Week of November 20, 2024
Week of November 20, 2024
The City of Sisters will host an open house on its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) Expansion process on Monday, December 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the new Sisters Elementary School. City staff is inviting the public to come learn more about the future of the community and make their voices heard. All are invited to the open house: Sisters residents, as well as those living in Sisters Country and beyond. Attendees will learn more about progress made so far on the UGB expansion project — including on how much land is needed to... Full story
Folks in Sisters turned out on a snowy evening on Sunday to take stock of the well-being of youth in the community. The broad conclusion of the Citizens4Community (C4C) forum “Are the Kids Alright?” held at Sisters Elementary School was that Sisters has a lot of assets that support youth well-being — but there are still challenges that the community should work to address. Panelists were Lindsey Overstreet of Mosaic Community Health’s school-based health clinic in... Full story
It was 6 a.m. last Saturday at Level 5 CrossFit when a group of 33 men formed a loose circle around Ryan Hudson, owner. It was an uncanny hour for such a workout, if not for the cause it represented. "Blood, sweat, and tears for those who have served our country, that's why we're here," he says. "Every rep represents a veteran fallen to suicide. Every minute stands for them." This particular workout was the first of its kind. Consisting of 22 movements, 22 reps each, over a... Full story
The public can now purchase Christmas tree permits for the 2024 season at Forest Service offices, online, and from local vendors around Central Oregon for use on the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests. Purchase online at Recreation.gov — a $5 per permit with an additional $2.50 reservation fee. Permits purchased online must be printed to be valid. In-person permits are available at Forest Service offices and several local vendors ( www.bit.ly/3fsheXA ). Individual permits are $5 and households can purchase a maximum of... Full story
Folks in Sisters woke to a beautiful sunrise on Monday morning - and an inch or so of snow on the ground. A storm dropped far more than that along the Cascade crest, an earlier-than-usual arrival of winter conditions. While the snow is pretty, and inculcates a spirit of the winter holidays, it does complicate travel, and locals and visitors are reminded to adapt to winter driving conditions as a mix of rain and snow showers are forecast to persist for the next week and more.... Full story
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District invites qualified voters of the fire district interested in serving on the Civil Service Commission to submit letters of interest and applications to the Board of Directors of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District. Civil Service for Firefighters is covered by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 242.702-242.824. The Civil Service Commission is made up of three citizens of the district who are not members of the board or employees of the district. They are... Full story
When the community asks “Are the Kids Alright?” at a Citizens4Community (C4C) forum next Sunday, we might want to ask also whether their parents are alright. Long-time school counselor Charlie Kanzig, who will be one of the panelists at the forum set for Sunday, November 17, 4 p.m., at the new Sisters Elementary School, reports that he’s seeing a different kind of stress in parents than he did 10 years ago: economic stress; political stress; and “the feeling that... Full story
Jennifer Letz was re-elected to a seat on the Sisters City Council, to be joined by Sarah McDougall and Cheryl Pellerin. Letz and McDougall each won a four-year term, while Pellerin will serve a two-year term in the wake of the November 5 election. “It’s just an honor to serve this community in this important role,” Pellerin said. “I really appreciate the community support. My decision to run was driven by the desire to serve this special community.” Pellerin cited housing, livability, growth, and wildfire... Full story
After a bruising campaign, Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp decisively won election as Deschutes County Sheriff. Vander Kamp garnered 59.32 percent of the vote while his opponent Captain William Bailey recorded 40.06 percent. “It was a pretty loud message — enough is enough,” Vander Kamp told The Nugget. The Sheriff-elect told The Nugget that his immediate priorities revolve around community engagement, a comprehensive budget review, enhancing traffic safety initiatives, and... Full story
The agency that keeps our highways operating is facing a structural revenue crisis. This is due to three main causes, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT): Oregonians are driving increasingly fuel-efficient vehicles, and switching to electric vehicles (EV) at a high rate. With increased fuel efficiency and more EVs, Oregon sees lower tax revenues and less money available to maintain the transportation system. Inflation has made maintaining the... Full story
With the approach of winter upon Sisters Country, preparations are underway at the City to prepare for allowing emergency shelter to those who are living unhoused. At the Wednesday, November 20, Sisters City Council meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, the Council will be asked to approve a resolution creating an emergency declaration for the period of November 21, 2024 to March 15, 2025, to allow for getting people out of the cold. The resolution will help avoid the... Full story
