SROA NEWS – The SROA Board of Directors has approved a 3% discount on regular maintenance fees when an owner prepays their annual amount, in full.
Owners can choose their payment option by filling out a form on the SROA website at www.sunriverowners.org/ maintenancefeeoption (there is also a form on page 5). You must submit a payment choice form by Nov. 15. PLEASE NOTE: You only need to fill out the form if you would like to change your payment choice from previous years. Here are the three ways to pay:
1. Annual prepayment (receive 3% discount)
Prepay your 2025 maintenance fee amount in full and receive a 3% discount. This saves the expense of printing and mailing monthly invoices. You will receive your invoice in mid-December either via mail or email depending on your selected preference. Your one-time payment must be received by SROA no later than Jan. 24, 2025 to receive the discount.
NOTE: The 3% discount applies to the regular maintenance fee only. Special assessment payments (such as SHARC) are not subject to the 3% discount.
2. Monthly ACH transfer
The second alternative is to authorize SROA to automatically withdraw monthly payments from your bank account. Check the appropriate box on the online form. You’ll receive an enrollment form from the accounting office to initiate this process.
3. Pay online (3% discount only if paid in full)
You can also pay any amount, anytime, online with a credit or debit card through your account portal on the SROA website. Once you receive the invoice, visit the website (www.sunriv-
Thank you FIRE CREWS!
By Susan Berger, Sunriver Scene SROA
NEWS – Lightning strike fires can be very sneaky. While some don’t start a fire, others lie in wait… often smoldering for days until conditions are just right and can take off into a raging, full-blown forest fire.
The Little Lava Fire’s official start date was Sunday, Sept. 8 from a lightning strike a couple days earlier just east of Little Lava Lake. This particular storm left 30 fires in its wake, including one that threatened Mt. Bachelor. By late afternoon the columns of smoke billowed and merged until you could no longer differentiate one fire from the other.
Conditions were dry, hot and afternoon winds were pushing the fire eastward, with Sunriver and surrounding communities in its path.
On Monday evening came the message we all wish to avoid. Phones, text messages and emails simultaneously blew up as Sunriver, and other surrounding communities, received evacuation notifications due to the rapid advancement of the fire. While Sunriver initially received Level 1, other nearby
The section of Road 45 where the Little Lava Fire jumped the road.
The Little Lava Fire incident management team held an informational town hall meeting at Three Rivers School for area residents on Sept. 11. More than 400 were in attendance to learn more about suppression efforts.
This photo, taken Sunday, Sept. 8 from the Little Lava Lake boat launch, shows the Little Lava Fire as it was just beginning to take off. Due to the rugged terrain and limited access, the firefight was initially an aerial one.
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SCENE
October 2024
Volume XLVII, No. 10
57455 Abbot Drive PO Box 3278
Sunriver, OR 97707
OWNER/PUBLISHER
Sunriver Owners Association
The SUNRIVER SCENE is the o cial monthly publication of the Sunriver Owners Association, a not-for-pro t Oregon corporation dedicated to:
“Maintaining Sunriver as a premier residential and resort community, protecting and enhancing its quality of life, natural environment and property values.”
The Scene is mailed to Sunriver property owners anywhere in the U.S. and available at locations throughout Sunriver and through a paid subscription by mail.
Publication of advertising copy or individuals’ opinions in the Scene does not constitute endorsement by the newspaper, the Sunriver Owners Association or any of its members or board of directors. Each advertiser bears responsibility for claims made on their behalf.
All Scene content including stories, advertising and images are copyrighted and cannot be re-published without permission.
CONTACT THE SCENE
Editor | Communications Director
Susan Berger | 541.585.2937 susanb@srowners.org
Communications Specialist
Shae Callewaert | 541.593.6068 shaec@srowners.org
Communications Specialist
Kristine Thomas | 541.585.2939 kristinet@srowners.org
areas skipped Levels 1 and 2 and went to a Level 3.
The Little Lava Fire was not cooperating. The conglomeration of fires in that area was renamed the “Bachelor Complex” and assigned an incident management team. The team also managed the Flat Top and Firestone fires burning between La Pine and community of Fort Rock.
By Tuesday afternoon, Sunriver was bumped to Level 2 as significant afternoon winds continued to push the fire – making a direct beeline toward Sunriver and surrounding populated communities.
The fire’s origin was approximately 13 miles from Sunriver (as the crow flies) but wind-driven growth on Tuesday pushed it to within six miles. It’s a grim reminder to always be prepared and adhere to evacuation orders as they are received – just in case conditions change rapidly and the next notification doesn’t arrive in time.
While falling ash had become the norm following the start of the fire, there were reports of larger chunks of burnt wood landing in Sunriver. Had that debris still been smoldering when it landed say, in a pile of pine needles on a roof or up
Fees
erowners.org) and choose the “Maintenance Fees” button from the center of the homepage. This will take you to the page where you can access your
against a house, it could have been disastrous. Luckily, by Wednesday morning, everyone woke to rain and cool temperatures – a huge boon to firefighting efforts.
On Sept. 11, the incident management team for the Little Lava Fire held a town hall at the Three Rivers School cafeteria. It was standing room only with an estimated 400-plus attendees. The team outlined their firefighting strategies and were confident they could keep the fire from advancing much further – alleviating the fears of Sunriver, and other area, residents.
Over the next 24 hours, cooler temperatures continued to slow the fire’s progression and resulted in downgrading Sunriver to a Level 1. This level remained in place until the following Tuesday, when all evacuation levels were eventually lifted.
As the Scene was going to press, the fire’s containment was at 39% and a couple hundred fire personnel remained on the fire to construct and button up fire breaks, conduct back burn operations and mop up some areas. Smoke will continue to be visible in the area for quite some time – or until the snow flies.
Not Sunriver’s first rodeo Historically, other fires have
account (you’ll need to set up a login/password to view your account, if you haven’t already done so). You can also make monthly payments here with your card. All online payments are subject to a 3%convenience fee.
been just as close or closer than the Little Lava Fire, but this was only the second time (that anyone could remember) that evacuation levels were activated within Sunriver proper.
The last significant wildfires close to Sunriver include:
• In the early 1990s a fire sprung up along Cottonwood Road between Sunriver and Highway 97 that prompted the evacuation of homes east of Beaver Drive. Unfortunately, it was difficult to get anyone to leave and police reported there were just as many people coming as going and some just watching the fire, creating traffic jams that put everyone in danger.
• September 1999 Spring River Butte Fire: This 120acre fire was three miles west of Sunriver. Spot fires were the biggest threat. Fortunately, the
Members who do not choose a payment option will automatically receive both the annual invoice and monthly invoices.
The SROA Board of Directors determines the amount of the 2025 maintenance fee at the November board meet-
fire’s forward movement slowed when it moved into a forested area that had been thinned.
• August 2016 Sheridan Fire (located at the junction of Road 45 and Road 45): This fire burned approximately 250 acres and was only three miles from the west boundary of Sunriver. There was a Level 1 evacuation for the Fall River subdivision and fish hatchery off South Century Drive but not Sunriver. The only impact to Sunriver was a partial closure of the Deschutes River between Harper Bridge and the Sunriver Marina/SROA boat launch so helicopters could safely fill up water buckets for aerial drops on the fire. A nearby section of pathway was also closed due to helicopter activity.
ing. That amount will be announced in the Scene and posted on the SROA website. If you have questions, call the SROA accounting office at 541-593-2411 or email SROA Controller Joe Healy at joeh@ srowners.org
Sunriver Airport became a helibase to support aerial resources for the Little Lava Fire and other fires within the Bachelor Complex, and other area fires.
SUSAN BERGER PHOTO
During the month of September, the threat of wildfire hit close to home. A Level 1 evacuation notice (Be Ready) was issued the evening of Monday, Sept. 9. Like many of our Sunriver neighbors, my wife and I prepared our “ready to go” bags. Being late in the evening, with a Level 2 notice in effect just across the Deschutes River, we decided to book a room in a Bend hotel.
we got a break in the weather with cooler temperatures and light rain on Wednesday morning. The fire professionals battling the blaze were able to create a containment line along the fire’s eastern border. We dodged a bullet.
While nothing serious outside of poor air quality impacted Sunriver overnight, a Level 2 notice (Be Set) was issued the following day. The Little Lava Lake fire, a few miles southeast of Little Lava Lake had rapidly expanded eastward on Tuesday, crossing Forest Service Road 45 (the road from Sunriver to Mt. Bachelor). Another day of strong westerly winds could have easily expanded the fire eastward to the next natural break, the Deschutes River, bordering the western edge of Sunriver.
Fortunately for all of us,
One of the main attractions to Sunriver is our natural environment. The 3,300 acres encompassing Sunriver are highly wooded with abundant common space. We are not so isolated that we cannot see our neighbors, but our view of neighboring homes includes a view of the natural environment in which we live. As Sunriver property owners, it is our desire and responsibility to maintain the forest in which we live and do our part to minimize the risk of wildfire.
Wildfires can be initiated by natural causes (lightning) or irresponsible human behavior (unattended open flame fires or smoldering debris). In gen-
eral, Sunriver owners and their guests have acted responsibly when it comes to abiding by SROA rules with respect to open flames and fireworks. For this, we all are thankful. We cannot control naturally initiated wildfires or wildfires started outside of our boundaries, so it is our responsibility to minimize the chance of a rogue fire spreading quickly through our community.
As owners, we invest in a dedicated team of Sunriver firefighters and in SROA’s efforts thinning trees and removing ladder fuels from common property that would allow a ground fire to move up into the canopy where wind and sparks can quickly spread the fire in any direction. These are significant investments, ~$3.6M/year or $850 per Sunriver owner. It is important to note that our responsibility, as Sunriver owners, goes beyond our financial support for the SSD and SROA. It is our responsibility to keep our structures fire hardened and maintain defensible space on our property. This includes the removal of pine needles and other flammable ma-
terials from the home, deck(s), and roof and to reduce ladder fuels (bitterbrush, dead limbs on trees up to 10 feet from the ground) from around our property. Those who store firewood on their property need to make sure they do not exceed the three cord maximum and store the firewood at least 20 feet (or as far away as possible) from your and your neighbor’s home (but not on commons) during the fire season, generally May through October.
Wildfire risk in Sunriver is significant. Through the efforts of SROA, the health of our common property forest is well maintained and helps to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire. Our fire professionals are well trained and equipped to deal with individual structure fires in Sunriver. When it comes to wildfire, our efforts must be preventive in nature. We all play a role in preventing human caused fires in Sunriver and maintaining our property to minimize the spread of fire, should it occur within Sunriver. Wildfires can spread quickly
Highlights of the SROA Board of Directors monthly meeting
The Sunriver Owners Association (SROA) Board of Directors meeting was held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Board members present: Gerhard Beenen, Bill Burke, Keith Mobley, Clark Pederson, Mark Murray, Linda Beard, Roni Jacknow, Randy Schneider and Brad Banta.
Staff present: James Lewis, Susan Berger, Richie Villagrana.
Owners forums (summarized)
From Sept. 20 work session
–Paul Lindstrom suggested that SROA could erect banner signs that include the e-bike rules for Sunriver – similar to those stating that fireworks are illegal in Sunriver.
–Bill Hepburn discussed a need for a firearms discharge restricted area designation under Deschutes County Code to increase safety within Sunriver. He referred to communities/ neighborhoods surrounding Sunriver and areas along the Deschutes River where such designations already exist. He discussed the county process/ requirements to create such, including a petition that requires 60% of Deschutes County registered voters residing within
Sunriver to sign a petition that then must be verified by the Deschutes County Clerk and subsequently presented to the County Board of Commissioners for consideration. He suggested that SROA should champion the effort and take on the responsibility of collecting the necessary petition signatures.
–Cindy McCabe provided comments regarding her suggestion that SROA should enact a requirement that dogs be on-leash on the SROA pathways. She stated that she first brought this up during a report to the board in the spring of this year and is reiterating now after the busy summer season..
–Via letter: Mark Vieira’s comments were directed to the condition of the National Forest to the west of Sunriver, across the Deschutes River. He stated that the fuel load (dead trees and overgrown vegetation) are significant and that SROA should discuss this condition with forest service representatives to see what plans (and encourage) are in place to reduce the fuel load.
–Via letter: Kevin Mitchell comments were directed toward the August 2024 Board Election results as posted to the
SROA Financial Report
Year to date through Aug. 31, 2024 (unaudited)
Total Operating Revenue...................................$9,622,044
Total Operating Expenses*................................$9,405,506
SROA webpage. He referenced a message stating that the results showing the top three vote recipients would be posted and that an audit of the vote count would be conducted for verification of the count conducted by the Election Committee –and that the actual vote tallies would be posted. He stated that he is not questioning the results of the election but rather not posting the actual vote tallies (number of votes that each candidate received) is a lack of transparency. He also noted that he believes that the fourth leading vote recipient from the election should have been appointed by the board to fill the vacant position created by a resigning Board member. He stated that he is not intending to diminish the value of Keith Mobley, who was appointed to fill the position, but that the effort of an owner to run for the board should be acknowledged and valued.
By Clark Pederson
Every year funds are spent to replace, upgrade or add new amenities to maintain or enhance our Sunriver experience. Our budget this year for such work was $4.2 million plus another $1.7 million was carried forward from 2023.
Here are a few of the projects that you may have noticed completed or in progress:
The new dog park was completed in May in time for summer use. In early summer, a drinking fountain was installed with a spigot for filling dog water bowls. The cost of the fountain was $7,000 plus plumbing installation. Bark chips also were added to cover bare ground in the big and small dog areas to reduce dust.
Our biggest project was the construction of the new Public Works building. The exterior is complete, and project completion is scheduled for late October. The wood fence bordering Sun Eagle Lane should also be completed by late fall along with some paving. Additional landscaping will happen this fall, with fencing and a circulation plan completed in 2025.
The new building will house and protect expensive plowing, sanding and grading equipment used for maintaining our roads and pathways. It also will provide storage for Public Works Department supplies and small equipment and include office space for the department numbering 18 employees.
–Via letter: Craig Carver’s comments were directed toward the closure of SROA offices and lack of on-site staff during the recent fire evacuation notices. He stated that a skeleton staff should have been in place to answer phones and provide information. He further stated that SHARC should not have been made unavailable for a public meeting regarding fire information from emergency management personnel. He referred to the recent fire activity actions of SROA as sending a message of abandonment to owners during an emergency situation.
From Sept. 21 regular meeting
• No owners spoke.
Board actions
• Approved minutes of the Aug. 16 SROA board work session.
The total expenditure will be more than $2.5 million with a portion of that spent last year. Construction of this year’s new pathway tunnel south of Circle 2 adjacent to the Wildflower Condos was expected to start in September. The budget for the tunnel is $560,000 and is scheduled for completion in November.
Past tunnels were constructed in May and open before summer season began. The original plan was to redo the tunnel on River Road by the Sunriver Nature Center. A fall construction time allowed time for the soil to dry from a wet spring and was a better fit the construction company’s schedule. In the end there were issues needing further analysis of sub soil conditions and the potential need for a DEQ permit – making construction this year impossible. As a result, the River Road tunnel will move to a future year.
Benham Hall at SHARC
Gerhard Beenen
• Approved minutes of the Aug. 17 SROA board meeting.
• Approved minutes of the Aug. 17 SROA annual meeting.
• Approved unaudited Aug. 31 financials.
• Approved a recommendation to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners as the Governing Body of the Sunriver Service District to amend the restated Sunriver Service District Management Agreement (Deschutes County Document Number 2024395, approved July 24, 2024 and effective Aug. 1, 2024) by the addition of an Addendum stating reasons why the SROA Board is opposed to the revised County/SSD Agreement.
• Accepted the 2030 SROA Strategic Plan document, as presented.
• Approved a motion to switch from First Interstate Wealth Management to Morgan Stanley for management of the association’s operation and reserve investments
• Approved 3% discount to owners who pay their regular maintenance fees, excluding special purpose assessments, in full by Jan. 25, 2025. The actual amount of the 2025 fees will be determined and approved at November’s board meeting.
• Approved a motion to authorize SROA’s general manager and two board members (Beenen and Mobley) to investigate and meet with Oregon legislators to discuss possible legislation regarding the distribution of the Transient Room Tax revenues and considering factors that would make SROA directly eligible.
• The board approved a motion for directors Beenen, Pederson and Banta to negotiate a new employment contract with SROA General Manager James Lewis and report back to the board by Dec. 31.
Committee & board action requests
• Approved the following committee appointments: Tony De Alicante and David Kreps to Covenants; Michele Kelley, John Ross and Jane Shoemaker to Election; Sandra Henderson and Jerry Jeldness to Election alternates; Dennis Dishaw, Pam Hays and Jane Shoemaker to Nominating; Stephen Murray to Finance and Brad Banta and Roni Jacknow (as board members) to Finance.
