The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVII No. 42 // 2024-10-16

The Nugget

Life is good...

Ronald the Cat went from hard times to the good life when he was rescued and adopted by Harmony Farm Animal Sanctuary. Seestory,page26.

Senator celebrates health center

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

During his visit to Mosaic Community Health’s Sisters School-Based Health Center (SBHC) on Friday, October 11, to celebrate their one year of service to Sisters children, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden told those assembled, “Thank you for what you do. The School-Based Health

Centers do some of the most important work in the state, providing health care for our children.”

Earlier, Wyden was thanked by Mosaic staff: “We offer you our gratitude because we couldn’t have done what we have here without your support and work in Washington on our behalf.”

See SENATOR on page 13

Activists continue opposition to logging

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

A group of nine activists representing several groups asked The Nugget to accompany them last Friday to an area on Green Ridge to show trees marked by the Forest Service for removal under a proposed timber sale as part

of the Service’s Green Ridge Landscape Restoration Project, a 25,000-acre planning area.

Green Ridge is in the Sisters District of the Deschutes National Forest in Jefferson County about nine air miles north of town

See ACTIVISTS on page 9

Sisters gets set to vote

Ballots will be in hand in the coming days, and Sisters voters will have a chance to decide on the make-up of their city council; the size of the county commission; and who will lead the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. There are three open positions on the Sisters City Council, with five candidates throwing their hat into the ring.

The five candidates participated in a League of Women Voters/City Club of Central Oregon forum on Thursday, October 10. The forum can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3BKW0Pu.

The Nugget’s profiles of each candidate may be accessed through the links on page 20. Captain William Bailey and Sergeant Kent Vander

See VOTE on page 20

Thousands feast on Harvest Faire

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

He drove two- and onehalf days to get to the 2024 Harvest Faire in Sisters, the 15th sponsored by Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. It was a 1,781-mile journey for Ryan Stanley, one of 172 vendors at the event which drew as many as 10,000. Some vendors estimated 12,000 and seemingly they could not be more pleased with the outcome.

When asked why he would travel so far for a weekend show, Stanley said, “Well first of all it’s a beautiful drive, so the time goes quickly. And I know when I get there I’m virtually guaranteed of good weather. Plus, I have good friends in Sisters now, folks who started out as customers.”

This is Stanley’s fourth Harvest Faire. He does 20 shows a year, mostly in Minnesota and the Dakotas and one in Chicago. He can make them all in an easy one-day drive. But Sisters he insists is unique. “It’s not just that it’s a small town — all

of my shows but Chicago are — it’s the mix of shoppers and fellow exhibitors that I can’t easily describe.”

“Going to fairs and festivals in the Midwest is risky. You never know what you’ll get with the weather. I’ve had my tent blown down more than once,” he said. Indeed, the weather could not have been more ideal.

“This feels like home,” said Myron Shapiro from

San Diego, famous for its favorable weather. He and five others came for a golf weekend at Eagle Crest and after a round “… took a chance on this thing we saw an ad for,” said Helen Prince, one among the group.

“We thought there’d be 10 or 12 booths and we’d be here an hour,” she added. “It’s been four hours now

See FAIRE on page 31

Face painting is always a fun aspect of the Sisters Harvest Faire for the young ones.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sisters Weather FORECAST

Distribution changes brewing at The Nugget Editorial…

More than 40 years ago, The Nugget Newspaper started putting a newspaper in every mail box in Sisters Country — for free — creating a universal community connection that everyone in Sisters had easy access to. A common source of celebrations, grieving, and being “in the know” of what’s happening in Sisters. The newspaper’s revenue came solely from advertising — a business model that has been successful over a couple of generations.

But things are changing. For one, there are a lot more mailboxes in Sisters Country than there were 40+ years ago. And the cost of producing a newspaper — from printing to postage, fuel, and keeping the lights on has climbed significantly in recent years. Advertising revenue alone can’t keep pace with those costs.

advertisers continue to partner with us, because they know that advertising in a well-read and highly valued newspaper works. When businesses advertise locally, readers shop locally.

We cannot and will not simply pass on increasing costs to our community partners, who are also faced with skyrocketing costs of doing business, which adversely impacts their advertising budgets. We’re all in this together.

And we have to adapt.

October 21 • Partly Cloudy 57/35

Tuesday

October 22 • Partly Cloudy 56/33

It’s no secret that today’s media environment is challenging. It’s seriously disconcerting to see newspapers disappearing from communities across America. Thanks to our loyal advertisers and a community that genuinely appreciates engaging with their community newspaper, The Nugget remains standing. We have a roster of supporting subscribers whose contribution helps to fund our stable of freelance writers and photographers. Our

The Nugget Newspaper will continue to be a “free” publication, maintaining community connection. However, in order to sustain our economic viability, The Nugget is going to start charging delivery cost for mailbox subscriptions — not as an additional revenue stream, but as a means to recoup ever-increasing costs. This new model will begin November 1 with the post office boxes in Sisters, and will expand to other neighborhoods.

In addition to all the local businesses where you’ve always been able to pick up a free Nugget, the post offices in Sisters, Black Butte Ranch, and Camp Sherman will also have Nuggets on a rack or counter where you can grab a copy with your mail. And we’re working on expanding distribution points. If you are a business

owner not currently receiving Nuggets and would like to, email lisa@ nuggetnews.com. If you are interested in being a neighborhood ambassador, call Lisa at 541-549-9941 to discuss the opportunity.

The Nugget is also available to read online anytime, including as a flipbook publication that you can download to your tablet or eReader. If you’d like to be notified weekly when the eEdition is ready to read, email jess@ nuggetnews.com or give us a call.

If you want to continue receiving The Nugget in your mailbox, we’ll ask you to pay a modest delivery charge a whole month for about the cost of one fancy coffee. Visit www.nugget news.com/subscribe to see options for monthly, annual, and auto-renew subcriptions. Or stop by the office with a check.

Making this change will go a long way toward helping The Nugget sustain itself and continue to serve our readers with quality local news coverage, interesting features and columns, and community connectivity for many years to come.

Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

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 Weds., 1-2:3 0 p.m. T he Lodge in Sisters. 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 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 Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Lodge in Sisters. 5 41-6 32-3663.

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

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 JAROD GATELEY

OPINION

Local law enforcement

By Kent Vander Kamp Guest Columnist

(Editor’s note: Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp is a candidate for Deschutes County Sheriff. Both Vander Kamp and candidate Captain William Bailey were offered an opportunity to submit an op-ed detailing their vision prior to the November 5 election. Captain Bailey’s op-ed ran in the October 2 edition).

I began my career as a deputy in Sisters, witnessing its rapid growth firsthand. During those five years, I built strong relationships within the Sisters community and gained a deep understanding of their most pressing concerns, particularly homelessness and traffic. These challenges demand proactive, compassionate leadership, and I am committed to addressing them as the next Deschutes County Sheriff.

The service contract between Sisters and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has been instrumental in maintaining a strong law enforcement presence. This contract, which allows for dedicated deputies and leadership stationed in Sisters, ensures we can respond promptly to local issues. Continuing and strengthening this partnership will remain a priority for me, as it allows us to better serve this growing community’s unique needs.

Homelessness in Sisters Country

Homelessness in Sisters is a complex issue, influenced mainly by the proximity to Deschutes National Forest along Three Creeks Road, where many camp. While homelessness here is often less visible in town, it is more prevalent in the surrounding forests, with some people working but unable to afford local rents while others face economic hardships, mental health struggles, or substance abuse.

As Sheriff, I will lead a multi-agency collaboration to address this issue. By partnering with local organizations like Deschutes County Behavioral Health and Sisters Cold Weather Shelter, we can connect individuals to housing resources, healthcare, and other vital services. My goal is to aid and ensure the safety of the homeless population and the broader community.

I will also maintain a balanced approach to enforcing public lands regulations,

such as camping limits, while respecting the rights of those in need. Enhancing law enforcement presence in these areas, alongside de-escalation training for deputies, will ensure that situations are handled with dignity, care, and fairness. The enhanced presence will include enforcing criminal laws. Homelessness is not a waiver for criminal behavior and your Sheriff’s Office will not allow that to overcome our community.

Traffic and Safety Initiatives

Traffic has become a significant concern in Sisters, particularly with increased tourism and seasonal visitors. Highway 20, which runs through town, has seen congestion and safety risks that need immediate attention. Impatient drivers familiar with Sisters, have resorted to taking high-speed shortcuts down West Barclay Drive or East Hood Avenue through busy business and residential areas.

As your next Sheriff, I will implement traffic safety measures, increasing patrols during peak times and collaborating with the City of Sisters and the Oregon Department of Transportation to improve signage, pedestrian crossings, and traffic enforcement.

Public engagement will also play a crucial role. I plan to launch educational campaigns to reduce distracted and impaired driving and encourage safer road behaviors. Our deputies will focus on high-risk areas like school zones and West Cascade Avenue protecting our children and pedestrians. Policing Together

Homelessness and traffic safety are just two elements of my broader vision for our county. As Sheriff, I want to build a Sheriff’s Office that is fully integrated into the fabric of Sisters. This means listening closely to residents, fostering trust, and working collaboratively with local organizations to address the root causes of issues. Law enforcement should not be just about building a safer, more connected Sisters community.

We can make real progress on the challenges we face in Sisters through compassionate leadership and proactive partnerships. With your support, I am committed to creating a sheriff’s office that serves everyone fairly and effectively.

For more on my vision, visit votevanderkamp.com.

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.

To the Editor:

Vote!

Citizens of Sisters — please vote. It is our right; our privilege; our duty! Thank you. All for America. Jenny Denzer

s s s

God and freedom

To the Editor:

Our grandson Cruz M. Bryan went over to Ukraine in July to fight for their freedom and independence. On July 15 he was killed saving six other soldiers’ lives. Many foreign soldiers are fighting to save Ukraine’s freedom also.

I don’t understand why in this country millions vote for socialism and collapse of the United States every four years. I challenge someone in the church to explain this to me as many of them vote socialism, which hates God and freedom!

Chet Davis

s s s

Too emotional

To the Editor:

I want you to look back four years ago when Kamala Harris was selected as our vice president. She was selected because of DEI. At the end of the first year as our VP it was apparent that she was totally unqualified for her job. Now they want to have her as our President.

I have lived long enough to know that it is rare to have a strong-willed, informed woman to be able to handle the office of President as they are too emotional to handle world affairs.

Pat Farr

s s s

Vander Kamp concerns

To the Editor:

In the October 2 edition an article mentioned that there was not much difference in law enforcement priorities and policies between the two candidates for sheriff

See LETTERS on page 5

Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius

Production Manager: Leith Easterling

Creative Director: Jess Draper

Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett

Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May

Proofreader: Kema Clark

Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen

Outlaws crush Creswell in Homecoming game

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws football team bounced back well from their loss last week at Cottage Grove in their Homecoming game against Creswell, notching a commanding 48-6 win on Friday, October 11.

Sisters jumped right out and scored on the first possession of the contest. Kayl Mock had a 30-plus-yard run midway through the drive and Kolbi Cotner scored on a seven-yard carry for the touchdown. Reid Woodson hit the point-after-touchdown (PAT) and the Outlaws took a 7-0 lead.

Creswell had a bad snap on the first play of their drive, and fumbled the ball. Ethan Eby was there to recover for the Outlaws. Sisters took over and a Hunter Bronson 26-yard pass to Hudson Beckwith gave the Outlaws a quick touchdown (TD), and after a successful Woodson PAT, a 14-0 advantage.

Creswell was forced to punt and the Outlaws once again took control with 2:35 left in the first quarter. Mock had a 30-yard carry and the drive was capped by a 16-yard pass to Landen Scott. The PAT failed but at the close of the period the Outlaws were on top 20-0.

The Bulldogs had possession at the start of the second quarter, but once again the Outlaws forced a punt. Eby started the drive when he bulldozed up the middle for the first down. Cotner grabbed a nice pass to bring the Outlaws to the three-yard line, and Eby pushed in for the touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Outlaws extended their lead to 26-0.

The Outlaws’ defense was stellar; they forced the Bulldogs to punt, and Sisters took over on Creswell’s 34yard line. Mock had a 44-yard carry for the TD and Cotner ran it in for the two-point

conversion to put the Outlaws on top 34-0. That score held as teams entered the half.

Creswell was unable to get anything going in the first half as the Sisters’ defense pressured their offense into mistakes. The Outlaws’ defense held the Bulldogs to just 45 yards of offense in the first half.

At the start of the third, Creswell got down to the Outlaws’ 40-yard line, and then Dawson Roberson snagged the ball for an interception and Sisters regained possession. Eby scored on a 47-yard TD run that set the running clock into motion for the remainder of the contest. Woodson’s kick was good and Sisters took a commanding 41-0 lead. The Outlaws got lots of younger promising players into the game from that point on.

Creswell managed to score on an eight-yard TD run with approximately nine minutes left on the clock, but their PAT failed.

Joe Souza made an outstanding kickoff return that went all the way down to the four-yard line, setting the Outlaws up for their final touchdown of the night.

Souza scored the TD on a one-yard run, Woodson hit the PAT, and the Outlaws 48-6 lead held until the final buzzer.

Sisters finished the night with 256 yards rushing, 122 yards passing, for a total of 378 yards of total offense, and had zero turnovers in the contest. On the flipside, Creswell tallied 116 yards rushing, 53 yards passing, for 169 yards total offense. They also had three turnovers, one fumble, and two interceptions.

Quarterback Bronson went six-for-seven for 122 yards and two TDs.

The Outlaws were dominant on their ground attack. Mock had six carries for 119 yards and a TD, Eby six carries for 71 yards and two Tds, and Cotner seven carries for

24 yards and a TD. Beckwith had four carries for 32 yards and Souza four for 26 yards.

“The Outlaws did a great job spreading the ball around on offense, as seven different players carried the ball, including recently returned Kayden Morris with a tough 12-yard run in the second half,” said Coach Gary Thorson. “All six of Bronson’s pass completions were to six different Outlaws.”

Trent Gordon handled the kickoff duties well for the Outlaws, and Woodson was near perfect on his PATs.

Thorson told The Nugget that the offensive line did a much better job in pass protection.

“The offensive line gave Bronson plenty of time to throw and he had a great night at quarterback,” said Thorson. “Jackson Spor made his first start of the season at left tackle and did a great job, and the other offensive line starters (Garcia, Miller, Allen, and Davison-Golien) played well against a Creswell defensive line that had a huge size advantage.

“It was also nice to see both of our tight ends (Gardner and Woodson) snag a pass as they have been blocking well all season for us,” added Thorson. “We had some favorable matchups in the secondary and we are definitely at our best when we can both run and throw efficiently. All of our backs continue to run and block well for each other and that continues to be a strength for us. Mock had his fourth 100-plus-yard rushing game in a row and Eby ran well for us in his normal bruising fashion.”

Sean-Andrew Moffett led the squad with nine tackles, and Gardner added six. Both

Roberson and Tabor Garcia had interceptions and Eby had a fumble recovery.

Thorson told The Nugget that Moffett had a great game in his linebacker position: “Moffett plays with a great motor and while he gives up some size he more than makes up for it with his heart and determination.

