Week of December 18, 2024
With a standing-room-only crowd of over 200 people filling the cafeteria of the new elementary school, the City and their consultants, MIG, presented an overview of the process involved when considering an expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), with time for small-group discussions concerning the five alternatives presented and providing feedback to the City. Based on his experience in numerous other communities, both large and small, MIG consultant Matt Hasty told the... Full story
Sisters woke up to less than an inch of snow last Thursday, but it sat on top of ice for much of the day. The scene repeated itself throughout the weekend. Even seasoned drivers were surprised at how slick the roads were. For several days temperatures barely climbed to a point where the roads completely dried out. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sanded and sprayed, yet drivers remained frustrated with numerous fender benders, and vehicles sliding into ditches.... Full story
A travel trailer was reported on fire approximately one quarter mile north of Best Western Ponderosa Lodge in Sisters at 10:48 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11. The fire was reported by a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) employee. According to Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, the occupant of the trailer was able to exit but sustained moderate burns trying to extinguish the fire. A USFS engine and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews arrived to find the fire extinguished, and contained to the trailer. Crews on scene provided... Full story
Wild turkeys are high on the list of things folks in Sisters Country would like to see less of. "They're a menace, and a safety issue," said Chester Wilcox, who is a regular driver on Camp Polk Road, a hotspot of consternation over the birds. "We get regular complaints about that flock," said Andrew Walch, district biologist for Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) in Bend. The flock in question numbers over 100, and is easily found when visiting the Camp Polk Cemetery... Full story
The Red Cross Cascades Region (RCCR) encourages everyone to follow simple steps to prevent home fires from holiday decorations. “December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations,” said RCCR CEO Priscilla Fuentes. “Help protect your family by using battery-operated candles, making sure you have working smoke alarms, and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.” • If you use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of... Full story
An annual tradition, the Ugly Sweater Run, sponsored by RunSistersRun, attracted more than 200 runners and walkers who "donned them now their gay apparel" and took on a five-kilometer course on the north side of Sisters Saturday, December 7. The run started and finished at Fir Street Park with the afterparty spilling over to The Barn. Holiday outfits ranged from outlandish sweaters to full-on Christmas trees. Participants of all ages navigated the course, including William... Full story
BASX Solutions, a leading national manufacturer of modular structures and cleanroom solutions, has leased 27,190 square feet of light industrial space in Three Peaks Industrial Park. The 15.59-acre park sits on the northern section of former Forest Service property, located on the north side of West Barclay Drive and bordered by North Pine Street on the east and the Ponderosa Best Western property on the west side. To the north is Forest Service land, and across Barclay to... Full story
Among the ponderosas at 222 N. Trinity W., there is a beehive of activity in the building owned by the Oregon Network Ministries and rented by Sisters Cold Weather Shelter. According to shelter coordinator Sharlene Weed, they have "successfully transitioned to operating the Wellhouse Market food pantry on Thursdays at 3 p.m." They have opened their "front room community space for anyone to use on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m." The furniture for the community room was donated... Full story
A woman in Cannon Beach was caught by a massive sneaker wave a few weeks ago and nearly washed to sea. The drama was captured on a phone camera by a passerby who coaxed her back to shore as she appeared dazed and disoriented. The video has been viewed some 600,000 times. Such happenings do not stop thousands of Oregonians, many from Sisters Country, from flocking to the coast to witness powerful king tides. The first king tides of the season occurred November 15-17. The next... Full story
"Celebrate the rebirth of the Sun!" exhorts an invitation from Sisters Community Labyrinth. All are invited to join the group's Winter Solstice Gathering & Silent Meditation Walk on Saturday, December 21, at 6 p.m. Celebrants can expect a short, non-religious welcome ceremony followed by a silent walking meditation through the labyrinth. Halfway through the walk sits a large boulder at the labyrinth's center. Walkers are invited to meet there, at the fire, sharing words and... Full story
