The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVIII No. 8 // 2025-02-19
The Nugget
Cold weather shelter sees small numbers
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Depending on your weather app or news report, temperatures last week in Sisters fell to somewhere between minus-five and minus-nine degrees on the coldest day. That’s frigid and life threatening, even for the hardiest. The cold streak lasted for almost two weeks before returning to more seasonal norms.
The temperatures triggered opening of the Sisters Cold Weather Shelter. Pursuant to the City of Sisters Resolution 2024-22, one or
See SHELTER on page 12
City snapshot: UGB progress, Risk Map
By Susan Cobb Correspondent
Sisters City Council’s February 12 meeting included workshop, general and Urban Renewal Agency meetings (see related story, page 19). All council members were present. After council deliberations, all council approvals were by unanimous consent. Workshop:
• The Urban Growth Boundary Steering Committee (UGB-SC) presented results of studies, public input, and research. They reported on Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA) airport areas development guidelines and restrictions, and process and limitations for cities to expand into forested lands. UGB-SC asked council to consider sending a letter to Deschutes County Commissioners to expedite the McKenzie Meadows Village (MMV) land use change request. UGB-SC also asked council to select from three options for moving the UGB project forward. Council agreed to send a letter and requested the UGB-SC move forward
on the third option, which will combine parts of UGB expansion Priorities One and Five and will put the MMV property under consideration, assessment, etc., while it becomes a Priority One land use. If the land use is approved, the City would then be legally required to consider. The land is currently Priority Three as it is land use code F2, not Priority One as noted in a previous article on UGB expansion (The Nugget, February 5) General:
• Council accepted the public improvements (roads, sewer, water, etc.) for Sunset Meadows development, Phases III & IV. A detailed checklist was completed by City staff, affirming all of the improvements met development code and public works requirements. As a result, the assets are now owned, operated, and maintained by the City of Sisters.
• The consent agenda also included the amendment to the Deschutes County Grant Agreement of $500,000 (American Rescue Plan Act
Outlaw skiers are league champs
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws concluded their regular season with a perfect 6-0 record as both the boys and girls finished first among 15 schools in every race. Sisters teams competed in their final league race of the season at Hoodoo on Wednesday, February 12, under clear blue skies and crisp conditions.
Ella Eby once again took first place in the girls competition with a combined time of 1:13.85. Sisters claimed
See CHAMPS on page 8
Homestead hospitality in Sisters Country
By Maret Pajutee Correspondent
It was snowing on that day so long ago when they crossed the lava beds west of Sisters.
Ebenezer (Eb) and Ella Graham had a couple of wagons, two cold kids, and $65 when they finally made it down to set up camp under the pines and aspen groves of Cold Springs.
It was 1880, and people were on the move, looking for opportunity in wilder lands. According to the history “That was Yesterday” the family travelled from Lakeport, California, and were greeted at Cold Springs by Sam Bodyfelt and a Mr. Clark, who were there to trap marten. The men fed the hungry family venison and showed them a nice homestead site to the north, in a meadow under the shadow of Black Butte. It had a small rough trapper’s cabin, a spring, and Indian Ford Creek nearby, full of fish.
As soon as the family had enough wood for cooking and keeping warm, Eb headed to the Willamette Valley to bring back supplies, including dried fruit, apples, and a 100-pound sack
of beans. They traded a team of horses for a cow and soon had plenty of milk to make butter. Other supplies came from long trips to Prineville. It was still wild country and only four other families lived nearby. Ella had five children at the homestead including: Walter, Nellie, Leda, and Lora. Little Elsie died young and was buried nearby. The growing family worked to build a waystation for tourists and the sheepherders heading their flocks west to mountain meadows. According to “Pioneer Roads
in Central Oregon, 1985” the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Military Road (also called the Old Santiam Wagon Road) splits after the Cache Creek Toll Station and continues southeast toward the meadows at the base of Black Butte, and the Grahams station. The older fork heads towards Camp Polk, the Hindman’s station and Post office. In an empty wild country, these were the rare rest
page 15
A wagon on Santiam Wagon Road in 1910.
PHOTO COURTESY
Sisters’ cold plunge last week produced some chilly but spectacular sunrises.
PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY
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.
CORE
To the Editor:
I walked into the CORE Community Room (the cold weather shelter) where several guests escaped the cold and enjoyed warm drinks. To my surprise, I saw one of the guests cutting the hair of another. B, draped with a yellow disposable rain poncho around his shoulders, sat very still while J finished the cut. B stood up and smiled wearing the new cut with pride.
Other guests sat around the wooden table chatting while J proceeded to trim my hair. I felt some trepidation, but hoped for the best. Tyler, another board member, asked to have his hair cut next. They were very good cuts. And, we were more than happy to pay her.
“If only I could get my license,” she said. Circumstances for many of the houseless can thwart their efforts to lead productive lives. The Community Room offers a safe and comfortable environment for the houseless. Three sofas and a dining table with chairs grace the main area. It is warm and inviting. A variety of hot drinks and a crock pot of soup, or chili, sit on a long table in this room every Monday. Oftentimes there are pastry donations from Sisters Bakery and other vendors.
A few guests wandered down the hallway to the clothes closet. Volunteers have organized this tiny room with shelves, racks, and neat piles of clothing. Very popular is the shoe
See LETTERS on page 13
Sisters Weather Forecast
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Slippery slopes
By Steve Woodside Columnist
I attended the Deschutes Board of County Commissioners Meeting on Wednesday, February 12, along with around 50 concerned citizens who came to participate in a discussion on Senate Bill 762, known by many in the community as the Wildfire Hazard Map (WHM), or the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) classification, that was proposed by former Governor Kate Brown, and now led by Sen. Jeff Golden (D-Ashland). SB762 is passed legislation, and the intent of the participants was to provide testimony on the intended and unintended impacts of this legislation, and to get the Deschutes County Commissioners to join in with neighboring counties to communicate with Salem legislators to rescind the WHM. The Board of Commissioners were split down party lines with Commissioner Chang carrying the Democrat torch, Commissioner Adair carrying the property owners’ torch, and Commissioner DeBone carrying the “I want to get re-elected torch.”
Chang was to many of his constituents who spoke about real harm that they have incurred because of the WHM, and the impacts this has had on securing fire insurance, selling property, or even owning property because of the rising costs the State is imposing through this bill. At least 10 times Commissioner Chang claimed that the WHM would not cause insurance to go up or cause an insurer to drop their coverage, despite many claims of the opposite by the people presenting testimony. Further, he went on to say that the insurance companies have far better risk maps than what the State of Oregon commissioned, and the maps of insurance companies are updated more regularly, and used by underwriters to assess insurance risks and premiums. If this is the case, then why did the State need to commission their wildfire map in the first place? Why not let the free market of capitalism dictate what homeowners need to do to secure insurance by fire hardening their private property? Why not let the homeowner and the insurance company work on a plan that may include reducing trees, and changing the landscape, or remodeling with different types of building materials that are fire retardant? The State of Oregon has demonstrated no ability to manage any critical functions, so why do we assume that they are experts on fire hardening private properties when they fail to fire harden public properties?
placed hand-crafted “heart bombs” around town to lift spirits.
Like many bills, the rush to be seen doing something, anything, particularly after the damaging fires of 2020, eclipsed the need to carefully consider the root cause for why fires happen, and what intended or unintended consequences may arise from a new piece of legislation. The bill also did not anticipate the current political climate post-COVID around government overreach, and the battle between personal rights and government intervention. A few answers to questions prior to the passing and further amendments to the bill would have been helpful such as: 1. How many major wildfires started on public land, since almost 80 percent of Deschutes County is public land? 2. How many major wildfires were ignited by natural causes versus manmade? 3. How many manmade fires were due to illegal burning activities, and, of those, how many people were convicted and faced consequences for their actions? 4. What is the mitigation plans by the State and the Federal government to reduce fuel on public lands, and to enforce illegal camping on same?
Throughout the meeting I became shocked, and then incensed with how condescending Commissioner
More troublesome is that the government has several additional bills being considered in 2025 that cascade off SB762 that further encroach on private property rights, particularly for people living in rural parts of Oregon, such as SB73 which limits rezoning of farm and forest land for non-resource use, SB75 which may limit building accessory dwelling units in high wildfire hazard areas, SB77 dictates home occupation on lands zoned for forest or farm use, SB79 prevents home builds in “sensitive areas,” and SB83 lists a number of actions related to wildfire risk.
Ronald Reagan once stated that the nine most terrifying words are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” If you do not think the government is eroding your property rights you are not paying attention. Time to get active and vote these people out.
Students from Sisters’ Pine Siskin Waldorf School
Grief, illness, and end of life explored at Cafés
By
Darrell Cosden’s wife died in December after a struggle with ALS — a terminal neurodegenerative disorder formally known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Led by Holly Haddad and Michael Deal, the gatherings have attracted a variety of locals who are caregiving, ill, coping with Alzheimer’s disease, facing end of life, or grieving the loss of a loved one. Two more cafés will be presented this winter.
Scandalous Chutney will lead a community dance at The Belfry on February 28. No partner is required, and a tutorial will familiarize those new to “social dancing.”
Community Dance to rock The Belfry
An all-ages social dance and fiddling concert will take place at The Belfry on Friday, February 28. Hosted by local nonprofits Citizens4Community (C4C) and SFF Presents (SFFP), the family-friendly event will feature live fiddling and dance calling by Scandalous Chutney, a spinoff band of SFFP’s Outlaw Strings Club for local youth.
The event is designed to harken back to community folk and square dances of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Similar to “contra dances,” participants take cues from a caller while moving in repetitive patterns with partners and groups. The dances are called against
a backdrop of fiddling or other live music.
“Back in the day, community dances were a major hub for social connection,” explained Kellen Klein, C4C’s executive director. “They were where you went to let loose, catch up on town gossip, scout a love interest, and build stronger ties with neighbors. We think there’s still value — and a lot of fun — in this type of community gathering, and we’re grateful to the Outlaw Strings Club for bringing the idea to us and SFFP!”
Doors will open for the event at 6 p.m. At 6:15, the band will provide a 15-minute tutorial for those unfamiliar with social dancing.
No dancing partners are required for attendees, and the moves are simple enough for all ages to learn.
“Our event will be an easier entry point to social dancing than the typical contra dance,” said Outlaw Strings Director Melissa Stolasz. “This is a partnership between all of us, so we are going to start with some simple and easy-to-learn sets.”
Live music and dancing will then proceed from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be plenty of seating for those just wishing to soak in the lively atmosphere. Students will be selling merchandise
“I spent most of last year as a full-time caregiver,” Cosden said. Death doulas from Peaceful Presence, an educational consulting organization, made a profoundly positive difference in his wife’s final days and how the family coped after she passed.
When he found out that Peaceful Presence was sponsoring a series of Connection Cafés to discuss grief, end of life, caregiving, and related issues, he was eager to join in.
On the day that Cosden’s wife died in hospice, a Peaceful Presence death doula told him, “I’ll come down to the hospice house and be there for you.” She explained that people sometimes like to decorate the room and do a ritual washing of the body.
“You might want to bring some things from the house,” she added. This helped Cosden and his daughter prepare for this enormous transition.