CLACKAMAS — Surrounded by a hastily assembled group of campaign volunteers, Democrat Janelle Bynum declared victory in Oregon’s closest congressional race. The Democratic state representative is the first Black congresswoman from a state that banned Black people from living within its boundaries when it joined the union. That history was on Bynum’s mind as she gave brief remarks at her campaign headquarters Friday afternoon, November 8. “It’s not lost on me that I am one generation removed from segregation. It’s... Full story
BURNS - Oregon State University researchers have received a $1 million grant to study the impact of adding seaweed to the diets of beef cattle as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Recent research has found that feeding seaweed can reduce methane emissions from cattle, most of which originates from enteric fermentation that is characteristic of their digestive process. Oregon State will investigate a specific type of seaweed – Pacific dulse, a species grown... Full story
The new Outlaw Media class at Sisters High School is introducing a wide array of skills to SHS students. Many of these skills are founded on hands-on interactions, which led to their recent field trip to the Allen Hall School of Journalism and the University of Oregon. A small group of eight students, including chaperones Susan Seaney and Matt Hilgers, were led around campus by Mikala Selman, a current SOJC student and junior ambassador. The group met with Professors Kelli... Full story
The presence of wolves is shaped by the landscapes they inhabit and the humans who share those spaces. For millennia, wolves and humans have maintained a complex and intertwined relationship showcasing striking similarities. Both species exhibit unique behavioral traits that are rare in the animal kingdom. While most people recognize that wolves live in groups known as packs, many may not realize that these packs function as family units. Much like humans, wolves are among the few species on the planet that live in family... Full story
Brad Tisdel will be leaving his current role as full-time creative director with SFF Presents (SFFP) at the end of the year. Tisdel has formed a company that will be hired to coordinate talent booking for both of the group's annual music festivals, the Sisters Folk Festival and Big Ponderoo. Tisdel has been instrumental in the success of SFFP (formerly SFF, Inc.) since he joined the organization in its early stages in 2000. His dedication and visionary leadership were... Full story
The Sisters Arts Association's Fourth Friday Artwalk is in a holiday mood this Friday. In between shopping, baking, and giving thanks, take a few moments to stroll through the galleries and see what's happening this month. Galleries are open during the day and the featured artists' receptions generally take place between 4 and 7 p.m. Wildflower Studio has prints, cards, stickers, and Christmas card packets by Megan Nielsen, a local artist with a design and illustration background. Pick up new art supplies, ready-made... Full story
"The Hell of Helene, a Cascadia fundraiser for Appalachia" will be held at The Belfry on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. The night of music, featuring Skillethead, Quattlebaum, Danger Gently, and The Color Study, will support Hurricane Helene relief with a lineup of local musicians, some of which have direct ties to Western North Carolina. Skillethead works in bluegrass traditions of driving fiddle tunes, layered harmonies, and single mics, while weaving in inspiration and... Full story
The Brigham Young University International Folk Dance Ensemble visited Sisters High School to host an interactive intensive and evening show for fellow dancers and community members earlier this month. The group toured through Oregon and Idaho during the first two weeks of November, showcasing their wide variety of cultural dances in numerous cities across the two states, including the Dalles, Corvallis, Eugene, and Sisters. The group of 28 dancers had been rehearsing for... Full story
The choice for the next Central Oregon Community read, A Novel Idea, will be revealed on December 7 at the Downtown Bend Library. Join fellow book lovers as the library reveals the captivating story that will inspire readers across the community; a selection for young readers will also be announced. The anticipation is palpable as readers gather to be the first to know this year’s featured books. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the unveiling takes place upstairs at 6:30 p.m., featuring literary trivia, small bites by Bleu Bite... Full story
Makin’ it Local will feature three Central and Eastern Oregon artists in art, wine, and food pairing receptions scheduled through the month of November. Artist parings include Raku pottery from Terri Axness / Muddy Creek Studio (Haines), newly released fine art prints by Susan Luckey Higdon (Bend) and Kathy Deggendorfer (Sisters). All pairings and receptions feature Oregon wines curated by Mark Clemens of Friends and Vine, (@friends_and_vine Sisters, Oregon) and feature Alexana Vineyard (Pinot Noir), Resonance Vineyard... Full story
SFF Presents will host a concert with the Andrew Marlin Stringband on Thursday, February 13, at The Belfry. The acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and Watchhouse frontman stops in Sisters as part of a larger tour promoting his latest solo record, "Phthalo Blue." Tickets go on sale Friday, November 15, at 10 a.m., at https://aftontickets.com/AndrewMarlin. The solo album features all-original music recorded around one mic at The Tractor Shed in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Along... Full story
