and feel like the time is right. We welcome people to come by and try our comfort foods, from macaroni and cheese to our version of the BLT and favorites like crabby cakes,” said McKay. They always use highquality ingredients and go organic as much as possible. They like to keep their prices reasonable too. They receive some of their ingredients from Earthly Gourmet products from Portland, which are all vegan. Their faux meats are made from mouth-watering seasonings, vital wheat gluten, and nutritional yeast which has a cheesy, delicious flavor. Years of trial and error have resulted in dishes that are familiar and delicious without dairy, meat, or eggs. This is stick-to-your-ribs food, but healthier than the original version. “Our recipes are original and all homemade. A lot of people don’t realize we make our vegan meats and sauces ourselves. Our cheese sauce is one of our main attractions. Eventually, we want to sell it in stores. We’ve had a lot of practice and have many years developing recipes that taste fantastic to our customers whether they’re plant-based
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Lively Up Yourself is offering vegan food to folks in Sisters from a food cart in the Eurosports courtyard. or not,” said McKay. “A lot of our customers give us a try after hearing how good our food is and how much it tastes like the original dishes. Once they’ve tried it, they keep coming back for more.” The mission statement for Lively Up Yourself is: “To provide as many vegan meals to the world as we can through our diverse menu that will treat vegans to familiar and nostalgic meals, and to entice non-vegans to try veganism. Vegan food is the most positive way to treat our world, ourselves, and the
animals with respect.” Avid rock climbers, Sarah and Elliott moved to Bend for the incredible climbing at Smith Rock. With their pups, Baloo, Hazel, and Goose,
they’re enjoying all the outdoor adventures Central Oregon has to offer while fueling folks with foods that sustain the planet, are kind to animals, and nutritious too.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Obituaries
Aspen Lakes shines at Christmas
Heidi Jan Fernandez 1957-2023
Heidi Jan Fernandez (Molenaar) died peacefully at her home in Camp Sherman on December 13, at the age of 66, surrounded by her five children, her loving husband, and two cats. Heidi was born in Redwing, Minnesota, in 1957 to parents Mary Gale and Dr. Robert Molenaar. A childhood in the rural Minnesota farm country of Cannon Falls influenced her love of animals and nature early on. At 5 years old she loved climbing onto the backs of her friend’s dairy cows and riding them around the barnyard. On her 10th birthday, her beloved black-andwhite pony “Tony” arrived. Where other children would ride bikes, Heidi rode Tony — to friends’ houses, to the ice cream shop, and even across the local golf course (she said it was a great place to gallop). She shared a love of horses with her mom, who accompanied her every summer weekend to compete in horse shows. Heidi collected numerous ribbons and trophies, and at 15 was crowned Saddle Club Queen. It was horses that eventually brought Heidi to Sisters in 1977 at age 20, to work with the Arabian horses on the Patterson Ranch. She later said that seeing the beautiful mountain country for the first time was love at first sight, and she never looked back. She was artistic and a gifted writer, and in Sisters those talents found a place to flourish. Her pottery graces tables across the country and globe, and is a treasured remembrance for her children. Heidi raised five children in Sisters, and they meant the world to her. She was a proud mother to the end, but Heidi’s favorite
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role was that of “Oma” and Grandma. She cherished her time with her grandkids, never tiring of sharing hugs and books and imaginative games with her granddaughters. Heidi met the love of her life, Stephen, in 2018 in Camp Sherman. The two became inseparable, filling their days with hikes, bike rides, camping trips, birdwatching, and pine cone collecting. The two were married by the Metolius River in February 2022. Everyone who knew Heidi knew how much she loved nature and cared for all creatures great and small. Her backyard became an unofficial wild bird sanctuary, and she loved sitting at the dining table watching woodpeckers and Western tanagers at the feeders. Heidi will always be remembered for her kindness, integrity, creativity, and love of nature. Heidi’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her. Heidi is survived by her husband, Stephen; her five children, Amber, Micah, Laura, Crystal, and Leilani; two granddaughters; and four brothers. A memorial for Heidi will be held in the spring at Camp Sherman Community Hall. Details to follow.
The collective efforts of a very giving local neighborhood gleamed with a donation of $4,280 toward Sisters Camp-Sherman Rural Fire Protection District’s sponsorship of “Spirit of Christmas Giving 2023.” Providing Christmas gifts and financial assistance to Sisters Community families this holiday was the mission of the Aspen Lakes Estates Owners Association. Five years ago, the Aspen Lakes Social Committee chose to join the collective community efforts of our local fire district while sharing and celebrating their annual holiday potluck dinner. Their tradition of personally walking neighborhood streets and hand-delivering a festive candy-cane wrapped invitation to each home reflects the caring touch and close connection this special community thrives on. Arriving at the beautifully decorated Brand 33 Club House on December 7, homeowners who wished to contribute to the Sisters Community in a meaningful and charitable manner were able to do so by purchasing gift cards and making
PHOTO PROVIDED
Members of the Aspen Lakes Estates Owners Association collected donations of more than $4,000 at their annual potluck dinner last month. Funds went to support the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District’s annual holiday giving program. donations for local children and depositing them in a fireman’s boots and helmet. And contribute they did, topping their 2022 donation. The association says that
the community of Aspen Lakes very much looks forward to continuing this tradition of local giving in 2024, bringing special meaning to their annual neighborhood holiday celebration.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Lady Outlaws post third straight win on hardwood By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws won both their games this past week to make it three wins in a row. Sisters defeated the visiting Sweet Home Huskies 35-26 on Tuesday, December 19, and a day later posted a 35-34 win on the road at Estacada. In Tuesday’s action the Outlaws got off to slow start. They struggled to find their shots against the Huskies’ extended zone and missed the shot attempts they did have. They finally scored midway through the quarter on a three-point shot from Nora Thorsett, which was their lone score of the quarter and put them down 3-9 at the close of the period. Coach Paul Patton said, “One of the reasons we were out of sync is that our senior captain, Ila Reid, went down with a sprained ankle and missed most of the quarter.” Reid did return to the game after getting her ankle taped, but was not at 100 percent for the remainder of the game. In the second quarter, Paityn Cotner got the Outlaws’ scoring going with two free-throws, followed by a bucket from Maggie Lutz, closing the gap to 7-9. It was nice to have Lutz back on the court after missing the last three weeks due to a sprained elbow, and her presence gave the team an added spark. Midway through the quarter Lutz scored on a give-and-go bucket assisted by Shae Wyland. The score remained close and with two minutes left in the quarter Audrey Corcoran hit a three-pointer to tie the game 13-13. The score was knotted up again at 14-14 off a freethrow from Corcoran, but the Huskies scored a bucket with 26 seconds left and at the half the Outlaws trailed by two 14-16.
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Sisters’ best offensive and defensive play came in the third quarter. Ila Reid led the team with six of her eight points, and Jorja Christianson hit a long ball from behind the arc. The Outlaws led the entire quarter and held the Huskies to just three points. Sisters turned their two-point halftime deficit into an eightpoint lead, 27-19, to close out the period. The Outlaws went cold at the start of the fourth, and the Huskies capitalized and scored the first five points of the quarter to make it a 27-24 game. With approximately three-and-a-half minutes left in the game, Lutz hit a three-pointer for Sisters’ first points of the quarter and extended the Outlaws’ lead to 30-24. Reid scored a layup and Cotner hit a three to finish the Outlaws’ scoring with 50 seconds left on the clock. The Huskies hit one of two from the stripe and the game ended in a win for the Lady Outlaws. Patton said, “I was pleased that we were able to play 10 girls in the game and that seven of them put points on the board. Getting Maggie Lutz back was a huge boost for us, not only for her scoring but her rebounding and hustle plays. “I was impressed with Ila Reid’s toughness after rolling her ankle and continuing to play while in obvious pain,” added Patton. “Shae Wyland stood out again for
her rebounding and shot blocking.” Reid and Lutz each scored eight points for the Outlaws, Corcoran recorded six, and Cotner tallied five. Christianson and Thorsett added three each, and Wyland pitched in for two points, plus seven boards and three assists. Lutz also recorded seven boards in the contest. A day later the Outlaws traveled to Estacada and got off to a great start, despite Reid being unable to play due to her ankle injury from the previous game. Corcoran converted some defensive steals into transition layins and Lutz hit a nice threepointer. Sisters was aggressive on defense, held the Rangers to five points, and finished the period on top 11-5. The second-quarter teams played even. Sisters got long balls from Corcoran, Cotner, and Christianson. Unfortunately, Lutz, who had just returned from an elbow injury the previous game, went down with an ankle injury with just a couple of minutes left in the period. Estacada was able to keep pace with the Outlaws and made a few tough shots to stay close. At the half, Sisters was on top 23-17. Patton said, “Even though our lead was just six points at halftime, we felt like we were the better team and that
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we could keep control of the game if we kept up the defensive pressure and moved the ball on offense.” Wyland carried the tea, scoring all of the Outlaws’ six third-quarter points on drives to the basket, and putbacks on offensive rebounds. The loss of Lutz disrupted the Outlaws’ rhythm a bit, and the Rangers went on a 6-0 run in the quarter and cut Sisters’ lead to two, 29-27, as teams headed into the final quarter. The final period was intense, a nail-biter at the end. Teams traded baskets and the Rangers got to within one point, 33-32, with approximately three minutes left in the game. Corcoran missed a three, rebounded her own ball, and put it back in with a mid-key jumper to give the Outlaws a bit of breathing room. After a couple of turnovers on both ends and a couple of big blocked shots by Wyland, the Rangers got the ball to their 6-foot-1inch post, who scored on a close-range bucket to pull to
within one with 40 seconds left on the clock. Sisters was able to maintain possession for the remainder of the game. Estacada was forced to foul. Unfortunately, the Outlaws’ attempts at the stripe failed, but Wyland and Corcoran made great efforts to pull down the rebounds and run time off the clock. The Outlaws squeaked by with a one-point win. Corcoran led the team with 13 points, eight rebounds, and nine steals in the contest. Wyland scored eight points and was a beast on the boards with eight offensive and 10 defensive rebounds, and she also dished out three assists. Cotner recorded five points, Lutz scored four, Christianson hit a three, and Thorsett added two. Patton said, “This was a gutsy win for us considering that we were without one of our senior starters for the whole game and another for the entire second half. The younger girls stepped up and made just enough plays to allow us to hold on to the lead down the stretch. “Audrey (Corcoran) had a superb game directing the action as our point guard, leading us in scoring and grabbing some key rebounds,” Patton added. “Shae (Wyland) also stood out with her rebounding and by scoring eight of our 12 second-half points.”
