The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVII No. 22 // 2024-05-29

The Nugget

and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Sisters honors the fallen in ceremony

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer, and it is observed with picnics, barbecues, and time in the outdoors. The day has more profound meaning, a point that was driven home with ceremony and decorum at Sisters’ annual Memorial Day Observance, hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8138, American Legion Post 86, and Sisters Band of Brothers on Monday, May 27.

“We gather today not for a barbecue or a day off, but for a solemn purpose,” said keynote speaker, U.S. Air Force veteran Gene Hellickson.

That purpose is to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in America’s wars. Solemn, however, does not connote sadness, Hellickson noted. In proper context, it is, in fact, a day for celebration, too.

“Memorial Day is not an exercise in sadness,” he said. “It is a reaffirmation that they did not die in vain. Memorial Day is a time for remembering — but also a time for celebrations and family gatherings.”

Hellickson urged the large gathering at Village

Green Park to take inspiration from those who heroically sacrificed their lives in service to their country to become better citizens and to “strive for a world in which such sacrifices are no longer necessary.”

The theme of service was echoed in U.S. Navy veteran

Sisters Trails Alliance names new director

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

Sisters Trails Alliance has selected a new executive director. Stephanie Presley came on board as of May 6.

Presley brings years of experience leading volunteer organizations and community coalitions, working with boards of directors and collaborating with local, state, and federal stakeholders on a wide range of projects and programs.

“The board is delighted to welcome Stephanie as our new executive director,” said STA board chair Forest Tancer. “We are fortunate to have someone of her caliber and experience

who shares our passion for STA’s mission to enhance the outdoor experience in Sisters Country. Stephanie will be an inspiring leader to continue to strengthen our multi-use trails system and our commitment to conservation and preservation of our environment.”

Stephanie, her husband Nate, and 10-yearold daughter Arya moved to Sisters in August 2023, settling in Tollgate. The previous 15 years they lived outside Seward, Alaska, where Presley worked for the Kenai Peninsula borough (county) in natural hazard mitigation, and resource and

See STA on page

Jim Horsley’s invocation, where he noted that those who died in America’s wars enabled citizens to live in freedom — “freedom to do not what we want to do, but what we ought to do for our country and our community.”

U.S. Army veteran and VFW Post Commander Pat

Bowe served as Master of Ceremonies.

Mayor Michael Preedin, a U.S. Air Force veteran, welcomed the audience to the annual observance, and made a point of introducing City Manager Jordan

See MEMORIAL on page 9

From hazards to habitat

By Maret Pajutee Correspondent

Many of us who live in Sisters have experienced that sinking feeling when we see a dark column of smoke on a hot summer day. Living in fire-prone forests, the loss of our homes to a wildfire is a real threat. If we are lucky, we still have house insurance, but many homeowners have had their policies cancelled after the loss of over 4,000 homes to Oregon wildfires in 2020, the state’s most expensive natural disaster. We also live near rivers that have been altered in the past to reduce flooding, grow crops, and improve grazing. Stream channels were deepened, consolidated, and straightened. Nature’s engineer and hydrologist, the American beaver, was an integral part of maintaining river ecosystems, but was hunted to near extinction by the mid-19th century to make fur coats and hats. These actions worked to dry meadows and wetlands that

See HAZARDS on page 18

Sisters Stampede ‘nothing but fun’

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

After weeks of belownormal temperatures and incessant winds, Sunday was a picture perfect spring day. And it was the backdrop for the 15th running of the Sisters Stampede, an annual Memorial Day weekend mountain bike race for 579 riders, nine to 70-plus.

“I don’t know why they call it a race,” said MJ Miller of Vancouver, Washington, making her fourth appearance, this time with her brood of three — ages 12, 10 and 7. “This is nothing but fun. I know there are some who are here for time and to win, but look around. This is more like ‘let the good times roll.’”

She wasn’t alone in her assessment. Tee Baker of

The Sisters Stampede was a fun event for riders of all ages. For some it was a competitive race, for others, an enjoyable ride.

Boise, Idaho, told The Nugget “I’m here just to have a good time. I guess somebody will tell me my time, but who

cares? I’ll be with my friends from Bend and Corvallis. It’s

See STAMPEDE on page 14

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Redmond High School’s Marine Junior ROTC squad performed a ceremonial folding of the Stars and Stripes during Memorial Day Observances on Monday, May 27.

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

Letters to the Editor…

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

Wolf response

To the Editor:

I’ll repeat: “I’m not anti-wolf nor a wolf hater.” I simply stated the wolves that were brought down out of Canada and transplanted into Yellowstone shouldn’t be introduced or brought here because we already have, or at least had, a remnant of our original Oregon wolves present in the Three Sisters Wilderness and adjacent areas that weren’t killed off in the ’40s. I found out another local saw a large dark wolf over 20 years ago too, so that’s another confirmed sighting. Why didn’t the ODFW believe earlier wolf

sightings and do something about it?

The largest recorded timber wolf was 175 pounds, but seasoned observers in the field reported bigger ones they estimated weighed close to 200 pounds, which is much bigger than average. We used to have buffalo in the Harney Basin until about 1800 and they were smaller than ones on the Great Plains. I mentioned the smaller-sized black bears we used to have here, yet those bears and buffalo would all have the same DNA within their species, but DNA alone doesn’t indicate larger or smaller sized variants in species

See LETTERS on page 12

Sisters Weather Forecast

Inflation factors

By Cliff Brush Guest Columnist

Traditional inflation meant prices rise then retreat. Now consumers see it as high prices stay high. Presidential candidates, be honest about what you can and will do to lower them. Begin by admitting some factors are out of your control.

The Ogallala Aquifer supplies groundwater to Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. It supports 20 percent of America’s corn, cotton, cattle, and wheat production. It provides 30 percent of all U.S. irrigation water. Since significant groundwater irrigation began in the 1950s, the Ogallala’s average level dropped 16.8 feet. Levels under the Texas Panhandle dropped 44 feet. Kansas averages dropped 28.2 feet. The Kansas Water Office director summarized the state’s agricultural and municipal water situation: “If we don’t adapt to different behaviors, it will run dry.”

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in Brazil hurt production. Global coffee futures hit new highs. Supplies were already down, and speculative trading was up. How about ordering hot chocolate instead? February cocoa prices set record levels. The causes: drastic falls in West African production due to an El Niño-type weather event and poor harvests.

Got a beef with politicians about beef? Price data show average costs up 7.7 percent compared to January 2023. Supply and demand are out of balance. At the start of 2024, comparative beef inventory was the lowest since 1951. Ranchers are reducing herds in response to drought, geopolitical uncertainties, and supply costs. Fuel is one cost ranchers, farmers, and everyone else have opinions about.

As water supplies drop, some farmers shift to dryland farming. For one Kansas farmer, “This is do or die.” That requires less water and equipment and fewer workers, but produces lower yields. Less irrigation, lower yields, higher prices. A drying climate also increases transportation costs.

Approximately 60 percent of U.S. grain exports are barged down the Mississippi to New Orleans for storage and shipping. A lashed group of 15 barges usually equals the capacity of 1,000 trucks. In 2023 record low river levels meant lighter barge loads and fewer barges in a group. By September costs were up 77 percent over a three-year average.

Something similar is happening at the Panama Canal.

The Canal flows through one of the world’s wettest areas, until it doesn’t. Gatun Lake, created to supply the Canal, is at a record low. Authorities recently reduced traffic by one third, from 36 vessels per day to 24. That increased shipping time and costs that will affect consumer prices. Thinking of escaping price anxieties with a cup of coffee? That’s costing more.

April’s dry weather in Vietnam and record rainfalls

There’s no oil shortage. There is a cheap oil shortage. As of March, the U.S. produces more crude oil than any country. Ever. In 2020 the U.S. became a net exporter of finished products plus crude oil. Why do we still import crude oil, even at the lowest levels since 1972? Chemistry, refineries, and pipelines. U.S. produced oil is called light sweet. Imported is heavy sour. U.S. refineries were built for heavy sour.

Even if refineries could reconfigure overnight, they’re located far from U.S. oil fields. It’s a corporate call to spend astronomical costs to refit refineries, build pipelines from fields to refineries, or build refineries near fields. If they do, buyers will pay the price.

It’s possible some businesses learned they can keep prices high because consumers complain but keep buying. Fast foodies remember when a burger cost a buck and gripe between bites about current prices. They need someone to blame. A current president is an easy target. That takes pressure off companies that might have to explain how depleted water supplies, lower crop yields, reduced herds, and higher shipping costs mean rising food prices but don’t affect profit margins - or contributions to presidential campaigns.

So, presidential candidate, what’s your antiinflation plan? Magically recharge aquifers and raise river and canal levels? Move oil fields closer to refineries? Regulate and subsidize companies as China does?

PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT

COMMUNITY

Music celebrates community

By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

Music and community came together last Thursday evening as the Sisters High School (SHS) band department put on a show involving young musicians from a variety of local music programs.

“Music and art are inherently communal. We as people are best when we work together, and musicians are no different,” said Kayla Golka, director of the band program at SHS.

The production included a plethora of different music communities, including the SHS Concert and Jazz Bands, the Sisters Middle School (SMS) 7/8th Band and 6th grade band, and the

SMS Fiddle Club led by Melissa Stolaz.

The students performed songs, from “How to Train Your Dragon,” to the “Mamma Mia” soundtrack, displaying their enthusiasm throughout.

There was even a collaboration between the SHS Jazz Band and the SMS Fiddle Club, performing a song called Böl-Olle by the Folk All in Band.

Another unique feature of this year’s Band Pop Show was a heartwarming story that followed a remarkable young girl by the name of Autumn, who was diagnosed with optic pathway glioma as a very young child.

“The Sing-Me-A-Story foundation reached out to

me and asked if our program would like to commission a story and accompanying music for the band,” said Golka.

The Sing-Me-A-Story is a non-profit organization that aims to aid children in need through making their stories come to life with songs. Autumn was chosen to participate in this program and wrote “Autumn’s Story,” which followed her and her siblings as mer-kitties and mer-dogs as they befriended a giant shark.

This story was interpreted into a song by Nathan Richardson, a composition student at Western Oregon University. The song was

CODE Team recognized for combatting drugs

Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team was awarded the 2023 Agency of the Year for Oregon by the Western States Information Network (WSIN) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to combating drug trafficking and enhancing community safety throughout Central Oregon.

According to WSIN, this award celebrates the CODE team’s exceptional leadership, dedication, strategic innovation, and significant impact on disrupting domestic and international drugrelated crimes. Leveraging advanced technology, intelligence-led policing, and

community engagement, the CODE team has set a benchmark for effective law enforcement practices in Oregon and beyond.

The Western States Information Network, a part of the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) centers nationwide, supports law enforcement agencies with resources and information-sharing capabilities to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.

The Agency of the Year award acknowledges the remarkable achievements of law enforcement units that have made a profound

Excellence in arts celebrated at showcase

SFF Presents will host a free showcase of Sisters School District music and arts programs at the Sisters Art Works building Sunday, June 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. The community is invited to celebrate the work of the SHS AP visual arts and luthier students, and enjoy collaborative music performances by the SHS Jazz Band, the Outlaw Strings Club, and Americana Project student artists.

Inside the Cindy and Duncan Campbell Gallery, Advanced Placement art students will be present to share

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383. Alcoholics A nonymou s

Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of t he Hills

Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

Thursday, 7 p.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration

Central Oregon F ly Tye rs G uild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om Central Oregon Trail A lliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets 4th Thur sday 6 p.m. at Blazin Saddles Bike S hop sistersrep@c ot amtb.c om

Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:30 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.

Council on Aging of Cent ral O rego n Senior Lunch In- person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters C ommunity Church. 5 41-4 8 0-18 43 East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September- June), Stitchin’ Post . A ll are welcome. 5 41-5 49 -6 061.

G o Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 541-771-2211

Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Siste rs Communit y Church. M ater ials provided. 541- 408 -8 505.