“It was a great defensive effort overall and one of our better performances on that side of the ball,” said Thorson. “While it did not hold up due to the penalty, Dawson’s 99-yard kickoff return for a score was one of the most exciting plays we have had since I’ve been here.

He is an explosive player every time he gets his hands on the ball.

“It was great to get a win on homecoming night and play as well as we did,” Thorson said. “We got almost everyone in the game and it was a fun night for the program. We are headed down the home stretch now with just three league games left, but need to continue to keep our focus and get better. Even after a big win like this you always find things to work on and this game was no exception. There is still a whole bunch of work to be done and we will start that again on Monday.”

DAVIS TIRE

Spencer Tisdel and Ella Eby were the king and queen of the 32nd Sisters Outlaws Homecoming Celebration.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG

Brush mowing underway

The Sisters Ranger District (SRD) plans to conduct approximately 439 acres of brush mowing operations in areas adjacent to Forest Service Road 2058 (Pine Street), Sisters Tie Trail, and Forest Service Road 1102 (Indian Ford Road).

Work got underway earlier this month, and will continue for the next few months.

According to the Forest Service, operations are strategically located within the Highway 20 Project Area, which is critical to reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire to the Sisters community.

Brush mowing will generally occur on the west side of Forest Service Road 2058 (Pine Street) adjacent to the forest boundary from Sisters north to Forest Service Road 1102 (Indian Ford Road). Work will also occur along the Forest boundary south of Forest Service Road 1102.

No trail or road closures are anticipated; however, mowing operations will occur near the Sisters Tie Trail. The Forest Service asks the public to be aware of this work and avoid areas when mowing is occurring.

Mowing is scheduled during fall and winter months to take advantage of cooler weather and increased moisture, and minimize impacts to ground-nesting birds and other wildlife.

The Forest Service states that mowing reduces the height and density of brush, which if left untreated, can pose a serious risk for wildfires that burn with higher intensity.

LETTERS

Continued from page 5

(Capt. William Bailey and Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp).

Candidate Bailey in his live debate on KTVZ has taken steps to enhance school safety by having extra patrols during school hours, being proactive in having extra patrols at homeless camps, implemented successful solutions to mitigate wildfire risks in homeless encampments and wants to do more with the homeless by starting a full time LE team to address long term homeless encampments in Deschutes County. Captain Bailey has three years’ experience with budget preparation and county budget presentation experience at the command level where candidate Vander Kamp does not have the experience. Captain Bailey wants to get additional funding for the Sheriff’s Office as well as keeping the transient room tax funding. Sgt. Vander Kamp wants to get away from the transient room tax funding which would defund the Sheriff’s Office and cut the patrol division by one quarter ($3.6 million). He has not mentioned any ways to replace those funds.

Candidate Vander Kamp does not have DPPST certification for Management and Executive police certifications. He would be absent from Deschutes County while attending the police academy to obtain Management and Executive police certification. Candidate Vander Kamp between 1990-2009 filed 19 lawsuits in San Diego and East County. In 2019 a tort claim notice was filed against the City of Bend, Bend Police Department alleging it illegally used LEDS to run plaintiff’s vehicle plates when it had not right/justification to do so and published that information to Summit High School to the detriment of plaintiff. The plaintiff asked for compensatory damages of $10,000 plus attorney fees, costs, and disbursements.

Mandi Puckett, who left CLEAR Alliance as its executive director in May 2023, alleged by filing two formal complaints with two state agencies that Vander Kamp, the board’s president, engaged in unlawful, and unethical conduct between 2021 and 2023.

Candidate Vander Kamp previously stated that he did not consider his experience with La Mesa as law enforcement and didn’t remember being terminated. Recently, candidate Vander Kamp posted a letter on his website that he was dismissed from the reserve position for using speed radar equipment without proper certification that would include car stops. Further information included failure to report a visit to

a gas station and failure to report assisting a police officer on an activity logbook. Further records have not been released due to Sgt. Vander Kamp filing a legal complaint Wednesday against Deschutes County and OPB to stop release of records. If elected Sgt. Vander Kamp will have a culture of memory loss and the drama will follow him throughout his tenure.

Laurie Kimmell

Deputy, Multnomah County Sheriff Office (Ret.)

s s s

Unsung heroes

To the Editor:

A big heartfelt thank you to my “secret” nominator and to the members of the VIT vision team who honored me with recognition for contributions to Sisters. Nothing is achieved without group effort and Sisters is fortunate to have so many people who contribute their time and energy to projects that make a positive difference in our town.

All the Unsung Heroes fill Sisters with a joyful chorus of accomplishments.

Dixie Eckford

To the Editor:

s s s

Supporting Harris

Once again condescending, smug Craig Rullman, in his September 25 column, is making the absurd claim that the two candidates for the United States presidency are essentially the same.

Let’s review reality for those of you who haven’t been paying attention: In 2020, the now convicted felon Donald Trump would not accept the results of a fair election. He sent a mob to the Capital and people died. He is still claiming, against all evidence, that he won the 2020 election. His Republican sycophants are already trying to spread doubt about the upcoming election even though the evidence of any irregularities in any election since 2016 is infinitesimal. A 2017 Brennan Center study showed that election officials who oversaw the tabulation of 23.5 million votes in the 2016 general election found only an estimated 30 incidents of suspected noncitizen

Girls soccer team shuts out Vikings

By Rongi Yost Correspondentv

Sisters notched a big 7-0 shutout at home against the Siuslaw Vikings on Thursday, October 10.

In Thursday’s matchup against the Vikings the Outlaws played most of the game on the Vikings half of the field. Sisters scored their first goal in the 19th minute of play when Mia Rosas won the ball in the middle of the field and found Ella Davis, who dribbled through four Vikings defenders and scored a goal on the ground into the lower right corner of the net. At the half the Outlaws held a 1-0 advantage.

Sisters offense went on a six goal scoring spree in the second half. One minute into the second half, Rosas again won the ball in the middle of the field and passed to Zoee Bafford out wide on the wing. Bafford had a quick giveand-go with Davis and took a touch toward the end line before finding her again in front of the goal. Davis shot the ball past the keeper into the far left corner for the score.

Two minutes later a corner kick from Bafford was bobbled in front of the goal and eventually found Rosas at the top of the 18. Rosas onetouched it for her first varsity goal and the Outlaws went up 3-0.

In the 54th minute the Outlaws scored again. Kennedy Davis drop-kicked a ball to Davis (Ella), who dribbled it up and passed to Bafford on the wing. Bafford took a touch down towards the end line before crossing the ball to Emma Symonds, who got behind the ball and scored.

Midway through the half Bafford dribbled to the end line and again found Symonds on the cross. A

Vikings defender attempted to stop Symonds but she turned back and dropped the ball to Davis at the top of the box. Davis found the back of the net again in the lower left corner for a hat trick (three goals), and took the Outlaws to a 5-0 advantage.

Approximately 10 minutes later Tallis Grummer played a ball from the half to Symonds up top, who quickly onetouched it to Davis. Davis dribbled to the top of the box and scored into the lower right corner.

Sisters wrapped up their scoring spree with three minutes left in the contest. Davis dribbled up the wing to the end line, crossed the ball to Maddie Kirkpatrick, who one-touched it to the back of the net for her first varsity goal.

Coach Makena Zorza said, “We have been focusing on communication, quick decisions, and simple passes, and I think the girls brought all of these things to tonight’s game. Our defense (Shae Wyland, Ella Eby, Nona Smith, Verbena Brent, and Addie Clayton), along with goalkeeper Kennedy Davis held down our half of the field and didn’t allow anything past them for the shut out.”

Sadly, the Outlaws didn’t have that good fortune three days earlier as the Pleasant Hill Billies scored 11 minutes into the contest off of a corner kick. The Outlaws were never able to get the equalizer and PH recorded the win.

Zorza said, “The girls struggled with the quick pace of the turf. This led to a more panicked game play with a lot of chasing instead of finding quick simple passes.”

Sisters was to play at Santiam Christian on Tuesday, October 15. They will be on the road at Elmira on Thursday.

Letz seeks to continue Council work

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Jennifer Letz has thrown her hat in the ring for another term on the Sisters City Council.

Letz, who is finishing up a four-year term, helped navigate Sisters through the challenges of hiring a new city manager, a contentious battle over a proposed emergency homeless shelter, and is currently embarked on the statemandated project to expand the City’s Urban Growth Boundary.

Letz is one of five candidates running for three available seats on Sisters City Council in the November 5 election. The incumbent councilor told The Nugget that she ran for reelection because she wants to continue working on some key council efforts.

“Your projects never end neatly on your last day in office,” she said. “There’s some important projects I’d like to see through and keep working on. I think over the last four years, we’ve done a pretty good job of making progress, and I’d like to keep that momentum. I’m proud of the work we’ve done.”

Letz sites securing grant funding for a Northwest Housing Alternatives affordable housing project as part of that momentum, as the City continues to grapple with the challenges of affordable living in the community. She also sees the Council trying to find ways of providing a variety of types of housing

options in new developments.

Wildfire resilience and mitigation is also a key priority, with the Council working on code changes to encourage “hardening” of homes at most threat from the incursion of fire.

“That’s been a top issue for all of us on Council,” Letz said.

Letz said she is also proud of the “high level of dedication of all my fellow Councilors to their role, these volunteer positions in the community. I’m hoping that work ethic and momentum continues as well.”

Council work is demanding of both time and attention. There is a lot of meeting preparation that goes on before Councilors gather to deliberate on issues.

“I’ve had an 800-page packet once,” Letz recalled.

Accessibility to the public is important to Letz. She encourages citizens to email their thoughts and concerns, and asks that they be specific.

Letz has deep roots in Central Oregon. She’s left for work, but always returned.

“Our family moved to Deschutes County over 40 years ago,” she said. “To say I’ve seen some changes is an understatement, and you have to accept the notion that change is a constant.”

Served a Variety of Assignments with Distinction for 24 years

Endorsed by Multnomah Co. Sheri

Bob Skipper (Ret .)

Received Numerou

U.S. Coast Guard

“What was very important to me is walkability and bike ability,” she said. “I walk and bike everywhere.”

Diversity of background and talents is also important to Letz, and drives the desire to keep working on housing issues that could force many people out of the community, and puts a strain on employers seeking people to work in their businesses. She doesn’t want to see Sisters become an exclusive resort community.

“Shame on us if we don’t learn the lessons of those communities,” she said.

Letz says she has always been driven to serve. She says she loves government but hates politics.

“I just want to go in and get the work done,” she said. “This town would not be what it is without volunteerism of one kind or another. This is my way of doing it.”

She and her family moved from Bend to Sisters, primarily drawn by the school system. She is determined to maintain the small-town, neighborly qualities of Sisters.

Jennifer Letz.

PHOTO PROVIDED

In the PINES

By T. Lee Brown

The Rollercoaster of Joy — PART TWO —

In which the writer continues to contemplate and blather upon the subject of joy, inspired by a writing prompt in musician and writer Nick Cave’s column “The Red Hand Files.” Mr. Cave seemed to advocate seeking out joy, treating joy as a decision that one makes. Here’s where we left off last column:

We can court joy and look for it. We can imagine it is within our control. Or we can turn our back and wait for it to tap us on the shoulder.

We can experience long, arduous times of stress and grief and caregiving, misery and depression and illness, suicidal ideation and the

bleak muffling of our senses. Forcing ourselves into joy may not be the remedy. Crawling through the darkness on our hands and knees, blindfolded, our mouths gagged, may be the only way through. Only after we satisfy the needs of Ereshkigal and Hades and Persephone in the underworld may our joy rise again.

How do I find joy? By relishing my one short life here in Earth School. By going deep underground when necessary and refusing to slap a smiley face on trauma, grief, and shadow. By not demanding constant joy of myself, but often placing myself in situations where I can engage with the world’s evercycling magics: wandering the woods, lying on my back watching stars, sitting in the totality of a solar eclipse for over two minutes, marveling and laughing.

I find joy drinking tea with my close friends, playing music, singing, writing poetry. I find joy visiting a holy spring where ice-melt water burbles out of the ground. Taking walks, solo or with loved ones, silent or recording a podcast, stopping to wrap my body around giant ponderosa pines with crackling orange and black bark, breathing in their deep smells of vanilla and sunlight.

I find joy camping and playing Yahtzee with

my hilarious, wild, cackling mom and her sisters. Allowing myself to write, even when the poem or song that comes out is intense and dark and kinda freaks me out. Writing for my community in the local newspaper. Yeah, this one.

Every so often, I find joy in visiting the city where I used to live, experiencing my friend Soriah perform his beautiful shamanic throat singing. I take joy in how he has learned and practiced his art for decades, becoming a master. Now he’s opening for musicians we’ve admired since we were young, back when we played in bands together, bands no one has ever heard of.

And then I dance with unpremeditated exuberance as Bauhaus or Love and Rockets takes the stage. It is like church, to sing these songs along with my fellow fans, who are also brimming with joy. The bubbling sensation follows me to the afterparty, where I see friends whose equally joyful faces I haven’t seen in years.

The most significant way in which I have courted joy, though, is raising children. Dropping into the strange version of time they inhabit, sitting with the giggles and the learning and imagination, and also the boredom. The grit and the splendour, the poop and the milk.

Spending hour after

hour on the floor with my seven-year-old stepdaughter playing our homemade game, Harry Potter Puppets. Curling up together for Movie Night every Tuesday, watching The Princess Bride and eating mac and cheese. Inventing story after story for her, and later for her little brother.

In the parking garage at the hospital where his dad lay intubated and incoherent after his brain injury, showing our 19-month-old son how to sing into the concrete staircase, sing into the nighttime expanse of the garage’s first floor, teaching him words like “reverb” and “delay.” Sharing his joy as he punched the elevator button, lighting it up, so we could rise on up to the brain injury ward.

To the child, joy comes naturally — as naturally and immediately as hunger, pain, delight, and howling dissatisfaction when their needs aren’t met. The child enacts all these intense, mammalian desires and states of being

without premeditation or filters. The child does not ask for joy.

For us grownups, perhaps it’s not about seeking out joy but rather responding to our woes and desires with directness and honesty. The child is observant, embodied, flowing with awareness through their body. They are honest enough to cry when the red ball bounces out of view, possibly never to be seen again. They are bright enough to sense the joy waiting to burst forth from a dandelion, a funny-shaped cloud, a speck of green sprout poking up through miles of dead ash.

A little child shall lead them. Perhaps we should follow.

PS: Within a few years later my husband recovered, becoming a man more interested in spiritual and philosophical matters than he’d ever been before. I take joy in his existence, a joy sharpened by knowing how close I came to losing him.

Autumn adventures on tap at movie house

Sisters Movie House & Café is in the midst of its its weekly “Autumn Arts Adventure” (AA&A) Wednesday night series in October.

The series continues on Wednesday, October 16, with another rock related documentary “Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision,” focused exclusively on the legendary guitarist’s unprecedented foray into the recording business.

The following Wednesday, October 23, sees an extra special event in the series, a charity benefit for the Deschutes River Alliance. “The Last 100 Miles: The Fight for the Lower Deschutes River” will include an introduction from director Michael Peterson, and a Q & A panel after the documentary, moderated by DRA Executive Director Sarah Cloud.