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
7
Outlaws basketball squad splits games By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws boys hopsters came out on top 48-42 at home against the visiting Sweet Home Huskies on Tuesday, December 19, and a day later fell 45-58 on the road at Estacada. On Tuesday against the Huskies the score went back and forth during the first quarter, and was knotted up four times. Diego Silva, Brody Fischer, Landon Scott, and Kale Gardner all contributed points to make it a 10-8 Outlaw lead with 1:40 left in the quarter. The Huskies closed out the period on a 0-5 run, which included four points off of two Outlaw turnovers in the final minute. At the close of the first, the Outlaws trailed 10-13. The Huskies held on to a four- to five-point lead for the first four minutes of the second quarter, and then the Outlaws went on a 6-0 run. Fischer hit a jump hook bank shot from Garrett Sager, and then Levi Szesze had a driving layup from the right corner on an assist from Gardner that tied the game at 20-20. On the next possession, Szesze stole the ball, drove to the basket, and hit Fischer for the layup. Sweet Home tied it up at 24-24 with a minute left in the half. Gardner closed out the quarter with five points; a transition layup off a Husky missed shot, and a left-wing three-pointer with 21 seconds left. At the half the Outlaws held a 27-24 advantage. At the start of the third quarter Sweet Home tightened the zone they’d been running all game, and the Outlaws’ had trouble finding open shots. Gardner got the Outlaws scoring started
with a beautiful back-door cut on a pass from Scott, and a minute later Fischer hit a three-pointer in front of the Outlaws’ bench off a great pass from Hudson Beckwith. Scott and Silva also scored and Sisters closed out the period with a 36-34 lead. The Outlaws held the Huskies scoreless for the first six-and-a-half minutes in the final quarter. During that time Sisters extended their two-point lead to seven. With 1:40 left in the game Silva converted on a three-point play when he took a pass from Scott at the free-throw line and took the rack for the basket and the foul. He hit the shot at the stripe and the Outlaws went up 41-34. Sweet Home persisted and put together some consecutive baskets to keep it a twopossession game. However, the Outlaws converted five of their six free-throw attempts down the stretch to keep the Huskies at bay. Scott led the team with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, and Gardner followed with 12 points, four boards, and three assists. Fischer tallied 11 points and pulled down five rebounds and Silva contributed nine points and three assists. Szesze added two points and both Szesze and Sager had four rebounds. Coach Chad Rush said,
“This was a game that was important for the Outlaws. Being at home against a scrappy and aggressive opponent was a real test for our team. Being short-handed, we were able to see some resilience and grit from the players tonight. I believe that will be a good lesson for us to take forward with us as we finish out our non-league schedule and head into Mountain Valley Conference play at the start of the new year.” A day later, Sisters came out fighting against the Estacada Rangers, and scored the first points of the game on a Gardner three-pointer from the top of the key on an assist from Sager. Despite the fact that the Rangers hit six three-pointers in the quarter, the Outlaws maintained a lead until Estacada hit a long ball with just seconds left on the clock. At the close of the period the Outlaws trailed by two, 18-20, with Gardner scoring 10 of the Outlaws’ points. Fischer got the scoring started in the second quarter on a short baseline jumper on an assist from Gardner. The Outlaws regained the lead at 27-26 when Beckwith connected on a wing threepointer on a Silva assist. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e Outlaws watched the Rangers go on a 5-0 run before Fischer
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This was a game that was important for the Outlaws. Being at home against a scrappy and aggressive opponent was a real test for our team. — Coach Chad Rush scored down low. Sisters applied defensive pressure, and forced the Rangers to turn the ball over six times in the quarter. At the half the Outlaws trailed 29-33. Sisters struggled to find an answer to the Rangers’ 2-3 zone in the third. Scott and Sager scored the Outlaws’ first points of the quarter, and then the team was held scoreless for three minutes. Finally, Sager stole a rebound from the Rangers, and made a pass to Fischer under the basket for the score. Fischer scored again thanks to a nice hustle play from Sager, who after diving on the ground to secure a loose ball, hit Fischer in the middle of the key for a basket. The Outlaws were outscored 11-17 in the quarter and were down by 10 (40-50) at the end of the period. The Outlaws were marked by poor shooting in the final quarter, and only connected
on 15 percent of their shots. Despite their poor shooting, they held the Rangers to their lowest shooting at 25 percent. Sisters did get to within seven points with 3:42 left on the clock, but at the end the Rangers went on a 5-0 run to close out the game. Rush said, “We knew this was going to be a tough road game for us as Estacada always plays physical, aggressive basketball. We wanted to take advantage of the Rangers’ tendency to turnover the ball. We did just that and forced them to turn the ball over 22 times, but unfortunately we couldn’t turn many of those turnovers into points. This was a good lesson for us on how to compete and be competitive when our offense is not flowing very well.” Gardner led the Outlaws in scoring with 11 points, and in addition had six assists and three steals. Fischer scored 11 points, pulled down nine boards, and tallied two steals. Scott recorded eight points, and Silva contributed six. Sager put four points on the scoreboard, had five rebounds and four assists, and Beckwith pitched in with three points. The Outlaws will resume play at their annual holiday tournament, which will be Thursday through Saturday, December 28-30.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
Service arrived to survey the camp, my husband led them to the tree. Unfortunately, the outcome was tragic and heartbreaking and as the opinion piece by Therese states, “an extreme loss to the community,” on that we can all agree. Dena Isbell
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Thanks to Sisters community
To the Editor: Sisters Kiwanis want to give a great big thank-you to the Sisters community for stepping up to help us reach our goals for the Food Bank. Also a big thank-you to the high school and middle school for their food drives. They donated over 1,000 pounds of food. Several of our local merchants have stepped up as well. Wander + NW collected 300 pounds in one day. Doug Wills Sisters Kiwanis
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Congratulations to Jeremy Fields
To the Editor: Congratulations to Jeremy Fields, our local “Forest Priest” as many of us call him, for just another award; he’s had many and all well deserved! Bonnie LaMont Rose
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Smith not first
To the Editor: Just finished reading your wonderful article on the upcoming book “Throne of Grace” (“The great pathfinder,” The Nugget, December 27). Can’t wait for its release. But as an avid reader of Western history I was dismayed at your historical error. You referenced Jedediah Smith as the discoverer of South Pass. Actually, that’s not true. South Pass was discovered by Robert Smith and six companions trying to find a route back East. To avoid Crow warriors, they followed the advice of a Shoshone, who recommended a southern route over the Rockies. So, on October 22, 1812, they made the first crossing west to east of South Pass. Hence, discovering South Pass. Jedediah Smith, on the other hand, made the first crossing of South Pass east to west in February, 1824. Jenny Zimmerman
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Israeli savagery
To the Editor: I would like to respond to Bill Bartlett’s “Call it for what it is” commentary re: the Hamas attack, in the December 13 edition. It is very clear to me that Mr. Bartlett has “jumped the gun” in his condemnation of Hamas atrocities. He calls their action “savagery” for their indiscriminate killing of over 1,200 Jewish citizens in a brutal attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of a coalition government patched together with far right-wing parties in the Knesset, was unfortunately caught off guard by this Hamas attack, and has decided to use the full might of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) to destroy the Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and make him appear the hardline leader that Israel needs. The IDF has been developed to protect Israel from the Arab States that surround it and is a 21st century military with a modern air force, army, and coastal forces. It is not a force to execute surgical strikes in a densely populated urban area. Currently, there are over 2
million people living in Gaza with an area the size of Boston, Massachusetts or Las Vegas, Nevada. So far, close to 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in these “surgical” attacks. The majority of those killed have been women and children. Included in the death count are 64 journalists (57 Palestinians, three Israelis and one Lebanese) and 137 U.N. aid workers. The indiscriminate use of air power, artillery, and ground mechanization has decimated a large majority of the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip. Palestinians were told to flee the north of the Strip and congregate in the south of Gaza. In the past week, (as of December 19) these refugee sites have been attacked by IDF, with the death of more innocent women and children. I hope that most of your readers remember the attack in Las Vegas in 2017. No, it wasn’t terrorist, but an American citizen. Sixty innocent persons were killed. That’s a little under half of the number killed by Hamas on October 7. What was the American response? Carpet bomb the Las Vegas Strip? Call out the National Guard and mow down any suspected “shooters”? The “savagery” is now in the hands of the Israelis. They have resorted to tactics we have not seen since World War II. Except they don’t have to deport the Palestinians to “death camps” in some other country. They simply have to “shoot fish in a barrel” to rid themselves of the pesky Palestinian problem. For those who want to dig deeper into the Palestinian/Israeli issue, research the Balfour Declaration, where Britain authorized their support for a “Jewish” homeland in Palestine. Rob Phelps
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Final chapter