Sisters hosts COMEA Jazz Band Festival
By
Sisters High School hosted the inaugural Central Oregon Music Education Association (COMEA) Honor Jazz Band Festival on Tuesday, February 11.
An honor band is usually a group of students who represent advanced musicians in their school districts and wish to showcase their
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 monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event.
Contact sistersrep@c otamtb.c om for info
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 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
collaborative work.
Band Director Kayla Golka described the inspiration for the event.
“I went online and looked for other opportunities for my students to experience in an advanced jazz band or advanced repertoire, and I found there to be a great lack of such opportunities,” Golka said. “The creation
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
The Outlaws boys basketball squad honored their seven senior players, Landen Scott, Kale Gardner, Bodie Schar, Garrett Sager, Levi Szesze, Oliver Bernhardt, and Kolbi Cotner between the girls and boys game against La Pine at home on Thursday, February 13.
Coach Chad Rush shared his thoughts about each of his senior players with The Nugget.
Scott has been a three-year starter for the Outlaws and last season was a first team all league selection.
“Landen has always been a very good scorer and will end up as one of the top scorers in Outlaw history after the conclusion of this season,” said Rush. “What I am most proud of Landen this year is his growth and maturity as a leader of this team. He has worked very hard to communicate with players and grow and improve his defensive effort and consistency. We will miss his skills on the floor for sure, but more importantly, we will miss the person he has become.”
Gardner is also a three-year starter and for the past two seasons has earned second team all league recognition.
“Kale has shown much growth and maturity over the past several seasons,” said Rush. “Kale is a ferocious competitor and that comes out in how he plays the game. He loves the challenge of guarding the opponents’ best player every chance he gets. He has an uncanny ability to get to the basket. This year I have been proud of his commitment to becoming a more approachable leader for the team. We will miss his competitiveness on game days and tenacious spirit on the court.”
Sager is a two-year starter for the Outlaws, but has played on varsity for three years. Last season he was selected to the All-Defensive team.
“Garrett is a tremendous defensive player, being able to guard any position,” said Rush. “This comes in quite handy for us as we switch a lot of screens, and therefore Garrett routinely finds himself having to guard the other teams’ perimeter players. His physicality and technique allow him to be able to do that quite well. We will certainly miss Garrett’s defensive versatility and communication.”
Bernhardt is a two-year varsity starter.
“Oliver is a player that is gifted with great speed and quickness in addition to his height,” said Rush. “This makes him very versatile for us this season, having seen time on the perimeter and as
an inside player. Oliver has had some great games for us this season, both as a threepoint shooter and using his quickness to get to the rim in transition. I have admired and am proud of Oliver’s selfless attitude and improved mental toughness this season. We will miss his hustle, versatility, and shooting for us.”
This year marked Schar’s first full year on the varsity team.
“Bodie works extremely hard, while always having a smile on his face,” said Rush. “He has become one of the team’s most consistent rebounders on both ends of the floor. We challenged Bodie to be our rim runner in our transition offense and he has embraced that challenge and as a result has done a great job of stretching the floor for us in transition and has been on the receiving end of many fast break layups. We will miss Bodie’s hustle and work ethic and of course his contagious smile!”
Szesze also joined the varsity squad full-time this year.
“Levi has embraced his role as a defensive player and rebounder off of the bench this season,” said Rush. “He has very good quickness and physical skills that help him to be successful at this role. His hustle and determination lead him to many offensive rebounds for the Outlaws,
helping us to keep possessions alive and get a second chance to score.
I am very proud of Levi and his growth as a defensive player, and rebounder off the bench, as well as embracing that role this season. We will miss his hustle, defense, and great team-first attitude.”
Cotner joined the Outlaws basketball squad for the first time this season.
“I have loved Kolbi’s positive attitude and work ethic this season,” said Rush. “Being limited for a time with knee pain, and having to learn the offensive and defensive principles at warp speed has been a process. Despite this, Kolbi has remained a positive part of the program and I am very happy that he joined us this season. We will miss his positive spirit and willingness to always be improving.”
At the conclusion of the girls game and before the boys game started all senior players were honored. The Lady Outlaws celebrated their four seniors, Shae Wyland, Jorja Christianson, Emma Sahlberg, and Holly Madron. They were brought to the center of the court and given gifts and flowers from their teammates.
Coach Paul Patton noted each of his senior players.
“Shae is perhaps the best pure athlete I’ve ever coached
2025
has been a starter for us all season and helps us out with her outside shooting ability and high basketball IQ. She was selected by her teammates as a captain this year and has done a superb job in that role.
and she pairs that with being an equally excellent human being,” said Patton. “She was a first team all-league selection last year based on the strength of her defense and rebounding. She continues to lead the team in those roles this season and has shown the ability to score as well when the opportunities present themselves. Shae was also selected as team captain this year and she has been a model of what a good teammate should be all season.
“Jorja joined us last year after a move from the Seattle area and had an immediate positive impact on the team,” noted Patton. “Her greatest attribute is her positive attitude. She always has something good to say no matter what the circumstances. She
“Emma has improved so much over the last four years of basketball,” said Patton. “Her steady improvement as a JV player has put her in a position as a senior where she can be put in the game with confidence that she is going to play tough defense and do her job on the offensive end. But most importantly, she is an awesome human being who is always kind to her teammates and never complains. I also appreciate her multifaceted talents that include excelling as a member of the choir.
“Holly loves basketball and even though her role on the team doesn’t involve a lot of playing time she contributes to the team’s success by being a student of the game who studies our game film and provides helpful observations about how we can perform better,” stated Patton. “I am proud of her for sticking with basketball despite bouts with injury and illness that have made it hard. She is also a good teammate to the younger players on the team, offering them friendship and guidance.”
to fundraise for Outlaws Strings Club activities, and drinks and snacks will be available for purchase in The Belfry’s bar area.
“I’m thrilled for the community dance!” said SFFP’s Executive Director Crista Munro. “The kids in Scandalous Chutney have poured their hearts and souls into preparing for this. Performing publicly is an incredible confidence builder, and this event will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to celebrate their hard work while enjoying a fantastic evening together. It’s a chance to recapture the spirit of a time before social media and television, when music was at the heart of social gatherings and shared by everyone. I’m excited to help keep those traditions alive and vibrant here in Sisters.”
Sponsorship by C4C and SFFP will ensure that all event proceeds benefit the Outlaws Strings Club.
“With the money raised, we will go to camps this summer and come back with new sets and new tunes. Then the dances will get even better!” said Stolasz. “It’s taken us four years to get to this point, and we can’t wait to share this with folks in our Sisters community.”
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door to support the club’s music education programming. To learn more about the event visit www.bit.ly/ letsdance25.
Outlaws hoopsters make the playoffs
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws started their week with a tough 50-46 loss at home to the Billies of Pleasant Hill (PH) on Monday, February 10. On Thursday they hosted La Pine in the final league game of the season and tallied an easy 65-30 victory, which secured them a second place league finish.
Sisters got off to a rough start in Tuesday’s game against PH and were held scoreless for the first four minutes of play. Will McDonnell scored Sisters’ first points on an uncontested layup. Kale Gardner took over from there, was aggressive in his drives to the basket, and scored the Outlaws’ next seven points. Gardner finished the quarter with nine of the Outlaws 12 first-quarter points. The Billies were up by 11 at the close of the period.
The Outlaws defense began to dig in and slow the high-paced Billies offense to tough contested shots in the second quarter. Gardner scored the first points of the period when he converted
two free-throws. With 2:10 left in the quarter the Outlaws found themselves down by 15 at 19-34 after a 7-0 PH scoring run. Those were the last points the Billies scored in the quarter as the Outlaws closed out the first half on a 4-0 run off a Kieren Labhart mid-range jump shot and a score from McDonnell who grabbed an offensive rebound on his own miss and put it back for a contested layup at the rim. At the half the Outlaws trailed 23-34.
PH started the third on a 5-0 run, extended their lead to 16 points, and all the momentum was in their favor, but the defense stiffened and allowed the Outlaws to chip back into the contest.
Sisters’ defense held the Billies to a single-digit scoring quarter in the final frame. McDonnell scored the first points of the quarter, and cut the Billies’ lead to three. Sisters tied the game with 5:15 left on the clock when Gardner grabbed a rebound and went coast-to-coast to score a layup at the rim.
After a Billies’ score, McDonnell gave the Outlaws their first lead of the game on a three-pointer from the
corner with 3:45 left in the game. Garrett Sager was fouled and connected on one of two free-throws to give the Outlaws a two-point edge.
However, with just over a minute left, the Billies’ top scorer, Gavin Inglish connected on a threepointer to put PH up by one. Unfortunately, the Outlaws turned the ball over on their next possession and the Billies went on to score and go back up by three.
The Outlaws had an opportunity for a three-pointer but just couldn’t convert, and from there they were forced to foul. Time expired and the Outlaws took the heart-breaking four-point loss.
Gardner led the team with 21 points and five rebounds. McDonnell scored 11 points, and Landen Scott put up six points, and also had five rebounds and five assists. Labhart was big on the boards with nine rebounds, and also pitched in with four points.
Rush said, “We gave up 23 points in the first quarter and only 27 points for the remaining three quarters. This shows the intensity, resolve, and grit the team showed after falling behind.
“This was a tough loss for us,” added Rush. “After getting down early and then clawing all the way back and taking a lead, it was a hard one to not come out on top after that. I was very proud of the defensive effort and resolve the team showed in the final three quarters. To hold the Billies to 50 points and two single-digit scoring quarters is a testament to the pride the team took on the defensive end tonight.”
On Thursday, the Outlaws clipped the Hawks in a final score of 65-30. Seniors Oliver Bernhardt, Gardner, Bodie Schar, Levi Szesze, and Kolbi Cotner all started the game for the Outlaws.
By the final quarter, the Outlaws had built a 30-point lead and five seniors were on the floor as the game went to a running clock. One by one the seniors were substituted out of the game for a cheer and recognition for a great season and career. Six Outlaws scored in the period, a freethrow from Gardner, a short jumper from Cotner, a baseline three from McDonnell, a
free-throw from Thomas Hamerly, a reverse layup from Charlie Moen, and a bucket from Teegan Schwartz.
The win was a total team effort with 11 different players scoring. Schar led the squad with 14 points, Gardner scored 12, Scott put up nine, and McDonnell and Bernhardt scored six points each. Cotner, Szesze, and Hamerly scored four points each, and Labhart, Moen and Schwartz added two points each.
Rush said, “This was such a fun way to end the regular season for the Outlaws. Not just because of the final score, but because we got to celebrate many seniors that had played such a key role in developing and growing the Outlaw culture. To have Landen score 1000 points in a career was special and even more special that he was able to do it in front of the home crowd.”
The Outlaws secured a second-place finish and will play in a Mountain Valley Conference playoff game on Thursday, February 20, at home against the Creswell Bulldogs.
Lady Outlaws will face Billies in Mountain Valley playoff game
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws fell 48-41 at home to Pleasant Hill, the No. 1 ranked team in league and the No. 6 ranked team in the state on Monday, February 10. Three days later they posted a 63-24 win at home against La Pine in their final game of league play.
Sisters got off to a good start in Tuesday’s game against the top-ranked Billies. The lead changed hands four times in the first four minutes. The Outlaws got buckets from Audrey Corcoran, Maddie Durham, and a three-pointer from Jorja Christianson to give the Outlaws a 9-8 lead. Corcoran followed with a jumper to give the Outlaws a threepoint edge at 11-8.