The Spirit of Christmas Giving Tree program sponsored by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District is well underway to provide Christmas gifts to children in Sisters. The deadline for families to request gifts was last Friday, December 6, and an additional 67 children were added to the list of requests by the deadline. There are a total of 140 children needing assistance with gifts this year. The deadline to return donated gifts for this program is Friday, December 13, and as of today there are over 160 tags (requests for... Full story
Music students at Sisters middle and high schools experienced a rare opportunity last week as the five member Celtic group Scottish Fish spent time with the Americana and Outlaw Strings students in a workshop and concert. After spending over three hours with students on Thursday, the group played a sold-out show at The Belfry Friday night, December 6, in which the middle school fiddle players performed as the opening act. The visit from the Boston-based quintet came about... Full story
Last week's Nugget profiled four children, ranging in age from eight to 15, all in attendance at Sisters schools. Each lives on farmland and raises livestock. Each talked about how they could benefit if the Sisters School District offered an agribusiness or agriscience curriculum, as every other district in central Oregon does. The Nugget talked at length about the possibilities of such a program with Sisters Schools Superintendent Curt Scholl. Scholl appreciated the longing... Full story
Sons of Liberty dumped tea into Boston Harbor; a mob of angry colonials pelted British Redcoats with rocks and snowballs; Thomas Jefferson and John Adams toiled over a draft of the Declaration of Independence - and it all occurred in a classroom at Sisters Middle School on December 4. Eighth grade students in Deb Riehle's U.S. History classes concluded weeks of study of colonial Boston and the American Revolution with a classroom presentation attended by family members. The... Full story
The Sisters School District will be appointing one community member to fill a vacancy on the School Board. David Thorsett, who has served on the Sisters School District Board of Directors for over five years, announced his resignation at the December 4 school board meeting. He will remain in his position until a new board member is appointed. The person appointed will serve on the School Board until the next elections and the end of the term on June 30, 2025. To be eligible, a candidate must live in the school district, not... Full story
There is a small number of businesses in Sisters that have operated continuously for 50 years. Hair Caché is one of them. On January 1 they will hit that milestone. When opened for business on January 1, 1975, by Mary Norseen, she set up in the back corner of a dentist's office on the southwest corner of North Elm Street and West Main Avenue. There was barely room for her one chair, and not by design but by space limitation, she named it Hair Caché (as in stash). Some 10... Full story
NeighborImpact, a cornerstone of support for individuals and families in Central Oregon, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded on December 5, 1984, the organization has grown into a vital community resource, providing nearly one million services annually to 75,000 Central Oregonians — equivalent to one in three residents. Founded as the Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network (COCAAN), NeighborImpact began with two staff members, an annual budget of $144,585, and a mission to offer energy assistance and... Full story
Finding seasonal activities isn't a difficult task in the town of Sisters. The Holiday Showcase, hosted at Sisters High School (SHS), was just one of the events that took place recently, and was a major success and increased the holiday spirit of all participants to a new height. The SHS Jazz Choir directed by Steve Livingston, as well as the Concert and Jazz Bands directed by Kayla Golka, were major parts of the concert. The Concert Band kicked off the performance by playing... Full story
Company Grand, a powerhouse nine-piece band known for their dynamic original compositions and high-energy covers, will be headlining an unforgettable New Year's Eve, with the eclectic and funky Kota Dosa, bringing their signature sound all the way from New Orleans. Company Grand is no ordinary band. With a distinctive blend of musical styles and captivating performances, they have quickly become a force to be reckoned with. The group's epic front duo, Lucas and Haley,... Full story
A new art exhibition that places wildlife against urban backdrops opened December 7, at High Desert Museum. "Neighbors: Wildlife Paintings by Hilary Baker" shares imagery of wildlife native to the High Desert - gray fox, black bear, pronghorn antelope, and others. They stand in the foreground with urban encroachment in the background-the fox on railroad tracks, the black bear in front of a 7-Eleven, and the pronghorn antelope by housing developments. "These paintings are... Full story