To the Editor: My husband and I moved to Sisters in the fall of 1992. Shortly thereafter, I noticed an ad in The Nugget for a part-time position at the local bookstore, at that time, Paulina Springs Book Company. Diane Campbell and Dick Sandvik had opened the store on Memorial Day of that year. I thought to myself that, being new to the area, working at the bookstore would be a great way to meet people in the community. And it has been, in spades. Over the past 31 years I have worked part-time, able early on to have some summers off to work in profession as a wildlife biologist, to as little as one day a week for a short while when Brad Smith first took over the reins of the store. That didn’t last long! I’ve been a nearly full-time manager/ co-manager now for the last 15-20 years. I’ve been lucky enough during my time at Paulina Springs Books to have worked for/with some very forward-thinking, community-minded owners, most recently Lane Jacobson, who is taking the store to new heights in Sisters. I have also had the good fortune to have had some great coworkers over the years. It has indeed been a wonderful way to meet people in my community, with customers who have become friends as well, seeing welcome familiar faces in the store on an almost daily basis. And now, after 31 years, as of January 1, I am stepping away from my book-selling endeavors. While I will still be doing a few store-related tasks, and will come in as need be to do them, my presence will be limited. I will miss the day-to-day, seeing both new and familiar faces, sharing lighthearted as well as deep conversations about books and life in general. Helping customers find just the right book is the joy of the work, and I will miss that. But I will still be reading and sharing those recommendations. Thank you all for trusting me to help you with your book selections and for becoming the friends I hoped I would find when I answered that ad 31 years ago. I hope to see you around town, and we can still talk books! Sue Tank
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Scottie Wisdom&Faith Jean Russell Nave
A new year, a new spirit? Truly, Scotties and all dogs are the best friends we have. Yes, we have loyal families and spouses. But as some find out, even family members and spouses have been known to desert us. But a well-loved dog is devoted to its keeper for life. It may sound silly to some, but it seems that the many thousands of years that humans and dogs have spent together has made the once mighty wolf into a reflection of the very best that humans can be. Unless trained otherwise, a dog is filled to the point of overflowing with love and boundless devotion. In recent years, we have used our relationship with dogs to train them to lovingly serve us in ways undreamed of a hundred years ago. Dogs protect us by sensing bombs, drugs, and even an oncoming seizure. They guide the blind, and they fetch things for the disabled. Dogs do all these things and more with love and joy filling them every moment. How can we live up to this noble example? One way is to follow the teachings of all the great mystics of the world—people who seek by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into God—including Jesus of Nazareth, LaoTze—the founder of Taoism, the Buddha, and India’s Guru Nanak. All of these people
found God’s illumination through meditation. Jesus brought God’s message to the Western world having obtained a magnificent, raised consciousness. Through constant prayer and meditation, Jesus totally submerged his human ego to the will of God, becoming the true Christ. He is an example of what is possible for any of us (as he told us) when one goes beyond faith and comprehends a full realization that we each are an individualized, unique essence of God at our core. That core is Spirit, being perfect good and perfect love. When one comes close to the raised consciousness of Jesus, they see only the good in God’s world, and they see only the face of Christ in each human. That’s a little bit like a dog. Some may recoil at that comment, but dogs are God’s creatures too, and they don’t have to wrestle with our negative ego; they accept us as we are, and love us for it. Yes, humans are special in the sense that we have more godly potential than a dog, but domestic dogs have mastered the basic concept of unconditional love, which
each of us can make the centerpiece of our life and our faith. Think about this: 1 John 4:16 — “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” The teachings of Jesus Christ were not about how much one attended church, or how many times one went to confession. Jesus shunned ritual and dogma. He taught us that letting the inner Spirit, that godly goodness that is in all of us, shine above our human desire for self-preservation and self-centeredness, can bring us into the presence of God’s love. He showed us that when we rise that high, Divine Love does not judge others. Many people talk about love, but then they stand in judgment over others whom they do not think exhibit “the right kind of love.” Divine Love is not boastful. Many people spend a lot of time telling others how generous they are to the poor and needy. Somehow the ego gets in the way of their good works by needing to boast, which is why the Bible talks about helping others by giving anonymously.
A partnership beyond expectations
Divine Love makes fear disappear. It is the ego that wants us afraid—that and today’s news media. When you understand love as Jesus taught it, you don’t need fear anymore. You finally begin to see that it is true: this power that created the universe is available to each of us, and we do not have to be afraid of this material world. Spirit is above materiality and we, at the core, are Spirit. Now let’s revisit that loving spirit of the domestic dog. We can, with conviction, raise our consciousness to such a level that we, this year, can master the concept of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Dogs demonstrate that others respond to unconditional love. People are drawn to others who truly love and appreciate them. People forgive your mistakes when love oozes out of your being. Children can quickly see a person filled with real love. Love makes the person genuine, and children adore real people. Just think about our little community. If every person in this community made a commitment to loving
everyone else in this community for just one year, imagine how many problems would disappear. With a commitment to love, we would listen to each other, really listen, without prejudging another’s ideas. We would take our ego out of problem-solving. We could sit down and negotiate our way through the most challenging issues and find the truly best solution, not the one that is newest or most expedient. Even old ideas can become new solutions under a new lens. We can do this, but don’t point your finger at your neighbor and say, “You have to do it, too.” Everything begins with you and me. (If it’s going to be, it’s up to me!) When we become committed to unconditional love, others will follow. Maybe not right away, because egos live in judgment of everything. But when we keep it up, eventually even the doubters will see that it can work. May God bless your year, and may our unconditional love be as good as our dog’s. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. — Colossians 3:14
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
A N N O U N C E M E N T S Hunter Education Class
Starts February 14, 2024. Register online at odfw.com For info call Rick Cole 541-420-6934.
Sisters Habitat Volunteers Needed
Are you looking for something fun to do with your free time? Volunteer with Sisters Habitat for Humanity! Call 541-549-1193.
Free Weekly Meal Service
Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. Visit www.FamilyKitchen.org.
Free Lunches for Seniors
For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers a fun, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches take place weekly on Wed. and Thurs., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.
Weekly Food Pantry
The Wellhouse Church hosts a weekly food pantry Thursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N. Trinity Way. Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-style distribution are available. Info: 541-549-4184.
SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
Know Stories: Japanese American InternmentIncarceration Camps
Yukiko Flennaugh shares her father’s experience during WWII. John Nakada was an 11-year-old boy when the U.S. entered WWII. John’s daughter, Yukiko Flennaugh, will share what Japanese Americans experienced in internment camps and show short videos of her father telling stories. John and his wife raised their four children in Bend and his daughter is honored to share his story on Tuesday, January 9 at noon in the Sisters Library Community Room.
Storytelling Essentials Workshop
Join Claire Brislin, a writer, educator, and creative coach, for this youth workshop on how to write fabulous stories. For middle-school and high school students age 11 and up in the Sisters Library Community Room on Tuesday, January 9 at 3:45 p.m. Registration is required at https://www. deschuteslibrary.org/kids/ programs.
Family Story Time
Interactive story time with books, songs, and rhymes for children ages 0-5 years. These stories, songs, and rhymes are designed to support early literacy skill development, social emotional awareness, and family engagement. This 25-minute program is on Wednesday, January 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Sisters Library.
Sisters Garden Club Journal
Sisters Garden Club has a Garden Journal that is available for $15 at Paulina Springs Books, The Gallimaufry, Three Sisters Floral, Home Styled, & Metamorphosis, all in Sisters. The multi-year journal includes pages for notes on weather, monthly garden activities, plant details, and more. Sales support the Club and other local nonprofits. Get your copy now. They make great gifts. Please call 971-246-0404 for questions.
STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transport Patients
Help Sisters Country residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters, Redmond, and Bend. Attend a free two-hour training. Emails from STARS dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included. Learn more at www. starsride.org. STARS is an AFSC Action Team.
Sunday School for Children
Church of the Transfiguration is now offering Sunday School for children, ages 5 to 12, regardless of church affiliation, during both Sunday worship services. Protestant/ecumenical service is at 8:30 a.m. and Episcopal service begins at 10:15 a.m. The church address is 121 Brooks Camp Rd. Sisters. For info call Margaret Doke at 541-588-2784.
STARS Seeks Dispatch Volunteers
While working from home, help STARS transport Sisters Country residents to nonemergency medical appointments. Needed: A computer, the ability to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-904-5545. STARS is an AFSC Action Team.
Making a Difference Made Easy in Sisters Country
Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) fiscally sponsors three great Action Teams, and two of them currently need your help to advance their projects to improve livability in Sisters Country. Help the Family Friendly Restroom Team get their project (literally!) off the ground by going to www. agefriendlysisters.com and following the links to volunteer. Go to starsride.org to learn more about their Action Team. Call AFSC directly at 541-241-7910 to learn more about what we do.
Central Oregon Federated Republican Meeting
COFRW (Central Oregon Federated Republican Women) meets the first Thursday of every month from 10:30 a.m. (registration) to 1 p.m. at Brand 33 at Aspen Lakes Golf Club in Sisters. Come learn from quality speakers, and hear and question local and state candidates. Meetings include lunch for $27. RSVP required to attend. Learn more about upcoming meetings and speakers, and RSVP at www.COFRW.net.
Pet Food Drive
The annual Furry Friends (FF) Pet Food drive is going on now and is held in conjunction with the Kiwanis and local fire department’s Spirit of Giving campaign. Donations of pet food can be dropped off at the FF office. Monetary donations are welcome and can be mailed to P.O. Box 1175, Sisters 97759 or made online at www. furryfriendsfoundation.org. For more info call 541-797-4023.
Sisters French Club
For people interested in French culture and language, Sisters French Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at The Barn, 171 E. Main Ave. All levels are welcome. The next meeting will be August 7. For more information, visit Facebook @SistersFrenchClub.
Announce Your Celebrations!
