The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVIII No. 6 // 2025-02-05 by Nugget Newspaper

The Nugget

Firefighters experience inferno’s impact

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

When massive conflagrations roared through communities in the Los Angeles Basin, California put out a call for support — and Oregon responded. The state fire marshal called up a task force of firefighting units from communities across Oregon, who trekked south to aid in the effort to contain the Palisades Fire along the coast and the Eaton Fire in the inland foothills.

Three firefighters from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District were part of that effort: Deputy Chief Tim Craig; Captain Ben Duda; and Firefighter Brian Maxon. They departed on January 8 and served for two weeks on the Palisades Fire.

“We worked initially in the division around Topanga Canyon,” Deputy Chief Craig said. “We were put in a subdivision above the town of Topanga where they didn’t have any containment structure of any sort.”

This was a wildlandurban interface firefight, cutting line at the edge of the

fire while another Oregon strike team ran hose.

This assignment was aided by the apparatus the Sisters team drove to the fire — an interface engine designed to serve in both a woodland and an urban setting.

Citizens weigh in on City Council goals

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

Mayor Jennifer Letz welcomed about 50 participants to Sisters City Hall Wednesday, January 29, to participate in setting Council goals for fiscal year 2025-26. Letz explained how Council will need to complete the goals by the end of March in order for City staff to prepare and finalize their various work plans which then feed into the fiscal year budget that must be finalized by the end of May. City Manager Jordan Wheeler welcomed folks to move freely for discussions during the event, and to write suggestions on the billboards for each of the six Council Goal categories.

Mayor Letz, Council President Sarah McDougall,

and Councilors Michael Preedin and Gary Ross sat with one of the City directors at each of four large tables. Councilor Cheryl Pellerin was out of town. Attendees shared concerns:

• Increased traffic concern once The Grove in Sunset Meadows is filled with renters.

• Impacts of cancelling or increasing fire insurance rates due to the release of the wildfire risk map and wanting the City to support an appeal to the State to revise the map (this request has a 45-day limit).

• Could the new Urban Growth Boundary allow for second homes and vacation rentals?

• Could the City build a multi-sports complex?

“They’re so flexible,” Duda said. “We didn’t know what we were getting into, so — be flexible.”

This was Firefighter Maxon’s first experience fighting wildland fire.

“I’ve been a volunteer here a year-and-a-half,

almost two years,” he said. “I learned a ton the two weeks we were down there.”

The Sisters crew — who worked 24 hours on the line, then took a 24-hour rest period — transitioned

By Susan Cobb Correspondent

The Urban Growth Boundary Steering Committee (UGB-SC) unanimously agreed to ask the City of Sisters to send a letter to the Deschutes County Commissioners to expedite rezoning of 58.5 acres north and east of Sisters High School.

This would allow the acreage, which the committee referred to as “McKenzie Meadows,” to be considered as part of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion now under consideration. The UGB-SC opted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve progress on UGB expansion concepts one or five with the possibility of

See UGB on page 24

Citizen leaders sought for academy

Applications are now being accepted for the second cohort of the Sisters Civic Leadership Academy. A project of the City of Sisters and Citizens4Community (C4C), the academy is designed to build a broader pool of future leaders for local committees, boards, and organizations.

The Academy uses a civic leadership training model developed by Portland State University’s National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC). Over 6 weeks, participants will receive a crash course in local government operations, leadership skills, and team problem solving. They’ll also research a city-assigned local challenge, produce a report, and present their findings to City Council.

The Academy will run on Mondays, April 14 through May 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at City Hall, followed by a final presentation to City Council on June 11. There is no fee

to participate, and complimentary meals, childcare, and accessibility services are available to all participants. Community members over the age of 16 who reside within the Sisters School District boundary or Camp Sherman can learn more, view eligibility criteria, and apply at www. citizens4community.com/ academy. Applications are available in English and

C4C is hosting another Sisters Civic Leadership Academy for citizens who are interested in getting more involved in their community. PHOTO

Sisters firefighters Brian Maxon, Ben Duda, and Tim Craig (back row) served with an Oregon taskforce in wildland firefighting and structure protection on a Southern California fire.

PHOTO PROVIDED

OPINION

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.

Pause to reflect

To the Editor:

In looking forward to what we want to accomplish with Sisters Transportation and Rideshare (STARS) in the coming year, I pause to appreciate the journey of the past year and embrace joy in our recent achievements. We are deeply grateful to be a part of the Sisters community and for the support, collaboration, and shared commitment that made the past year so meaningful. What a year!

First and foremost, thank you. Thank you to all of you who contributed to our year-end

ride sponsorship campaign. Because of the generosity of this community, we exceeded our fundraising goal by $3,000! Thank you to our Board of Directors and transition team who guided us through the process of establishing STARS as an independent nonprofit organization, and thank you to Age Friendly Sisters Country for nearly five years of fiscal sponsorship. Thank you to our volunteers — our drivers who take people to medical appointments; our dispatchers who work tirelessly to make sure every need is met; and

Sisters Weather Forecast

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

Website: www.nuggetnews.com

442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon.

Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius

Production Manager: Leith Easterling

Creative Director: Jess Draper

Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett

Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May

Proofreader: Kema Clark

Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen

The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or less).

Good climbing conditions…

Revisit wildfire map

Borys Tkacz, Nora Rasure Kirk Metzger, Zenia Kuzma Mitchell Luftig

Open letter to Sisters City Council: We are writing to you to request assistance in appealing the current Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map for the City of Sisters as provided in the Wildfire Hazard Zones statues and rules.

The Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State University recently released the final version of statewide maps of wildfire hazard zones and the wildlandurban interface: https://hazardmap.forestry.oregonstate. edu/. As stated on the above website: “ODF and Oregon State University were tasked with developing a statewide wildfire hazard map that shows people the hazard level for the area they live in based on weather, climate, topography, and vegetation.” The initial map, released in 2022, was later recalled after an outcry about major issues with the map. A draft version addressing some of these issues was subsequently released during 2024 for public comment.

We are a group of concerned citizens, including recent retirees from the U.S. Forest Service with many decades of combined experience in natural resource management, forest health research, fire suppression and hazardous fuels reduction. Our concern is regarding the apparent inconsistent mapping of the City of Sisters and surrounding areas. While most of the city was mapped as Moderate Hazard, our subdivision –Saddlestone, was mapped as High Hazard. This does not make sense to us since the vegetation, climate, weather, and topography are very similar throughout Sisters and the immediate vicinity.

We investigated how the hazard rating was derived using the tools provided by OSU on their website and concluded that some of the base data used to compile the hazard map were dated and did not accurately capture the nature of the vegetation in our portion of Sisters.

Much of the underlying data for the Oregon Wildland Fire Hazard Map is derived from the LANDFIRE program (https://landfire.gov/). This national, interagency program has been very effective in providing land managers with landscape level assessment of fire hazards for decades. The program integrates remotely sensed

and ground-based vegetation data to characterize vegetation types and condition along with other parameters that go into wildfire hazard modeling. LANDFIRE was designed for broad-scale mapping of wildlands, however, its utility for fine-scale assessment of individual tax lots in urban areas is questionable.

According to the Technical Guide for the hazard map, vegetative and wildland fuels were mapped using 2019 data even though LANDFIRE updated these data in 2023. Since much of the Saddlestone Subdivision was developed after 2019, the final version of the hazard map does not accurately capture current conditions. We analyzed the 2023 LANDFIRE data for Saddlestone and found that 65 percent of the subdivision is currently classified as Non-Burnable due to urban or suburban development with insufficient fuels to carry wildfire and bare ground. The remainder of the subdivision is characterized by low to moderate rates of fire spread and flame lengths.

The vegetation in our area is mostly irrigated lawns, with some landscaping of bushes and trees typical of homes in Sisters. There are individual and clumps of ponderosa pine in open spaces that would not generally support a canopy fire. There is not enough ground vegetation to support the spread of fire for any distance or to serve as ladder fuels due to maintenance of common areas by our homeowners’ association, and it is further broken up by wide city asphalt streets, sidewalks and paved walking paths. The homes in Saddlestone were constructed using firesafe materials, have irrigated landscaping, and are near fire hydrants.

We chose to live in Sisters, because of the reduced fire hazard compared to other areas outside of the city. However, having inconsistent mapping of fire hazard due to inaccurate base data will undoubtedly complicate efforts by the Sisters City Council to develop a consistent approach to wildfire resilience throughout our city. Due to the onerous appeal process, it would be much more effective for the City of Sisters, acting as our local government, to appeal the High Fire Hazards designation within the City limits.

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Banners to return for Class of ’25

Sisters-based nonprofit Citizens4Community (C4C) is kicking off its campaign for the 2025 Banner Project, a local tradition that celebrates graduating high school seniors.

For three weeks in late April and early May, the banners hung from lamp posts in downtown Sisters will feature some familiar faces — those of students due to graduate from Sisters High School and other local schools. The program aims to showcase Sisters’ hometown pride while celebrating the academic accomplishments of local youth.

C4C relies on an annual crowdfunding campaign to bring the Banner Project to life. This year, they hope to raise $4,000 from the community to cover project costs. Individuals and

businesses can make a taxdeductible donation by visiting www.citizens4community.com/banners.

“The Banner Project is an annual highlight for me,” said Kellen Klein, C4C executive director. “It’s simple, but brings so much joy to our town. Watching seniors proudly pose for photos under their banner… you can see how much it means to them and their families to be supported by the community in this way.”

In 2024, C4C raised over $3,500 in just eight days to fund the Project. They’re hoping to match that pace this year, and are getting an early boost from a local business — Sisters Bakery has offered to match the first $400 in donations.

“The Banner Project is one of our favorite local

traditions,” said Spencer Hamiga, owner of Sisters Bakery. “We’re excited to help kick off the 2025 campaign, and can’t wait to see whose banners end up in front of the Bakery!”

Approximately 100 student banners will be ran

domly hung along Cascade, Main, and Hood Avenues. After their removal, they’ll be taken to Sisters High School and hung in the commons for the final weeks of the school year. Each student will ultimately receive their banner as a graduation gift from the community.

Klein emphasized that the Banner Project is a “true community effort.”

Three parents of seniors –Amber Sitz, Steph Berg, and Carlene Turpen — are

Workshop to help navigate change

The old saw that the only constant is change seems more true right now than ever. Many people are exhausted from the changes happening in recent years. Change can be challenging, but it can also be a tremendous opportunity for innovation and growth, if managed skillfully.

Sisters company

Happy Brain Science and Sisters nonprofit Citizens4Community (C4C) are partnering to help Sisters Country deal with change. On Wednesday, February 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at High Camp Taphouse (523 Highway 20, Sisters), they

will be giving a free workshop called “Let’s Learn: The Science of Managing Transitions.”

The workshop will be facilitated by the founder of Happy Brain Science and Sisters resident Scott Crabtree.

Appropriate for local organizational leaders and community members alike, this session will help you guide yourself and others through transitions, so that you can make the most of change.

Attendees will explore: • All three phases of

SFF Presents finalizes 2025 Big Ponderoo

SFF Presents has revealed the final four artists on the 2025 Big Ponderoo festival lineup. The third annual music festival returns to Sisters, Oregon, on June 28-29 with bluegrass, altcountry, and Americana music on two stages at Village Green Park.

Festival headliner ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) plus Pinecone stage acts, The Wilder Flower, Skybound Blue, and Quattlebaum join the previously announced lineup which includes Shovels & Rope, Sierra Hull, John Craigie with the Coffis

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 610-73 83

Alcoholics Anonymous

Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meet ing, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 541- 54 8- 04 40 Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of the Transf iguration

Central Oregon Fly Tyer s Guild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om Central Oregon Trail Alliance (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 Communit y Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:3 0 a.m. Visit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for location

Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In -person communit y dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab -and -go lunch Tues Wed. Thurs. 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters Communit y Church 541- 48 0-18 43

East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ Post All are welc ome. 541- 549- 60 61

Go Fi sh Fishing Group 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church 541-771-2211

Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Communit y Church Materials provided 541- 40 8- 8505

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

Living Well With D ementia Sister s Care Partner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Weds ., 1-2:30 p.m. The Lodge in Sisters. 541- 647- 00 52

Milita ry Parent s of Sister s Meetings are held quar terly; please call for details. 541- 38 8- 9013

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 4t h Saturday, 10 a.m., meet ing by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church 541- 549- 6157

Sisters Area Woodworker s First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-18 97

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:3 0 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Support Group

3rd Wednesday., 10:3 0 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Church. 503- 616- 8712

Sisters Cribbage Club Meets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at SPRD 50 9- 947- 5744

Sisters Garden Club For mont hly meetings visit: SistersGardenClu b.com.

Sisters Habitat for Humani ty Board of Director s 4t h Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.

Location information: 541- 549-1193

Sisters Kiwani s 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 11:3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Lodge in Sisters. 541- 632- 3663

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

Sisters Red Ha ts 1st Fr iday. For location information, please call: 541- 84 8-1970

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-76 0- 5645

Sisters Veterans no -host lunch, Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Rest aurant. All veterans welc ome, 541-241- 6563

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

Three Sister s Irrigation District

Board of Director s Meets 1st Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSID Of fice 541- 903- 4050

Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 541- 419-1279

VF W Post 8138 and American Legion Po st 86 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 541-241- 6563

SCHOOLS

Black Bu tt e School

Board of Director s 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. 541- 59 5- 6203

Brothers, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Lindsay Lou, Tophouse, Cat Clyde, Yarn, Fireside Collective, and Clay Street Unit.

ALO is a 30-year musical vision-quest. California natives Steve Adams, Zach Gill, and Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz joined forces in junior high in the 1980s, stayed together throughout their years at University of California, Santa Barbara in the ’90s, returned home to the San Francisco Bay Area in the 2000s, and have

Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday mont hly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www ssd6.org 541- 549- 8521 x5 002.

CITY & PARKS

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

Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Director s 2nd & 4t h Tues 4 p.m., Coff ield Center 541- 549-20 91

Sisters Planning Commission

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

FIRE & POLICE

Black Bu tt e Ranch Po lice Dept Board of Director s Meets mont hly. 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date

Black Bu tt e Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m. BB R Fire Station. 541- 59 5-2288

Cloverdale RFPD Board of Director s 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 541- 54 8- 4815 cloverdalefire.c om

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

PHOTO PROVIDED

C4C is fundraising to honor the Class of 2025.

Putting first responders first

By Matt Van Slyke Correspondent

Two former first responders are partnering up to provide a comprehensive healing experience.

Robyn Lopez, DNP, FNP-BC, owns and operates Whychus Health in downtown Sisters.

Prior to earning her doctorate in nursing, the boardcertified family nurse practitioner was an emergencyroom and trauma nurse in Pasadena, California, where she found her partner.

A retired Navy SEAL who deployed multiple times post-9/11, Alex Lopez met Robyn while working as a firefighter/paramedic for Pasadena Fire, the department fighting the Eaton Fire that claimed 17 lives this month, one of several winddriven fires ravaging Los Angeles County.

“Most days, you’re in the ER more than you’re at the fire station. You’re literally on call after call after call; it could be people who don’t have access to healthcare, homeless people, people who are really sick, elderly,” Alex said, estimating 90 percent of his calls were to help the underserved.