Tickets, for this event only, are priced at $20 and available for purchase via the Deschutes River Alliance website at: www. deschutesriveralliance.org.

“This is in keeping with our history of educating Sisters Country and supporting really amazing environmental organizations,” says Managing Partner Kaza. “This film has already played to full houses in several other cities in Oregon and we knew it deserved to be seen here.”

Tickets for the other events in the series are on sale now at the Movie House box office or on-line at www.sistersmoviehouse. com. The series will continue into early November with the final events in the series to be announced.

Outlaws split matches in volleyball battles

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Lady Outlaws beat the Harrisburg Eagles at home on Monday, October 7, in three straight sets with scores of 25-19, 25-11, and 26-24. Three days later they fell in five sets on the road at Creswell with scores of 22-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-20, and 13-15.

In Monday’s home match against Harrisburg the first set was tied up six times, the last at 17-17. Sisters got big kills from Audrey Sybesma, Kathryn Scholl, and Haven Heuberger that helped the Outlaws pull away and secure the win.

Sisters was down early in the second set, but then Emma Long went back to the service line and served eight in a row.

Sybesma and Paityn Cotner had kills in that run, and, in addition, Long served up an ace to bring the Outlaws to an 11-7 advantage. A bit later in the match Jordyn Monaghan had a big run of 11 serves, which included four aces, and pushed the Outlaws to a 24-11 advantage. Sybesma put down a kill for the final point and the win.

In the third and final set, after the set was tied at 5-5, the Outlaws took the lead,

24-20. A few Outlaws’ errors allowed the Eagles to tie it up 24-24. Heuberger had a nice kill and Holly Davis served an ace for the win.

Sybesma led the squad with 12 kills, Heuberger followed with six, Ali Gibney tallied five and Scholl and Cotner added three kills each.

Monaghan led the way at the service line, and had an 11-point run in the second set that included three aces, and finished the night with six aces. She also had eight digs in the match.

Long led the team with 16 digs on the night, Davis had 13, and Alli Fogarty tallied nine. Sybesma and Cotner chipped in with four digs each, and Sybesma and Gibney tallied two big blocks each.

Coach Josh Kreunen said, “Everybody on the team contributed in the win. Audrey (Sybesma) was our biggest offensive contributor and helped close out sets one and two with some big swings.”

It was a five-set marathon at Creswell on Thursday where the Lady Outlaws unfortunately committed numerous unforced errors and in the end came up short.

Kreunen said, “We need to cut down on our errors. We

gave them more than half of their points.”

In the first set the Outlaws quickly went down 0-4, but battled back due in part to an ace from Gibney and a couple of kills from Scholl that tied it up 5-5. The game continued back-and-forth, and was tied up six more times to finally take it to a 17-17 contest. Sadly, the Outlaws couldn’t finish and lost by three.

Sisters started out better in the second set and took a 7-2 lead, but again the Bulldogs battled back to knot it up 7-7. Kills from Sybesma and Gibney, and a block from Heuberger regained the lead for the Outlaws at 11-8. The Bulldogs kept at it and once again knotted the scored at 15-15. After the game went to a 22-22 tie, the Outlaws once again lost the battle by three.

After a 1-1, and 3-3 tie in the third set, the Outlaws took the lead, and held on until the end for the win. Gibney had three big blocks to highlight the set.

The Bulldogs seemed to fall apart in the fourth set and the Outlaws took advantage and posted the win. Heuberger had some big kills and both Monaghan and Long had some key digs in long rallies to keep the ball in play.

Everybody on the team contributed in the win.

Sisters trailed the entire fifth set and the Bulldogs recorded the win.

Kreunen said, “It was a great battle and fun match tonight. Haven had a great offensive performance and Alli once again led the way on serving.”

In the five-set match, Heuberger finished the night with 17 kills and a block, and Scholl tallied 15 kills and 14 digs. Sybesma recorded eight kills, and Gibney had six kills, five blocks, and three aces.

Monaghan led the defense with 13 digs, and Long was right behind her with 12. Davis finished with 47 assists and 10 digs, followed by Fogarty who recorded eight digs, and led the team with four aces.

Sisters was to play at home against La Pine on Tuesday, October 15. On Thursday, they will travel to Elmira. They wrap up their week with the Bend Clearwater Classic on Saturday, October 19.

BALLOT MEASURE #117

Measure 117 makes it HARDER TO VOTE Ever y candidate must be ranked — or your vote will not count! An algorithm decides.

BALLOT MEASURE

Be aware of tricks in Measure 118. Each Oregonian won’t get a paycheck, just higher prices. For more infor mation visit https://noonmeasure118.com.

and close to Camp Sherman and the Metolius River basin.

The Forest Service says, “The project would maintain and restore forest conditions closer to the historic range of variability and contribute to the restoration of ecosystem process and function in the planning area. Timber products are an outcome of restoration activities.”

Various organizations have objected to the project, not yet finalized, on various grounds. It is the possibility that as many as 5.25 million board feet of lumber being logged that is the primary lightning rod for the opponents.

A typical Oregon home takes about 10,000 board feet of lumber meaning the amount in consideration could build as many as 525 homes.

The recent marking of trees by Forest Service personnel in the area covered by the draft proposal is a red flag for the groups.

“Why would they mark the trees if the decision hasn’t even been made?” Hood asked.

“It is common to survey and mark trees in a planning area before any decision,” said Lauren DuRocher, Acting District Ranger for

Sisters. “Our work takes into consideration several factors including weather when scheduling. Scoping trees is all part of a process regardless of a decision.”

In a combined statement from Paula Hood with Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project and Adam Bronstein with Wild Ecosystems Alliance, activists said, “We remain very concerned that large and mature trees, and possibly old growth trees, will be logged as part of logging implementation in the Green Ridge sale. While the Forest Service has been adamant that old growth trees will not be logged as part of the Green Ridge sale, the agency does admit that it plans to target mature and large trees for logging in this sale.”

“Since the draft decision was released, we have gone through the objection

(administrative review) process. There will be changes that will be outlined in the final decision,” said DuRocher.

Bronstein, Hood and others want the Forest Service to reconsider their findings. The initial scoping for the project began in 2017. The comment period started October 22, 2021, and the objection period began May 10, 2022.

The final decision which DuRocher says will consider new information learned from the comments and objections, will be made on or about December 1 and implementation in the first quarter of 2025.

During the period to hear objections, the Forest Service agreed to some changes. Opponents are asking for more to support their claims of disruption to the ecosystems.

Sisters salutes...

• Deputy Wyatt Hernandez was presented with a challenge coin and a letter of appreciation from Earl C. Schroeder (U.S. Air Force) with the VFW.

Schroeder wanted to express his sincere gratitude to Deputy Hernandez for his representation as a Deputy Sheriff during the funeral service of Colonel John Turner (U.S. Army).

Schroeder is a Sisters resident and Dep. Hernandez is a graduate of Sisters schools.

• Brad Boyd wrote: A big thanks to those who turned out to help clean up McKenzie Pass. Eurosports Bikes, Skis, Beer & Food Carts adopted the road some time back and usually one or two people can do the cleanup in several hours. This year, because of the repaving and road work, there was massive road debris and litter to pick up and it took a couple of days. Big thanks to Doug Gabert, Bruce Simon, and Karen Kassy for helping with cleanup.

Marking of trees in the proposed Green Ridge project area was a red flag to activists opposed to the logging project.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Mind Mapping: Beyond Brainstorming

Join a creative problem-solving work shop with Artist Arūnas Ošlapas on ursday, October 17, f rom 4 to 6 p.m. We all want to be creative, innovative, and original . Mind Mapping is a technique to help increase the e ectiveness of our current creative process , guide us past those roadblock s , and permit us to create more usable alternatives. is event is f ree and open to the public at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 684 67 ree Creek s Rd . Registration is required at https:// roundhousefoundation.org/ events/. For more info call 5419 04- 070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org

Sisters Bell Choir

Sisters Twelve Tone Bell Choir has available spaces for new members . Join them to ring in their 16th Christmas season together in 2024. Rehearsals start soon! For more information please call or text Lola at 54139 0-4615

Weekly Food Pantry

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.

Free Weekly Meal Service

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

Free Lunches for Seniors For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers a f un, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. No reser vations needed. No-cost Grab-N- Go lunches take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., f rom 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367

STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transpor t Patients Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters , Redmond, and Bend . Attend a free t wo-hour training. Emails from STARS dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included. Learn more at www starsride.org.

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 Sisters Senior Living , 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.

A NNOUNCEMENT S

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, October 17

Mind Mapping

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts

Friday, October 18

Vaccine Clinic Sisters High School

Saturday, October 19

Matt’s Way Charity Gala Pole Creek Ranch

Monday, October 21

Go Fish Group Meeting Sisters Community Church

Matt’s Way Charity Gala

Matt’s Way was started to raise awareness , and provide support and resources for alternative treatments for neurodegenerative disease, such as ALS . Join Matt’s Way at a charity gala at Pole Creek Ranch on Saturday, October 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. Dinner, drinks, entertainment, and a silent auction will be included . Tickets are available until October 11 at https://mattsway.betterworld.org

Vaccine Clinic at Sisters High School

Safeway Pharmac y will provide a flu and covid vaccine clinic in the commons at Sisters High School on Friday, October 18, from 1 to 5 p.m. e vaccine clinic is for students at least seven years old accompanied by a parent, as well as for communit y members . Bring your ID and insurance card so we can make a copy of each for the pharmac y. If you don’t have insurance, the cost for a flu vaccine is $78, and $225 for a covid vaccine. If you have any questions please email trish roy@ssd6 .org

ree Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors

ree Sisters Irrigation District will hold a mail-in election for a TSID Board of Directors Division 3 position. e election will be held at the District O ce, 6 8 000 Hw y 20 W., Bend, on Tuesday, November 12. Polling location will be open from 7 a .m. till 8 p.m. Call 541-9 03-4050 for information.

Free Pet Food

Budget tight this month, but you still need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furr y Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4 023 to schedule your pickup. Pickups available ursdays , beginning at 12:30 p.m . Located at 412 E . Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind e Nug get Happy Trails Horse Rescue Seek s Volunteers

Calling all horse lovers! Happy Trails Horse Rescue needs volunteers! Can you help them help horses? New Volunteer Orientation the first and third Sundays at 10 a .m. or call 541-241-0783 to schedule! Learn more at https://www happytrailshr.org.

Go Fish Group Meeting

Go Fish Group will meet on Monday, October 21 at 7 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church. e speaker will be Jordan Romney, the Retail Manager and Guide Manager of Fly and Field Out fitters in Bend . He will present the program on Spey Tactics for Steelhead . For more information please call Gar y at 541-771-2211

Sisters Beekeepers Mee t

Calling all Sisters Country beekeepers and those intrigued by beekeeping . Gather to swap tales , share tips , troubleshoot woes , and toast successes ursday, October 24, at 5 p.m . at e Barn in Sisters . Call Trac y at 970-481-4477 for more information, or see you there!

Circle of Friends Halloween Spooktacular

Circle of Friends is having their yearly Halloween Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, October 26, f rom 10:45 a .m. to 12:30 p.m. Check in at the Campbell House, 16 4 N . Elm St. in Sisters . Prizes and lots of fun for f amilies and kids! For more information call 541-588-6445.

Lions Club Holiday Faire Consig ners Wanted Consigners w anted for the 13th Annual ree Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire held November 29 through December 21. Seeking unique handcrafted items . Please contact Angi at boardstu 20@gmail.com for more information

Qualit y Craf t Consigners

Wanted e 48th Snowflake Boutique will be held November 1 & 2. e final jur y for craf ters interested in becoming consigners will be Monday, October 21, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. More information at http://www.snowflakeboutique org or call Pat 541-383-1821 or Kim 541-640 -2536.

Public Pickleball Courts

ere are pickleball courts available 7 days a week at the middle school tennis courts, for play when school is not in session. All of the tennis cour ts are permanently lined for pickleball. ere are three temporar y nets up against the fence that can be moved out onto the court and used, or bring your own nets . Please put the net back when you are done. Info: Karen at 503-871-4172.

Outlaws Drop-In Tennis

Outlaws Tennis is hosting free drop-in tennis on Saturdays through October 26, f rom 10 a.m. to noon. ese are not lessons , but a fun time to play the great game of tennis. Sessions are open to the Sisters communit y, boys and girls ages 10 and up, and adults. Held at Sisters Middle School tennis courts . Donations are accepted, but not required. For questions please contact: Girls Head Tennis Coach Bruce Fenn at 419-806-0167 or Boys Head Tennis Coach Vince Grace at 541-706 -1392.

Sisters 4 -H Dog Group for Youth

Have fun and meet new friends while learning about care & training of dogs , including anatomy, parasites , feeding , di erent sports that dogs can do, and more. Sisters K9 Paws 4-H encourages youth to set goals and helps to develop selfconfidence and problem-solving In August group members can show their dog at the Deschutes County Fair 4-H Dog Show. is group is open to children 9-18 years of age who weigh as much as their dog. Projects are available for Cloverbud children ages 5 to 8 . Register at Deschutes Count y Extension 4-H, 541-548-6088, ext. 2. New enrollment starts Oct. 1. For more information cont act: Nanc y Hall 541-9044433, nancyhall4h@gmail.com.

STAR S Seeks

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

PET OF TH E WEEK

Humane Societ y of Central Oregon 541-382-3537

JACK SKELLINGTON

is three-year-old pit bull mix has stolen the hearts of sta at HSCO and has quickly been established as a f avorite! Jack is a joyful fella and he loves his toys . Adopters will need to be ready to help Jack decompre ss , then learn the rules of his new home. If you are ready to give Jack some extra love this spooky season, come meet him today!

— SPONSORED BY —

SP S ONSORED D BY ALLAN GODSIFF SHEARING 541-549-2202

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Baha’i Faith

For information, devotions, study groups , etc., contac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteachings .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 Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s 452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 5 41-420 -5670; 10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting

e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration

121 N Brook s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org

8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship

e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 6 p.m. Friday Worship

Seventh-Day Adventist Church 541-815-9848

11 a .m. S aturday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N . Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com 10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Church of the N az arene 67130 Har rington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz .org • info@sistersnaz .org 10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational) 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com

7:30 a .m. Daybreak Ser vice • 9:30 a .m. Sunday Worship

St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h 123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391

5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a .m. Sunday Mass 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a .m. Tuesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Churc h 442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a .m. Sunday Worship

POLICY: Nonprofits, schools , churches , birth, engagement, wedding , and anniversar y notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows . Email lisa@nug getnews .com or drop o at 4 42 E . Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays

Boys soccer squad posts two wins in a week

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws defeated the La Pine Hawks 6-1 at home on Wednesday, October 9, and came back two days later with a 4-0 shut out at Crosshill Christian.

In Wednesday’s action the Outlaws faced a Hawk squad whose plan seemed to be to play physically at the risk of even fouling early and often. After one heavy foul, the Outlaws earned a set piece just five minutes into the contest. Micah Dachtler hit a beautiful dipping shot from approximately 30 yards out.

Coach Jeff Husmann said, “As a center back, Micah doesn’t get too many chances to score so it was nice to see him get things going for us.”