Hero Q uilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 5 41-6 68 -1755

Living Well W it h D ementia Sisters

Care Par tner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Thurs., 1:3 0- 3 p.m. Siste rs C ommunity Church, Room 4. 5 41-6 47-0 052.

Milita ry Parent s of Sisters M eetings are held quarter ly; please c all for details. 5 41-388 -9 013.

Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 549- 64 69

Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church. 5 41-5 49 -6157.

Sisters Area Woodworke rs First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97

Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday 7 p.m., SPR D. 5 41-5 49 -8 8 46

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Sup por t G roup 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Siste rs Episcopal Church. 5 41-719 -0 031.

Sisters Cribbage C lub M eets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at S PR D. 5 09 -9 47-574 4.

Sisters Garden C lub For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com.

Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Board of D irectors 4th Tuesday, 4:3 0 p.m.

Location infor mation: 5 41-5 49 -1193.

Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:3 0 a.m., at Aspen Lakes Golf Cours e. 541- 632- 3663

Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298

Sisters Red Hat s 1st Friday. For location infor mation, please c all: 541- 8 48 -1970.

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.

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

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

Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t Board of Direc tors M eets 1st Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSI D Of fice. 5 41-5 49 -8 815

Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279. VF W Po st 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:3 0 p.m., M ain Church Building

Sisters Communit y Church 541- 549-14 62 (John).

SCHOOLS

Black Bu tt e School Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203

their art and design portfolios. The class represents 16 students who have been working all year to build a ten-piece portfolio that demonstrates their exploration and experimentation in a sustained investigation of their choice. Students worked in a variety of media and have artist statements available to summarize their processes. The show is currently hanging in the gallery and will be up through June 6.

In Suite 101, the Americana Luthier program

Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule online at www ssd6.org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002. CIT Y & PARKS

Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th

PHOTO BY KELLI CLARK

A Sing-Me-A-Story composition written by Nathan Richardson (wearing crown) featuring a young Central Oregon resident named Autumn (far right) was a highlight of the SHS band concert held last week. See CODE on page 5

Sisters lacrosse players see action in combined program

By Tatum Cramer Correspondent

Coming into the 2024 lacrosse season the Sisters Outlaws lacrosse girls team was facing a challenge: Either don’t have a lacrosse team, due to the lack of players, or figure out some way to combine with a neighboring program to complete a team.

Faced with this challenge Sisters Coach Mckenna Jones, and Coach Pam Whitman and Matt Hansen, girls Redmond coaches, came together and decided to form Three Peaks Lacrosse, a combination of Ridgeview High School, Redmond High School, and Sisters High School. Combining teams would mean that the girls from Sisters and Redmond could have a season.

They rotated practicing between fields located in Sisters and in Redmond.

“For blending teams together this year, the coaching and team dynamic couldn’t have gone any better,” said Jones, who goes by Coach Mckenna. “Matt and Pam on the Redmond team were super helpful with bouncing ideas off of, running practices, as well as hosting team dinners. I definitely could not have gotten through this season without the help of these two experienced coaches. As for the

girls it seemed like they clicked together really fast and nobody would have ever guessed we were combining three schools together into forming one team. The girls got along great and were encouraging on and off the field, you would have thought they’ve known each other their whole lives.”

As they moved into the season they started to jell as a combined team, and host games locally as well as travel to compete in Albany. Coach Mckenna, assistant coach last year, put her heart and soul into coaching the team this year.

In a small town with limited resources it’s hard to find a coach for a sport that isn’t as broadly represented as something like soccer. It’s a complex game that is completely different from boys’ lacrosse. It has to be learned and taught on a dedicated level. Finding a coach who not only wants to dedicate weeks and weekends to the game, but also loves the sport, is hard to find. But Jones brings that as a coach.

The girls hosted senior night in Sisters against Bend United, featuring Bailey Robertson, Marley Holden, Hailey Asson, Tania Rebolledo, Ellie Bates, and Bailee Hansen representing Sisters. Three Peaks came out on top with a 8-7 win.

“Combining with

Redmond this year was so much fun! We have always had sort of a connection with the Redmond girls. Being able to play together and actually have enough people for a full team on the field was a blessing. The team dynamic was amazing and super supportive,” said Robertson.

Robertson always made practice a good time and, no matter what kind of mood the team was in, made sure they let the little things go and had fun.

Rebolledo is up for anything and never afraid of having to step into a new position. She played diversely on the field and stepped into the goal when needed. She always brought her joy and smile to games and practices.

Hansen is a talented

athlete, and a kind and warmhearted lacrosse player, who cared for everyone’s well being.

Hansen was selected as one of three 2024 Central Oregon League first-team attack players for this year, as well as player of the year for 2024 in the Central Lacrosse League.

Holden is an extremely diverse player. She went from playing soccer year-round to stepping back into playing lacrosse this year. She has always been fast and strong-willed.

Asson has always been committed to playing lacrosse, showing up to every practice and giving it her all. She has exceptional knowledge of the game and gives it 100 percent when she’s on

the field. She is strong on the field and especially on the attacking end.

Bates has always had a deep love for lacrosse, and always brings her dynamics and diversity to the circle. She makes every player feel welcome on the field and off.

Ellie was selected as the 2024 second-team Central Oregon Lacrosse League midfield player.

“We had a really good group of seniors this year and they are all people I look up to and enjoyed playing with. They make everyone on this team feel like they have a place,” said Solei Planty, a junior on the lacrosse team this year.

The team offered a big shout out to GFP Enterprises, for donating the uniforms.

Sisters Kiwanis

in the

of Oregon 1033 NW Newport Ave., Bend www.dukewarner.com

Three Peaks Lacrosse gave Sisters athletes an opportunity to hit the field this spring.

PHOTO BY MADY LOVE

Pulver takes Outlaws to fifth place in tennis

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

Dominic Pulver was the lone player from the boys’ tennis squad to make it to the state championships held at Oregon State University Thursday through Saturday, May 23rd through the 25th. Seventeen teams were in attendance and, as the lone Outlaw player, Pulver took them to a tie with three other schools, Crook County, Nyssa, and Vale, for a fifth place finish.

Pulver had a bye in the first round on Thursday, and on Friday in round two defeated Sam McLaughlin of Marist 6-3, 6-4, in a very competitive match. Pulver kept McLaughlin off-balance and played his game.

“Pulver used his powerful ground strokes from the baseline with precision down-theline shots,” said Coach Vince Grace. “He put pressure on McLaughlin with high deep shots with the intent to minimize short balls. We noted overhead smashes as a

CODE: Team combines elements of multiple agencies

weakness from his opponent and targeted that weakness scoring many points by letting the opponent make the mistakes.”

Grace added, “What I liked from Dominic was his vision on the court. He had a good feel for where to hit it when the time was right. Dominic is a gamer. He knows how to win.”

In the quarterfinals Pulver lost 0-6, 1-6, to No. 2 seed Zareh Gonzalvo of Caitlin Gabel. Gonzalvo was a very tough opponent, and Grace told The Nugget that Pulver’s goal was to win one game and he was able to do that.

Grace said, “From the beginning of this match, I loved Dominic’s attitude. It is contagious. He was light in the moment of battle. He showed a love for the game and truly had fun. I know at the end of the day we don’t always remember the winners or losers, but everyone will remember that guy Dom, and how he made us feel watching him.”

Continued from page 3 3-D

difference in their communities by using intelligencedriven, multi-agency, prosecutor-supported approaches to drug investigations.

During the award presentation, the WSIN Law Enforcement Coordinator for Oregon, said, “The CODE team’s success is attributed to meticulous investigations, innovative operational tactics, and a commitment to public safety.”

“This award is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and professionalism of our entire team,” said Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, a spokesperson for the CODE team. “It highlights the importance of collaboration within our unit and with our community and partner agencies. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people we serve. This award from the Western States Information Network serves as both an honor and a motivation to persist in their mission to protect and serve the citizens of Central Oregon with unwavering dedication.”

Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp, left, accepted the award on behalf of the team.

PHOTO PROVIDED

project management.

Nate and Stephanie moved to Alaska in 2008 where they purchased remote property outside Seward, which is a town about the size of Sisters. They logged their property, and built their cabin. While in Seward, Stephanie volunteered as chair of the Seward Prevention Coalition and served as the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Deputy Commander for Cadets, drawing on her first career with the Oregon Social Learning Center, where she developed therapies for working with families on a positive behavior project.

Presley had her pilot’s license and participated in air search and rescue. She took youth cadets, age 16 and up, to a 10-day glider academy three different years and had the opportunity to fly gliders. By the time she completed her stint with the CAP, they had 80 volunteers, 12 staff members, and a $15 million budget.

In her position in natural hazard mitigation, she worked on all types of natural disasters including erosion, flooding, and landslides. In the Kenai Peninsula borough, there are 13 watersheds, 10 of which they were responsible to maintain.

Presley grew up in Mariposa, California, in the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the base of Yosemite National Park. Many of her favorite memories are from that time in her life. Her first two years

of high school she attended the local school. Her last two years she attended Idyllwild Arts Academy in the San Jacinto mountains, adjacent to the Pacific Crest Trail.

The academy offers intensive specialized arts training and challenging college-prep academics to talented young artists from around the world. She specialized in theater.

In 1997, Stephanie graduated from the University of Oregon where she majored in sociology and psychology before working at the Oregon Social Learning Center.

The family’s move back to Oregon was motivated by family living in the area and wanting a good education for Arya. While in Alaska, Arya won swimming championships, specializing in the backstroke. She was the under-eight overall champion with four golds and one silver medal. Since arriving in Sisters, she has started playing the ukulele, singing, and doing gymnastics. Nate is self-employed.

In November 2023, the family took a sevenweek trip to Indonesia and Australia, returning just prior to Christmas. They enjoy exploring, rafting, and hiking and spent spring break at Hart Mountain hot springs.

Presley feels this place and this position are the right fit. She will be “able to utilize my varied skill sets while bringing the community together around common goals.” She hopes to grow STA youth programs and attract a broader range of people to engage in STA. She looks forward to working with the Sisters Ranger District.

Since coming to work, she has spent her time meeting as many people as possible, assessing the STA programs and what the needs are, as well as looking at how STA can work with the Forest Service. She looks forward to undertaking a visioning process.

Presley mentioned the approaching National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June (June 1) which recognizes the benefits provided by federal, state, and local trails for recreation and exposure to nature. STA will be providing information on their website www.sisterstrails.org where you can also join their mailing list.

Presley’s position is parttime at 20 hours a week, as is that of new volunteer/events coordinator, Eric Benedon. Presley can be reached at stephanie@sisterstrails.org and Eric at coordinator@ sisterstrails.org.

Sisters Farmers Market opens Sunday

Opening day for Sisters Farmers Market is Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year, the market will open with a bigger footprint: in addition to operating in Fir Street Park, Sisters Farmers Market will also include a new area across Main Avenue and indoors, at the Sisters Makers building adjacent to Fir Street Park.

Over 55 farmers, ranchers, makers, and food producers will bring their goods to Sisters Farmers Market this season, offering fresh veggies, mushrooms, berries, locally raised meat, seafood, value-added food products, as well as locally made arts and crafts. Shoppers can find produce from Rainshadow Organics, Abe and Oley Farms, Zodiac Farms, and Seed to Table, berries from Marquam Hill Berries, and fruit from Baird Orchards at the market this season.

On June 2, Sisters Farmers Market will also host Fill Your Garden: a plant sale and celebration of gardening presented by the Central Oregon Flower Collective.

“I got the idea for Fill Your Garden from the event that happens in the fall called Fill Your Pantry,” event organizer Lisa Shadduk of Central Oregon Flower Collective says. “That one focuses on the harvest, so I

thought it’d be fun to have one that focuses on the planting.”

In addition to a plant sale offered by partners, including Sisters Community Garden, Covey Fields Flower Farm, and Tumalo Lavender, Fill Your Garden will offer a garden tool swap, a garden book swap, and a seed-bomb making workshop for kids, as well as a canned food drive to benefit Sisters Food Bank.