Discounted tickets to the 2025 Sisters Folk Festival go on sale online on Wednesday, December 18, at 10 a.m. The 28th annual music festival will take place September 26–28, 2025, at several venues around downtown Sisters. Three-day festival tickets will be available through a tiered pricing model, with discounts given to those who purchase first. These discounted tickets have sold out in a matter of minutes in the past, so be sure to set a reminder. The first 500 tickets... Full story
Makin’ it Local will celebrate the year-end and new beginnings on Friday, December 27, during the Fourth Friday Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. The celebration will include a group showcase featuring new work by Kathy Deggendorfer, Megan Marie Myers, Lindsay Gilmore, Rachel Dantona, James Parsons, Quail Lane Press, Green Bird Press, Mitch Jewelry, Julie Hamilton, Susan Luckey Higdon, Kara Frampton, Cheryl Chapman, Kari Phillips, Terri Axness, and Sheila Dunn. Makin’ it Local’s “famous” gingersnaps cookies will be... Full story
Paulina Springs Books will host its third annual Solstice Book Flood, a community gathering and paperback book exchange, on Wednesday, December 18, at 6 p.m. The gathering was inspired by the Icelandic tradition of “Jolabokaflod,” or “The Christmas Book Flood,” in which books are given as gifts in the days leading up to Christmas and friends and family sit around, read, and enjoy each other’s company. Solstice Book Flood Celebration is a community gathering, a paperback book exchange, an evening full of book talk,... Full story
It's a new era for girls wrestling at Sisters High School. Following their most recent competition at Culver December 13 and 14, Coach Dave Kemp announced, "The future of girls wrestling in Sisters has arrived!" In what Kemp called "a groundbreaking display of strength, determination, and teamwork," the Sisters girls wrestling team made history at a recent tournament, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the sport. The Sisters squad took an impressive... Full story
The Lady Outlaws posted a convincing 75-49 win on the road at Trinity Lutheran (TL) Tuesday, December 10. Audrey Corcoran took the tip off and opened the scoring with a shot from behind the arc. Corcoran continued to rack up the points due in large part to steals and break-away lay-ups. She was aggressive in the half-court game with driving shots to the rim and pull up jumpers. She finished the first quarter with 16 of the Outlaws’ 22 first-quarter points. Shae Wyland scored four points on a couple of transition baskets... Full story
The Outlaws traveled to Trinity Lutheran (TL) on Tuesday, December 10, where the teams battled back and forth in a nail-biting contest that went into overtime and ended in a 65-66 Outlaws’ loss. Sisters was evenly matched up against the TL Saints, a talented 2A squad that is a state contender at that level. In the first quarter, the score went back and forth, with neither team holding more than a three-point lead. Kale Gardner scored Sisters’ first points off a three-pointer on a nice pass from Oliver Bernhardt, and... Full story
The Lady Outlaws traveled to Klamath Falls and beat 4A Mazama 64-44 on Friday, December 13, and a day later posted a 64-43 win over 4A Klamath Union (KU). Sisters jumped out quick in Friday’s contest against the Mazama Vikings and at the close of the quarter were on top 25-8. Audrey Corcoran led the scoring spree with nine points, Shae Wyland put up eight, Paityn Cotner contributed five, and Verbena Brent added three. The Outlaws scoring slowed a bit in the second period, but six different players put points on the board,... Full story
The Outlaws made the trek south to Klamath Falls to take on the Mazama Vikings and the Klamath Union (KU) Pelicans in non-league match-ups on Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14. They defeated the Vikings 72-50 on Friday and then fell 72-64 the following day to KU. In the first quarter against the Vikings on Friday, the score stayed fairly even. Neither team led by more than three points, and the lead changed six times throughout the period. Kale Gardner got the Outlaws on the scoreboard first when he scored on a... Full story
The Lady Outlaws started their preseason with a 62-29 win at home over Santiam Christian (SC) on Thursday, December 5, but the following day fell 54-48 on the road at Cottage Grove (CG). In Thursday’s action, freshmen Maddie Durham and Verbena Brent scored Sisters first points of the contest. The team played well in transition and Audrey Corcoran led the squad with seven points in the period, despite a sore back. The SC Eagles had a 6-0 run to end the quarter and close the gap to 14-8. Corcoran stayed hot in the second... Full story