Now a couple in life and in business, they first formed a platonic bond in a traumatic work environment.

“There’s definitely trauma sharing. We’ve had horrible, awful scenes. It’s so chaotic in those moments,” said Robyn. “And then also being awake at 3 a.m. — a lot of people don’t understand the effects of shift work. Sometimes I wouldn’t see him for like a month or two.”

Six years went by before she made a move.

“One day I was coming back into work on a day off to fix my time card, and I had my little boy with me,

and I asked, ‘Alex, would you mind taking him to go see your rig while I fix this?’ My little boy used to call it the ‘rescue beep beep.’ I remember thinking, ‘He’s so good-looking. He’s so nice.’ I asked one of our buddies, ‘What’s Alex’s deal?’ and he said, ‘He’s single.’”

Robyn took his phone number, texted to thank him, and they “immediately hit it off,” she said.

Several years and a set of twins into their relationship, they suffered challenging life events. The couple came to realize they couldn’t afford their house, as Robyn had stopped working, exhausted as a mom and facing health struggles.

“I became chronically ill, and I was experiencing – sitting on the other side of the desk – being treated really poorly by the healthcare system,” she recalled. “It made me think, ‘Oh, this is how we’ve treated people in the organizations we were working for,’ you know? It really was a huge eye-opener to see how sad it was to be desperate for healthcare based on the lack of resources you’re given.”

Overstressed and married with children, the two took turns pulling each other up — Alex helping Robyn when she was sick and tired, and Robyn helping Alex when he was losing sleep, focus, interest, and, in a manner of speaking, his job.

“His crew started to see him withdraw, and I think that they were seeing symptoms of PTSD much more so than they knew how to identify PTSD,” Robyn says of her husband’s colleagues. “He had gone to his doctor and said, ‘I’m feeling really low these days,’ and they’d given him a prescription. He told me one time, ‘My captain thinks I’m on drugs,’

because his pills fell out of his jacket. He had been withdrawn, and they made this big assumption that he was drinking.”

The fire department, Robyn said, staged an intervention, and put Alex on paid disability.

“They were very illequipped to handle it,” Alex says. “What’s tricky is that they pride themselves on taking on veterans, especially special forces people, but they’re not really ready to deal with what comes with that. As soon as something gets weird and you’re not following the program, you’re out.”

The Lopezes’ firsthand experiences in providing help as well as needing help themselves spurred their latest endeavor. Robyn provides health care, specializing in what she calls “advanced, progressive Integrative Medicine, Primary Care, and Occupational Care.” Alex, who’s completing his graduate degree in Leadership from Johns Hopkins University, is coming on board Whychus Health as a mental health provider. They will be offering life coaching sessions focused on first responders in addition to other wellness services – in-person or virtual.

“It really doesn’t take much to get to a place where you might be low, or really lost,” says Alex. “Understanding that and having insight there, too, just gives us a whole picture.”

“In our ER days, it was easy, I think, to compartmentalize things,” says Robyn.

“You’re just detached.”

“You have your work life and then your personal life, and they don’t ever intertwine,” Alex chimes in. “But it’s going to catch up to you at some point, you just don’t realize it.”

You can find Whychus Health at www.whychus health.com and along South Larch Street between Sisters Veterinary Clinic and Stellar Realty. It’s Suite B inside the building at 382 E. Hood Ave.

Alex and Robyn Lopez

Author and illustrator Dennis McGregor will share “You Stole My Name Tools” in a storytime event at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters. PHOTO

Storytime event set

Local artist/author Dennis McGregor will present his newest book, “You Stole My Name Tools,” at Storytime with Sloth at Paulina Springs Books on Saturday, February 8 a.m. at 10 a.m., Storytime events feature books and songs and coloring time every Saturday at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to all. Kids of all ages are welcome.

In “You Stole My Name Tools,” readers meet nature’s most fascinating animals — and the everyday tools that share their names — in this third picture book from the acclaimed series full of vibrant, hand-painted

illustrations. Why is the crowbar named after the crow? A “children’s coffee-table art book” for all ages, “You Stole My Name Tools” also offers clever, funny verses for parents and children to read and enjoy together.

Dennis McGregor is an illustrator, designer, songwriter, and musician. On a piece of land near Sisters, McGregor seeks a perfect balance between music, painting, and working the land. The pond he’s been digging by hand for over 10 years is still not finished, but it’s nearly deep enough for diving.

Alpine skiers take first in race

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws Alpine Ski Team continued their impressive performance, with both the boys and girls taking first place in the team standings in the Giant Slalom held at Willamette Pass on Saturday, February 1.

Fresh snow created soft conditions on the course, and the racers adapted well to the change in surface, and took advantage of the flowing course to post impressive times.

The Sisters girls continued to demonstrate their consistency, especially in the top ranks, with Ella Eby leading the charge with a combined time of 2:01.05. Eby’s victory came from a stellar first run of 1:00.10 and a solid second run of 1:00.95. Close behind Eby was Ava Riehle, who claimed second place with a combined time of 2:01.85, which included the fastest second run of the day at 1:00.12.

Mary Roberts and Tallis Grummer cinched an impressive top-four sweep, as they finished third and fourth with times of 2:03.69 and 2:03.88 respectively. The team’s depth continued to show with Brooke Duey at seventh (2:10.89), Pia Grummer ninth (2:13.07), and Payten Adelt 10th at 2:15. 84.

Lauren Sitz posted a 12th place finish at 2:19.49, and Kiara Martin 14th at 2:20.85. Of Sitz and Martin Coach Natalie Grummer said, “Their comparable run times show the veteran confidence and technical skill both girls have honed over their years on the team.”

Grummer told The Nugget that Nona Smith, Khloe Kohl and Lily Holtsberg, all new to racing this year, continued to gain valuable race experience with increased confidence, and shaved several seconds off their early season times through building solid technique and race line.

On the boys side, Styopa Myagkov finished with an outstanding combined time of 1:53.14, which included the fastest first run of the day at 56.28. The boys also showed their depth with Spencer Tisdel at fifth (2:03.59), and Emerson Backus seventh (2:04.25) to finish in the top 10.

John Berg, Spencer Davis, Ben Hayner, and Cooper Merrill all finished within three seconds of each other, taking eighth through 11th places with times that ranged from 2:04.77 to 2:06.82.

Casey Bennett and Felix Montanez finished 20th and 21st, with almost identical times of 2:16.92 and 2:16.98. Jack Turpen was close behind at 26th (2:24.91), and Carter

Anderson 29th (2:32.66).

Simon Farmer made his debut in his first high school race, coming back from an early season injury, and finished 32nd at 2:46.99 to round out the team’s results.

Grummer said, “All of the boys team’s newer racers have shown tremendous improvement throughout the season as well, marking continued progress at each race.

“What’s particularly exciting is seeing the development across all skill levels,” added Grummer. “From our lead racers to our newest members, everyone is putting in the effort and focus to improve. But beyond that, they have really come together as a team. They’re constantly cheering each other on, helping teammates review course sections, and celebrating each other’s progress. The team’s dedication is evident and the supportive atmosphere has helped everyone push themselves to improve in both their skill on the hill and their approach to training.”

Both teams have placed first at every league race so far, and continue to show they are a force to be reckoned with. They will be back at Willamette Pass on Saturday, February 8, for another Giant Slalom event, hosting Bendarea schools in the Central League in an invitational.

Continued from page 2

our management team that keeps our software working, connects with our passengers, executes our fundraising efforts, manages our website and social media platforms, and organizes our parade entries and farmer’s market booth. And, thank you to our passengers, who continue to inspire me with your life stories and friendship.

It’s goal-setting time of the year, and since STARS has fully fledged as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, last week we adopted our new goals and budget for the 2025 year. I’m looking forward to seeing what new projects and activities this year will bring for STARS. We are constantly seeking ways to help keep Sisters Country residents healthy, one ride at a time.

Christy Corzine Board Chair

Sisters Transportation and Rideshare

s s s

Dark Skies

To the Editor:

Congratulations to Sisters for its recent certification as an International DarkSky Community! This effort to protect our night skies has been an on-going project led by members of the Sisters Astronomy Club and the students in the astronomy program at Sisters High School. Thoughtful night time lighting is an important part of living in our community. I live in town and being able to step out on my porch at night and see the Milky Way always fills me with a sense of wonder. Also, knowing that dark skies help birds and other animals survive makes me feel more connected to the world of nature that we all enjoy.

In today’s world we have many choices for nighttime lighting: motion detectors, shielded lights, bulbs with warmer colors and lower wattage are some of the options. The simplest option, of course, is just to turn those lights off before you go to bed.

I know some people feel safer with their outdoor lights on all night, even if they know those lights could be bothering their neighbors. Having a good relationship with your neighbor, however, could be a safer option as

they may be more willing to report something they have seen or heard that you might want to know about.

Achieving DarkSky certification is a big achievement but that is not the end goal. It’s an ongoing educational project and one that simply boils down to being respectful of neighbors and the natural world we all love.

Paul Bennett

s s s

Helping families

To the Editor:

With the utmost gratitude, the Furry Friends Foundation team would like to sincerely thank the 100 Women Who Care-Sisters group for their $8,500 donation this past January. Funds will be used to purchase pet food and supplies for our pet food bank and to increase the number of free spay/neuter surgeries we are able to offer. Fundraising is always a challenge and the donation from 100 WWC-Sisters couldn’t have come at a better time as we are accepting new clients weekly. Though much of our pet food is donated we purchase the majority of the 2.5-plus tons of pet food that is distributed monthly. We at Furry Friends Foundation are honored to receive this award in a community full of other wonderful nonprofit service organizations. With this generous donation from 100 WWC-Sisters we are able to continue our work to help low-income families, families in financial difficulty, and seniors living on fixed incomes.

Kiki Dolson & the Furry Friends Team

s s s

Do better on housing

To the Editor:

So, the median income for Central Oregon is $84,000 (not fact checked). That works out to $43.75 an hour. Judy Fuentes, a local worker ( The Nugget, Letters to the Editor, January 29), makes $58,000. That would be $30.21 an hour. I seriously doubt that is what our average Sisters food service worker, store clerk, office worker, etc. makes.

And yet...the city council has decided to use a SDC deferral system, that would allow developers to include “workforce housing,”

Local poet celebrates book with reading

Local poet Alexi Byrnes will celebrate her new collection of poems “A Dirtbag Love Letter” with a reading at Paulina Springs Books on Thursday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m.

“A Dirtbag Love Letter” is this author’s second selfpublished collection of poetry and prose poetry. Following the fast-paced life and travels of a multi-day river guide, it shows the romance of the seasonal work lifestyle in all its ups and downs through each river and location from the time of leaving to the time of returning. Told through poetry it is a glimpse into the rich microculture of outdoor guides that reflects the hero’s journey with a modern cowboy twist.

Alexi Byrnes is a Pacific Northwest-born writer currently based in Sisters, Oregon. Known to friends as “Al,” she can often be seen walking her dog around town

or haunting the local coffee shops. An avid outdoors enthusiast and musician, these two worlds are often reflected in her writing, tending to write from a place of inspiration and love of the areas and communities she is part of.

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave. For more info call 541-549-0866 or visit www. paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Poet Alexi Byrnes will offer a reading at Paulina Springs Books.

PHOTO PROVIDED

See LETTERS on page 22

Lady Outlaws move into third place in league

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Lady Outlaws won both their games this past week; a 76-29 win at La Pine against the Hawks on Tuesday, January 28, and three days later a decisive 55-37 win at home against Harrisburg.

On Friday the Outlaws matched up against the Harrisburg Eagles; they lost to the same team in overtime in the first game of league play. Sisters came out determined, focused, and ready to play this time around. Maddie Durham scored back-to-back threes to get the Outlaws started. Audrey Corcoran put up eight points in the quarter, and at the end of the first period Sisters was on top 17-11. Harrisburg’s top player, Macie Dame, scored all of the Eagles’ 11 points. Harrisburg downed a three to start the second quarter, but from there the Outlaws put up six straight points and took a 23-16 lead. The Outlaws went on a three-and-a-half-minute scoring drought before Paityn Cotner grabbed an offensive board and put it back up for two. Durham hit another three to highlight the final two minutes and the Outlaws headed into the half up by 12.

Coach Paul Patton said, “At the half we talked about being a little more aggressive with our help on Dame, who they set a lot of on-ball screens for. On offense we agreed to be more intentional with our actions against their zone defense and not to just settle for the first long range shot we got.”

The Outlaws came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. Jorja Christianson hit a jumper to start the scoring and the Outlaws went on a 7-0 scoring run. Verbena Brent made a lay up, followed by

a baseline three-pointer later in the quarter, and Corcoran closed out the period with a lay up and baseline long ball to give the Outlaws a commanding 47-24 lead at the end of the third.

Sisters had the game well in hand in the final quarter and everyone on the bench got some time on the court.

The Outlaws won by 18, and with the victory moved into third place in the league standings.

Corcoran scored 22; Durham, 12; Brent, 11; Christianson scored four; and Shae Wyland added four points, several rebounds and blocked shots.

Patton said, “This was a must-win game for us if we wanted to keep our playoff hopes alive. After our overtime heartbreaker to these guys the first time we played them we could not afford to let them beat us again. I was proud of the girls for how they responded to the pressure, not getting tight or tentative, but playing controlled and confident.

“I was especially pleased with the defensive effort which was keyed by Verbena and Paityn taking turns locking on their best player. Dame only scored two baskets in the second half. Audrey was outstanding for us as well, taking smart shots and converting steals into fast break lay ins.”

Three days earlier the Lady Outlaws defeated the La Pine Hawks, with a final score of 76-29. The contest marked the end of the first round of league.

The Outlaws dominated play from start to finish. All 12 girls on the roster got into the game, eight of them contributed in the scoring spree, and all contributed in the win.

Sisters was scheduled to play at Creswell (No. 2 in league) on Tuesday.

BANNER:

Donations for project are taxdeductible

Continued from page 3

providing volunteer support. SHS staff Bethany Gunnarson, Susie Seaney, and Katie Arends are coordinating banner production, senior photo collection, and in-school display, respectively. Explore Sisters is handling downtown display

timing, and the City’s Public Works team will guide banner installation and takedown. New this year –Sisters High School seniors are leading the banner design process.

“This project is such a heart-warming conclusion to our kids’ academic journey in Sisters,” said Sitz. “We love seeing the community come together for it each year.”

The project is not exclusive to students attending

Sisters High School. Sistersarea graduating seniors who are homeschooled or attend other institutions are also invited to participate, and can request inclusion by emailing C4C at director@ citizens4community.com. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.citizens4community. com/banners, or by mailing a check to PO Box 2193, Sisters, OR, 97759 (please write “Banner Project” on the memo line).

STARS volunteers get emergency first-aid, CPR training

Northwest Emergency Medical Training, led by owner and instructor Tracy Trotter in partnership with instructor Dr. Bradley Rethwill, provided a lifesaving CPR and First Aid course to 13 dedicated volunteers from STARS (Sisters Transportation and Ride Share) on January 29, at The Canoe Club in Sisters. The instruction aimed to equip volunteers with essential life-saving skills that can make all the difference when assisting the most vulnerable members of the community.