• Approved appointment to additional term of service: Cory Wright, Finance; Carol Mosman and Paul Ash to Owner Enrichment.
• Approved end of term
of service: Patty Smith and Bob Nelson, Covenants; Patty Smith, Dennis Dishaw and Susan Huseonica, Election; Terry Durocher, Election alternate; Carol Holzer, Michael Applegate and Stephen Aloia, Nominating; Susan Jain, Owner Enrichment.
• Approved resignation of Brad Banta from Design Committee due to his election to the SROA Board of Directors.
• Approved the revision to the Covenants Committee charter allowing up to seven members on the committee. Further move to allow for alternate, non-voting members on the committee.
• Approved the following chair appointments: Tony De Alicante, Covenants; Charlie Meyer, Design; Debbie Baker, Nominating Committee. The Election chair remains open at this time.
Association operations (for August)
• Administration: Met with Deschutes County Administrator, Nick Lelack, regarding the potential to repurpose county dollars spent for recycle depot servicing to be used as grant opportunities for owners to construct recycling facilities –specifically multiunit residential complexes. Addressed misuse of Recreation Plus Passes (passes were used with a rental property outside Sunriver) with the owners and assessed a penalty. Met with Sunriver Resort Managing Director Tom O'Shea regarding their maintenance fee agreement. Multiple meetings with consultant (and Kellie Allen) for the wage analysis. Participated in interviews for replacement database coordinator.
• Accounting : Continued billing process for bulk fiber to home accounts (about 200 homes to date). Began working on budget spreadsheets for 2025 and distributed to managers.
• Communications: Formatted the Strategic Plan as a final draft document for sharing with the board and owners. Continued to promote and create Uncorked which, unfortunately, had to be canceled due to the threat of wildfire. Designed LFR fall reminder postcards for Natural Resources to send to owners.
• Community Development: There are approximately 289 active projects/building permits. Continue to issue compliance letters for design and rule violations. There are still 45 homes identified by the annual paint survey that have not been painted from the 2023 survey. A third letter has been sent. Staff is continuing to perform inspections, the deadline for painting is Oct.
31, 2024. Proposed rule change of Magistrate procedures was presented to the Covenants Committee for review. Additional changes will be presented at the October 2024, Covenants Committee meeting. The 2024 annual paint survey is being performed this fall. Design Committee members are also identifying properties with tree protections, which will give staff a starting-off point for tracking timelines and compliance.
• Natural Resources: Thanks to 37 volunteers, the August 2024 War on Weeds event was a great success. Participated in Deschutes County Yellow Flag Iris working group. Prepared and mailed ladder fuels reduction second violations. Prepared and mailed noxious weed violations. Pulled and sprayed noxious weeds on commons. Provided noxious weed identification guidance on private properties.
• IT: Intermittent hardware issues with individual point of sale devices from “Alpha Card” at SHARC. Interviewing potential GIS/DBA candidates. In the interim, we have brought on Xtivia as a managed
service to provide database support. Reviewing new audio/ visual equipment proposal for SHARC. A custom program for boat launch reporting was developed to improve and streamline this process which historically took around 1 hour to complete down to 5 minutes or less.
• Public Works: All 24 wayfinding kiosks have been installed with the signs installed, once delivered. All sport courts cleaned weekly with extra care needed for tennis tournaments. Ladder fuel pickup conducted with the last one in October. Replaced the outgoing control gates that failed at the boat launch. Graded and dust abatement applied on Canoe Takeout road. Removing failed road sections and root damaged areas on the roads to be overlay in September. This is the first time we have accomplished this in-house and is allowing SROA to have more control over budget and timeline plus thousands of dollars. All roads and pathways were swept. Feasibility study is underway for proposed pathway from Circle 2 to 3. The newly replaced pool heater at SHARC is hav-
ing issues and will be replaced under warranty. Interviewed and filled the two open positions. Looking forward to being fully staffed going into winter. Completed a re-route of Midstate electrical in-house and saved $25,000.
• Recreation/SHARC : Record high attendance at SHARC and Member Pool in August. Five partial smoke days resulted in 9.5 hours of closure time (resulting in a later opening or earlier closure for the day). Added Friday recreation swim 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for September; this year we were able to have recreation swim available seven days a week. Planning was ongoing for Uncorked and pickleball tournament.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. The next SROA board work session will take place at 9 a.m. Oct. 18 followed by the regular board meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. To watch the meeting live via YouTube, or at a later time, visit the meeting date on SROA website calendar for the YouTube link. Meeting minutes, once approved, are available at www.sunriverowners.org
2025 SROA Maintenance Fee
Yes, I want to pay annually and save 3%* o MAIL me the Annual Prepayment Invoice o EMAIL me the Annual Prepayment Invoice
Yes, I want to make automatic monthly payments via SROA’s pre-authorized payment program** Yes, I want to make my own standard monthly payments** o MAIL me the automatic monthly payment enrollment form o EMAIL me the automatic monthly payment enrollment form o EMAIL me the packet of monthly invoices (Monthly invoice packet is sent automatically via MAIL)
Drop o at
or mail to: SROA - Invoice • PO Box 3629 • Sunriver, OR 97707 OR complete an online form at www.sunriverowners.org and click on the Maintenance Fee Payment button on the homepage
Sunriver’s recycling depot to permanently close at end of October Treasurer
This is a reminder to residents, as well as area residents, that Sunriver’s recycling depot will permanently close effective Oct. 31.
Side-yard recycling for residents within Sunriver proper began in January 2023, with Cascade Disposal providing pickup of comingled and glass recyclables at the home. Sideyard recycling is included as part of the monthly bill for weekly trash service in Sunriver, whether an owner chooses to utilize the recycling service or not.
Sunriver’s recycling depot has been a hot topic for quite some time due to associated issues with its proximity to homes, noise, aesthetics, illegal trash dumping and the safety risks of those who use it. Located in SROA’s Public Works yard, there are added safety concerns with the public mixing with heavy equipment and other vehicles coming in and out of the
yard. The closure of the center will allow other usage of that area by SROA Public Works.
With the end of Sunriver’s depot, those who still wish to recycle, but don’t have room in their side-yard enclosure, can use the Southwest Transfer Station south of Sunriver or Knott Landfill in Bend.
For more information about side-yard recycling pickup in Sunriver, visit www.sunriverowners.org/recycling
2025 LFR preparations and inspections are underway
SROA NEWS – The recent Little Lava Fire just a few miles away from Sunriver accentuated the substantive risks of owning property in a wildland urban interface community. Ladder fuels reduction (LFR) is an essential tool for increasing defensibility against wildfires.
LFR activities include the maintenance and removal of accumulated combustible vegetative materials such needles, brush, limbs, seedlings, juniper and arborvitae, firewood, dead trees and thinning trees.
As a record-setting fire season begins to wind down and temperatures cool, many owners continue to perform LFR work on their private properties, and contractors are completing similar work in common areas.
SROA Natural Resources staff members are already preparing
for the 2025 fire season. Each fall and winter, staff members visit private properties to verify compliance with the Sunriver Ladder Fuels Re-
duction Plan. If you see natural resources staff members in their high-visibility vests or jackets walking on your lane or circling your property with a clipboard or tablet, they are likely performing these inspections.
With more than 3,200 single family lots, 22 multi-family or condominium properties and dozens of commercial tax lots, staff members have a lot of ground to cover, and inspections can take a few months to complete. Notices regarding compliance with the Sunriver LFR Plan will be mailed to owners in the spring of 2025. Absence of a notification from SROA does not mean that conditions on a property meet all the standards outlined in the Sunriver LFR Plan. Regular maintenance is needed to ensure a property remains
defen sible against wildfire. Owners are encouraged to perform a “Ladder Fuels Self-Assessment” to identify and address non-conforming conditions. This easy-to-use checklist – which is available at www.sunriverowners.org/ lfr or in the foyer of the SROA
Administrative building –includes the same criteria used by SROA staff during LFR inspections. Natural resources staff members also are currently inspecting and preparing about 150 acres of common area on the southeast side of Sunriver (east of Beaver Drive and East Cascade Road and south of Cottonwood Road) for LFR treatment next season. This includes locating and identifying with light pink ribbons
is having its carpet replaced as I am writing this article. It was time to replace the aging carpet and the difficulty of keeping the carpet clean due to the number of events involving food and the resulting spills and stains. The carpet will be replaced with a more durable vinyl flooring that also solves the need to set up a dance floor. The room also was repainted, new tables and chairs purchased, and new audio-visual equipment is coming.
The total budget for SHARC-related budget items this year is $790,000. This includes the previously mentioned items as well as additional shade structures, new exercise room equipment, pool pumps and more.
SHARC’s outdoor slides are currently getting a refresh and should be finished by the publication of this article. A new gel coat is being applied and all cracks and aging bolts are being addressed. The repairs are needed after 11 years of use to keep recreation users safe and sliding with comfort. The budget for this work is $111,000. Probably the most visible project is the replacement of 25 new pathway map kiosks. We are still waiting for the actual map signboards to be delivered. The signs, promised months ago, should arrive any time. Most of the cost was covered by a Visitor Central Oregon grant of $74,000. However, the installation costs were covered by having our Public Works Department staff handle the installation, thereby reducing the total cost.
These are just some of the things funded this year by our reserve fund and new capital budget. Our staff and your board work hard to provide and improve the many quality amenities you enjoy in Sunriver to keep Sunriver a premium residential and resort community. –Clark Pederson is the treasurer of the SROA Board of Directors and chair of the Finance Committee. pederson@ srowners.org
SROA Natural Resources specialist Tess Phillippi marks a property line with a pink ribbon as part of the 2025 ladder fuels reduction contract area.
the approximate boundaries between SROA commons and private properties. It also entails inspecting and marking with green paint trees on commons that meet the criteria for removal under the Sunriver LFR Plan.
Owners are asked not to disturb the temporary ribbons and other field markings that will be used for LFR work on common areas as it serves as an important reference for the contractors executing the work. Owners in the contract area will receive additional correspondence about these activities early next year.
For information, contact SROA’s Natural Resources department at naturalresources@ srowners.org or 541-593-1522.
so it is imperative all Sunriver owners are informed about nearby wildfires and evacuation notices.
I encourage all Sunriver owners to register their personal contact information with SROA (www.sunriverowners. org/updatemyinformation). SROA stays in contact with emergency management professionals and shares information via email blasts related to Sunriver emergencies as soon as it is provided, and staff is available.
Deschutes Alerts – sent directly to a cell phone, email and text – provide up-to-date information on wildfires and other emergencies within Deschutes County (which includes the Sunriver area). Sign up for Deschutes County 911 alerts at https://member.everbridge. net/892807736723736/new
Tips to stay connected during natural disasters
No matter where you live or what time of the year it is, individuals, families, businesses and others nationwide should be prepared for unpredictable weather and natural disasters – from hurricanes to tornadoes to wildfires. With some researchers forecasting a potentially record-breaking hurricane season and above normal risks for wildfires for some portions of the country this year, it’s important to be ready.
Effective communication is vital during disasters for receiving updates, talking with loved ones and reaching first responders. One of the most important things you can do ahead of time is learn how you can stay connected. Here are some tips on ways you can pre-
pare and get the information you need to stay in the know when it matters most.
• Keep phones and devices fully charged, and store back-up chargers and batteries. There’s nothing quite like losing power when your phone has a low battery, so keep devices full of juice. And make sure you have back-up chargers, portable chargers, and/or batteries so you can keep your devices on if your power goes out. You’ll also want to have a charger handy if you’re traveling. If you get stranded or stuck while driving, you’ll want a way to stay
connected with loved ones or emergency services.
• Add important numbers in your contacts. Most of us have friends, family and coworkers programmed in our phones. But in an emergency, you may need to contact local police, fire departments or power companies. Program these numbers now so you don’t spend precious time looking them up during an emergency.
• Text instead of calling and keep calls short. Sometimes during a severe weather event or natural disaster, too many calls and texts at the same time can cause telecommunications networks to become congested. If you have trouble making calls, try texting instead. Text messages are more likely to
get through than phone calls because they take up fewer network resources.
• If you don’t have mobile service, try Wi-Fi calling. If your power and Wi-Fi connection are still on but your mobile service is down, you may be able to call someone via Wi-Fi.
For Apple phones, go to Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling and for Android phones, go to Settings > More Connection Settings > Wi-Fi Calling.
• Stay safe and calm. Network engineers prepare for
weather conditions throughout the year so they can restore service if needed as soon as possible. But hazardous conditions may cause delays. Downed trees, power outages and other obstacles can hinder restoration efforts. Engineers will make repairs as soon as it’s safe to do so. A few simple steps can help ensure that even during natural disasters and unexpected events, you’re able to connect with first responders and the people you love.
–Source: StatePoint
In honor of National Preparedness Month in September, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) announced a new contract that will provide advanced evacuation software to Oregon’s 36 counties and nine Tribes. The software, from Genasys Inc., will help manage emergency evacuations more effectively across the state.
As Oregon deals with more frequent and severe disasters, it’s essential to have a clear plan for evacuations and support
services. While law enforcement handles the immediate evacuation of people, the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) works with local communities to help identify people who need evacuation assistance and ensure people are evacuated to a location that meets their needs.
“Even well-prepared communities face challenges with evacuations, especially when
Be in the know & other sources of information
While SROA will share emergency information as it is available, the association should not be your sole source of information. It’s everyone’s personal responsibility to seek out the information they need to stay informed and make a decision on what’s best for them and their family.
If Sunriver is evacuated, so will SROA staff. Staff may not have the opportunity or access to send out information as quickly as your local emergency management teams can. Re-
member, there may not always be a white knight around to rescue you. You can only rescue yourself.
Everyone should sign up ahead of time for emergency text alerts from Sunriver Police/ Fire and phone/email/text
multiple areas are affected. We’re thrilled to offer this new software to all our counties and Tribes,” Ed Flick, director of OREM, said. “National Preparedness Month is a great time for everyone to review their own emergency plans and supplies. For tips, check out Ready.gov.”
The Genasys EVAC software helps with planning and managing evacuations. It allows
emergency services to quickly create and update evacuation plans, run realistic simulations, and respond faster during an emergency.
Nick Vora, emergency manager for Union County, shared his enthusiasm.
“Changing, exporting and adding evacuation zones for alerts used to be slow and complicated. While there are many great mapping tools out there, they often made it timeconsuming to update evacuation zones and get them ready for emergency alerts,” Vora
alerts from Deschutes County 911. More information on how to sign up for these alerts can be found at www. sunriveremergencyinfo.com. This website includes how to be prepared, evacuation procedures and more.
said. “It could take 15 to 30 minutes to make these changes and load them into the alert system. With Genasys, however, the process is much faster. You can select and adjust an area and get it ready for alerts in just a few minutes. This quick turnaround makes managing emergency alerts much easier and more efficient.”
“Genasys Protect was instrumental in notifying community members of evacuations during the Falls and Telephone Fires in Harney County. When time is of the essence, being
Here are actions to take and local sources to follow in the event of a wildfire emergency. Better yet, clip this out and hang it on your refrigerator for quick reference:
• Sign up for Deschutes 911 alerts: www.deschutes.org/911/ page/sign-deschutes-alerts
• Sign up for Sunriver Emergency text alerts: Text SRALERTS to the number 888777.
• Incident maps including evacuation areas and shelters: https://deschutes.org/emergency
• Deschutes National Forest Facebook: www.facebook.com/ deschutesnationalforest (you do not need a Facebook account to view their posts).
• Download the free Watch Duty app to your cell phone for fire information, maps and evacuation zones.
• Follow Sunriver Police on Facebook as well as news sources such as Central Oregon Daily or KTVZ.
• Sunriver owners need to ensure their contact information with SROA is current, including a valid email address to receive news and other information. If you don’t receive emails from SROA sign up at www.sunriverowners.org/updatemyinformation
able to instantly notify community members of updated evacuation levels is crucial. We loved the ease of use and the ability to train new staff members on how to use it under one minute. This is an essential tool during wildfires,”
Melinda Todd, Harney County emergency manager, said.
Ken Kehmna, a retired fire chief and advisor at Genasys, added, “After Oregon’s severe fires in 2020, we tested this software in Deschutes and Jackson counties. Both counties saw great results and adopted
the software, leading to its statewide use.”
Michael Smith, senior vice president at Genasys Protect, emphasized the benefits.
“EVAC’s planning and realtime communication features are vital for managing emergencies in any community, from small towns to large cities,” Smith said.
This new software represents a significant step forward in making sure Oregon is ready for emergencies and can respond quickly and effectively.
SUSAN BERGER PHOTO
owner enrichment activities
Sunriver You upcoming classes
By Melinda Kufeld
Have you been considering establishing a plan or increasing your philanthropic giving? If so, note October’s Beyond Checkbook Philanthropy: Creative and Tax-Wise Ways to Give presentation.