Opening day activities at include morning yoga offered by Three Sisters Yoga Studio from 10:15 to 11 a.m. All ages are welcome and donations are accepted but not required. Bluegrass duo The Bunkhouse Two will kick off the market season at noon on the Songbird Stage.

Rotary Club of Sisters and Living Well With Dementia will join the market as a featured nonprofit on Opening day.

Sisters Farmers Market accepts SNAP/EBT and offers a SNAP match up to $20 with Double Up Food Bucks. Stop by the info booth to learn more about using SNAP at market or visit the market’s website.

Sisters Farmers Market is presented by local nonprofit Seed to Table. For more information, visit sisters farmersmarket.com.

STA: Presley has a deep background in the outdoors

Stephanie Presley.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

Outdueled Outlaws hold their heads high

By Matt Van Slyke Correspondent

Sisters Varsity Baseball’s playoff run ended on Friday with a 4-1 quarterfinals loss at Pleasant Hill.

Senior Brody Fischer and junior Landen Scott hit firstinning singles but the Outlaw offense floundered, unable to convert scoring chances.

The Pleasant Hill Billies scored first, in the third inning, and Sisters answered in the fourth. Justin deSmet hit a grounder, reached first on an error, and brought in Fischer to tie it 1-1.

Then the wheels fell off.

Sisters starter Sebastian Storch, a sophomore who had thrown 75 pitches, two-thirds of them strikes, walked a batter in the fifth. Head Coach Matt Hilgers called Scott to the mound. He struck out a batter, then hit the next two. With the bases loaded, Hilgers changed pitchers again. Trent Gordon induced a fielder’s choice. His defense tried to turn a double play. The throw to first bounced past the first baseman. Two runs scored. A Billies single made it 4-1.

Storch took the loss, and took it hard. He and Scott had wanted to win it for team leaders like catcher Austin Dean.

“I felt really bad because this was his senior year, and he’d played varsity since freshman year,” said Storch.

Assistant Coach Steve Hodges lifted Storch’s spirits.

“If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have been in

it at all. You kept us in this game,” he said.

What happened next was a great display of character: Storch, Scott, and Dean walked to the Billies’ dugout to congratulate them.

“I could hear them: ‘You guys are a really good team.’ ‘Great battle.’ ‘I hope you guys go all the way and win State.’ It was a classy move,” said Storch’s father, Tyson.

“I said congrats to their lead-off hitter, assistant coach, starting pitcher, and then I remembered seeing their two-hole (second batter in the lineup) earlier in the year. He had hurt his knee. I told him, ‘I’ve had that happen. Get well soon. Hopefully you can play in the Semis,’” Sebastian Storch said.

The gesture touched the injured player’s family.

“After the game, this dad pulled up to me. I had on my Outlaws gear. He rolled down his window and said, ‘Your team has some really class athletes. A few of your boys came into our dugout and congratulated our boys,’” Tyson recalled. “His boy had gotten hurt in the previous game, and he said, ‘Your boys comforted him today. You’ll be back at it next year.’

“I wish we would have won, but that almost made up for the loss,” Tyson added.

“Looking back at where we were, skill-wise, when we started the year to where we ended, we made huge growths,” said Hilgers.

“I really attribute a great

amount to our seniors for having the ability to continue to improve.”

Dean’s improvement is bringing him to the next level.

“I looked at my phone after the game and saw two missed calls and a text from the head coach at Blue Mountain Community College, asking me to join their team.”

He committed on Saturday morning.

“They did really well in the NWAC, so it’s an exciting opportunity,” said Dean’s mother, Amber.

“A huge thanks to our parents and even more so to the community that supported us throughout the season, both through sponsorship and cheering us on,” Hilgers said. “Even though we didn’t end up with the results we were hoping for, it was a really great season. Another league title and a 21-8 record is something for these kids to be proud of.”

On deck for Dean and Fischer this summer: SunWest AAA Legion Baseball, out of Redmond. Fischer is considering

Corban University and George Fox University, “leaning towards Fox.” Fellow graduating senior deSmet will attend George Fox, where he committed to play football.

Scott’s summer will include 7-on-7 football practice, BOSS basketball, and Crush 18U Baseball.

Storch will play travel ball and attend summer baseball camp at his dream school, Notre Dame.

“I toured it a year ago with my godbrother, who got a 4.6 (GPA) and ended up going there and really enjoying it,” he said. “That’s my No. 1 school. I’ve just got to keep up the good grades.”

Landen Scott, Sebastian Storch, and Austin Dean in Pleasant Hill.

PHOTO BY TYSON STORCH

A.B. Dyer Construction carries on a Sisters legacy

By Matthew McClellan Correspondent

For Andrew Dyer, construction is a family affair. Sometimes this means sharing coffee and breakfast with a client. Once, it meant a client happily giving Dyer the keys to their Portland home, where he stayed for two weeks while remodeling their kitchen.

Dyer runs A.B. Dyer Construction, serving the Sisters area by rebuilding decks and remodeling kitchens and bathrooms.

Through his work, Dyer carries on the legacy of his grandfather. Dyer’s grandfather was in charge of maintenance at Camp Sherman’s House on Metolius.

According to Dyer: “He would fix the sprinklers. He would fix the fence. He would go inside, do the trim work. He would come out and build a deck. He’d build a shed. Quite literally anything they needed done.”

Throughout his childhood, Dyer was a fixture in his grandfather’s woodshop, getting lessons on doing detailed work on small-scale projects. He learned the principles of “the finer tuning of doing accents and making wood come together in a… more artistic way instead of just slapping it together.” At the end of every session, his grandfather would say the same thing: “Andrew, you work hard.”

As a self-described shy kid in high school, Dyer quickly found a home in Tony Cosby’s woodshop, seeking every opportunity to spend time there honing his craft. He helped build stacks of walls that later became a Habitat for Humanity home. He built two-and-a-half guitars (finishing one that had been abandoned by a peer) that were later auctioned off in the My Own Two Hands fundraiser, organized by the Sisters Folk Festival to

benefit school arts programs. Dyer remembers Cosby telling him, “this might be your calling in life.”

Shortly after high school, Dyer followed that calling and began his contracting business. At first he focused on repair jobs, but as he gathered a longer list of satisfied customers, he expanded to offering remodels.

When Dyer renovates a space, he works to modernize and brighten it. While working with clients to ensure he meets their needs and desires, he also hopes to make small spaces feel larger. Drawing on his grandfather’s teaching, he prides himself in being meticulous. He hopes to never return to a client to fix anything; he

cares about doing everything right the first time.

In getting those details right, Dyer relies on his grandfather’s legacy in a more literal way. “He had a massive woodshop and did amazing work,” said Dyer, “and he gave me all the tools that he had, which is an honor.” When a job calls for an unusual angle or other fine details, Dyer still relies on his grandfather’s custom tools to complete projects with care.

These days Dyer is not alone in his work. He is supported by a crew that includes a former motocross professional and commercial fisherman, each of whom bring complementary skills that help him tackle larger

and more complex projects. Dyer feels honored to have people work for him. “We all have kids, too,” he says. “It’s cool to know that every time I write them a paycheck it’s going to their families.”

Dyer sees this communal feeling directly influencing the quality of his team’s work. While the hard work of construction might tempt some contractors to see each job as part of a never-ending checklist, Dyer works to build relationships with clients and their families. This personal touch makes the client like a part of the team, and helps him understand how to best execute their vision. He wants to do right by everyone in the community because, as he says, he is rooted here: “I want to be here for the rest of my life.”

Though Dyer has worked all over the region, from Sunriver to Crooked River Ranch, he enjoys working much closer to home in Sisters, and Black Butte Ranch in particular. When asked what he enjoys about working there, Dyer smiled and broadly gestured at the panoramic view of the mountain across the meadow: “It just feels like it’s home.”

To learn more about A.B. Dyer Construction, email adyer.contracting@gmail. com or call or text Andrew Dyer at 541-977-7733.

Missing dog found dead

A missing dog reported stolen from a vehicle at the Whychus Canyon Preserve Trailhead earlier this month has been found dead a few miles from where she went missing. According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, the cause of death does not appear to be suspicious in nature, and is likely due to the elements.

On May 17, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of a K-9 stolen from the trailhead.

The dog owner had parked their vehicle at the Whychus Canyon Preserve Trailhead in the shade. While walking two other dogs the dog owner had secured their eight-monthold Belgian Malinois named Grisha in a crate inside their vehicle. Grisha was inside a crate with water accessible, and the windows lowered to allow air flow. Upon returning to their vehicle, the dog owner saw that someone had opened their vehicle and removed the dog.

DCSO and the owners initiated a search and alerted the community through social media.

Andrew Dyer has deep roots in Sisters.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MCCLELLAN

MEMORIAL: Annual event honoring fallen is solemn but not sad

Continued from page 1

Wheeler, recently appointed to the position. Wheeler thanked the veterans groups for their efforts in creating the event, as well as their many other services to the Sisters community.

“Sisters wouldn’t be what it is without the spirit of service,” he said.

The Redmond High School Marine Junior ROTC took responsibility for posting and retiring the colors, as well as laying a memorial wreath before the stones where Sisters records the names of veterans who have passed. They moved with precision through the evolutions of each ceremonial act. Steve Allely accompanied their actions with bagpipe music, David Wentworth

MUSIC:

Program

capped year with Pops Show at high school

Continued from page 3

then curated for the players in the SHS Concert Band, and the group rehearsed it along with select incoming freshmen.

“‘Autumn’s Story’ as a project illustrates the transformative influence of music and art, showcasing how they can ignite the imagination even amidst struggle and adversity. It also helps her to see there is a broader community of folks who are here to walk alongside her in her journey,” said band program accompanist Julie Cash.

Sisters wouldn’t be what it is without the spirit of service.

— Jordan Wheeler

offered a stirring rendition of the national anthem, Earl Schroeder led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Navy veteran Bill Antilla closed out the ceremony with the sounding of “Taps.”

An honor guard comprised of Ed Owens, USAF, Lance Trowbridge, U.S. Army, David Seher, U.S. Army, and Faye Stillwell, USAF, fired a rifle salute, and a U.S. Navy trainer plane from World War II, piloted by John Baldwin roared high above the Village Green.

Bowe “dismissed” the assemblage to gather for hamburgers and fellowship, in what one attendee called “the essence of America.”

Sisters Middle School music teacher Steve Livingston narrated the story at the concert as the SHS Concert Band played the piece, and Autumn’s illustrations and writing were projected for the audience to see.

The band members contributed in creating two thrones for Autumn and Nathan that they sat on during the performance.

“It was a moving performance, it was beautiful to be able to witness her face light up throughout the story,” said an audience member after the show. “In spite of all the challenges and difficulties she’s going through it seemed like she truly found joy in hearing her story spoken and played.”

Mentoring for balloon program

By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

Since 2015, Sisters High School students have been provided opportunities through RISE (Research in Sisters Environments) to practice science in a realworld setting, and apply the knowledge they learn in the classroom to novel problems. The work is driven by student and mentor collaboration, through which many students have gained collaborative research experience.

This year’s SHS RISE Chemistry balloon launch highlighted the importance of teamwork and research in all of the experiments.

Last week, the class launched two balloons, the first reached about 90,700 feet (27,645 meters) into the stratosphere, and the second ascended 91,079 feet (27,761 meters).

For the past two years, the SHS RISE launches have led to collaboration with 8th graders at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy. Last Thursday, May 23, five Sisters chemistry students mentored Warm Springs 8th graders in launching their very own stratospheric weather balloon launch from the Warm Springs Academy.

The launch was orchestrated through the RISE Program and funded by a grant from Batelle. Both projects were supported by Steven Peterzen of ISTAR, who guided the Sisters High School students in mentoring the Warm Springs students. The students learned

about the durability of stratospheric weather balloons, the importance of the data collected, and how science and engineering can be applied outside of school.