What comes to mind when you hear the word “flannel?” Perhaps it’s your favorite plaid shirt, your trusty yardwork outfit, a rugged lumberjack, or even a classic grunge band. A new, original High Desert Museum exhibition, “Blood, Sweat & Flannel,” explores what flannel represents. Opened November 2, and running through June 15, 2025, this unique experience invites visitors to explore the stories behind flannel — a fabric that goes beyond clothing to reflect the history of work and culture in the High Desert... Full story
Five Outlaws soccer players earned all-league selection, including senior Micah Dachtler, who was a first team pick. Senior Danny Benson earned second team all league and seniors Cooper Merrill, Andrew Islas, and juniors Nick Palmer and Joseph Derksen were honorable mention. Dachtler was a co-captain for the Outlaws and primarily played at center back. He scored one goal from a set piece during league. Of Dachtler, Coach Jeff Husmann said, “Micah truly personifies the kind of player and person we hope to develop. He is... Full story
The Outlaws had 12 players earn all-league honors this season, including seniors Kayl Mock, Hudson Beckwith, Landen Scott, Kolbi Cotner, Kale Gardner, and Dawson Roberson. Beckwith was named first-team running back, defensive back, and first-team returner. He had 23 carries for 378 yards, four touchdowns rushing and also six receptions for 231 yards and three touchdowns receiving. Coach Gary Thorson said, “Hudson was recognized as the top returner in the league on special teams. He had a dream season and was one of the... Full story
Outlaw Basketball (OBB), founded by former longtime Sisters High School Varsity Coach Rand Runco, and operated under Sisters Parks & Recreation District (SPRD), is now out on its own. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is led by Justin Durham, president, and Ryan Moffat, chairman, with Coach Runco and Varsity Head Basketball Coach Chad Rush on board. "The four of us founded this new, formalized Outlaw Basketball as its own entity," said Durham. "We're excited to work with kids in the... Full story
The Lady Outlaws soccer squad had five of their players selected to all-league teams, including seniors Shae Wyland and Ella Davis, who earn first-team honors. Wyland was one of the Outlaws’ captains, and was a standout player in the midfield and on defense. She tallied three assists during league play. “Shae was a vital piece to this team in both defensive and midfield positions,” said Coach Makena Zorza. “She was a great leader, was very coachable, and stepped into any position asked of her. Shae was consistently... Full story
The Deschutes National Forest plans to close Forest Service Road 16, which provides access to Three Creek Lake, and Forest Service Road 370 to wheeled motor vehicle traffic on Wednesday, November 13. Road 370 provides access to Broken Top. The roads are closed to provide for public safety, minimize resource damage, and preserve the snowpack as these routes transition to winter recreation. Forest managers said Forest Service roads across the Deschutes National Forest are not plowed or maintained for winter driving access and... Full story
The Lady Outlaws fought hard and played well against the No. 5 ranked Banks Braves, but fell 1-0 in round two of the 3A/2A/1A soccer state championships that were held Wednesday, November 6, at Hillsboro Stadium. The Braves did an outstanding job throughout the contest, made good give-and-go passes, and repeatedly took shots on goal. They scored their one goal in the last five minutes of the first half. “The Outlaws held their own and gave the Braves a high energy game that I don’t think they were expecting,” said... Full story
The Lady Outlaws had five volleyball players selected to all-league teams, including Kathryn Scholl and Holly Davis, who were first-team, all-league picks. Scholl finished league with 11.9 kills (first on the team), 1.7 aces, 7.4 digs, and 1.2 blocks per match this season. Coach Josh Kreunen said, “Kathryn is the ultimate team player, willing to play any position on the court to help the team. With the ability to score anywhere along the net and at the service line, Kathryn finished the season as the leading scorer for... Full story
Sisters made the long trek to Lincoln City on Friday, November 8, and took on the Taft Tigers. The Outlaws battled back from a big first half deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to keep the Tigers out of the endzone, and ultimately suffered a heart-wrenching 34-27 loss in the final minutes of the contest. The Outlaws had a difficult time at the start of the contest and were unable to stop the Taft passing attack, and quickly found themselves down 0-21 just two minutes into the second quarter.... Full story
The Outlaws' cross country teams wrapped up the 2024 season with the OSAA State Championships on Saturday, November 9, at Lane Community College in Eugene. The girls' team, which squeaked into the meet with a third place finish at District October 30, produced mixed results at State. Brooke Duey led the team with a 17th-place finish with a time of 19:58, her best time at the state meet in her three visits. "The field of fast individuals in the meet was deeper than ever and... Full story