Are you not aware of the SROA 2030 Strategic Plan or would like to hear about some of the final key elements? Register for the Strategic Plan Forum to be an informed Sunriver owner.
It’s nearly that time of year and with upcoming changes to Medicare Part D, attending late October’s class will enable you to confidently make decisions about prescription coverage in 2025. The ever-popular Travel Forum series resumes in November with Lesser-Known Adventures in Oregon, so bring your travel notebook or pad of paper. Speaking of a notebook or pad of paper, you’ll need them for November’s writing class which will keep you busy during the upcoming winter season. Do you find yourself feeling hopeless, depressed or anxious? Ease your mind by registering for November’s Warding Off Future Catastrophes class.
All classes require registration through www.sunriveryou. com and closes 24 hours prior to the class start time except for SROA forums, for which
All Sunriver You classes require registration, which closes 24 hours before the class start time. Please visit sunriveryou.com to register.
registration doesn’t close until well after the forum has begun.
The Sunriver You website has been updated to include the option to view past classes and forums on YouTube that were recorded. Check out what you may have missed at www.sunriveryou.com/videos and watch for additions in the future.
Continue reading for class descriptions and presenter information and to get a preview of classes that are still being planned.
Beyond Checkbook
Philanthropy: Creative and Tax-Wise Ways to Give
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 4 p.m. at SHARC. Presenter: Julie Gregory.
Julie Gregory, Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)’s Senior Philanthropic Advisor, will share creative opportunities to make a difference both now and through your estate
plan, including how to turn assets into charitable dollars, how to create gifts that pay you income, how to take advantage of the tax benefits of giving, and ways to engage your family.
Gregory is OCF’s senior philanthropic advisor and regional director for Central and Eastern Oregon. She works with individuals, families, organizations and businesses to establish charitable funds to support causes they care about. She also leads the coordination of OCF’s regional activities and strategies within Central and Eastern Oregon. She graduated from Washington and Lee University School of Law in Virginia and pursued a career in litigation and business representation in private practice and with the U.S. Department of Justice before joining OCF 17 years ago. She has lived in Bend for 20 years and in addition to enjoying all the outdoor pursuits Central Oregon has to offer, she is passionate about the arts and has served as a Bend Cultural Tourism Fund Commissioner, a board member for Cascade Festival of Music and Arts Central, and an Advisory Committee member of the Tower Theatre, BendFilm, Caldera and the Waterston Writing Prize.
SROA 2030 Strategic Plan Forum
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. via Zoom
The SROA 2030 Strategic Plan includes guiding principles, goals, policies and action items intended to guide SROA/ community direction and decision making for the next 5 to 7 years. As a Plan that included holistic community involvement and effort to develop, it provides a framework to be used by the SROA Board of
Directors and staff on an annual basis to guide work plan development and budgeting. The goal of the Plan development was to have many voices and perspectives participate in the development of the Plan so that it can truly be called a community vision and directive to action. The forum will include a brief presentation on the process and decision making to develop the Plan, as well as the key elements included therein – and how the Plan will be used in the ensuing years.
Your suggestions and questions will be welcome during the community input portion of the forum. You may also submit them beforehand by email to info@sunriveryou. com or during the presentation via Zoom chat.
Presenters will include SROA General Manager James Lewis and SROA Assistant General Manager Keith Kessaris.
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage: Changes in 2025 and How to Shop Wednesday, Oct. 30, 3-4:30 p.m. at SHARC. Presented by Cheri Martinen.
Big changes are coming to Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage for 2025. You have 53 days (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) to review your coverage and make changes to your Prescription Drug Plan. Bring your computer and your prescription drug list; we will be going over a live demonstration on Medicare.gov. Learn about free tools for shopping and comparing insurance plans. Feel confident in January when you make your first trip to the pharmacy. No surprises. No large maximum out-of-pocket fees.
Martinen is a Certified Insurance Counselor and President
of Bancorp Insurance in La Pine. Bancorp Insurance is a third-generation family-owned and operated insurance agency. The agency staff includes insurance agents who sell Medicare and health insurance lines as well as personal and commercial insurance lines.
Travel Forum: Lesser-Known Adventures in Oregon Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m. at SHARC. Presenters: John Vogel, Lucy and Dan Hilburn, Dick Kennish and Kris Besson. Join us for a travel forum that celebrates fun things to do and beautiful places to go in Oregon that are less well known and less crowded. If you wish, bring a beverage of your choice and share your own favorite lesser-known Oregon adventures during the social time that will follow four presentations about camping, kayaking, hiking and cycling opportunities.
1. Do unusual lodgings pique your interest? Come find out about U.S. Forest Service cabin stays, including a cabin not too far from Sunriver, and other unusual lodging options.
2. Did you know that the upper Willamette River is a designated national water trail with maps, campsites, and abundant wildlife? Learn about Paddle Oregon, an annual supported group paddle trip that offers naturalist guides, excellent food, live music, and gear transport.
3. The Oregon Coast Trail is a roughly 400-mile walking route from the Columbia River to the California border, the majority of which is on Oregon’s publicly owned and accessible beaches and headlands. Whether you choose a few day hikes during a weekend visit, are interested in hiking the trail border to border, or something in between, learn tips and tricks for planning a truly unique trek.
4. During Ride the Rim, an annual event at Crater Lake National Park, the East Rim Drive is closed to motor vehicles, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to experience the stunning scenery uninterrupted. Learn about this chance to enjoy the lake’s beauty up close and personal, without the noise or congestion of cars.
John and Kathy Vogel enjoy visiting out-of-the-way destina-
Plant daffodil bulbs this fall
Get ready for the 2024 daffodil bulb sale.
For the past two years, the Sunriver Owner Enrichment Committee (OEC) has sponsored daffodil bulb sales and distributed more than 5,600 bulbs to bring early spring color and joy to Sunriver.
Why daffodils? Because daffodils are beautiful harbingers of spring, and deer do not eat them.
The OEC has ordered 3,000 daffodil bulbs from the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. All varieties selected this year feature large blooms.
Interested owners can preorder in the range of 20 (minimum) to 100 (maximum) at
$1/bulb. Don’t want 20 – split the cost with a friend or a neighbor.
The bulbs are being sold at cost to the OEC.
Send an email to SunriverDaffodils@gmail.com with the number of bulbs you
tions and lodgings – including those in Oregon. Lucy and Dan Hilburn have explored three segments of the upper Willamette River with Paddle Oregon, and always marvel anew at the birds, islands, wineries, and other sights along its banks. Kris Besson celebrated her 70th birthday by hiking 70 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail over seven days. Accompanied by her husband, kids and grandkids, they enjoyed the gorgeous Oregon coastline, lush forests, charming coastal towns, multi-million-dollar cliffside homes and lots of wildlife along the way. Dick Kennish has been participating in a variety of outdoor adventures for several decades in Oregon and elsewhere; he and his wife rode with Ride the Rim in September 2024.
How to Write Your Story and Why it Matters
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 3 p.m. at SHARC. Presenter: Kristine Thomas.
This class is designed to help people record special memories or life stories to share with their children, grandchildren and friends. Whether you want to jot down a few notes or write your memoir, Thomas will help guide participants in the right direction. Bring a notebook, your phone, a pencil, pen or laptop and be ready to have some fun writing your story. Thomas has more than 30 years of experience working as a newspaper reporter and editor. Recently, she learned a good family friend played basketball against Wilt Chamberlain, a friend was a certified deep-sea
diver who explored sunken ships and swam with sharks, and a relative met Franklin D. Roosevelt. Hearing these three stories made her wonder what prevents people from sharing their own stories and how they can be encouraged to do so.
Warding Off Future Catastrophes
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m. at SHARC. Presenter: Roberta Stopler.
Catastrophes are events causing great and sudden danger, despair or feelings of desperation. Catastrophizing involves believing that you are or will be in worse situations than you really are, exaggerating your difficulties. Catastrophizing is a common cognitive distur-
want, your name and physical Sunriver address. Payment will be due by cash or check at the time of pick up. We will send final instructions in early October.
The current expectation is for owners to pick up their bulbs
bance that may be a symptom of depression or anxiety. Understanding how your personal thinking regulates your emotional feelings, positive or negative, can assist you to better manage yourself in your own life. This class will introduce you to materials you can learn to use to identify your own confused thinking, make more rational thinking possible, and assist you in experiencing a more satisfying life.
Stopler is a cognitive behavioral therapist with over 40 years of experience, specializing in Rational Emotive Therapy. RET is a problem-solving psychology that affirms the ability of human beings to learn new attitudes and skills. She has been a Sunriver resident for 13 years.
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at the SROA Administration parking lot. You cannot pre-select the bulbs you want since they are distributed on a first come, first served ba-
sis. Labeled bags are provided. You will simply show up, select your bulbs and fill your own order allotment.
It’s never too early to think flowers blooming next spring.
A practical approach to ecological restoration
By David Walker, Sunriver Nature Center Horticulture & Facilities Manager
Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), an invasive species from Europe and Asia, has rapidly spread across North America since its introduction in the late 19th century. It now dominates more than 50 million acres of rangelands, particularly in the western United States. Cheatgrass thrives in disturbed soils, outcompeting native species, and significantly altering fire regimes, nutrient cycling, and water availability. This invasion poses serious ecological, economic, and environmental challenges.
Cheatgrass disrupts ecosystems by outcompeting native plants like sagebrush and perennial grasses, leading to reduced biodiversity. One of its most significant threats is its ability to increase wildfire frequency. Cheatgrass has a short growing season, and its dry, flammable remains ignite easily, turning what were once fire-resistant ecosystems into highly fire-prone areas. In some
regions, the fire return interval has decreased from 60 to 100 years to just 3 to 5 years due to cheatgrass infestations.
The economic damage is substantial. Wildfires fueled by cheatgrass cost federal, state, and local governments billions of dollars in fire suppression and land rehabilitation. Beyond fire suppression costs, the loss of grazing lands for livestock, the degradation of wildlife habitat, and reduced soil health, significantly impact agricultural and ecological systems.
focus on the use of competitive, native species to outcompete the invader. Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), a resilient, coolseason bunchgrass native to much of the western U.S., has shown promise in cheatgrass management due, in part, to the following characteristics.
• Root system and growth cycle: Sandberg bluegrass establishes quickly and develops a deep, fibrous root system, which allows it to compete for water and nutrients more effectively than cheatgrass. Its early-season growth pattern, similar to cheatgrass, provides it with a competitive advantage in regions where both species germinate and establish during the same periods.
• Drought resistance: In arid environments where cheatgrass thrives, Sandberg bluegrass has proven to be exceptionally drought-tolerant, maintaining its presence through dry conditions. This drought resistance allows it to persist where cheatgrass might dominate due to the limited availability of water for other species.
of supporting diverse plant communities.
Studies have shown that areas reseeded with Sandberg bluegrass exhibit up to 60% less cheatgrass biomass within a few years, significantly reducing the fire risk and improving ecosystem resilience.
Through thoughtful land management, we can reduce cheatgrass infestations and restore healthier, more resilient landscapes. Sandberg bluegrass seed is available at the Sunriver Nature Center.
Efforts to contain and reverse cheatgrass infestations often
• Long-term soil health: As a perennial grass, Sandberg bluegrass helps stabilize soils, reduce erosion, and improve water retention, all of which are negatively impacted by cheatgrass invasions. Over time, the reintroduction of Sandberg bluegrass can enhance soil microbial activity, promoting healthier ecosystems capable
And, in another effort to maintain healthy, fire resistant, drought tolerant landscapes, Project Ponderosa will be having its fall sale in person at the Sunriver Nature Center from Oct. 14-21. Come on by and grab small, medium, large or extra-large ponderosa pines, grown locally in Sunriver by volunteers, with help from La Pine High School’s Life Skills students. As we start to approach the cooler months of fall, this is an excellent opportunity to get your ponderosas in the ground. Check out our website at snco.org for more information.
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is located at 57245 River Road, off Circle 3, on the way to the airport and marina. For more information, volunteer opportunities, current hours, other programs, or questions: 541-593-4394, or www.snco.org
STEPHEN HANS NUETZEL, ARCHITECT
Cheatgrass, an ecosystem disrupter.
Europa Clipper: The quest to nd life beyond Earth
By Paul Poncy, Observatory Manager
The fourth largest of Jupiter’s many moons may be hiding a secret that would dramatically alter how humans view the universe. That moon is Europa and is just slightly smaller than Earth’s own moon. If our calculations are correct, Europa has more water on it than all of Earth’s oceans combined. It also has heat, which comes from the tidal forces of giant Jupiter, as well as a complex chemistry that may contain important elements such as hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
NASA has found this important mixture of water, energy, and chemistry so alluring, that they funded the Europa Clipper mission, which is due to launch on Oct. 10. The spacecraft will take five and half years to reach Jupiter, with a planned orbital insertion in April of
2030. The spacecraft will have a primary mission of determining if that vast ocean on Europa can support life.
With a suite of nine science instruments such as cameras, spectrometers, magnetometer, and radar, the spacecraft will make nearly 50 close flybys of Europa as it orbits Jupiter.
NASA plans for the Europa Clipper to fly as close as 25 kilometers (16 miles) above the surface of Europa. In terms of interplanetary missions, the Europa Clipper will be the largest spacecraft ever launched, weighing in at over 3,200 kg (7,100 lbs) without fuel.
By studying the stability, chemistry, heat, magnetic field, among other things, the Europa Clipper will give us great insight into to the ice-covered world of Europa. First discovered by Galileo in 1610, the great moons of Jupiter have fascinated astronomers for more
than 400 years. And 420 years later, we will get the closest, most extensive view of one of these moons in human history. October brings Jupiter back to the evening skies over
Sunriver, so stop by one of our programs in mid to late October to see the moons of Jupiter with your own eyes.
Book your reservations at snco.org. Sunriver Nature Cen-
ter & Observatory is located at 57245 River Road, off Circle 3, on the way to the airport and marina. Check www.snco. org for current hours and programs.
Ring in the holidays with concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer
Violinist Aaron Meyer’s “Concert Rock” style of performance blends his classical training with a passion for rock music. Inspired by a fusion of classical and rock, Meyer’s music features arrangements from Vivaldi to Led Zeppelin; Aerosmith to Wieniawski; and Mozart to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
A student of the violin since age 5, Meyer debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra by age 11. He later soloed with the Oregon Symphony, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra in Thailand and many other symphony orchestras. Over the last two decades, Meyer has released 11 albums and is in constant demand to perform on stage. Meyer plays a Benjamin Ruth acoustic violin and a John Jordan six-string electric violin, with a custom-built pedal board.
A Central Oregon fan favorite, Sunriver Music Festival has been presenting Meyer and his band in concert since the mid-1990s. In collaboration with the Tower Theatre Foundation, the Dec. 7 concert will
be a winter-friendly matinee at SHARC’s Benham Hall.
Tickets go on sale Oct. 7 at sunrivermusic.org or call the festival’s box office at 541-5939310.
All seats reserved, and it’s
sure to be a sell out, so get your tickets early.
Sunriver Music Festival’s winter, spring concerts:
• Saturday, Dec. 7: Rock the Holidays with Concert
Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer at Sunriver SHARC’s Benham Hall.
• Friday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Dinner and Dance Concert at Sunriver Resort’s Great Hall featuring Blue Skies Big Band
• Saturday, March 29: Piano Showcase at the Tower Theatre featuring boogie-woogie extraordinaire Arthur Migliazza.
Sunriver Music Festival presents world-class orchestral performances and supports music education throughout Central Oregon. Through a commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation,
the Festival seeks to foster a lifelong love of classical music in its many diverse forms. Visit sunrivermusic.org for more information about this concert and our upcoming events.
Violinist Aaron Meyer will perform at SHARC in December.
The Europa Clipper, scheduled to launch on Oct. 10.
Artists’ Gallery Sunriver: Help us
By Deni Porter
We live and work in one of the most generous communities in Central Oregon. Because not everyone in our community has a full tummy, the artists at the Artists’ Gallery Sunriver would like for you to mark your October calendar for a multi-day celebration of you and your generosity. We hope to see all of you at the Artist’s Gallery in the Village at Sunriver on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. As a special thank you to our favorite community, many artists will be offering a 10% discount on purchases all day Friday. It takes many hands to raise more than 2,000 pounds of nonperishable food to donate to Care and Share, the food bank in Sunriver. Together, with local Sunriver sponsors, the Artists’ Gallery accomplishes the task with fun and flair. Partner sponsors make generous contributions: First Interstate Bank, Sunriver Brewing Co., The Fold Restaurant
and Hot Lava Baking, but the food contributions come from you.