Birth, engagement, wedding, and milestone anniversary notices from the Sisters community may run at no charge on this Announcements page. All submissions are subject to editing for space. Email nugget@ nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Your Announcement Here
Schools, churches, nonprofit, recreational and community groups: this is your page to announce your free gatherings and events! Regularly occurring Sisters Country meetings are listed on the Sisters Area Meeting Calendar on page 3 and special events or featured meetings can be listed on this page. All submissions are subject to editing and run only as space allows. Email nugget@ nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Your text must include a “for more information” phone number. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Volunteer Opportunities in Sisters
Sisters Country Connects is a website that allows volunteers to connect with opportunities to serve in Sisters Country. Organizations post volunteer needs and those seeking to serve can read details about opportunities and find contact information. Find the website at www.sisterscommunity.org/ volunteer/.
PET OF THE WEEK
Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537
Sisters Garden Club Meeting
Sisters Garden Club invites the public to the monthly meeting on Saturday, January 13. There will be a presentation by Robine Bots, founder of Harmony Farm Sanctuary. Her message is “It is with small, everyday acts of love and kindness, no matter the species, that the world becomes a better place.” The meeting is at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. Mckenzie Hwy. The meeting starts at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9:30.
Sisters Cribbage Club
Since the early 1980s, the Sisters Cribbage Club has continued to meet once a week. Originally the Club met upstairs in Bronco Billy’s, now known as Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill. The man to beat was Curt. In 2013 the Club began meeting in the Community Room at Ray’s, and now meets in the SPRD building, just west of Sisters High School, every Wednesday at 11 a.m. The group is always looking for new members, and questions can be answered at 509-947-5744.
VIXEN
This 3-year-old girl is gorgeous, and she knows it! She is social and happy here at the shelter. Once settled into her new home, Vixen will love attention and cuddles with her adopter. If Vixen has caught your eye, stop by the shelter today!
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SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES Baha’i Faith Chapel in the Pines For information, devotions, study groups, etc., contact Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153 Shauna Rocha 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org • www. 10 a.m. Sunday Worship bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching.org Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 Wellhouse Church 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 121 N Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a.m. Tuesday-Friday Mass 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints www.transfiguration-sisters.org 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 Calvary Church www.sistersnaz.org • info@sistersnaz.org 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) Seventh-Day Adventist Church 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 386 N. Fir St. • 541-815-9848 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m. Saturday Worship www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com
POLICY: Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding, and anniversary notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows. Email janice@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Tight Lines By Chester Allen
When in doubt, go fishing For the past 20 years or so, I’ve tried to go fishing on New Year’s Day — even when the Ducks were playing in a bowl game on that day. Stringing up a fly rod and walking along a river just seems like the best possible way to start another year. The goal is always to catch a fish or two, but it’s not a gotta-do-this deal. Some might say that starting the New Year and not catching a fish is a bad beginning. Those are the same people who think that fly-fishing is all about catching fish. It’s not, although I have many days on the water where catching a fish is everything. In my trout-addled way of seeing things, casting a fly — hopefully to a rising fish — on the first day of the year is a statement of intentions. My plan is always to fish as much as possible — yes, I am an addict — and the New Year is a good time to get started. A few years ago, Heather went along on a New Year’s Day trip to the Crooked River. Freezing fog the night before transformed the drive to the river into a gorgeous, glistening world of sunlit ice. The sagebrush and rabbitbrush looked like jewelry. After a while, the
sun melted the ice — except in shaded areas. When we got to the river, a foot-wide shelf of ice lined the bank, and we carefully waded into the shallow water. Midges — tiny bugs that look like mosquitos but don’t bite — were hatching in the slow current, and redsides rainbow trout slowly sipped the emerging bugs from the surface. It was fishing in slow motion. The trout were pretty silly for a size 20 Pheasant Tail nymph just under the surface. I watched Heather gently cast to the slowly spreading rings of trout rises and hook fish. She looked so beautiful in the soft winter light, and I took many, many photos of her casting and playing trout. I don’t like to share those photos, as the day almost seemed like a dream, and it felt like we were the only anglers on the river. Everything about that day was about the two of us sharing moments of beauty in a silent world. The day felt rare and magical. Hello, 2024 A lot of people make resolutions this time of year, and I respect that. At the same time, I suspect many resolutions are made to be broken. I always make the same resolution: to fly fish as much as possible — and to make angling part of my everyday life. I think about this a lot, as the modern world gives us lots of reasons to not go fishing. Most of those reasons are tangled up with the human trait of knowing how things usually work, combined with the astounding amount of information that is so easy to get these days. Let me explain: If you’ve been fly fishing a while, you know how weather conditions, time of day, and the season influence a day on the river. If it’s early March, about 45
degrees, and drizzling rain, I know that Blue Wing Olive mayflies will probably hatch on the Metolius River in the afternoon. Yet, if that same March day is sunny, a little colder, and windy, the chances of seeing rising fish are pretty crummy. So a sunny, cool, breezy day in March gives me several reasons to not fish. I can then log onto the Internet and read fishing reports and weather forecasts. This information usually gives me more reasons to stay home and tie flies, read a book, or even work. Yet the right answer — at least for me — is to go fishing. You never know Going fishing in imperfect conditions seems silly — but you never know what is actually happening on the water unless you show up and see for yourself. I’ve had some of my best flyfishing days when the conditions are far from perfect. Last January, I drove up to the Metolius River on a bright, cold day. A little, chilly breeze was blowing in Sisters, and the day didn’t feel fishy at all. But when I got to the Metolius, there was no wind, and the sun felt warm on my back. The bankside shrubs were icy, and the muddy trail was frozen and crunchy under my boots. Flotillas of Blue Wing Olive mayflies floated on the surface of the Metolius, and the cold air made it hard for the bugs to dry off their wings and fly away. The noses of very nice trout poked out of the water and sipped down the helpless, luckless insects. Soon, one of those very nice trout sipped in my size 20 Sparkle Dun. So I, once again, plan to fish my brains out in the new year. If I don’t, I’m going to miss a lot of magic. And magic is really what I seek on the water.
PHOTO BY CHESTER ALLEN
The Metolius River beckons the fisherman, even in winter.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
NEW LAW: Insurance is topic of several bills landing in 2024 Continued from page 3
activities. It also requires insurers to allow up to 36 months to repair, rebuild, or replace damaged or lost property if it was directly related to a fire that was subject of an order under the Emergency Conflagration Act. This bill also prohibits insurance companies from using statewide wildfire risk maps published by the Oregon Department of Forestry as a basis for canceling or declining to renew a policy or increasing premiums. This is one of several laws taking immediate effect with the turn of the new year. • SB 192 directs the Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board to develop a plan for upper payment limits to contain costs of prescription drugs in the state, requires pharmacy benefit managers to provide price transparency reports to Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), expands health insurance company transparency reporting, and makes other technical changes to strengthen DCBS prescription drug pricing programs. Pharmacy benefit managers will report annually to DCBS about certain rebates, fees, price protection payments, and other
Cleaning & Organizing in the New Year?
payments received from prescription drug manufacturers, shedding more light on the effect of industry practices on the prices Oregonians pay for drugs. • SB 536 establishes new disclosure and care obligations for the sale of annuities in Oregon and permits the sale of registered indexlinked annuities in the state. Producers and brokers must also complete, at a minimum, a four-hour training course with a continuing education provider that has registered with DCBS. • SB 628 requires health benefit plan coverage of certain treatments for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. • SB 797 requires health insurance policies that cover expenses of hospital, medical, or surgical services to cover medically necessary prosthetic and orthotic devices. • SB 1041 prevents group and individual health benefit plans that cover supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations from imposing deductibles, co-insurance, copayments, or any other outof-pocket expenses on those services. • SB 1529 passed in 2022 with a delayed implementation date and was amended in 2023 by House Bill (HB) 3008. It requires health benefit plan coverage of three See NEW LAW on page 15
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Sopko serves clients in Sisters Renee Sopko joined the Crux Wealth Advisors team in 2021 as a wealth advisor. According to Crux, Sopko has a critical role on the team and takes a comprehensive approach when working with her clients. “ R e n e e ’s f r i e n d l y demeanor, attention to detail, and desire to see her clients’ goals achieved are apparent through the commitment and dedication she has for her clients and career,” Crux stated. “She has the distinct ability to take complex financial circumstances and break them into comprehendible, handcrafted investment strategies that are well defined with clear timelines, actions, and desired outcomes. By actively engaging with her clients, she ensures that they remain on track with their goals.” It’s not by chance that Sopko finds herself working in the wealth management industry. She has always been interested in investing in stocks due to their everevolving nature, which must be constantly evaluated. She also has a passion for connecting with and helping others. Her drive to provide excellent customer service combined with assessing multifaceted financial scenarios is where she thrives. Before joining Crux Wealth Advisors, Sopko
Renee Sopko.
PHOTO PROVIDED
gained extensive experience as a wealth advisor and vice president with Merrill Lynch in the Portland and Spokane, Washington offices from 1997 to 2021. Sopko
graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and earned her MBA from the University of Portland. “I live in Black Butte Ranch,” Sopko says, “which I find to be an exquisitely picturesque location replete with magnificent horses, towering ponderosa pines, and snowcapped mountains. I make it a daily routine to venture outdoors for a rejuvenating walk amidst the stunning natural surroundings. “Currently, I am investing my time in cultivating good health, which includes adopting a plant-based dietary regimen and honing my culinary skills. Additionally, I find great delight in taking long nature trail walks daily.”
Sisters-Area Events & Entertainment WEDNESDAY • JANUARY 3
Suttle Lodge Live Music: Dirty Jazz with Wolfe House Records 6 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, $15, at www.bendticket.com. Paulina Springs Books First Wednesday Open Mic Bring a poem, song, or short story to share — or come listen! 5 minutes per reader. 6:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.
THURSDAY • JANUARY 4
Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Megan Diana brings her unique dream country disco style and her album, Cabin Fever, wrote during an artist residency at Suttle in 2020. 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.