STARS volunteers play a vital role in the local area by providing transportation to those who may be elderly, disabled, or otherwise in need of assistance. Recognizing the critical nature of the service they provide, Trotter saw an opportunity to give back by offering training to help STARS volunteers better respond to potential medical emergencies while on the road.

“STARS volunteers are the lifeline for many individuals in our community, and it’s essential they are prepared for any medical situation that may arise during transportation,” said Trotter. “By providing CPR and First Aid training, we are empowering these volunteers to not only recognize the signs of

a medical emergency but to act swiftly and appropriately to save lives.”

The training session included CPR for adults, children, and infants, as well as basic First Aid techniques such as how to treat choking, bleeding, and other common emergencies. Volunteers gained hands-on experience in a supportive and professional environment, ensuring they leave the course with the confidence and knowledge needed to handle emergencies if they occur.

“The safety of our riders is always our top priority, and the CPR/First Aid training offered by Tracy and Northwest Emergency Medical Training is an invaluable resource,” said a representative from STARS. “We are deeply grateful for this donation, which enhances our ability to protect and care for those who rely on our services.”

STARS, a nonprofit organization, provides essential transportation to residents of Sisters and surrounding areas who may otherwise have limited access to medical appointments, shopping, and other essential services. Their volunteers are vital in ensuring the community’s most vulnerable populations remain connected and

supported. For more information about Northwest Emergency

Medical Training and their courses, visit www.nwmedicaltraining.com. For more

information about STARS and the services they provide, visit www.starsride.org.

STARS volunteers, who provide transportation services to people in need of assistance in Sisters, undertook First Aid and CPR training last week in Sisters.

A NNOUNCEMENT S

Habitat rif t Store

Temporar y Closure

Sisters Habitat for Humanity will temporarily close the rif t Store at 211 E . Cascade Ave until Monday, Februar y 10, to make store improvement s. Storewide inventory-reduction sale is happening now Donation intake is halted now until Tuesday, Februar y 11. Sisters Habit at appreciates the community’s support and regrets the interruption to the public

Hunter Education Class Starts Februar y 11, 2025 . Register online at www.odf w.com. For more information call Rick Cole at 541-420 -6934.

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, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunche s take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367

Sisters Garden Club

Monthly Meeting

Sisters Garden Club invites the Public to our monthly meeting on Saturday, Februar y 8 . Join us for a presentation by Mimi Schaefer, President of the Sisters Communit y Garden. She will share with us the beneﬁts of communit y gardening. e meeting is at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. Mckenzie Hwy e meeting starts at 10 a .m. with doors opening at 9:30.

Sisters French Club

For people interested in French culture and language, Sisters French Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m . at e Barn, 171 E . Main Ave. All levels are welcome. For more information, visit Facebook @SistersFrenchClub.

SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS

“Know Romance” this February with Deschutes Public Librar y Music of the Romantic Era: Learn about Romantic Era music f rom the 19th century with a local conductor and professor. is interactive lecture will explore why the term “Romantic” has been consistentl y applied to this music . Saturday, Februar y 8 at 2 p.m.

Self-Love Intention Setting Workshop How do you show yourself love? Reignite your passion for taking care of you by joining Kaija Marshall for a special intention setting and candle-making workshop. Registration required. Sunday, Februar y 9 at 10:30 a.m. Both lectures held at Sisters Librar y, 110 N Cedar St.

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 to 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.

e Peaceful Presence

Projec t Connection Cafés

Communit y members will come together at weekly “Connection Cafés” for supportive dialogue around personal experiences with illness , death, and grief ese gathering spaces provide compassionate human contact and ensure that people’s health-related social needs are being addressed proactively e Sisters Connection Cafés will meet Wednesdays through February 26, f rom 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Sisters Library. Participants may attend one café or all ere is no charge, and all are welcome. Info: 541-293-8636.

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 and volunteer to keep Sisters healthy one ride at a time.

Free Weekly Meal Service

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

ree Sisters Historical Society Fireside Presentation

Dr. L arr y Len Peterson will be returning as the ree Sisters Historical Society’s presenter for the Sunday, Februar y 23, 2 p.m. engagement at the Fire Station’s Communit y Hall. Dr. Peterson, renowne d Russell biographer, will present the life and art of the West’s greatest artist, Charles M . Russell (18641926). Dr. Peterson is the past chairman of the Russell Museum board of directors in Great Falls MT, and recipient of the Charles M . Russell Heritage Award . A s a bonus, Jim Cornelius will open with an Old West tune “ e Gift” by Ian Tyson about Charles Russell. Ticket s are $10 (free to TSHS members) and available at the door.

Weekly Food Pantr y Changes

Wellhouse Food Pantr y has a new name: CORE Market . It is still located at 222 N . Trinity Way in Sisters . Market hours are now Mondays , f rom 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-588-2332.

Central Oregon Federated Republican Meeting COFRW (Central Oregon Federated Republican Women) meet s the ﬁrst ursday of every month f rom 10:45 a.m. (registration) to 1 p.m. at Aspen Lakes Golf Club in Sisters. Come learn f rom guest speakers, and hear and question local and state candidates. Meetings include lunch for $27. RSVP required to attend. Learn more about upcoming meetings and speakers, and RSVP at COFRWBend@gmail.com

STAR S 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

e Science of Managing Transitions workshop e times they are a-changin’…are you ready? Join Citizens4Communit y and Happy Brain Science for a free work shop, hosted by High Camp Taphouse, on how to use science to more e ectively manage transitions .Wednesday, February 12, f rom 5:30 to 7 p.m . at High Camp Taphouse, 523 US-20 , Sisters . Open to the public but registration is required . Go to https:// citizens4community.com/ events/let s-learn-feb-25

PET OF

THE WEEK

Humane Societ y of Central Oregon 541-382-3537

TIBBAR

Meet Tibbar! is rabbit is ready to ﬁnd her forever home! Tibbar will enjoy an adopter who can give her attention and cuddles. Her sweet personalit y will shine in her new home as she scampers around and plays with her toys . If you’re ready to welcome Tibbar into your home, stop by the shelter today!

— SPONSORED BY —

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

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 41-977-5559;

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

5 p.m. Sunday 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

Exploring the science behind your golf swing

By Christine Coffin OSU Cascades

Oregon State University – Cascades will host a presentation on March 19 that explores the connection between body movement and the efficiency of a golfer’s swing.

Peter Schrey, a physical therapist and clinical assistant professor in OSUCascades’ Doctor of Physical Therapy program, will share the Titleist Performance Institute’s (TPI) foundational biomechanical concepts and how they can help improve your swing, help you avoid injury, and understand when to seek treatment.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bend Golf Club at 61045 Country Club Drive in Bend. The event is free, but registration is required. Complimentary appetizers will be available and there will be a no-host bar serving beer and wine.

TPI is an organization dedicated to the study of how the human body performs in relation to the golf swing.

Schrey’s physical therapy career has been devoted to orthopedics and sports therapy. He is certified in orthopedics and strength and conditioning, and has volunteered with sports medicine teams that supported athletes during U.S. Olympic Trials and at world athletic championships. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University.

Schrey will be joined by alumni of OSU-Cascades’ Doctorate of Physical Therapy program who practice physical therapy in Bend. Michael Hernandez is coowner of PhysioFIT and certified by TPI. Loryn Studer works at Academy West and focuses on breathing and performance. Caitlin Sears works at Therapy Works and specializes in back pain and yoga.

The event is supported with a gift from C.A. Cosgrove.

To register for the event, visit beav.es/TPI-golf.

FIREFIGHTERS:

to structure protection in Pacific Palisades, where they patrolled looking for hot spots, prepped homes for defense in the event of a flare up as winds kicked up, and occasionally made runs to deliver hose where it was needed.

Maxon continually monitored weather trends and micro-climates, communicating to other firefighters to maintain situational awareness.

Some of the work was undertaken on a see-a-need/ fill-a-need basis. When the municipal water system was turned back on, burnt-over sprinkler systems began to geyser all around the neighborhood they patrolled. So, the firefighters stepped in to turn them off.

“If there’s something that needs to be done, we’re going to get after it,” Craig said.

The firefighters were grateful that they were not part of search efforts that turned up human remains of those who did not make it out of the fire.

The Sisters firefighters’ primary area of responsibility was an island of homes in Palisades Country Estates that escaped destruction, probably largely thanks to topography. They patrolled for hotspots, as the Santa Ana winds that had driven the fires returned.

The fire’s extreme destructiveness was driven by extremely high winds, hitting 80-100 miles per hour. Craig said that firefighters on the scene initially reported that their hose streams just turned to mist as the winds dispersed the water, making it virtually impossible to effectively fight the roaring progress of the blaze. Humidity dropped to 4 percent at night.

Seeing the vast scope of the destruction first-hand had

Firefighter Brian Maxon and Deputy Chief Tim Craig on site in Pacific Palisades, California, where they served on an Oregon fire taskforce.

an impact.

“We drove through a lot of it daily,” Duda said.

“It was surreal, honestly,”

Craig said. “It goes from being a news story that’s a long ways away to something very personal once you see it.”

He noted that he spoke to a man who had lost his home. The man told him that after years of fragmentation, Los Angeles was really coming together as a community in the face of the catastrophe.

Duda said that he was struck by how rapidly the disaster came down on residents.

“People bailed out of their cars,” he said. “It was bad enough that they would jump out and make a run for it.”

Maxon concurred. He was left in awe of “just the absolute power that woodland fire has. It can start in the blink of an eye and destroy a whole community.”

Lessons for Sisters

The Sisters firefighters were quick to note that Los Angeles, California, and Sisters, Oregon, are not really comparable. The fuels and the topography are very different.

“We can’t draw direct parallels with this incident,”

Craig said.

Nevertheless, some lessons can be taken, especially when it comes to defensible space and the hardening of homes. In a conflagration, the homes that have a chance of survival are the ones where residents have reduced fuels around them and where

vulnerabilities on the home itself are addressed.

“I drive around my neighborhood and see all kinds of areas for improvement,” Craig said.

Duda noted that people who live in town should not be complacent about fire safety.

“The area of greatest destruction was truly an urban conflagration,” he said. “It wasn’t a wildfire. It’s not about living on the fringe. Everybody needs to harden their homes.”

In Sisters, we’re accustomed to wildfire moving from the surrounding forest toward subdivisions and town, usually with a reasonably long period of alert before evacuation. That may not always be the case. A fire could start at the edge of town and, if driven by wind, be into neighborhoods in minutes, forcing immediate evacuations. Or, a fire could start in town under windy conditions, and spread with dangerous speed.

“A fire that starts in town — that’s an immediate threat to life,” Duda noted.

The Sisters firefighters were gone a total of 18 days, on a detail that all considered an exceptional professional and personal experience that they will continue to carry with them as they work to protect Sisters Country.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District can offer residential fire risk assessment. Contact the fire district at 541-549-0771 for more information.

VALE NTIN E’S DAY SPEC IAL!

541-54499-1963 www

Friday, Februar y 14 y PR IME RI B FOR TWO 12 OZ. PR IME RI BS, SI DE S, AN D SPARKLI NG W IN E! ON LY $50* *Or other beverage of equal or lesser value

541-549-1963 | www.threecreeksbrewpub.com

721 S. Desperado Ct., Sisters HOU R S: OPE N DA ILY 12–8 PM

SISTERS-AREA

WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 5

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 • FEBRUARY 6

Paulina Springs Books Author reading: Alexi Byrnes presents "A Dirtbag Love Letter," a collection of poetry and prose that reads as a travel diary in all its mysticism and magic of the outdoors. 6:30 p.m. More info: www.PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.

FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 7

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

SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 9

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 • FEBRUARY 12

The Belfr y Soundbath A 75-minute sound immersion. Activate your heart chakra to cultivate love and compassion. 6 p.m. Donation-based. Info: www.belfryevents.com.

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, FEBRUARY 13

Luckey's Woodsman Trivia: Megan's Terriﬁc Trivia — Valentines Themed 5:30 p.m. Info: luckeyswoodsman.com. The Belfr y Live Music: Andrew Marlin Stringband Marlin is an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Presented by SFF Presents, sffpresents.org/concerts. SOLDOUT!

FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 14

Flying Horse Gallery Paint Your Date 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sit across from whomever you want to bring and paint them. Tickets more info at: www.ﬂyinghorsegallery.com/calendar

The Belfr y Live Music: Smoke Drifters and Blackstrap A local Valentines throwdown! 7 p.m. Tickets: bendticket.com.

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

SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 15

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.

SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 16

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. Paulina Springs Books Creative Writing Playshop "Images That Shimmy & Shake" with Krayna Castelbaum, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Excellent for seasoned and ﬂedgling writers. Reservation details and more info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 19

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 • FEBRUARY 21

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

We’re all on team America

By Steve Woodside Columnist

For the first time in my life, I have no preferred team competing in this years Super Bowl. I have become like most spectators from cities outside of the two final teams –Philadelphia and Kansas City (Missouri not Kansas) – simply hoping for a good game. The Philadelphia Eagles are an exciting team, and they seem to blend both a strong running game with a dual threat quarterback who is dangerous every time the football is in his hands. However, the Philadelphia Eagles fans are simply the worst in the world, and while they will riot and overwhelm most parts of Pennsylvania should they win or lose, I have no interest in seeing them turn vehicles over and light them on fire with the joy of victory in their hearts.

The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, hold a small piece in my heart because unlike the Washington Redskins or the Cleveland Indians from Major League Baseball, they refused to change their nickname, mascot, or war cry to accommodate a handful of sensitive, white, female, progressives that would never watch a sports ball activity. That said, the Chiefs, their coach, and a handful of players, have become omnipresent, featured on every other television commercial, or podcast. They remind me of a number one pop song that is no longer an ear worm but now just makes you roll your eyes when you hear it. Nothing about the team feels organic including the hot, hot, hot relationship between pop star Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs star — but aging — receiver. It is nice, admittedly, to see Ms. Swift finally dating someone taller and more masculine than her, however.

Political elections used

to be the way we view athletics. We have our team, we root for them, and when the competition is over, we go back to our normal life. Mostly, we are thankful for the end of the political campaign commercials that play on every radio and television show. But more and more, political campaigns are 365 days, 24 hours, seven days a week, and they have become more brutal than a 1980s NFL football game, and no one is taking off their team’s jersey at the end of the season. Political combatants are not looking for the tackle, they are looking to injure the other side. Because of social media and engagement farming, any event is fodder for a political attack. Journalists, political operatives, and random keyboard warriors looking for followers participate in this mean-spirited, often wrong, type of posting on various social media platforms. By the time this publishes, we may know more about the Wednesday collision of a Black Hawk helicopter and a regional jet carrying 64 passengers and crew, but within minutes of the accident, established journalists were linking the crash to a Trump policy on air traffic control hiring. The next morning, President Trump laid blame for the crash on unqualified FAA employees. This, before all the passengers have been pulled from their watery grave.

We live in troubled times, that are amplified by social media and dishonest actors, and we are governed by unserious politicians who spend more time grandstanding in front of the cameras than pursuing any meaningful policy work. Our only common thread it seems these days is that we are all Americans, and as Americans we should be rooting for the success of our country, and the prosperity for all who live here regardless of who occupies the White House. Not just rooting, but demanding these things.