The Billies went on a 10-0 run in the final four minutes and at the end of the first the Outlaws found themselves down 11-18.
The Outlaws had a hard time finding the bottom of the net in the second quarter. Corcoran put up all of Sisters’ eight points and at the half Sisters trailed by 11 at 19-30.
Coach Paul Patton said, “We still thought we could get back into the game because we were getting shots, they just weren’t falling. We also discussed if we wanted to make any defensive adjustments, but decided to stay with the zone.”
Sisters stormed back in the third and outscored the Billies 10-3 to close the gap to four, 29-33 at the close of the third. Points came from Shae Wyland, who had backto-back offensive rebounds and putbacks, two buckets from Corcoran, and a field goal from Durham.
The Billies opened the final period with a basket, but Durham answered for the Outlaws with a three-pointer that cut the gap to three at 32-35. Pleasant Hill went on a 6-0 run and rebuilt their lead to nine midway through the quarter. Sisters responded with a 7-0 run which included a jumper from Corcoran, an offensive board and putback from Durham, and a beautiful pass from Christianson to Wyland under the basket. Wyland was fouled on the shot, made her free-throw and the Outlaws once again closed the Billies lead to three, 38-41.
Sisters had an opportunity to tie the game but the shot missed the mark. The Billies went on to score on a turnover. Corcoran drove to the basket and scored on a bank shot to make it 41-43. In the final minute the Outlaws had a shot roll off the rim and a three-point attempt bounce off the rim. At the end Sisters
was forced to foul and the Billies hit three of their six attempts at the line to secure the win.
Corcoran finished with 20 points, and Wyland and Durham added nine points each.
Patton said, “Pleasant Hill is ranked sixth in state and No. 1 in league, and so for us to have a chance to win the game at the end after trailing by 11 at half is a strong testament to our team’s ability.”
In Thursday’s contest all four seniors, Wyland, Christianson, Emma Sahlberg, and Holly Madron started the game.
Christianson started the Outlaws’ scoring with a quick baseline three, and later Paityn Cotner followed with back-to-back threepointers to give the Outlaws a 9-7 lead. At the end of the first quarter the Outlaws were ahead 11-9.
It was a low-scoring second period, but the Outlaws defense did well and limited the Hawks to six points and held a 22-15 advantage at the half. Verbena Brent scored on two great give-and-goes, the first from Durham and the second from Wyland, and Corcoran hit a long ball, to highlight the scoring effort.
Sisters scored 20 more points in the third. Christianson hit her second three-pointer of the game to start the scoring, and later Christianson, Corcoran, and Madron buried three-point shots to bring the team’s three-pointers to eight on the night. La Pine struggled to score against the Outlaws’ 1-3-1 defense and scored just one single basket from their leading scorer, Peyton Thrasher, who finished the game with 14 points. At the close of the third quarter Sisters had the game completely out of reach at 43-17.
Wyland scored six points in the first couple minutes of the final quarter. Everyone got into the game, and several JV players saw time on the court. At the final buzzer the Outlaws recorded the 39-point win.
The win was a total team effort and nine out of the 12 girls that played scored. Corcoran finished with 16, Brent scored 13, Christianson scored 11, Cotner put up eight, Wyland contributed six, Madron had four, Sahlberg and Norah Thorsett scored two each, and Avery Horton added one. Wyland also had eight rebounds and five blocked shots, and Corcoran had
eight steals. Durham led the team with nine rebounds. Patton said, “It was nice to be able to cruise to a comfortable win on senior night. Jorja had one of her best games of the season which was good to see for one of our senior captains. It was also nice to see Paityn, who is always strong on defense for us, get going on offense with eight points. Verbena rebounded from an off night in our previous game and performed more like her normal self with 13 points.”
The Outlaws finished league play in a tie with
Harrisburg, and their playoff hopes would rest in the outcome of the Harrisburg/ Elmira game on Friday. The Outlaws would secure the third place spot if Harrisburg lost and if Harrisburg won their season would come to an abrupt finish.
The contest was neckand-neck from start to finish, but in the end Elmira pulled off the win and the Outlaws playoff hopes were kept alive. Sisters travels to Pleasant Hill on Wednesday, February 19, and once again face the Billies in a Mountain Valley playoff game.
CHAMPS: Outlaws
skiers have had an outstanding season
Continued from page 1
four of the top six spots with Ava Riehle placing fourth (1:16.60), Mary Roberts fifth (1:16.87), and Tallis Grummer sixth (1:19.21).
Other scores for the girls were: Kiara Martin eighth (1:28.18), Brooke Duey 11th (1:30.38), Grace Hudson 13th (1:35.86), Lauren Sitz 15th (1:37.36), Payten Adelt 18th (1:39.62), Nona Smith 19th (1:40.13), Khloe Kohl (1:39.62), Lily Holtsberg 28th (1:57.48), Pia Grummer 29th (2:02.00), and Abi Duda 30th at 2:04.93.
On the boys side Styopa Myagkov won with an impressive time of 1:05.28. Spencer Davis took sixth (1:16.59), Emerson Backus seventh (1:17.41), Ben Hayner eighth (1:19.05), and Spencer Tisdel 10th at 1:20.30. All finished in the top 10.
In the provisional seventh and eighth grade division, Sydney Welbourn won the girls’ race with a time of 1:30.67, and Cormac Lichvarcik and Laef Doyle gained experience as racers in the boys’ competition.
“What’s remarkable about this team is not just their results, but how they’ve developed as skiers and people throughout the season,” said Coach Darcy Davis. “We’ve seen tremendous growth from first-year racers becoming confident competitors, and our experienced athletes refining their skills while mentoring younger teammates.”
Although the regular season came to a conclusion, select Sisters athletes will continue to train for an upcoming Invitational Race with the Central League at Mt. Bachelor before they send the team’s top racers to the 2025 OISRA State Championships at Mt. Ashland on March 5-7.
Local poet-musician celebrates new book
Sisters poet/singer-songwriter Beth Wood will perform an intimate concert/ reading in celebration of her new book of poetry and her 30 years as an artist on Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. at The Belfry.
“I am so excited to celebrate my new book of poetry, “My Name Is Another Word,” Wood said. “And I recently realized that this year marks 30 years of making and releasing music for me. I can’t believe it! I want to celebrate this grateful feeling in my heart, all of the wonderful relationships and connections that music and poetry have brought me, all of the miles driven and nights gathered in small rooms to be together and remember why we’re here.”
In her fourth poetry collection Wood chronicles the building of a life story on her own terms. Who are we without the stories we are told about ourselves, many of them untrue? Wood builds a house of meaning made from inner knowing, observation, deep listening, honoring of grief and love in equal measure. At times light-hearted, at times resolute and wise, these poems sing an invitation to dream and to build.
Wood is an award-winning songwriter, poet, joyful singer, teacher, and believer in the power of word and song. Beth has been writing, performing, and teaching full-time for 30 years — delighting and inspiring audiences with her
exceptional musicianship, intelligent writing, powerhouse voice, and warm and commanding stage presence. Wood has released 15 albums, four books of poetry, and a collection of funny stories from the road. Beth’s poetry book “Ladder To The Light” is the winner of the 2019 Oregon Book Awards People’s Choice Award and was a finalist for the 2019 Stafford/Hall Award for Poetry.
Wood is the long-time organizer and host of the Sunday Community Celebration at Sisters Folk Festival, and she moved to Sisters in 2020 to put down roots in a community she loves.
Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave. Seating is limited. Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www. bethwoodmusic.com/events. The show will be seated with refreshments available in the bar. For more information email bethwoodmusic@ hotmail.com or visit www. bethwoodmusic.com/events.
Poet and musician Beth Wood is celebrating three decades as an artist with a show at The Belfry on March 7.
Obituaries
G. Jolly
Passed February 2, 2025
Melvin G. Jolly, 82, of Sisters, went to be with his Lord and savior on February 2. He and his wife Sue were vacationing at their usual place in Cabo when he became ill with COVID, resulting in he and his wife being medevaced home. As said by his daughter-inlaw, “if you knew Mel you knew he loved his wife of 58 years, five boys and the wives that came with them, grandkids, dog Mika, hunting in earlier years, fishing, camping, and golf.” He got his dream job after retirement when they moved to Sisters in 2008 at Black Butte Ranch. He enjoyed the many friends he made working at the golf course.
Mel was a blessing to all he met, always ready to give a helping hand.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Jolly of Sisters; sons Tod Jolly (Kristina) of Bend, OR, Stephen Jolly & David Jolly of Sisters, Brian Jolly (Marylin) of Corvallis, OR, and Darrell Jolly (Myranda) of Jacksonville, AR, with the U.S. Army. Seven grandchildren, Cooper, Dawson, and Lincoln Jolly of Bend, Brady and Danae Jolly of Albany, Paisley and Perryn Jolly of Arkansas. His brother Cliff of Seattle, WA, brother-in-law Tim Higinbotham (Nancy) of Central Point, and sisterin-law Laurel Anderson of Prescott, Arizona. His sisterin-law, Sandy Higinbotham of Eugene, passed away in Oct. 2024, and his mother and father many years ago.
Mel was born in Spokane, Washington, and grew up on a wheat farm in Coulee City, WA. He always said he graduated from high school in the top 10 of his class (there were only 10). He graduated from Seattle Pacific University, went to Wharton Business School and University of Pennsylvania for his masters in accounting. When he returned to Seattle Mel married his best friend and “love of his life” in 1966. He worked for Arthur Anderson (one of the big five accounting firms at the time). He received his doctorate in education and started his teaching career as a university professor. He took his family many places including University of Oregon, University of Idaho, and Washington State University. Mel and Sue lived in Moscow, ID,
for 20 years to raise their family. They also spent two weeks in far east Russia on a teaching assignment where the average temp was -30. In 1995 he accepted a fouryear teaching position in Hong Kong. Their twins, the youngest of their five sons, did their high school there and although it was difficult at first they all agree it was the best four years of their lives. They went with World Vision to poor areas of China and had a two-week teaching assignment in Chengdu & Moscow areas. They returned to America in 1999 (two years after HK turned over to China) and went to Geneva College near Pittsburgh. Wanting to be close to family they returned to the Northwest and Mel taught at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. Retiring in 2008 they moved to Sisters.
He was a member of the Nazarene Church. Over the years Mel and Sue invested their time with their boys and grandchildren. There was 4-H, sports, waterskiing, camping, fishing, and many church activities.
Mel requested no service but instead for family and friends to remember his love of life and people. Deschutes Memorial Chapel is in charge of cremation and family will have a gathering in the Spring. He leaves us with a legacy of faith in God and giving of oneself to others. “It broke our hearts to lose you, Mel, but you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.”
Martha Adrienne “Adora” Hitchcock
July
12, 1941 – November 9, 2024
Martha Adrienne Adora Hitchcock, known as “Adora,” passed away peacefully on November 9, 2024, surrounded by her four children. Born on July 12, 1941, in Bend, Adora’s life came “full circle” as she returned to her favorite place on earth, leaving a legacy of warmth, connection, and unforgettable stories.
