Sisters Magazine - Holiday Edition

SISTERS ARTS | CULTURE | EVENTS

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A MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE TOWN OF SISTERS

WINTER 2010

Sisters celebrates a Cowboy Christmas!

Endorsed by

SISTERS CHRISTMAS EVENTS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE EVENTS CALENDAR BUSINESS PROFILE

Advertising Supplement to The Bulletin

2 | Sisters Magazine | Town of Tiny Lights 2010

It’s a Cowboy Christmas!

Photos by Gary Miller, Sisters Country Photography

The Town of Tiny Lights has a full schedule of events to get you in the spirit.

by Laurel Brauns, for The Bulletin Special Projects Decades ago, business in Sisters began adorning their storefronts with tiny white lights. The tradition spread, and eventually the city began participating by decorating the trees in Barclay Park with the same small decorations.

Sisters was tagged the “Town of Tiny Lights,” and every year since, the downtown streets transform into an illuminated holiday wonderland.

Sisters has thus developed a reputation as a great place to spend the holidays for those looking for an enchanting Christmas experience.

“Sisters is a great place to be and spend the holidays,” said Erin Borla, executive director of the Sisters Chamber of Commerce. “It is a western town with a small-town, rural feel. It is a real traditional community.”

There are a number of activities planned by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sisters to make the “Cowboy Christmas” theme (adopted by the Chamber five years ago) that much more memorable for locals and visitors alike.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, the activities kick into action.

Tree Lighting

On Friday, Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m., the annual tree lighting ceremony will be held in Barclay Park. This is the sixth year that the Christmas tree has been donated to Sisters by the Deschutes Land Trust (DLT.) The tree is cut from property owned by the DLT near Camp Sherman. Every year, employees of the city and the Chamber of Commerce pick out the tree, and it is cut and delivered to Barclay Park by Sisters Tree Service.

Adding to the traditional feel of the evening, carolers, lead by Si Simonsen, will be dressed in Victorian clothing as they perform three holiday songs. The incredibly coordinated Bell Ringers, lead by Lola Knox, will also perform.

Hot drinks and popcorn will be for sale by the Lions Club as a fundraiser for the organization.

Holiday Parade

On Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m., the annual holiday parade will proceed through downtown on Hood Avenue from Pine Street to Spruce Street.

The parade traditionally features around 50 participants who take an hour to march through town. This year, the parade will include floats, wagons, horses and Christmas characters like Frosty, Cinnamon Bear and the Ginger Bread Man. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the end of the parade in a horse-drawn carriage driven by Jackie Herring.

“This is a real community oriented parade,” said Jeri Buckmann, events director for the Sisters Chamber of Commerce. “It is special because the community really participates, everyone knows everyone. The parade announcer, Bob Buckmann, knows everyone in the parade, too, so he always adds a little something special about each participant.”

Directly following the parade, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will go over to the Sisters Chamber of Commerce, located on the corner of Main Street and Spruce Street, to talk with children about their Christmas wishes. Hot drinks and cookies will be served, and a professional photographer will be on hand to take pictures with Santa, Frosty and other holiday characters.

Magical Voices

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING — Friday, Another event to get Nov. 26, 5:30 p.m., Barclay Park you in the holiday spirit is the Magical Voices of HOLIDAY PARADE — Saturday, Nov. 27, Christmas, an annual 2 p.m., along Hood Avenue fundraiser for music MAGICAL VOICES OF CHRISTMAS — programs in Sisters Sunday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m., Sisters High School Public Schools, hosted by the Sisters Rotary at All three events are FREE! the Sisters High School.

The two-hour show starts at 6 p.m. on and seniors will perform solo on the Sunday, Dec. 5 and is free and open to piano. the public.

Special guests include the Gospel The theme this year is “A World Choir of the Cascades from Bend, who of Christmas.” The event will feature will perform a gospel version of “Silent a variety show of music, singing and Night” as well as “Shout!” by the Isley dancing by various choral groups and Brothers. The Central Oregon Irish bands of all ages from Sisters, as well as Dancers will also add a Celtic flourish a few special guests. to the evening.