In the 10th minute Danny Benson battled through the central part of the field, drew a crowd, and then laced off a pass to Alex Nieto, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Sisters scoring spree continued. They earned a corner kick, and Benson took the corner. Just prior to the corner kick Husmann subbed in freshman JB Greenwood and

was extremely pleased with his play.

“JB is a freshman, has such a nose for the goal, and is a big target for us,” said Husmann. “Literally, his first touch of the game was climbing up the ladder and heading the ball into the net off of Danny’s corner. He was all smiles! I’m so happy for that kid. He has a bright future with us!”

At the half the Outlaws were on top 3-0.

Sisters played a bit sloppy at the start of the second half and in the chaos, the Hawks hit a shot to get on the board.

The Outlaws got back on track in the 70th minute when Felix Montanez provided a nice lay off assist to Greenwood who got his second goal of the contest.

Husmann told The Nugget that Montanez has earned a starting spot as an outside midfielder and seems to gain confidence each game.

“We’re excited when this type of selfless play is orchestrated by the young guys on the team,” said Husmann. “Rivets starting popping on the La Pine boat, and their spirit was broken.”

The Outlaws earned

another set piece after a heavy foul in the middle of the field. Nick Palmer and Cooper Merrill crafted a smart plan and played a give-and-go, and then Palmer hit a banger from far out for the goal.

Sisters final goal came from Mason Dahl, who made a solo run down the left side of the field for the score.

Sisters wrapped up their week with a shut out on a rough field at Jefferson against Crosshill Christian. It took the Outlaws a bit to get used to the field and then they started to link their passes together.

Husmann said, “When we play confidently, connect small passes, and make runs off the ball, good things can happen.”

In the 26th minute Benson made an assist to Greenwood, who Husmann noted is developing as a target striker. Greenwood dictated play and carried much of the possession throughout the contest.

Eleven minutes later holding midfielder Palmer made an uncontested run through the middle of the pitch and hit a shot from 35 yards out that dipped just over the keeper’s

head. Husmann stated that Palmer caught the goalkeeper out of position and made him pay.

At the half the Outlaws held a 2-0 lead.

One highlight of the second half was when freshman Montanez battled for a loose ball on the sidelines, got to the end line, and laced off a well-weighted pass to Greenwood, who hit it in for his second goal of the game.

Late in the game Palmer tallied his second goal on a nice left-footed shot, which took the wind out of Crosshill Christian’s sails. Time expired and Sisters recorded the shut out.

Husmann said, “Our defense did a very solid job, particularly in the second half by disallowing their central

— Coach Jeff Husmann

players to develop an attack. There were a few nervy moments, but we controlled this game. The younger players gained confidence and trust from the veteran players, and it was good to see the boys enjoy the game. This trust and team effort will be important through the remainder of the season.” Sisters was to play at home against Elmira on Tuesday, October 15. They will wrap up their week at home on Thursday against Central Linn.

Locals can register for themed run/walk

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The third annual Giddy Up 5K/5Miler Ranch Run is set for Saturday, October 19, at the Pole Creek Ranch. There’s still time to sign up, according to race director Kelly Bither. Runners and walkers are welcome.

There is also a free “Buckaroo Run” for kids 2-10 that kicks off at 10 a.m., just before the other races.

The race, like others Bither sponsors during the year for RunSistersRun, is themed, so participants are encouraged to don western hats, bandannas and other cowboy gear.

In addition the run/walk finishers receive swag that includes medals, custom bandannas, a tumbler and refreshments (beer/seltzer) at the finish. Live music will be playing and participants are encouraged to stay and hang out at the “secret corral.” Luckey’s Woodsman will be on hand offering breakfast burritos for purchase. Prizes will be awarded to costume winners.

Registration for the Giddy Up is available on the RunSistersRun website https://www.runsistersrun. com.

Run Sisters Run events benefit local nonprofits and teams and this year’s Giddy Up is no exception as Treehouse Therapies will be this year’s beneficiary, according to Bither.

“Treehouse is starting an equine therapy program at the Pole Creek Ranch and I felt this was the perfect cause to get behind with the Giddy Up,” said Bither.

According to the group’s Facebook page, “Treehouse Therapies is a nonprofit pediatric therapy clinic offering physical, occupational, and behavioral health therapy to children from birth to adolescence.” The website says “With the help of our amazing team of therapists, Treehouse Therapies has been able to open and in doing so begin our mission to positively impact the children and families of our community by providing compassionate, comprehensive, and affordable therapy programs for all children regardless of their ability to pay. Through our efforts we hope to help make Central Oregon a desirable place for everyone to live, most especially for children and families with special needs.”

Sisters-Area Events & Enter tainment

WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 16

Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

Sisters Movie House Autumn Arts & Adventure: "Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision" 6:30 p.m. Information and tickets at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.

THURSDAY • OCTOBER 17

Paulina Springs Books Book Talk

Jana Zvibleman presents "Irelandish" 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

FRIDAY • OCTOBER 18

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

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • OCTOBER 19

Caldera Arts Center Hearth Festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Music and arts performances, family-friendly maker stations, speakers, art, and natural wonder Free 31500 Blue Lake Dr For information see www calderaarts.org.

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

Black Butte Ranch General Store Harvest Day

A fall celebration 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with free activities for kids including pumpkin painting buckaroo stables rides, and hot chocolate and hot apple cider Special seasonal offerings available plus Schoolhouse Produce Farmers Market. Info: bbr-or.com/harvest

Sisters Depot Live Music: Open Mic Music lovers can enjoy a variety of local talent in a lively atmosphere. 7 to 9 p.m. Info: sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Hola! Camp Sherman Live Music: Danilson Duo 5 to 8 p.m., free Info: www.facebook.com/HolaCampSherman/.

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

SUNDAY • OCTOBER 20

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.

Sisters Fire Hall Historical Talk: “The Dam Fiasco at Bull Flat” (the history of the 1914 Tumalo Project) presented by Mike Berry Part of Three Sisters Historical Society's "Fireside Series." 2 p.m., doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door (free to TSHS members) Questions: 541-610-6323

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 • OCTOBER 22

FRIDAY • OCTOBER 25

Sisters High School Auditorium Live Music: Jim-Isaac Chua 7 to 9 p.m. Sisters Habitat for Humanity presents this rare opportunity to enjoy a true master pianist. Tickets $10-20: bendticket.com/events/jim-isaac-chua-10-25-2024.

Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. For additional information go to sistersarts.org.

Makin’ It Local Artist Reception: Ashley Scholtes of Mitch Jewelry 4 to 7 p.m. Refreshments served (including Oregon wine beer and the infamous gingersnaps) 281 W. Cascade Ave. More info: www.makinitlocal.com.

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

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY

• OCTOBER 26

The Belfr y Live Music and Halloween Party: David Jacobs-Strain and the Crunk Mt Boys with Christopher Worth 7 to 10 p .m. A high-octane musical force with David JacobsStrain at the helm bringing swampy roots/blues originals and fierce guitar playing Tickets & info: belfryevents.com.

Hola! Camp Sherman Live Music: Emilee Paige 5 to 8 p.m., free Info: www.facebook.com/HolaCampSherman/. Sisters Depot Live Music: Mikey Bilello Instrumental guitarist performing on a seven-string hybrid guitar delivering a melodic harmony across genres from blues, funk, swing and bossa nova 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets $15 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

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

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

SUNDAY • OCTOBER 27

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.

WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 30

Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

FRIDAY • NOVEMBER 1

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

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • NOVEMBER 2

The Belfr y Frontiers in Science Lecture Series: "Quantum Mechanics: The 'Spooky' Engine of the Universe" by Dr Larr y Price presented by Sisters Science Club Social hour begins at 6 p.m., lecture at 7 p.m. Adults $5 at the door; teachers and students free

WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 23

Sisters Movie House Autumn Arts & Adventure: "Last 100 Miles: The Fight for the Lower Deschutes River" (a charity benefit for Deschutes River Alliance) 6:30 p.m. Information and tickets at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.

The Belfr y Live Music: JigJam "The best Irish band in bluegrass." 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presented by SFF Presents. Tickets at https://aftontickets.com/JigJam.

Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

THURSDAY • OCTOBER 24

Paulina Springs Books Poetr y Reading Airlie Press Poetry Reading featuring Daneen Bergland, Irene Cooper, Joy Manesiotis, and Valerie Witte, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. More info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Luckey's Woodsman Wild Ride Brewery Trivia 5:30 p.m. Swag, prizes, beer tasting Located at 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. B.

Makin’ It Local Artist Reception: Kathy Deggendorfer presenting "Opening the Klamath" 2:30 to 5 p.m. Refreshments served. 281 W. Cascade Ave. More info: www.makinitlocal.com.

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

SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 3

The Belfr y Live Music: Jeff Miller & The Congregation with Rich Swanger 7 to 9:30 p.m. A sound that’s entirely their own: a little bluesy, a little country, and a lot of soul-infused magic Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets and information: www.belfryevents.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.

MONDAY • NOVEMBER 4

Paulina Springs Books Poetr y Gathering "The Pause Button," an informal monthly gathering for poets and poetry enthusiasts Bring a poem or two to share. Listen, discuss, and write. Free 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. More info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 6

Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).

SENATOR: Wyden advocated for

The community itself earned thanks for having welcomed Mosaic to Sisters a year ago.

Wyden is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees Medicaid, which is a funding source for Mosaic services. He has been routinely recognized as one of the Senate’s foremost health policy thinkers. He was instrumental in getting a gun safety bill passed which included $10 billion dollars for mental health services. This is an area close to his heart as his brother experienced schizophrenia. Wyden believes the stigma attached to mental health issues is what restrained his brother’s ability to move on.

The Sisters clinic is one of over a dozen Mosaic Health Centers in Central Oregon. Their main locations serve all ages and the SBHCs see children from birth through 18 years of age. Children don’t need to be students at the school to visit.

Deschutes County Health Department first opened the Sisters location, with Mosaic assuming operation, one year ago in collaboration with Deschutes County. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday,

and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. They are closed for lunch from 1 to 2 p.m. They are located next to Sisters High School off McKinney Butte Road at 535 N. Reed St. All children in the community can receive care at the clinic regardless of having health insurance or not and ability to pay or not, even if they have their own doctor in another office.

The Mosaic SBHC staff offers full pediatric workups, sports physicals, and can even cast and suture and take x-rays, saving students from having to make trips to Bend or Redmond and reducing their time out of class.

In his remarks, Wyden stressed that, “We can’t have rural life without rural healthcare.” He is deeply committed to working on legislation to tackle the youth mental health crisis as well as increasing the availability of medical care.

Wyden indicated that Oregon is one of the leaders in telemedicine which began with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is particularly useful in rural areas where medical care can be miles and hours away. Providers can offer expanded convenience with phone or video calls, able to meet patients where they are. Wyden would like to hear from his constituents about any barriers experienced in using telemedicine.

The Sisters SBHC is a

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering services as a school-based health center with funding through Medicaid. They also receive funding through the Secure Rural Schools Act which provides Federal funding to states that have lost revenue from timber sales cutbacks.

The staff at the Sisters SBHC is a combination of Mosaic employees and those who work for Deschutes County. Staff members include: Sarah Leet, PA-C, Mosaic pediatric medical provider; Lindsey Overstreet, LCSW, Mosaic

pediatric behavioral health consultant (who graduated from Sisters High School); David Fox, Deschutes County Behavioral Health adult houseless outreach case manager; Joshua Gage, Deschutes County Behavioral Health, youth

tant who is training to also become an interpreter for non-English speaking patients; and Danielle Varner, Mosaic patient services manager.

mental health therapist; Jackie Toledo-Munez, Mosaic medical assis -

Senator Ron Wyden visited Mosaic Community Health’s Sisters School-Based Health Center last week.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

Something in the American mind has been hacked, and while the meat of the case rests on the erosion of barriers between citizens and government, one excellent lead to follow might be burgeoning threats to the First Amendment by the very people charged with preserving it.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is a good example. By suggesting, during his debate with Senator JD Vance, that it is illegal to shout “fire” in a crowded theater he did two things. First, he lied. It is not illegal to shout fire in a crowded theater. The history of that notion, rooted in legislation from the World War I era, is quite clear. Secondly, he betrayed an increasingly hostile view of first amendment protections held by government officials — elected or otherwise — most notably those on the progressive left.

Note the sudden blooming of a new lexicon to describe speech that they do not like: misinformation, disinformation or, from Kamala

Harris’ vibe-filled brain, this invention: malinformation

This is the label instantly slapped on anything someone might offer that strays from progressive-think, regardless of whether the dissent is founded in truth and/or legitimate skepticism and disagreement. Worse, what underwrites this ludicrous grasp at censorship is the idea that anything that does not agree with groupthink is, and can only ever be, dangerous.

The most recent example was offered just days ago by FEMA Chief Deanne Criswell, who claims that any narrative contrary to the one offered by the Biden administration regarding its response to Hurricane Helene is a “truly dangerous narrative,” allegedly stoking fear in the minds of government employees.

This is, incidentally, what was behind Matt Taibbi’s excellent reporting on the “Twitter Files,” which showed conclusively that the Biden administration did, in fact, wield the government’s considerable weight against social media behemoths, and individual journalists, to erase information that ran counter to their COVID policies — many of which have now been unmasked as outright invitations to fraud or tyranny — such as shuttering small businesses, arresting parishioners for holding services in a parking lot, or shanghaiing elementary school kids for not wearing masks at the spelling bee.

It’s also worth noting that Walz’s “fire” canard is rooted in the same fundamental notion: that disagreeing with

the government is dangerous and should not only be illegal, but severely punished.

This is a thing that Hillary Clinton felt comfortable enough to say out loud, and apparently without shame. Comrade Clinton, whose campaign funded an enormous information fraud called the Steele Dossier, had this to say about whatever she — and her party apparatchiks —consider to be disinformation: “there are Americans who are engaged in this kind of propaganda and whether they should be civilly, or even in some cases, criminally charged, is something that would be a better deterrence.”

In this case, “propaganda” is merely a colorful substitute for “people who disagree with me.” But it isn’t entirely surprising, coming from a woman who served in the Obama Administration, which even the cratering New York Times noted “has pursued more journalists than other administrations, secretly looking at phone records and credit card transactions and surreptitiously tracking their movements.”

Some of those pursued ended up in jail for refusing to toe the government line.

The Orange Man has made great hay out of “fake news,” which is at least a cousin to “malinformation”, but he also didn’t throw any journalists in jail.

John Kerry, another drugresistant parasite who is continually attaching himself to various jet-setting oligarchies, recently bemoaned the First Amendment as an impediment to governance.

From the mouth of Herr Kerry: “It’s really hard to govern today…people selfselect where they go for their news or their information… so it’s really hard to build consensus.” Kerry went on to say that his desire was that government be “free to govern.”

Kerry doesn’t like it that people can disagree with him. He views social media as a threat to the kind of obstacle-free government that many of the world’s worst tyrants yearn for — and always have. That he was speaking at the World Economic Forum — which, if you didn’t know, is a vile consortium of the über wealthy who seem to believe that mere wealth gives them the right to set policy for the entire world, makes perfect sense.