Our way of thanking you for your generosity is to provide a weekend of fun, discounts, art giveaways, music, food, and beverages. Enjoy music and sip wine and beer provided by the gallery while you watch the many artists’ demonstrations. Saturday demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Jesica Carleton, mosaic artist
• Barb Gonzalez, photography
• Bill Hamilton, oil/acrylic painter
JoshSauter541-977-7963
Tam Sauter
541-977-7964
• Heidi Brown, fused glass artist
• Wade Womack, reductive print making
• Live music by The Brian Odell Band from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday demonstration at 11 a.m.
• Sandy Caldwell, watercolors
For the seventh year, the gallery is asking you to Fill Don’s Truck with non-perishable food items or cash donations. Donors receive a raffle ticket and will be entered into multiple drawings for art, jewelry and fine crafts – all donated by artists at the gallery. You do not have to be present to win. Of course, you also may drop off food donations any time at the gallery and receive raffle tickets. The gallery will have pre-holiday shopping treasures to choose from. Please join your fellow Central Oregonians in celebrating friendship and generosity.
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists’ Gallery Sunriver is in building 19 in The Village at Sunriver. For information, visit www.artistsgallerysunriver.com or call 541-593-4382.
Contact the chair if you have questions about a committee or the projects they are currently working on
SROA Board of Directors
Gerhard Beenen, president sroaboard@srowners.org
Covenants
Tony De Alicante covenants@srowners.org
Design
Charlie Meyer, chair designinfo@srowners.org
Election
Chair open election@srowners.org
Finance
Clark Pederson, chair finance@srowners.org
Nominating
Debbie Baker, chair nominating@srowners.org
Owner Enrichment
Mark Fisler, chair ownerenrichment@srowners.org
Interested in joining a committee, special project or task force?
OCTOBER MEETINGS & GATHERINGS
Group Gatherings
These groups meet regularly, same time, same place
Monday
Ladies Lunch and Bridge 11:30 a.m. Village Bar & Grill Sign up: 593-5906 or 536-1533
Alcoholics Anonymous 7 p.m. Pozzi building at the Sunriver Nature Center
Tuesday
Mountain Meadow Quilters 1 p.m. second Tuesday of the month at Community Bible Church Info: 302-378-8446
Partners Bridge
3 p.m., Crescent room at SHARC. $1, register/info: 541-556-6408
Wednesday
Sunriver Rotary
7:45 a.m., Hearth Room at the Sunriver Lodge www.sunriver-lapinerotary.org
Contact Becki Sylvester at SROA by calling 541-593-2411. Opportunity often reveals itself where you least expect it. Across Central Oregon, inventories in certain markets are growing, granting Buyers newfound options. With these choices, Buyers may wield greater negotiating power. Whether this signals a sustained shift or a temporary pause remains uncertain. Sellers, however, continue to reap rewards when pricing wisely. Our observation suggests that interest in Central Oregon living continues to climb. While demand might not reach previous peaks, it remains robust. If Central Oregon has piqued your interest, seize the moment. At the Jones Group, we remain vigilant, adapting to market dynamics. Experience guides us as we assist Buyers and Sellers in navigating the question, “What’s Next?”
Sunriver Republicans
5:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month. 20 Maury Mtn. Lane
The Door at Three Rivers 10am Sunday 86885 Enterprise Drive (Bus. Park) 541-550-3088 www.thedoor3r.org
Pastor: Brent Maxwell
Second Tern Thrift Store: Find the perfect kitchen items for your home or RV
On any weekend, you will find volunteers in green aprons moving smoothly through the Second Tern Thrift Store’s kitchen and décor areas.
The volunteers eagerly answer questions, help customers find what they are seeking and, on occasion, listen to a great human interest story.
On a lovely Saturday in August, a customer visited the kitchen department and was surprised to see a set of dishes for sale.
This set of dishes wasn’t an ordinary set of plates and bowls. These brown dishes with a dark trim were Denby and worth a lot of money for just one plate.
The customer had tears in her eyes as she explained to Meena Wagner, a volunteer, that she wasn’t sad, but awestruck. As it turned out, the dish set was part of her registry when she and her husband got married, some 50 years earlier. The customer said she never received any of the Denby dishware from her wedding guests, but now she wanted to buy the set for her 50th wedding anniversary.
She knew the Second Tern price for the set was well below what she had been researching and was thrilled to buy the complete set for herself and her husband. Happy 50th anniversary! The kitchen team was ecstatic to provide such joy. That was just one story out of hundreds that grab the attention of the kitchen and décor staff throughout the years at the Second Tern.
The kitchen team includes
Shelley Carper, Gloria Fraedrich, Marietta Strachan and Lee Morgan, and the décor team is Mary Legg, Norma Sellers, Rose Williams and Meena Wagner, all of whom are able to switch from one department to the other at the drop of a spatula.
However, this article will feature the kitchen team. In the kitchen department, many customers are looking to complete a dish or glass set of their
own; others buy items out of necessity. But the majority of customers find just the right item for their house, rental house, RV or as gifts. Others need to replace an item that has broken or been misplaced. Customers love that they can purchase glassware for as low as 50 cents, mugs for $1, and unique items for well below the going price on eBay or Pinterest. The kitchen department sells utensils, pots and pans, lids, bowls, serving dishes, plates, plastic containers, as well as lovely, one-of-a-kind dish sets. There also are fun utensils like pineapple corers, avocado slicers, hard-boiled egg holders, pasta makers, sifters, cocktail shakers, fondue kits, coffee pots, coffee filters, water filters, and so much more.
Shelly is relatively new to the kitchen team, volunteering two years at the Tern. Shelly is incredibly talented when it comes to design and displays. She has a laugh that makes us all feel welcome. She determines if items have been on our shelves too long and need to be passed on to another charity.
Shelly works with Marietta on Wednesdays. Marietta has been working at the Tern for more than 20 years. She brings her skills as a former owner of a kitchen store in the Tri-Cities area in Washington. Marietta has outstanding knowledge of good knives, housewares, stemware and dish sets. Marietta skis in the winter at her second home in Colorado and travels the West in other seasons.
Gloria knows brand names of a dish set without looking at the labels. She loves researching items and finds the work exciting. She can find a comparable price on the internet for the most obscure item. She also fosters kittens and will gladly show you the latest pictures of these beautiful little creatures. Cat lady? Not on her watch. Cat
foster mom, you bet! Lee, who has volunteered at the Second Tern for more than 20 years, brings her energy and enthusiasm to our sales floor. She sells and directs customers to items they didn’t know they wanted, as well as helping to price items. She is our resident traveler, often visiting her homelands of Finland and Sweden. She used to be a personal trainer and loves Halloween. These women work on the weekend and can process hundreds of items in a single day, as well as finding a suitable spot to display things on the sales floor. They also are responsible for customer assistance, sales and rearranging items when called upon. It can be hectic and is often times far too busy to even take a breath. But their determination to do a good job is incomparable. In all, every team member brings a unique skill to their volunteer position. These members are a joy to work with and they all work together to make it a special place to volunteer. Please consider joining these volunteers at the Second Tern or in the many other volunteer opportunities throughout Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. The Second Tern is located at 17377 Spring River Road, just west of Harper Bridge, and is open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. year-round; donations accepted 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on open days. The Second Tern benefits Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is located at 57245 River Road, off Circle 3, on the way to the airport and marina. Check www.snco.org for current hours and programs. For volunteering, more information, or questions: 541-5933367 (Tern), 541-593-4394 (Nature Center & Observatory), or www.snco.org.
Lee Morgan (left) and Gloria Fraedrich (right).
Marietta Strachan (left) and Shelley Carper (right).
SRWC president’s message: It is not too late
If you missed renewing or joining in September, it is not too late. Join now to take advantage of the upcoming speaker series. The club is active all year long and joining is easy. Members of all ages come from Bend, Sunriver, La Pine and beyond; some are full-time residents and others are parttime. All are welcome.
There are several ways to connect, whether it is social events, outdoor activities or volunteering in the community. There is a great mix of having fun and doing good. I encourage you to join today to make new friends and have some fun.
–Brigitte Bourret, SRWC president Email: president@ sunriverwomensclub.org
Club’s speaker series returns to e Grille at Crosswater October is an exciting time for Sunriver Women’s Club members as it marks the return of the annual luncheon speaker series. Held at The Grille
at Crosswater, the luncheon speaker series provides members with the opportunity to engage with influential thinkers. Whether wanting mental stimulation, networking or to enjoy an afternoon with likeminded individuals, the series offers something valuable for everyone. Continue reading for topic and speaker information.
• Oct. 15: Estate planning when relocating to Oregon from out-of-state, focusing on Washington and California. Speaker is attorney Sarah Subias of Watkinson Laird Rubenstein, P.C.
Subias guides families in estate planning, drafting wills and trusts, tax strategies, business succession, and probate administration.
• Nov. 19: The biology of healthy aging; the power of food and nutrition in disease prevention and healthy aging support. Speaker is Emily Ho, PhD, Linus Pauling Institute Endowed chair and director, OSU Distinguished Professor of Nutrition, College of Health. Ho’s work focuses on
how nutrients and diet affect chronic diseases such as cancer.
• Jan. 21: Becoming the warrior: strategies to live your best life and keys to moving forward into your potential. Speaker is retired U.S. Navy Capt. Jenn Donahue. She will discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, self-doubt and fear of failure using a five-step method to unlock potential.
• Feb. 18: Rethink waste: responsible consumption, use, and disposal of materials in the post-Sunriver Recycling Center era. Speaker Kavi Chokshi, Rethink Waste program manager at The Environmental Center. Chokshi is passionate about promoting sustainable materials management and community culture shift around sustainability.
• March 18: Gardening in the High Desert: sustainable and water-wise dos and don’ts. Speaker is Amy Jo Detweiler, community horticulturist at Oregon State University Extension. Detweiler manages the local Master Gardener program, provides education for green
industry professionals and teaches sustainable, water-wise gardening practices for thriving High Desert gardens.
• April 15: April's luncheon will be at SHARC and will include both the annual meeting and the Celebration of Giving presentation featuring the 2024-25 Community Grant recipients and the important work they are doing in our community.
• May 20: May will also be
at SHARC and features the annual recognition luncheon where the longest serving members, past presidents, retiring board members and each and every member who volunteered over the course of 2024-25 are honored.
Luncheons at The Grill at Crosswater are limited to 60 women, open to members only and start at 11:30 a.m. Online registration is required at www. sunriverwomensclub.org.
Forest House is open exclusively to Caldera Springs owners and Caldera Springs guests who are staying through Sunriver Resort Vacation Properties.
Callibaetis Pullover Cripple Materials List
Hook: Firehole 419 (barbless) or Daiichi 1180 size 1416 or similar
Thread: Tobacco brown, 70 denier
Tailing Shuck: Zelon in mayfly brown
Wing: Zelon in dark dun
Abdomen: Natural turkey biot in dark brown
Thorax: Light olive dubbing (75%), UV dubbing tan (25%)
Tying instructions and steps are being published in video form, and can be found on the Sunriver Anglers Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunriverAnglers/, or on YouTube https://youtu.be/YIdajWnzTSo
Fly Tying Corner: Callibaetis pullover cripple
For this month’s pattern, I have chosen a favorite fly for imitating Callibaetis during the hatch; the Callibaetis Pullover Cripple. This is an adaptation of both a Pablo’s Cripple and a Quigly Cripple, choosing the best components of each pattern. Because cripples occur throughout the hatch, I will fish this pattern in tandem with dun or spinner imitations to give myself a better chance of success. It is a very effective fly on East Lake, Hosmer, Lava and others. On a recent Sunriver Anglers outing to Lake of the Dunes, it was responsible for many hookups.
Callibaetis mayfly hatches start occurring on local lakes in June and will last through the summer and into early fall. The callibaetis hatch is unquestionably the most important mayfly hatch on the Cascade Lakes in Central Oregon. Trout key on the nymph stage prior to the hatch, the emerger stage during the hatch, the dun stage on the surface, and spinners returning to lay eggs to begin the cycle anew. Fishing techniques for
this insect vary, from nymphs fished beneath an indicator, to wind drifted or stripped, to fishing dun and spinner patters on the surface. Hatches usually occur in the later morning and extend into the afternoon on many days. To extend your fishing day, stock up on various stages of this insect to cover the hatch thoroughly.
Callibaetis mayfly
Callibaetis mayflies hatch in the late morning to early afternoon and as they emerge, many have difficulty passing through the surface tension on the water and fail to fully emerge as an adult. These unfortunate insects often become trout food, as the fish key on insects that won’t fly away. That is one of
the main reasons I focus on fishing cripple patterns. Trout key on this stage as cripples are the easiest to intercept during a hatch of mayflies. Trout will swim along the surface and slurp down the cripples opportunitistcally. Time the rise with your cast and bingo, fish on! But often it can be a challenging time to fish due to the large number of flies on the water. This Callibaetis Cripple pattern is proven during the hatch. Give it a try a try. I think you will like the results.
Experiment with this pattern during the callibaetis emergence at East Lake, Lava, Hosmer or other favorite lake where callibaetis thrive.
If you have questions or would like additional information about the callibaetis pullover pattern, please don’t hesitate to email me. Or, if you have suggestions on future patterns to feature in this column, I welcome your input. I can be reached at Philfischer@ sbcglobal.net.
By Rynie Miyashiro
The Sunriver Anglers will welcome Josh White of the Hook Fly Shop as its guest speaker for October. White has been a welcoming presence at the fly shop for more than seven years. Four years ago, he bought into the business, and he became its sole proprietor this year. When asked what he liked best about his job, he said, “the people,” and being able to help his clients learn to fly fish, or to fly fish more efficiently, and how to have successful days on the water. Anyone that has been to
the shop knows that a visit there is low key, and information is gladly shared whether you are buying something or not. White comes from a background of saltwater and bass fishing in southern
Josh White
California, and he has worked hard to learn the nuances of fly fishing in Central Oregon. Come to the club meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center (SHARC) in the Crescent Room to enjoy an evening of Q&A and to hear White speak about this year’s fishing highlights. Bring your questions to discuss the waters, equipment, or fishing trends. Members and guests are welcome. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.
For information, visit sunriveranglers.org
Political signage in Sunriver
With the upcoming presidential election, this is a friendly reminder to residents that signage, banners, flags, etc. tied to any sort of political campaign are not permitted under Sunriver Rules & Regulations Section 4.02 Maintenance & Appearance.
NEWPRICE
5
Sunriver Christian Fellowship welcomes new pastor
After more than a year searching, Sunriver Christian Fellowship is excited to announce a new pastor has been selected.
Rev. Kally Elliott will start at SCF on Monday, Oct. 7, and her first Sunday in the pulpit will be Sunday, Oct. 13. She comes from Bend First Presbyterian, where she has been an associate pastor for five years.
She is originally from San Diego and is a graduate of UC Davis. She attended the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Elliott has pastored churches in New York and Tennessee as well as
working as a youth director and in campus ministry. She brings a wealth of experience to SCF and is currently work-
ing on her doctor of leadership in global perspectives through George Fox University and the Portland Seminary. She knows Central Oregon and enjoys the many activities offered by the natural environment of the area.
Elliott resides in Bend with her husband and their two youngest children. They also have a son at Portland State University and a son in Eugene.
“I’m thrilled to be part of such a vibrant and caring congregation, and I look forward to continuing our mission of being a visible presence of
Tunnel replacement has begun; expect closures on Abbot Drive
SROA NEWS – The replacement of another tunnel has begun on Abbot Drive just south of Circle 2 and adjacent to the Wildflower Condos
Construction is expected to take approximately eight weeks. This will be fourth replacement of Sunriver’s 13 aging tunnels.
During construction there will be no through traffic on Abbot Drive between Circle 2 and Circle 1. Detours will be in place and route traffic via Theater Drive off Circle 2.
Island Road will remain open during construction with local access off Circle 2 to the following:
• North end Wildflower Condos off Brassie & Mashie lanes
Access to south end Wildflower Condos located on Wild Lily Lane and Sunriver Resort’s human resources offices will be
from the south end of Abbot Drive from Circle 1 only.
The original corrugated tunnels have been in place since the original build of Sunriver between the late 1960s through the 1980s. The tunnels are narrow and only allowed one way traffic at any given time. The new, concrete tunnels are wider and will accommodate two-way bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
You can view a larger closure map at www.sunriverowners. org/tunnel
Christian love, unity, and hope in the Sunriver and greater Central Oregon community,” Elliott said.
"All are Welcome!" in Sunriver Christian’s Fellowship, and church members hope to see new faces as they go forward with Elliott’s leadership. Services are on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the beautiful new sanctuary, 18139 Cottonwood Rd. You can visit the church’s website at www.sunriverchristianfellowship.org where you will find a link to online "live" broadcasts of services, or to watch the archived services.
WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING MONEY, YOUR HOME HAS A LOT TO SAY.
When you take the free Online Home Energy Assessment, you’re allowing your home to speak up about ways to save energy and money. Plus, we have lots of incentives that can save you even more - including smart thermostats, insulation and even air purifiers.