The Outlaws opened their preseason play with back-to-back wins; a 76-45 win over Santiam Christian (SC) at home on Thursday, December 5, and a day later a 68-65 win on the road at Cottage Grove (CG). Sisters jumped out quick with a 5-2 lead against SC on Thursday with Kieren Labhart starting the scoring with an offensive rebound putback. The Outlaws led the entire period with Landen Scott scoring six points and Labhart and Will McDonnel hitting big threes that helped the... Full story
In his third year as head coach, Dave Kemp has developed the largest team in recent history for the Sisters Outlaws - and the outlook is bright for both the boys and girls teams. The competitive season opened on a strong note at the two day Adrian Irwin Tournament hosted by Bend High School December 6-7. The tournament featured 12 schools, six from the 5A classification. "We went up against opponents from some large schools and many seasoned athletes across the board," said... Full story
Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or less. The deadline for submission is Monday at 10 a.m. for publication in that week's Nugget. Please submit your letter by emailing to Jim Cornelius at [email protected] with "letter to the editor" in the subject... Full story
Thankful for school system To the Editor: Something to be thankful for: The public school system. I could go into the history of my personal benefits, my children’s benefits, and my grandchildren’s benefits from this system, but I won’t. Instead, an overview of my direct experience of 63 years participating in this system. The teachers: Overall they are great! Like any aspect of the world, there will be some you love and some you don’t. But this I know: Teachers are dedicated, caring, intelligent people who do their... Full story
It did this old history nerd’s heart good to watch a classroom full of middle schoolers reenacting some of the high points of the American Revolution earlier this month. I was a Bicentennial child. The spark of my love for history was already burning in my 10-year-old soul by 1975-76, and the Bicentennial observances poured gasoline on the fire. My passion for history has enriched my life in ways I can’t even begin to enumerate. It’s touched everything I am and do. I... Full story
Happy holidays, y’all! Here we are in beautiful Sisters Country, awaiting snow and hoping there’ll be enough for a New Year’s Eve party at Hoodoo. Awaiting the first night of Hanukkah, which falls on Christmas Day this year. Awaiting prezzies and family dinners, Santa Claus and Midnight Mass. Awaiting song and candles. Awaiting whatever traditions we’ve inherited or created for ourselves, with our biological families, adopted families, or families chosen in adulthood.... Full story
The Santiam Wagon Road was originally built in 1866 to collect tolls, but the road’s owners also convinced Congress to give them a huge land grant if they extended the road to the Idaho border. While some claimed they never actually finished the road, they ended up getting more than 861,000 acres of federal land. Fifty years later, most of this land was in the hands of two Minnesota businessmen, Watson Davidson and Louis Hill. Hill was the son of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway, and he was wealthy... Full story
The staff here at The Nugget want to thank our readers and advertisers for working with us as we implement our new subscription program. The response has been gratifying, with so many people signing up to make sure they continue to get their weekly Nugget in their mailbox. As this program becomes fully implemented, we want to make sure we are communicating clearly about the various ways to support local journalism. Subscriptions The Nugget Newspaper will continue to be a... Full story
Needless to say, I’m very disappointed with the way the election turned out. I think America is about to go into one of the worst eras in its history. This is really going to put us to the test. Not just any test but a biblical Sodom and Gomorrah type test. I think, in the long run, we will be OK, but sometimes you got to go through hell to get to heaven. I think that Kamala Harris did an exceptional job in her campaign considering she had to parachute behind enemy lines, slog up a slippery, muddy hill against the wind... Full story
Tone it down To the Editor: Immigration & the law: Believing that one cannot be part of a solution unless he or she recognizes and identifies the problem, I offer this to my neighbors here in “Sisters Country.” There is no need for misleading or incendiary language in expressing one’s viewpoint. Many of us do it without thinking, almost reflexively. A letter appearing in last week’s Nugget provides an example typical of this: The author thanks “Sheriff (sic) Vander Kamp for his open and unwittingly timely response... Full story