The ethnic cocktail that was needed to make me is enough to make a Long Island Ice Tea blush, but every day I put on my United States of America jersey, and I do everything possible so that my country can win. When we suffer a loss, I take a knee and pray for those impacted without first trying to lay blame on responsible parties. Within the season, there will be time to develop an afteraction review, but that time is not while people are still working to recover bodies. Because of my faith, there are some policies and politicians that I will never support, but I will do it prayerfully and not maliciously, because these people are my teammates not my adversaries. I wish we could all adopt the same principles going forward.

CHANGE: Sisters workshop is free of charge

Continued from page 3

transitions, even though most of us are only aware of two of them.

• Why optimism during change is essential, but risky.

• Practical tools and techniques to boost your wellbeing, so that you can be as innovative and productive as possible.

The organizers encourage people to attend so they can leave with new connections, and new practical techniques for dealing with change.

The session is free, but registration is required; this event is first-come, firstserved. For more details and to register, visit www. citizens4community.com/ events. Free non-alcoholic drinks and appetizers will be provided; alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

“Most of my clients are experiencing ‘change fatigue,’ but science can help us cope with change more effectively,” said Crabtree.

“This workshop is focused on helping people nurture well-being and helping people discover the innovation and growth that can come in times of change.”

Happy Brain Science has delivered this session to Google, Intel, many

branches of both Federal and Oregon State Government, the Alaska Department of Health, and several other businesses and nonprofit organizations. C4C and Happy Brain Science are happy to be able to offer it for free to Sisters Country as part of C4C’s Let’s Learn series.

Kellen Klein, executive director of C4C, said, “Our Let’s Learn series is designed to not only bring Sisters Country people together, it’s also designed to help build capacity for local leaders and community members. We know Sisters Country has been dealing with a lot of change, and we want to help.” A caregiver reimbursement stipend is available for parents and caregivers in attendance. Interpretation services are available upon request. Please email director@ citizens4community.com at least one week before the event to request. Need a ride to the event? Contact Klein through www.citizens4 community.com and they will help you find one. For more information about Happy Brain Science or to contact Scott Crabtree, visit www. HappyBrainScience.com. For more information about C4C, visit www. citizens4community.org or contact Kellen Klein by email at director@ citizens4community.com.

Sisters Dental

When we have a dental issue, we want it taken care of quickly. Nobody wants to make repeat visits to the dentist office if they can avoid it. Sisters Dental has taken a big step in eliminating those multiple visits. They have brought lab services on site that make it possible for them to deliver same-day dental crowns.

That’s great news for everybody — patients and staff alike. Same day crowns eliminate the need for temporaries, and eliminates the need to use the gooey impression material that everybody hates to have in their mouth. Same day crowns make the use of both patients’ and staff’s time much more efficiently. And doing the work in-house enables better quality control and accurate fitting.

For Dr. Trevor Frideres, the new service makes for better care for patients. There are fewer injections, and less anxiety for the patient — and being able to offer same day service means that Sisters Dental can serve folks who are in the community temporarily. A Pacific Crest Trail hiker who has a dental emergency, or someone visiting relatives in Sisters, can get a crown when they need it, immediately, without having to alter their travel plans or wait till they get home to take care of the issue.

FOCUS on Health

Hamsa Healing Arts

Jeri Teresa pulls together a variety of different modalities to help her clients overcome limitations they may be experiencing around the connection of their self and their body. Sometimes we find ourselves stuck because our mind and spirit and our bodies seem to be in conflict with each other. We want to get in shape, but our bodies resist getting going. We want to get out and be more social and have more friends, but we can’t seem to get out and connect with people.

Hamsa Healing Arts offers massage to quiet and relax the nervous system. Tarot reading offers insight into where we are in our journey and what may be impeding our path; somatic coaching helps us get in touch with the wisdom of the body, understanding how our bodies relate to our emotions and behaviors. She also works with clients to establish and maintain boundaries.

“All of their wisdom is inside of their bodies,” Jeri says.

Together, the modalities at Hamsa Healing Arts can help people find greater self-awareness, reduce their stress and anxiety, become more confident and get out of their own way in achieving a true sense of health and well-being.

Partners In Care

Volunteers are critical to the mission of Partners In Care, the largest provider of home health, palliative care, and hospice services in Central Oregon.

Volunteer Coordinator Glenda Lantis notes that 200 active volunteers work across a wide range of Partners In Care’s services.

Some volunteers work in the hospice program, visiting patients in their homes; others visit to provide respite for family caregivers. A crew of volunteers does light yard work and clean-up for hospice patients who can’t do it themselves or afford to have it done commercially.

Some work in Hospice House — including musicians who play quiet music and singers who offer therapeutic singing at the bedside. Others serve as greeters or a friendly ear when a family member just needs to talk.

Transitions volunteers deliver medications and supplies.

“We find the volunteers who come to us, they come with a real sense of purpose and a feeling of wanting to give back at the end of life,” Lantis says.

Volunteers find the work deeply rewarding and many have been in place for many years.

Trevor Frideres, D M D Kellie Kawasaki, D.M.D.

THE DANGERS OF SLEEP AIDS

By Ashlee Francis

The other night, I got into bed feeling completely exhausted. My entire body was drained, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Unfortunately, the moment my head hit the pillow, I was sleepless...

Nothing I did helped me sleep. This went on for days before I decided to use the assistance of a sleep aid. I did this for several days, but it stopped helping, so I sought out the help of a doctor and walked away with a prescription for something stronger. This medication provided temporary relief, but the long-term use would not be beneficial, and could have been detrimental to my health.

Sleep disorders affect many individuals, leading to increased reliance on sleep aids. Are these helping us sleep more soundly or are we just doing more damage to our sleep hygiene?

One of the primary concerns with sleep aids is they alter the natural sleep cycle, affecting sleep quality. While they help individuals fall asleep faster, they can disrupt REM (rapid eye movement) and deep sleep stages, crucial for restorative sleep. This disruption can lead to feelings of grogginess and fatigue upon waking, as the body has not undergone a full restorative sleep cycle. The REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep is crucial for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Here’s how sleep

aids impact REM sleep:

• Reduction in REM Sleep Duration: Many sleep aids, particularly benzodiazepines and certain over-the-counter medications, tend to suppress REM sleep. This suppression can lead to a shorter duration of REM periods throughout the night, which can impair memory consolidation and emotional processing.

• Alteration of Sleep Architecture: A healthy sleep cycle includes multiple stages, with REM sleep occurring approximately every 90 minutes. Sleep aids may alter this cycle, leading to fragmented sleep and less time spent in REM.

• Potential Long-term Consequences: Prolonged use of sleep aids that affect REM sleep can lead to cognitive deficits, mood disturbances, and decreased overall sleep quality. This can create a cycle where individuals feel the need to rely on sleep aids even more, further disrupting their natural sleep patterns.

Many sleep medications come with various side effects, including dizziness, confusion, and impaired

coordination. These side effects pose risks, especially for older adults, who may be more susceptible to falls and accidents. Additionally, some sleep aids can cause next-day drowsiness, impacting daily functioning and productivity.

Relying on sleep aids can mask underlying issues contributing to sleep disturbances, such as anxiety, depression, or poor lifestyle habits. Addressing these root causes through therapy, lifestyle changes, or natural remedies may provide more sustainable and effective solutions for improving sleep.

In summary, while sleep aids may provide immediate relief from insomnia, their impact on REM sleep can have significant negative consequences for mental and emotional health. It’s essential to consider these factors when using sleep aids and explore alternative methods for achieving restorative sleep.

Next week, we will discover ways of creating your own bedtime routine for ultimate sleep hygiene.

FOCUS on Health

Shibui Spa

People in Sisters have come to recognize that time spent at the spa is not an indulgence — it is a vital link on a healthy way of life. For decades now, Shibui Spa has been a leader in the community in encouraging locals and visitors alike to invest in their health and well-being.

Massage treatment relieves the stress that can be so deleterious to health, promotes muscle relaxation and improves circulation. Time in an indoor hot tub is restorative, rejuvenating body and mind. Even treatments that we think of as aesthetic have health benefits, improving skin condition and enriching with nutrients — while making us feel better about ourselves. That’s not an insignificant aspect of well-being: when you look your best, you tend to feel your best.

Shibui recommends facials every four to six weeks, and a massage a month to “reset.”

Treatments promote detoxification and natural healing balance that comes from within.

Shibui offers a range of quality products to take home, from massage rubs to foot creams, to help you maintain yourself between visits to this healing headquarters of well-being in Sisters.

• Wellness Lounge with Infrared Saunas, Water Massage, Compression Boots, Red L ight Therapy

• Salt Water Lap Pool & Hot Tub

• 38 Classes Per Week

• Or thopedic Physical Therapy

• Board-Certified, Fellowship Trained

• Specializing in complex cases

• Get back to your active life

Uhan Performance

Joe Uhan thinks of himself as a family practice orthopedic practitioner. A family practice doctor gets to know clients over time, to know their individual needs, their sensitivity, their history — and that’s what Uhan does with his clients.

“I get to know their bodies, their history — they have low-back history, so they don’t like this certain thing, they need to do that thing,” he says.

As a family practice orthopedic practitioner, Uhan can act as a go-to resource for someone who is fine but suffers a fall or a low-back sprain. Not only can they get in quickly, they’re also seeing someone who really knows them and their needs and history.

Uhan is committed to constantly refining his clinical practice with continual education and training. He is a Board -Certified Orthopedic Specialist and a Certified Functional Manual Therapist. He is also fellowship-trained.

Continual education at an elite level is part of Uhan’s commitment to excellence, a commitment to providing elitelevel care right here in Sisters — for everyone, from youths to seniors and everyone in between.

SISTERS ATHLE TIC CLUB

Sisters hletic Club

Make 2025 the year you prioritize your well-being. Sister Athletic Club is here to support your mental and physical health.

Whether you’re looking for the camaraderie of an exercise class or the quiet solitude of swimming laps, the Club has something for everyone. Work with a certified personal trainer to reach your goals. Find mindfulness in a yoga or meditation class, unwind in our Wellness Lounge, or reward yourself with a relaxing soak in the hot tub and steam room. And afterward, enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with friends in our Cafe.

We understand that everyone has different fitness goals, preferences, and budgets, so we’ve created Wellness Your Way membership options. Whether you’re interested in swimming, or fitness classes, or a combination of both, we have a membership that’s right for you. We even have a mid-day, lower priced option.

There are certified and degreed personal trainers on staff to help you determine and meet your fitness goals. Sisters Athletic Club truly offers something for everyone — your way.

This is the year to prioritize your overall health and well-being. You deserve it.

Dog Biscuits

Buckaroo Trail, Sisters

By Matt Van Slyke

A new pediatric therapy clinic is starting an equine therapy program at Pole Creek Ranch. Treehouse Therapies held an open house on January 31 to show what they provide Sisters families.

“At our Pole Creek location, we offer occupational therapy (OT) and behavioral health therapy. Within the next few months, we plan to add physical therapy as well,” said Christen Eby, a pediatric physical therapist and founder and executive director of Treehouse Therapies.

The nonprofit has branched out since opening in Bend in 2013. It counts 25 therapists among a staff of 33 across two clinics in Bend and one each in Redmond, Warm Springs, and Sisters.

“We provide therapy for all kids based on what they need, regardless of insurance or financial limitations,” Eby said.

OT supports children facing challenges in self-care, motor skills, and visual skills. In the main space at Pole Creek, sensory swings hang from the rafters, and soft mats and brightly colored devices promoting balance and gross motor skills dot the rubberized floor. OT also helps with self-regulation and social interactions, which were on Ginger Kretschmer’s mind.

“As a parent, I think I need more resources to suit my son’s wiggly needs. Something local is great, and anything with animals for kids is a nice way for them to connect. I’m trying to help him and myself find peaceful ways to cope with big emotions,” Kretschmer said at the open house.

On Friday, Eby slid open a barn door in the back of the OT room to reveal a horse riding arena.

“Out here, we will do something that we call hippotherapy, which is occupational, physical, speech, or behavioral health therapy using the horse as a treatment. It’s done on horseback. We have the indoor arena here, and we’ll

EQUINE THERAPY coming to Pole Creek Ranch

use the outdoor spaces for that as well,” Eby said.

In the ranch’s stables stood DeeDee, a mustang, and Penny Campell, cofounder and executive director of StirrUp Purpose, partnering to provide the equine experiences beginning in March.

“In hippotherapy, the movement of the horse is the tool of the treatment,” said Campbell, “but we also need volunteers to make it happen.”

Campbell, Eby, and their teams are looking for a few good hippotherapy sidewalkers. They help clients mount and dismount, and walk beside the horse and client during therapy sessions.

“Every single session that we do for hippotherapy requires at least one volunteer, so we are hoping that Sisters will come out strong with volunteers for us,” Eby said.

To volunteer, call StirrUp Purpose at 541-410-0164 or visit stirruppurpose.org.

Those interested in Treehouse Therapies can get started at www. treehousetherapies.com.

is a key TO A HEALTHY WAY OF LIFE

By Jim Cornelius

We all know that it’s eat right, get plenty of sleep and hydration, and exercise regularly in order to maintain optimal health. But the healthiest and fittest among us are still vulnerable to injury or sudden illness. Being prepared is an integral part of a healthand-wellness-oriented way of life.

Many folks in Sisters enjoy getting outside to hike, ski, snowshoe, ride a bike, or play sports. Along with the fun come inevitable spills, scrapes — and sometimes worse. Everyone should have a good first aid kit at home, in their vehicle, and in their pack or on their person when they venture out into field and forest.

Tracy Trotter of Northwest Precision Medical Teams has a background in emergency medical training. He offers some recommendations for a good first aid kit.

“Not all first aid kits are the same,” Trotter says. “You have to think about what purpose this kit is going to serve. Is it an IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) for yourself as you’re hiking, or is this kit going to need to serve a large group?”

Here is a basic breakdown of what every first aid kit should have:

TRAUMA:

• Gauze — roller gauze and 4-by-4-inch.

• Coban (also known as vet wrap).

• Tape — vinyl or cloth.

• Band-aids of assorted sizes.

• Gloves.

• Antiseptic wipes.

• Hand sanitizer.

MEDICAL:

• Bacitracin antibiotic ointment.

• Saline.

• Scissors.

• Heat/ Cold Packs.

• Emergency Blanket.

• Pocket mask.

• Medications such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl.

FOR LARGER KITS such as backpacking, motorcycles, vehicles, or anytime you are going to be far from professional help, also include:

• Sam Splint.

• Triangular bandage.

• Tourniquet.

• Combat gauze.

• Zip Strips (wound closure for deep wounds).

“Many people assume all first aid kits are the same, but that’s far from the case,” Trotter says. “It’s crucial to know what’s in your kit and how to use it effectively.

“Simply owning a first aid kit isn’t enough—knowing how to properly use it is essential. A lot of people purchase one but aren’t familiar with the correct application of its contents. Training is vital for being prepared; it not only helps you understand what to do, but also enables you to recognize when an emergency is unfolding before it escalates. This is where proper training can be the difference between a trip to the ER and something far more tragic.”