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• People riding bicycles must yield to vehicles at road crossings.
• Walk bicycles through tunnels (unless signed otherwise).
• Ride or walk on the right-hand side of pathway.
• If stopped, do not obstruct other traffic on the pathway.
• Pets must be secured in bike baskets or trailers; do not ride with leashed pets alongside.
TAKE THE ONLINE HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT
Find out more at energytrust.org/assessment
• Smoking and littering prohibited on all pathways, roads and common areas.
• Headlights & red reflectors required at
& after
sunriver's waterfront dining destination
Open Wednesday - Saturday 5 pm - 8:30 pm
It’s here – the great reimagination of the Lake House at Caldera Springs. Discover a dedicated space to gather and create lasting memories against the backdrop of breathtaking natural surroundings. Now open to the public, guests are invited to lounge with the whole family in the dining room, warm up by the fireplace in the bar or roast s’mores under the starlit sky on the outdoor patio. Here, every meal and moment become a story. To learn
or visit
Sunriver Mens Golf: 50th anniversary and last year as a club a success
By Paul J. Grieco
It’s difficult to express in words this sense of loss I feel after being an active member of the Sunriver Mens Golf Club for the past 16 years.
Since its beginning, the club has been independently and mostly smoothly run by a succession of board members who have contributed to its growth and progress over the years.
It has been obvious the board members truly enjoyed being part of something bigger than themselves and cared enough to contribute their time, their effort and their talents to an appreciative membership.
As was most aptly expressed by one member, “I am going to truly miss the close feeling of camaraderie that’s been so present in what we do.”
It goes without saying that the club enjoyed a usually cooperative relationship with Sunriver Resort and its able golf staff in our endeavors.
This doesn’t mean we won’t be able to keep close friendships under the club’s new and different model.
It just feels that something that was truly and solely ours, created 50 years ago and nurtured through several iterations into its current form is being laid to rest with more a whimper than a bang.
RIP SRMGC.
We salute all your current and former members for a club well done.
Sunriver in third place in Resort Cup
After the third of four Resort Cup rounds was played at Widgi Creek in August, Sunriver averaged a disappointing 28 points per player (using a Stableford format) to slip further down into third place, 12 points out of second place and a distant 49 points out of first.
That will be an Everest to
climb for the final round contested at Sunriver, too late into September for this printing.
Widgi Creek is in first place with 901 points, which is an average of 33.3 points per player including four A team players, four B team players and a pro from each of the clubs.
The lowest point score in both A and B flights is eliminated, leaving nine scores to count.
Considering even par per player is 36 points, Widgi’s 33-point average is remarkable. In second place is Black Butte Ranch at 864 points (32 points per player), Sunriver in third place with 852 points (31.5 points per player) and in last place is Eagle Crest with 834 points (31 points per player).
Our own pro Fraser Brown bested all players – pro and member alike – with a nifty 38 points.
Our B flight player, Dean Wright, scored 32 points to finish second among all the B players.
Our best A flight scorer was Joe DeStefano with 31 points to finish eighth among all A players.
The scoring seemed extra difficult at Widgi for all but their own players.
It was reported that the fairways were narrow and the greens tough to read.
Better luck next round, SRMGC.
Sunriver Cup won handily by Crosswater team Crosswater took its eighth cup in 15 tries in mid-August in the two-day annual tournament.
Day one resulted in a 6-6 tie at the Woodlands course as six two-man teams vied for points in a better ball format.
Day two played at Crosswater with a dozen per side playing head-to-head match play for a point per match had
the Crosswater team prevailing 8 to 4.
Sunriver members who did well were Dalton Chambers (2.5 points), Jeff Johnson and Joe DeStefano at two points each and Fraser Brown at 1.5 points. Seven of the 12 Crosswater members scored 2 points each (Parkin, Jarmin, Reynolds, Martinez, Sunker, Wright and McGee).
Annual awards banquet
The final SRMGC awards
“I would have made that short putt were if not for the uproar caused by the butterflies in the adjoining meadow.”
–P.G. Wodehouse, British humorist and avid duffer
banquet for the men’s golf club is slated to be held at the newly renovated Lake House at Caldera Springs on Tuesday, Oct. 1 with a cocktail hour followed by dinner, an awards ceremony and door prizes and raffles.
Award winners will be announced in the next issue of the Scene.
–Paul J. Grieco is handicap chair and may be reached at pjg3sr@gmail.com
SRMGC Sunriver Cup team left to right: Dalton Chambers, Lyndon Blackwell, Fraser Brown, Jeff Cory, Jeff Johnson, Greg Cotton, Scott Brown, Joe DeStefano, Geoff Wood, Kevin Baker and Chris Points. Not shown: Scott Rigby and Dean Wright.
October’s book club selections; author Craig Johnson visits Sunriver in November
By Deon Stonehouse
Every few years, Craig Johnson gives his readers the pleasure of releasing a second book in his Longmire series. It’s a joyous occasion celebrated in a short book tour.
Sunriver Books is honored to be included in Johnson’s tour for “Tooth and Claw,” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Pre-purchase “Tooth and Claw” from Sunriver Books to receive a ticket to attend the event by calling 541-593-2525 or sending an email to sunriver books@sunriverbooks.com. There will be refreshments and
drawings for prizes.
“Tooth and Claw” is set in Alaska where Henry Standing Bear and Walt Longmire go in search of work after serving their country in the jungles of Vietnam.
They survived the war, now they face a new danger, a polar bear convinced they need to be removed from the planet.
Despite the polar bear’s ferocity, Walt and Henry Standing Bear know the greater danger is usually from the evil that men do, especially when fueled by greed and treasure is the prize.
Walt and Henry will face
danger as they always do, side by side.
October Book Clubs
In October, the Sunriver Book Clubs reads books set in other countries to inspire readers to travel to far off lands, allowing them to experience through book pages another culture, and encourages understanding of ways different from our own.
Join the Sunriver Book Clubs by reading the following books set in Denmark.
• The Mystery Book Club will discuss “The Absent One”
by Jussi Adler-Olsen at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 via Zoom and in-person at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at the bookstore in The Village at Sunriver.
Detective Carl Morck is arguably Copenhagen’s most brilliant officer. He also is dismissive of social graces and disinclined to suffer fools gladly. His behavior has not endeared him to his fellow detectives and relegated him to the station’s basement where he would toil over solving cold cases for Department Q. His able assistant Assad’s past is a bit murky. And now another member is being added to the small department, Rose Sorensen, who has her own quirks and hasn’t succeeded in other departments. Department Q is a small but effective crew of misfits and originals.
As cold cases go, this one is ancient, the crime occurred two decades ago. A teenaged brother and sister beaten to death in a small cottage in 1987. A gang of boarding school kids, the ultra-rich sort, were suspected in their murders, but there wasn’t enough evidence to make a case against them. Now those same kids are grown up and wildly successful with serious money. They could be considered beyond reach. Anyway, one of the gang confessed years ago, swearing he acted alone, was convicted and went to prison. So why did the file show up on Morck’s desk? If there was already an arrest and conviction, what was there to investigate?
Nonetheless the case intrigued Morck. The key to solving the mystery might be Kimmie, a homeless woman with deep secrets and formidable enemies.
Morck starts investigating the ultra-rich, and they aren’t pleased, not one bit. They have the power to bring pressure to bear. Soon Morck’s superiors are suggesting, then insisting he use his talents on other cases.
But Morck is like a dog with a bone, once he’s sunk his teeth in, he doesn’t give up easy.
• “The Ship in the Sand” is October’s fiction book. There are three opportunities to dis-
cuss the book.
Author William Sullivan will present his historical fiction novel at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the bookstore.
There will be refreshments and drawings for prizes. Sign up to attend this free event by calling 541-593-2525, emailing sunriverbooks@sunriverbooks.com or stopping by Sunriver Books.
Join book club members to discuss the book at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 via Zoom or 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 at the bookstore.
In 958, Lifu lives in interesting times. Christianity is spreading, taking people away from the old ways. Lifu serves Queen Thyra, then her son, King Harald, a Viking who would unite Denmark and challenge England. Sullivan mixes Norse legend with the story of how a woman, Lifu, and a thoughtful king made history. The era was rife with conflict between beliefs and kingdoms.
Sullivan brings them to life with characters, both real and fictional, that are instrumental in changing the times.
In 1940 in Jelling, Denmark, Matte is a respected archeologist involved in important work.
She is engaged to Julius, a handsome, kind young man. They are optimistic about their futures until the Nazis invade Denmark, and Hitler takes an interest in Matte’s work. Julius is Jewish, and he no longer feels it is safe for himself and his family in Denmark. Sullivan inserts clever details and intriguing historical characters to craft an entertaining novel with interesting historical facts. Matte’s parents were main characters in Sullivan’s earlier book, “Ship in the Hill.” I enjoyed spending time with the well-drawn characters, reading about their history, and I think you will too.
Sunriver Books & Music is in building 25 in The Village at Sunriver. For information, visit www.sunriverbooks.com
Craig Johnson
William Sullivan
Bend’s beloved 20-Dollar Art Show returns to the High Desert Museum
It’s almost time for the return of Bend’s biggest little art event, “The 20-Dollar Art Show.”
Presented by Bright Place Gallery, this year’s exhibition will feature a record 6,041 original works by 272 artists.
Sizing at a maximum of 36 square inches, each piece will be priced at just $20, allowing art lovers to bring home unique creations from both established and emerging artists.
This year’s featured works will be on view at the High Desert Museum starting Monday, Oct. 14, and sales begin with an exciting opening night extravaganza on Friday, Oct. 18 (opening night advanced ticket required, no admission at the door).
During the extravaganza, attendees are invited to take the art they wish to purchase off of the museum walls and home with them.
Bright Place Gallery, led by Stuart Breidenstein and Abby Dubief, first launched The 20-Dollar Art Show as a platform for artists to showcase their work and engage with the community in a supportive environment. Since its incep-
tion in 2013, show has grown significantly. In 2019, the show featured more than 2,100 pieces and sold 900 artworks on opening night alone. Five years later, the show is stronger than ever, with significantly more featured artists and artwork than in previous years.
“Events like The 20-Dollar Art Show play an important role in supporting our mission to inspire curiosity and foster connections within the community,” said Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the museum. “The opening extravaganza is a vibrant celebration that encourages conversation and connection while giving emerging artists a valuable platform to reach a broader audience.”
“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the High Desert Museum,” said Bright Place Gallery owner Stuart Breidenstein. “This year’s show has seen an incredible response from artists, and we’re excited to present such a large and diverse collection of artwork to the community.”
The opening night event on Oct. 18 will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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Guests are invited to purchase mini masterpieces for the low price of $20 while enjoying live music, food, drink and more.
Following opening night, a second wave of artwork will refill the walls and be available for purchases through Monday, Oct. 21. Those who would like first pick of the artwork can purchase $5 tickets to browse from 9 to 11 a.m. before the show opens to all museum visitors. On Saturday morning, multiple participating artists also will be on hand creating $20 dollar art live. Tickets for the Saturday morning show are $5 at highdesertmuseum. org/20-art-show-info.
People coming to the museum exclusively for The 20-Dollar Art Show after 11 a.m. between Oct. 19 and Oct. 21 (but not visiting the rest of the museum) are welcome without paying admission.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from each $20 piece
delight
purchased directly supports the artist, making every purchase a meaningful contribution to the local art community.
The 20-Dollar Art Show is made possible by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, The Clabough Foundation and the Visit Central Oregon Future Fund with support from The Source Weekly.
Art lovers
in The 20-Dollar Art Show, featuring original ‘tiny’ art by more than 250 artists.
PHOTO COURTESY ROBERTA DAVIS
Sunriver Chamber welcomes new members, upcoming events
In September, the Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed Partners in Care and Sunrover Dog Care as new members. Roberta Stopler, LMFT joined after the Scene’s deadline and will be featured in the November article.
Partners in Care
Partners in Care is the oldest, largest and leading nonprofit provider of hospice, home health and palliative care in Central Oregon.
Partners in Care’s largely mobile workforce of more than 200 employees serves patients and their families in a 10,000-square-mile area including Sunriver and all of Deschutes County.
Nearly 200 local volunteers work with Partners in Care in fundraising, resource coordination, and other areas of community support.
As the name Partners in Care suggests, its multi-disciplinary team not only serves patients with life-limiting illness and families during a most difficult time, but it’s also a valuable partner with other community resources and organizations such as the Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce, coordinating compassionate care and meeting a broad spectrum of care needs for many population segments.
Partners in Care’s services go well beyond a traditional
hospice organization. Its commitment is to the full spectrum of care at all stages and ages. They support advanced illness comfort with palliative care and recovery through its home health program, end-of-life care at home and at its inpatient facility, Hospice House, as well as grief support and bereavement counseling for loved ones following a death.
Its non-medical transitions program helps fill the gaps for people who are medically fragile and need a helping hand or watchful eye in the patient’s home.
Patients who choose Partners in Care have continual support by an expert and devoted health care team that is the region’s most well-respected, referred hospice organization. Its whole-person approach and life affirming philosophy
of comfort care guides patients and their families with unparalleled support and medical choices that ensure they get the best medical care for their unique situation.
Please visit partnersbend.org for additional information.
Sunrover Dog Daycare
On their first date, Jeanette Moore told her now husband Dustin Moore that her dream job was owning a dog daycare. She had been thinking about it for five years, since sitting with her mom at the Sunriver Brewery, watching a dog sit on a coat in the snow.
Finally, 10 years after that first idea, she and Dustin are realizing their goal.
They invite community members to attend the grand opening of Sunrover Dog Daycare from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednes-
making sure your dog has the best experience, depending on their temperament, size and energy level.”
The owner of two dogs, Jeanette said she loves bringing her dogs with her when her family travels.
“Dog owners can relax knowing their dog is safe and in a fun environment because we will treat every dog like they are our own. The goal of Sunrover is to provide a place for your dog to run and play while you’re away enjoying your day.”
day, Oct. 30 in the Sunriver Business Park. There will be a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. along with tours of the facility.
“Our goal is to have a fun and safe place for people to take their dogs, whether local or visiting Sunriver. There is so much to do in Sunriver and nearby and sometimes dogs are not allowed,” Jeanette said. “They’re also not allowed to be left alone in rentals. In our facility, there is now an option for the dogs to have fun while their owners are away, instead of being crated or left alone at home.”
She is working with several rental agencies who are excited about the dog daycare. Rates are $25 for five hours; $48 for a full day and $55 for overnight stays. The facility is 3,200 square feet with three separate play areas. The daycare can take a maximum of 40 dogs, and it is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“We have plans to eventually expand the space and hours, including having a place for dog trainers to work with dogs inside during winter months,” she said. “We also have a careful screening process, so we are
The dog daycare is located at 56870 Enterprise Drive in the Sunriver Business Park. For additional information, visit sunroverdogdaycare.com; call 541-209-0053 or email info@ sunroverdogdaycare.com.
Coffee Meetup
If your business is interested in learning about the benefits of being a chamber member, plan to attend the Coffee Meetup at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Café Sintra. RSVP to exec@ Sunriverchamber.com.
Second annual canned food drive
The Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Artists’ Gallery in The Village at Sunriver and the Sunriver Police Department to collect food for Care & Share, the local nonprofit food bank in Sunriver.
The goal is to see how many mountain peaks the community can climb from Tuesday, Oct. 1 to Monday, Oct. 7. One pound or one dollar equals a foot. The “Peak Challenge” is to “climb” Lava Butte, Tumalo Mountain, Mt. Bachelor and South Sister in an effort to collect a total of 10,363 pounds
An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held in September for Century Commons Taps and Truck, located in the Sunriver Business Park.
Join The Village at Sunriver for proud pooches parade and fall festivities
Sign up to join the SROA Owner Enrichment Committee Proud Pooches Parade, held in conjunction with The Village at Sunriver’s Harvest Festival on Oct. 26.
Starting at 11:45 a.m., owners and their dogs will gather and walk from SHARC to the Village where dogs can participate in several fun contests.
Celebrate fall by attending the last outdoor market of the season.
The Sunriver Saturday Market is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at SHARC in the parking lot by the basketball court. Visit the market to find pumpkins to candles and honey to locally made spirits. It’s a great time to stock up for the fall months or start your holiday shopping.
Hosted by the Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce, the market supports small businesses in Central Oregon. The chamber is grateful for its sponsors: Visit Central Oregon, Exit Realty Bend, Village Bar & Grill and The Fold Pizza Ktichen.
The October vendors are: Arts & Crafts: AKA Jewelry Designs, Almanilly Soaps, Artwork by Sophia, Blue Birds
Your pooch will be introduced and have the opportunity to show that they have the best skills, are the cutest dog or maybe the oldest dog in attendance with prizes awarded in a variety of categories.
Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required for participating in the free parade or the contests.