From her early days in Sisters to her final years back in Central Oregon, Adora built a life defined by her love for people, experiences, and connections. Her greatest achievement was her family, yet her impact extended far beyond. Brave, nurturing, and insightful, Adora embodied an independent spirit marked by beauty, creativity, and a true cowgirl’s grit. Her life was adventurous; she opened her home, her heart, and her table to everyone she met, creating a community wherever she went.
Adora believed there were no coincidences, embracing synchronicities, serendipity, and the wonder of past lives. Her spiritual nature guided her as a “seeker,” a devoted student of life who shared profound wisdom with all who knew her and sometimes anyone that would listen. Her life’s journey took her across Oregon, Washington, California, Rhode Island, Michigan, Israel, Canada, and beyond. From the mountains of Peru
Obituaries Policy: The Nugget Newspaper does not charge a fee to publish obituaries. Obituaries may be up to 400 words and include one photo. Obituaries outside these guidelines are handled by The Nugget Newspaper advertising department. Obituary submissions must be received by noon on Monday. Obituaries may be submitted to The Nugget by email or hand delivery to our office located at 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters.
to the back roads of Oregon, Adora’s life was an open road and she loved getting in her car and going!
Adora’s children, Amy Garofalo McMahon (Portland), Beth Garofalo (Bend), Jason Garofalo (Portland), and Bryan Copp (Federal Way, Washington), will remember her as a mother who gifted them — and everyone she encountered — with the spirit of possibility.
Preceded in death by her granddaughter Kara, Adora leaves behind her four kids, grandchildren Gavin McMahon, Vivian McMahon, Jenna Brown, and Alexandra Copp, as well as a wonderful circle of family, friends, and Chelas.
In remembering Adora, we hold onto the countless ways she shared all she had. From dance parties with Barry White to filled fruit cookies and handmade blankets, Adora’s stories live on as reminders of her boundless generosity. An “experiencer,” community builder, and storyteller,
Adora created experiences that made every moment a connection. Adora attended Lewis & Clark college, had three different husbands, multiple pets, travel companions and was a caregiver to so many people throughout her life. She was always ready to help out and loved being useful. Whenever we needed a project completed in the home, barn, or in the kitchen, Adora was your gal! In honor of Adora’s life, a celebration will be held to reflect on the many adventures and the love she shared so freely. We will celebrate Adora & the Hitchcock family legacy on May 31, 2025, in Sisters at the Sisters Historical Museum. Donations are welcome to the Three Sisters Historical Museum.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 • 2 PM CHARLES M. RUSSELL
Icon of the American West
Russell biographer Dr Larry Len Peterson will present the life and art of the West’s greatest artist, Charles M. Russell (1864-1926). Dr Peterson is the recipient of the Charles M. Russell Heritage Award. His Edward S. Curtis book was just honored as the 2025 True West Best Author and Historical Nonfiction Book of The Year
Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. Tickets are $10 at the Door (Free to TSHS members) 2 p.m. , doors open at 1 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Questions? Call 541-610-6323. Thr
Fire e Hall S St t ll
Melvin
A NNOUNCEMENT S
Calling All Submariners
e Central Oregon Submarine Base will be holding their next meeting on Sunday, Februar y 23, at 130 0 hours. It will be held at the Powers of Automation, 61533 American Loop in Bend. Take Reed Market Road o Hw y. 97, go east to the signal light at American, go south to American Loop & turn right on it. If you have an idea for a new design for the Base logo, please bring it to the meeting e memorial project will also be discussed, including updates For more information, please call Commanding O cer Rick Neault at 530 -434-1102, or Yeoman Fran Davis 541-527-5484.
Habitat rif t Store
Now Open
e new carpet is in and Habitat rif t Store is open for business! Store hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ank you for your patience during the closure
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 Lib rary. Participants may attend one café or all ere is no charge, and all are welcome. Info: 541-293-8636.
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
SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
Family Story Time
Interactive story time with books , songs , and rhymes for children ages 0-5 years ese stories and songs are designed to support early literacy skill development, social-emotional awareness and f amily engagement. is 30 -minute program is on Wednesdays , Februar y 19 and 26, at 10:30 a .m. in the Communit y Room at Sisters Librar y. Go to https://www deschuteslibrary.org/kids/ programs for more info.
Monthly Dungeons & Dragons Club
Gather at Sisters Library Communit y Room on Friday, Februar y 21, f rom 4 to 6 p.m. for this teenled Dungeons & Dragons experience. All experience levels welcome. More info at www.deschuteslibrar y.org/ calendar/.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday & Sunday, Feb 22-23
Children’s Museum Pop-Up
Sisters Elementary School
Sunday, Februar y 23
CO Submarine Base Meeting 61533 American Loop Bend
Sunday, Februar y 23
Historical Fireside Presentation Fire Station Community Hall
Children’s Museum Pop-Up
Citizens4Community, SPRD, Circle of Friends, and the Sisters Elementar y School Parent Teacher Committee are teaming up to bring the Children’s Museum of Central Oregon’s Mobile Museum to Sisters for a full weekend – for free! S aturday and Sunday, Februar y 22–23 , from 10 a .m. to 2 p.m. at Sisters Elementar y School. More info at www.citizens4communit y.com/ events
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
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.
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.
Sisters Careg iver Support A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets 10 :30 to 11:30 a .m. on the third Wednesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church of e Transfiguration, 121 Brook s Camp Rd . For more information, please call 503-616 -8712.
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.
Americ an Legion and VFW VF W Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at Pine Meadow Village Clubhouse, 596 W. Je erson Ave Email SistersVeterans@gmail.com for information
STAR S Seeks
Dispatch Volunteers While working from home, help STAR S transport Sisters Country resident s to nonemergenc y medical appointments . Needed: A computer, the abilit y to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-9 04-5545
PET OF THE WEEK
Humane Societ y of Central Oregon 541-382-3537
SNAPSHOT:
City Council has been taking care of business
Continued from page 1
[ARPA] funds) between the City and Deschutes County, which changed the percentage of average median income (AMI) for the North West Housing Alternatives, Trinity Place project, from 60 percent of AMI to 80 percent of AMI.
• Council approved Ordinance 541 which changed the Development Code, Section 3.2.500 to increase the fine for removing a significant tree (trunk larger than eight inches at DBA — diameter at breast height, or approximately four feet from ground level) from $500 per tree to a minimum of $300 per inch of tree trunk diameter at DBA. The intent is to encourage developers to talk to the City before removing large trees to assure better preservation of old growth.
MADDOX
Maddox is a majestic seven-year-old Siamese known for his a ectionate nature. He loves chin pets and the attention he receives , making him an ideal companion for anyone seeking a loving pet
— SPONSORED BY —
SP S ONSORED BY ALLAN GODSIFF SHEARING 541-549-2202
SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES
Baha’i Faith
For information, devotions, study groups , etc., contac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteachings .org
Calvar y Church 484 W. Washington St. , Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a .m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org
Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153
10 a .m. Sunday Worship
e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s
452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 5 41-977-5559;
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 Community 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
• Council approved Ordinance 542 which updated and revised the application of System Development Charges (SDC) in the Municipal Code, Chapter 13.25, in order, primarily, to allow a deferral program to developers creating rentals or homes that meet the 150 percent of AMI (in U.S. Housing and Urban Development, ‘area’ is the county). This new program is expected to increase development of affordable and workforce housing. Council then approved related Resolution 2025-01 to establish the SDC Deferral Program.
• Council approved the Affordable Housing Grant Agreement between the City and Trinity Place LLC in the amount of $500,000 (ARPA funds from the county) to construct 40 units targeted to 80 percent of AMI. The funds are not disbursed until all City’s conditions in the agreement are met. These include requirements that the units remain affordable for 50 years and that NHA will establish a waitlist, months in advance making it known to local social services, providers, businesses, and other local entities to give initial preference to possible local renters.
• Council discussed numerous public requests for support concerning home/ business insurance as possibly relates to the recently published Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon State University Wildfire Risk Maps. Although it is a state process, Council had sent a letter to ODF in August 2024, concerning the rationale for dividing a city into two risk levels. Council did not want to ignore the concerns of the public, and asked staff to create three separate letters to ODF, Senator Jeff Golden who is working to improve the maps, and the director of the Division of Financial Regulation.
Event explores life of legendary artist
He could paint the light on horsehide shining
Great passing herds of the buffalo
And a cow camp cold on a rainy morning
And the twisting wrist of the hooligan throw — Ian Tyson, “The Gift”
Charles Marion Russell stands at the pinnacle of Western art — and has held that high ground for over a century. Born in 1864, he ventured west to Montana in 1880, where he worked as a cowboy before turning pro with a gift that few could match. In a career that lasted until his death in 1926, he created more than 2,000 paintings of Western subjects — cowboys, outlaws, Native Americans, Mountain Men — along with many bronze sculptures.
On Sunday afternoon, February 23, Three Sisters Historical Society will welcome Dr. Larry Len Peterson of Sisters as he leads an exploration of the life of this legendary artist.
Dr. Peterson is an acknowledged expert on Western art, with numerous award-winning books to his credit. It started in his father’s hardware store in Plentywood, Montana.
“What set him apart from other Western artists was his love of Native Americans, land, respect for women,” Dr. Peterson told The Nugget
“He was a cowboy to begin with, and he never forgot his friends.”
Russell’s time as a cowboy and his immersion in the physical realities of the West gave his work an extraordinary level of authenticity. He painted the West as it was or had been — not what people fed on dime novels and Wild West Shows (and later, movies) expected to see. Accoutrements — clothing, tack, firearms — were accurate to the periods he was depicting.
For example, Russell painted the real horses of the West — not big, powerful steeds, but small, tough ponies.
“Charlie got his first horse from the Crow (Indians) — and those horses were small,” Peterson said.
A decade ago, Dr. Peterson was awarded the prestigious Charles M. Russell Heritage Award, by the Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, for “significant contributions in interpreting and documenting the legacy, culture, life, and country of Charles M. Russell’s West.”
Dr. Peterson’s historical society talk will lean heavily on his award-winning book “Charles M. Russell, Photographing the Legend,” which uses hundreds of photographic images of Russell, telling the fascinating story of Charlie, his wife, Nancy, and
SISTERS-AREA EVENTS & Enter tainment
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.
SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 22
their family, as the artist made his transition from cowboy to celebrity artist in the early 20th century.
Doors open at 1 p.m. at the Sisters Fire District’s Community Hall at 301 S. Elm St. The event kicks off at 2 p.m. with Jim Cornelius performing Ian Tyson’s song about Charlie Russell, “The Gift.”
“That’s a great way to start it,” Dr. Peterson said.
Seating is first come-first served. Tickets are available at the door for $10, and the event is free for TSHS members.
MUSIC, COMMUNITY & SPIRITS Mon., Feb. 24 • 7 p.m. Rob Ick es & Tr ey Hensle y world-classguitarists bendticket.com $35 Fri., March 7 • 7 p.m. Beth W ood concert/poetry reading Befr yEvents.com $20 Thu., March 13 • 7 p.m. Brok en Compas s Bluegr as s
opens 1 hour prior to shows 302 E. Main | 541-815-9122
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 23
Sisters Elementary School Mobile Museum Children’s Museum of Central Oregon’s Mobile Museum will be in the commons 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a wide array of interactive exhibits. Free! Courtesy a partnership of C4C SPRD Circle of Friends, SPTC KPOV 88.9 FM Live Radio Concert: The Outlaw Jazz Combo Enjoy a live jazz set from the comfort of your home! 2 to 4 p.m. Tune in to 88.9 FM or listen online at kpov.org/listen-live.