What’s more concerning is that so many Americans now agree. Disagreement bothers them. The exercise of the First Amendment terrifies them. The reason it terrifies them is because they aren’t able to control what other people think or say, and

when your agenda requires the exertion of control over other people — manifest by endless efforts to disarm you, to limit your speech, and by deciding what you should eat, what you should drive, where you can live, what stove you are allowed to use — ad-infinitum — their frustration bubbles over.

Taibbi, in his recent speech in Washington, noted that, “Institutional impunity is the chief characteristic of our current form of government.” He’s right about that. And that sense of entitlement to absolute power, of impunity in its execution, has leaked all the way down to local chambers of government — even HOAs — where it is more apparent than ever that your freedoms enrage them.

Which is why it is more important than ever to exercise them vigorously. As Taibbi noted: “The end game is not controlling speech. They’re already doing that. The endgame is getting us to forget we ever had anything to say.”

been proposed to describe the underpinnings of quantum mechanics, but still seem to have some distance to go before a consensus emerges about what is really going on. Why does quantum mechanics work in such a “spooky” way? Dr. Larry Price, a physicist specializing in elementary particles, will

LO C AL BUSINESSES ARE

When the autumn chill hits the evening air and the leaves star t to turn colors, folks in Sisters County know it’s time to star t putting things in order Summer was fun, and we did a lot — but now it’s time to buckle down and take care of the things we let go when it was all warm and fun.

Time to get the hatches battened down for winter —  which means taking care of those home projects we’ve deferred. Time to get our winter equipment ser viced and ready ; time to get the firewood in; time to get our personal affairs in order

Sisters is full of ser vice providers who stand “at your ser vice” year round. They’re here to suppor t us, and our suppor t of them helps keep Sisters thriving, even as the days grow short and chilly and the long winter looms on the horizon.

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

The Nugget Newspaper

Northwest Precision Emergency Medical Training

Knowing what to do in an emergenc y can be a matter of life or death. Yet most of us don’t have the training to act swiftly and correctly in an emergency.

Northwest Precision Emergency Medical Training is changing that, offering courses that range from basic babysitter sa fe ty protocols to cardio -pulmonar y resuscitation (CPR) to intensive wilderness first aid training. The training is valuable for anyone. It c an help you learn to recognize when a medical emergency is unfolding and know what to do to help a l oved one or a colleague in crisis.

Communities where people are more educated in first aid and emergency medic al protocols tend to be sa fer and more healthy overall.

Northwest Precision Emergency Medical Training is deeply experienced in the field.

“Every thing that we do comes straight out of our experience,” says Tracy Trotte r, principal of Northwest Precision Emergency Medical Training.

Tr otter is passiona te about putting knowledge and skills in the hands of citizens — high-value education that can s ave

Evashevski Elliott PC

Estat e planning is an impo rt ant st ep for anyone with assets. That’s not just the w ealthy. Any one with real proper ty or a healthy bank account has something they will leave behind. Planning for that eventualit y offers real benefits.

Estat e planning ensur es that y our wishes will be c arried out. Knowing that your wishes are documented and legally binding offers peace of mind. Planning also removes a burden for your heirs, relieving them from pote ntially complicate d cou rt processes.

A OUR

It’s not always easy to take on the subject, but Ashley and John of Evashevski Elliot PC make things comfortable, welcoming, and unintimidating. It ’s akin to t alking with a financial advisor. They offer a free 30-minut e phone consultation to get to kno w your circumstances and goals, and to educate the client on wills, trusts, and probate

Once you determine what path is best for you, Ashley or John will guide you through the process that takes just a few weeks to complete — a process that ends with true peace of mind.

Drainfield Restoration

It’s a moment to dread: Your drainfield is failing. Fall and winter are coming on and you have to get this taken care of

What are you going to do? How much is this going to cost? Replacing it and tearing up your yard is dauntingly expensive, running into the thousands of dollars. But you have an option.

What if you could restore your drainfield without replacing it?

Turn to Drainfield Restoration. As Central Oregon’s only factor y-trained Terralift operator, they c an restore your drainfield for a

4 Brothers Tree Ser vice

Trees are the pride and joy of many a property owner in Sisters Countr y. But they can be a problem when they break and fall and crash to the ground — or on your deck, your house, or your car.

Now is the time to act to protect your proper ty and your safety — with a c all to 4 Brothers Tree Ser vice

Caring for your trees — or dealing with a problem — requires a wide range of knowledge and experience, the right equipment for the job, and a commitment to safety and reliabilit y.

That’s what 4 Br o thers Tr ee Ser vice brings to bear, with a full range of ser vices: tree removal; pruning; stump grinding; fire fuel reduction; lot cleaning; commercial thinning.

4 Brothers is well equipped to handle any tree -ser vice job. Deep knowledge and the right equipment helps ensure that work is done in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible

Now is the time to assess the condition of y our trees. 4 Brothers Tree Ser vice is ready to help

fraction of the cost of replacement.

Drainfield Restoration blasts air into the soil, breaking up biomat and compaction, restoring the soil’s original leaching capacity. They can also jet inside lines and remove tree roots that are often the culprit in drainfield problems in Sisters Countr y. It’s a oneday project — and it works for years.

In business since 1 995, Drainfield Restoration has saved clients thous ands of dollars across the state of Oregon. For tips on restoration and care of your septic system, visit www

Ashley Tuttle John H. Myers FORMERLY

JOHN H. MYERS

Sisters Forest Products

Sisters Fo rest Products is a small, local c ompan y that works year round at fuel reduction forestr y.

We star ted with tree thinning projects in the 1990s awarded by both the Oregon Department of Forestr y and the Deschutes Project Wildfire.

Sisters Fo rest Products has a two-par t mission: First and foremost we cr ea te parks out of ove rg ro wn or ov erst ocked forest land both public and priva te We have quietly spent the last 25 years at this w ork and h ave impr ov ed thous ands of

acres in that time

The second half of this mission involves the utilization of as much woody materials as they c an har vest from the projects. Most of this wood is recycled through the Sisters Fo rest Products log yard and sold to the public as firewood, chips, posts and poles, etc. This makes the mission into a super-g reen ende avo r, truly a full- circle way to help prevent the spread of wildfire s, enhance the health of local forests, and provide environmentally sound heat energy to the public.

DON’T DELAY…

Snow Blowers & Snow Equippment Sell Out Early! (Limited inventory)

Sisters Rent al

Mon-Fri: 7 am-5:30 pm | Sat: 8 am-5 pm - - | W Barclay Dr Sisters www.sistersrent al.com

The season is upon us — fall means getting the hatches battened down for winter. And Sisters Rental is the place to turn to get your property repaired.

L ooking for war d to mo ving drifts of snow this winter? Better get in now if you are looking for a snow blower — they are going fast and there won’t be more available when snow flies.

Now is the time to get your snow removal equipment repaired or rejuvenated for the season. Sisters Rental’s small engine repair ser vice is top-notch, and you want to get in

Hear t & Home Help Ser vices

Many people in Siste rs Countr y h ave aging loved ones — and we want to make their later years as happy and comfortable as possible

Heather Tinseth’s mission with Hear t & Home Help Ser vices is to do just that.

“My emphasis is helping them st ay in their home,” she said.

There are essentially no limitations of the help ser vices she offers: companionship, meal prep, assistance with physical therapy, bathing, getting out into the community for errands and outings — all the things that

are important to daily living for our elders.

H ear t & H ome H elp Ser vices offers respite for caregivers, hospice ca re, dayto-day care — all with a c aring and loving heart. Heart & Home can pick up aspects of in-home care that are challenging for family members to provide

“ That’s when I c an step in and be that helper,” Heather says.

Heather stands r eady to meet with Sisters families and caregivers to present a range of ser vice options. Contact her by phone or email to set up an appointment.

now before the big rush.

And for those among us who really plan ahead, this is a great time to get a deal on a qualit y lawn m owe r and o ther spring equipment.

Also, it’s not a bad idea to get your spring equipment in for repair or maintenance over the winter.

Whatever your needs, including tools for winte r time indoor home projects, Sisters Re nt al has the equipment you need and the expertise to help you find the right tool for the job

T&M Junk Removal

Wi nter is coming. Now is the per fe ct time to clear out the clutter before the cold sets in.

T&M Junk Removal makes it easy with a locally operated, ve teran- o wned team ready to handle ever y thing for you. Their fleet of 15-, 20-, and 25-yard dumpsters can handle all your junk removal needs, from yard debris and pine needles to household items or larger commercial projects. They ’ll drop off a dumpster at your location for you to fill, then pick it up when you’re done

Back In Action Fitness Equipment

To get and stay in shape, Back In Action Fitness Equipment Sales & Ser vice ca n provide you with any thing you may want or need. From a foam roller to a treadmill; from dumbbells to a rowing machine Whether you’re setting up a small gym at home or have a commercial facility, Back In Action offers full deliver y and installation to set up your equipment for you.  Since 2008, Back In Ac tion Fitness Equipment Sales & Ser vice has been supplying equipment for home users and commercial facilities alike. O wner Ke vin

Got furniture you no longer need? T&M Junk Removal will haul it away and donate us able pieces to families in need and local nonprofits.

It’s a great feeling to get what’s old and in the way out of the way. Don’t let the mess pile up this winter. Thys and McKibben provide reliable, respectful ser vice, taking care of eve ry thing from junk removal to hauling needs. Get it done before the snow hits with s ame- and next-day ser vice and a free estimate

You call, we haul!

Roll says that the most popular pieces of equipment are treadmills, with bikes and ellipticals coming in second,  followed by free weights and functional items.  Qualit y cardio equipment has become increasingly affordable — and it is adapting to the needs of the population. Recumbent elliptical machines are popular among an aging population. Staying fit is more important now than ever. Back In Action Fitness Equipment Sales & Ser vice is y our local dealer and ser vice provider and is always there for you!

Blue Burro Imports • Coldwell Banker Mayfield Realty - Khiva Beckwith Council on Aging of Central Oregon • Dovetails Furniture

Dry Canyon Arts Association • Explore Sisters • Gilmore Dental

Grand Peaks at Sisters • Gypsy Wind Clothing • House on Metolius Hoodoo • Lake Creek Lodge • Les Schwab

Local Acres Marketplace • Mountain View Ranch • Paulina Springs Books

Radiant Day Spa • Ray’s Food Place • Richardson Log Homes, LLC

4 Brothers Tree Service Inc • A Better Life Appliance Repair Alpaca Country Estates • BANR Enterprises, LLC • Bend/Sisters Garden RV Resort

Safe Chauffeur • Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce • Sisters Fence & Deck

Sisters Folk Festival Presents • Sisters Festival of Books

Sisters Habitat for Humanity • Sisters Movie House & Café

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show • Somewhere That’s Green

Sisters Park & Recreation District • Stellar Realty Northwest - Ross Kennedy

Stitchin’ Post • Street Dog Hero • Sweeney Plumbing

TravelStore - Susan Waymire • White Rock Gathering • Your Store

Pick up your Complimentary copy of spirit of Central Oregon Magazine at The Nugget NEwspaper office or on

throughout Central Oregon, Or scan the QR code to read online. To request a copy by mail, call 541-549-9941.

International Folk Dance comes to Sisters

Brigham Young University’s International Folk Dance Ensemble (IFDE) will perform at Sisters High School Auditorium on Wednesday, November 6, at 7 p.m.

Combining ethnic traditions with exquisite costuming, IFDE showcases the dance styles of the world and features the traditions of the United States. The ensemble offers one of the broadest spectrums of folk dance performed by a single group of its kind. Its extensive repertoire includes music and dance from all over the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

IFDE has achieved a global reputation for professionalism throughout the U.S.and worldwide. The ensemble is made up of 28 dancers and four technicians. IFDE performs with many of the world’s finest dance

companies. The Ensemble was founded in 1956 and has performed in the Vallarta Azteca International Folk Dance Festival in Mexico, folk festivals in Czechia, the Danube Carnival Festival in Hungary, International Folklore Festival in Haifa, Israel, the Festival de Confolens in Confolens, France, and the Billingham International Folklore Festival in Stockton-on-Tees, England.

Artistic director Jeanette Geslison is from Odense, Denmark, where she was trained in classical ballet, jazz, and theatre. She has been a rehearsal specialist with IFDE since 1995, and has directed the group since 2011. Her diverse background and wide array of experience has helped her to expand the International Folk Dance Ensemble’s repertoire and reach new horizons.

Outlaws duel in Clash of the Cascades

Unlike other sports, it is rare for cross country teams to go head to head against one team, but for this year’s Clash of the Cascades, held at Pole Creek Ranch on October 8, it was the Outlaws against the Ridgeview Ravens.

Due to the smaller nature of the event all the boys and girls ran simultaneously on the five-kilometer course that looped through the dirt roads on the ranch property.

Nathan Liddell of Ridgeview took the lead heading into the second mile and never relinquished the top stop, clocking 16:59. His teammate Caleb Shaw (17:14) held off Spencer Tisdel of Sister (17:20) for second. George Roberts came through in fourth place 17:40.

John Berg (18:37), Zack Kemp (19:16), Ben Hayner (19:33), and Jude Parzybok (19:40) completed the scoring

for Sisters.

The Ravens won the team race 23-34.

In the girls’ race, the Outlaws turned the tables on the Ravens, winning 23-34 behind the one-two finish of Josie Ryan (21:13) and Brooke Duey (21:29).

Helena Welty ran a personal best of 23:30 to place fifth, while Mae Roth took seventh in 23:49. Kiara Martin scored as the fifth runner for the team, placing eighth in 24:45 and Annalycia Erdekian was next in 25:11.

VOTE: Ballots are mailed out to voters on October 16

Continued from page 1

Kamp are squaring off in a contentious election for Deschutes County Sheriff. Both men currently serve in the agency. The candidates participated in a LWV forum in late September, which can be viewed at https:// bit.ly/48nR3bP.

Voters will decide whether to expand the Deschutes County Commission from three to five members (Ballot Measure 9-173). Proponents argue that expanding the commission will provide increased representation and more effective deliberation. Opponents raise concern about increased costs for salaries and office space and argue that keeping the commission at three members forces all discussion of county matters to occur in public meetings due to quorum rules.

The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking a 6 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation permanent tax rate to support its work in promoting voluntary efforts to conserve water, protect drinking water supply, improve soil health for local farms and agriculture, support forest health, reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish/wildlife habitat, control invasive weeds, restore streams, and conserve natural areas and green spaces (Ballot Measure 9-176).

Sisters voters will also be weighing in on the race for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 5, pitting incumbent Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer against Democratic Party challenger Janelle Bynum. Democrat Emerson Levy and Republican Keri Lopez are vying for the Oregon District 53 seat.

Ballots were to be mailed on Wednesday, October 16, and must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5. Drop boxes open on Friday,

Ballots must be mailed with a valid postmark by Election Day, November 5.

“It was a low key, but competitive race for us, and we love running at the Pole Creek Ranch,” said coach Charlie Kanzig. “The Coles are so generous allowing us to have our meet here.”

The Outlaws have the week off and return to action on October 23.