Boutique, Cabin Creek Furniture Design, Cooks Pottery, Crimson & Clover Permanent Jewelry, Go Hive Yourself, Gretchen Bass Blankets, Houser House Creations, Lil Mama Megs Candles, Mara Crochet Minis, Monstera Boutique and Wyld Terra
Food & Beverages : The Vegetable Man, Badlands Artisan Distillery, Bombaci Pasta, Bonta of Bend, BRL Micro Gardening, Broadus Bees, Catman Cellars, Compassion Kombucha, Crumb Sourdough Microbakery, Curmuffin, Hello Darling Sweets, Laotian, Royal Juice Co., Slurp Soup Co., The Crow’s Croft and The Soapy Dough Pet items: Empty Bowl LLC, and Peaceful Pet Supplements
For information, follow the market on Instagram and Facebook.
All dogs must be leashed and fully vaccinated (puppies must have their third series of vaccines, including rabies).
Please bring your own dog waste bags and water.
After the pooches are done performing tricks for treats, children can enjoy trickor-treating at participating businesses in The Village at
Sunriver starting at 12 p.m.
The whole family can enjoy carnival style games, festive crafts, Alpine Express train rides, and more fun in the Village courtyard.
Stop by the Sunriver Area Chamber of Commerce pumpkin decorating contest, and vote for your favorite.
And don’t miss the costume
contests where you can win prizes for best costume by age range, best family/group costume and best dog costume as well.
To learn more about registering for the pooch parade or information about other festival activities, visit www. villageatsunriver.com/events/ harvest-festival-2/
Stock up the freezer with eats and holiday treats during annual bake sale event
Visions of Sugar Plums Food/ Bake Extravaganza Sale is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at SHARC in Sunriver. The event is sponsored by Sunriver Christian Fellowship.
Over the last eight years, Visions of Sugar Plums has raised more than $156,000 with all proceeds donated to local charities in south Deschutes County. Some of the charities benefitting in the past include CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), La Pine-Sunriver Habitat for Humanity, Neighbor Impact, Care for Kids (educational enrichment activities at Three Rivers School), Nancy’s House, Bethlehem Inn, Volunteers in Medicine, La Pine Health
Clinic, Care and Share, Saving Grace, Healthy Beginnings, Grandma’s House, Mountain Star, Friends of the Children and Adaptive Sports. With the help of community members, the organizers can once again help several charitable organizations in Deschutes County
before the holidays.
This is a great opportunity to stock up your freezer for the holidays with all kinds of delicious desserts, appetizers and main courses.
There will be every kind of baked good imaginable, including gluten free options.
You also will find some amazing holiday gifts for your holiday entertaining.
There will be a children’s activity table to keep the little ones entertained while adults are shopping.
To see pictures of the amaz-
ing items visit Facebook.com/ groups/VisionsofSugarPlums or email vspsunriver@gmail. com with any questions or
comments.
Please plan on attending this wonderful event. It is the gift that keeps on giving.
Vendors left to right: Slurp Soup, Empty Bowl, Blue Birds Boutique, Wyld Terra, Lil Mama Megs and Hello Darling Sweets.
Sunriver Service District public safety building update
Autumn is arriving in Sunriver and Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company and its trade partners have made significant progress on the Sunriver Service District’s new and expanded public safety building.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) rough-in was completed in the north apparatus bay addition and the second floor of the fire station.
Lockers for the locker rooms, as well as electrical switchgear arrived and were installed. MEP top out, finishes and paint were completed in the east apparatus bay addition. Natural stone masonry has been installed on the exterior of, and exterior siding and paint has begun.
The apparatus bay has been sheeted and dried in, and roofing has been completed.
October will bring a lot of drywall, taping and painting throughout the whole building. Taping, painting and MEP top out on the east apparatus bay will be completed by the end of the month.
The drywall and painting on the first and second floor of the fire station and apparatus bay addition will also be completed by the end of the month, and MEP rough-in will start shortly after. During construction, the fire department and Sunriver Service District Administration offices are relocated to the Sunriver Police Department. If the offices are closed, be sure to pick up the red phone for assistance. The district has firefighters, EMS staff and police officers on shift 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve the Sunriver community.
For any questions or concerns, please email ssdadmin@sunriversd.org.
A 24/7 construction camera is available to show live images of the construction, which is accessible on the SSD website at www.sunriversd. org.
The project remains on schedule with police moving into the new facility sometime after the first of the year.
Sunriver Police and Fire Foundation hosts community and safety events
By Jill Stephens
Have you heard about Faith and Blue?
The Sunriver area is participating in Faith and Blue, which will bring together Sunriver Police, local faith organizations and residents as part of the national community movement.
The goal of Faith and Blue is to help build a safer and stronger community through an open exchange of ideas.
Sunriver Police will host a question-and-answer session to identify concerns and promote problem-solving across the Sunriver area.
Everyone is welcome to attend and ask questions or offer
potential solutions to local issues.
Faith and Blue is 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 at Sunriver Resort’s Hearth Room.
Food donations are gladly accepted and will be distributed by Care and Share to those in need.
Especially helpful are donations of protein items, such as canned meats or tuna, peanut butter and boxes of mac and cheese (no beans please).
This free event is presented by Sunriver Police and Fire Foundation with the help of its sponsors, Sunriver Resort and First Interstate Bank.
Please contact the foundation via email at Events@SRpo licefirefoundation.org to learn more.
Day at the range
Sunriver Police will lead a hands-on range day reviewing the safe use and storage of handguns.
The course will be held on Oct. 25 at the Redmond Rod and Gun Club.
Police Chief Stephen Lopez will take the role of range master for this session and will be joined by fellow officers and range personnel.
Lopez is uniquely qualified to conduct the training, both
as a recognized FBI-certified firearms instructor and having run the full-time firearm facility in Santa Clara, California, for several years.
This class is an outstanding opportunity to refresh your skills and knowledge from extremely well-qualified instructors, but is not for beginners.
It is designed for those who already have their own guns and know how to shoot.
Only a limited number of participants can be accepted; please contact the foundation via email at Events@ SRpolicefirefoundation.org for information and registration documents.
The generous support of Sunriver Resort helps make this class possible.
Family dynamics for first responders and their families
Most of us are aware that police and firefighters are under tremendous stress, ranging from physical demands to difficult schedules to emotional trauma.
However, the families of first responders experience daily pressures of uncertainty and the tension their loved one brings home. This can often result in stress-related illness and higher divorce rates across these professions.
To help first responders and their families better handle these challenges, Sunriver Police and Fire Foundation is hosting a November seminar, with experts speaking to families on essential topics such as suicide, marriage, child psychology and medical insurance. Financial support for this seminar is provided by Team Birtola-High Desert Realty and First American Title.
Reach out for information
Would you like to help the foundation or sign up for advanced news about upcoming events?
Please contact us via email at Events@SRpolicefirefoun dation.org and you’ll be the first to hear about what the foundation is doing.
Exterior stonework is complete and flagpole erected.
Enchanting autumn artwork by local artists at the Betty Gray Gallery
By Jim Fister
Fall is now officially here in Central Oregon. Sunriver now sees more local visitors looking for an exciting day while the weather provides an opportunity to enjoy the area with the reduced crowds. To celebrate the fall, the Betty Gray Gallery of Art in Sunriver Resort’s Lodge is opening all new exhibits.
The downstairs gallery will open a two-month show featuring local artist Vivian Olsen. Olsen paints wildlife using a variety of oils, pastels, and watercolors. She has painted professionally since college when she pursued joint careers as an artist and art teacher in New Mexico. Since moving to Central Oregon several years ago, Olsen has joined many of the art communities to grow her skills with her peers. As an artist her goal is to capture the beauty of animals, to present animals as nature’s gifts, and to
Chamber
or the height of South Sister.
Care & Share is kindly requesting the following items: tuna fish, peanut butter, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, chili, soup, pasta, canned tomato sauce and high protein items. Please do not donate anything in a glass jar, due to risk factors of it breaking.
Look for posters at participating businesses or bring nonperishable food items to fill Don’s Truck at the Artists’ Gallery any time that week.
Celebrate Locals’ Weekend from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the gallery. Bring nonperishable items to enter the drawing at the Artists’ Gallery.
Second annual pumpkin decorating contest
Businesses will once again unleash their creativity to decorate a pumpkin during the week of Oct. 19 to Oct. 26. A list of participating businesses will be posted on the chamber’s website or look for posters at the business. The winner will receive $200 to donate to their favorite charity.
ird annual Ornament Quest
The chamber is hosting the third annual Ornament Quest where community members solve clues to find where ornaments are hidden at local businesses.
If your business would like to participate, please email exec@ sunriverchamber.com
show others how they benefit our lives. Her work will show through November.
The upstairs gallery will have a split show featuring two photographers who call Central Oregon home.
Michelle Adams is a landscape photographer who grew up in Connecticut taking photos as a hobby. She eventually adapted to digital imaging and realized how much it could enhance her presentation of what she sees in the world. Her interest is in the true art of capturing an image and presenting it for everyone to interpret.
Dan Price grew up in the Midwest and took up photography while recovering from
a serious illness. He uses the camera to present what he sees, capturing a quick glimpse and presenting it for the viewer to form their own opinions over time. Price frames his images to encompass both foreground and background, creating depth on the canvas for his audience.
Come see both shows and enjoy the quiet of autumn in Sunriver.
Visit the gallery and stroll along the paths around the Lodge to see the wildlife and create your own pictures of nature in Sunriver.
The gallery is available daily for viewing during regular business hours.
Artist Vivian Olsen’s heron will be displayed at the gallery.
In 2023, Winderemere took first place and Marcello’s Cucina Italiano received second place in the first pumpkin contest.
Sunriver Service District board monthly meeting summary
public safety
The Sunriver Service District (SSD) Managing Board held its regular meeting on Sept. 19, 2024.
Board members present: Jim Fister, Bill Hepburn, John Ralston, Denney Kelley and Randy Schneider (SROA board ex-officio). Absent: John Shoemaker.
SSD staff present: Police Chief Stephen Lopez, Police Capt. Tori Kornblum, Fire Chief Bill Boos, administrator Mindy Holliday.
Public input
–None
–Acknowledged the retirement of Dana Whitehurst from the district after eight years of service. She will continue part time to assist SSD administrator Mindy Holliday through the end of the year and a replacement can be hired.
–Welcomed SROA board
SSD Board Monthly Meetings
SSD board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. Meetings are currently held in the SROA administration board room.
director Randy Schneider as ex-officio to the SSD’s board.
Consent Agenda
–Approved Aug. 15, 2024
SSD board meeting minutes.
–Approved SROA monthly invoice in the amount of $9,208.09.
Old business
–Public safety building update.
Construction timelines remain on track. Work is mostly interior, including on the fire side’s second story remodel. Exterior stonework was completed, and final siding install
should be complete by end of September. An electrical switchover with Midstate Electric was planned for Sept. 24 and would shut down the police department offices for the day.
–Approved $795,674 in invoices for the project.
–Approved to commit $200,000 to backfill account 717 contingency from interest income to cover unknown costs, including higher costs for demo, a radio repeater system and sprinklers, among others.
–Approved additional committee funds in the amount of $486,758 for fire department covered parking, furniture,
SCBA equipment and others.
–Reviewed the monthly memo to Deschutes County Commissioners.
–Discussed an overage cost to SROA of the shared SSD/ SROA entry driveway paving. The board agreed to pay the overage amount themselves.
–No update on the SSD Strategic Plan at this time.
–No update to a proposal to create an SSD post incident procedure. More specifically to create a “no shooting zone” within Sunriver proper, similar to other area communities. The SSD board can’t take a stance on this under county regulations (and the governing body of the SSD). It would have to be championed and moved forward by Sunriver citizens who are registered to vote in Deschutes County.
New business
–Approved Kent Zook to the SSD Budget Committee. At least two or three more committee members are needed.
Administrator Holliday is meeting with potential volunteers to fill the committee.
–Onsite FY 2023-24 SSD financial audit testing was conducted. Final audit expected in time for board review at the October SSD board meeting.
–Approved sending a letter to ODOT regarding highway/ road snow clearing and winter maintenance.
–Board directors Jim Fister and Denney Kelley volunteered to review the Enforcement of Rules & Regulations agreement.
–The nomination of SSD board officers is as follows: Jim
Fister, chair; John Shoemaker, vice chair and Bill Hepburn, treasurer. This will officially be presented for a vote by the board at its October meeting.
–Approved FY 2023-24 year end financials.
–Approved August 2024 unaudited financials.
Chief reports Fire
–In August, there were 55 calls for the Sunriver Fire Department, which included 38 EMS calls, 2 fire calls, 2 wildland fires, 15 public service assistance calls and 11 false alarm/ good intent/canceled calls.
–In response to the September wildfire threat to Sunriver, Chief Boos noted he learned a lot about the impacts to the community.
–Finished up participation in the 2023 SROA Strategic Plan Task Force.
–Discussed defensible space with a couple of property owners.
–Deputy chief Bjorvik participated in several wildland fires around the state, which gener-
Nearby res underscores a grim reminder to be prepared; tips for replace safety this winter
By Jim Bennett
It is mid-September and as I prepare the October edition of our monthly article, Sunriver was still at Level 1 evacuation due to the Little Lava and Bachelor Complex fires.
A couple of days prior, we had reached a Level 2 evacuation, a level not seen in recent years.
As of this writing, more than 1.7 million acres have burned in Oregon this year, and the wildfire season has not yet ended.
The courageous response of firefighters and emergency service personnel – with a dose of help from nature and favorable weather conditions – has pushed back the threat of disaster.
Thank you to all that stepped up to put a stop to the forward progression of what could have been a serious threat to our community.
This was probably a wakeup call to many community members on the need and importance to be prepared.
As the county’s messaging indicated in the Level 2 announcement: “If conditions change quickly, this may be the only alert you receive” reminds us that situations can change rapidly and we need to prepare before there ever is the discussion of evacuation, but no later than when a “Level 1” is announced.
It is impossible to predict the weather and fire danger this far out with any great accuracy but it’s highly possible that wildfire conducive conditions may continue to exist in October.
Review your emergency plan
Don’t let your guard down, but rather keep those preparedness efforts in place and have your plan ready to go in the event of another evacuation
call.
If you missed the initial evacuation call, it may have been because you have not signed up for Sunriver and Deschutes County emergency alerts. Messages were sent through the alert systems to all subscribers with information on current evacuation levels and directions. Information on how to sign up can be found at www.sunriveremergencyinfo.com.
Winter fire safety
With the hope that wildfire is nearly behind us, we need to begin our focus on winter fire safety.
While structure (residential) fires can and do happen any time of the year, there are elements during the “cold” season that can increase chances for fires.
Fireplaces, candles, holiday
tree lights and space heaters increase the chances for heat being introduced to flammable materials.
While all of those heat and light sources are important, or add ambiance, we must continue to be realistic that, if used
8-1 Sunriver Police received a yellow Mongoose BMX bicycle that is presumed to be found property.
8-2 O cers were dispatched to reports of a locked vehicle with juveniles inside at a Center Drive location. Due to high temperatures, and failed attempts to unlock the car using a lockout kit, Sunriver o cers broke the front right window in order to open the car and prevent the occupants from overheating.
8-2 Police took a subject into custody on Venture Lane for a DCSO case. 8-3 Tra c stop conducted on South Century Drive. Subsequent to the investigation, the driver was taken into custody for DUII.
8-4 O cer responded to a reported suspicious circumstance that occurred at Goody’s in The Village at Sunriver. The RP alleged another male took photos of his nine-year-old daughter. The person of interest has not been contacted and no charges have been led. This case is pending further investigation.
8-5 RP turned in an iPhone found at Mary McCallum Park.
8-6 Received two rearms from a Camas Lane resident that she wants destroyed.
8-6 Picked up a found wallet from the visitor center in the Village.
8-7 Recovered a bike along the side of the road on Pine Bough.
8-8 Received a call about gra ti on an electrical box near the Village.
8-10 O cers responded to a domestic dispute at Fremont Crossing. Subsequent to the investigation, the individual was arrested on a detention warrant out of Multnomah County.
8-13 Sunriver Police made contact with a parked driver on South Century Road near milepost 1. Subsequent to the investigation, the driver was arrested for DUII.
8-13 Took report of a lost two-person oat and two detachable paddle
Check your fireplace annually. If there are any overhanging branches near the chimney it should be removed.
‘The Beautiful West’ exhibit opens Oct. 1 at the Nancy McGrath Green Gallery
As the heat of the summer fades into autumn’s golden glow, Sunriver’s Nancy McGrath Green Gallery will host its first all photographic exhibit, “The Beautiful West,” juried by the show chair Karen Maier.
The Nancy McGrath Green Gallery opened nearly two years ago.
Its quarterly shows have included some photographs, but
this will be the only show devoted entirely to photography.