FRIDAY • JANUARY 5
2024 Tours WINNEMUCCA
FEBRUARY 23-25 $144 PPDO Includes $20 slot play and $15 food coupons.
SPIRIT MTN/ CHINOOK WINDS
MARCH 13-14 | $329 PPDO Includes 1 nt. at Spirit Mtn. Casino and visit to Chinook Winds, food coupons and free slot play!
SAN ANTONIO/ ALAMO
APRIL 2-6 | $2,199 PPDO Includes air, taxes, transfers, 4 nts. Holiday Inn River Walk, Hop on/off tour, guided tour of the Alamo.
BRANSON MUSIC FEST
APRIL 17-23 | $2,699 PPDO Includes 7 nts., 20-22 acts over 2 days featuring local and nationally known artists.
VENICE CRUISE
MAY 2-13 STARTING AT $2,999 PPDO Includes air, taxes, transfers, 2 pre-nights Venice, 7-night cruise.
RIVER CRUISE NASHVILLE TO ST. LOUIS
JUNE 30-JULY 8 STARTING AT $4,849 PPDO Includes air, trans, taxes, 1 pre-night in Nashville, 7-night cruise, comp shore excursions, gratuities.
Connie Boyle 541-508-1500 Box 615 Sisters, OR 97759
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SATURDAY • JANUARY 6
Paulina Springs Books Game Night 5 to 8 p.m. Bring a game or play one of ours. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SUNDAY • JANUARY 7
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
THURSDAY • JANUARY 11
Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: John Lensing, folk singer-songwriter, brings his original music. 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.
FRIDAY • JANUARY 12
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SATURDAY • DECEMBER 13
Paulina Springs Books Game Night 5 to 8 p.m. Bring a game or play one of ours. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SUNDAY • DECEMBER 14
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
THURSDAY • JANUARY 18 Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Jeffrey Silverstein 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.
Entertainment & Events Calendar listings are free to Nugget advertisers. Non-advertisers can purchase a listing for qualified event for $40/week. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to jess@nuggetnews.com. EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Stars over Sisters By Molly Greaney/Samatha Reyes Columnists
Taurus, the brightest zodiac constellation of the winter season, rides high in the evening sky during January. The celestial Bull is one of only 12 elite constellations that lie along a strip of sky centered about the ecliptic. The sun, moon, and all the major planets are always found somewhere within this belt of the sky. The arrangement of stars in Taurus does, indeed, resemble the head of a bull. The V-shaped star cluster known as the Hyades depicts the beast’s face. From this feature two horns extend in a northeasterly direction. The northern horn terminates at Elnath, the constellation’s second brightest star, while Zeta Tauri marks the tip of the southern horn. Aldebaran, a first magnitude reddish-orange star, denotes the Bull’s eye. Finally, the celebrated Pleiades star cluster represents Taurus’ shoulder. Aldebaran is the brightest star in the group. It is classified as a red giant star that is 44 times larger than the sun and lies at a distance of only 65 light-years. Interestingly, the NASA space probe Pioneer 10, launched in 1972, will pass by Aldebaran in about two million years. Lying as close as it does to the Milky Way, Taurus
has a long list of deep-sky objects. Two of them are so spectacular that they have no rivals anywhere else in the sky. One of these is M1, first entry in Charles Messier’s catalog of nonstellar objects. Dubbed the Crab Nebula, it is the remnant of a supernova that exploded in 1054. Chinese astronomers recorded the event, describing the temporary star as being visible in the daytime for nearly a month. M1 is located 6,500 light-years away. The other notable object is the famous Pleiades star cluster, sometimes referred to as M45. It is estimated that the cluster contains approximately 3,000 stars, many of them hot, massive blue bodies that will live short lives. The young cluster formed just 100 million years ago. The Pleiades cluster is an easy naked-eye object. Between 6 to 14 individual stars can be made out, depending on atmospheric transparency, stability, and darkness of night. To many observers the cluster looks like a tiny dipper. It resides about 410 light-years from Earth. Many cultures have associated this constellation with a bull, including Greek, Egyptian, and Indigenous mythology. Taurus, along with the Pleiades, can even be traced back to an ancient cave painting at Lascaux, dated 15,000 BC. According
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to Greek sky lore, the god Zeus disguised himself in the figure of a bull to seduce Europa, a princess. Once gaining Europa’s attention, Zeus carried her across the sea to the island of Crete, where he removed his disguise. Zeus and Europa ended up having three children together. Zeus honored the Bull by placing him among the stars. The solar system’s three inner planets, Mercury, Venus, and Mars, will be clustered in the morning sky in January. They will be best seen near the eastern horizon later in the month. Jupiter (in Aries) and Saturn (in Aquarius) will be the only naked-eye planets to occupy the evening sky. As the new year begins, the moon will be on the wane. It will continue to darken until just after the new moon on January 11— an ideal time to do some dark-sky viewing. In the days that follow, the moon’s
PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT GENDLER
The iconic Pleiades star cluster lies just 410 light-years away in the constellation of Taurus. brightness will wax until the Full Wolf Moon arrives on January 25. The title “Wolf Moon” was coined after the thought that more wolves could be heard howling under a January full moon. The full moon will rise just after 6 p.m. and set just before 6 a.m., allowing plenty of time to view the illuminated night sky. January’s Starry Sky tip is to turn lights off when not in use. If you still have
holiday twinkle lights up, make sure you shut them off when you go to bed at night, or even set them on a timer. Otherwise, turn off porch and outside lights when you are not actively using them. The collective glow produced by outdoor lights that are left on at night creates a light dome surrounding Sisters, ultimately making it more difficult to see the beautiful stars in our night sky.
FOCUS on Health Health, wellness, and quality of life are top priorities for people in Central Oregon!
Having a healthy, active lifestyle is just the tip of the iceberg. Besides our individual physical health, overall wellbeing depends on other aspects of life as well like mental, oral, ocular, environmental, educational, financial, family, and pet health.
Advertise in Focus On Health if you offer:
• Fitness programs and gear • Chiropractic, acupuncture, & physical therapy • Beauty treatments • Spa & massage services • Veterinary & pet services • Healthy food & supplements • Home cleaning services • Senior living communities & programs • Financial & retirement management • Self-enrichment opportunities (dancing, indoor gardening, cooking classes, reading, art and music lessons, travel, volunteering)
FOCUS ON HEALTH is a 2-week promotion in The Nugget Newspaper January 24 & 31, 2024
AT THE COFFIELD CENTER! CALL 541-549-2091 TO CHECK AVAILABILITY AND RESERVE YOUR DATE!
541-549-2091
1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd.
Sisters, Oregon
Each participating business receives a full-color ad (3” wide by 3.31” tall) both weeks and a 170-word mini-story in one issue (written by one of our professional writers). Reserve your space and submit a high-resolution logo and copy (or camera-ready ad) by Friday, January 5, 2024.
Space is limited and this popular section sells out! Call Vicki, 541-549-9941, to reserve your space.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
EDUCATOR: Honor caught teacher by surprise Continued from page 1
being honored. She thought the school was doing a fire drill and that’s why everyone was outside. “I wondered why the fire drill was going on for so long, then I saw my dad there,” she said. “There were six other nominees who are all such amazing educators. I make mistakes and fail every day; I do great lessons and terrible lessons and good days and bad days. I don’t know what the best teacher is other than someone who gets up every day and starts fresh and keeps growing and learning. Maybe whoever made the decision to choose me could see that’s who I am. I try to put kids and relationships and well-being at the center of what I do. I always try to do what’s in the best interests of my students.” Tibbitts graduated from Sisters High School in 2007. Her high school years were a mixture of challenging and inspiring times. A self-identified introvert, she recalls fond memories growing up in Sisters, but high school was sometimes difficult for her. The support and lessons she learned from that adversity helped shape her to be the teacher she is today. “In high school, I felt like I didn’t fit anywhere and was so shy. It was hard. Now, I look back and wish I could talk to myself back then,”
said Tibbitts in her Bend classroom. “My whole life has been shaped by amazing mentors, including my mom and dad, Lora and John Nordquist. Growing up in a beautiful area we did tons of hiking. My parents taught me to find joy outdoors… that really saved me over the years. In high school I loved the academic part but struggled with the social pieces. After my ninth year, I chose not to go back.” After Tibbitts told her mom she didn’t want to return to a traditional high school situation, Tibbitts thought she’d just get her GED and continue in that way. In the end, she decided to take some classes at COCC, which she loved. But something was missing. “I missed aspects of high school, so I ended up going back part-time. I’d reached out to some elementary school teachers, Tina Fiedler and Mr. Hewitt, and they hosted me in their classrooms in the afternoons. I grew up always thinking that I’d be a teacher. I thought I’d be a high school English teacher like my parents but when I was really struggling, I found so much joy in the elementary school,” said Tibbitts. “Eventually I went to high school in the morning and spent afternoons in the elementary school. That’s where my eyes were opened to elementary education. The teachers were such an inspiration. They helped me navigate through a tough time and find my own way.” Tibbitts knows being able
PHOTO BY KATY YODER
Educator took a nontraditional route through school and found herself drawn to elementary education. to curate an unconventional approach to her high school education was both a privilege and a blessing. Being given a chance to learn in a way that worked for her made all the difference to her eventual success. She credits Sisters High School’s teachers and administrators with meeting her where she was and trusting that she’d make the most of the opportunity. “I appreciated their flexibility. They knew I didn’t fit the normal mold and they allowed me to find my way. I ended up graduating as a valedictorian. I went to school, did all the classes, but found my own path. I played clarinet terribly, but I liked music and the band people and the teacher, Mr. Henderson, who helped
me too. I found a way to have a sense of safety and community along with great teachers,” said Tibbitts. “I have a strong connection to Sisters. It’s funny and
inspiring that my best friend, who I met in kindergarten, Kelsey Harpham, and I are still best friends. Our parents See EDUCATOR on page 15
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
EDUCATOR: Teacher graduated from SHS in 2007
NEW LAW: Bills took effect as of January 1
Continued from page 14
Continued from page 12
are still good friends, too. Another best friend from kindergarten, Stephanie Napier, went off and has done all kinds of interesting things. We just got together after so many years and it was so fun. She’s teaching middle school in Redmond now,” she said. Looking back, Tibbitts can identify aspects of her personality and coping mechanisms that made things harder to handle. Growing up, she was a perfectionist and was often told she was good at things. That pressure almost broke her. By meeting fellow teachers and working together for years, she’s been able to reframe herself as a woman, a mother, and a teacher. “I have to mention my teaching partner, Jill Frazee; she taught in Sisters and mentored under my mom in Sisters, and she taught my brother, and now we’re working together. I began teaching with her six years ago,” said Tibbitts. One issue that’s important to Tibbitts is making sure classroom education is human-centered, while still considering the climate and the earth. She values her students with special needs and teaches all her students
primary care or behavioral health visits with a co-pay of no more than $5 and requires health benefit plan issuers to automatically assign members to primary care providers (PCP) if they do not select a PCP after the first 90 days of the plan year. • HB 2002 establishes a right to make decisions about an individual’s reproductive health and allows any person to bring a civil action against a public body to enforce this right. The bill also establishes a statutory requirement for health benefit plans to cover gender-affirming treatment. It also prohibits medical malpractice insurers from taking adverse action against health care providers for providing reproductive health or genderaffirming care services that are legal in Oregon. • HB 2052 requires data brokers to register with DCBS before collecting, selling, or licensing brokered personal data in Oregon. DFR published a press release on this new law on Dec. 13. • HB 2282 updates the Oregon state law codification
PHOTO PROVIDED
Kate and Josh Tibbitts enjoy the Central Oregon outdoors.