The audience can expect high energy “This is the 14th year we are doing it, performances by the Rhythm Wranglers, and we’ve gotten such a great response the Sisters High School Choral Group, that we continue the tradition every and various choirs, jazz ensembles and year,” said Steve Auerbach of the Sisters concert bands throughout the evening. Rotary. “It is a great evening to bring Sisters homecoming queen, Janelle your kids and get them in the spirit of Johnson, will sing “Chestnuts Roasting the holidays.” on an Open Fire,” and several juniors

Town of Tiny Lights 2010 | Sisters Magazine | 3

Christmas at

Black Butte Ranch

by Sondra Holtzman, for The Bulletin Special Projects

Having become a time-honored tradition, Black Butte Ranch will celebrate the holidays with exciting and festive events, many of which are open to the public.

Each year, the Ranch (located eight miles west of Sisters) adopts a holiday theme, usually centered around what is on display in The Lodge Gallery.

This year’s theme, titled Americana Christmas at Black Butte Ranch, features a collection of tapestries by Sisters artist Paul Alan Bennett.

Bennett, a nationally recognized, award-winning painter known for his warm sense of humor, draws inspiration from familiar landscapes and personal experiences.

“Art is a lot about other art,” said Bennett. “You can’t help but fall in love with certain styles and artists when you study art history. Eventually, those influences will make their way into your own work.”

Don’t miss the Ranch Open House on Saturday, Dec. 11, a holiday sale in all retail outlets of the Ranch, including the Big Meadow Golf Shop and the Glaze Meadow Sports Shop and Spa. Receive up to 40 percent off Black Butte Ranch logo wear in the Sports Shop and partake in what the Ranch calls the “15 for 15,” $15 for a 15-

minute foot or chair massage or a 15minute manicure/pedicure in the spa.

Other holiday Ranch activities include horse-drawn carriage rides on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19 from 8 to 11 a.m. and again from Friday, Dec. 24 through Saturday, Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A warm mug of hot chocolate, fresh-brewed coffee or spiced cider from the Lodge Espresso Shop is included.

“Carriages are beautifully decked out with holiday trimming and rides go rain, snow or shine,” said Charles Kingsbaker, director of sales and marketing for Black Butte Ranch.

“We encourage people to purchase tickets in advance and dress warmly for weather conditions.

And remember to bring your own blankets.”

The Christmas Day Celebration Buffet features peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell and the classic Ranch salad bar, which includes vegetable salads, cured meats and a cheese display. The feast continues with maple-glazed chicken with a pear and cider sauce, sweet potato casserole with pecans and roasted turkey and pork with all the trimmings, including herb crusted prime rib.

And for dessert, select from pumpkin cheesecake, carrot cake, eggnog and croissant bread pudding or chocolate pecan pie.

Kids have a separate buffet all their own, with grilled chicken, tater tots, green beans, macaroni and

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town square

541• 549•4240 Sisters, Oregon 97759 4 | Sisters Magazine | Town of Tiny Lights 2010

cheese, chocolate pudding and candy canes.

No holiday celebration would be complete without a breakfast and photo with Santa. Santa Claus will be available at Black Butte Ranch on two consecutive Saturdays — Dec. 11 and 18 from 8 to 11 a.m.

Black Butte’s “Santa” is a bona fide member of the American Santa Association. He sports a real beard, and in fact, you really might think he is Santa. Reservations are required and include a special children’s buffet.

Photos courtesy of Black Butte Ranch

“The holidays are a great time to spend with family and friends, and the Ranch is all about making memories,” said Kingsbaker. “We love to host Central Oregon communities here at the Ranch, whether it’s making a snow man in the meadow, taking a carriage ride or telling Santa what they want for Christmas. We hope to create memories families and kids take with them for a lifetime.”

For more information, call 866-9012961. For reservations for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 11 and 18, call 541-595-1260.

To reserve a carriage ride, call 541595-1510.

HUCKLEBEARY’S ESPRESSO

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & CRAFT FAIR: Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sisters Art Works

For browsing, for shopping, for pets Fifth annual Holiday Open House & Craft Fair to offer one-of-a-kind gifts, and pet photos too.

by Sondra Holtzman, for The Bulletin Special Projects As anticipation and excitement builds for the holidays, Sisters Art Works is planning its fifth annual Holiday Open House & Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Sisters.

The juried event will feature a diverse mix of craftspeople, from jewelers to potters, glass artists, quilters and painters.

Founded in 2005 by artist Kathy Deggendorfer, Sisters Art Works is a community clubhouse for creative thinkers and artists, as well as a performance and classroom space.

“Sisters Art Works was designed to stimulate the economy of Sisters with a creative-based business,” said Deggendorfer.