Sisters Elementary School Mobile Museum Children’s Museum of Central Oregon’s Mobile Museum will be in the commons 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a wide array of interactive exhibits. Free! Courtesy a partnership of C4C SPRD Circle of Friends, SPTC
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
MONDAY • FEBRUARY 24
The Belfr y Live Music: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley bring world-class guitar playing soulful stone country vocals, and topshelf songwriting They cleverly meld bluegrass, country blues, rock, jamgrass, and more to create a signature musical blend that defies restrictions of genre. 7 p.m. Tickets and info: www.belfryevents.com.
TUESDAY • FEBRUARY 25
The Belfr y Frontiers in Science Lecture Series: “Mass Spectrometr y: The Science of Weighing Atoms and Molecules" with Dr Douglas Barofsky presented by Sisters Science Club Social hour begins at 6 p.m., lecture at 7 p.m. Adults $5 at the door; teachers and students free
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 26
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Women’s Adventure Film Tour 2025" Part of the Adventure & Art series. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $50 buy-in, freezeout.
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 27
Luckey's Woodsman Trivia: "Tap Takeover Trivia" with Oblivion Brewing and Legends Cider on site pouring samples and providing swag and prizes for winners. 5:30 p.m. Info: www.luckeyswoodsman.com.
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 28
The Belfr y Community Social Dance Family-friendly ol’ fashioned community social dance featuring fiddling and dance calling by local youth strings dance band Scandalous Chutney 6 to 8:30 p.m. Free; donations benefit Sisters Middle School Outlaw Strings Club Presented by C4C in partnership with SFF Presents. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
MONDAY • MARCH 3
Paulina Springs Books Poetr y Gathering "The Pause Button," an informal monthly gathering for poets and poetry enthusiasts Bring a poem or two to share. Listen, discuss, and write. Free 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. More info at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.
WEDNESDAY • MARCH 5
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Becoming Led Zeppelin" Part of the Adventure & Art series. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.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).
FRIDAY • MARCH 7
The Belfr y Live Music: Beth Wood shares an intimate evening of music and poetry reading in celebration of her new book of poetry, "My Name Is Another Word." 7 p.m. Tickets and information at: www.belfryevents.com.
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Charles M. Russell.
PHOTO PUBLIC DOMAIN
“He could paint the light on horsehide shining...”
PHOTO PUBLIC DOMAIN
SHELTER: Some come during daytime for services
Continued from page 1
a combination of weather factors can activate the nonprofit shelter. The most relevant is when the overnight temperatures are expected to fall below 20 degrees F. The shelter could also open when the temperature is between 21 and 25 degrees if snow accumulation of 12 inches or more is reached, or intermittent rain or freezing rain is continuous over 24 hours.
The shelter operated by CORE (Community Outreach Emergency Shelter) at 222 Trinity Way, formerly the location for Wellhouse Church’s Market, a food pantry operation, was open through the cold snap. Only a few local forest dwellers availed themselves of the overnight accommodations.
Lead volunteer Lou Blanchard told The Nugget , “In a 17-day period we had four a night. Maybe one night there were five. We staffed with volunteers and paid overnight monitors for a larger number and cannot say exactly why more houseless, especially those living in the forest, did not come in from the cold.”
Blanchard speculates that several more would have come were they able to bring their dogs. Pets are excluded from the shelter as is standard practice among all Central Oregon shelters. Countywide, shelters report the exclusion of dogs as the biggest hindrance to the homeless seeking shelter.
“We made an exception one night for two of the most vulnerable who had small, well-behaved dogs, but word spread within the unhoused community, and it became an issue of equity,” he said. “We had to return to our standard policy.”
Some may have mental health issues, and some may worry that their camp will be burgled or damaged or squatted upon and therefore they won’t leave.
Jeremy Fields, a forest protection officer with the Sisters Ranger District, believes a good number of the homeless living in the woods brave the cold because of “pride — sense of self-reliance. This is their home, and they stay in their homes no matter conditions.”
Kayla (last name withheld) is just one such person. She lives in her SUV and has for several years. She has a job and currently works in Bend, but has held positions in Sisters and Black Butte Ranch.
“I know how to do this,” she told us. “I have the right clothing and have insulated the inside. I don’t use a heater or run the engine as it is dangerous. A lot of us get along just fine like this.
“I’m probably not the best voice for this homeless shelter topic. Most unhoused people are unhoused because of circumstances beyond their control, whereas I’m just a devoted landscape photographer and creative writer who chooses to live out of my SUV to turn nature experiences into art, but I have the income and the credentials to rent and choose not to.”
Kayla doesn’t stay in one
place very long for fear of break-in or harassment from the occasional camper who is struggling with addiction or behavioral health issues.
Brenda Lipton lives in her 2002 Ford Taurus. “Home” for the last eight days has been on Forest Service Road 100, the spur road that connects to North Pine Street and the ClearPine subdivision.
She’s basically afraid of shelters, given a few experiences in her life which she admits includes a lot of alcohol and pot. Like Kayla, she moves often worried about “her stuff getting ripped off.”
Her stay in Sisters is to escape a “bad situation in Bend. I get hassled all the time over there. If I group up with others like me, it usually turns bad. And if I park in a residential area that’s safe, the neighbors call the cops.”
Eugene is her probable next destination “where the weather’s warmer.” She survives on Medicaid, a federal program covering 15 million persons with disability, in her case from chronic migraine headaches that prevent her from being employable.
While the number of overnight users at Sisters shelter is smaller than expected, Blanchard says that they routinely serve 12 to 15 per day who drop in for a meal, respite, a shower, or to charge their phones and “just get a break from a hard life.”
His outlook, and that of the dozen plus regular volunteers, is simple: “If we save one person from freezing to death it’s all worth it.”
• Linda wrote: A big thank you to Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office!
On Saturday, I was downtown in Sisters and my purse was taken from in front of a store where I had accidentally dropped it. I discovered it missing when I returned home and promptly went back to town to try to find it before I started the overwhelming task of reporting the loss of all my credit cards, medical information, driver’s license, and cash.
Shortly after I returned home empty-handed, I received a call from the sheriff’s office that my purse had been found by two alert citizens who discovered the purse in a trash can in town and called police. A deputy went to the scene then called me to identify the contents.
My cards and license were there, but the money I had was missing. There was a video camera at the scene that identified a potential suspect, and within an hour he had been found and the money was still in his possession.
What great police work! I am so grateful that we have local citizens who “see something and say something,” and a police force that is quick to apprehend a thief and return the money and the purse totally intact! God bless law enforcement here in Sisters, and may the man, who admittedly took the money, turn over a new leaf as no charges were filed and he has been given an opportunity for a fresh start.
Let’s all pray for that! Thank you again to our great officers who are protecting our community so well.
• Peter Green wrote: Here’s a brief thank you to a couple of wonderful local businesses — who are typical of everyone around Sisters Country with friendliness beyond the usual amount. I was really stuck recently, twice, and in for rather miserable days, when these two cheerfully saved my day. Last month it was Sisters Forest Products and this month it was Rollins and Sons Automotive. Heartfelt thanks to you both!
and boot corner. When the food pantry is open some stop at the clothes closet and find warm clothing. There is quite a selection of “almost new” clothing.
The Board of Directors of CORE smile when they see what the community has enabled them to provide the houseless in Sisters. We are deeply appreciative.
Rosemary Vasquez
s s s
Support our Federal Workforce
To the Editor:
I have been fortunate to own and operate an outfitter guide business in our National Forest for close to 20 years. I am saddened with the complete disregard of our Forest Service staff and the important role they play in our community.
Firing thousands of USFS workers across the country will lead to our public lands being less accessible, less safe, and more likely to burn. A large part of what the USFS does is facilitate the private contacts for small businesses and volunteer organizations be it for wildfire protection, fire fighting, recreation, outfitter — guides, lodges, restaurants, snow plowing, campground operations, cabins, ski areas — the list goes on and on.
The USFS is the central cog that oversees these projects and empowers the community to see them through. By gutting the workforce, they will be short staffed and all these projects will slow to a grind. This grind will impact a large portion of the private workforce and ripple through our little economy via shops, restaurants, lodging, etc...
Sure, it’s a giant bureaucracy and should constantly be evolving to run more effectively, but starving it of staff will do the opposite. If you are really into pinching pennies, it seems to me a waste of taxpayer money to hire, train, and then fire a huge chunk of the workforce... and it’s cruel. There are smarter ways to go about this. It’s easy to target blame on the USFS, but remember, they have always been our hardworking neighbors and friends.
Jonas Tarlen
s s s It’s a coup
To the Editor:
In just four short weeks chaos reigns in the United States. It is a coup… many illegal things are happening and it will be up to the courts to stop it.
I am wondering if those that voted for Trump and those that did not vote (same thing), voted for all the things that he is doing… if not, please speak up!
He has pardoned 1,500 criminals from the January 6th Insurrection even the ones that killed the officers and firing all the government officials involved in their prosecution who were doing their jobs. He has fired FBI agents, Federal employees, and denied any federal employee to telecommute.
He has eliminated any DEI in any federal agency and wants people to report if someone is practicing those policies of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He has inspired many corporations to do the same.
He allowed Musk and his minions to access the Federal Payment system getting access to all of our private data. This is an illegal data breach. He has terminated the USAID that helps democracy around the world, feeds children, helps farmers, helps to keep women and children safe.
He has discriminated against transgender people not allowing them to get passports or play in sports. He is making these human beings unsafe in prisons and bathrooms. He has removed the United States from the Paris Agreement (world climate) and WHO (World Health Organization. He has nominated the
worst possible unqualified candidates for every position, his loyalists.
He wants to take over Gaza and make it into a resort and give $8 billion to Israel. He wants to eliminate National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. He wants to remove funding for OPB and PBS. He wants CBS and 60 Minutes removed from the media because he did not like what they reported on. He has insulted our closest neighbors Canada and Mexico with tariffs and making a comment about Canada becoming the 51st state. He changed the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America! Who does that? Shouldn’t that be a decision between the United States, Mexico, and Cuba?
He is deporting immigrants who are not criminals and also opened a detention (concentration) camp in Guantanamo. He has rolled back over 100 environment laws so far.
He and Musk are trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau right now. This is the agency that was created to look out for consumers following the crash of 2008 — where millions of people lost their jobs, their homes, and their savings — and the big banks were bailed out.
He just banned the Associated Press from covering a White House event, because they won’t obey him about his name change of the Gulf of Mexico. This is pure fascism.
His takeover of the Kennedy Center for the Arts, a nonpartisan art center, by naming himself the Chair, and hiring new people for the board that have no expertise in the arts. Many people are resigning and not going to perform there.
He had the DOJ drop the crime case of the New York mayor and five lawyers just resigned, even conservative ones. This is state interference.
He is implementing Project 2025.
I am sure I have left some things out and more to come since I have typed this up. Please keep contacting your representatives if you are not in agreement with these things. I certainly am not!
Kathy Marshall
s s s
Why disparage USAID?