Whether you're new to fitness or a seasoned athlete, managing muscle soreness effectively is key to maintaining a consistent workout routine. Here are some tips for optimizing your post-workout care at home. 1. Stay hydrated. When you exercise, you lose fluids through sweat. Replenishing this water loss is crucial for muscle and joint function and removing toxins from the body. Staying hydrated reduces muscle cramping and spasms. Proper hydration also ensures your joints are well lubricated, which prevents stiffness and... 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 editor@nuggetnews.com with "letter to the editor" in the subject... Full story
Appreciation To the Editor: Hats off to the Sisters School District for its Veterans Appreciation Celebration held at both the elementary and high schools on November 12. The assemblage of students from all three schools, including the intermediate school, and the program of patriotic/service songs, as well as recognition of both Sisters area veterans and Sisters HS graduates who have gone into military service after graduation, was absolutely heartwarming. Appreciation goes both ways. We veterans received appreciation for... Full story
I grew up in a newspaper family. Both my parents worked for the San Jose Mercury News. My dad was the art director. My mom sold advertising. My family knew the publishers at the time. Politics and current events were an every night discussion at the dinner table. My mom was a stickler for dinner time – always at the dining room table with proper manners and each of us four girls were expected to participate in the adult conversation my parents were having. Politics was a frequent topic. We discussed the president, the... Full story
There are events that occur over the course of one’s life that have the potential to cause depression — going through a painful divorce, adjusting to widowhood, living with chronic illness, becoming a caregiver for an ill parent or life partner, losing your job and struggling to find another. Sometimes depression takes root, not as a result of an external event but from biological changes within one’s brain. But we are so used to looking within our life circumstances for the cause of our depressed mood that we may... Full story
Suppose you’re in your late 30s. Or well into your 40s. Or, heaven help you, mid-50s. Let us also suppose you have a uterus and ovaries, and you’re still menstruating. Even if you don’t have that apparatus, or you’re freaked out by the word “menstruating,” keep reading. What follows may help you navigate a world that’s composed of over 50 percent women.* There’s this wild, destabilizing thing that happens around mid-life. Our hormones go absolutely wild.... Full story
Dear Madam Vice President, How could the election have turned out like this? Many people have expressed surprise and dismay at the results of the 2024 election, particularly in our county, Deschutes, where 53 percent of the population voted for you and in our state, Oregon, where over 55 percent of the population voted for you. I have been reflecting on my own personal view of this election and I would like to share it with you because I do not think the thoughts are mine... Full story
Law enforcement and immigrants To the Editor: It’s been a tough week for some of us here in Sisters in regards to the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election. My sympathies and understanding of the disappointment we share together. There’s a long list of potential, less than satisfying winds of change headed our way and I’ll deal with them in my own way when they materialize, but one issue in particular caught my eye and I feel it needs to be addressed and brought into the communities awareness immediately: the... Full story
The day after the election, an acquaintance, who voted differently than I did, patted me on the back and said, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be all right.” I know from talking with family members, the messages we are fed through algorithms, social media, and targeted marketing are not the same messages. Each of us lives in a feed-back-loop world based on past programing, programing that tells us to be afraid. I would like to think I can see a little outside my box, so… Dear America, I hope you chose right. I... Full story
With so many of us newbies, me included, I'm always delighted when I learn a tidbit of Sisters history. Of course, The Nugget is chock full of much of what you might be curious about. You may not know how much of a historical library The Nugget is. Heck, many of you may not even know that The Nugget has an online edition - nuggetnews.com - where in addition to getting the latest news about Sisters Country you can go to that amazing little magnifying glass icon to the right,... Full story
I did the math. It’s probably not the math you’re thinking of. Not how many BTU’s (British Thermal Units) from a certain species of wood you could get. Also not a comparison of the cost of a cord of wood versus the electricity you would use for heating on any given winter. The upside is a free wood cutting permit to harvest up to eight cords of wood for personal use. It didn’t used to be that way. My math doesn’t even consider the cost of a saw, trailer, vehicle to tow a couple tons of wood, or the fuel, oil,... Full story
• Sisters Habitat for Humanity thanks everyone who attended the incredible Jim-Isaac Chua Concert on October 25. The concert was indeed a “feast for the ears.” We are very grateful to our sponsors who made the event possible: TDS Telecommunications, Central Oregon Daily News, Mid Oregon Credit Union, Sisters Senior Living, Merrill O’Sullivan Stewart Law, Roth Home, Sisters Coffee Company, BUILD LLC, Rad Dyer of Ponderosa Properties, Sisters Ace Hardware, Bedouin, Sisters Veterinary Clinic, and The Nugget. And a... Full story
Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) were first described in 1766 by Linnaeus, and its generic name is latin for little king. They are very common now, flitting and hanging in the air gleaning small insects from trees and bushes. They live in mixed woods, isolated trees in meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests, mountain-shrub habitat, and floodplain forests of oak, pine, spruce, or aspen. These tiny birds nest high in trees, and so prefer older, taller, and denser... Full story
Earlier this summer, I stopped by The Fly Fisher’s Place, and asked the employees what drew people to the fly-fishing game and what pushed them away. Shop employee Gavin Ferguson, of Camp Sherman, said, “Fly fishing appeals to people with a scientific outlook.” He went over to a shelf and took down a book. “Here’s a hatch guide filled with information on flies and nymphs and where you expect to find them in the river. Do you pay attention to things, or do you just stumble through life?” Jeff Perin, the store... Full story
It has been a long week. I provide care for patients on all sides of the political fence and some who are hoping to avoid the fence altogether. Inevitably, mental health and policy are intimately connected. Patient opinions are frequently shared and I, trying my best to remain neutral, listen. We are all entitled to our own definition of safety and progress. From what I gather, votes on all sides were cast mostly on positions of frustration and fear — not hate. For some,... Full story
I looked out the window and there was a smallish black-faced critter just peeking over the slight hill in our backyard. For just a moment it looked like a black bear cub, causing me to immediately look for the mother. Then I realized it was Ernie, one of the new Scottie pups. It is funny what the mind can do. The cool fall weather and leaves blowing around had changed the world of bright skies and summer flowers so much that my mind went to darkness. I saw a bear cub rather... Full story
The Sisters community is gearing up for a public discussion on Sunday, November 17, “Are the Kids Alright?” What about the parents? I’ve read loads of articles about raising kids. Most of them in recent years question or scoff at hands-on, close, attached parenting styles. Why do the kids—particularly middle-class and upward, often white kids—not jump on their bicycles and spend all day running around like back in the olden days? When we didn’t wear helmets or... Full story
Greetings friends, from Cefalù, Sicily. In honor of the idea that life is short but wide, my husband Rod and I are spending a couple months going to Italian school and exploring. At first glance, it may not seem that Sisters and a town in Sicily have much in common. But there are some striking similarities. Cefalù on the north coast of the island, is a tourist town just like Sisters. It has only 14,000 permanent residents, but millions come each year to enjoy the white... Full story
Do you sense it? That all-pervasive fear that seems to be gripping too many. We wonder, ‘Is this the eye of the hurricane? Or has the storm passed?’ We hold our breath, wondering what’s next. It’s true, there are lots of things to fear and we want to protect our people, ourselves. But fear is sneaky and creative. And when we give it free rein, it multiplies: Republicans fear the Democrats; Democrats fear the Republicans. We fear a difference of opinion. Why? We fear running out of toilet paper. Just stop. Breathe.... Full story
It is with heavy hearts that we announce Brad passed away at OHSU hospital in Portland on November 13 at the age of 66, following a prolonged battle with heart disease. He was surrounded by family upon his passing. Brad was born on March 7,1958, at Klamath Valley Hospital in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He graduated from Lost River High School in Merrill, Oregon, in 1976. His nickname while growing up was Buddy because there wasn't a person who met Brad with his easy going... Full story
Timothy Killefer passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024 at his home in Sisters. He was 69. Tim chose his birthday to use medical aid in dying (MAID), completing his circle of life. Radiation therapy had arrested his cancer decades ago but left a legacy of atrophied muscles and nearly unbearable pain that attacked with a vengeance in 2021. There was no cure, and Tim turned to the MAID program to guide his family through the inevitable ending of his life. He lived a full... Full story
Dr. Irving "Irv" Weston was born on his family farm in Gibbon, NE, and passed away peacefully on November 2, in Bend, at the age of 93. Irv attended Nebraska Wesleyan, received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska and served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force. He practiced family medicine in Lincoln, Nebraska, for three decades and continued to practice medicine for several years in Phoenix, Arizona. Irv was an avid ultra-runner and long-distance... Full story
David Porter Van Ness, Jr., of San Diego, California, passed away June 29, 2024, after a short illness. He is survived by his sister Rosalie M. Van Ness-Hanford of Sisters, his daughters Eva King of San Diego, California, and Samantha Van Ness of Dubai, and his son Samuel David Van Ness of San Diego, California. David was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 16, 1950. He was raised in Carpinteria, California. David lived his life enjoying surfing, family, welding, and... Full story