“Each year, friends of Sisters Art Works gather for the Holiday Open House, an endof year celebration and sale of handmade gift items.”

Deggendorfer is collaborating with

Sisters Bakery and artist Tonye Phillips to create a limited collection of intriguing pie boxes. Inside you’ll find a gift certificate from the bakery, a custom pie server made

by Deggendorfer and a beautiful, handmade pot holder by Phillips, all encased in fanciful wrapping paper done in Deggendorfer’s distinctive painting style.

Glass artist Nancy Becker will be offering festive, hand-blown glass holiday ornaments, joining forces with artist John Christman, whose bird feeders and houses are collector’s items.

Don’t miss Laurence Dyer’s handcrafted wooden jewelry boxes and quilter Jackie Erickson’s handmade pin cushions and coin purses. Fine artist Mary Marquiss is well known for her beautiful watercolors, which are also reflected in her own line of cookbooks.

Fishing enthusiasts will love Mike Melchiori’s handcrafted wooden fly-fishing nets made with laminated woods.

“This year, I wanted to offer some gift

items targeted especially for men,” said Deggendorfer.

For those who love specialty foods, check out Pam Wavrin’s line of homemade chutneys and balsamic vinaigrettes, along with a selection of Mexican baked goods from Sisters Bakery.

Other vendors include popular Sisters artist Paul Alan Bennett, jeweler Suzy Ramsey, Moonbeam Glassworks from Portland, ceramic artist and potter Deb Sether, recycle queen Sarah Bella, and Tracy Curtis, who creates handbags out of coffee bags and jewelry from guitar strings.

Speaking of music, the Holiday Open House & Craft Fair will feature local harpist Becky Smith. She also directs a men’s acapella group who will sing the afternoon of the open house, along with an array of acoustic guitar players making music throughout the day.

Pet lovers are invited to bring their beloved animals to the fourth annual Pet Photos with Santa, a fundraiser for Furry Friends, a Sisters organization affiliated with the Kiwanis Food

Bank and founded by Sisters resident Kiki Dolson.

The event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sisters Art Works, helps raise money for people who need assistance with regard to the care and feeding of their pets, along with spay and neuter services. All proceeds go directly to Furry Friends.

Photo options include either a single printed image or a CD with multiple photos of your pet, available for pick-up at Sisters Feed company approximately 10 days after the close of the event.

“It’s not just for dogs and cats,” said Deggendorfer. “We’ve had people bring a goose, llama, goats, chickens, even a pot bellied pig.”

Bring your wish list and furry friend and head over to Sisters this holiday season. This is an event you won’t want to miss.

Sisters Art Works is located at 204 W Adams St. in Sisters. For a complete list of participating artists, visit www. sistersartworks.com.

Town of Tiny Lights 2010 | Sisters Magazine | 5

Sisters Gift Guide: A few helpful suggestions for Christmas shopping in Sisters!

Heritage U.S.A.

The Stitchin’ Post / Twigs Home & Garden

Hanging around for 20 years and with more than 50 great vendors, Heritage U.S.A. has something for everyone —the marketplace for antiques, collectibles, gifts, home and garden. You will find wilderness, western, large pictures, metal, cast iron, jewelry, furniture, coins, misc. tiles, linens, rustic items, local llama fiber throws and rugs, Beaches carved birds, Bear Paw Juniper items, and lots of Fenton. Come and check out the old, new and the in between items for you or that gift for the holidays.

Inspiration, education, color, texture, pattern ... nestled in the pines of Sisters, Oregon, the Stitchin’ Post offers a contemporary approach to a traditional art form, while still providing the classic appeal of quilting and sewing. Visit our fabulous selection of yarns, a knitter’s fantasy. Twigs brings you lifestyle accessories for everyday living. A unique blend of styles and products for the avid gardener, the ecoconscious, your home, and the people you love big and small. Come experience Twigs ... respect the planet, indulge your senses.

253 East Hood Avenue, 541-549-4660

311 West Cascade Ave., 541-549-6061, www.stitchinpost.com

Paulina Springs Books Shopping online appears convenient and “what everyone is doing.” But if we shop online, our dollars don’t support local events, taxes, fundraising activities, etc. We desire a community with cultural stimulation, public resources, excellent education, fiscal stability, and a vibrant quality of life. Local economies are what create the lifestyle we enjoy.

Support your neighbors by shopping locally and together, we’ll create the living standards we desire.