To the Editor:
Jim Cornelius’ “What’s in a wing?” column last week thoughtfully reflected on the left-right political spectrum, however, his comment “the great slough of waste and unaccountability in outfits like USAID” and Elon Musk’s recent viral claims do not hold up to scrutiny. They do a disservice to what most Americans and both political parties have traditionally felt is vital to our national interests.
My perspective (unique among Nugget subscribers) draws on 30 years as a USAID Foreign Service Officer, living in developing countries experiencing civil wars (El Salvador), the turbulence of drug cartels (Colombia), military dictatorships (Bolivia), and rigged elections (the Dominican Republic).
Foreign assistance is one of the more misunderstood items in the federal budget. Polls consistently reveal that Americans believe that it is about 25 percent of the federal budget — and that a majority believe it should be more like 10 percent. In reality, foreign aid is less than 1 percent of the budget.
As Jim’s article rightly argues, “all taxpayers — liberal, progressive, conservative, whatever — should want full accountability for their dollars well spent.” I can’t argue that our foreign aid was never misspent or that it could not be delivered more efficiently, but charges of criminality and a gross lack of oversight are just plain wrong. Aid accountability is stringent. Ninety percent of our aid dollars fund goods and services that USAID, American companies, and faith-based organizations deliver in kind, from HIV drugs to emergency food aid, malaria bed nets, and treatment for
acute malnutrition.
False claims of waste and lack of accountability, used as the basis for eliminating USAID, will only serve to undermine the goodwill America gains through its poverty eradication and democracy strengthening programs. If USAID ceases to combat life-threatening pathogens and address the root causes of economic and social instability, our world will be less safe.
Michael Deal
s s s
From the superintendent
To the Editor:
At the recent school board meeting, Crista Munro, executive director of SFF Presents, provided an update on the longstanding partnership between SFF Presents (formerly Sisters Folk Festival) and the Sisters School District, which began in the early 2000s with the launch of the Americana Project. Over the years, this collaboration has expanded to include the Luthier Program, enhanced music and art classes, the acquisition of numerous instruments, the hiring of new visual arts teachers, and the introduction of additional initiatives such as the Middle School Strings Club, Outlaw Strings, and the Outdoor Creativity Club—all at no cost to students.
Looking ahead, the next goal is to further strengthen the elementary school’s music program by purchasing 20 ukuleles. The presentation was followed by a captivating video performance from the Middle School Strings Club, along with a brief Q&A session featuring a few talented student fiddlers.
Lorna Van Geem announced that Sisters Middle School has earned the prestigious ASCA RAMP certification, recognizing it as one of only eight schools in Oregon to achieve the American School Counselor Association Model Program status. This certification highlights the school’s exceptional, data-driven counseling programs. She also shared that Sisters Elementary School is under review for similar recognition and expressed her gratitude to the team of counselors for their dedication over the
past three years. In addition, Tim Roth presented the state report card for SMS, noting that the school exceeds state averages in all subjects and experienced a nine percent increase in attendance, which he attributed to the school’s supportive environment and strong teacher-student connections. The board also reviewed the state report card at the high school level, with Steve Stancliff pointing out a slight dip in attendance, mainly due to the way the state reports sports and activity-related travel. He reiterated that the district relies on alternative assessments like iReady, ACTs, and Youth Truth for a more comprehensive view of student progress. The district also celebrated it’s 94% graduation rate.
The upcoming budget season was discussed, with the need for adjustments due to rising operational costs and PERS obligations highlighted. However, the state school fund projection remains strong. It was also announced that the new elementary school is being considered for a “Build a Better Central Oregon” award.
I encourage everyone to stay informed by subscribing to the weekly district newsletter by clicking the “Newsletter” button at https://district.ssd6.org.
Curt
Scholl, Superintendent s s s
Stop it
To the Editor:
Referring to a letter published last week in The Nugget, yet again, with the January 6 distortions. Stop it.
After extensive research into the matter, I have found that the only fatality that occurred there that day as a direct result of the riot was that of an unarmed female veteran shot dead by a police officer. Three others died on January 6, 2021, during this event at the nation’s Capitol, all of them Trump supporters. No matter how often and how loudly some might proclaim otherwise.
The tally includes two rally participants who died of heart failure — one of whom died before protesters had breached the Capitol. A fourth who was initially reported to have been trampled to death in the mayhem that day, was later determined to have died “accidentally of acute amphetamine intoxication.”
There is debate among some concerning the
number who later died and the role that the events of that day may have had in their deaths. Two days later a fifth death due to injuries suffered during the riot was reported. However, a medical examiner’s report confirmed that he had suffered strokes and died of natural causes. Many include two law enforcement officials who responded to the Capitol that day and committed suicide in the days and months afterward. None of them were officially designated as “line of duty” deaths.
There appears to be a tenacious faction who seek to inflate the event in any way that they can. There were tens of thousands at the Capitol that day. Clearly, they all did not enter the Capitol building or harm anyone. Yet over 1,500 have been prosecuted (according to the letter to which I refer). Many have served jail time. I do not consider them a danger to society. The hearing in the wrongful death suit against the shooter is slated for July of next year! Although I do not believe that he presents a danger to anyone, I think 5-1/2 years qualifies as justice delayed.
Ross Flavel s s s
Waste, fraud, and abuse
To the Editor:
“September 12, 2019. Federal Court. The jury has found Philip Esformes guilty in one of the biggest Medicare fraud cases in American history. And now the defendant is pleading with the judge for mercy.”
— From a recent book by Malcolm Gladwell titled “Revenge of the Tipping Point.”
In the book, the author tells in detail how the Medicare Fraud Strike Force became aware of Esformes and his collaborators. The Medicare fraud totaled more than $1 billion. Esformes was incarcerated at the time of the sentencing hearing, September 12, 2019. In December 2020, Trump commuted his sentence! He walked free. A witness during the sentencing hearing testified to a “huge donation to a presidential campaign.”
Recently with a single stroke, President Trump has wiped out the U.S. Agency for International Development, claiming its programs wasted taxpayer
WINTER TRAVEL!
stops for travelers and stockmen for many years.
The Grahams raised cows, pigs, and chickens. Anyone who has tried to grow things in Sisters will be impressed by the record of their garden. It produced rutabagas, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions, radishes, and lettuce. Eb coaxed his raspberries, gooseberries, currants, and strawberries. On good years they got a few apples and prunes. They smoked bacon and hams, sold butter for 25 cents a pound, and milk for 10 cents a quart. All this, as well as producing enough food for a family of 10 and hungry guests. The Graham ladies baked bread and sourdough biscuits with starter brought carefully from California. Fish and grey squirrels rounded out the menu.
store their supplies there and often paid in mutton, wild huckleberries, and left over coffee, bacon, and flour. There were rock enclosed areas for campfires, stocked with firewood. For those with deluxe accommodations in the house, there was a mattress on the floor stuffed with straw, a wool pad and feather bed topped by quilts made by the girls during idle winter hours. When beds were occupied, there was lots of laundry too.
Life was hard but the families in the area took care of each other. Daughter Lora said, “These people were just like one big family.”
Helping with babies, sharing clothes, hunting deer, and making soap out of deer fat. She recounts getting up early before school to milk 14 cows with her siblings while her father fed travelers’ horses. The Station served for many years along the wagon road which was a livestock trail and freight route from 1865-1939. As Eb’s health declined, the Grahams sold and moved into Sisters. Ella passed away in 1926 at the
age of 73 and six weeks later, 93-year-old Eb joined her. Many of their children stayed nearby. Two of the Graham girls married Forest Service Rangers. Leda and notable Ranger Perry South wed in 1906 at the Graham’s place and they worked from the old Allingham ranch house along the Metolius River. Leda’s younger sister Lora married Frank Zumwalt, a Forest Service guard, and lived at Allingham from 1918-1924. Lora ran the station in her husband’s absence, working the switchboard, and issuing fire permits while raising vegetables, baking endless loaves of bread and cream pies, and helping and feeding foresters and travelers. Leda and Lora had seven children between them. Their older sister Nellie lived her entire life in Sisters and married Dave Miller, the State Fire Warden.
important road projects in the area, including roads around Suttle, Todd, Sparks, and Devils Lakes. Edwin (Eben) homesteaded in the Fly Creek area, later at Grandview, and finally along Whychus Creek.
Early one morning in 1888, the kids were roused from bed as the bigger cabin Eb had built caught fire and burned down. Undeterred, he worked with Frank and John Stanton to install a temporary lumber mill, believed to be the first in the area. Eb then built an even bigger six-bedroom house, with a spacious living room and huge barn. Sheepherders could
Sons Joe, Walter, and Edwin also worked for the Forest Service off and on. Joe was a Ranger for many years on Mt. Hood and the Deschutes, and Walter was the foreman of
Walter and Eben added another six grandkids to the growing Graham family. In 1996, almost 30 years ago, Ray Hatten wrote that the remains of the Graham station were adjacent to the third tee of the Glaze Meadow Golf Course, which is actually north of Glaze Meadow. He described it as a few weathered boards, surmising in a few more years there might be nothing left of this historic refuge for travelers. But the Grahams left their lasting mark on the land with their name on the nearby horse camp Graham Corral, and Graham Butte. And many of them rest together under the junipers at Camp Polk Cemetery, true pioneers that took care of neighbors and strangers in the old wild days in Sisters Country.
The meadow south of Black Butte in 2013.
PHOTO BY MARET PAJUTEE
Leda, Perry, and Ruby South.
COURTESY THE SOUTH FAMILY
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 TUMALO:
• Pisano’s Pizza • Shell Station • T umalo Coffeehouse T umalo Farmstand • T umalo Feed Co.
Business
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 Community Church
• 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 Age 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
GRIEF: Program brings people together in mutual aid
Continued from page 3
The word doula is associated with birth: a trained, experienced helper who aids the pregnant mother and family during childbirth, with physical and emotional support not intended to replace medical professionals.
End-of-life doulas, or death doulas, are a newer concept for many Americans to grasp. They serve families on the other end of the cycle of life.
In addition to providing emotional support, Peaceful Presence doulas helped with the bureaucratic side of things surrounding his wife’s death, Cosden noted, such as paperwork and legal documents relevant “both before and afterward.”
Volunteers also help the bereaved with legacy projects, sorting through photos and writing down stories about the loved one who passed.
“As a culture, we don’t really talk about, think about, prepare for death and dying,” Cosden mused. “We don’t know how to handle it. And yet it’s such a central part of everybody’s reality.”
That’s where Connection Cafés come in. According to event organizers, they “provide a welcoming and compassionate space for supportive conversations about illness, death, and grief.”
Participants are encouraged to experience meaningful connections, a sense of community, guidance to help identify personal strengths, and the opportunity to engage with others.
“Sharing of ideas, sharing how we can help one another — the café has really been great,” said participant Jane Killefer, whose husband died last autumn. “We had a conversation about helpful things that people say to us (when we are grieving) and things that are not helpful. The learning between the griever and non-grievers that took place was really powerful.”
As an example, Killefer said, “It’s not helpful for somebody to say, ‘I lost my Aunt Nora three years ago to cancer, and she did blahblah-blah.’” Killefer appreciated that the facilitators brought a handout to the next meeting, listing helpful and unhelpful responses to grief.
One flyer offered this blunt advice: “Show up. Listen. Don’t fix,” typed in all caps.