I want to make sure that everyone has a voice and has a sense of belonging. — Kate Tibbitts to be respectful and take good care of each other. She wants everyone to feel valued while having access to an education that fosters what makes them unique and allows them to bring their own contributions to the classroom. “We have so many different needs in my classroom, including students for whom English is their second language. I want to make sure that everyone has a voice and has a sense of belonging,” said Tibbitts.
When Tibbitts has free time, she and her husband, Josh, and their dog, Wallace are out hiking, camping, paddleboarding, and skiing. She’s also an avid reader and loves to sit outside and spend time with her family and friends. “My little bit of advice for those navigating the difficult world of high school is just to keep putting one foot in front of the other,” she said. “Go easy on yourself and others. Remember that nothing is fixed, everything is malleable — your intelligence and abilities change, grow, and strengthen as you push through challenges, learn from mistakes, try new things, and solve problems with curiosity, creativity, and compassion. There is no perfection, but there is always growth if you keep moving forward!”
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of the Affordable Care Act preventive services coverage requirements to ensure access to this coverage in the event of a successful legal challenge to the ACA requirements. • HB 2574 prohibits cost sharing for health benefit plan coverage of post-exposure prophylactic drugs for the prevention of HIV. The bill also requires all Oregon hospitals to have policies and procedures in place for the dispensing of post-exposure prophylactic (PEP) drugs and requires the Oregon Health Authority to provide PEP drugs to Type A and B rural hospitals at no cost. • HB 2982 requires homeowners insurance issuers to offer 70 percent of property contents coverage without requiring policyholders to submit an inventory if a total loss occurs due to a declared disaster. • HB 2994 expands coverage of bilateral cochlear implants, hearing aids, and hearing assistive technology. Also, the bill requires health benefit plans to reimburse the costs associated with these services if they are prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional, and requires specific information in adverse benefit determination notices related to claims for hearingrelated items and services.
“We just closed on our home and had a great experience working with Jennifer. She went above and beyond, taking the time to get to know us and what we were looking for until we eventually found the perfect place. We felt informed and comfortable throughout the entire process. Jennifer was kind, patient, and professional every step of the way. It was a pleasure working with her and would highly recommend her!” – Kim G.
Jennifer King, Broker 541-923-4567
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
VACCINE: Flu, COVID, RSV are all active in region Continued from page 1
received the RSV vaccine. Oregon ranks ninth in the nation for COVID-19 vaccine coverage; 35th for flu vaccine coverage; and 16th for RSV vaccine coverage. Supply is not a problem for most of the vaccines, Sidelinger says. COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are readily available in Oregon, as are the new RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant people. The RSV antibody immunization for children is still in limited supply across the country and in Oregon, though some doses are available for newborns and prioritized high-risk babies – parents should talk to their health care providers. It can take a couple weeks for the body to ramp up its immune response following vaccination, but Sidelinger says antibody levels start rising within days of getting a shot and will offer some protection. He said people can think of getting vaccinated as a gift for themselves and loved ones, or as a New Year’s resolution. “As we make plans to gather with friends and family members over the coming weeks, it’s a good time to think about who we’ll be spending time with,”
Sidelinger said. “Consider people at higher risk for severe illness, such as young children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions or who are immunocompromised, and what we can do to keep them safe.” That includes staying home if sick, regularly washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and wearing a wellfitting mask, in addition to getting vaccinated. While COVID-19 community transmission has remained stable this respiratory season – the average percentage of reported positive COVID-19 tests has hovered just above 9 percent since the start of November — community transmission of both influenza and RSV has steadily increased. Percent positivity of influenza tests has increased from 1 percent on November 2 to 6.5 percent as of December 16. For RSV tests, percent positivity has increased from 3.6 percent to 11.5 percent during that same period. According to health officials, population-level immunity from vaccination and previous infection is leading to decreasing severity of COVID-19 infections over time. CDC forecasting predicts a plateau in COVID-19-associated hospitalizations in Oregon through early January.
Centers for Disease Control forecasting also predicts a steady increase in influenza-associated hospitalizations in Oregon through early January. On November 11, Oregon met criteria to formally declare RSV season onset, which the CDC defines as the first of two consecutive weeks during which the percentage of specimens testing positive for RSV antigen is at or above 10 percent or the percentage of specimens testing positive for RSV by PCR is at or above 3 percent, whichever occurs first. For influenza, a 5 percent test positivity rate is considered a threshold for significant influenza circulation. People can get the vaccines by contacting their health plan, health care provider, county public health clinic, or federally qualified health center (FQHC). They can also search for a clinic by ZIP code by visiting www.vaccinefinder.org, or by calling 211 or visiting www.211info.org.
OPEN MIC: Opportunity to share is focus of event
FORECAST: Winter looking mild going forward
Continued from page 3
Continued from page 1
said. “Please let us know if you want to do something besides music and we’ll see if it might work. We’ll do our best to be flexible, while trying to ensure the best experience for all involved.” Robert Sposato, a local music promoter who is organizing a series of Saturday night events at Sisters Depot, said, “We are really excited about this prime-time opportunity for musicians to share, and music lovers to discover and enjoy new musicians.” Eryn Ross, owner of Sisters Depot, said, “Sisters Depot is thrilled to be offering a late-night happy hour on Saturdays from 8:30 to 11 p.m. This open mic series will be one of a series of musical events we are hosting here. We are so looking forward to hearing musicians play and audience members enjoying the music.”