Spring Focus…

Through March 31

Bo tox: $12 PER UNIT

C hemical Peel Packages: $50 OFF

Injectables: $100 OFF 2ND SYRINGE

FOCUS on Health

Book your appointment with Darlene Zettergren, APRN Call or text 860-951-5351

392 Main Ave., Ste. 3B, Sisters

Newport Aesthetics

How you see yourself is important to both your mental health and your physical well-being. How you present to the world is not just an aesthetic consideration — it’s part of your overall wellness. Maintaining ourselves as we age is vital to both our psychological and physical well-being.

Newport Aesthetics offers services that help Sisters residents of all ages look and feel their best. Newport Aesthetics offers Botox and other treatments beneficial to both men and women, and younger people value it as much as older clients.

Darlene Zettergren does medical peels for various skin types and conditions. Peels promote cellular turnover and even skin tones. She recommends Skin Medica skin-care products to maintain the treatment benefits and cell rejuvenation.

Zettergren works by appointment and offers individualized treatments.

She builds relationships with her clients (she still has clients in Newport, Rhode Island), knowing their lives, their families, what their needs and issues are.

For Zettergren “her people” are never a number — and she is always striving to stay abreast of new developments in the field that enhance their well-being.

YO U ’RE IN THE RIGHT HANDS !

Green Ridge Physical Therapy & Wellness

Jason Gulley has become one of fewer than 100 worldwide Level 1 Certified Counterstrain Practitioners, joining Greg Zadow in bringing the cutting-edge manual therapy to bear in improving the lives of Sisters clients. Gulley passed a grueling, three-day exam demonstrating mastery of the skill.

Fascial Counterstrain is a gentle, handson technique that works with the connective tissue that holds all the structures in the body together. Fascial Counterstrain can help clients with gastrointestinal issues, nervous system dysfunctions, and chronic pain. It can also work to release inflammation.

Expertise in this technique opens up a range of treatments and the ability to care for patients. Sometimes treatment can be one and done; more typically it can be worked out in 2–5 visits, depending on complexity.

Jason has a strong background in athletics and enjoys the kind of active Central Oregon lifestyle that is important to his clients. He is also certified by the American Physical Therapy Association as a certified orthopedic specialist. He believes that integrating his knowledge of orthopedics with manual therapy has allowed his patients to attain lifelong improvements in health.

Radiant Day Spa

A “spa day” at Radiant Day Spa holds out the promise of the immediate benefits of self-care — improved physical well-being, stress relief, enhanced mindfulness — all wrapped up in one experience. The spa is a warm, welcoming, intimate environment — clean and calm, a refuge from the daily grind and a resource for wellness.

The whole experience is built around centering on the individual. A visit to Radiant Day Spa is a personalized experience.

The range of services is extensive — from several different modalities of massage that can be therapeutic or simply soothing, to a wide range of facial and body treatments to nail care, waxing and sugaring. A full menu of services can be viewed on the website.

Radiant Day Spa also specializes in highest-quality Éminence skin care products. Then staff listens closely to the needs of clients and consults with them on their needs. It’s never about selling a product — it’s always about creating an experience that promotes good health, a centered and confident sense of self, and an overall sense of well-being.

For the LOVE of

running

It’s hard to put your finger, or toe for that matter, onto what factors combine to make the practice of distance running a unique athletic and lifestyle experience, but after conversing with a number of veteran runners, some truths emerged.

A lifelong friend of mine, Mike Bauer, 77, began running in his teens, and is one of the founding members of the Stayton Road Runners in Stayton, Oregon, established in the late 1970’s. Bauer began inviting people to join him for runs Monday-Friday at 6:05 a.m. from the community swimming pool in Stayton that continued for nearly 50 years because of his own love for running.

“Simply put, I can think of no better way to start the day, whether it is on your own or with friends,” he said. “I have friends for life from running together.”

Bauer is a legend in the Stayton area for building community, often with running and walking as a centerpiece.

A local runner who helped establish the Sisters Country Running Club in 2022, Amy Margolis, described her love of running, some of which echoes Bauer.

“I didn’t always love running,” she said. “It was something that gradually grew on me, and over time, it’s become an essential part of who I am. But why do I love it so much? For me, one of the biggest reasons is the people it’s brought into my life.

For non-runners the idea of putting in miles on the trail or the road would in no way conjure up feelings of joy. Those people who have been at the running game for extended periods commonly communicate clear cut experiences of joy, peace, contentment, and happiness from running.

Running has opened up a world of friend-

ships — friendships that I know will last a lifetime. These are the kind of friends who stand by you through your highs and lows, who share in both your happiest moments and your toughest ones. They are there, without question, through it all.

“Running has also given me the chance to explore places I might not have seen otherwise. It’s a unique way to discover the world, one step at a time. But perhaps what I appreciate most is the solitude it offers. In a world that never slows down, running gives me precious time for reflection — time to clear my mind and reconnect with myself. It’s an escape, a break from the hustle, and a way to recharge.

“Running isn’t just a hobby for me anymore; it’s a way of life,” she concluded.

In a time of wireless earbuds becoming virtually a part of the human anatomy, some experts urge people to take to the trail unencumbered with podcasts and music, and instead take in the sights and sounds around you, and let your mind relax and wander as you go through the paces of a run.

“For me, running provides me with the 45 minutes to unplug from everything else and I find myself sort of resetting my mind and settling my soul,” said one runner. “I also notice that I end up having creative

ideas and do some problem solving and decision making when I let go for a while on a run. Sort of active meditation.”

For competitive runners, like former Outlaws running star Iris Powell, who I coached and who is now 36 and running faster than ever in Portland, there is nothing like a hard workout.

“In regards to how running affects my mental well-being, nothing feels better than setting a goal for myself, working hard, and then accomplishing the goal,” she said.

“For instance, my weekly track sessions are really hard. I’ve picked a goal (the new goal is currently a sub-18-minute 5k), and without anyone pushing me, training with me, or coaching me, I go to the track presunrise and spill my guts! The suffering is tough, but man oh man, there’s nothing better than that feeling of accomplishment! My early morning track sessions keep me motivated to make good choices, I feel that sense of accomplishment once I’ve finished and I am just a happier person in general.”

The act of distance running has many positive health benefits. The body and mind together. Gaining confidence, feeling you can do anything. Self-care that really works. Serenity. Spirituality. Creativity. Physical fitness. Adventure. Community.

FOCUS on Health

Gilmore Dental

Gilmore Dental is passionate about encouraging folks in Sisters to prioritize our dental health. Too often, we let things go — from cleaning to nagging problems — and pay the price later. We simply don’t put as much urgency on our dental health as we should, because we just don’t want to make the investment.

Dr. Richard Gilmore can tell you that dentistry isn’t expensive; neglect is.

Regular cleaning and addressing any problems early prevents more extensive work down the line, improving health and saving money in the long run. Feeling good about our teeth makes us more confident.

Dr. Gilmore urges people in Sisters to act, just as they would if other aspects of their life needed attending.

If your TV blows up, you are going to get a new one. If you get a nail in your tire, you’re going to fix it. If your medical doctor says you have a disease, you’re going to treat it. That’s the way you should act with your dental health.

Dr. Gilmore urges people to overcome the “dental disconnect” and be proactive about taking good care of their teeth. You’ll be healthier — and everybody benefits from the transformative value of a healthy smile.

Mosaic

Community Health

Mosaic Community Health operates seven pediatric locations in Central Oregon. Six of these sites are school-based health centers (SBHC), including Sisters SBHC (535 N. Reed St.) which opened fall of 2023. SBHCs are independent pediatric healthcare clinics located on or near school grounds. Anyone age 0-18 can be seen at an SBHC: Patients do not need to be students at the school, health insurance is not required, and health care can be established with a different provider. SBHCs offer convenient, accessible healthcare near schools to increase student attendance and help families take less time off work to get children to appointments. And SBHCs collaborate with schools to improve student wellness. In addition to medical and behavioral health care, providers at Mosaic SBHCs emphasize prevention, early intervention, risk reduction, and the development of healthy habits with their young patients.

Mosaic accepts most private or commercial insurance and all local OHP (Medicaid). They offer reduced rates based on a sliding scale to all Mosaic established patients.

Sisters Wellness Collective

“My work is to empower and support you in caring for yourself,” says Dr. Sarah Schantz, founder of Sisters Wellness Collective, where highly experienced professionals in the healing arts serve clients seeking out its welcoming environment and exceptional level of care and compassion.

Acupuncture, lymphatic care, and Pilates are offered, along with physical therapy, Ashiatsu massage, and herbal medicine.

“I had a vision of excellence in each practice when I started Sisters Wellness Collective,” Schantz explains, “and of a beautiful healing space that would feel great for us practitioners — and for the community to experience.”

Providing decongestive therapy for lymphedema and post-operative care, Dr. Schantz is a LANA-Certified Lymphatic Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy.

General clients come to Dr. Schantz to support their overall health and wellness with lymphatic massage and drainage.

Other practitioners include acupuncture and Chinese medicine specialist Dr. Kevin Pett, certified Pilates teacher Ivy Castella, and licensed massage therapist Alexis Mutchler.

Staying strong when illness comes calling

By Katy Yoder

Hearing a scary prognosis or coming down with a debilitating condition that impedes mobility and independence, knocks the breath right out of you. What you do next, who you talk to, and how you respond to bad news will either improve your quality of life or make the situation even harder.

I’m no poster child for always choosing optimism over martyrdom; but I’ve learned when I focus on what’s going right, the bumps and barriers are a little easier to navigate.

Now almost midway through my sixth decade, I’ve had the honor to support loved ones going through tough times. In most cases, they showed me how to handle health challenges — and even dying — with fortitude, and grace, with a deep well of strength that astounds me.

Before I heard my own cancer diagnosis, my grandfather, grandmother, father, uncle, brother-in-law, and cousin all died from the disease. In every case, after accepting the diagnosis and shifting into a get-well gear, they took every advantage of special times with family and friends.

My grandfather was a quiet man, who let my grandmother do most of the talking. Even though I grew up with him, I knew very little about his early years and his side of the family. When he neared the end of his life, he began telling stories, opening up and giving us a chance to know him more fully. For as long as he could, he also kept sailing his beloved boat Symfony with my grandmother

There are some things in life that demand strength, force growth, and will change your perspective about what’s important in life. Starting a family is one. Another is getting seriously ill or injured. In both cases, suddenly the world expands with all kinds of new challenges, worries, and opportunities.

and two dogs, spent time talking to our horses and relaxing in the sunshine.

Later, my father was diagnosed and underwent painful and disfiguring surgery to treat his cancer. Always a dynamo and consummate teacher, Dad continued teaching golf course architecture classes at Harvard and doing design projects for his beloved Black Butte Ranch. He went to the golf course in deep snow with a walker and a determination to finish the redesign of the driving range until he could no longer get around. He kept a positive attitude, ignored the burned skin on his sagging face, and spent time talking with loved ones. Dad didn’t let feeling self-conscious stop him from doing what he loved.

A dear friend, Pat Swift, needed to go to Good Samaritan for surgery and had no one to go with her. I volunteered to be her patient advocate and stayed with her for two weeks until she could come home to Powell Butte. Pat was a rancher who raised Black Angus cattle with her husband Dennis. She was a mentor to me when I rode Morgan horses for show and ranch work. She taught me life lessons when I was a teenager, but in my thirties, she taught me how to handle excruciating pain, breathe through it, and always find the silver lining in every dark cloud. The nurses and doctors loved her stories of wild and woolly antics on the ranch in Oregon and Point Reyes. She shifted her fear and pain into occasional laughter and fond memories from life before her illness.

Most recently my Aunt Annie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She knew it was time to bow out gracefully, and not fight what lay ahead. My mom and I spent weeks at a time with her as the disease slowly took its toll. Through the pain, uncertainty, and eventual ending, she spent time reminiscing with family, playing her ukulele when she was able, and always worrying about how all her caregivers were doing. She accepted her illness with an understanding that she’d lived a blessed life and was ready to meet her God. With her daughter’s help, she always looked beautiful, ate from her best serving plates, and entertained her guests with her usual flair.

Hearing that I had cancer filled me with images of family members and their experiences. The dread hit my stomach with a punch that had me feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. The doctor who called me with the news thought she was being funny when she said, “Well, I have some bad news and some good news. The good news is you’re going to get a boob job, the bad news is, you have breast cancer.” I remember sitting on our couch listening and not believing how or what I was being told.

Getting a call like that threw me into fast, white water with no boat. Suddenly I had little control over what came next. During a writing meditation, I envisioned myself in the cold, quick water trying not to hit sharp rocks or go under and drown. Then I imagined all the friends and family I had to

guide and support me. I saw them standing along the river’s edge cheering me on, giving me directions and throwing things to hold onto. When I was on a gurney heading to my second lumpectomy with bright lights flashing overhead and the sound of the wheels squeaking down the hallway, I remembered that vision of loved ones. When I did chemotherapy, my sister Victoria or my husband Gary came with me. I found strength in their love and support as I felt the metallic taste in my mouth and knew the chemo drugs were flowing into my veins. When I ended treatment with radiation, a dear friend, David Hiller, volunteered to drive me to radiation when my husband or sister couldn’t. His smile, easy conversation, and compassion filled me up and kept me going to the end of the treatment marathon.

and two dogs, spent time talk- Most recently my Aunt Annie guide and support me. I saw

Now when my back goes out, or I have a case of vertigo, a sore neck, or painful TMJ, I compare it all to what’s come before and remember how grateful I am to be alive. I mention this often, but it’s important to repeat the words of a kind, wise man, Jeff Lake. “When you’re going through the hardest things, watch for the blessings.” That’s what I do, and I think that’s what my family members did too. There are always angels around us… yes, there are also idiots, but why focus on them? While there’s breath in my body, I’ll do all I can to see what’s good in every situation. That includes praying for guidance, asking for help and always remembering to say, “Thank you.”

N et freelancer combines or writing and exper tise ellness

Ashlee Francis is a freelance ter and columnist for The et providing health-andellness-related content — and wns and operates Sweat , a Sisters gym offering a el of individual attention.

kg round in the itness industr y and personal experience both as an athlete and with recovering from serious Ashlee has a wealth of insights to bring to bear. She is also a talented writer. She won writing prizes as a student, and was the front page editor for her e newspaper at Westmont e in Santa Barbara, where she studied kinesiology

In 2025, she plans to be a bigger presence in these pages, with ticles offering insights ercise, diet, sleep and other related topics — and a column exploring the life stories s in Sisters Countr y.

Your Story

Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist

Reflections on heritage and immigration MATTERS

My grandmother was 15 when the Nazis invaded Poland. Able-bodied and raised Catholic, her life was spared, but she was nonetheless apprehended, abruptly stripped from family ties, and sent to a forced labor camp where she later escaped and joined the Jewish Underground resistance. She was later recaptured and imprisoned in Germany where she lived out the final years of her adolescence and the remainder of the war.

At the cusp of adulthood, an orphan, and newly married to a handsome U.S. Army general stationed in Germany, my grandmother joined the wave of thousands upon thousands of

other post-war refugees setting foot on Ellis Island and laying eyes on Lady Liberty in 1949. I often wonder how my grandmother persisted through all of it. As I encounter my own trials that seem so very trivial in comparison, I remind myself of the resolve that was passed on so clearly to my mother, and by luck and maybe a few genetic favors, to myself.