“We as a society don’t talk about death and dying and end of life. We need to talk about it! We need to learn from and support one another,” Killefer exclaimed.
“Whether or not we are right there in the grief in that moment — it’s going to touch us as all at some point,” she pointed out. “What better place to do it than in community, and in a community like Sisters Country?”
Both Killefer and Cosden mentioned a café discussion about having breakdowns in grocery stores. “I was fairly freshly grieving and family had all left,” said Cosden. “I went grocery shopping. Silly me, I went into Costco.”
The overwhelming nature of that environment led him to a panic attack. “You’re in grief brain,” he explained. “You don’t know what’s going on. I had a meltdown in the middle of the store and ran off.”
Cosden has found that other people had similar stories. “You mean that’s normal? I was just quite relieved to find out that’s normal. Nobody had told me about it or warned me.”
The Sisters Connection Cafés run weekly on Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. through February 26 at Sisters Library (Deschutes Public Library) at 110 N. Cedar St.
“Depending on attendees’ needs and recommendations, we intend to schedule a spring series or ongoing gathering,” said Haddad, who is a series co-host and an end-of-life doula.
Sponsored by Peaceful Presence, the events are supported by the Rosendin Foundation, Central Oregon Health Quality Alliance, and St. Charles Health System.
Everyone is welcome, no pre-registration is required and there is no charge. General information about Peaceful Presence’s services is available at www.the peacefulpresenceproject.org.
“I hope it continues,” said Killefer. “It’s very powerful. Anything we can do to knit ourselves together is great.”
Four girls qualify for wrestling state
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
Four Sisters High wrestlers will be competing at the OSAA 4A/3A/2A/1A wrestling championships based on their finishes at the Special District 3 tournament held at La Grande High School February 14–15.
As a team the Outlaws placed eighth among 27 squads from the 4A–1A ranks. La Grande, a 4A school, amassed 273 points to easily win the team title. Sisters finished with 75 points.
“We don’t train to participate; we train to dominate,” said Head Coach David Kemp. “These girls came in with a chip on their shoulder, and they walked out rewriting history.”
Freshman Tanner Gibney got things started for the Outlaws’ qualifiers by taking fourth in the 100-pound class. In round one, she took almost no time to take down Aurora Shearer of Union/ Cove in just 36 seconds. She went on to score a sudden victory in the quarterfinal over Ali Wenick of Grant Union. A sudden victory occurs after the wrestlers remain tied after three rounds. The first wrestler to score a point wins in overtime.
Lorien Bowns of Nyssa topped Gibney in the semifinals by fall (1:37) sending Gibney into the consolation round where she earned a spot in the third-place match by beating Emma Nicholes of Adrian (1:34).
In the third-place match Malibu Chevelle of 4A Crook County won by fall and Gibney earned fourth by no contest over Wenick, who she had beaten earlier. Gibney’s record now stands at 24-16 for the season.
Senior Brooklynn Cooper punched her return ticket to state by placing third at 120 pounds. She beat Roxy Solis of Irrigon (2:10) before losing to Angie Solis of Crook County by technical fall in the quarterfinal. She then went on a four-match win streak in the consolation rounds to earn third place. She pinned Autumn Creeley of Enterprise (0:44), Amber George of Elgin (1:13), and Gretchen Fewell of Crook County (1:04) before facing Angie Solis again. This time it was Cooper who came out on top with a 13-8 decision.
Kisten Elbek, another senior, upped her season win total to 34 on her way to third place at 155 pounds. She took little time in dispatching her first two opponents with quick falls, taking down Anahy Perez of McLoughlin (0:42) and Hallie Ballou of Nyssa (0:25). Marti Lind of Baker/Power Valley slowed Elbek down in the semifinal with a pin (4:36), but Elbek bounced back in the consolation-semi by pinning Kamryn Kauffman of Pendleton (1:53). Elbek lost the third-place match to Kate Norton of Baker/Powder Valley (2:48), but attained her goal of qualifying for state with a win by no contest over Ballou, who she had beaten earlier.
Sierra Jaschke, a junior, placed third in the 190pound class after bouncing
back with three wins following a loss in her first match to Gabrielle Kennedy of Pendleton (1:21). She received a bye in consolation round one, then pinned Gracie Baker of Crane (2:16). Facing Kennedy for a second time, Jaschke turned the tables and won by pin (1:24).
Also wrestling for the Outlaws, but not scoring were Sofia Clark, Goose Henderson, Ava Stotts, and Mackenzie Frutos.
“I am incredibly proud of all the girls and feel ecstatic that four of them get to extend their season and represent the Outlaws at state,” said Kemp.
Parents commented on Facebook about the powerful sense of community and camaraderie that has been built around the girls wrestling program in Central Oregon.
“What an amazing moment to be experiencing, surrounded by wonderful kiddos and amazing parents and coaches,” Tianna Jaschke wrote. “The wrestling community is like none other that I have ever experienced. I will never forget yesterday.”
The OSAA State Championships are set for February 27-March 1 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland which serves as the state site for all classifications, boys and girls, under one roof.
Tight Lines
By Chester Allen
When it is too darn cold to fish
Hardcore fly anglers in Sisters Country eagerly fish throughout the winter — even if it’s snowing.
I know this because I’m one of the knuckleheads out there in 34-degree weather — hoping to find a blue wing olive mayfly hatch — or some emerging midges — on the Metolius River.
But the snowy, arctic weather of the past week or so corralled up most of the fly fishing addicts at home. I’m sure some anglers — shivering from fishing withdrawal instead of the bone-chilling cold — have prowled the Metolius River on 22-degree afternoons.
I suspect some of these weirdos have caught fish, as the Metolius is a spring-fed river, with water temperatures that hover around 48 to 50 degrees all year long. The fish are feeding, and I’m a little ashamed that I wasn’t out there.
Metolius addicts think about the river all the time. Last February, while fishing Argentina’s terrific Chimehuin River with my
good friend Jeff Perin, we both openly wondered how the Metolius was fishing.
This was crazy, as we spent a chunk of money — and flew thousands of miles — to be in Patagonia — and to fish for the same species of trout that we catch right here in Central Oregon.
Jeff Perin owns the Fly Fisher’s Place, so he encourages this lunacy. That said, he embraced the crazy side of fly angling long before he owned his excellent shop.
The attraction of Patagonia is uncrowded rivers, amazing scenery, great people and big trout under the summer sunshine of South America. When it is winter here, it is summer there.
Winter here
I’m going back to Patagonia next February, but I’m dealing with a cold, snowy landscape and fly fishing deprivation right now. It’s not pretty.
I go for a daily walk around Sisters, but this is a poor substitute from loping along the banks of the Metolius, the Middle Deschutes, or the Crooked rivers. Whychus Creek looks like it is flowing out of Siberia. Yes, I know that the weather will turn soon, but it’s been a couple of weeks, and I’m starting to get cranky.
Tying flies make me happy, and I’ve been busily filling out my midge fly boxes during this endless cold snap. I’m just finishing up tying dozens of Pat’s Midge flies in sizes 16 through 22. You can fit quite a few size 22 flies on a penny, so this is absorbing, rewarding stuff.
It’s even more rewarding when a nice trout sucks down a Pat’s Midge on a winter river.
I saw that for myself a day or so before the Big Chill rolled into Central Oregon. I drove to the Crooked River outside of Prineville, and it was a sweet, 40-degree afternoon with that weak, glowing winter sun oozing toward the horizon.
I walked up to a big, deep hole just downstream of a shallow, weedy riffle — prime winter trout water on the Crooked — and found dozens of trout tipping and sipping throughout the pool. The best trout were in the thin water of the pool tailout — just before that glassy water tumbled into a rocky, shallow run.
I suspect trout think the Pat’s Midge fly looks like an adult midge that can’t get out of the surface film. These flies are also easy to see, which is a big deal when fishing a tiny fly.
The resident rainbow trout were cuddling with a bunch of aggressive whitefish, which were also rising to the midges pushing through
the water’s gummy surface and becoming winged adults. I think bigger rainbow trout like hiding out with the whitefish. Why? I think anglers see those sippy, noisy whitefish rise forms and walk on — looking for the classy, head-and-tail rises of trout feeding on emerging bugs.
I caught a few nice trout — on the Crooked, a nice one is 12 inches and up — when
a seriously big trout ate my size 20 Pat’s Midge. The trout wallowed on the surface, giving me a good look, and then burrowed into a mat of weeds. After a bit, the trout broke off my 6X tippet.
I planned to go back a couple days later, but this endless cold front moved in. I just cannot wait to go back, and 34 degrees will feel really toasty.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS
The Nugget
N EWS PA PE R
They also traveled up 1496 steps to the Hakarimata Scenic Reserve for a beautiful view to share with Nugget readers
w
Pam and Gregg Calderwood took The Nugget with them to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley in New Zealand.
The Metolius River is a draw — even when it’s brutally cold.
PHOTO BY CHESTER ALLEN
City selects roundabout landscape designer
By Susan Cobb Correspondent
The City of Sisters has selected Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning LLP to create a landscape design for the Highway 20/Locust Street roundabout.
The City’s public works department had issued a request for proposal for a landscape design and received two proposals. After review and scoring by an evaluation committee of four city staff and Jerod Lustig from Sisters Park & Recreation District, the committee recommended Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning (www.cameronmccarthy.com), which has offices in Portland, Eugene, and Bend.
With approval from the Urban Renewal Agency (URA), McCarthy will begin a design process and concept considering the forthcoming roundabout art.
The selection of art for the roundabout is a separate City project currently in progress. Two mock-up art designs are to be presented for public review March 17, with council review and approval likely in April.
Periodically the URA, in which the Mayor is Chair and councilors are members, is called to act in accordance with the URA Plan. The plan was adopted in 2022, and was developed by the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee comprised of Sisters residents and business and property owners. The URA Plan has seven goals. The goals for the downtown area seek to strengthen and develop the area, improve traffic and pedestrian flow, promote a variety of commercial and residential uses, enhance public areas, improve overall western theme appearances, and generate jobs.
On the night of February 12, URA chair and members unanimously approved the Professional Services Agreement with Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning LLP for the Locust Roundabout Landscape Design in an amount not to exceed $54,361.
JAZZ FEST: Two-day event featured honor
bands
Continued from page 3
of this event was a nod to those students who are so dedicated and ambitious, and an invitation to young musicians who have been waiting to discover that this could be something they really love and are good at.”
The honor band consisted of 29 total students and spanned over two school days. These Central Oregon students traveled from a variety of local schools, including Madras, Caldera, Redmond, and Bend. The expansion of the usual big band size to accommodate for the students who applied meant the evening performance was split between a larger band and multiple smaller combos.
There were nearly two rhythm section players for every one instrument, so they alternated between the larger band and four separate combos. These student-led combos started off the night and played an array of classics, including John Coltrane’s “Blue Train,” and George Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day.”
Sarah Owens, director of
High Desert Middle School, then introduced the larger ensemble, and began the five songs they would be performing. These songs included Duke Pearson’s and Jennifer Wharton’s “Big Bertha,” Jessika Smith’s “Cyan Thread” and “Duck Confit,” Lil Armstrong’s and Mike Tomaro’s “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue,” and Maria Schneider’s “Prairie Dance.”