through the next three months. Average precipitation for January would mean around 2.3 inches, with 1.53 in February, dropping to just over an inch in March. El Niño conditions are expected to create a split airflow that brings mild conditions and weakens storms as they move across Oregon and Washington. In El Niño conditions, there are usually few or no intrusions of Arctic air into the region, meaning we probably won’t see any deep, long-lasting cold snaps in Sisters. The immediate weather forecast for Sisters Country tracks with the broader forecast, with mild winter temperatures in the 40s or high 30s for highs, and lows only in the high 20s. There is no significant precipitation in the forecast for the next 10 days or so.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Molly Greaney Molly Greaney pushes herself as a student at Sisters High School. She’s active in the arts, serves as an IEE (Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition) intern, and plays flute and electric guitar in band. She’s on the tennis and ski teams. “I’m busy, but I like to be busy,” she said. She also takes on a full load in the classroom. “I’ve taken every single AP (Advanced Placement) class except AP Art,” she said. Greaney pushes herself because she likes challenge — and she appreciates that her teachers have enthusiastically provided that for her. She says that her teachers “have a passion for what they’re doing, which makes it easy to learn from them. Most of the teachers I’ve had try to challenge me, which is what I’m looking for in school.” Greaney is looking at colleges right now, with an eye toward studying environmental science. She would like to focus on policy, but also work on conservation. She salutes the community that has helped her thrive. “I really appreciate all the opportunities I’ve had in Sisters,” she said. “I think it’s set me up well for my future.” Molly is the full package; she is ahead of her time. Molly is thoughtful, passionate about her interests, and demonstrates such empathy for her fellow students. She is truly an Outlaw at heart and such a joy to have in class. — Rand Runco
Sisters High School December 2023 Student of the Month
Molly is one of the most hardworking and gregarious students I have ever met. In classes, she always puts her best foot forward and takes her education seriously. She helps foster a welcoming environment where everyone feels like they belong. She also contributes back to the community as an IEE intern and with organizations such as the Sisters Trail Alliance. Her outstanding attitude and strong drive will serve her well in her future pursuits. I feel lucky to have had Molly as a student. — Dan Oliver If you know Molly, then your life has been enriched and blessed for it. As her teacher, I have been consistently impressed by her dedication to her studies, her exceptional problemsolving abilities, and her remarkable talent. In addition, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership at SHS, in both obvious and subtle ways. She has incredible drive, intellectual curiosity, resilience, empathy, and heart—all indicative of a truly exceptional individual. Just as impressive, she has a genuine heart for people. She is perceptive and intuitive. Molly will reach out to a hand in need and will positively touch the life in the process. She has many gifts that she willingly and selflessly shares with others—she truly has a servant’s heart. Molly will be greatly missed around here after she graduates, but I look forward to seeing what her future holds. She is pure potential. — Samra Spear Molly is a gift to the world! She has a brilliant mind and thoughtful spirit, which enriches every classroom experience. She is hard-working and quick to notice where help is needed and to jump in and serve without being asked. She has
a quick smile and genuinely cares for people. She will make a difference for good wherever she is as she has here at SHS. — Jami Lyn Weber Molly is an outstanding human! She puts her full effort into what she does, from being an IEE intern, to making SHS a welcoming place for all, to helping lead the Astronomy Club, to engaging wholeheartedly in her studies, to serving our community. Molly lives fully with kindness and integrity. She puts her heart into making the world a better place. Congratulations. Molly! We are better because of you. — Rima Givot
These businesses have joined The Nugget in supporting our youth and their accomplishments by co-sponsoring the Student of the Month program.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
N U G G E T F L AS H BAC K – 4 4 Y E A R S AG O
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Old growth to get additional protection under updated plan By Alex Baumhardt Oregon Capital Chronicle
America’s oldest trees, most of which are in the West, will get added protection from wildfire and climate change under updated forest plans from the U.S. Forest Service. In announcements over the past week, officials from the Forest Service said they would begin the process of amending forest management plans affecting all 128 of the agency’s forest and grasslands, including the Northwest Forest Plan governing federal forests in northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The amendments, both nationally and in the Northwest, are meant to bolster forest health to combat climate change and to further protect the last of the nation’s old-growth trees, many of which have been threatened by growing wildfires, drought, and diseases. While updates would limit timber harvests in oldgrowth areas, logging would likely be allowed to continue in some mature stands in the Northwest. Susan Jane Brown, founder and attorney at the Oregon legal nonprofit Silvix Resources, said the idea of leaving mature forests on the table for logging makes conservationists a bit “queasy,” but she said it is inevitable on federal forestlands managed for multiple uses. “Given that, I want to see that harvests occur in the most ecologically sensitive way, that also honors cultural traditions, and I think we can do that,” she said. “I think that we can have timber harvests that focus on cutting the right trees in the right places for the right reasons.” Updating these federal forest plans are part of the Biden administration’s strategy to “ecologically manage” the nation’s forests to be more resilient to wildfires and to better sequester climate-warming carbon dioxide. Living trees suck up and store climate-warming carbon dioxide. When cut or burned, they release it into the atmosphere. Older trees also contribute to the health of the water, soil, and ecosystems, allowing better carbon and water storage for other trees and plants. The decision to “amend” rather than “revise” the plans will allow changes to be adopted more quickly. The Forest Service has set a deadline of 2025 to finalize plans. Environmentalists hope this deadline is met to avoid derailment by any new presidential administration. The plans will focus on protections for old growth. The more than 20 million
acres of federal forestlands protected in the Northwest Forest Plan contain 25 percent of the remaining old growth in all federal forests and grasslands in the lower 48 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About half of Oregon’s forests are owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. This includes 10 national forests spanning 16 million acres. The term “old growth” encompasses different ages for different tree species, but in general denotes tree stands and surrounding habitat that has not undergone any major human-caused changes for 100 years. The trees remain part of healthy, diverse ecosystems that are largely unmanipulated. Mature stands are typically close to a century old and characterized by their large size relative to younger trees, multi-layered canopies, and the health of the soil around them. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management oversee 72
million hectares, or about 278,000 square miles, of forests – an area about the size of Texas and Vermont combined. A recent inventory from the two agencies found that about 45 percent of those forests are considered “mature” and about 18 percent are considered “old growth.” Most old growth and mature forests are in Western states such as Idaho, California, Montana, and Oregon. Few stands still exist east of the Mississippi River. There are some left in New England, around the Great Lakes, and in Arkansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia, according to the Forest Service. The announced changes focus on five key updates to the Northwest Forest Plan, which covers 17 national forests across 20 million acres in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. It was approved in 1994 following lawsuits under the Endangered Species Act, alleging unsustainable
logging was leading to the decline and loss of critical species, including the Northern spotted owl. These owls rely on old growth and mature forests for nesting. In many ways, the plan succeeded in conserving old growth and improving habitat for land and aquatic species. But over the last 30 years, growing threats from wildfire as well as drought and invasive pests and disease from climate change warrant an update to the management plan, according to Alexi Lovechio, climate program manager with KlamathSiskiyou Wildlands Center, a nonprofit conservation group based in Ashland: “Since 1994, our environment has changed and new scientific data has emerged, Lovechio said. “We didn’t know nearly as much about climate change and the impacts it would have on wildfire severity or water quality and wildlife habitat
as we do today. So that’s why this amendment is so important.” The updates include managing and preserving mature and old growth forests, protecting them from climate change, including tribes in forest management, preventing and suppressing wildfires, and supporting rural economies. Brown, of Silvix Resources,said when the plan was written it was missing some critical input. “The 1994 plan was written without the governmentto-government consultation with tribes, and as a result, there is no language at all in the plan about indigenous stewardship and uses of these lands,” she said. “I think we will, I hope that we will, make that change in our amendment.” Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, courtesy https://oregoncapital chronicle.com.
Nugget Poetry Corner Peace. Yes, Peace! Edie Jones
Christmas has come. Celebrate! Yes! Celebrate the child. The baby — meek, and mild who came to teach us how to live, reach out to others, our love give.
Sisters Dental WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
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Pray for miracles. May all wars cease. May love prevail, bring a lasting peace. May the angel’s hymn ring out, so all will hear. Bringing Peace on Earth throughout the year.
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Awaken, glistening buck ashen fur all crystal coated carrying winter on your back. Meet the day. Arise, diamond child soul ashimmer with heaven’s grace. Lift your chin to dawn’s bright gleam. Dance His way.
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Have an original poem that you’d like to share? Email submissions to jess@nuggetnews.com.
Publication is subject to space availability and discretion of The Nugget Newspaper.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
FUN & GAMES SPOT 10 DIFFERENCES AND COLOR R
MATH SQUARES Use the numbers 1 through 16 to complete the equations. Each number is only used once. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation. Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.
TEA TIME WORDFIND Find words forwards, backwards, horizontally, or diagonally.
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Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
WOLVES: Oregon recently ‘donated’ wolves to Colorado Continued from page 1
seeing a lot more wolves over the next few years in other areas of Oregon,” Brown said. But conservationists are concerned that the agency is killing more wolves as packs prey more and more on livestock. Illegal kills also continue to plague wolf packs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $26,500 reward for information leading to convictions for two separate wolf slayings in November, including one in Jackson County. Wolf hunting is illegal in Oregon, and the Jackson County wolf was protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, like all others in central and western Oregon. In the Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, Brown said nonetheless that a sustained wolf population is “a big accomplishment.” She said that almost 90% of adult wolves survived year-to-year in Oregon – a higher rate than other Western states such as Idaho and Montana that authorize wolf hunts en masse. Both states have much higher numbers of wolves than Oregon. Derek Broman, the agency’s game program manager, said that some environmental challenges expected to plague Oregon wolves haven’t been issues after all. Conservationists had been concerned about a lack of genetic diversity among different wolf packs, which could make wolves more susceptible to canine diseases and disruptions in their environment. “Some of those conservation threats are not what they were five years ago,” Broman said. J o h n Wi l l i a m s o f the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association said that trust is growing between ranchers and wildlife managers thanks to a more efficient process of investigating kills of livestock — which remain a source of concern for a small group of ranchers who have lost cattle, sheep, and goats. The agency is also streamlining its process for approving the killing of predatory wolves, he said. “We’re encouraged by the direction,” he told the commission. The Oregon Legislature this year also released $1 million more to compensate ranchers for livestock losses, more than in any year since lawmakers created the state program in 2011, according to Capital Press. After hearing from wildlife officials, ranchers,