Central Oregon participants include Robert Davis, Patty DiRienzo, Sue Dougherty, Karen Maier, Steven Warner and Kristina Ziegler. Wildlife and landscapes abound.
The photo exhibit opens its three month tenure on Oct. 1.
A meet and greet reception with the artists will be held at
11:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at the gallery located in Sunriver Christian Fellowship, 18139 Cottonwood Road in Sunriver.
Refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.
Trunk-or-Treat event
The annual Trunk-or-Treat will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at The Door church. Everyone is welcome to this free community event that includes hot dogs, apple cider, lots of candy, spookily decorated cars, and more.
The Door is located in the Sunriver Business Park across from Three Rivers Schools.
For those who would like to decorate their vehicle and join in the fun, contact Brent at pastorbrent@thedoor3r.org
Don’t miss Locavore’s Fall Harvest Feast fundraiser
If you dare, join Central Oregon Locavore for its sixth annual Fall Harvest Feast & Fundraiser!
Save the date for this Halloween-themed masquerade taking place at the enchanting Hanai Community Center in Bend on Friday, Oct. 25.
From costume contests, silent and live auctions featuring locally sourced crafts and concoctions, to a hidden speakeasy, tarot readings and mysterious brews at the Green Witch’s Tea Parlor, this harvest party is going to be a thrilling evening filled with mystery, magic, and mouthwatering delights.
Wear your most creative disguises and come prepared to eat to your heart’s content.
The culinary highlight of the evening will be a multi-course, farm-fresh meal crafted from the finest local produce and high-quality meats sourced from Well Rooted Farms.
Renowned local chefs will work their culinary magic to deliver a supernatural dining experience, celebrating the rich seasonal bounty of Central
Sunriver Police Log
board ns.
8-16 Police took a subject into custody in the Village on an outstanding warrant.
8-19 Picked up a found wallet at the Woodlands golf course.
8-19 Responded to a domestic dispute at Pinnacle 365 in the Sunriver Business Park. Subsequent to the investigation, a male was arrested for harassment and transported to DCAJ.
8-23 Responded to a citizen who reported he had struck a deer on Huntington Road near South Century Drive on Aug. 22. There was no damage to their vehi-
Oregon.
Locavore is seeking sponsors to help make this spectacular event a reality.
By supporting the Fall Harvest Feast, sponsors will contribute to our mission of enhancing local food security and promoting sustainable farming practices for the benefit of our health and an ecologically stable environment.
Interested sponsors can choose from four sponsorship tiers by visiting centraloregonlocavore.org/fall-harvest-feast/.
Farmers, ranchers, food makers, artisans and crafters are invited to contribute items and/or services for silent and live auctions – showcasing the best of Central Oregon for a worthy cause.
Local bakeries and restaurants can also donate a wicked assortment of desserts for Locavore’s famous Dessert Dash. All donations to Locavore are tax-deductible.
Reserve your seat now for an extraterrestrial experience. Information: www.centraloregonlocavore.org/fall-harvest-feast/
cle, however the front license plate fell o . He returned to the area to look for the plate but could not nd it.
The driver is going to contact DMV.
8-26 Responded to a theft call that occurred at Sunriver Brewing in the Village at Sunriver
8-27 Took a lost property report regarding a missing iPhone 13.
8-30 Conducted a tra c stop on South Century Drive and subsequently took the driver into custody for an outstanding warrant.
8-30 Received a found Nevada driver’s license that was left in the SRPD’s post o ce box.
Above: ‘Katmai Sunset’ by Sue Dougherty and ‘High Desert Heron’ by Robert Davis, below.
ates revenue for the department.
–Crews participated in physician case review and training regarding respiratory emergencies.
–The fire academy is moving forward and recruits will help alleviate overtime within the department.
–Outreach activities included attending the Sunriver Resort employee appreciation luncheon.
Police
–In August, the Sunriver Police Department received 748 calls for service, 61 of which were emergencies.
Officers investigated 54 cases, 30 suspicious persons or prowlers, conducted 265 traffic stops, provided 44 community-policing responses, there were 18 animal issues, 11 noise complaints and 18 lost/found property.
–In response to the wildfire threat to Sunriver in September, Chief Lopez reported they have a good system in place but there is always room for
improvement.
“We were prepared to go to Level 3 and had other agencies ready to respond,” he noted
–Corporal and lateral officer interviews are complete. The corporal position is moving to background. If both positions are filled, the department will be fully staffed.
–Bike Patrol is finished for the season. Despite limited staff this year patrol was very active and proactive.
It was also reported that bike crashes are down and reported fewer injury accidents in quite some time.
–The second set of license plate readers were to be installed on South Century Drive by the end of September.
–Officers attended various training, including digital forensics, deflection, license plate readers, and high risk vehicle stops.
–Public outreach included attending the Sunriver Resort’s employee appreciation barbecue. In October, the department is participating in Faith and Blue and the Three Rivers Otter Run at Three Rivers School.
Debris Pickup in Sunriver
Administration
–Received all financial documents and files previously stored by SROA, which will be reviewed and purged as needed.
–Working on draft employee handbook to account for various updates.
–Administrator Holliday is halfway through the Public Sector HR Association SCP certification course.
–Attended various professional development opportunities.
–Met with Streamline representative to begin transition of the SSD, police and fire websites to a new .gov website. The new website will also be ADA compliant.
–The hiring of an SSD executive assistant position has been postponed until the new facility is completed.
Other business
–The next regular meeting of the Sunriver Service District Managing Board is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.
The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m. Approved meeting minutes are posted, as available, at www.sunriversd.org.
unsafely, they can be dangerous.
Since it will be getting cooler and the days shorter, the glow of fireplaces will once again be seen throughout our community. Now is the time to prepare for fireplace season.
Soot, creosote and other oils and debris coat the inside of our fireplace flues. These pose a significant threat to creating a chimney fire that can quickly push flames and sparks out the top, superheat the interior and potentially find gaps for fire to sneak into the structure.
Just simply taking a flashlight and looking up your chimney doesn’t qualify as an inspection to assess whether it is safe or not. Having a qualified professional inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney each year helps to reduce the potential for unintended fire.
It is important to inspect the top cap of your fireplace to make sure that it is in good shape and the spark arrester is in place. While on the roof, check to make sure that no branches are within 10 feet of overhanging or near the chimney.
Finally, check for any forest debris on the roof, especially near the chimney where an errant ember could land and start a fire. We’re not quite done; we still need to talk about the fireplace.
From the crackle and the pop of wood in the fire, hot embers can fly quite a way into the room if there is no barrier. Be sure to keep potentially flammable items away from the fireplace (such as additional wood, paper, rugs) and have an appropriate screen or glass door to keep everything in the fireplace box.
The obvious but important advice with any fire source is never leave it unattended.
There’s always one last thing, please only burn wood or fireplace approved logs and don’t burn trash or excessive paper.
Large amounts of paper (commonly shoved into the fireplace during the holidays) can ignite quickly, burn rapidly and excessively hot.
Not to mention, the burning remnants that float up the chimney. From one season to the next, let’s all do our part to keep our community safe and fire free.
PUBLIC NOTICE
SUNRIVER’S RECYCLING CENTER is scheduled to LADDER FUELS
Please observe the following for pickup:
•There is no need to call for pickup. All roads will be checked. Have piles at roadside BEFORE the rst Monday of each month through October
•WE DO NOT PICK UP PINE NEEDLES, GRASS, LEAVES OR SMALL BRANCHES. If you include this material, the pile will be left
•If you want to dispose of grass clippings, pine needles or other organic material, it can be taken to the compost site at Lake Penhollow (for a fee)
•Cut tree branches to 8-foot maximum length
•Stack brush/branches parallel with road edge so equipment can reach it without going o road
•Do not stack materials on top of or near electrical, phone, cable boxes, water/sewer valves/meters, large rocks or sprinklers
PERMANENTLY CLOSE OCTOBER 31, 2024
WHERE DO I TAKE MY RECYCLABLES ?
For Sunriver owners who do not use side-yard service, or live outside Sunriver, can use the following locations:
SOUTHWEST TRANSFER STATION
54580 Highway 97, La Pine | Hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Sat KNOTT LANDFILL 61050 SE 27th Street, Bend | Hours: 7am-4:30pm daily
This service is provided free to property owners for reduction of ladder fuels. Vegetative material generated for building construction or by a ladder fuels contractor is the responsibility of the contractor and will not be removed by SROA.
Sunriver Stars presents multi-age adaptation
By Janet Grant Sunriver
Stars Community Theater will close out the 2024 season with its annual fall production, “Huckleberry Finn,” at 7 p.m. Nov. 14-15 and 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at The Door Three Rivers, 56885 Enterprise Dr.
The play is a musical version of Mark Twain’s classic story of the adventures of Huck and Tom featuring both youth and adult performers.
Based on the book by Joseph George Caruso, with music and lyrics from Edward C. Redding, the play focuses on the humor, heroism and hope of the original tale.
“I picked this story because it’s a fun American classic,” director Michele Hans said.
“After the realism of ‘Anne of
Green Gables’ last season, I liked the idea of a light-hearted story, still with some historical context. We understand there’s difficult themes in the original, however the writers of the stage version removed the controversial issues.”
That’s not to say this version is without the drama, as Huck will be joined by beloved friend and partner in crime, Tom Sawyer.
The two wrestle with the moral dilemma of deceit for personal gain, versus doing what’s right to rescue the innocent.
Hans again teams up with her daughter, Rae White, to produce the show with Hans directing while White oversees the music.
Adding to the family affair is a cast and crew comprised of several mother-daughter combos and other family members participating together, both on stage and behind the scenes.
“It’s so much fun – this cast is so brilliant,” Hans said. “Many I’ve worked with before, but we have some very talented newcomers.”
Calen Fenwick, who will play Huck, first came to the Stars stage last year in a supporting role, but grew enough in his skills to earn the lead in this show.
Logan Kerr will complete the duo as Tom. Kerr played the role of Charlie in “Willy Wonka Jr.” during the Stars hybrid kids program in 2020, which was turned into film (available on
If you’re thinking of remodeling and not sure where to start, now is a great time to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Neil Kelly designer. We’ll discuss your inspiration, vision, and goals for your project, answer all your questions, share ideas, and discuss schedule and budget ranges. Whether you’re in the early planning stage or ready to remodel, this is a great way to get started! To schedule and learn more, visit: neilkelly.com/consultation, or call 541.382.7580.
the Stars YouTube channel).
The show will include a 15-minute intermission with refreshments. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets or for information, visit www.sunriverstars.org.
Make cruise reservations for STARs fundraiser In continued efforts to build its own theater, Sunriver Stars Community Theater (SSCT) is launching a new fundraising opportunity to the public in partnership with Legacy 3 Travel.
Friends and supporters are invited to “Sail with the Stars” in 2025 down the Pacific Coast, from California to Mexico.
Guests may choose from two routes, Mexican Riviera (April 5-12) or Pacific Coastal (April 12-19) or, go on back-to-back
trips for maximum fun and adventure.
Each cruise sails round trip from Los Angeles for seven nights aboard the Discovery Princess and includes exclusive Sunriver Stars activities on board.
Rates start at $838 per person and for every reservation, Legacy will donate to the Stars Building Fund ($50 for balcony reservations and $25 for interior rooms).
The standard package includes accommodations, entertainment, basic meals and beverages. A refundable deposit of $100 per person is required to confirm your reservation. Those interested may email Michele Hans at Michele HansTravel@gmail.com for a customized quote, with group prices negotiated for your preferred cabin and amenities.
Doyouowna
COCC show features work of surrealist
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) is exhibiting the work of Portland surrealist Paula Bullwinkel in a show titled “Summer Mares” at its Barber Library Rotunda Gallery, now to Nov. 24, with an opening reception from 4 to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3.
This is free and open to the public.
For complete gallery hours, visit the Barber Library’s web-
page at cocc.edu/library.
“I’m a narrative painter, fascinated by doppelgängers,” said Bullwinkel, formerly of Bend, of her central theme.
“Folklore tells us everyone has a ‘double-goer,’ a mysterious, identical copy, both familiar and strange, suggesting the possibility of multiple universes where infinite versions of one’s life play out simultaneously.”
A former fashion and en -
Four tips for choosing the right Medicare Plan for 2025
With so many Medicare options available, selecting a plan can seem daunting. This year you may be wondering how news of Medicare drug price negotiations, economic uncertainties and other factors may impact your coverage in 2025.
Medicare is for those 65 and older and others who qualify, providing hospital coverage (Part A) and physician visits (Part B) to beneficiaries. Additionally, there are a variety of options that coordinate with original Medicare, such as Medicare Supplement plans and Prescription Drug Plans, or replace original Medicare
with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans combined with Prescription Drug Plans.
During this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which takes place between Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2024, here’s tips you should know:
1. Check for plan changes: If your current plan is working for you, you can likely keep it. However, it’s a good idea to review your plan every AEP, especially if you’ve experienced major life, health or financial changes. Any changes to your current plan will be outlined in your Medicare plan’s Annual
tertainment photographer –who captured icons like Kate Moss, Sinead O’Connor, Lenny Kravitz, and Morgan Freeman – Bullwinkel made a switch to oil canvases and has led an extensive career as a fine artist for more than 20 years, with a style that explores dream-like scenes and imagery.
She taught art and photography at COCC for a number of years.
Bullwinkel has been featured on OPB’s “Oregon Art Beat,” held artist residencies in settings as diverse as Vermont and Portugal, earned a fellowship from the Ford Family Foundation and received grant backing from the Oregon Arts Commission.
She received a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in painting from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree
in art education with a minor in painting at Montclair State University.
For more information on the exhibition, contact Tina Hovekamp, director of library services, at 541-383-7295 or thovekamp@cocc.edu.
In advance of college events, persons needing accommodation or transportation because of a physical or mobility dis-
ability should contact Caitlyn Gardner at 541-383-7237.
For accommodation because of other disability, such as hearing impairment, contact disability services at 541-3837583.
Scams older people should know about
Amid technology advances enabling scammers to commit fraud, elders and their loved ones need to stay informed.
Typically, elder scams involve the transfer of money to a stranger or imposter for a promised benefit or good.
In 2023, banks reported more than $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder scams, according to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and reports filed by the public to the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicated an average loss of more than $33,000 per case.
One technology behind these staggering figures is artificial intelligence (AI).
Advanced methods of masking one’s identity using AI make it difficult to detect fakes. Voice print – or voice clone – scamming is becoming more of an issue when it comes to impersonation fraud.
Using voice clips from social media or by calling and having a brief conversation with someone, criminals can generate an imitation to be used as part of their ruse.
Beware of two scam strategies
Most scams targeting elders generally follow one or two main strategies:
1) elicit strong feelings and apply a sense of urgency to get someone to act quickly before thinking, and/or
2) entice someone with an offer that seems too good to be true, yet too alluring to pass up. Here are some of the more common types of elder scams:
Sense of urgency scams
• Tech support. Someone will claim they need to remotely access the victim’s computer to fix a software problem, then use that access to steal personal or financial information.
• Government imposter. The fraudster may tell the victim they owe a debt that must be paid immediately or face arrest, asset seizure or termination of benefits.
• Grandparent. An elaborate story is given by phone and sometimes involves a voice print of an actual grandchild, claiming a loved one is in trouble and needs money to be protected.
Scams that offer something too good to be true
• Investment: The scammer makes claims of a high-return investment to trick the victim into giving them money, often asking to be paid in an unconventional way, like cryptocurrency, where there’s little to no
GUTTER CLEANING
chance of recovering the funds.
• Romance: The scammer develops a fake identity and creates the illusion of a romantic relationship to manipulate or steal from the victim.
• Lottery/Sweepstakes: Scammers make contact by phone or mail to tell the victim they’ve won the lottery or a sweepstakes but claim the elder has to remit a processing fee before they can get their prize.
Take protective measures a nd stay alert
The most effective way of preventing fraud is to pause when being rushed and take time to verify the legitimacy of both the person making contact and their claims.
To reduce the odds of your voice being cloned, experts suggest exercising caution when speaking on the phone with strangers.
If someone unfamiliar contacts you, disconnect from the original communication channel, verify their identity, then attempt to make contact through a different channel.
For instance, hang up the phone, get a number for the company, government agency or family member from a trusted source (such as a company’s official website) and use that to call back and verify.
Be leery of anyone asking for nontraditional payment forms, and when logic may be clouded by romantic feelings, confide
in someone you trust for an objective opinion.
If you believe you or someone you love has been a victim of fraud, contact the Department
Medicare
Notice of Change letter, which you should have received in September.
2. Research your coverage:
There are a few key things to watch for when shopping for a plan. One of them is whether your favorite providers and specialists will be in-network.
of Justice Office for Victims of Crime’s National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD11. –Source: StatePoint
You should also review the list of drugs covered under the plan. You’ll want to find a plan that will cover your current medications and any you anticipate your doctor prescribing in the year ahead. Finally, carefully consider your total spend for your prescription drug plan coverage (e.g., premiums plus pharmacy costs) since the maximum out-of-pocket costs for drugs you utilize will be capped at $2,000 in 2025.