My grandmother was an immigrant. She landed in America by a mix of luck and sheer tenacity. She settled with my grandfather in Long Island, New York, slowly gaining fluency in the English language. She raised my mother and uncle. All the way to her death bed, she was a mix of shocking resilience with a presence that could demand the attention of any room — while also being inevitably haunted by her past leading to ways of coping that were both admirable and destructive.

The immigrant story is often complex. And yet, it speaks to one of the most basic and primal urges in evolution and humanity. We are built to move, and movement is part of our survival. Migration and nomadism are entrenched in our generational DNA and our heartbeat for the future. We are built to explore and if it were not for the innate

desires for greater safety, resources, and opportunity, the whole notion of progress is turned upside down. It is the story of indigenous peoples native to this country chasing the path of the buffalo, the virgin settlers fleeing religious persecution across the Atlantic, the pioneers carving uncharted paths across the Rockies homesteading the American West, and the story of my home state of Oregon — the terminus for Lewis and Clark, and the promised land so many traveled so far to reach. Upwards of 30 percent of pioneers on the Oregon Trail did not speak English and the majority were low income.

As we reflect on immigration today — a topic laced with controversy and politics — it is easy to stand on a platform of us (the lucky citizens) versus them (the not so lucky noncitizens). We can over-generalize fears of immigrants bringing crime and economic strain. We can slip into dehumanizing rhetoric or attitudes of pity. We can forget the fragility of our own circumstances and take for granted the ancestral grit and resolve that allowed us such comforts in the first place. Like it or not, our nation was built on the back of immigrants — some here by choice, some here

by force. Accountability and grace can coexist. I so fervently want drug and human trafficking to be stopped. I support a stronger border. I do worry about the limits of our national resources. I want people removed who have brought crime and violence. I also don’t want families ripped apart, I want my friends and patients to feel comfortable going to church and the grocery store, I don’t want to strip the economy of skilled workers, and I do believe that the process to become “legal” is often daunting, cost prohibitive, and needs reforming. A human that happens to be an immigrant is not a monolith. Can we enforce black-andwhite policies on something so very nuanced?

Our capacity for compassion is one of the greatest indicators of health on both a personal and societal level. When this capacity crumbles, we can revert to apathy, anger, or be quick to find a scapegoat for our discontent. My hope is that we can remember the value of decency for our fellow humans seeking something better, reject dehumanization, advocate for fair and humane policies, and take stock of the adversity and immigrant stories so deeply intertwined within our own heritage and greater nation.

LETTERS

Continued from page 6

which would include wages of 150 percent median income. That would be, earning $126,000, or $65.63 an hour!

How is that helping our local workers? We’ll end up with more of what we have — unaffordablity to those that serve our community. Can’t we do better?

Sue Durbin

s s s

Pedestrian safety

To the Editor:

I would like to express my gratitude to the city employees who were responsible for making the sidewalk improvements at the intersections of Brooks Camp Road, North Wheeler Drive, and Arrowleaf Street on McKinney Butte. The improvements help ensure the safe crossing of those intersections with the new signs indicating there are pedestrian crossings. I have a handicap and must use a walker or cane to use those streets. Sometimes people, who are in a hurry to reach a destination, are unaware of pedestrian crossing. So please obey the speed limits and be alert for pedestrian traffic.

Shirley Carmien

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS

The Nugget

N EWS PA PE R ?

Jim and Cathy Nicholson took their Nugget to Burano, Italy Buongiorno!

Mark and Laurie Sauerwein reading The Nugget in front of a small church in Bujumbura, Burundi. They are serving at a Christian mission hospital in Litein, Kenya, but made a trip to Burundi to see the homeland of friends who serve with them in Kenya. The Sauerweins shared that they really enjoy The Nugget and whenever they travel home to Sisters, collect as many back issues as they can ﬁnd to bring back to Kenya to read at their leisure to catch up on the Sisters news and happenings!

Outlaws hold on to second place in league basketball

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws won both their games this past week — a 69-30 victory at La Pine to wrap up the first half of league play, and at home on Friday an exciting fourthquarter 53-46 finish against Harrisburg.

Sisters took control from the start in their contest against the Hawks at La Pine on Tuesday, and quickly jumped to a 10-0 lead in the first two minutes of play. Both Landen Scott and Kale Gardner had a three-pointer in the quarter. Sisters forced the Hawks to turn the ball over seven times in the period which resulted in points for the Outlaws on transition. Sisters scored 12 of their 20 first-quarter points in the paint.

The Outlaws entered the second quarter up by 12 points. Bodie Schar scored Sisters’ first six points of the period; two from the foul line, and two layups. Sisters kept up the pace and outscored the Hawks 17-11, with Schar leading the team with eight points. At the half the Outlaws held a 37-19 advantage.

Sisters had a great third quarter. They forced the Hawks to turn the ball over 10 times and held them to just 14 percent shooting for the period. La Pine did score the first four points of the quarter, but after that the Outlaws held them scoreless for the remainder of the period. Several JV players got in on the action, including Teegan Schwartz and Bauer Ellis, who each scored five points in the quarter. At the end of three Sisters was on top 57-23.

Early in the fourth the starters took the bench. Levi Szesze had a great quarter, and scored six points for the Outlaws.

Coach Chad Rush said, “The Outlaws final points would come with only seconds on the clock when Kolbi Cotner would connect on a free throw to give the game its final score of 69-30.”

Scott scored 21 points,

and had five rebounds and five assists. Schar scored 12 points and Gardner put up nine points and four assists. Szesze scored six points, and five rebounds, and Will McDonnell, Schwartz and Ellis added five points each.

Rush said, “This was a game the Outlaws wanted to come out and take control of early. The team knew the Hawks have struggled to handle pressure this season so the emphasis was to put pressure on the ball handlers and then on a turnover and/ or defensive rebound, get out in transition and score easy points at the rim. I was pleased that we were able to do that this game.

“I was glad to see the second unit come in along with our JV swing players and play so well and in fact keep the momentum going strong during their time on the court,” added Rush. “It was fun to see the players excited for each other.”

On Friday, the Outlaws faced Harrisburg to kick off the second round of league play.

Scott hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc in the first minute of play to get the scoring started. Scott scored the first seven points for the Outlaws, who played with constant motion and dished off great passes throughout the first quarter. With the score tied at 7-7, Gardner grabbed an offensive board and put it back to give the Outlaws a 9-7 lead. The Eagles answered to tie

it once again. With just over one minute left in the first, Gardner went coast-to-coast, drove the middle of the lane through the defense, and scored on a layup to give the Outlaws back the lead at 12-11. Unfortunately, the Eagles hit two free throws and Sisters trailed, 12-13, at the end of the first quarter. Scott had seven of the Outlaws 12 points, and Gardner the other five.

In the first three-and-ahalf minutes of the second quarter the only points scored came from the Eagles who hit a three and Gardner who made one of two attempts from the foul line. From there, McDonnell hit a baseline three to tie it up 16-16. Teams continued to trade baskets, and the score was tied up three more times. With 15 seconds left, Scott grabbed his own rebound and put it back in to give the Outlaws a 27-24 lead as teams headed into the half.

Sisters extended their lead in the third quarter. They went on a 6-0 run which gave them an 11 point advantage. Kieren Labhart scored six points in the quarter, and McDonnell scored five. Gardner hit a long ball for Sisters final points of the quarter and at the end of three the Outlaws were up by nine, 44-35.

The Eagles scored six straight points to start the final quarter and closed the Outlaws lead to four at 45-41. Harrisburg forced several turnovers and converted on the other end, and took a

one point lead at 45-46 with just over three minutes left in the period. Sisters was only able to muster one point in the first six minutes, a freethrow from Scott.

Finally, the tides turned and the Outlaws started to score and finished strong. Scott drove the lane and made a lay up to give Sisters a onepoint edge at 47-46, and then with 1:28 left, Gardner made a great assist in transition to McDonnell for a bucket. Sisters’ final points came from Gardner, who went two-for-two from the foul line, and then converted two technical free throws with 42 seconds left. Sisters held on in the final seconds and won by seven, 53-46.

Scott finished with 16 points, and Gardner followed with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. McDonnell put up 10 points, and Labhart added nine points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Rush said, “Harrisburg is a really tough team to play as they’re so deliberate in their

offense and play a match-up zone that is really good and unlike any other opponent we play. We knew if we could get a run and separate ourselves that they would have a hard time coming back. However, they did just that and took the lead and all of the momentum late in the fourth quarter.

“I was very proud of how the team responded following that adversity,” added Rush. “I believe that it is a sign of the maturity and growth this team and our players have taken this season. We didn’t panic, but rather trusted in ourselves and settled into what we do best, get stops on the defensive end. It was also great to see that we converted five of six free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. I am proud of the team for their grit and trust in the team that they showed during the game, but especially in the fourth quarter.”

Sisters was scheduled to play on the road at Creswell on Tuesday, February 4. They will play on the road at Elmira on Friday, February 7.

Affordability continues to be a challenge

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

In a continuing trend, January was a difficult month for realtors. Only 11 homes sold in Sisters Country. The average price was $912,448 as three of the 11 sold for more than $1 million including one at $2.43 million. If there’s any good news in the picture the median price (a truer gauge of the market) was exactly $700,000, down from December’s $811,000.

Homes in zip code 97759 sell on average at 97.46 percent of their listing price. Sisters Country is considered

GOALS: Citizens helping Council set priorities

Continued from page 1

• Could the development code require a variety of home sizes and designs, to suit varying age levels that includes a community space in one development, rather than the ‘cookie cutter’ look within each development.

• Could Jordan Road be opened as an alternative fire emergency route from Sisters to Highway 126, etc.

Peter Hoover, of Sisters Habitat for Humanity, asked Council to consider reducing minimum lot size when zoning is under consideration within the new Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). He noted land in Sisters is expensive so reducing lot size would reduce developers’ land purchase expense.

Bob Renggi, Board President of Camp Polk Pioneer Cemetery Preservation Committee,

a balanced market which means that the supply and demand of homes are about the same.

Three of the homes sold were new construction.

Inventory remains tight as many desirous sellers are trapped in their home with low mortgage rates, most in the high two or low three percent range. Were they to sell and move to a new home they would be looking at a current 30-year fixed rate of 7.03 percent.

Likewise, most prospective buyers are staying on the sidelines in the face of such rates.

wanted Council to consider putting acreage aside within the new UGB for a city cemetery. Renggi stated that the Camp Polk cemetery is very close to running out of room.

The councilors fielded many questions and goal suggestions while staff directors took notes. The City emailed a two-question survey to residents the week before this event and City Manager Wheeler reported that over 100 replies were received. Visit https:// lp.constantcontactpages. com/sv/cZNfgdO to review the current goals and answer the survey. The survey results and notes from this public event will be gathered for Council’s review before their goal setting workshop on February 20.

When leaving the event, people noted how they appreciated that the Councilors welcomed open discussions with the public, they liked meeting more locals, felt heard, and appreciated hearing differing points of view.

UGB: Committee is helping guide City’s plans

Continued from page 1

including the MMV property in either case (see concepts, page 22, of the October Planning Commission Update at https://www.ci.sisters.or.us/ media/27731).

Chairperson, Therese Kollerer led the UGB-SC meeting held January 30, the fourth in a series. Community Planning Director, Scott Woodford gave a brief history of progress, and consultants Andrew Parish and Matt Hastings presented the current status of the project, including public input results noting UGB expansion concepts one and five rose to the top.

Chairperson Kollerer welcomed public comments which included owners of properties north of Sisters who do not want development near the Trout Creek drainage basin or in Barkley Meadow by Indian Ford Creek, because both flood infrequently and would be better suited as nature preserves.

The McKenzie Meadows Village (MMV) property had not been under consideration by UGB-SC, being designated as a Priority 1 exception area, meaning it should not be considered as it is zoned Forest 2. Hathaway Larson LLP, on behalf of MMV sent a letter to the City and UGB-SC on December 17 noting a rezoning request would be submitted to Deschutes County and why. In late December, Hayden Homes on behalf of MMV, submitted the rezoning request to

Deschutes County for a rural reserve exception status.

Jennifer Kovitz, representing Hayden Homes, asked the UGB-SC to request City Council send a letter to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners prioritizing their review of rezoning MMV property to Urban Reserve, in order to be considered during the current Sisters UGB expansion project.

Director Woodford asked the UGB-SC to determine recommendations to City Council of three possible paths forward in the UGB process: move forward and not consider the MMV property; delay the UGB process and consider the MMV property when and if it is rezoned; move forward and also have MIG consultants study and develop an expansion concept for consideration of the MMV property in case it is rezoned.

UGB-SC member Bill Willitts presented a brief history of his family’s development contributions to Sisters, and shared his concerns over the growing number of unhoused, and the local deficit of workforce housing. He expressed that Hayden Homes, Sisters Habitat for

Humanity, and the Willitts and Tehan families, want to fill these housing gaps expeditiously. Willitts predicted the MMV property would score quite well under the UGB expansion requirements.

The UGB-SC was concerned about the length of time the county would need to review the MMV property zone change request. Woodford noted that a zone change could take from six months to several years. Superintendent of Sisters School District Curtiss Scholl emphasized that half of Sisters School District’s workforce is retiring over the next five years, and prospective hires will need housing options that are affordable in Sisters, thus any delay to the process is concerning.

Mayor Jennifer Letz said, “We had a good discussion within the steering committee and the input during public comment was greatly appreciated. The involvement of the community is definitely helping us create a better UGB plan and improves the possibility of a smoother process when we eventually submit the final package to the state for review and approval.”

Talking Tiramisu

By Maret Pajutee Columnist

In Italian school, they knew a secret about getting our attention. When our eyes begin to glaze over after a long morning of conjugating verbs, our teacher would make a quick pivot. In a snap, the class of mostly 60and 70-year-old Americans were on full alert, as we gratefully turned to learning Italian through talking about food.

Because Americans love Italian food. Maybe everyone loves Italian food. And our school was in Sicily, and somehow Sicily is like Italy on steroids. As the Greek philosopher Plato famously said “Sicilians build things like they will live forever and eat like they will die tomorrow.”

Sicily’s complicated history of invasions created a particularly delicious fusion cuisine. As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily was a popular conquest. Starting in the 10th century BC, the Phoenicians introduced durum wheat used to make fresh pasta and couscous. Their sea salt industry, introduction of grapes, and winemaking expertise helped preserve food and create superior drink. In 8th century BC, the Greeks invaded to acquire more land. They invented Pecorino cheese, made from sheep’s milk and popularized eating octopus and calamari. In 264 BC the Romans showed up with a liking for bread, anchovies, prawns, and oysters. Sicily became the primary supplier of wheat to the Roman Empire and the first rudimentary pizzas were born.

But the greatest influence came in the 800s from the Arabs who introduced

many classics ingredients of Sicilian cooking, including lemons, oranges, pistachios, almonds, pinenuts, rice, saffron, and the first gelato. They even invented dry pasta. And where would Italy be without the coffee bean, which they brought over from Ethiopia.