hunters, and conservationists, the commission decided not to reform the state’s wolf management plan, a hardfought set of rules and regulations that took four years to hammer out due to disagreements about state-approved wolf kills and attacks on livestock. Instances of both are on the rise. Investigators confirmed that wolves killed 76 privately owned livestock last year, compared to 16 in 2019. The agency authorized the killing of 16 wolves so far this year, according to agency data compiled by the Western Environmental Law Center, a conservation advocacy group. That’s up from an average of less than four wolves each year from 2019 to 2022. The agency killed six gray wolves in six weeks this summer, to the anger of conservationists. Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center, said the wildlife agency is over-relying on legal wolf killings to protect livestock. “They are now choosing very heavily to engage in lethal,” she said. Holly Tuers-Lance, a state wolf biologist, said during the meeting that preying on livestock is a learned skill for some wolves and that two-thirds of wolf packs in Oregon aren’t known to do so. According to the agency’s data, just eight livestock producers experienced half of all known livestock predictions. She said that data helps wolf managers be deliberate about where to reduce conflict between wolves and communities. Fish and wildlife officials say they only authorize the killing of a wolf when a rancher can document at least two incidents of livestock predation within nine months, and after other methods have failed to deter wolves, such as building fencing, enlisting livestock dogs, or guarding cattle. Plus, wolves are off-limits for lethal removal in most of the state because packs outside eastern Oregon are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. Tuers-Lance said the federal law is hamstringing the agency’s efforts to protect livestock from the Rogue wolf pack in southern Oregon, which has preyed on livestock more than 60 times from 2016 to 2022, according to agency data. She said experiments with non-lethal deterrents and new technology haven’t worked, and ranchers are spending “unsustainable amounts of time trying to prevent conflict.” Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 https:// oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
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Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
C L A S S I F I E D S
4th Sister Condominiums ALL advertising in this newspaper is 102 Commercial Rentals Furnished studio apt. for lease. subject to the Fair Housing Act MINI STORAGE which makes it illegal to advertise $890/month. No pets or smoking. “any preference, limitation or Sisters Rental Bill: 435-901-0200. discrimination based on race, color, 331 W. Barclay Drive wjahsman@gmail.com religion, sex, handicap, familial 541-549-9631 status or national origin, or an Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor 104 Vacation Rentals intention to make any such RV parking. 7-day access. preference, limitation or discrimDowntown Vacation Rentals ination.” Familial status includes Computerized security gate. Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom children under the age of 18 living Moving boxes & supplies. SistersVacationRentals.net with parents or legal custodians, Great pricing. 503-730-0150 pregnant women and people securing STORAGE WITH BENEFITS custody of children under 18. • 8 x 20 dry box ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ This newspaper will not knowingly • Fenced yard, RV & trailers Private Central OR vac. rentals, accept any advertising for real estate • In-town, gated, 24-7 Property Management Services which is in violation of the law. Our EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com 541-977-9898 readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this www.SistersVacation.com 103 Residential Rentals newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of Fully Furnished Rentals. 201 For Sale discrimination call HUD toll-free at Short-term, minimum 30 nights. 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free Low fall/winter rates. telephone number for the hearing 503-730-0150 impaired is 1-800-927-9275. CLASSIFIED RATES COST: $2 per line for first insertion, $1.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no CASCADE HOME & additional charge. There is a PROPERTY RENTALS Pilates split-pedal stability chair minimum $5 charge for any Monthly Rentals throughout Ideal for those who need to stay classified. First line = approx. 20-25 Sisters Country. in a seated or upright position, characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, 541-549-0792 achieving a full-body workout. spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 Property management Call or text 503-910-2645 character. Any ad copy changes will for second homes. be charged at the first-time insertion 202 Firewood CascadeHomeRentals.com rate of $2 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the PONDEROSA PROPERTIES SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS approval of The Nugget classified DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD –Monthly Rentals Available– department. NOTE: Legal notices • SINCE 1976 • Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 placed in the Public Notice section KINDLING are charged at the display advertising Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: Doug Fir – Lodgepole – rate. PonderosaProperties.com DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon Printed list at 221 S. Ash, Sisters Hardwood – Juniper – Fir preceding WED. publication. DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES Ponderosa Properties LLC PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, *** HOLIDAY SPECIAL *** SistersForestProducts.com 541-549-9941 or place online at 2 months free with 14-month Order Online! 541-410-4509 NuggetNews.com. Payment is due lease. 1051 Cascade Ave. upon placement. VISA & Rent $2,850.00 monthly with MasterCard accepted. Billing 205 Garage & Estate Sales available for continuously run lease. Deposit $3,300.00. Pet on Happy Trails Estate Sales classified ads, after prepayment of approval plus deposit/pet rent. and online auctions! first four (4) weeks and upon New laminate flooring in main approval of account application. Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? living, dining, kitchen, laundry, Locally owned & operated by... CATEGORIES: and 1/2 bath. New stainless steel 101 Real Estate Daiya 541-480-2806 appliances, range, microwave, 102 Commercial Rentals Sharie 541-771-1150 103 Residential Rentals dishwasher, and refrigerator. AllHERITAGE USA 104 Vacation Rentals new paint interior. This spacious 106 Real Estate Wanted Open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. home has the perfect layout, 107 Rentals Wanted 253 E. Hood Ave., Sisters. master suite on main floor, 1/2 200 Business Opportunities bath and laundry on main floor, 3 201 For Sale 301 Vehicles 202 Firewood spacious vaulted ceiling 203 Recreation Equipment bedrooms, and full bath upstairs, We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality 204 Arts & Antiques Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ with abundant storage closets. 205 Garage & Estate Sales Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Two-car garage with off-street 206 Lost & Found Sisters Car Connection da#3919 207 The Holidays parking, walk to town, school, SistersCarConnection.com 301 Vehicles south end of Sisters. Available 302 Recreational Vehicles now. Attached ADU rented out, 401 Horses 401 Horses separate entrance, over garage. 402 Livestock ALFALFA North West Property 403 Pets TRITICALE 500 Services Management, please call ORCHARD GRASS HAY 501 Computer Services 541-548-7368 for touring. 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning New crop. No rain. Barn stored. www.nwp.management for 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish 3-tie bales. $230-$390/ton. Hwy. details. 504 Handyman 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895 505 Auto Repair 600 Tree Service & Forestry 500 Services 601 Construction 602 Plumbing & Electric GEORGE’S SEPTIC 603 Excavations & Trucking TANK SERVICE 604 Heating & Cooling “A Well Maintained 605 Painting Septic System Protects 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint. TENANT PLACEMENT the Environment” 701 Domestic Services “nothing’s more expensive 702 Sewing 541-549-2871 703 Child Care than bad tenants” SMALL Engine REPAIR 704 Events & Event Services call or text mike 541.588.2028 Lawn Mowers, 801 Classes & Training mikez@wetdogpnw.com 802 Help Wanted Chainsaws & Trimmers Newer home in great 803 Work Wanted Sisters Rental 901 Wanted neighborhood. 331 W. Barclay Drive 902 Personals 926 E. Timber Pine Dr. 541-549-9631 999 Public Notice 3 bd /2.5 ba. Rent $2,400.00 monthly with lease. Deposit $3,000.00. Pet on approval, plus deposit/pet rent. Contact kirkpatrickproperties@gmail.com
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Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475 • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279
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3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Cable jobs, security cameras, WAPs. CCB #191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729 Technology Problems? I can fix them for you. Solving for Business & Home Computers, Tablets, Networking Internet (Starlink), and more! Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329 Oregontechpro.com
502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008 M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090
504 Handyman
JONES UPGRADES LLC Home Repairs & Remodeling Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more. Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Local resident • CCB #201650 THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER 541 - 549 - 9941 www.NuggetNews.com
TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825 LOLO TREE WORKS Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638 Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912 4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057
601 Construction
SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523 Earthwood Timberframes • Design & shop fabrication • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantels and accent timbers • Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com
SUDOKU Level: Difficult
Answer: Page 23
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
C L A S S I F I E D S
541-390-1206 beavercreeklog@yahoo.com Log repairs, log railing, log accent, log siding, etc. CCB #235303 Insurance & Bond
Custom Homes • Additions Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com
Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com
Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701 Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218 PERENNIAL BUILDING LLC Local | Quality | Experienced www@perennialbuilding.com 541-728-3180 | CCB #226794
602 Plumbing & Electric
Ridgeline Electric, LLC Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821 SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587
603 Excavation & Trucking Full Service Excavation
604 Heating & Cooling
ACTION AIR Heating & Cooling, LLC Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464
605 Painting
EMPIRE PAINTING Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042 541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk METOLIUS PAINTING LLC Meticulous, Affordable Interior & Exterior 541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067 ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com Walls Needing a Touchup? Check the Classifieds!
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
From Ground to Finish Accurate and Efficient 541-604-5169 CCB#233074
Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com 541-549-1472 • CCB #76888 Drainfield • Minor & Major Septic Repair • All Septic Needs/Design Uncompromising quality. Local & Install and personal. You can trust me. General Excavation All projects: From new • Site Preparation construction to those little • Rock & Stump Removal projects you don't seem to get to. • Pond & Driveway Construction My team of local subcontractors Preparation and I will get it done right, fair, • Building Demolition and pain-free so you can make Trucking your spouse happy. • Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Call Jared 503-949-9719 Boulders, Water • Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly • The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want! BANR Enterprises, LLC Construction & Renovation Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Custom Residential Projects Hardscape, Rock Walls All Phases • CCB #148365 Residential & Commercial 541-420-8448 CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net
Custom Homes Additions - Remodels Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553 VIEW OUR Current Classifieds every Tuesday afternoon! Go to NuggetNews.com
ROBINSON & OWEN Heavy Construction, Inc. All your excavation needs *General excavation *Site Preparation *Sub-Divisions *Road Building *Sewer and Water Systems *Underground Utilities *Grading *Sand-Gravel-Rock Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #124327 541-549-1848
Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345 All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
23
704 Events & Event Services
ATTENTION CRAFTERS: SPRING FAIR Complete landscape construction, March 22-24 at Douglas fencing, irrigation installation & County Fairgrounds design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water Our 47th year! Booths available for quality crafts. For information conservation management, send SASE to Spring Fair 2024, excavation. PO Box 22, Dillard, OR 97432 or CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 innerspacefamily@gmail.com. www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462 803 Work Wanted J&E Landscaping Maintenance POSITION WANTED; LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling for Companion Caregiver. debris, gutters, thatching, Looking for part-time; must be aerating, irrigation. close to Sisters downtown. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 References upon request. jandelspcing15@gmail.com Please call 503-274-0214
901 Wanted
Alpine Landscape Maintenance Fall yard cleanup and landscape maintenance. Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com – All You Need Maintenance – Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
701 Domestic Services
I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051 House Cleaning Sisters & Black Butte Free Consult 503-750-3033 BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897 THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER 442 E. Main Avenue POB 698, Sisters, OR 97759 541-549-9941
Shop space for hobbyist/woodworker. Looking for about 300-400 sq. ft. Call Jay 503-789-7183
999 Public Notice
LEGAL NOTICE Directors’ Positions Three positions with incumbents running for re-election on the Board of Directors at Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. are up for election. They are: District # 1 Sisters District # 7 Alfalfa District # 8 Bend Pursuant to the By-Laws of the Cooperative, members who live in that district are eligible to run for election. Applications and information for candidates, including district boundaries and eligibility requirements, are available at the Cooperative’s office at 2098 NW 6th Street in Redmond, Oregon. The application process involves several steps and must be completed and filed at the same cooperative office by 5:00 PM, February 9, 2024.
Mountain majesty...
SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 22
PHOTO BY KRIS KRISTOVICH
Clouds and fog gave the Sisters a brooding aspect last week.
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