With the guidance of science teacher Karen Young, the 8th grade students explored a wide array of food-based science experiments, including skittles, marshmallows, and lunch meat that they sent up on the payload.

The Warm Springs balloon rose 85,636 feet (26,102 meters) up into the stratosphere, and like the two SHS balloons launched the previous week, flew a little over two hours from its launch to eventual landing.

In order to track and find the balloons, multiple technologies were employed.

GPS SPOT trackers attached to the payload sent location signals every six minutes that the students followed on an app. An APRS radio antenna was suspended from the parachute along the flight train and transmitted location, temperature, pressure, speed, and altitude data every minute. The students also placed sound alarms on

the payload to help locate it on the ground. They had to use problem solving skills and embrace adventure to find the balloon once it descended.

Troy Capps, Warm Springs Academy Assistant Principal, accompanied three eighth grade students and a team of five SHS students with SHS science teacher Rima Givot to track and recover the balloon after it landed in a juniper forest southeast of Grizzly Mountain, near Prineville.

Jean-Pierre Dedieu, PhD, retired chief meteorologist of CNES from France, provided flight trajectory predictions for both the Warm Springs and Sisters Eagle Airport launches that supported the recovery efforts with their accuracy, and gave the weather team students, who had been mentored by retired meteorologist Ron Thorkildson of Sisters, a chance to compare their prediction to a professional one.

“The connection with Pierre has integrated an international component and added a professional perspective to the project,” said Givot.

Outlaw Boys Soccer Fundraiser Garage Sale

Gently used sports equipment is being sought for a fundraiser for the Sisters High School boys soccer team. All t ypes and sizes of sports and camping equipment are welcome. Drop o your donations at the middle or high school. e Garage Sale will be happening on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Contact Coach Je Husmann with any questions at je husmann@ssd6 .org

Historic Guided Walking Tours in Sister s

Join ree Sisters Historical Societ y for a docent-guided tour of the Camp Polk Pioneer Cemeter y on June 12 or July 10 . Take this f ree oppor tunity to learn more about who and what has helped “make Sisters , Sisters” ! All tours begin at 10 a.m., cover about one mile, and take around an hour and a half. Families are welcome. Reservations are necessary

Stop in at the Sisters Museum on Fri. or Sat. (10 -4), call 541549-14 03 or email museum@ threesistershistoricalsociet y.org with your contact info and the number in your party

Weekly Food Pant ry

e Wellhouse Church hosts a weekly food pantr y ursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N . Trinit y Way Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-st yle distribution are available. Info: 541-549-4184.

Snow flake Boutique Craf t Show

Qualit y craf t-consignors wanted for the 48th Snowflake Boutique, November 1 & 2, 2024. e next jur y will be Monday, June 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. Additional juries will be held through October. More info at www.snowflakeboutique org or call Pat 541-383-1821 or Kim 541-640 -2536.

SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS

Wildlife Stories with ink Wild

On Tuesday, June 4, in the Sisters Librar y Community Room f rom 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., learn about local wildlife hospital ink Wild! Participants will learn about how ink Wild assists injured wildlife in Central Oregon, and the organization will provide a reading of “Maggie the One-Eyed Peregrine Falcon.” is book overviews what a wildlife hospital like ink Wild does to help injured wildlife. It follows the story of an injured f alcon and her journey to becoming an ambassador for her species . is program is recommended for children ages 2-8 , and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. After the reading , participants will get to make a toilet paper roll falcon!

A NNOUNCEMENT S

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, May 30

Open Studio

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts

Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2

Soccer Fundraiser Garage Sale

Sisters High School

Sunday, June 2

Plant Sale

Sisters Farmers Market, Fir St. Park

Open Studio at Pine Meadow Ranch

Attend an Open Studio at Pine Meadow Ranch on ursday, May 30, f rom 4 to 6 p.m. In this Open Studio you will learn about the three residents’ practices and what they have accomplishe d while they were at PMRCA A . Presenters for this Open Studio include printmaker Rosa Valladares, multimedia artist Jennifer Rabin , and multidisciplinar y artist Atif Akin . is Open Studio will take place in the classroom at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 684 67 ree Creek Rd., Sisters Registration is required at roundhousefoundation.org/ events/. For more info call 5419 04- 070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org

Americ an Legion and VF W American Legion Post 86 and VF W Post 8138 meet the first Wednesda

6:30 p.m., a 473 E . Hood A John at 5

Free Lunches for Se

For those 6 Aging of Cen a f un, noTuesday, Sisters Communit McKenzie H needed. Nolunches tak Wed . and 1 p.m. Cal

Vacation Bible School

Go back in time

whole flock to Hometown

Plant Sale

Herbs and veggies grown by Sisters Community Garden will be sold at opening day of Sisters Farmers Market . See them at the “Plant Your Garden” section of the market in association with the Flower Collective. Sunday, June 2, f rom 10 a .m. to 2 p.m. at Fir Street Park, 150 N . Fir Street. Info: sisterscommunit ygarden@ gmail.com

Free Weekly Meal Se rvice

Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Community Church, 130 0 McKenzie Hwy Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org

Sisters Habitat

Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for something fun to do with your free time?

Volunteer with Sisters Habit at for Humanity! Call 541-549-1193 to get connected

Central Oregon Federated Republican Meeting

COFRW (Central Oregon Federated Republican Women) meet s the first ursday of every month f rom 10:45 a.m. (registration) to 1 p.m. at Brand 33 at Aspen Lakes Golf Club in Sisters. Come learn f rom guest 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 COFRWBend@gmail.com.

STAR S Seek s Dispatch Volunteers

While working from home, help STAR S transport Sisters Country resident s to nonemergenc y medical appointments . Needed: A computer, the abilit y to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-9 04-5545 . STAR S is an AFSC Action Team.

Cele ation o f Life

Joan Meredith McClelland Smith

A celebr ation of Joan’s life will be held June 1, 2024, at 11:30 a.m.

Camp Sher man Community Hall 13025 SW Camp Sher man Rd . Camp Sher man

Food , fun, and memories will be shared

Nazareth: Where Jesus was a K id! You’ll travel back into Bible times, without setting foot outside our community. E xperience this fun, hands-on, Bible-times village the week of June 24 to 28 at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 McKenzie Hwy Each day your family members can become part of histor y as they see, hear, touch, and even taste what it was like to live in Jesus’ hometown! You’ll explore authentic marketplace shops, visit Jesus’ mom, Mar y, take part in games , dance to lively Bible songs, and sample tast y tidbit s as you discover more about Jesus’ childhood. ese experiences make God’s Word come alive with new meaning for all who participate! Children’s Session for age 3 to 5th grade, 9 a.m. to noon. Family Session (parent or guardian must be present) from 5 to 8 p.m. Register at sisterschurch.com/events

Baha’i Faith

g Memory of Mike Burk e

e Burke invites you n a celebration of his odeo Grounds near se on June 15, 2024. e ommence at 1 p.m., g the legacy and d memories of Mike. Your port during this time ciated as we honor ife and bid him farewell.

Living Well With Dementia Sisters Suppor t Groups Living Well now o ers t wo support groups . A support group for the care partners and family of those diagnosed with some form of dementia meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month f rom 1-2:30 p.m. at e Lodge in Sisters , 411 E Carpenter Ln. A support group for the person diagnosed with some form of dementia in the early stages meets the same days and times , also at e Lodge. Info: 541-6 47-0 052.

SUNNY

D

is boy is ready for his forever home after coming to HSCO. Sunny D will prefer an indoor and outdoor home where he can safely explore. He might be a little timid at first, but once he warms up, he’ll be a sweet boy enjoying pets f rom his adopter. If you’re ready to welcome a new pet into your life, stop by the shelter and meet Sunny D

Francois’ Workshop 541-549-0605 541-815-0624

EA C HURCH ES

For information, devotion s, study groups , etc. , cont ac t Shauna Rocha 541- 647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching s.org

Calvar y Church

484 W. Washington St ., Ste. C & D • 541-588- 6288

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

Chapel in the Pine s Camp Sher man • 541-815-9153

10 a.m. Sunday Worship

e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

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

10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting

e Episcopal Church of the Tr ansfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd . • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org

8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

10 :15 a.m. Episcopal Sund ay Worship

e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hw y. www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us

5 p.m. Sunday Worship

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

541-815-9848

11 a.m. Saturday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Luther an Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com

10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd . • 541-389-8960 www.sistersna z.org • info @sistersna z.org

10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational)

1300 W. McKenzie Hw y. • 541-549-1201

www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com

9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship

St . Edward the Mart yr Roman Catholic Church

123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391

5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a.m. Sunday Mass

12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a.m. Tuesday-Friday Mass

Wellhouse Church

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

10 a.m. Sunday Worship

Building Blocks: strong community

By Sue Stafford Columnist

There was enough good news emanating from the May 15 Community Builders meeting that two articles were required, one last week (May 22) and another this week.

• As president of Sisters Rotary, Bill Kelly announced the plans for the Fourth of July celebration, Sisters 4th Fest, scheduled for Village Green Park, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is being sponsored by Sisters Rotary Club, Citizens4Community, St. Charles Health System, and Next Phase Realty, with support from Run Sisters Run, 4-H, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, VFW Post 8128, and American Legion Post 86. Volunteers are needed for all phases of the event. Visit sisters4thfest. com for a full schedule of all events and more information.

• Nicole Woodson of Circle of Friends announced they have adopted two kitties from Brightside to live in their clubhouse. They are currently hiring for a youth program lead and a coordinator for their full summer schedule of activities. July 20 at 6 p.m. will be their annual Changing Futures fundraiser at Sisters Art Works building backyard. Toast and Jam will entertain. Their auction will include a stay at a beach house and a fly fishing trip. In January 2025 they will be recruiting two-to-three new board members with business experience, or intern experience.

• Jane Paxson of C4C attended a community building conference presented by Regards to Rural called Resilience in the Community, regarding self-assessments to determine community resilience which she reported are easy to conduct.

• Bill Kelly of Living Well With Dementia, a support group for caregivers, adults supporting parents or siblings, and those living with dementia, recently received a grant from C4C. Their mission is to provide support and illumination, helping to lighten the path for those living with dementia and their care partners as they navigate the intricacies of living well

with dementia. The group will be meeting the second and fourth Wednesday, June 12 and 26, 1 to 2:30 p.m., at The Lodge, 411 E. Carpenter Lane. https://livingwellwithdementiasisters.com.

• After five years as an Action Team of Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC), Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) has submitted their articles of incorporation to become an independent 501(c)(3). A Capstone thesis study conducted by MBA students at OHSU will be presented on Monday, June 3, 6 p.m., at the Sisters Fire Hall. The study of STARS includes a needs statement, best practices, and funding sources. STARS will receive a grant funding computer program which will be available for use by other local nonprofits. Anyone interested in the results of the study is invited to attend. For more information contact Rennie Morrell at rennie@starsride.org.

• According to Bill Kelly, president of Sisters Rotary, the club is offering a new passport program during the week prior to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS), June 4-12, to attract more customers to local businesses prior to the Quilt Show and to raise money for the SOQS GRO scholarship fund and for Rotary Club of Sisters Foundation for scholarships. Citizens4Community (C4C) provided funds to cover the cost of designing and printing the passports. For $100, a business or restaurant can purchase a spot on the passport. Some are offering specials or reduced prices for passport holders. There are limited spots left for businesses on the passport at this time. Each business will stamp the customer’s passport when they visit. When they have collected all the stamps, they can turn their passport in for a chance to win a quilt designed and made by Jean and Valori Wells, draw ing to be held July 13. The Quilt Show is taking 1,400 passports to include in their Quilter’s Affair packets and they will also be available at local merchants and dur ing the Sisters4thFest, at no charge.

• Central Oregon Council on Aging is seeking a Sisters representative for their board of directors. There are nine Sisters residents on the wait list to receive Meals on Wheels, which is due to budget constraints. They are hoping to expand their congregate dining program when Sisters Park and Recreation (SPRD) moves to the former elementary school building. (541) 678-5483.