SISTERS CITY COUNCIL: Three Open Positions: Jennifer Letz, Eli Madrone, Sarah McDougall, Cheryl Pellerin, Joshua Smith

DESCHUTES COUNTY SHERIFF: Captain William Bailey (DCSO) vs. Sergeant Kent Vander Kamp (DCSO)

U.S. CONGRESS DISTRICT 5: Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R) vs. Janelle Bynum (D); Sonja Feintech (Libertarian); Brett Smith (Independent)

• Joshua Smith: https:// www.nuggetnews.com/ story/2024/09/25/news/ smith-aims-to-make-markon-council/36907.html

• Sarah McDougall: https://www.nuggetnews. com/story/2024/10/02/ news/mcdougall-seekscouncil-seat/36945.html

• Eli Madrone: https:// www.nuggetnews.com/ story/2024/10/09/news/ madrone-brings-energy-tocity-council-race/36971. html

• Cherlk Pellerin: https:// www.nuggetnews.com/ story/2024/10/09/news/ candidate-committed-tosisters/36972.html

• See profile of incumbent Councilor Jennifer Letz on page 6.

• Sheriff’s race: https:// www.nuggetnews.com/ story/2024/10/02/news/ sheriff-candidates-clash-onculture/36939.html

Deschutes County ballots mailed to voters on October 16.

Drop boxes open October 18.

Sisters drop box located in front of City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave.

OREGON STATE LEGISLATURE DISTRICT 53: Emerson Levy (D) vs. Keri Lopez (R)

BALLOT TITLE 9-173:

Expand County Commission from three to five members?

BALLOT TITLE 9-176:

Establish Permanent Tax Rate of 6 cents per $1,000 assessed value as a permanent rate limit for Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District?

October 18. Sisters’ drop box is located in front of Sisters City Hall at 520 E. Cascade Ave.

Brooke Duey and Josie Ryan go hard in the Clash of the Cascades.

PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG

Medicare changes afoot for region

Medicare Open Enrollment is underway.

The Council on Aging of Central Oregon’s free Medicare counseling services are ready to assist. The Open Enrollment period, running from October 15 to December 7, is the critical time each year when Medicare beneficiaries can review and make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year.

This year brings important changes for Medicare Advantage plan holders in Central Oregon. Starting January 1, 2025, Moda and Regence will no longer offer Medicare Advantage plans in the region. Beneficiaries impacted by this change should have already received direct communication from their carriers regarding the discontinuation of coverage. If you’re affected by this change or simply want to reassess your Medicare options for the coming year, the Council on Aging’s State Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) volunteers are available to help. This program offers free, unbiased counseling to help you navigate your Medicare options and select the coverage that best meets your needs. The areas their counselors can provide guidance on include, but are not limited to:

• Medicare Part A and Part B

• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D)

• Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).

• Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs and PPOs)

• Long-term care insurance

• Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB and QI)

• Prescription drug assistance programs or drug discount cards offered by your state and pharmaceutical companies

• Medicaid and other insurance programs (including free or reduced-fee health care programs)

• Medicare scams and fraud prevention.

To schedule a phone or in-person appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, or to learn more, contact the Council on Aging at 541-678-5483 or visit their website at www.councilonaging.org. For SHIBA counseling in Spanish, call 541-325-6837.

Bend author recounts travels in Ireland

Bend author Jana Zvibleman will present her travel memoir “Irelandish” at Paulina Springs Books on Thursday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m.

Affection is a theme throughout Zvibleman’s “Irelandish.” American blow-ins Jana and Bruce zigzag through the land of the redheads and develop fondness for everything from the fiddling to the ugly swans, the bouncing lasses to the screaming market mammy. Exploring the magical mundane, the couple ponders and personalizes timeless stories of today’s Celts. “Irelandish” is a tender romance, a comedy of quirks, a tear-jerker, and a foot-tapper.

Zvibleman’s poems, essays, stories, and images are published in literary journals, magazines, and other publications. Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave. This event is free for all ages. For more information call 541-5490866 or visit https://www. paulinaspringsbooks.com/.

Jana Zvibleman will visit Paulina Springs Books this week.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Martha Stoker caught a shot of Comet C/2023 A3 (TsuchinshanATLAS) from Black Butte Ranch on October 13.

PHOTO BY MARTHA STOKER

Lost Apple Orchards of the High Desert

You are way out there, on a remote road next to a wild river, or out in the middle of a sea of sage and juniper. First you might notice a huge gnarled Lombardy Poplar, a few old broken boards, and pieces of barbed wire. Then you notice other trees that look out of place. In spring there may be white blossoms. In the fall sweet fruit falls unnoticed and unappreciated, except by bees, deer, and the occasional bear.

Pioneer homesteads often left few permanent traces on the land because of wildfires that quickly devoured old dry wood, or landowners who removed the ruins of old buildings. But across Central Oregon there are still markers of settlers who grew much of their own food, because they had to. They planted apple orchards of hardy varieties that survive today, untended, and blending back into the native landscape.

Interest in heirloom apples has brought many lost orchards back into focus with groups such as the Lost Apple Project where apple detectives seek and preserve apple varieties that were once thought extinct. They estimate there were once over 17,000 varieties of apples growing in North

By Maret Pajutee

America, of which only about 4,500 survive today. Apples were a versatile fruit that could be eaten fresh, fried, baked, stewed, or made into cider, apple butter, brandy, or vinegar for pickling other food. Dried apples were a key food on the Oregon Trail to prevent scurvy and were soaked to make pies, although some pioneers ate a few too many saying “spit in my ears and tell me lies, but give me no dried apple pies.” The worst apples fed livestock.

In the past few years, U.S. Forest Service and BLM archeologists responsible for protecting historic resources have been investigating old apple trees on public lands and finding surprising diversity in these forgotten trees.

Some of the largest orchards that survive today were planted in the late 1800s by the family of Sisters librarian Grace Cyrus Aitkens at their homesteads near Gray Butte. The large family workforce planted three apple orchards. A Forest Service report described their careful placement near springs and how they used sloping topography so killing frosts would drain

downslope away from the trees. Ten years ago, 150 of the original apple trees were still alive, with some trees as large as 20 inches in diameter.

Four varieties were identified in the Cyrus orchards, mostly apples that did well in the short Central Oregon growing season, ripening early. Prevalent were Yellow Transparent apples, an early season fruit, imported from Russia in the 1800s and grown in the harsh short growing season of Siberia. Once ripe, these apples store for about a week and are described as having a crumbly texture but good for pies and sauce. Somewhat acidic in flavor, they were sometimes eaten with salt and called “salt apples.”

Red Astrachan apples were also found in the Cyrus orchards, named after the city of Astrakhan in the south of Russia, introduced to England via Sweden in 1816, and then to the U.S. in 1835. References describe them as beautiful, crimson, sometimes striped, with crisp, juicy, aromatic flesh. They were a favorite of many Swedish immigrants who imported them from

home. It is another early ripening apple with a very short shelf life but good for eating, cooking, and cider.

The Cyrus family also planted a hardy crabapple with Russian origins, the Purple Siberian Crab apple. These colorful crab apples were noted as excellent for pickles or apple jelly because of their color and flavor, and were often blended into hard cider.

On the remote lower

Metolius River not much remains of one of the first guest ranches in Central Oregon, known as El Rancho. There is a bit of stonework and an apple orchard, now enjoyed by rare hikers and bears. Carl and Annie Hubbard homesteaded the riverside property in the early 1900s, patenting their claim in 1915. Their fishing resort opened in 1933 and the young orchard was sustained with

Brent and Kelly MacCluer brought The Nugget along for their Key West trip, stopping for a photo at the Southern most spot in the continental U.S. — 90 miles from Cuba!

Local nurse Emily Kroytz took her Nugget to Spain for a critical care conference in Barcelona, along with her friends Michelle Wilson, and Teresa Karjala.

Sweet hardy little crab apples on a vacant lot in Sisters.

PHOTO BY MARET PAJUTEE

river water, the first record of irrigation using the Metolius. Studies identified three apple varieties at El Rancho.

One variety was Gravenstein apples, a very old variety still locally common today. One origin story says they were found in a French monastery garden by a Danish Count who sent branches home to his

PHOTO BY MARET PAJUTEE

brother to grow in his family’s palace named Grasten (the German variation of that name is “Gravenstein”). Russian fur traders were said to have brought the tree to North America, planting a Gravenstein apple tree at a Russian settlement called Fort Ross in California in 1811. These tart waxy yellow apples were primarily used

for cooking and cider and were not good keepers.

The Hubbards also grew an old version of one of the most popular apple varieties many of us know, the Red Delicious. It is said to have originated as a wonderfully sweet yellowish apple found in an Iowa orchard in 1872. It became very popular, but over the years was bred for looks and longevity rather than flavor. Growers wanted brilliantly red eye candy that could withstand cold storage for 12 months, and eventually the Red Delicious no longer lived up to its name. It was

the most produced apple cultivar in the U.S. from 1968 to 2018 when Gala apples became more popular. There was also a crab apple at El Rancho, the Sweet Crabapple, a cultivar of a native crabapple species. The yellowish fruit was reported fragrant and used for preserves and cider, but one early botanist claimed “The apples, or crabs, are small, sour, and unfit for anything but to make vinegar of. They lie under the trees all winter and acquire a yellow color. They seldom begin to rot before spring comes on.”

There are other scattered apple trees at old homestead sites along the far reaches of the Metolius River, and at the settlement to the east at Grandview. Crab apples survive on empty lots in Sisters. Most have not been studied yet, but as interest in heirloom apples grows, scientists may find varieties long considered extinct. On your next fall walk keep your eyes open for a gnarled old apple tree. Pick an apple. Bite into the sweet, sour, fragrant miracle and listen for whispers from the hardscrabble past.

Joan and Will Lacey traveled to Iceland in September Here they are in the capital city of Reykjavik.

Bill Kelly in Dublin, Ireland.

Take The Nugget with you on your travels and send your pics to editor@nuggetnews.com to share with our readers. Thanks for sharing!

Pictured above: The Cyrus Family picking huckleberries, another favorite fruit. Pictured left: The oldest apple orchard near the Cyrus homestead.

Building blocks: Community engagement on the rise

By Sue Stafford Columnist

The October Community Builders meeting was held at the U.S. Forest Service Sisters Ranger District garage. Attendees were welcomed by Lauren DuRocher, acting district ranger while Ian Reid is on a four-month temporary assignment on the Modoc National Forest. He will be back in Sisters in early December. (A separate article on the Sisters Ranger District activities will appear in the October 23 Nugget.)

• Kellen Klein, C4C executive director, announced that their first annual report is available on their webpage. They are sponsoring an Outlaws Night for high school students at Paulina Springs Books on Saturday, October 19. There will be a movie, games, snacks, and beverages. On Sunday, November 17, at the new Sisters Elementary School, C4C is sponsoring a forum titled “Are the Kids Alright?” Free drop-in childcare will be available. C4C board chair Sarah McDougall said they are looking for a few new board members who would be working on events, strategic planning partnership, and attending one, hourand-a-half meeting a month. If you are looking for a place to join in, they would like to hear from you. She encouraged anyone interested to start by joining the board and then finding their niche.

• Danna McNeese of Sisters Community Leadership Initiative announced they have removed and dismantled six old RVs and, with the help

of the USFS, towed 11 abandoned vehicles from the forest. A man from Prineville, who read about the work SCLI is doing, volunteered to be of assistance.

• Katera Woodbridge introduced herself as the new marketing director for Explore Sisters.

Over 3,000 people have gone through the new Visitor Information Center.

• Dawn Cooper of the Roundhouse Foundation said they are currently reviewing 180 grant applications and those receiving grants will be notified in mid-November.

• Hannah Joseph of Seed to Table announced one more volunteer day, Friday, October 25, 10 a.m.-12 noon for anyone interested in harvesting the remaining vegetables, probably mostly carrots. Children are welcome with an adult. Two Farmers Markets are left – October 20 and 27.

• Kathy Campbell of 100 Women Who Care Sisters announced they currently have 99 members and are looking for spaces in Sisters that can accommodate that many people for their quarterly meetings. She also announced that the Sisters Science Club is reestablished with a new board of eight people. Dr. Larry Price will be talking about quantum mechanics at their next event.

• According to Diane Prescott, Three Sisters Historical Society will hold their first Fireside Event of the fall on Sunday, October 20, at 2 p.m. in the Sisters Fire Hall. Mike Berry will be presenting “The Dam Fiasco at Bull Flat – The History of the 1914 Tumalo Project.”

Tickets are $10 at the door and free to TSHS members. Doors open at 1 p.m.

• Mike Deal of Age Friendly Sisters Country reminded everyone of their event on Sunday, November 10, 4 – 6 p.m. about “What Do You Do with an Idea?” at the Sisters Fire Hall.

The workshop will demystify the process of starting up a new community initiative, how to fund it, etc. Will be both in-person and livestreamed.

• Rennie Morrell of Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) said they are looking for a new board member who has some fundraising experience. If interested, please email rennie@starsride.org. They also need more volunteers, not only to drive but also dispatchers and marketing support. Drivers receive 50 cents/mile reimbursement. Their demand is up 34 percent over the past year, which shows the service is working, but there is also a great need.

• April Farmer of Soul Blossom Child Care said they currently have six children enrolled. They are located in the old elementary school and care for newborns to three-year-olds. There is a big state challenge with families who qualify for EROC or Preschool Promise but there is no funding to provide space for them. Soul Blossom could use subsidies to help families afford the cost of childcare while ensuring their staff receive a living wage, but there is no state funding available.

The state allocated $50 million to build childcare centers, but no funding for helping subsidize

low-income families.

On Wednesday, October 16, 4-5:30 p.m., they will be cleaning up the garden area outside their room with members of the Sisters Garden Club. Volunteers who would like to help can gather by the flagpole at the school with brooms, garbage bags, shovels, rakes, and gloves.

• Habitat for Humanity board member Cheryl Pellerin announced they recently had a dedication for a family moving into a new house. On October 25, there will be a benefit classical piano concert with JimIsaac Chua at the Sisters High School auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.bendticket. com. Habitat has moved into their new office in the old Ponderosa Properties building next to Sisters Coffee. Habitat received a grant for workforce housing

from the City.

• Pellerin also has an AFSC Action Team, Romeo’s Joy, a nonprofit that provides animatronic pets for people with disabilities and those who are at risk of being isolated. She recently donated 11 of the pets to special education classrooms in the Sisters School District which will reach 130 students in nine classrooms. That brings to 53 the number of animatronic pets that have been donated in the community.

• Jane Ann Pighin of the Council on Aging said they offer free meals on Tuesdays at the Sisters Community Church for seniors. Council on Aging will be hosting the February Community Builders meeting at the church. They will have a table at Living Well With Dementia Sisters’ resource fair on November 14.

Exploring the ‘spooky engine of the universe’

After feeling that nature was pretty well understood by the middle of the 19th century, physics was shaken by twin revolutions in the early 20th century, those of relativity and quantum mechanics. Of the two, relativity arose from new understandings of the geometry of space and time, and could be accommodated reasonably as an extension of classical physics. Quantum Mechanics, on the other hand, required new ways of thinking not related to classical physics, including the apparently irreducible role of randomness and probability, the seemingly bizarre role of the observer, and, above all, the phenomenon of superposition, which aroused deep suspicion in both Einstein and Schrödinger.