Owens led the band with an infectious joy and sense of pride. She said that the pieces performed were not easy and proved to be a challenge for the short amount of time they had to learn them — but by the time of the performance
the musicians had overcome these obstacles.
The COMEA Honor Band will continue to be an annual Central Oregon event, although it will not always be hosted at Sisters High School. Ages, jazz experience, enthusiasm, and knowledge all varied within the band, but their uniting factor proved to be their love for the genre.
“This is why we teach music, to inspire young people to find joy and love in creating art with other people and pushing themselves to hone their craft,” said Golka.
Jazz musicians performed an advanced repertoire in COMEA Honor Jazz Band Festival at Sisters High School on February 11.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA NIETO
Continued from page 14
funds. For sure, some sponsored projects have been unsuccessful. However others have had great benefit. Approximately onethird of the annual budget was devoted to health, supporting programs carried out in partnership with local agencies. Over the years, deaths from malaria have been cut in half. Programs to prevent the spread of HIV AIDS have saved and continue to prolong millions of lives. Clinical trials toward new ways to prevent HIV AIDS were halted overnight. The volunteers were dismissed.
In Zambia, the significant numbers that were sick with HIV AIDS are now working thanks to drugs distributed by USAID. The country has become more stable. The U.S. needs minerals mined there for electric vehicles.
Everyone would advocate rigorous review of U.S. government-funded programs to select the most effective ones and terminate the failures. Too bad none of the USAID programs will ever have that chance.
Carolyn Gabrielson
s s s
Do we appreciate what we have?
To the Editor:
There is a lot going on. I get the feeling of overwhelm, but I believe we all need to take a deep breath, maybe a break. But then we need to come back, put on our thinking caps, and analyze the plus and minuses we are facing. I believe there are many systems that are potentially under siege at this time. I will focus on two. As an RN in acute care for over 40 years I have a tad bit of experience in these systems and the reality of direct effect on human beings.
Medicare: we have really not had this system for very long. The law passed in the mid to late 1960s, and then of course there were years of implementation. When I came into nursing it was approximately 1978. I will give some examples of how the support of Medicare actually funded hospitals. People over 65 could actually pay their bills. This, in turn, helped hospitals take a step above providing charity care.
Hospitals could expand. They could update the facilities. Improve on providing education to staff, thereby improving standards of care. Secondarily, this improved outcomes and attracted professionals dedicated to providing the most updated and caring environment.
There was a time when a person entered the hospital having a heart attack (myocardial infarction), there was little that could be done. Oxygen, pain medication, observation. Gradually over time, increasing activity and attempting to rehab the patient back to activities of daily living. Hard to believe there were no cath labs, no angioplasty, no effective medications compared to what we have now. We waited, watched and hoped the “heart attack” did not damage too much heart muscle rendering the patient a “cardiac cripple.”
Fast forward. When someone comes into the hospital suffering a “heart attack” they are immediately taken to a cath lab, and all hands on deck to get that coronary artery open.
The first time I witnessed the ECG changes pre- and postheart cath, I felt like it was truly a miracle. We were ecstatic!
This is only one example of how the infusion of Medicare has helped hospitals provide this kind of care. I believe almost everyone reading this either knows directly or indirectly someone who has benefitted from this miraculous procedure.
It is not just the direct patient care that Medicare funding has helped. It is also the professional training of all the dedicated staff that truly care about people to make sure they can be as close to the cutting edge of the most quality care possible.
I have worked with them. I know them and I know how their mantra is “how can I improve quality patient care?”
One may say, “oh well it costs a lot and maybe if a person is too old they should not get this care?”
Tell that to the person who is an avid gardener, skier, husband, father, friend to many, who is saved by such a procedure. Then that person continues on to live his active lifestyle, lives to provide friendship, love, and caring to his community.
There are so many procedures that have saved so many lives, alleviated suffering for so many and in the long run save society the potential costs of sequelae if these procedures were not available.
I believe we need to evaluate the whole system and process before someone from South Africa steps in and makes these decisions unilaterally from a view containing huge knowledge deficits.
Lets run the numbers. Lets at least use the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Lets measure twice and cut once with knowledgeable precision.
Vikki Hickmann
Mike Hernandez
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.
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Several space types available. Call owner Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478
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
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
STORAGE WITH BENEFITS
8 x 20 dry box
Fenced yard, RV & trailers
In-town, gated, 24-7 EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com
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
SEEKING AFFORDABLE ADVERTISING?
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 Garage & Estate Sales
Annual Garage Sale at the River Run Event Center in the Eagle Crest Resort. 1730 Blue Heron Dr., Redmond. Saturday, March 1, 2025. 8:30 am to 1 pm Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!
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
403 Pets
SISTERS WHISKERS
Your purr-fect friend is waiting for you at our local nonprofit cat rescue! Apply to adopt at: sisterswhiskers.org
500 Services
• 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
NOTARY PUBLIC - LOCAL
– Call Cheryl 541-420-7875 –
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
TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825
LOLO TREE WORKS
Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638
Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912
– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
online at NuggetNews.com
4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP –Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT –Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057
General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523
Custom Homes • Additions
Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com
Custom Homes Additions - Remodels Residential Building Projects Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER SUDOKU Level: Moderate Answer: Page 22
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Earthwood Timberframes
• Design & shop fabrication
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EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com
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
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
Lara’s Construction LLC.
CCB#223701
Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218
CASCADE GARAGE DOORS
Factory Trained Technicians
Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
Looking for the ability to hone your skills and enter a position where you can grow within a company? Sisters Landscape is looking for detail oriented and motivated individuals to join our team. Our company is looking to grow, and we need skilled individuals to move up in our company. This is the time to establish connections and learn the skills we need for leadership positions. We are also willing to train individuals with no experience who may be looking to try something different. Come join us for the 2025 season. Starting wage is $20/hr for no experience.
Experienced workers more.
Open Positions:
Maintenance crew leads
Maintenance laborers
Construction crew leads
Construction laborers Irrigation tech
Call: 541-549-3001
Email: Sisterslandscape@gmail.com
Office Manager Wanted
Sisters Landscape is looking for an experienced individual to be our office manager. The ideal candidate would be proficient in QuickBooks Online and Microsoft Word. The position would entail managing our books, answering calls, scheduling appointments, payroll, and doing our billing. We are willing to train individuals who possess some of the above skills but not all. Customer experience preferred but not required. $20/hr for no experience. More depending on experience. Call: 541-549-3001
Email: Sisterslandscape@gmail.com
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
999 Public Notice
Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services
7730 Market Center Ave., Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79912
TS No.: 2024-00052-OR
ACCOUNT NO.: 132266
MAP NO.: 1611340000300
TRUSTEE'S NOTICE OF SALE
T.S. Number: 2024-00052-OR
Reference is made to that certain trust deed made by MICHAEL BERG as grantor, to First American Title Insurance Company as trustee, in favor of Argent Mortgage Company, LLC, as beneficiary, dated 07/17/2003 recorded on 07/30/2003, in the Records of Deschutes County, Oregon, in book --- at page --- and/or as fee/file/instrument/microfilm/rec eption No. 2003-51177, covering the following described real property situated in the above-mentioned county and state:
ACCOUNT NO. 132266 MAP NO.: 1611340000300
The South half of the Southwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of the Northeast quarter (S1/2 SW1/4 NW1/4 NE1/4) in Section 34, Township 16 South, Range 11 East of the Willamette Meridian, Deschutes County, Oregon.
Commonly Known As: 18520 PINEHURST ROAD, BEND, OR 97701
Both the beneficiary Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for Argent Securities Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2003-W3 and the trustee Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and a Notice of Default has been recorded pursuant to ORS 86.752(3). The default for which the foreclosure is made is the grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sums:
TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE AS OF 11/08/2024: $39,101.83
TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF AS OF 11/08/2024: $501,585.30
Pat Burke
LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT
CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062
www.sistersfencecompany.com
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ACTION AIR
Heating & Cooling, LLC
Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com
CCB #195556 541-549-6464
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 803 Work Wanted
I AM A CAREGIVER Looking for work in Sisters, Part-Time Please call Lynn 503-274-0214.
Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-to-day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay.
By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all sums owing on the obligation secured by said trust deed immediately due and payable, said default being the following: Installment of Principal and Interest plus impounds and/or advances which became due on
11/01/2023 plus late charges, and all subsequent installments of principal, interest, balloon payments, plus impounds and/or advances and late charges that become payable Therefore, notice hereby is given that Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services the undersigned trustee will on 04/10/2025 at the hour of 01:00 PM, Standard of Time, Front Entrance, Deschutes Courthouse, 1100 N.W. Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 as established by ORS187.110, in the County of Deschutes, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by grantor of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee.
Notice is further given that any person named in ORS 86.778 has the right, at any time prior to five (5) days before the date last set
C L A S S I F I E D S
for sale, to have this foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of the principal as would not then be due had no default occurred) and by curing any other default complained of herein that is capable of being cured by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, and in addition to paying the sums or tendering the performance necessary to cure the default, by paying all costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the obligation and trust deed, together with trustee’s and attorney fees not exceeding the amounts provided by ORS 86.778. In construing this notice the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any.
Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the
Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale has been issued by the Trustee. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the Trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary.
If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney.
If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holder’s rights against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligation.
Without limiting the Trustee’s
disclaimer of representation or warranties, Oregon law requires the Trustee to state in this notice that some residential properties sold at a Trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential properties should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the Trustee’s sale.
NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS
86.771.
Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA
PTS Foreclosure Services
Dated: 10-31-2024
Premium Title Agency, Inc. DBA PTS Foreclosure Services
7730 Market Center Ave Suite 100, El Paso, TX 79912
Trustee Phone number: (866) 960-8299
Dated: 10-31-2024
STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF EL PASO
On October 3 1, 2024 before me, Yosemite Lopez Campos, a Notary Public, Personally appeared Delia Madrid, Trustee Sale Assistant, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
FOR TRUSTEES SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL (866) 960-8299
The Nugget Newspaper
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• 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 journalism
Nugget freelancer is a connection with Sisters youth
Olivia Nieto freelancing with The Nugget Newspaper two years ago, as a freshman in high school. Her f stor y was cov Sisters High Sc Winter Recital. junior, she continues to provide cov school-related topics.
Erin Borla of The Roundhouse F connected Olivia with Editor in Chief Jim Cornelius, who was immediately str by Olivia’s poise and enthusiasm. She prov to be a quick lear with a knack f — and an im work ethic. She q became com interviewing stor subjects, from her fellow students to school staff. She has thrived in the work.
“I f ind it really benef icial,” she said. “It’s def initely expanded my social skills and local connections.”
Olivia says that the stories she most enjoys working on are “any y where the person ed is really passionate about it.”
“It’s nice to be able to be that connection for ” she says.
Nieto has passions of wn, from music to the outdoors, which borne fr uit in her ticipation in school band prog rams and Sisters High School’s Interdisciplinar y Environmental Expedition (IEE) ram.
Nieto’s work provides The Nugget with a vital, direct connection with Sisters youth, and her peers enjoy seeing their stories in the newspaper
She isn’t sure what she plans to pursue in her raduation life, but she says she will incorporate the skills wledge she is building as a freelance repor ter into whatever her future endeavors hold.
“I’m just g rateful for the oppor tunity,” she said.
“My involvement has expanded my life in ways I never imagined.”