252 West Hood Ave., 541-549-0866

Holiday Open House & Craft Fair

204 W. Adams, Sisters

Bring your furry friend for the 4th annual Pet Photos with Santa from 11am to 2pm!

Sundance Shoes Sundance Shoes specializes in comfort footwear for your family needs. Our experienced team will help you “find” and “fit” the right shoe or boot for your winter needs. We invite you to come check out our new styles from such companies as Dansko, Clark, Ecco, Keen, Naot, Merrell, Teva, Chaco, New Balance, Reef, Born, Spring Step, Bogs, Ugg, Sorel, and Brighton handbags, jewelry and more.

141 East Cascade Ave., 541-549-4240

Beacham’s Clock Co. Beacham’s Clock Co. has wonderful clocks for your gift giving needs. It offers a large selection of approximately 800 clocks with a wide variety of prices. From miniature to 10-foot grandfather clocks, let us decorate your hall, mantle and walls with beautiful time pieces.

300 West Hood Ave., 541-549-9971

For more info. visit www.sistersartworks.com

Beacham’s Clock Co. Sales & Service of the World’s Finest Clocks

Exclusive manufacturer of award-winning clocks

300 West Hood • NW corner of Hood & Oak • Sisters, OR 541-549-9971 • www.beachamsclockco.com Open 9:30am - 5:00pm • Closed Sunday & Wednesday 6 | Sisters Magazine | Town of Tiny Lights 2010

All Proceeds benefit The Little Cloverdale Preschool The Little Cloverdale Preschool does not discriminate against race, religion or gender.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Slick’s Que Co. Roy Slicker, owner of Slick’s Que Co. in Sisters / Photo by Lyle Cox

by Andrew Moore, for The Bulletin Special Projects

Slick’s Que Co. of Sisters honored among the best barbecue restaurants in the country.

People from all over the country annually flock to Sisters for its rodeo, its quilt show and its festivals.

Add to that list barbecue.

Sisters resident Roy Slicker and his wife, Kim, have turned what was once a gas station convenience store into an authentic Southern-style barbecue shack that is rapidly becoming a destination for the fraternity of folks whose mouths water when talk turns to brisket, burnt ends and pulled pork.

Earlier this year, their restaurant, Slick’s Que Co., at 240 E. Cascades Ave. in downtown Sisters, was named among the best barbecue restaurants in the country

by National Barbecue News, an honor bestowed after a series of covert visits by judges.

For Slicker, it was an unexpected award, and validation he and his wife are on the right track, especially considering that five years ago, he was busy running a software company in the Bay Area.

“No other food has the type of following barbecue does,” said Slicker. “I learned from the best of the best, and I’m putting that into the menu.”

Indeed, if you like barbecue, Slicker’s menu is something to marvel. Besides the brisket and pulled pork (slowly smoked for 16 to 18 hours using split wood from apple trees and another fruit tree Slicker keeps secret) are baby back pork ribs, whole chickens, smoked turkey breast and Meyers sausage.

All of it is cooked over a slow fire, and when the food is gone, the restaurant closes.

The side menu is a treat as well, with pineapple-roasted baked beans, coleslaw, garlic mashed potatoes and Slicker’s own 65-year-old family recipe for potato salad.

To top it off is Slicker’s barbecue sauce, his own creation which he insists must be served warm to bring out the flavor of the food. It’s also a key component of one of his favorite recommendations: A plate of pulled pork, doused with his sauce and covered

with coleslaw.

“In the South they do this,” Slicker said.

“It’s the sweet, sour and savory, all mixed together.”

And Slicker should know, having driven thousands of miles in the last few years to learn the secrets of the art of barbecue, stopping in famous barbecue joints in outof-the-way towns in Texas, Missouri, Illinois and others.

In many of those places, Slicker said he volunteered to wash dishes or help out in the kitchen, hoping to pick up a few tricks.

He’s also attended barbecue conventions and competitions, and eventually befriended some of the industry’s leaders, like Dave Raymond, the creator of the popular Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, and Mike Mills, a multiple winner of Memphis in May, an annual barbecue contest in Memphis that is considered the Super Bowl of the competition barbecue circuit.

Indeed, Slicker immersed himself in the barbecue culture, and his restaurant is a shrine to that unique American culinary tradition. The walls are covered in photographs of the people and places he saw on his travels, and other memorabilia fill the room, including a 1953 NWA Golden Jubilee tractor -— inherited from his fatherin-law -— which Slicker recently restored.