From very early, quantum mechanics was found to give highly accurate results that were verified by experiment. The seemingly arbitrary rules that had to be followed in making calculations received little attention during the 20th century, when physicists were concerned more with extending the machinery of quantum mechanics to new corners of the physical world, and less with trying to understand the underlying mechanisms of quantum mechanics that showed up as those arbitrary rules. The extension to new corners has been so successful that it is now accepted that quantum mechanics is the underlying framework for all of physical science, truly the engine of the universe.

There has been considerably less success in explaining why quantum mechanics works in such a “spooky” way. Slowly, however, those questions gained attention

during the 20th century and more so in the 21st century. The result is that by 2024, many ideas have been proposed to describe the underpinnings of quantum mechanics, but we still seem to have some distance to go before a consensus emerges about what is really going on.

In this talk, “Quantum Mechanics: The Spooky Engine of the Universe,” on Tuesday, October 22, Dr. Larry Price will give an overview of the concepts of quantum mechanics and then wrap up with the main ideas about what is going on underneath.

Dr. Price, a physicist specializing in elementary particles, holds degrees in physics from Pomona College (BA) and Harvard University (MA and PhD). He is retired from a career at Argonne National Laboratory, where he held the rank of senior physicist and was Director of the High Energy Physics Division. He has served on multiple national and international committees for particle physics and related fields, including the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel, the U.S. Federal Advisory Committee for elementary particle physics. He is also a Board Member of the Sisters Science Club.

This event is part of the Frontiers in Science lecture series sponsored by the Sisters Science Club.

Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with light fare, beer, and wine available for purchase. Admission is $5 at the door; teachers and students are admitted free. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave., Sisters. For information e-mail scienceinsisters@ gmail.com.

FUN & GAMES

Easy Peasy!

Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.

Daphne Draper was pleased to find cotton candy that was bigger than her head at the Sisters Elementary School carnival.

PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER

Going big on the cotton candy...

One really happy cat

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

Ronald is one lucky feline. This big marmalade cat, who weighs 18 pounds, was saved from an untimely end by a kind man who brought him to Sisters and released him.

As though guided by his guardian angel, the cat made his way over two miles to the front porch of Sisters resident, Jill Eidsmoe, an inveterate cat lover. He received instant care and food and lots of love.

When Eidsmoe posted a photo on Facebook to see if she could locate the kitty’s owner, the man who had saved him called and told her the story. Jill already had a 19-year-old cat so she called her friend Robine Bots, who runs Harmony Farm Animal Sanctuary, to see if she might need a mouser. And there begins the happy new life of Ronald, the subject of a book written and self-published by Jill – “Saving Ronald: One Cat’s Tale of Hope.” It

is available on Amazon for $14.99. The money from the sale of the book is donated by Jill to assist a houseless woman who she has befriended.

Jill makes regular visits to see Ronald and he snuggles in her lap.

“I love this cat more than any other cat,” she said.

Jill and Robine say Ronald has two moms, and he loves them both.

He has been at the sanctuary for three years now and Robine said he is the CEO at their board meetings, and the farm greeter and ambassador who accompanies visitors when they come to the farm by walking along the top of the fence next to them. When the Sisters Life Skills class bus arrives at the farm, he runs out to greet the students. He also often sits in therapy sessions when Robine sees clients at the farm.

He has been invited to be a house cat, but he prefers his very own apartment in the barn. Volunteers dote

on him and when they were giving him too many treats, Robine instituted a sign-in sheet where the treats were recorded so he didn’t gain too much weight. His best friends at the farm are Lilly the turkey and Banana the chicken. He is really well behaved with the chickens and bunnies. Robine

said Ron is the “most social outgoing cat ever.” Within a couple of days of arriving at the farm, he was out and about exploring and meeting the animals. He and the young alpacas have fun together and he likes to sit on the fence post in the goats’ pen. If you talk to Ron, he meows back.

Two of Ron’s messages

to the readers of his book are “Put one foot (or like me, paw) forward and seek a way out. There are truly some wonderful people out there! Keep going like I did until you find them….Don’t let opportunities, no matter how small they may seem, stop you from showing others some kindness.”

Nugget Poetry Corner

Among The Dukha

ByChris(RavenMakes)

Mongolian hor ses neigh in mor ning r ain as the Dukha’s untether ed r eindeer thunder past our teepee jour neying up valley to feed on lic hen and moss

Shaman and headman Gombah r etur ned fr om the outpost town of Tsagaannuur thr ee days ago. Fifteen miles aw ay in two dir ections lies Russia.

Four f lights, ten hour s over a 4WD r oad twenty miles on hor sebac k and special per mission paperwor k for two militar y chec kpoints got us he re

Ear ly autumn in late August knee high br ush tur ned or ange and r ed mingles with hints of yellow upon the Siberian Lar ch forest.

Steep hillsides encase us as a dainty str eam f lows down the v alley floor

Meat filled dumplings, daily made br ead fr esh picked berry jam reindeer milk tea and cheese power s us thr ough c hopping fir ewood br eaking and moving camp recovering and riding he rd on sixty missing r eindeer

A wolf pac k linger s nearby waiting for yet another str ay as twenty dogs stand sentr y night and day.

Good and Evil

ByJoyce Fletcher

The temple within ever y human body

Has a stor y to tell

Do we honor our Heavenly Father in Christ or the devil (do evil)

In disguise for good

Since Satan fell fr om Gr ace

Losing the power and pr esence of the Holy Spirit; we do as well by pr oximity of adher ence to a wor ld gone mad through dis-Gr ace

God does not judge unless His Beloved Sun (son or daughter) dismisses His Light Containing critical knowledge

The mac hinations of Spirit ascend on High Striving to bring good ne ws to mankind

An Awful Waffle

By:AlissaCowan

One day, I had an awful waff le

With ketc hup drizzled on top

Another day, in a differ ent way

Fried c hic ken was the pr op

Some like it with egg w hites in between- as a sand wich

With micr o gr eens and some spinach

Or maybe avocado, with pepper and salt

Topped with a tomato, savory to a fault

Other s like bacon all over ever ything

Salmon-lox with dill, who’s hear d of suc h a thing?

A waff le under neath, topped with sour cr eam!

Our Father is Omnipr esent; Eyes that see Know – Omnipotent; w hether felt or not And – Omniscient: knowing ever ything

The opposite of Love (Lots Of Vital Energ y) Not fear but indiffer ence to Life

I hope to get the message a-c ross It w as nailed to the cr oss

Both Vertical and Horizontal to be, do, have What? Hopefully the Lor d’s Pr ayer cr eated

Intentionally to manifest on Ear th

P.S.

We were cr eated in the image and likeness of God to manifest the Lord’s Pr ayer on Ear th—His d welling place)

God is Spirit without hands and feet; so that’s w her e we come in

Or a smattering of ber ries with a mound of w hipped cr eam

Or cr eam c heese with pow der ed sugar and a cookie up on top

Sic kly sweet, I think! When will it ever stop?

Chocolate, nuts, and ice cr eam, with sprinkles galor e

Car mel drizzle on this waff le, who could ask for more?

Homestyle, Belgian, Butter milk, Toaster, and Hong Kong

Pizzelles, Str oop waff le, Flemish, Liege, Potato, and Pandan

Vegan and Gluten Fr ee

The options ar e endless, you see?

A Belgian waff le in the U.S. in Belgium is a “Br ussels”

Br eakfast, Lunc h, or DinnerWaff les can now build your musc les!

Hot Dog Waff les in Thailand, with mustar d, ketc hup, and mayonnaise

A str eet food snack, both br eakfast and lunc h- with BBQ sauce any day

I like my home gr own waff le, made right out of the ba g

Peanut butter, apple sauce, and sy rup, that’s the best waff le I’ ve had

Finished with a glass of milk, I’ ll have mine for br eakfast or dinner

How do you like your waff les,

Do you like them thicker or thinner?

Ronald the Cat and his “two moms,” Jill Eidsmoe and Robine Bots.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

Knowing what we have — while we have it

By Melody Carlson Guest columnist

We’ve all heard that “you don’t know what you have until you lose it,” which I know from experience to be true. But in recent years I’ve personally discovered another truth. You don’t know what you have until you really, really need it.

We’ve lived in Sisters for almost 30 years now, but when we first came, I remember how “old-timers” (Sisters residents who’d lived here their whole lives) would offer sage advice (or maybe it was warnings). I frequently heard two things: 1. Most newcomers won’t remain here more than a couple years and 2. You gotta be tough and independent to live here.

I was skeptical, but we saw it happen again and again during our first decade here — newcomer friends and neighbors would stick around a few years, but then up and move on. Same thing in the

business community. Whether it was the weather, the smallness of town, or the altitude, people came and went. And during those years, perhaps as a result of friends leaving, we did become fairly “independent.” Being a freelance writer working at home (in the woods outside of town) hermitting came easy. We were content to do our own thing and let others do theirs.

But about 10 years ago, as we began to see changes in our community — and in our ages — my husband and I decided to move into town where we could really get to know our neighbors and become more involved in the growing community here. We joined a few organizations and invited neighbors over . .. and it was all good. But then COVID hit and social gathering came to a screeching halt. And while no one was looking, the town grew, and grew, and grew!

As COVID restrictions lifted, and we began to poke

our heads out again, I wondered if these newcomers, some recently retired as well as younger families with kids, would still be around in a couple of years. But with the building boom and new businesses springing up, it seemed the old rules had changed. Town seemed to be thriving and livelier than ever. So much so that some of the oldtimers weren’t too thrilled, and I must admit I was one.

But it was about this same time that something happened to help change my dismal antigrowth perspective. My husband, still in his mid 60s, was diagnosed with early onset dementia (FTD, frontal temporal dementia — like Bruce Willis). It was a disheartening and devastating prognosis because FTD is brutal! And suddenly everything in our lives was changed. We’d finished building a new house and were ready to embark on some travel plans and more camping adventures… but poof — our “golden years”

dreams went up in smoke. But when the smoke cleared some, I began to observe something amazing. I was out running errands one day, and it hit me how we were living smack in the midst of one of the sweetest communities on earth!

Surrounded by kind caring neighbors and friends, many who jumped in with meals after some medical emergencies made daily life difficult, some who lent a hand in other ways, and some who just give good hugs! And I became grateful for our growing community because we found a great health care source in our town, and a dementia support group, and lots of other things that hadn’t existed thirty years ago. I also grew more appreciative that, despite increased traffic, it was still easy to get around town, and shopping options were constantly improving with new local businesses. And people were nice! Something that’s hard to find in larger towns. Sisters

folks have a reputation for being kind and friendly. Even with my slightly confused and slow-moving spouse, people have been surprisingly sweet and understanding and helpful. I love that!

But I didn’t experience this ah-hah moment until I was in dire straits and realized how desperately I needed community. And for that very reason I’m enormously thankful to live in a small town like Sisters. Yes, I realize there’s a lot of division, unrest, anxiety even fear — lurking out there in the bigger world, but I hope that as time goes by we can preserve the sweetness of our small community in this town. And if you’re a newcomer, I hope you will feel at home here and stay more than two years, and that you will realize what a blessing it is to be part of a community like this. Because it’s better to know what you have while you still have it — and when you need it — than to find out too late.

WHY?

ByEdieJones

“Why,” the question of pondering threes. Isn’ t that what’s asked by all, whether 86 or very small? Why must I slow my pace, not win the race as I’ ve alw ays done? Why now must I walk, instead of r un?

Why does change enter ever y life? Causing worry, tear s, and strife. Why can’ t all go on as planned, with us in char ge, at the top, so gr and?

Letting us call the shots, life succumbing to our plots

“Why” he asks and he’s just thr ee. “Why,” he ec hoes, his constant plea

That stunning question asked when small continues th rough life, asked by all as we tr avel mid joy and tear s. Alw ays ther e, cr eating fear.

Perv ades and dominates the past. “Why,” didn’t love, continue—last? Why ar e we always asking thus, questioning what happens, as if we must be the ones to perfect and know? Through questions do we r eac h and gr ow?

Will answer s increase our tr ust in the life to w hic h we’r e thrust?

Not so, unless they show the way for wisdom to follow, day by day. At this they often fail, fall shor t, inviting ar r ogance to call and cour t.

Wise words utter ed—said, “T he questions in life—instead of answer s, help us gr ow and r eac h.” Is this what year s and wisdom teac h?

Alw ays question as if you’ re thr ee. Unquenched. “Why,” your constant plea

On an old wooden swing

Shelter ed by tr ees, buds swelling and fuzzy

ByJessDraper

Wooden swing

A gentle br eeze roc ks her, song birds sing

She savor s sweet r est, and hear s a buzz bee

Swinging by ne w flower s, passing the hour s

On a str ong wooden swing

Shaded by tr ees, with cool gr een leaves

Thoughts of a summer fling, pr etty butterfly wing

She linger s in the moment, she believes

Swing by tall gr ass, good days pass

THE DIVINE PRAYER

ByJohnFisher

On a weather ed gr ey wood swing

Tr ees dr op colorful leaves that cr ac kle

Brisk wind blows her hair, bells ring

The days gr ow shor t, she longs to taber nacle

Swinging by long year s, she sheds a tear

On an old wor n out swing

Beneath tr ees r obed in w hite snow

All is quiet, the silence does sting

No mor e dr eams in her head, it’s time to let go

Swinging by life’s end, she ascends

Glorious Sour ce Of All,

In the gentle cadence of life’s dance, Fr om mor nings fir st light to evenings soft tr ance, Bless us with moments both humble and gr and, And hold our endeavor s in Your gr acious hand,

For the blessings we see,

The laughter, the joy, the moments so fr ee, And for those unnoticed, silently sown,

In the bac kgr ound of life, quietly gr own, Bestow upon us the gift of Your sight, To recognize blessings hidden fr om Light, In the kindness of str anger s, in tear s that cleanse, In c hallenges that guide, and love that mends, May our hear ts be vessels, Overf lowing with gr atitude, void of any wr estles, For the abundance You give, both big and small, Remind us to cherish, to honor them all.

Gr ant us the wisdom to shar e and extend, These blessings we receive, as both giver and friend , To amplify goodness, to be your hands extension, Spr eading love, hope, and joy without appr ehension.

In the canvas of life, as blessings unfold, Let gr atitude paint stories, brilliantly bold, May ever y hear tbeat, eac h br eath that we take, Be a symphony of thanks, for the blessings You make.

Amen

Have an original poem that you’ d like to share? Email submissions to jess@nuggetnews.com. Publication is subject to space availability and

from page 5

voting. In other words, suspected improper noncitizen votes accounted for 0.0001 percent of those votes and think about it — even if all 30(!) illegal votes happened to be for Democrats it still wouldn’t have affected the results.

If Trump wins (God forbid) no one should be surprised if there are no election fraud complaints because Trump and the Republicans only care about the votes if they lose. They don’t care about election integrity or the will of the people. If Democrats lose, (God, are you there?) Democrats will accept defeat, uphold the Constitution, continue to fight to protect the rights of all people and try to manage and counterbalance the inevitable chaos of a Trump presidency.

So, sure, go ahead and vote for the guy who hikes around carrying a 30-pound log on his shoulders, ignore the clear evidence of what another Trump presidency will do to the country, mock those of us who are voting for Kamala Harris not just because she’s “beautiful and has good vibes,” but because she’s a true patriot who cares about our democracy and has a record to prove it.