• Mike Deal of Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) announced plans for a November two-hour workshop titled “What Do You Do With an Idea?” which will include information on fiscal sponsorship, becoming a 501(c)(3), and grant writing. Email mike@agefriendlysisters.com.

• Eric Strobel, of Sisters EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon), announced a new business in Sisters called Bivvi. They specialize in designing and building mobile A-frame cabins for camping, recreating, ADUs, and office space. A sample Bivvi chalet is located in the parking lot across from Fika Coffee. Starting at $33,000. info@bivvicamp.com or bivvicamp.com. On Thursday, July 25, there will be an EDCO Sisters Pub Talk at Fir Street Park featuring the new Sisters Makers, Bivvi, and local artists. Call 541-4108630 for information.

• As a member of the Public Works Advisory Board for the City, Bill Kelly announced that citizens should be receiving a flyer from the City announcing proposed increases in water and wastewater rates. The proposals were approved by Sisters City Council at their May 22 meeting.

Sisters-Area Events & Enter tainment

WEDNESDAY • MAY 29

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Cornhole Tournament

Sign up at 5:30 Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

THURSDAY, MAY 30

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk Eric Vickrey presents "Season of Shattered Dreams: Postwar Baseball, the Spokane Indians, and a Tragic Bus Crash That Changed Everything." 6:30 p.m. More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night Sign up at 5:30 Starts promptly at 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dogand family-friendly Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • MAY 31

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

Sisters Depot Live Music: Grace Cooper and Wyatt Moss 6 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard Bluesy duets, country rock. Tickets $5 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 7 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Car Show 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool or vintage car for the car show — or come to see them! For more info call 541-549-2471

SATURDAY • JUNE 1

The Barn Live Music: Smoke Drifters 6 to 8 p.m. Album release party for Sisters-based band's debut album "Falling from the Sky”! Info: www thebarninsisters.com.

Sisters Depot Live Music: The Mostest 6 to 8 p.m. A collective of musicians from Bend cultivating "heavy Americana." Tickets $5 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

SUNDAY • JUNE 2

Sisters Saloon Live Music: Bobby Lindstrom 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio All ages — and dogs — welcome Free Information at facebook.com/SistersSaloonAndRanchGrill. Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring live music, community booth, vendors, kids activities, and more. For info visit www.sistersfarmersmarket.com.

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.

TUESDAY • JUNE 4

Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Live Music: Isla Ryne 6-8 p.m. Free entry Info: www.sisterstaphousehotel.com.

WEDNESDAY • JUNE 5

Sisters Rodeo Arena Sisters Rodeo Xtreme Bulls 6:30 p.m. Tickets at www.sistersrodeo.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.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Cornhole Tournament Sign up at 5:30 Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

Hardtails Bar & Grill Rodeo Karaoke with Cowgal Gaby after Xtreme Bulls! 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Info: 541-549-6114.

THURSDAY • JUNE 6

Hardtails After Rodeo Party with Live Music by The Sleepless Truckers Free admission to local’s night starting at 8 p.m. Music starts after the rodeo (or by 9:30 p.m.). For more information call 541-549-6114.

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk

Jesse Reeder Deb Jackson Brewer Rosalyn McKeown-Ice, and Kamala Bremer presents "From Chicken to Eagle: Seven Women Paddling Whitewater and Navigating Life," 6:30 p.m.

More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Trivia Night Sign up at 5:30 Starts promptly at 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Dog-and familyfriendly Free For info call Eurosports at 541-549-2471

FRIDAY • JUNE 7

Sisters Rodeo Arena Sisters Rodeo 7 p.m. Tickets at www.sistersrodeo.com

Sisters Depot Live Music: Jazz Folks 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets $5 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Hardtails After Rodeo Party with Live Music by The Sleepless Truckers Free admission to local’s night starting at 8 p.m. Music starts after the rodeo (or by 9:30 p.m.). For more information call 541-549-6114.

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 7 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Eurosports Food Cart Garden Car Show 5-7 p.m. Free Family- and dog-friendly Bring your cool or vintage car for the car show — or come to see them! For more info call 541-549-2471

which exists so I’m not being “unscientific” or misleading. Point is, the wolves we had here were somewhat smaller.

Wendy Von Kalinowski’s comment “wolves are poor hunters” is laughable, and I can state unequivocally that the rancher, who found the four deer killed in his field, was there the previous day, so its not a “half truth” as she wishfully stated, as the deer were not “sick or already dead,” but were killed and eaten the night before. I could show her the exact spot where they were cornered along a high fence and killed with hair all over the ground.

Would that we could have kept our original strain of wolves, but it may be too late for that now, which is tragic.

Where’s the concern or outrage over that?

Steve Allely

s s s

What America deserves

To the Editor:

My answer to Mr. Braun’s question: What in the world did America do to deserve President Biden? You all voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020! Joe Biden was probably looking forward to retiring when Trump decided to run (amazingly right about the time he was going to be indicted several times), and Biden, realizing that he had the best chance of beating him, threw his hat in the ring. If the Donald hadn’t decided the only way he could get out of the numerous court cases against him was to be President and pardon himself, and if his cult followers had decided to move on from this loser instead of doubling down on stupidity, you probably wouldn’t have Joe Biden to complain about. If the Democrats, in the meantime, had put up a candidate who could win the national election for sure, then you wouldn’t have Joe Biden to complain about. Joe Biden has proven to be a very effective president in spite of the resistance he’s gotten and seems to be going about the nation’s business instead of giving enormous tax cuts to the richest amongst us, separating children from their parents, and wondering if injecting disinfectant into our veins will cure Covid.

Donald Trump is arguably the worst President in American history according to nearly every Presidential historian you can think of (and that’s saying something — we’ve had several real doozies). I’m not going to list the reasons for

saying that here, there’s not enough room and already there have been numerous books written on the subject. Of course, you have to actually read those books. The fact that people still fall for his con will never cease to amaze me. I get that the right wing base is sick of the left making fun of them, being better educated, caring about the planet, and worst of all, practicing Jesus’ teachings better than they do without even declaring themselves Christians. However, this is no excuse to even consider a long time con artist, woman hating, truly racist, narcissist to run the most powerful country in the world just because you’re pissed at Liberals. Jesus wouldn’t have turned oppressed people away at the border, banned books that tried to help young people figure out their place in life and society, He wouldn’t have chanted “Jews will not replace us!” (Charlottesville) on one hand, and then praise Israel for trying to exterminate a people whose land they took. At least the Jesus I learned about in Sunday school wouldn’t have acted that way.

A few points about Jan Pray’s letter: Are we better off then we were 3-1/2 years ago? Threeand-a-half years ago we were in the middle of a pandemic that had already killed hundreds of thousands of people here and in the rest of the world. Trump’s response to the pandemic was criticized by scientists all over the world and may have contributed to many of those deaths by inaction and false information. So, there’s that. Donald Trump became the third president in history to be impeached although he wasn’t convicted by the Republican senate, Donald Trump, after laying the ground work of sewing doubt about the election even before it took place, refused to concede to Joe Biden after what was considered the safest election in American history. The Big Lie. That was all around three-and-a-half years ago.

Trump was not respected or feared by world leaders, he was laughed at by world leaders. Putin didn’t invade Ukraine until after Trump was unelected because he was getting everything he wanted from Trump without having to go to war. He was going to invade Ukraine no matter what but hoped he could do it without Ukraine being supplied with weapons by the U.S. When Biden got elected, Putin knew he had to do it the oldfashioned way.

The war in Gaza lays at the feet of Hamas and Netanyahu. Hamas is the end product of years of oppression from Israel’s policies. If you keep kicking a dog, he will eventually turn on you. No excuse for what they did. Netanyahu is an ultra-right wing

war hawk who was just looking for a reason to go into Gaza and kill as many people as he can get away with. There are many questions about his prior knowledge of the Hamas attack.

In the Bible it talks about not worshiping false idols. How can you possibly say that someone who sells cards (not even real ones) depicting him in various hero outfits and then rewards the biggest buyers of those cards by giving them dinner and cut up pieces of his coat and tie does not consider himself an idol.

Bruce Campbell s s s

Change or get worse

To the Editor:

In response to your letter, Brad Earl, I would like to make something perfectly clear: This last weekend was Memorial Day weekend. In 1968, I fought in the Vietnam War with the 5th Infantry Division. My base camp was called Camp Nancy which was 3 miles from North Vietnam. I had seen many of my friends die.They were part of the over 58,000 men and women who spilled their blood in the fight against communism. Now I find out that we have communist politicians right here in America, in our White House.

You said that in response to Jan Pray’s opinion that you wanted to get things correct. Well, let me correct you. Here are 10 points that Joe Biden has done so far in three and a half years and if we don’t change things we won’t even have a country to speak of.

1. War in Ukraine and Israel and looming war with China over Taiwan.

2. The humiliating and deadly retreat from Afghanistan.

3. Sky high inflation and rising energy costs.

4. Out of control crime.

5. A full scale invasion on our southern border.

6. A government weaponized against Christians, conservatives, and parents.

7. A war on girls’ sports.

8. An escalating spiritual and cultural war on our traditional values.

9. The fentanyl crisis.

10. A growing child sex trafficking crisis. So here are a few things that you can sit down and think about, and if we don’t change things, it’s going to get a lot worse.

May God Bless America, George J. Paschalson

Sisters Rodeo expands scholarships

The Sisters Rodeo Association has long been a generous provider of scholarships to Sisters High School graduates. Sisters Rodeo scholarships are awarded to students who volunteer with community organizations, are involved in 4-H, FFA, high school rodeo/equestrian activities, and have expressed an interest in careers involving agriculture, ranching, veterinary services or trades.

“This year the Sisters Rodeo Board expanded its scholarship program from three scholarships to six $2,000 scholarships and invited students from high schools in Sisters, Bend, Redmond, Prineville, La Pine, and Madras to apply,” said Rodeo Director Tom Herrmann.“Sisters Rodeo is supported by sponsors, volunteers, rodeo fans, and participants throughout Central Oregon, so in 2024 we expanded our scholarship program to help students throughout our entire Central Oregon community.”

The expansion of the scholarship program led to a record number of impressive applicants who solidly met the criteria set by the Sisters Rodeo Board, Herrmann reported.

Carson Castrow is a Redmond High School student with extensive experience in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the cattle

industry. She has served as president of the Redmond FFA chapter, head of the FFA Beef Barn, and member of the Tri-County Cattlewomen Association. She works for ranch and cattle companies and has led cattle clinics. In addition, she is a member of the National Honor Society, captain of the varsity basketball team, volunteers, and has received numerous awards for academics, agriculture, and athletics. Carson plans to attend Colorado State University to study animal science and agribusiness with the goal of furthering technological advancements in the cattle industry.

Emilee Lindquist attends Klamath Community College and is majoring in agriculture science. Her goal is to focus on animal science to become a large animal vet. She has a long history of participating in 4-H, FFA (serving as the Redmond chapter president and district secretary), and is currently the treasurer of the Klamath CC Agriculture Club. In addition to her stellar GPA and many agriculture awards, she has tutored/mentored agricultural youth and volunteered to help fire victims and those in need. She is a graduate of Redmond High School.

B. Cache Montgomery is a La Pine High School student, active in high school rodeo (placing second in

state for steer wresting) and 4-H. Cache plans to compete in college rodeo, including steer wrestling, team roping, and tie-down. In addition to rodeo, he participates in other high school sports (placing second in state for wrestling), does ranch work (including horse shoeing and hay crew), volunteers, and is an honor roll student with perfect attendance. He plans to attend Feather River College, majoring in agribusiness with the goal of owning a stock contracting and ranching business.

Ila Reid attends Sisters High School and participates in Project Unified, sports (she is team captain of the varsity basketball team, and member of the state champion track and volleyball teams), student government, and serves as an intern for Interdisciplinary Environmental Education leading student backpacking and rafting expeditions. In addition, she has a top GPA, is a Life Skills mentor, and has participated in 4-H. Ila plans to attend Oregon State University (Honors Program) and major in Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering.