“It’s simple,” said Slicker of his restaurant. “You want to appeal to people’s (sight, sounds and smells) and if you do that, they feel good.”

He seems to have hit the mark. Slicker, who opened the restaurant in May 2009, said the restaurant nearly broke even in its first year of operation. This year, he said he’s up 60 percent.

Despite his success, Slicker said he never imagined he would open a restaurant.

When Slicker and his wife moved to Sisters five years ago, they opened a catering business, the Left Handed Chef. They catered parties and weddings and were content. Slicker said he feared that opening a restaurant would take over his life.

But fate intervened.

For his catering business, Slicker decided to purchase an industrial-size smoker and installed it in a custom trailer.

Then he decided that to really learn how to barbecue, he had to hit the road and learn from the masters.

Along the way, Slicker said he learned not to smother barbecue meat in sauce, as that can mean the chef is hiding something.

He learned that smoked chicken should fall off the bone but that rib meat shouldn’t.

“We in the industry all cringe when we hear that (about rib meat),” Slicker said.

“When you bite into a rib, there should still be fibers sticking to the bone.”

He also met the owners of barbecue shacks who told him he shouldn’t be afraid to open a restaurant.

“I was at the National Barbecue Association meeting in Austin (Texas), and I had an epiphany,” said Slicker. “I decided it was my destiny.”

So Slicker said he hit the road again, trying to learn every secret he could. He signed a lease for the convenience store location in mid-April 2009 and opened by that Memorial Day. In all, Slicker estimates he’s traveled more than 50,000 miles in the past few

years, crossing the country learning how to barbecue.

Slicker has made such an impression on the close-knit barbecue industry that he’s now a regional vice president for the NBBQ, overseeing association matters in 10 Western states.

And earlier this year, Slicker gave the keynote address at the association’s annual convention in Memphis.

In his address, Slicker said he told his fellow members “that when you have a passion for something, you can do anything.”

Sisters might seem an odd location for a Southern-style barbecue shack, but Slicker said the community has been immensely supportive.

“For us, that has been key,” said Slicker.

“The community has been very helpful, and I think it’s a very good fit.”

Slick’s Que Co., at 240 E. Cascades Ave. in downtown Sisters, is open from 11 a.m. to close (until the food runs out) Wednesdays through Sundays. The restaurant is closed in January and February. Take-out and catering are also available.

You can reach the restaurant by calling 541-719-0580 or visiting the website, www. slicksque.com.

www.sistersathleticclub.com • 541-549-6878 Town of Tiny Lights 2010 | Sisters Magazine | 7

COWBOY CHRISTMAS “Find your holiday spirit in Sisters Country.”

Holiday Event Highlights It’s Cowboy Christmas time in Sisters Country!

– Celebrate the season with family and friends – special events and activities run November through January.

GINGERBREAD TRAIL: Wednesday, Nov. 24 - Monday, Jan.3, throughout downtown Sisters.

ARTIST RECEPTION: Saturday, Nov. 27, Sisters Art Works, by Tom Browning.

MAGICAL VOICES OF CHRISTMAS: Sunday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. at Sisters High School. Free.

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING: Friday, Nov. 26, 5:30 p.m., Barclay Park, downtown Sisters. Can Food drive for local food bank.

OPEN HOUSE: Monday, Nov. 29, Stitchin’ Post & Twigs.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Saturday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. at FivePine Conference Center, Sisters.

“HOME ON THE RANGE” GINGERBREAD DISPLAY: Dec. 1-31, The Lodge at Black Butte Ranch.

NIGHT SKIING: Friday & Saturday nights at Hoodoo.

CAMP SHERMAN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 26-27, Camp Sherman Community Hall.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE: Saturday, Nov. 27, 2 p.m., Hood Avenue, downtown Sisters.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Saturday, Nov. 27, Don Terra Artworks.

IT’S A WONDERFUL FRIDAY: Friday, Dec, 3, 10 and 17; select stores are open until 7 p.m. for your holiday shopping needs.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE & CRAFT SHOW: Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; arts & crafts, pet photos with Santa and more; Sisters Art Works.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Saturday, Dec. 11 & 18, 8 a.m. at Black Butte Ranch.

CARRIAGE RIDES: Dec. 18, 19 and Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2011, at Black Butte Ranch.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION: Friday, Dec. 31 at Hoodoo.

866-549-0252 • www.sisterscountry.com • 541-549-0251