The coffee culture of Sicily and Italy is almost sacred. In class we translated the many options, like “macchiato” meaning stained with a whisper of milk foam, or “corretto” corrected with a shot of liquor for the morning after. We read pages on the history of “cappuccino” aloud, which was named after the color of the brown robes of Capuchin monks. But the coffee scene moves fast. No lingering over a big cup of Joe. When you order a coffee, it means a small shot of espresso that you generally shoot down standing at the counter. If you’re feeling extravagant, you might have a small cookie or wolf down a pastry in the morning. It takes a few minutes. Repeat several times a day. The small glass of water offered is to cleanse your palate before you drink so the coffee flavor will linger. We studied the history of the classic kitchen tool for making espresso at home, the Moka pot, the steps as ritualized as a launch sequence.

Sicilian breakfasts are small, and baked treats such as “cornettos” (like croissants) are available with a dollop of custard cream, pistachio cream, or jam inside. We learned how to ask for a table, studied menus, and the array of courses. “Antipasti” are appetizers, often plates of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated veggies. “Primi” are the first courses

of pasta or risotto. The “Secondo” is usually grilled fish or meats. “Contorni” offer vegetables or salads. Dessert is “Dolce” with many varieties of ricottafilled cakes or gelato. A final “Digestivo” is a liqueur professed to help digestion after a big meal, with bittersweet concoctions of brandies infused with herbs, citrus peels, flowers, and bark. There is no shame in ordering only one or two courses.

We learned there is a wide world of pesto beyond the Genovese blend of basil, garlic, cheese, and pine nuts. Pesto Siciliano is made of sundried tomatoes, almonds, and olives. Pistachio pesto has lemon peel, cheese, and a few basil leaves. Happy hour might include an assortment of toasted breads smeared with Artichoke pesto or Olive tapenade.

Sicilians are the masters of street food and “Cucina Povera” the cuisine of the poor. The star is Arancini, fried balls of rice filled with cheese, meat ragu, or spinach. The shapes vary from east to west, some pointy eggs, others massive round balls, best made to order. Eat one and you are good to go all day. Chickpea flour pancakes tucked into a roll or fried calamari fill in as well.

A favorite lesson was the different philosophies on making tomato sauce. Tomatoes didn’t arrive in Sicily until Spain invaded in the 1500s, bringing Italy’s favorite fruit as well as potatoes, chocolate, and vanilla. Families would plant their favorite tomato varieties and gather once a year in August for a day of skinning, squishing, cooking, grinding, sieving the luscious sauce, funneling it into every soft drink

and beer bottle saved through the year, then capping with a metal top. Mostly a women’s job, supervised by grandmothers, but men folk helped carry racks of bottles and cap them before sterilizing in a hot water bath.

Our study of Italian continued after class in grocery stores and restaurants. We did advanced studies on pasta. A classic Sicilian dish, Pasta con le Sarde has sardines, pinenuts, raisins, and fennel. Pasta Norma features eggplant, tomatoes, and basil. Pasta alla Trapanese has Sicilian pesto with almonds and tomatoes. There were endless variations of pasta with pistachio cream or pesto adorned with red prawns. A popular Sicilian pasta called “Busiate” was originally formed around grass stems and later knitting needles, making a beautiful spiral shape. Only tourist places offered pizza at noon. Serious pizza restaurants were open only at night and menus had pages of options, including the horrifying “Pizza Americano” topped with hot dogs and French

fries, a favorite of Sicilian children.

Cannoli can now be found all over Italy but are the classic Sicilian treat. Ignore the prefilled shells for a bakery that will fill them fresh with sweetened sheep ricotta and dip the end in pistachios or chocolate chips.

My husband decided he would conduct his own personal Italian food science project by sampling the northern Italian desert, Tiramisu, wherever it was offered. Tiramisu means “pick-me-up” and is generally layers of ladyfinger biscuits soaked in espresso, mascarpone cheese, and chocolate. He developed an increasing complicated rating system. While he found that some Tiramisu is better than others, his rigorous experimentation determined there is no such thing as a bad combination of coffee, mascarpone, and chocolate. And we learned a bit more Italian through the lens of history and a culture that is endlessly fascinating, creating the beautiful flavors of Sicily.

Rod Bonacker, conducting field research.

PHOTO BY MARET PAJUTEE

Wrestlers compete at Albany tourney

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The Outlaws wrestling teams got off to a good start in the new month with strong results, including a runner up spot for the girls’ team at the Tod Surmon/Mid-Valley Classic Wrestling Classic held at West Albany High School Saturday, February 1.

Thurston won the team title, followed by Sisters (94), which was only one of two schools not from the 5A classification in the 15-team field.

Points are awarded through each match so those wrestling in a larger bracket face more matches.

McKenzie Frutos, for example, was only one of three wrestlers in her bracket and after beating both of her opponents, was awarded nine points for first place. On the other hand, Tanner Gibney wrestled three matches, winning two, but earning 18 points.

Kisten Elbek improved her overall record to 23-7 with two wins before losing in the match for first place. Sierra Jaschke notched two wins on her way to second place and moved her season record to 15-8.

Goose Henderson had a strong tournament going 3-1 on her way to third place and Brooklyn Cooper did likewise, working her way through the consolation bracket to place third with

a 17-6 major decision over Ruby Arellano Kennedy of Springfield to complete the scoring for the Outlaws.

Sofia Clark and Ava Stotts also competed at the tournament, both going 0-2.

The boys’ team had its work cut out for it against the schools from the larger classification, but ended up in the top half of the team rankings, placing sixth among the 14 squads.

Podium finishes were tough to come by, but Jozua Miller rose up to third place in the 285-pound class. Miller opened up with a loss, but came back strong to pick up three wins for the third place medal, pinning Quentin Sleeth of Ridgeview in just 1:06.

Tyson Kemp wrestled in six matches in the very competitive 150-pound class, going 4-2 to place fifth.

Carter Van Meter and Zack Kemp also had six matches, both in the 126pound class and ended up wrestling one another in the fifth place final match, which Van Meter won by technical fall in a hard-fought battle, which completed the scoring for the team. Jace Owens and Brennan Frutos also competed but did not score.

Thurston won the team title by a landslide with 254.5 points, scoring in every single weight class. Sisters scored 47 for sixth place, tops among smaller schools in the tournament.

ACADEMY: Program encourages getting involved in community

Continued from page 1

Spanish, and must be submitted by February 28th. No prior leadership experience is necessary to apply.

C4C is also hosting an info session at The Barn on Tuesday, February 11 from 5:15 to 6 p.m., where prospective applicants can chat with program organizers and 2024 Academy alumni.

“Our 2024 Academy was a huge success,” said Kerry Prosser, Sisters’ assistant city manager. “Of the 10 members in our inaugural cohort, seven have already taken on new community leadership roles, including on City Council, City advisory committees, and local nonprofit boards. We’re excited to be bringing the Academy back this year.”

10-12 community members will be selected for the 2025 Academy, with priority given to individuals who are new to civic leadership and live within city limits. The Academy will be facilitated by staff from NPCC, who

have led similar programs in the Cities of Hillsboro and Hermiston. The curriculum focuses on practical skills and knowledge crucial for effective leadership in Sisters Country.

City of Sisters staff will be on hand throughout the Academy to provide participants with an inside look at how the town is run. C4C will take the lead on ensuring a positive and welcoming experience for all participants.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to get more involved in the community,” said Kellen Klein, executive director of C4C. “We’re hoping to attract folks from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and lived experiences. The Academy is designed to be a low-barrier way to take that first step into civic life.”

The 2025 Sisters Civic Leadership Academy is possible thanks to generous support from the City of Sisters, The Ford Family Foundation, and Sisters-based Roundhouse Foundation. For more information about the Academy, visit www. citizens4community.com/ academy or email Kerry Prosser at kprosser@ ci.sisters.or.us.

Obituary

George William Yocom Passed December 3, 2024

George William Yocom passed away at the age of 78.He was well known in the wildland fire community and spent the majority of his life enjoying the outdoors not only through work but through his love of hiking and biking.

There will be a celebration of life April 26 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Lone Pine Legacy Center. RIP George.

Obituaries Policy: The Nugget Newspaper does not charge a fee to publish obituaries. Obituaries may be up to 400 words and include one photo. Obituary submissions must be received by 10 a.m. on Monday to editor@nuggetnews. com or hand delivered to 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters.

PONDEROO: Festival is set for June 28–29 in Sisters

Continued from page 3

cultivated a devoted following over the decades, keeping the band in high demand at venues and festivals worldwide. For the past several years, Ezra Lipp has held down the drum seat, completing the quartet. While all four members spend time outside of ALO playing with luminary artists such as Jack Johnson, the late Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, and Nicki Bluhm, it is within the framework of ALO that these four musicians really shine.

Individually, each band member writes and sings, and together they create an eclectic yet accessible blend of heartfelt song-craft, dancefloor booty beats, and expansive improvisations. ALO is more than just a band, it’s the comfort of lifelong friendships, the spontaneity of late-night road trips, and the discovery of treasures hidden in car seats, green rooms, and buried voice memos. It’s not for everyone, although it tries to be. It wants you to love and share in its vision. It’s feral and clever, and it means you no harm. It’s love and freedom, collected and catalogued, then released back into the wilds from whence it came, over and over

again. It’s an orchestrated liberation of our animal soul.

A limited supply of weekend passes to Big Ponderoo are available at early bird pricing for $195/adults and $90/youth ages 17 and under (children five and under attend for free). Single-day tickets will be available for purchase on Wednesday, March 5 at 9 a.m. when the full performance schedule is released. Tickets are available at www.aftontickets. com/BigPonderoo. Follow @BigPonderoo on Instagram and Facebook for festival updates and lineup information. Full lineup information can be found at BigPonderoo.com.

Sisters Country birds

By Douglas Beall Correspondent

The nasal call coming from high in the pines as the flock moves though the forest are Pinyon Jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)

The Pinyon Jay is a permanent resident of the pinyon-juniper woodlands and ponderosa pines forest. With bills adapted to extract seeds from cones they will cache thousands of seeds which will be used in the winter months. Their hairless nostrils allow them to grab the seeds without getting sticky sap on themselves. They also consume many insects, berries, acorns, and small mammals.

These jays live in large flocks up to 500 and build

bulky nests made of sticks, shredded bark, grass, and animal hair three to 20 feet above ground where four to five pale blue with brown speckled eggs are laid. The female sustains incubation with the male feeding her for 15 to 17 days and the chicks leave the nest in 19 to 21 days after hatching. The oldest recorded age of a Pinyon Jay is 14 years and seven months. Pinyon Jay populations have declined 80 percent since 1967 because of drought, loss of habitat, and land clearing for cattle production.

A group of Pinyon Jays are known as a “cast,” “party,” “band,” or a “scold.” To view more images of the Pinyon Jays, visit http://abird singsbecauseithasasong. com/recent-journeys/.

Portraits SISTERS

David Hiller has chant Marines with time served in Vietnam and the Portland ship yards to a 16-year aboard container ships, his mechanical ell. But when he wasn’t maintaining wife loved to fish with Sisters and Holmes Road in 1992, building a house with the local mountain peaks while settling in e their community. Hiller volunteered with ears. He helped develop the Kiwanis Food Bank, including writing funding grants, and esident. He helped start olunteered with Sisters Folk s a local greenhouse, he or financial hand in its success. In all, tensive. He says, willing do whatever it e this community better.”

A cast of Pinyon Jays.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS BEALL

ALO will headline Big Ponderoo Festival in Sisters June 28–29.

PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO AND STORY BY Cody Rheault

The “F” Word: Embracing failure

By Ashlee Francis Columnist

In a society that celebrates success, the word “failure” carries a weighty stigma. Many view it as an impediment or a sign of incompetence. What if we reframed our understanding of failure? Embracing failure can lead not only to personal growth but also to incredible opportunities. I like to ask my son what he failed at during the week because it makes him think about how he could have done things differently. Here are some invaluable lessons that failure can teach us:

• Fostering resilience: One of the most significant benefits of failing is the development of resilience. Each time we encounter a setback, we have the opportunity to learn how to bounce back. The ability to recover and adapt strengthens our character and equips us to handle future challenges with greater confidence. Resilient individuals learn that failure is not the end but rather a step to becoming better. The most successful people in the world only got to where they are because they were willing to take risks and embrace the chance of failure.

• Learning opportunities: Failure provides invaluable lessons that success cannot teach in the same way. When we fail, we are forced to analyze what went wrong; this may lead to deeper insights and understanding. This critical self-reflection allows us to identify our weaknesses and areas for improvement. When we can see these clearly, we have the opportunity for personal and professional growth.

• Humility and empathy: Experiencing failure can instill a sense of humility. It is a reminder to be empathetic to everyone who is on their own journey, also filled with highs

and lows. Understanding our own failures allows us to become better equipped to support and encourage those around us. It also allows us to rejoice in the successes of our friends and community members.

• Innovation and creativity: When we take risks and face the potential of failure, we can experience a breakthrough in creativity. Failure encourages experimentation, pushing us to explore things with which we aren’t already familiar. It’s in these moments of uncertainty that we can discover unique solutions or innovative ideas that we may not have considered if everything had gone according to plan.

• Building stronger relationships: Sharing our experiences of failure with others can build connections and strengthen relationships. Vulnerability fosters trust and authenticity, allowing for deeper conversations and mutual support. When we are honest about our struggles, we invite others to do the same, creating a community of understanding and encouragement.

• Reevaluating goals and pa ths: Failure prompts us to reevaluate our goals and priorities. Disappointment encourages us to explore new directions that may be more aligned with our passions or values. This adaptability can lead to greater satisfaction and fulfillment in our personal and professional lives.

Instead of fearing failure, we should embrace it as the potential for growth, learning, and connection. By changing our perspective and recognizing the advantages of failing, we not only pave the way for our success but also inspire others to view their failures as valuable lessons on the road to achievement. Remember, every successful person has a story filled with failures; it’s how we choose to respond to them that makes all the difference.

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

CLASSIFIED RATES

COST: $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 RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE

220 S PINE ST, SISTERS

1st Floor Retail - 582 SQFT

Office Suite 209 - 500 SQFT

Office Suite 210 - 502 SQFT For information call: Lorna Nolte 541-419-8380 Lorna@NolteProperties.com

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.

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

OFFICE/RETAIL

SPACE FOR RENT

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

Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478

103 Residential Rentals

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

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

104 Vacation Rentals

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

Downtown Vacation Rentals

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

201 For Sale

Hydrow rowing machine

Used 5 times, like brand new.

Stores upright. Buyer pick up. Retails $2,500, marked down to $900. 503-319-9338, text only.

GREENWORKS 20" 13 AMP CORDED SNOWTHROWER

As new, unused gift, $150. 541-549-6067

CAR TO SELL? Place your ad in The Nugget

202 Firewood

• WINTER 2025 • NEW DISCOUNT PRICES

SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD

• SINCE 1976 • Fuel reduction forestry 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

ESTATE SALE: Furniture, TVs Fri.-Sat, February 7-8 • 8-4 479 N. Wheeler Lp., Sisters Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?

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

Sharie 541-771-1150

Looking for something to do while vacationing in the Sisters area? Visit SistersOregonGuide.com

301 Vehicles

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

Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

401 Horses ORCHARD GRASS HAY ALFALFA TRITICALE

New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $220-$360/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

500 Services

NOTARY PUBLIC - LOCAL – Call Cheryl 541-420-7875 –

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

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

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

501 Computers & Communications

3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Extend internet to shop, security cameras, Starlink. CCB #191099 541-306-0729

502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

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

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

M & J CARPET CLEANING

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

504 Handyman

3 Sisters Handyman Services

20+ years experience No job too large or small. Snow removal services available. Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Call Nate 907-748-4100 sistershandyman@gmail.com CCB# 253556

600 Tree Service & Forestry

– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding.

Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

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

TimberStandImprovement.net

Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825

601 Construction

Custom Homes

Additions - Remodels

Residential Building Projects

Becke William Pierce

CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384

Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com

Custom Homes • Additions

Residential Building Projects

Serving Sisters area since 1976

Strictly Quality

CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764

John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED

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

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

New construction, addition, remodel. Large and small projects. Contact for estimate. Excavation: septic system, site prep, demolition, road and driveway construction. 541-325-3020 sales@gardnercontractingllc.com

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

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

L E A K Y P I P E S ? Find your plumber in The Nugget Classifieds 602!

for puzzle on page 31

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

www.teeharborconstruction.com

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

Earthwood Timberframes

BANR Enterprises, LLC

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial

CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net Full Service Excavation

Free On-site Visit & Estimate

Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com

541-549-1472 • CCB #76888

Drainfield

• Minor & Major Septic Repair

• All Septic Needs/Design & Install

General Excavation

• Site Preparation

• Rock & Stump Removal

• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation

• Building Demolition Trucking

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

• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly

• The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want!

604 Heating & Cooling ACTION AIR

Heating & Cooling, LLC

Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com

CCB #195556 541-549-6464

PLACE LOOKING A LITTLE MESSY? Check out the Nugget's C L A S S I F I E D A D V E R T I S E R S for cleaning professionals ready to help you!

605 Painting

~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks

CCB#200030 • 541-480-9860

Ridgeline Electric, LLC

Serving all of Central Oregon

• Residential

Commercial

• Industrial

Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821 603 Excavation & Trucking

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

EMPIRE PAINTING

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining CCB#180042

541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk

Interior/Exterior Painting Deck Refinishing Jacob deSmet 503-559-9327 peakperformancepainting1@ gmail.com • CCB#243491

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

*General

*Site

*Sub-Divisions

*Road

*Underground

*Sand-Gravel-Rock

541-549-1848

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

– 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

BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING!

Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897

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

TOO MUCH STUFF? Advertise your excess with an ad in The Nugget!

802 Help Wanted

We are Hiring! Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping. PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation.

www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman

Black Butte School District is hiring an Upper Grades Teacher and School Counselor More info at blackbutte.k12.or. us/employment or 541-595-6203

803 Work Wanted

I AM A CAREGIVER Looking for work in Sisters, Part-Time Please call Lynn 503-274-0214.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON FOR THE COUNTY OF DESCHUTES

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DONNIE LEE CARR, DECEASED CASE NUMBER: 24PB09879 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Donnie L. Carr has been appointed Personal Representative. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative, c/o Freeman Green, Freeman Green Law, 525 Glen Creek Rd NW, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97304, within four months after the date of publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the Court, the Personal Representative, or the attorney for the Personal Representative.

Published on February 5, 2025

NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DISTRICT BOARD

MEMBERS

Black Butte-Camp Sherman School District #41

Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, an election will be held for the purpose of electing Three Directors to the Board of Directors to fill the following positions and terms of 4 years, including any vacancy which may exist on the board of the Black Butte School District #41. Position #1

Term Expires June 30, 2029

Position #2

Term Expires June 30, 2029

Position #5

Term Expires June 30, 2029

This election will be conducted

by mail.

Each candidate for a position listed above must file a declaration of candidacy or petition for nomination for office with the Elections Department of Jefferson County, Oregon, no later than the 61st day before the date of the regular district election.

The first day for filing is February 8, 2025.

The filing deadline is 5 p.m. on March 20, 2025.

Filing forms are available at the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, 66 SE D Street, Suite C, Madras, OR 97741, on the Jefferson County website: www.jeffco.net/cc or the Secretary of State’s website: http://sos.oregon.gov/elections/ documents/SEL190.pdf.

City of Sisters

Public Park Restrooms and City Hall Cleaning Bids due: 2 PM, February 18, 2025

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids clearly labeled “City of Sisters Public Parks Restrooms and City Hall Cleaning” addressed to the City Recorder, City of Sisters, Oregon will be received until 2 PM local time at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave., PO Box 39, Sisters, OR, on February 18, 2025

Cleaning generally includes the daily cleaning of City of Sisters public restrooms at four of its municipal parks, campground restrooms and showers when camp hosts are not present, and the restroom at the transit hub currently referred to as “East Portal”, and the weekly cleaning of City of Sisters City Hall. FOR MORE INFORMATION, please visit the City of Sisters website at https://www.ci.sisters.or.us/ RFPs are located under the Business tab at the top of website.

Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.

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

On 2/15/25 at 1 p.m. the entire contents of Unit A-73 belonging to Pam Furgason and Unit A-86 belonging to Tylen Rollins and Unit A-79 belonging to Elizabeth Jeardoe will be sold to the highest bidder. The high bidder(s) must remove the contents within 3 days. Sale takes place at Sisters Rental, 331 W. Barclay Drive, Sisters, OR. 541-549-9631

Freezing fog in Sisters makes a canvas out of wire fencing.

PHOTO BY DAVID ELLIS

When frost makes art…

C L A S S I F I E D S

setback 5 feet from the exterior line instead of the minimum required setback of 10 feet. The reason for the request is to accommodate a new single-family residence on a 30-ft wide corner lot, originally platted Lot 1 of Block 25 of the 1911 Davidson Addition to Sisters. lot abuts the unimproved portion of South Oak Street right-of-way that remains heavily vegetated.

APPLICABLE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CRITERIA: Sisters Development Code (SDC) –Chapter 4.1 (Applications and Procedures); Chapter 2.3 (Multi-Family Residential); Chapter 5.1 (Variances).

NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DISTRICT BOARD

Notice is hereby given that the City of Sisters Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing regarding the application listed below. The hearing will be held according to SDC Chapter 4.1 and the rules of procedure adopted by the Council and available at City Hall. Prior to the public hearing, written comments may be provided to Sisters City Hall at 520 E. Cascade Avenue, Sisters (mailing address PO Box 39, Sisters, OR 97759) or emailed to eshoup@ci.sisters.or.us.

MEMBERS

Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District

Comments should be directed toward the criteria that apply to this request and must reference the file number. For additional information, please contact Emelia Shoup, Associate Planner at 541-323-5216 or eshoup@ci.sisters.or.us.

Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, an election will be held for the purpose of electing four board members to fill the following positions and terms, including vacancy which may exist, on board of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

One Director, Position No. 1, 4-year term

One Director, Position No. 2, 4-year term

One Director, Position No. 3, 4-year term

One Director, Position No. 5, 2-year unexpired term

Each candidate for an office

listed above must file a declaration of candidacy or petition for nomination for office the County Clerk of Deschutes County, Oregon, not than the 61st day before the of the regular district election. The filing deadline is 5 on March 20, 2025.

The staff report and recommendation to the hearings body will be available for review at least seven (7) days before the hearing. All submitted evidence and materials related to the application are available for inspection at City Hall. Copies of all materials will be available on request at a reasonable cost. The Planning Commission meeting is accessible to the public either in person or via Zoom online meeting. Meeting information, including the Zoom link, can be found on https:// www.ci.sisters.or.us/meetings

HEARING DATE: February 20, 2025, at 5:30 pm FILE NO.: V 24-04 (Major Variance)

Filing forms are available at the Deschutes County Clerk’s office, 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97703 and online at www.deschutescounty.gov/clerk

APPLICANT/OWNER:

Steve Dennison Deschutes County Clerk

Dana Bratton & Nancy Bratton

SITE LOCATION: 317 W. Jefferson Ave., Sisters 97759; Map & Tax Lot # 15-10-09BB 6703

ZONING: Multi-Family Residential (MFR)

REQUEST: Major Variance request to reduce the exterior side yard setback by 50%, to allow a new single-family home to be

setback 5 feet from the exterior lot line instead of the minimum required setback of 10 feet. The reason for the request is to accommodate a new single-family residence on a 30-ft wide corner lot, originally platted as Lot 1 of Block 25 of the 1911 Davidson Addition to Sisters. This lot abuts the unimproved portion of South Oak Street right-of-way that remains heavily vegetated.

APPLICABLE

CRITERIA: Sisters Development Code (SDC) –Chapter 4.1 (Applications and Procedures); Chapter 2.3 (Multi-Family Residential); Chapter 5.1 (Variances).

NOTICE OF

ELECTION OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS

Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District

Notice is hereby given that on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, an election will be held for the purpose of electing four board members to fill the following positions and terms, including any vacancy which may exist, on the board of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

• One Director, Position No. 1, 4-year term

• One Director, Position No. 2, 4-year term

• One Director, Position No. 3, 4-year term

• One Director, Position No. 5, 2-year unexpired term

Each candidate for an office listed above must file a declaration of candidacy or petition for nomination for office with the County Clerk of Deschutes County, Oregon, not later than the 61st day before the date of the regular district election. The filing deadline is 5 p.m. on March 20, 2025. Filing forms are available at the Deschutes County Clerk’s office, 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, OR 97703 and online at www.deschutescounty.gov/clerk

Steve Dennison

Deschutes County Clerk

SUDOKU Level: Easy Answer: Page 29

READ THE NUGGET TO...

• be informed

• connect with community

• hear someone else’s perspective on a topic

• discover local businesses & organizations

• have something fresh to talk to your neighbor about

• talking about what you’ve read in The Nugget with another person

• sharing your perspective in a Letter to the Editor or opinion column

• becoming a correspondent

• shopping at a local business

• advertising your business

• submitting an original poem

• selling something in the classifieds

• recognizing a good deed done in a “Sisters Salutes”

• buying a subscription for yourself or a family member

• hiring local service professionals

• sending in a great photo of life in Sisters

• being a “supporting contributor” with a one-time or recurring financial gift to support community

Cornelius, 541-390-6973 (cell), editor@nuggetnews.com Advertising: Vicki Curlett, vicki@nuggetnews.com

Events, Poetry: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com

Classifieds, Subscriptions, Announcements: Lisa May, lisa@nuggetnews.com

Working together, we spin the threads that connect our community in a rich and colorful tapestry.

Sisters!

BBR & CAMP SHERMAN:

• Black Butte Ranch General Store

• Black Butte Ranch Post Off ice

• Black Butte Ranch Welcome Center

• Camp Sherman Post Off ice • Metolius River Lodges

• Bi-Mart • Oliver Lemon’s Terrebonne • M&W Market

The Ranch Market • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse

• Pisano’s Pizza • Shell Station • T umalo Coffeehouse

Tumalo Farmstand • T umalo Feed Co.

SISTERS LOCATIONS:

• Angeline’s Baker y • Bedouin

•Best Western Ponderosa Lodge • Bi-Mart

• Black Butte Realty Group

• Cabin Creek Home & Style • Cascade Fitness

• Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s • Central Oregon Eyecare

•Chevron/McDonald’s • Countr y Coffee

• Dair y Queen • Dixie’s • Eurosports

• Fika Sisters Coffeehouse • First Interstate Bank

• FivePine Lodge • GrandStay Hotel & Suites

• Habitat Thrif t Store • Hardtails Bar & Grill

• High Camp Taphouse • High Desert Chocolates

• Hoyt’s Hardware & Building Supply

• Lef t Coast Lodge • Les Schwab Tire Center

• Luckey’s Woodsman • Makin’ it Local

• Martolli’s of Sisters • Mid Oregon Credit Union

• Oliver Lemon’s • Paulina Springs Books

• Philadelphia’s Steak & Hoagies

• Ponderosa Properties • Rancho Viejo

• Ray’s Food Place • Sinclair Gas Station

• Sisters Ace Hardware • Sisters Apothecar y

• Sisters Art Works • Sisters Athletic Club

• Sisters Baker y • Sisters Bunkhouse

• Sisters City Hall • Sisters Coffee Co.

• Sisters Creekside Campg round

• Sisters Dino Market •Sisters Depot

• Sisters Elementar y School •Sisters Feed & Supply

• Sisters Galler y & Frame Shop

• Sisters High School • Sisters Inn & Suites

• Sisters Librar y • Sisters Liquor Store

• Sisters Meat and Smokehouse

• Sisters Middle School • Sisters Moto

• Sisters Movie House & Café • Sisters Nails & Spa

• Sisters Post Off ice •Sisters Pumphouse & Countr y Store

• Sisters Ranger Station • Sisters Rental

• Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill

• Sisters School Administration Building

• Sisters Senior Living • Sisters Veterinar y Clinic

• Ski Inn Taphouse & Motel • Sno Cap Drive In

• Space A ge F uel • Spoons Restaurant

• Sisters Park & Recreation District

• St. Charles Family Care • Suttle Tea

• Takoda’s Restaurant & Lounge

• The Barn in Sisters • The Galler y Restaurant

• The Gallimaufr y • The Nugget Front Porch

• The Pony Express • Three Creeks Brew Pub

• Three Sisters Floral

• Western Title & Escrow Company • Your Store

The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVIII No. 6 // 2025-02-05

The Nugget

Firefighters experience inferno’s impact

Citizens weigh in on City Council goals

Citizen leaders sought for academy

OPINION

Letters to the Editor…

Pause to reflect

Sisters Weather Forecast

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

Good climbing conditions…

Revisit wildfire map

Banners to return for Class of ’25

Workshop to help navigate change

SFF Presents finalizes 2025 Big Ponderoo

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

SCHOOLS

Putting first responders first

Storytime event set

Alpine skiers take first in race

Dark Skies

Helping families

Do better on housing

Local poet celebrates book with reading

Lady Outlaws move into third place in league

BANNER:

STARS volunteers get emergency first-aid, CPR training

More Questions than Answers In the PINES

A NNOUNCEMENT S

SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS

PET OF

THE WEEK

TIBBAR

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Exploring the science behind your golf swing

VALE NTIN E’S DAY SPEC IAL!

SISTERS-AREA

We’re all on team America

Sisters Dental

FOCUS on Health

Hamsa Healing Arts

Partners In Care

THE DANGERS OF SLEEP AIDS

FOCUS on Health

Shibui Spa

Uhan Performance

SISTERS ATHLE TIC CLUB

Sisters hletic Club

Dog Biscuits

EQUINE THERAPY coming to Pole Creek Ranch

is a key TO A HEALTHY WAY OF LIFE

Spring Focus…

Through March 31

FOCUS on Health

Newport Aesthetics

YO U ’RE IN THE RIGHT HANDS !

Green Ridge Physical Therapy & Wellness

Radiant Day Spa

For the LOVE of

running

FOCUS on Health

Gilmore Dental

Mosaic

Community Health

Sisters Wellness Collective

Staying strong when illness comes calling

N et freelancer combines or writing and exper tise ellness

Your Story

Reflections on heritage and immigration MATTERS

Pedestrian safety

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS

The Nugget

N EWS PA PE R ?

Outlaws hold on to second place in league basketball

Affordability continues to be a challenge

UGB: Committee is helping guide City’s plans

Talking Tiramisu

Wrestlers compete at Albany tourney

Obituary

Sisters Country birds