Terry Weygandtt

To the Editor:

s s s

Supporting Trump

I notice a number of people have written letters stating various reasons why they are planning to vote for Kamala Harris. And many of these writers have also included various reasons why they believe former President Trump is unfit for the office.

I, on the other hand, will be voting for former President Trump and it’s very easy to explain why. I’m voting for Trump because of his policies on issues that are the most important to me, namely, support for the unborn, support for Israel, and greater border security.

I wish the former practice of being able to disagree with others without being disagreeable would come back into style. We are all Americans after all, and hopefully we can all agree that everyone should vote. It’s such a privilege that we have, as well as a responsibility. Our veterans have given their all to ensure we keep our freedoms, including the right to vote. Let’s all exercise that right, no matter who we are voting for.

Deborah Halsten

s s s

Fresh voice on city council

To the Editor:

Eli Madrone has a passion to serve the Sisters community and will bring a fresh perspective to City Council.

Eli and I share a love for Sisters as outdoor enthusiasts, parents, and volunteers. We bond over an appreciation for the same small town charm that inspired our families to move here, raise our children, and give back to the community we call home.

We are both progressively minded, but don’t always agree with the challenges our town faces. I am continually surprised by Eli’s diplomatic approach when we near a disagreement. Eli is eager to listen, provides creative solutions, and genuinely wants to build on the commonalities that we do share.

Sisters is experiencing significant growing pains as we see the bigger city sprawl creep closer to our doorstep. City Council and the leadership in this town cannot rely on the same approach that has been in play for years. Eli understands the need to balance growth and sustainability. He pushes for equity for all residents and understands the changing demographics of our town.

I want a town that continues to value education, traditions, and community stewardship.

Eli is focused on livability and will maintain the charm that brought us all here in the first place.

Eli will bring the fresh voice I want to Sisters City Council. Tyler Davis

s s s

Harris is a role model

To the Editor:

As a kid growing up in Billings, Montana, I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day in elementary school. Underneath the flag was a framed portrait of Dwight Eisenhower, our president at that time. As a 10-year-old boy, I recall looking at that smiling face of Eisenhower and feeling quite proud of him and proud of being an American.

If I imagine that same scenario with a portrait of Kamala

This Week’s Crossword Sponsors

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COST: $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

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS

8 x 20 dry box

• Fenced yard, RV & trailers

In-town, gated, 24-7

EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com

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.

OFFICE/RETAIL

SPACE FOR RENT

Great location across from Ace Hardware.

Several space types available. Call owner

Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478

Executive Office Space

Very nice executive office space for rent in Sisters light industrial park. 224 sq. ft. private office.

Shared restrooms with shower. Shared conference/kitchen room. Easy parking. All utilities included. Starting at $750 per month. Call 541-549-9631

103 Residential Rentals

Lovely 3 BR, 2 BA, 1,300 SF home w/ 2 car attached garage, downtown area. Has AC & nice yard. Pets OK w/ $350 deposit.

$2,200 first/last month’s rent, cleaning deposit $500. 541-588-0032

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

3 bedroom, 2 bath house with attached garage. Near old grade school. Refrigerator, stove/oven, washer/dryer, A/C. Fenced yard. Small pets allowed. Owner pays all utilities including internet. $2,500 first/last month's rent plus $300 cleaning deposit ($500 with pets). No smoking. Call 541-639-2875.

Gorgeous architectural home. 22 min. east of Sisters. Available Jan. 4 thru March. Fully furnished, 3,380 sq. ft.,

3 BR, 3 BA. $4,900/month, plus utilities. 541-480-4083

Furnished 2 BR, 2 BA, 2 story log home in Camp Sherman. $1,500 per month. Wood heat, propane-lit stove. 541-643-4196.

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

104 Vacation Rentals

Downtown Vacation Rentals

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

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

www.SistersVacation.com

107 Rentals Wanted

Looking for 2-BR rental in Central OR from Nov. 20 to Jan. 15 for doctor and son. References available, no smoking, moving to area from TX. 541-640-0704.

Need a room to rent or find roomate. Modest Social Security Income. 541-306-7340 lynchpinstim@gmail.com

201

For Sale

Retail racks, fixtures, and displays. Vintage and antique props and displays, wrap counter. Stop by Common Threads at Town Square to check it out. Wed.-Sat., 11-5, Sun. 12-4.

Beautiful blue pine dresser. 6 feet long, 38" tall, 22" deep. $800. 541-610-5902.

202 Firewood

• WINTER 2024 • SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

• SINCE 1976 • Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES

– 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com

Order Online! 541-410-4509 541-699-7740

205 Garage & Estate Sales

Estate Sale in Sisters! By appointment Only! Home furnishings, sterling silverware, clocks, jewelry, lladros, collectibles, art, books, OSU memorabilia, polished stones, vintage toys/trucks, patio furniture, tools & more! View pics on estatesales.net Call 541-711-1150 or 541-480-2806

– Happy Trails! –Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!

Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?

Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806

Sharie 541-771-1150

HERITAGE USA

Open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 253 E. Hood Ave., Sisters.

301 Vehicles

We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397

Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

302 Recreational Vehicles

2012 Mercedes iQ Navion Class C Diesel, 3.0 L V6, 5-speed. 26,100 miles. Exceptional condition, like new. $67,500. Call Larry 541-505-2126.

401 Horses

ORCHARD GRASS HAY

ALFALFA

TRITICALE

New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $240-$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 SISTERS WHISKERS

Your purr-fect friend is waiting for you at our local nonprofit cat rescue! Apply to adopt at: sisterswhiskers.org

500 Services

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

GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE

“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871

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

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

501 Computers & Communications

3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC

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

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

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

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

504 Handyman

JONES UPGRADES LLC

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

at NuggetNews.com

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

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 NEWSPAPER

601 Construction

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

New construction, addition, remodel. Large and small projects. Contact for estimate. 541-325-3020

sales@gardnercontractingllc.com

Earthwood Timberframes

• Design & shop fabrication

• Recycled fir and pine beams

• Mantels and accent timbers

• Sawmill/woodshop services

EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com

541-390-1206

beavercreeklog@yahoo.com

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

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

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#248916

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

INSPIRED CUSTOM HOMES

www.teeharborconstruction.com

541-213-8736 • CCB#75388

Construction & Renovation

603 Excavation & Trucking

Excavation: septic system installation and repair, utility installation, site prep, demolition, road and driveway construction and maintenance.

"We dig your project" contact 541-325-3020 sales@gardnercontractingllc.com

ROBINSON & OWEN

Heavy Construction, Inc.

All your excavation needs

*General excavation

*Site Preparation

*Sub-Divisions

*Road Building

*Sewer and Water Systems

*Underground Utilities

*Grading

*Sand-Gravel-Rock

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

CCB #124327 541-549-1848

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!

BANR Enterprises, LLC Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~

Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com

JUNE PINE PAINTING

Interior & Exterior Painting

Staining & Deck Restoration 541-588-2144 • CCB# 252954

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

J&E Landscaping Maintenance

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

STEVE'S HAULING

Yard and other debris, landscaping services, chain saw work, etc. 707-328-8370

All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

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

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

701 Domestic Services

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC

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

999 Public Notice

CITY OF SISTERS

Barclay Drive Improvement

Project: Locust to Larch Bids Due 2:00 PM, November 5th, 2024 INVITATION TO BID Bids sealed and marked, with the words “BARCLAY DRIVE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT: LOCUST TO LARCH,” and the words “To Be Opened Only by Authorized Personnel” will be received at the office of the City Recorder, City of Sisters, 250 E Cascade Ave, PO Box 39, Sisters, OR 97759 until the BID CLOSING time, 2:00 PM local time on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Bids will be publicly opened and publicly read aloud in the Sisters City Hall, 250 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters. Bids received after the above-stated time will not be accepted. Electronic bids will not be accepted.

The Project improvements generally include construction of 1000’ of roadway widening, PCC sidewalk including ADA improvements, stormwater improvements, electrical trenching, conduit, wire, pavement markings, and other related and incidental work. The work generally consists of providing all construction services, equipment, necessary tools, materials, fuel, personnel, supervision, and labor required to complete the preparation and placement as specified. City’s intent is that all work be fully completed by June 30, 2025. Bid documents, Addenda, preliminary results, and Notice of Intent to Award, or important web links location, will be posted online on the City’s website at www.ci.sisters.or.us and Premier Builder's Exchange at www.premierbx.com

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED

CRAFTSMAN BUILT

CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

Lara’s Construction LLC.

CCB#223701

Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS

Factory Trained Technicians

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

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448 S I S T E R S O R E G O N G U I D E Published by The Nugget www.sistersoregonguide.com

& Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net

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

704 Events & Event Services

CENTRAL OREGON'S

LARGEST GUN & KNIFE SHOW! October 19 and 20. 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

803 Work Wanted

; for Companion Caregiver. Looking for part-time; must be close to Sisters downtown. References upon request. Please call 503-274-0214 The Nugget • 541-549-9941

SERVICE TO PROVIDE? BUSINESS TO PROMOTE? VEHICLE FOR SALE? HOUSE TO RENT? OFFICE TO LEASE? LOOKING FOR LAND? GARAGE TOO FULL? NEED SOME HELP? Advertise in The Nugget Newspaper's CLASSIFIEDS For no additional cost your classified goes ONLINE! Go to www.NuggetNews.com DEADLINE: Every Monday by noon. Call 541-549-9941

for puzzle on page 29

FAIRE: Event was a big success for vendors and attendees alike

and we’re not all the way through the fair,” her pal Celine Lipscomb said.

A majority appeared to be local, unlike the folk festival and quilt show which draw its greatest numbers from out of the area. Traffic was thick with those walking dogs, pushing strollers, or in walkers or motorized wheeled chairs.

Flow would back up as so many locals struck up conversations and compared purchases.

By rough estimate each vendor had at least 200 pieces of whatever they were selling, meaning shoppers faced a display of some 35,000 items from which to choose.

“It’s a bit overwhelming to the senses,” said Sophie Adams from Bend. “My eyes get blurry from so many fun and good things.”

The Sisters Harvest Faire was a veritable feast for the eyes, nose, and stomach. There was every imaginable sauce, spice, rub, jam, jelly, sweet, seasoning and exotic flavor like black garlic and wine salt.

“I can’t tell if this is a food fair or an art fair,” said Lily Younkin from Sublimity, Oregon. Others like her struggled to categorize the cornucopia of offerings. Men and kids had as many buying choices as women.

At least a dozen youth soccer teams were observed, still in uniform, having completed their Saturday morning games. They had no trouble finding a range of appealing merchandise

LETTERS

Continued from page 28

from kaleidoscopes to kettle corn.

Dads and granddads packed tents that housed all things BBQ or carvings. Kids fixated on hand-carved animals. Grandmas packed tents that specialized in knitted wear for infants and toddlers.

Nancie Miller, an exhibitor, who started life in Camp Sherman nearly 80 years ago, reckoned that this was her 44th fair. She reminisced about the first such fairs that were at Village Green. She articulated the long and successful history of the annual event and its several locations before settling on Main Avenue, closed to traffic from Elm to Larch streets.

At the Fir Street Park bandshell attendees were treated to rotating music from Dry Canyon Stampede and Christy Neal. There was impromptu dancing, and a few buskers posted at either end of the tent rows to add to the festive nature.

The Chamber provided chalk for sidewalk art.

Harris next to the flag, I would feel similarly proud. The other choice in this election, Donald Trump, is just a terrible role model for our next generation. He is the bully on the playground, making up his own rules for the games as long as in the end he is the winner. And most of the people who have played on his team don’t like him. I am baffled as to why anyone would vote for this man.

I don’t know if they still hang a picture of the current president in school classrooms but, if they do, I hope the face that every child will soon be seeing in school will be that of Kamala Harris. She is the role model we need in these divided times.

Paul Bennett s s s

Inflation counterpoint

To the Editor:

While I appreciated Howard Jameson’s article on “Who’s to Blame for Inflation” (The Nugget, October 9, I believe he has greatly oversimplified a complex issue and in doing so arrived at an oversimplified, populist answer — that is, someone else (often who is or looks different from me) is to blame for my problems.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s office stationed two deputies for the event, given its magnitude. They appeared to be having every bit as much of a good time as the strollers.

Saturday’s throngs gave way to a more navigable scene on Sunday. Miller sold out all her fused glass window hangings by noon Sunday. Some exhibitors started breaking down their tents ahead of closing time Sunday having run out of their bestsellers.

Surrounding eateries and water holes had full houses most of both days. Downtown merchants, while seeing more traffic from spillover, said that shoppers had made most of their purchases at the fair by the time they wandered into their shops and left with fewer purchases than the numbers would suggest.

“We’ll be back,” promised Dara Newsom from Eugene as she and her three friends stuffed the back of their car with purchases. “Next year can’t come soon enough.”

Inflation is a general term for an index that attempts to measure the increase in prices over time for a basket of goods or products. The term is every bit as meaningless to price changes as profitability is as a measurement of a company’s “success.” Neither are perfect indexes, but if there is a better way to measure these concepts (in one word), I’m most open to being enlightened.

A free market is very efficient at allocating resources towards those who value them most, and driving the cost of products down to their marginal cost of production. In a free market, most business people know there is a limit to what they can charge for their products before customers choose to buy from their competition. When a company prices their product in a way that is significantly higher than their cost to produce (excess profits), competitors will enter the market and drive down prices to their marginal cost of production (classic Republican economics).

An increase in prices (inflation) is inevitable when there are more dollars chasing fewer products due to human-caused limitations on production — climate change hurricanes, or rent control, for example. Make no mistake, the government has a critical role to play in ensuring (via regulation) that companies don’t push external costs onto society, thereby artificially lowering their product cost at the expense of others — such as pollution, addictive substances,

or patently dangerous devices. Government also adds to the cost of production through some politically expedient and counter-productive mandates such as blanket tariffs, overbearing labor/code regulations, or close-minded immigration policies.

Trade is good, not bad. No person, city, county, state, or country can be the most effective or efficient producer of all products. Jack of all trades, master of none comes to mind. Due to climate, natural resources, education, infrastructure, cultural proclivities, and many other factors, some countries can produce superior products at lower cost than others. Restrictions to trade between countries means that consumers will be pushed toward buying goods from less efficient producers at higher cost. Get over it America, we are not exceptional.

And where does greed fit in? Mr. Jameson uses the example of a golf course doubling its prices, losing 50 percent of its customers and as a result, profitability improves. Less maintenance, fewer complaining customers, better return on investment. He calls this greed, I call it behaving rationally. In making a rational, sensible decision, golf course management has opened up the opportunity for a competitor to develop an alternative (more productive?) form of recreation—such as hiking trails, and charge far less than $25/round.

Kris Calvin

The Sisters Harvest Faire drew several thousand people to Sisters over a very pleasant weekend.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Nancie Miller, right, and JJ Collier, had a good weekend at the SeaStar Fused Glass booth.

PHOTO BY BARTLETT

Andi and Sawyer Morgan, ages 9 and 5, check out kaleidoscopes.

PHOTO BY BARTLETT

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