Grace Stott is a Redmond

High School student and is active in FFA, Tri-County Cattlewomen Association, owns a registered Red Angus herd, works as a ranch hand, participates in rodeo support, and plays varsity soccer (team captain) and varsity tennis. Grace has served as an FFA officer and led cattle clinics. In addition, she is a member of the National Honor Society and engages in volunteer service. She plans to attend Colorado State University to major in animal science and minor in agribusiness to work in the beef industry.

Madison Taylor attends Sisters High School and is an accomplished equestrian with interests including barrel racing, gymkhana events, and her all-time favorite, mounted shooting. In addition to her dedication to horsemanship, she has worked at a veterinarian’s office for the past two years and cares for livestock. She is captain of the lacrosse team, plays varsity soccer, and gives 110% to all she does. Madison plans to attend Boise State University, and her career aspirations include human and veterinary health.

Carson Castrow.

PHOTO PROVIDED

B. Cache Montgomery.

PHOTO PROVIDED Ila Reid.

PHOTO PROVIDED Grace Stott.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Madison Taylor.

PHOTO PROVIDED Emilee Lindquist.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Obituary

‘Oxintheriver’ Race

Michael Osman

September 28, 1947 – February 16, 2024

Mike was a devoted fly fisher, finding solace, joy, and spiritual connection in the flowing waters that freed his soul from the trials of everyday life. The Metolius River was his sanctuary and playground, where the ultimate challenge lay in hooking a fish, landing it gently, and releasing it back to its watery domain unharmed. This ritual defined much of his life, a journey of perpetual learning and observation as he navigated the river’s ever-changing currents.

He cherished the wisdom imparted by dear friends and master fly fishers like Larry McMichael, Teryl “T” Johansson, and the late Fast Eddie Suttner. Ever generous, Mike shared his love for fly fishing, eager to impart its joys and lessons to others. Whether in the Arctic Circle of Alaska or the Bordeaux region of France, Mike’s trusty rod and gear were never far from reach. Show him a river, and he’d be there, casting away with boundless enthusiasm.

Yet, amidst his love for the river, Mike’s greatest devotion was reserved for his four children: Heather, Jessica, Lucas, and Isabel, and granddaughter Yasna. They were his purpose, his pride, and his greatest achievement. He fretted over them, celebrated their victories, and cherished every moment with them. Mike’s journey was rich and varied, from his days playing rugby for the University of Oregon to working alongside his

father on construction crews in Canada.

He wore many hats throughout his life — from paperboy to soldier, railroad worker to Sisters Rodeo president, and real estate broker for Brooks Resources, Morrison Knudsen and Les Schwab. Yet, through every endeavor, he remained a steadfast friend, admired for his kindness, humor, honesty, and humility. He was a beacon of strength and compassion.

Mike touched lives of many as a leader, father, teacher, friend, uncle, cousin, teammate, neighbor, son, brother, accomplished wood worker, cribbage guy, killer breakfast maker, and coffee drinker extraordinaire. Though he may have departed this earthly realm, Mike’s spirit will endure, forever intertwined with the river he so dearly loved. A private celebration of life will be held September 7 in Camp Sherman. Please consider donations to Friends of the Metolius or Council on Aging-Central Oregon.

“Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” — Henry David Thoreau

STAMPEDE: Event celebrated its 15th running in Sisters

Continued from page 1

just a party on wheels for us.”

You could separate the serious entrants from the casual riders wanting to take it up a notch by the smiles and laughter, the latter easily outnumbering the former. Indeed on the course, a majority of riders rode side-by-side whenever doable, and at a pace that allowed conversation and even a quick stop for an occasional photo.

There were two courses, short (14.5 miles) and long (25.3 miles). The first pedaled off at 9 a.m. and the long riders at noon. Both races started and ended on W. Washington Avenue, behind Blazin Saddles, the event co-sponsor, along with Three Creeks Brewing.

Both races traversed over the Peterson Ridge Trail system a major draw for cyclists from a four-state region. The course on Saturday was full of folks wanting to scope it out and get in an extra dose of the highly acclaimed trail. “It was perfect,” riders reported. “Nice and tacky.”

By Sunday, race day, some of that grip from the day before dried up and the course had a bit more slip especially in the tight turns. There were zero complaints however, and a chorus of whoops and gleeful shouts as riders zipped around the mostly singletrack run. Dust rose but a few inches as compared to some years when it was waist high.

The economic impact to Sisters was obvious. Fewer than 10 percent of entrants

LONG COURSE RESULTS

CATEGORY WINNER TIME

Elite Men Landon Farnworth,

were from Sisters. The largest number were from Portland, and a heavy percentage listed Bend as home.

It was a three-day event for the majority as they filled campgrounds and lodges. It began with a block party Saturday held at Blazin Saddles with food trucks, a beer cart, an aqua cold plunge and later a Rascal Round-Up for kiddos at Bike Park 242.

When you add in family members and friends who accompanied the riders, some 1,500 visitors filled eateries and packed watering holes, with a recognizable amount of shopping thrown in.

The Stampede, one of 13 promoted by Mudslinger Events, is always one of the fastest to sell out, proof of the draw to Sisters, promoters say. Prices to enter range from $45 to $75.

Winners in the Short

Course include Porter Younkin from Medford, in the 9-13 category with a time of 0:59.09.7, and those over 70 saw Tom Heywood from Wenatchee, Washington, came in at 1:09:41.7. Flo Leibowitz from Corvallis clocked 1:45:23.2 in the women 70+ category. Overall best time in the Short Course went to Jacoby Babcock of Philomath, (14-18) with a time of 0:56:57.1.

I’m here just to have a good time. I guess somebody will tell me my time, but who cares? …It’s just a party on wheels for us. — Tee Baker

Cheatgrass invades Sisters

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

While it is not a major threat to grazing or livestock production in Sisters Country it is nonetheless a pesky irritant to gardeners and a danger to pets. Moreover it is a major accelerant to wildfire.

Bromus tectorum, commonly known as cheatgrass, is an invasive annual grass that has rapidly spread across 100 million acres of U.S. grassland and sagebrush areas primarily in western states. Cheatgrass reduces wildlife habitat, recedes crop production, and depletes cattle forage, all the while accelerating wildfires.

Bio scientists say cheatgrass provides almost no value as forage or cover for wildlife, but it chokes out valuable native plants that do. Sage grouse, pronghorn, deer, pygmy rabbits, and elk are just a few of the wildlife species that have been negatively impacted by the invasion of cheatgrass.

Its growing presence in the Deschutes National Forest is obvious to any recreationalist, but it is our grassy neighbors that are at the forefront of the battle. In Prineville and Madras where Crooked River National Grassland standing at 173,629 acres is managed, it’s a never ending war.

Brought to North America in the 1800s, this Eurasian annual spread quickly by railroads, vehicles, and livestock activities, infesting disturbed lands degraded by overgrazing and other factors. Today, as many as 50 million acres have been converted to cheatgrass monoculture. Tens of millions of acres more remain at high

risk of invasion based on a major study in January by a quartet of scientists including from BLM (Bureau of Land Management).

Continuing expansion across vast areas of the West indicates that current livestock grazing remains responsible for cheatgrass expansion and dominance according to Western Watershed Project.

In a National Wildlife Foundation blog, Corey Ransom, professor of weed science at Utah State University, says cheatgrass not only takes over huge swaths of land, it changes the ecology of the area as well.

“It actively grows in the winter so it can take full advantage of moisture in the spring — robbing emerging native grasses of water. I liken those native grasses to being the youngest in the family of 7.

If you come to the table late, you’re not going to get much food to survive on.”

Ransom said cheatgrass has a short lifespan which means it dries out by midJuly and becomes a superfuel for wildfires.

“We used to see a fire cycle of every 25-30 years in our grassland areas. Now, in areas that have been overtaken by cheatgrass, that fire cycle is down to every 3-5 years,” Ransom reported.

What’s more worrisome is that as those fires destroy native grasses and shrubs, cheatgrass seeds survive and remain viable for many years, encouraging an endless cycle of cheatgrass fueling fires which fuel more cheatgrass growth. According to one study, three years after a fire, cheatgrass can grow back at an astonishing rate of 40 million plants per acre.

Cheatgrass and your dog

Cheatgrass awns (seeds) are dry and hard just about the time most people in Sisters are out hiking with their dog, and the awns are what causes many problems. Cheatgrass lodges between toes, in fur, ears, eyes, and on occasion in the lungs of a dog.

If a dog inhales cheatgrass, it can go down the esophagus, and will likely be digested. However, if swallowed and it makes its way down the trachea, it can become a migrating foreign body. That foreign body can then make its way to the heart, lungs, or abdomen and become an abscess. It can be life-threatening at worse, and a hefty vet bill at best.

Cheatgrass and foxtails are not the same thing. Foxtail grows much larger than cheatgrass. Some foxtails surpass three feet, with fuzzy seed pods around eight inches long.

Also invasive, foxtail doesn’t pose a fire hazard like cheatgrass. The larger concern is with the many barbs on each seed pod. They can easily attach to animals and cause severe injury.

How to combat cheatgrass

Herbicides have been the frontline method of removing cheatgrass and while some herbicides can be effective against cheatgrass, they only take out the grown plants, leaving seeds in the soil that will grow and need to be sprayed year after year.

Folks in Sisters Country generally seem leery of chemical solutions to weed and pest control.

“The herbicide doesn’t

really get rid of the cheatgrass, whereas bacteria will,” Ann Kennedy of the USDAAgricultural Research Service told The Nature Conservancy. She has been researching microbes for more than 30 years. She and her colleagues isolated 25,000 microscopic organisms native to the soil of Washington and Oregon and tested their effects on

crops and non-native plants, eventually isolating a promising bacterium known as D7 for further testing as a biocontrol.

D7 is in its infancy and with its own set of limitations. Professional landscapers say there is only one tried and proven herbicide free solution – pulling them by hand – tedious and aching work.

Cheatgrass is a problem in Sisters.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Girls tennis finishes eighth at state

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The girls tennis squad took four players Juhree Kizziar and Katie Ryan (singles), and doubles duo Sophie Rush and Shae Wyland, to the state tennis championships held at the Oregon State Campus in Corvallis Thursday through Saturday, May 23-25. The Lady Outlaws finished eighth out of 21 teams in attendance.

Katie Ryan dominated play and blanked Kendal Wilson of Henley 6-0, 6-0, in her first match round on Thursday.

Coach Bruce Fenn said, “That was the best tennis I’ve seen Katie play all year. Her serves were hit with pace, which got her some free points. Her ground strokes were hit deep and into the corners of the courts. Wilson had no answers for Katie’s consistent punishing ground strokes.”

Ryan’s match on Friday in the second round against No. 3 seed Whitney Hidden of Marist was a different story. There were some heated rallies in the match, but Ryan was unable to hit with enough pace and depth to stay in the games. She was defeated 0-6, 0-6, which brought her tournament play to an end.

“It was a great year for

senior Katie, who repeated as a second-time state qualifier,” said Fenn.

Juhree Kizziar earned a first round bye, and in the second round played a tough round against Adele Beckstead of Philomath. Kizziar came out on top 6-1, 6-3. Fenn told The Nugget that every round had drama, with rallies of 20 strokes or more until Beckstead would hit the ball in the net.

Kizziar served big, attacked the net on short balls, and put away beautiful volleys.

“Juhree’s overall game has improved in every area,” said Fenn. “That includes serves, ground strokes, volleys, and movement. Each shot has more pace and consistency.”

In the quarterfinals

Kizziar fell 0-6, 0-6, to No. 2 seed Reagan Farm of North Bend, which brought an end to her play in the tournament.

Fenn said, “Losing to Farm was a learning experience for Juhree. When you play big hitters who are attacking short balls for winners, it teaches the importance of hitting deep shots every time. It was fun to watch two athletic girls playing the game they love.”