3. Look for value: Select a plan that provides great value. To that end, you may want to consider an MA plan, which offers quality and affordability. MA plans cover everything original Medicare does, plus more; most also include dental, vision and hearing benefits, prescription drug coverage, and other extras like over-the-counter drugs, transportation to doctor’s visits and pharmacies, healthy grocery purchases, and fitness services. MA plans are often available with $0 premiums, but you’ll also want to check on what your annual out-of-pocket costs could be based on your health status.
4. Understand your plan : Before enrolling, make sure you understand its ins and outs. Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24/7; TTY users can call 1-877-4862048. Or, visit the Medicare Plan Finder website at www. Medicare.gov/plan-compare. For local assistance, refer to the State Health Insurance Assistance Program at www. shiptacenter.org.
–Source: StatePoint
PHOTO BY DRAZEN ZIGIC, ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Tips to stay on top of the latest tricks by fraudsters
Identity theft is reportedly a growing threat as fraudsters evolve to be savvier and more sophisticated.
There have been more than 1,300 data breaches already in 2024, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center.
It’s no surprise an Experian survey found that many consumers are wising up to the risk, with over half the U.S. adult population saying they’re highly concerned about identity theft and fraud.
“As fraudsters continue to become more sophisticated, it’s critical that you take matters into your own hands and protect your personal information,” said Michael Bruemmer, vice president of Experian Global Data Breach Resolution and Consumer Protection at Experian.
To help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud, there are a few key tips you should follow.
Create strong passwords
Create strong passwords for every account you have and don’t repeat passwords.
If you reuse the same password across multiple accounts and a criminal gets ahold of it, they can potentially wreak havoc on your personal and financial life.
A password manager can help you create unique passwords and store them so you don’t need to remember them all on your own.
Protect personal documents
Keep all your personal documents out of the hands of fraudsters, especially your social security card, as it can quickly open the door to identity theft.
Leave your social security card in a safe place at home–don’t carry it with you.
Additionally, check your
mail every day to prevent theft of potentially sensitive data.
Shred paperwork with personal information on it before throwing it away.
Also, consider having statements delivered electronically so there are fewer physical documents with your information on them.
Use caution when answering calls
Criminals may try to call you and pretend that they are with a company you are associated with in order to have you provide your personal information.
Never provide information over the phone. Instead, ask for the person’s name and where they are calling from.
Hang up and call the company back via the phone number listed on its website to verify if the call was legitimate.
Watch out for phishing scams
Phishing uses fake text messages, emails, phone calls or
other types of communication that look like it comes from a reputable source.
The fraudster’s goal is to make you click on a link or open an attachment and share your personal information.
After clicking the fake link and using your login credentials, the scammer can gain access to your account.
To protect yourself from these types of scams, never click on a link or open an attachment from someone or a company that you don’t recognize or that looks suspicious.
Additionally, if you receive notice that your personal information was involved in a data breach, be cautious about hackers who may imitate the company you received the breach notice from.
To verify the legitimacy of the communication, identify the correct phone number by looking at physical statements or by logging into your account through a verified portal and call or email the company separately.
Regular credit checks can reveal suspicious activity.
Regularly check your credit reports
Regularly checking your credit reports is a good financial and security habit.
Staying updated on what is in your reports will help you spot any suspicious activity, like new accounts you don’t recognize, and help you act quickly to combat further fraud.
Leverage tools to combat fraud
Experian data found that only 30% of people are currently using an identity theft
protection product or service.
This shows that too many people are missing an opportunity to keep themselves and their identity safe.
Experian offers free and paid identity protection products that can be an extra layer of protection.
Experian IdentityWorks monitors for activity on your Experian credit report and will alert you if there are any changes.
It also monitors for your information on the dark web and provides easy access to lock and unlock your Experian credit file.
You can check your Experian credit report for free and enroll in identity theft protection at www.Experian.com.
“Identity theft should be taken seriously by everyone. Being proactive and following key steps can help you stay ahead of fraud before it occurs,” Bruemmer said.
By Susan Berger, Sunriver Scene Sunriver,
and the greater surrounding communities, dodged a bullet last month with the Little Lava Fire bearing down on us before rain and cooler temperatures put a damper on it.
The biggest threat came Sept. 10 when warmer temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds pushed the fire toward the greater Sunriver area, prompting a Level 2 evacuation later that afternoon.
The evacuation levels also triggered SROA’s policy to shut down all its facilities. Why? Well, there’s a couple of reasons. First, it would be irresponsible to bring staff and visitors into a community that may, ultimately, be fully evacuated. Second, much of SROA’s work force resides in the greater Three Rivers area and were under the same evacuation notifications (some already at Level 2 and/or Level 3). They, too, needed time to pack up belongings, family and animals in preparation of
an evacuation.
I was one of them. My evacuation was a bit more complex and stressful due to a partially disabled husband. It was a twist of fate that, earlier that day, we had equipment installed in his truck so he can now drive (he hadn’t driven in 14 months). It was baptism by fire, literally, to be able to drive his truck again and assist in our evacuation process.
Oh, and we have a 20-yearold deaf cat. It was far worse dealing with the cat than the husband. She had no clue what was going on as I scrambled to grab belongings.
My phone was blowing up with calls and texts from worried friends offering their home – if we needed someplace to go.
I was being pulled in several directions. The journalist part of me wanted to be out there covering what was happening but I needed to get my own family to safety while trying to send emails to owners and update SROA’s website with what was going on.
In the Communications Department, not everything is “telecommute” easy. There are certain things that can only be done on a computer as an iPad or phone won’t do. Once I left the office I was limited as I had already dismantled my home office computer, and it was now stowed on the floor of my car.
From the time of the Level 2 announcement, we had packed what we could and made two trips to my brother’s home in La Pine (and where we would ultimately spend the night).
Our last trip was around 9 p.m. and included the cat –who screamed the entire drive there – dreadful sounds I cannot even describe. I had to turn up the car radio to drown her out. I can laugh about it now, but it was pretty stressful at the time (especially for her).
Driving away from our home was surreal knowing that it may not be there the next day. Thanks to a turn in the weather we woke on Wednesday to rain… beautiful, cooling rain. With no computer I had
Chorus of One: Keeping the peace in an emergency
By the Sunriver Service District Managing Board
The Sunriver Service District Board manages our district quietly. We are community members, appointed by the county to provide oversight and ensure that your taxpayer dollars are effectively used to provide public safety for Sunriver and the region.
We wanted to take the time to be vocal in our thanks to the district team, community and visitors of Sunriver for their response to the recent Bachelor Complex Fires.
Though the threat of a serious
emergency in Sunriver is always present, it’s a rare occurrence that we experience an elevated evacuation level in the community. Given that we had a large visitor population that week, and that many of our part-time residents were enjoying the weather for a visit, there was an increased need by the district to respond effectively to the public’s concerns.
Starting Monday, Sept. 9, we had many personnel staying late to answer phones in Sunriver and at the county call center. This was especially needed because the elevated evacuation
Letters to the Editor
How is privatization working?
By Bruce Dezzani
For many owners, access to the Meadows and Woodlands golf courses was always a part of the Sunriver lifestyle. My daily run takes me past the 15th tee of the Meadows course. The only people I see on the course now are dog walkers, utilizing the cart paths fearlessly, as there are no golfers to hit errant shots their way.
The Lodge was always bustling with golfers, grabbing a beverage and discussing their round. The outdoor area is now mostly empty. Both servers and bartenders have expressed their
displeasure to me, specifically attributing a significant loss of income since the course was privatized.
My guess is the money grab from initiation fees was what motivated the changes. Seeing the infrequent use, perhaps they sold far fewer memberships than anticipated. Did they expect non-member owners to fork over the extra $100 to play (with a daily $50 membership), or just to appear to care about the homeowners? I believe I am with other owners who now drive an extra 20 minutes to play a quality course for half the cost.
The partnership with the Resort is now a battle with
to come back into Sunriver (even though the office was still technically closed) to send an email to owners and update the website. I had scheduled to be on a family vacation at the coast for the rest of the week but canceled those plans so I could remain in Sunriver and continue to message what I could. The hubby went on without me, hitching a ride with other family members who also were going. Oh well.
Ultimately, Sunriver remained at Level 2 until late Thursday morning. SROA staff reported to work at noon to open things up and all evacuation levels were eventually lifted the morning of Sept. 17. I felt a collective “phew” as everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
As my first evacuation I quickly realized that I was not as prepared as I thought I was. I struggled with “do I take this, or do I take that?” “Should I grab this?” “Can’t take that as it’s too bulky or too heavy.” I eventually grabbed some photo albums, passports, etc. I grabbed other
announcements were coming late in the day. We ensured that we could answer public questions, staying until after 9 p.m. in some cases.
Having a presence to provide information was important to keep our public at peace.
Our district team did a very effective job coordinating messaging and providing a consistent and calm face to those with concerns.
Our senior staff also worked well coordinating with the incident team and county emergency services to represent the needs of Sunriver. Both
owners and non-resort guests to monopolize facilities.
The Resort website boasts of exclusivity.
What will we lose next?
Disappointed
By Mark McConnell
The SROA Board missed a great opportunity to include another new member onto the dais.
It has been rare over the past few elections for SROA Board to have so many well qualified candidates, this year there were six!
The board had the opportunity to appoint the fourth-place candidate to replace Mr. Gillies, but instead appointed someone
things purely on sentimental value such as costume jewelry that belonged to my grandma, my mom’s baby book and my dad’s military papers. These were not easy decisions to make when you only have so much room in the car and trying to figure out what was most important. Having an evacuation checklist and storing those “must have” items in a single location is invaluable in the heat of the moment. I’ll certainly be working on my list. I want to add that I’m super proud of my Deschutes River Recreation Homesites community for taking the Level 2 evacuation seriously. I witnessed a steady stream of evacuee traffic that evening. Residents not only packed up themselves, but also took the time to assist their fellow neighbors.
This is what these evacuation levels are for – to be prepared and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Fires can be unpredictable, and things could just as easily gone sideways. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
our police and fire chief have extensive relationships with emergency management and were a steady voice for Sunriver in the discussions throughout the week. We also appreciate the fact that many of our district personnel chose to work significant overtime shifts to ensure that we had a strong presence available. The district received several comments from residents that the sight of a police vehicle on patrol or seeing our fire team as they drove past the station was an assurance that the district was on duty and ready to respond. Many residents
who chose not to run again and has served long enough.
It is no wonder that it can be difficult to get people to run for the board or serve on committees.
When the board continues to appoint members from the old guard, it only serves to perpetuate the perception that the board does not want new input from the community at large.
I hope that when the next board member resigns, we can expect the board to appoint someone that will bring a fresh perspective to the job.
Even better, use the election process to fill all seats, and stop using the appointment process to maintain status quo.
chose to leave during the Level 2 evacuation. Knowing that we had patrols expanded to keep the community safe was a great comfort. It’s often said that police and fire run to the danger, not away from it.
Being able to see that in action in Sunriver in a time of crisis is proof that our faith in our district is well placed.
As a board, we publicly thank our team for their excellent response.
We also thank the community for staying calm and responding to notifications and information appropriately.
Scene Opinion Policy
To support a free and open exchange of information and ideas, the Sunriver Scene welcomes letters to the editor up to 200 words, and Chorus of One submissions up to 400 words, on topics of relevance to Sunriver. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the Sunriver Owners Association. TO SUBMIT : Email: susanb@srowners.org. Submit letter in the body of the email, or attach it as a Word document. DEADLINE: The 12th of the month. We accept one letter per person per month.
VACATION RENTAL
CLEANING
I have owned a cleaning business on Maui from 2006 to 9/21. After living on Maui for 16yrs we are relocating full time to our home in La Pine. I am taking new clients for vacation rentals and family & friends homes. I am licensed/bonded and have excellent references!
DiAnna 808-268-5496 mamascleaningmaui@yahoo.com
CLEANING SERVICES
K2 Business Services, LLC has been cleaning inside Sunriver and the outlying areas since 1989. We specialize in cleaning of residential private homes for year-round residents and in privately owned family vacation homes that are used by family and extended family. Licensed and insured. Email KKBendOregon@yahoo.com or text/call Kathy at 541-419-9248
Repair, Service and Sales. Excellent customer service at affordable rates.
Your local Cal Spas dealer. Three Rivers Pool & Spa. www.threeriverspoolandspa.com 541-410-2494
SNOW REMOVAL
Driveway snow plowing and snow blowing. No contracts; on call work only. General contracting, licensed, bonded, insured since 1992. CCB# 97643, Tubs Alive, Inc. 541-593-5163
PAINT, STAIN & PRESSURE WASH
10% off Interior paint or stain if you mention this ad. Call Earth & Sky Construction and Paint today 541-815-7469
ARE YOU HAVING INTERNET PROBLEMS?
Need help with TVs, Audio, Internet and Smart Devices? Loud & Clear
A/V Systems has 20+ years of experience. 541-241-6262
CCB#231436
DEPENDABLE 5 STAR
QUALITY VACATION
RENTAL CLEANING
Specializing in owner-operated vacation rentals. I will be your eyes and ears for everything your rental needs. Convenient monthly invoicing. I have excellent references, long-time employees, quality products too. www.vacationrentalcleans.com
Donna James 541-410-1770
Girl Friday Cleaning
JILL OF ALL TRADES HOUSE CLEANING
We clean private and rental homes. Also vacation and RVs in Sunriver and La Pine area. We’re celebrating our 39th year! Better business accredited and insured. 541-815-1701
NEED DECK WORK?
Deck refinishing, Deck rebuilding, Enclosures, General contracting, licensed, bonded, insured since 1992 Tubs Alive, Inc. CCB #97643, 541-593-5163
WAREHOUSE RENTALS
SUNRIVER BUSINESS
PARK
788 sq. ft. to 1,140 sq. ft.
$.86/square foot rent
$.26/square foot NNN
Some spaces include a loft and water. Mark Halvorsen Village Properties at Sunriver 541-420-2282
SR BLIND LADY
Bend Window Works/Bend Blinds has a special just for Sunriver area homeowners for new or replacement window treatments! Free laser measure, free take down/disposal of old blinds, free installation! And remember, fresh new blinds help rental homes rent faster! BendWindowWorks.com
541-593-8372
FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
Stop in Wild Poppy Florist for custom arrangements. We also carry locally-made gifts. Delivery available to Sunriver, Three Rivers, Bend and La Pine. Call 541-593-2027 or online at www.bendoregonflorist.com
Thank you for your support!
NEED A RELIABLE PERSON FOR:
• Security home checks
• Take care of mail and plants
• Sewing projects
Serving the Sunriver area for over 45 years. Call me, Grace Phillips. It’s a matter of trust!
541-788-0199
PET SITTING
In your home while you are away, or will walk/feed daily, etc. For information, call Bonnie Rogers at 541-419-4647
Sunriver references available.
CLASSIFIED AD RATES
$17/month for 25 words
.50 cents/word after 25
Deadline: 12th of the month Email text to: sunriverscene@srowners.org
BRIDGEPORT CONSTRUCTION
Honest, reliable small remodeling contractor. 40 years experience. Call Will at 503-309-0790 Many references available. Licensed/Bonded/Insured.
ccb#76152
HOUSEKEEPING
Alison’s Resort Housekeeping is now accepting new clients. Specializing in VRBO, Air B&B, and family vacation rentals. Over 10-years experience, references. Call for free quote 541-213-5288 5/21
REMODEL & ADDITIONS
Decks, windows, tile, miscellaneous carpentry and roof repair. Ryan Carroll 541-420-0675 ryancarrollconstruction.com CCB #193727
Kitchen, bath and living space. Custom railings, gates and metalwork. Affordable, custom craftsmanship. Call Ken Olson Building and Design, LLC. Licensed/Insured CCB #205419 541-213-8861
Hot tub, deck repair and refinishing, sales, installation, inspections and maintenance in Sunriver since1992! 541-593-5163 www.tubsalive.com
License #97643, bonded, insured.
PROJECT ORGANIZATION
In business in SR since 1989, offering professional organizing for pantries, closets, garages and more. Licensed and insured. $45/hr with a 4 hour minimum. Call Kathy at 541-419-9248
Top quality construction specialists in remodels, additions and new homes. Offering consultation, design, kitchens, bathrooms, finish-work, foundations, excavation, decks and more. (541) 419-7309
New client slots recently came available. Residential and Commercial. Bonded and Insured. Call for a free onsite estimate. M. K. Haines Services 541-977-3051
LOLO TREE WORKS
Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Fire Fuel Reduction, & Emergency Tree Services. ISA-Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638 Email: erin@ lolotreeworks.com CCB # 240912 Carpenter-April