The Santiam Wagon Road was originally built in 1866 to collect tolls, but the road’s owners also convinced Congress to give them a huge land grant if they extended the road to the Idaho border. This made them eligible for 861,512 acres of federal land. In 1871, they sold the wagon road (which, in the Cascade Mountains at least, was still producing toll revenue) and the land grant for $160,000 (about $4 million today) to two Californians, H.K.W. Clarke and Alexander Weill. Clarke paid $20,000 and Weill, acting as a... Full story
Winter solstice is an ancient celebration, evidenced by sacred sites such as Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland. Immense stones were aligned to illuminate the sun as it rose for solstice, and are still used as ceremonial sites on this special day. Candles and fires characterize winter solstice and related celebrations of light in darkness. Sisters Community Labyrinth organizers will light a contained fire at the large boulder in the labyrinth's center the evening... Full story
Jim and Sally Maxwell said: “Having lived in Sisters Country for 30 years we want to thank all our wonderful businesses and service providers and neighbors. We’ve got everything we could possibly need right here without the hassles of the big city! Merry Christmas and Happy New... Full story
Arnold and Dorothy Showalter welcomed Jeanne into their family on September 2, 1931, in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1941 the family moved to Portland, Oregon. Jeanne met her future husband, Hal Busch, in 1945 when they were both having a great time roller skating. During Hal's enlistment in the Coast Guard, they were married on April 8, 1950. Hal spent two more years in the Coast Guard. They shared and enjoyed life's adventures together for 75 years. They were blessed with three... Full story
Shawna Colleen Mitchell-Hoegh, 55, of Redmond Oregon, was ushered into the presence of her Savior on November 19, 2024. She was born in 1969 in Portland, Oregon, to Reverend Skip and Shay Mitchell. She is survived by husband Mark Hoegh, a daughter Tefna, two grandchildren, Ainsley and Jase, a brother Shane and her parents. Shawna's life was full and very active even though having many "autoimmune diseases." She did not let her illnesses define her life. Her magnetic... Full story
Dr. John Halisey "Spike" Kennedy of Portland and Camp Sherman, died peacefully in his sleep at age 94 on November 5, 2024. Born in Newark, Ohio on February 9, 1930, to Eve and William Kennedy, Spike was the youngest of three children and spent his youth in Newark where he developed a lifelong passion for trains. A pioneer in his field, Spike was Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon (RIO) at Good Samaritan Hospital, one of the... Full story
This is the season when we remind ourselves of all we have to be thankful for: the natural beauty that surrounds us; the bonds of a strong community; friends and family who bring us joy. We are also fortunate to live in a community of creative makers, who provide food, gifts, and experiences that offer real meaning and lasting value. Meet them in these... Full story
The Sisters High School music department invites the community to participate in the Holiday Showcase, Friday, December 13, 6:30 p.m. at Sisters High School. This fun and festive concert will feature bands and choirs from Sisters High School as well as several community performances to celebrate the holiday season. "The Holiday Showcase is one of my favorite concerts of the year," said Sisters Middle School and new Sisters High School Choir Director Steven Livingston. "We... Full story
As we approach another Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child, how should we celebrate? It is more than Santa and his reindeer, more than sugar fairies dancing in our heads, more than the estimated $1.1 trillion spent in 2023 and more than the annual pilgrimage to church. As we examine the story in the Bible, what are the implications and how shall we then respond to the child in the manger? Let me share with you four practical implications that the gift of Christmas can... Full story
There is possibly nowhere south of the North Pole that has more Christmas spirit than the home of Richard and Sherry Flaherty. Each year in this season, the house at 15686 Trapper Point Rd. blossoms into a spectacular Christmas display - inside and out. Hundreds of decorations, from a train set to an elaborate Italian nativity diorama, to Santas of every size and description fill virtually every room of the house. Sherry Flaherty told The Nugget that they started decorating... Full story
Readers continue to share their favorite celebrations and activities surrounding the holidays and a clear favorite has emerged - baking. Take Mayor Michael Preedin for example. "My favorite holiday tradition is making my grandma's clam dip that is best with wavy potato chips – perfect addition on either Thanksgiving or Christmas Day where grazing on food is encouraged and counting calories is discouraged," he said. City Manager Jordan Wheeler weighed in: "Christmas for me... Full story