In doubles play, Shae Wyland stepped in for Leah O’Hern and teamed up with Sophie Rush. The pair lost 1-6, 1-6, in Thursday’s round

to Suelze and Withers of Cascade.

The duo moved into consolation play where matches were all eight-game pro sets up to the finals. Rush and Wyland defeated Picket and Button of Marshfield 9-7 in the quarterfinals in a nail biter. With the score tied at 6-6, Sisters won the next point and went up 7-6, but Marshfield came back and knotted it up again at 7-7. Rush and Wyland stayed focused and went up 8-7. Wyland served and Rush put volleys away at the net to win the match and advance to the semi finals.

Fenn said, “The Sisters duo has settled into a nice routine where Wyland hits looping high strokes over the heads of the net players and Rush moves into the net and hits winners at the net.”

The pair advanced to the consolation semifinals and fell 0-8 to the No. 2 seed Mehta and Kim. Fenn noted that Rush and Wyland returned serves well and made minimal unforced errors, but the difference between the two teams was that Mehta and Kim were more aggressive at the net.

Of his four players who made it to state Fenn said, “They were great friends and supported each other in their matches. This experience will last them a lifetime of fun memories.”

Sisters Folk Festival lineup complete

Sisters Folk Festival has announced the addition of 14 artists to the 2024 festival lineup, rounding out a total of 33 acts slated to perform in downtown Sisters on Sept. 27-29. The artists represent multiple genres of roots music from all over the world.

Chris Smither, Väsen, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms Country Band, Las Guaracheras, Carsie Blanton, Viv & Riley, Paul McDonald, Gabe Lee, Michaela Anne, The Pairs, Tropa Magica, Lizzie No, The Lowest Pair, and Beth Wood join the previously announced lineup, which includes Aoife O’Donovan, Hawktail, The Mammals, Fantastic Cat, Balla Kouyaté & Mike Block Band, Peter Mulvey, SistaStrings, Cris Jacobs, Kittel & Co, Jourdan Thibodeaux et Les Rôdailleurs, Kyshona, Melissa Carper, Luke Winslow-King & Roberto Luti, The Langan Band, Cassandra Lewis, San Miguel Fraser, Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves, Jenner Fox & Jeremy Elliott, and Glitterfox. This dynamic and diverse lineup promises to deliver another epic year of live performances on seven venues around the town of Sisters.

Patrons of Sisters Folk Festival are sure to find a new favorite act amongst this talented list of up and coming artists, in addition to seeing a familiar favorite in an intimate setting. Learn more about the artists at https:// www.sistersfolkfest.org/ lineup.

Three-day passes to the festival are available at the advanced pricing of $225 for adults and $85 for youth ages 17 and under. Children under 6 attend for free. Single day tickets will be available for purchase in July when the full performance schedule is released. Tickets are available at https://aftontickets. com/SFF2024. Follow @ SistersFolkFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

Portraits OF SISTERS

The saying goes, “home is where the heart is.” But Lance Richardson might be the soul who built it. When he founded Richardson Log Homes in 1992 it was a means to pay for his kid’s college. He developed the business while working as a buckaroo for ZX Ranch in Paisley, Oregon — a job he has done since he was 13 years old, and yet, it doesn’t pay very well. In the economic downturn of 2008 he and his wife, Rebecca, took a hiatus from the log home business and attended bible college in Texas where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. In 2011, he moved to Sisters and revived the now bustling log home business. He’s built more than 30 homes now, some delivered as far as Nevada and California. But much like the cowboy way of life, finding good, talented hand labor is a constant challenge. “They’re both a dying trade,” he says. Whether he’s restoring log homes or building them by hand his purpose remains simple. “Everything you do in life is for your family,” he says. “The smartest thing in life is to build something that you can hand off in the future.”

The Guide Is Here!

4 Brothers Tree Service

Alpaca by Design

Alpaca Country Estates

Beacham’s Clock Co

Bend Heating & Sheet Metal, Inc.

Bend/Sisters Garden

RV Resort

Best Western

Ponderosa Lodge

Big Lake Youth Camp

Black Butte Ranch

Black Butte Realty Group

Blazin Saddles

Blue Burro Imports

Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty Sisters

Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s — Suzanne Carvlin & Maddie Fischer

Cascade Village Mall

City of Sisters

The Nugget Newspaper is pleased to present the 30th edition of Sisters Oregon Guide! Pick up your complimentary copy at these merchants and on stands throughout Central Oregon, or scan the QR code to read Sisters Oregon Guide online, and visit these marketing partners.

Coldwell Banker Mayfield — Khiva Beckwith

Council on Aging of Central Oregon

Crux Wealth Advisors — Renee Sopko

Dovetails Furniture

Economic Development of Central Oregon

Explore Sisters

FivePine Lodge

Friends & Vine

Gilmore Dental

GrandStay Hotel

Gypsy Wind Clothing

Hardtails Bar & Grill

High Desert Chocolates

High Desert Museum

Hike-N-Peaks

Hola! Camp Sherman

Home Styled House on Metolius

Inscape Plant Co

Lake Creek Lodge

Les Schwab/

Taylor Tire Center

Local Acres Marketplace

Luckey’s Woodsman

Makin’ It Local

Metolius River Assn.

Metolius River Lodges

Metolius River Resort

Mosaic Community Health

Oliver Lemon’s

Partners in Care

Paulina Springs Books

Pine Desert Dental

Ponderosa Properties

Radiant Day Spa

Ray’s Food Place

Richardson Log Homes

Rootbound Food Cart

Safe Chauffeur

Sisters Apothecary

Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce

Sisters Arts Association

Sisters Bakery

Sisters Car Connection

Sisters Cascade

Sisters Coffee Co

Sisters Dental

Sisters Depot Kitchen & Wine Bar

Sisters Farmers Market

Sisters Fence

Sisters Gallery &

Frame Shop

Sisters Inn & Suites

Sisters Kiwanis

Sisters Meat & Smokehouse

Sisters Movie House & Café

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Sisters Park & Recreation District

Sisters Rodeo

Sisters Vacation Rentals

Sno Cap Drive In

Spoons

SFF Presents

Stellar Realty NW —

Ross Kennedy

Stitchin’ Post

Summit Health

Suttle Tea

Sweeney Plumbing

Takoda’s

The Fantastic Museum

The Jewel

The Pony Express

Three Sisters

Historical Society

The SweetEasy Co

Toriizaka Art

Wildflower Studio

Your Store

once helped recharge water tables and sustain late summer stream flows.

As interest in watershed restoration and bringing salmon and steelhead back to our mountain rivers has increased, some organizations have found a novel way to address both issues. The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council has been working with the Oregon Department of Forestry, and subdivisions around Sisters, to remove small juniper trees which have increased with historic and current fire suppression. Small trees can act as ladder fuels that carry fire upwards into forest canopies.

Luckily, one person’s hazard can become a habitat building block to create sturdy stream structures that mimic the effects of beaver dams and wood accumulation, this time at the Deschutes Land Trust’s Willow Springs Preserve on lower Whychus Creek.

Whychus Creek extends 41 miles from its mountain headwaters to mouth on the Deschutes River, but has only 6 miles of broad meadow floodplains. Historically these meadows were biologically important areas where the creek could meander and spread, creating diverse and complex aquatic habitats. Beavers were common and their dams helped create pools and ponds where fish could rear and hide.

This also created habitat for wildlife, including amphibians and aquatic insects that feed fish, birds, and bats. Willows and other streamside vegetation provided habitat for birds and other terrestrial species and helped keep the stream cool. Bends in the creek created oxbows where wildlife sheltered. Whychus was once a major steelhead and salmon stream, providing 40 percent of the available steelhead spawning habitat in the Upper Deschutes Basin. With restored fish passage at the Pelton-Round Butte Hydro Project, hopes have risen that we may see those

silver streaks swimming up the creek again someday.

As part of their strategic plan, the Land Trust has been working with partners like the Watershed Council on restoration of their four preserves with meadows along Whychus Creek, including Willow Springs, Camp Polk, Whychus Canyon, and Aspen Hollow. Both the Watershed Council and the Land Trust websites detail their many restoration and educational activities with videos, maps, and information on how to learn more through guided tours (https://www.upper deschuteswatershedcoun cil.org/ and https://www. deschuteslandtrust.org/).

Homeowners at The Hill have been working hard for six years through the Firewise program to reduce wildfire hazards to their neighborhood and homes with both grants and volunteer labor (https:// www.nfpa.org/educationand-research/wildfire/fire wise-usa). For this project, 18 households worked with “Fire Czar” Rod Bonacker, a former wildland fire fighter, to identify trees to remove to improve the safety of their properties.

Watershed Council Restoration Program Manager Mathias Perle and Stream Restoration Project Manager Casey Schuder oversaw the work of cutting 255 small junipers in March.

Perle explained, “We have learned that juniper is very valuable in this style of restoration. Juniper tends to be sinewy instead of brittle as it dries and does not break down as quickly as, say, ponderosa. Juniper continues to be ‘rough’ over time in that it slows water and can act like a sieve to continue catching other woody material that floats in from upstream.”

Trees were stockpiled at streamside areas of the Land Trust’s 129-acre Willow Springs Preserve which surrounds one mile of Whychus Creek. Anabranch Solutions is working with the Watershed Council to finalize construction details for the second phase of the restoration, to be completed during July. The first phase was completed in 2022.

The project uses a cost effective, and light-handed restoration approach to

Emplacements that mimic log jams help reconnect Whychus Creek with its natural floodplain, creating braided channels

improve habitat diversity without intensive earth moving. Two types of hand-built structures are planned. Most are called Post Assisted Log Structures, which mimic log jams and use junipers from The Hill and Tollgate subdivisions. They brace trees against vertical wood posts driven into the streambed with fence post pounders and deflect water flows to help create braided channels and gravel bars.

Beaver Dam Analogs are smaller beaver-dam-like structures which span small wet or dry side channels to create pools. Both structures help reconnect the creek to its historic floodplain. They are not intended to be permanent, but are expected to move as high-water events occur and the creek begins to restore its natural processes. Beavers have been active above and below the Willow Springs Preserve and hopefully will move into the area again to resume their role in watershed restoration.

Homeowners like Rick Wageman appreciated the free opportunity to improve

his property’s fire safety and had 11 small juniper removed.

“We worry about summer wildfires,” he said. “This was such an easy way to make our home more fire safe and help out the watershed.”

Perle considers the work an interesting win-win situation.

“This project highlights the potential for combining habitat restoration benefiting fish and wildlife with wildfire resilience that safeguards our communities,” he said. “Grant funding from the Oregon Department of Forestry matched with Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Pelton Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service funds make it possible to give trees thinned from the wildland urban interface a second life as habitat trees instream and on the Whychus Creek floodplain.”

More restoration work is planned in years to come in collaboration with willing landowners. Guided tours of the project are scheduled; visit the Land Trust’s website to sign up.

A crew at work placing timbers in Whychus

Students close out their year in song

By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

Sisters High School choir singers stepped outside of their usual music repertoire and presented songs inspired by modern songs and movies at the annual Vocal Pops Show on Tuesday, May 21.

Teachers Steve Livingston and Julie Cash led students of varying ages in the learning that led up to this event.

The show displayed the hard work of the Sisters High School Concert and Jazz choirs, as well as the 7th and 8th grade choir, and 6th grade choir.

“It’s a time for us to reflect on all our hard work. It’s emotional, but everybody has the chance to bond with people that they may not talk to regularly,” said sophomore Sophie Gerke.

The show started strong with the 6th grade choir performing, “You’re Welcome,” from the movie “Moana,” and “Blank Space,” by Taylor Swift.

“It is my belief that music has the power to bring people together, music has the power to change people’s lives, and music has the power to take you places. It was amazing to see the trajectory and improvement of all the

students involved. The future of the music department is in good hands with these bright and brilliant young musicians,” said Livingston.

The performance by the 6th graders was followed by the 7th and 8th grade choir who sang “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” from the movie “Mulan.”

To wrap things up, the high school Jazz and Concert Choirs were given the chance to present the numbers they had been working on since the beginning of April.

The Jazz Choir performed iconic songs such as “Paper Moon,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” and “I’ll

Be There.”

“I genuinely just enjoy music, I don’t really mind what songs we’re singing as long as I get the chance to sing,” said jazz choir member and sophomore Georgia Miller.

Finally the Concert Choir brought the performance to an end by singing, “Your Song”, “Cry Me a River,” and “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In.”

This final concert was an emotional rollercoaster for all members, especially the large group of graduating seniors who will part from the group they’ve been a part of for so long, with big smiles, and a considerable amount of tears.

SHOWCASE: Event

celebrates local youth artistic talent

Continued from page 3

will be displaying handmade guitars produced in the SHS wood shop under the direction of teacher Jason Chinchen. Students will be on hand to share their experience in creating these instruments and the challenges and rewards of building such intricate handmade instruments.

Music on the Art Works stage will include performances from the Outlaw Strings club, Americana Project students, and the SHS Jazz Band. Outlaw Strings is a before-and-after school fiddle and guitar program supported by SFF Presents under the direction of science teacher Melissa Stolasz (fiddle) and music teacher Steven Livingston (guitar). Americana Project students from the high school will perform original compositions, many of which were recently recorded for an upcoming end of school release. Closing out the performances will be the SHS Jazz Band, under the direction of teacher Kayla Golka. Students will perform music from their most recent spring concert as well as an exciting collaboration with Outlaw Strings. Additionally, as a fundraiser for the SHS music department, students will be selling 2023 SFF Presents Big Ponderoo Silipint cups with a Guayaki Yerba Mate for $5. Proceeds will go directly to the SHS music department to support ongoing music education opportunities, buying of sheet music, and repairing and maintaining much-needed instruments. The Silipint cups can be used at all SFF Presents events, as the organization moves toward reusable cups and eliminates single-use disposables. Light refreshments will be served.

SFF Presents has been supporting music and arts programming in partnership with the Sisters School District since 2000, and continues its work to transform lives through music and art.

Sisters choir program singers closed out their annual Vocal Pops Show with “Age of Aquarius.”

PHOTO BY KELLI CLARK

The Smoke Drifters ignite music season

By Matt Van Slyke Correspondent

Sisters band The Smoke Drifters will kick off the summer concerts at The Barn. They’ll take the stage on Saturday, June 1, at 6 p.m. for their album release party.

The band’s debut, “Falling from the Sky,” is now available on streaming platforms.

The Americana/Roots Rock group features lead singer/songwriter Jonas Tarlen, Macon Luhning on guitar and mandolin, Jonathan van Heel’s lead electric guitar, Mike Boero behind the kit, and Steve Orange on bass.

“Steve and I both work for the Forest Service. I just kept running into him in the woods, and he was like, ‘Do you play music?’” Tarlen said about how they first came together.

“Kind of a happenstance, literally driving by each other and just getting acquainted,” said Orange. “And then Macon and I used to play acoustic together. Mike also works for the Forest Service.”

“When I moved to Sisters in 2013, Steve and I met and started playing together. My family and I moved to Southern Oregon for like two-and-a-half years. When I came back, they were playing at the Folk Festival. He was hanging around. I was hanging around, and they were like, ‘I guess you can play,’” said Luhning.

The band got started in 2019.

“Right when we were getting going, COVID happened, so we kind of ramped down,” said Orange.

Stuck inside, Tarlen would share videos of his songs, and Orange would

send video of a bass line.

“We did that for a little bit, then we started getting together outside to play,” Orange said.

The open air breathed new life.

“The Smoke Drifters came forward as we were playing around campfires all of COVID, dodging the smoke, the cloud,” said Orange.

Tarlen runs Three Sisters Backcountry, catering to hardcore skiers with large yurts in the forest.

“We play a lot up at Three Creek Lake, at the yurts,” said Luhning. “(Steve’s) mother-in-law did the album cover art, and it’s all of us hanging out at the campfire in front of the yurts.”

“Jonas is a really prolific songwriter,” Luhning said, noting a catalog of more than 40 songs.

“Mike has a punk background. John is also punk, but also plays folk and was in a barbershop quartet. Steve likes jam-band music. Macon has a big bluegrass country background. Everybody brings something different. We’re a pretty big melting pot of musical influences, and I think that’s what is cool about our music,” said Tarlen.

Some of The Smoke Drifters’ songs sound like country, some sound like reggae, and others more bluesy, each band member bringing their own spin.

If you can’t catch The Smoke Drifters at The Barn, they’ve got two more gigs in Sisters: at Eurosports on Friday, June 14, and Sisters Depot on Friday, June 21.

Jonas and Mike will be playing at the Stitchin’ Post on June 28 for the downtown Art Walk on the Friday before the Big Ponderoo.

Week’s Crossword Sponsors

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

CLASSIFIED RATES

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$3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $3.50 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.

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

CATEGORIES:

102 Commercial Rentals

MINI STORAGE Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor

RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS

8 x 20 dry box

Fenced yard, RV & trailers

In-town, gated, 24-7

EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com

OFFICE/RETAIL

SPACE FOR RENT

Great location across from Ace Hardware. Several space types available. Call owner

Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478

103 Residential Rentals

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

PONDEROSA PROPERTIES

–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002

Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com

Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC

104 Vacation Rentals

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

www.SistersVacation.com

Downtown Vacation Rentals

Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom SistersVacationRentals.net Great pricing. 503-730-0150

201 For Sale

PLAYER PIANO Free to good home! Beautiful condition, Hazelton Bros Deluxe. Nice sound, 30 scrolls. 503-931-8817 for info/photos.

Desk in good condition. $20. 58" long x 22" deep x 30" high (plus 6" high shelf). File drawer and keyboard slide-out. Located just outside Sisters, you haul. Partial disassembly needed to move (Ikea-type construction). Call or text 541-420-2324.

A D V E R T I S E H E R E ! Need to sell your vehicle? Looking for a new rig?

Check out the For Sale Section Let folks know! Just $3.50 per line the first week, $2.50 per line on repeat weeks, and $1.50 per line week #10 & beyond. And it goes online at no additional charge! Call to place at 541-549-9941 or online at NuggetNews.com

202 Firewood

• SPRING SPECIAL • SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS

DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

• SINCE 1976 • KINDLING

Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES

– 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com

Order Online! 541-410-4509

Oak and plum firewood logs approximately 2.5 cords per load. Delivered, $500 per load. Custom rough-sawn saw-milling available. Live edge, coffee tables, custom dimensions. Please call or text 936-600-2132. Sunnyblueskys94@gmail.com

Keep up-to-date! Check us out for breaking news at www.nuggetnews.com

205 Garage & Estate Sales Moving Sale. Everything must go!

June 8-9, 10-5, 16809 Wilt Road. Furniture, kitchen appliances, kitchen and dining ware, tools, lawn mower, snow blower, bicycles, canoe, kayak, stereo equipment, Apple TV. Cash only.

TOLLGATE

ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

Fri. & Sat., May 31 - June 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located just 1.5 miles west of the roundabout on Hwy. 20. A map of participating homes will be available at tollgatepropertyowners.com.

HERITAGE USA

Open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 253 E. Hood Ave., Sisters. Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150

206 Lost & Found

$50 Reward: Lost gold earring. Call or text 503-789-8035

301 Vehicles

FOR SALE

2005 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider. Cobalt blue. Engine upgraded with Eagle Performance kit. New tires. $6,000.00 firm. Contact Greg at 541-788-8980. We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

CUSTOM CAR GARAGES HEATED, 110 POWER $275 • 541-419-2502

401 Horses

ORCHARD GRASS HAY

New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $300-$360/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

403 Pets

Brando's Natural Dog Biscuits brandosbyjulie.etsy.com

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

Ollie is a sweet adult cat who recently weaned her litter of kittens. She was a great mother but is now ready to be the center of attention in her own home. Apply to adopt her at: sisterswhiskers.org

500 Services

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

9 9 4 1 www.NuggetNews.com

SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279

GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE “A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871

501 Computers & Communications

Technology Problems? I can fix them for you.

Solving for Business & Home Computers, Tablets, Networking Internet (Starlink), and more! Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329

Oregontechpro.com

3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Cable jobs, security cameras, WAPs. CCB #191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY

Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008

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

504 Handyman

JONES UPGRADES LLC

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

600 Tree Service & Forestry

4 Brothers Tree Service

Sisters' Premier Tree Experts!

– TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP –

Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal.

– FOREST MANAGEMENT –Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects!

Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003

** Free Estimates **

Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342

4brostrees.com

Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057

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

The Nugget • 541-549-9941

601 Construction

LEARN TO GENERAL YOUR OWN HOME

We've built over 100 homes. Do as much or as little as you desire. We have all the subs. Plywood is very low right now! Lived here 30 years. 541-390-8147

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS

Factory Trained Technicians

Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

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

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

541-390-1206

beavercreeklog@yahoo.com

Log repairs, log railing, log accent, log siding, etc. CCB #235303 Insurance & Bond

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

Uncompromising quality. Local and personal. You can trust me. All projects: From new construction to those little projects you don't seem to get to.

My team of local subcontractors and I will get it done right, fair, and pain-free so you can make your spouse happy. Call Jared 503-949-9719

Earthwood Timberframes

• Design & shop fabrication

• Recycled fir and pine beams

• Mantels and accent timbers

• Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

Custom Homes Additions - Remodels

Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com

From Ground to Finish Accurate and Efficient 541-604-5169 CCB#233074

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

BANR Enterprises, LLC

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977

www.BANR.net Full Service Excavation

Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com

541-549-1472 • CCB #76888 Drainfield

• Minor & Major Septic Repair

• All Septic Needs/Design & Install

General Excavation

• Site Preparation

• Rock & Stump Removal

• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation

• Building Demolition Trucking

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

• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly

• The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want!

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

VIEW OUR Current Classifieds every Tuesday afternoon! Go to NuggetNews.com

606

Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

All Landscaping Services

Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.

Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com

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

J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, thatching, aerating, irrigation, mowing. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com

Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation. CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462

– 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

T H E N U G G E T N E W S P A P E R NuggetNews.com 5 4 1 . 5 4 9 . 9 9 4 1

701 Domestic Services

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC

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

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

704 Events & Event Services

CENTRAL OREGON'S LARGEST GUN & KNIFE SHOW! June 8-9. Saturday, 9-5 • Sunday, 9-3 Deschutes County Expo Center

ADMISSION: General $10; Military/Vets $8; 2-day pass $16; Children under 12 are free. For info call 503-363-9564 WesKnodelGunShows.com

802 Help Wanted

We are Hiring!

Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman Join our team at Sundance Shoes. FT & PT positions available. Must work weekends. No experience necessary; friendly & happy person. Hourly rate $20. 541-549-4240

Part-Time Sales Associate

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

Part-Time Sales Associate

We are looking for a friendly, outgoing, and reliable Retail Sales Associate. Workdays would be Thursday, Friday, Saturday and fill in. Email application to: amber@ villageinteriorsdesign.com

NEED A CHANGE?

Use The Nugget's Help Wanted column to find a new job! NEED ASSISTANCE? Use The Nugget's Help Wanted column to find the help you need! Call 541-549-9941 by noon, Mondays

803 Work Wanted

POSITION WANTED; for Companion Caregiver. Looking for part-time; must be close to Sisters downtown. References upon request. Please call 503-274-0214

They're on the Web at www.nuggetnews.com

Uploaded every Tuesday afternoon at no extra charge! Call 541-549-9941 Deadline for classified is Monday by noon

& Int. Refurbishing Decks

CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com

EMPIRE PAINTING

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining

CCB#180042

541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk

OLD WOODLANDS AT HAWKS HAVEN RESERVE Needs 1 helper, now-10/31. Physical work: mowing, weedeating, plant trees, pulling weeds, irrigation. Nice atmosphere and very rewarding job. Matthew Cumbie, manager. 541-390-8106

for puzzle on page 21