News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 280
Brennan Layne has deep roots in Sisters. Soon, he and his wife, Megan, will be welcoming the fourth generation to their family. Layne graduated from Sisters High School in 2012. He appreciated his childhood experience so much that he moved his growing family back to Central Oregon, where he has taken up a practice as a loan officer with Guild Mortgage. “I’m a third-generation Sisters person who really understands the community, and the market. My great-grandfather bought the... Full story
With prices rising for just about everything, when it comes to utility bills in homes and businesses, efficiency is more important than ever. Working in construction, GreenSavers owner and Sisters resident Robert Hamerly saw that need firsthand while installing cost-effective machinery and insulation in new builds. The benefits of construction standards and heat pump systems were undeniable and because of that, 15 years ago, Hamerly launched his company, GreenSavers, to... Full story
Early on, Barb Schulz knew science would be a part of her life. At 80 years old, she’s still active, inquisitive, and happy to share what she’s learned. Getting started in the sciences proved a challenge. In 1963, she applied to veterinary school but was rejected; not because she wasn’t smart enough, but because she was female. “I applied at the University of Illinois and was told they’d never admitted a woman and weren’t going to start with me,” she recalled. That theme of... Full story
Ivy Castellana was a ballet dancer for 20 years. With her career came injuries and muscular imbalances. She began exploring modalities that could bring healing and strength to her body. She was introduced to Pilates and found techniques using balance and mind/body practices that brought encouraging results. “I used Pilates to recover from the abuse of dancing,” she said. After seeing the positive results of Pilates, she decided to pursue it as a career. She chose the Ron Fle... Full story
Body language, physical appearance, and use of space are all ways to speak without a word. Often, I’m not aware of what my body is saying nonverbally to those around me. When I cross my arms, I’m protecting myself. When I cover my stomach at the doctor’s office, I’m feeling vulnerable. I was taught by a mentor that if I enter a room with a person who I feel uncomfortable around, the best thing to do is walk up, put my hand on their shoulder and smile. The action can be disa... Full story
When they were children, Emily Rickards’ and Jon Luz’s families moved to Sisters for the same reason: a better place to raise their kids. Emily (now Luz) graduated from Sisters High School in 2010. Jon graduated in 2015. They left town to pursue their dreams, but both knew eventually they’d settle in Sisters. Now they’re raising their own children and loving life near family and friends old and new. When Jon started working at Emily’s family-owned restaurant, The Open Door... Full story
Jan Baldwin was part of the team that established Sisters Habitat for Humanity in 1991. In 1993, she was asked to help open the Thrift Store, operated to raise funds for the building program and to offer low-cost goods to local families. Baldwin and her husband, Frank, moved to Sisters from Alamo, California in 1989. The couple cherished their family time vacationing in Sisters Country. They knew that eventually they wanted to retire in the area. Jan believes when you move to... Full story
Angelena Bosco’s career has always been in the food industry — from working in restaurants and co-managing Sisters Farmers Market to teaching cooking classes. It’s what she knows and what she loves. Now folks in Sisters Country can call her when they need groceries, or want food delivered from local restaurants. From Camp Sherman to Fryrear Road, Bosco’s new business serves addresses in the Sisters School District. Vacation Grocery Delivery (VGD) began as a groce... Full story
My family has lived in Sisters Country close to 30 years. I still remember our first summer, with snow on July 4, and then lightning strikes in September. I stood holding my baby, looking out at lightning exploding juniper trees as dark ominous clouds moved toward our ranch. I felt helpless, unprepared, and vulnerable. A week later, tendrils of smoke began to spiral up from fire still present in the roots of the trees struck earlier. We were lucky that time, with firefighters... Full story
Justin Little is no stranger to Sisters. He grew up here and has fond memories of a childhood full of outdoor adventures, music, and family. He and his wife and their four young children recently relocated from Southern California to give their children the same excellent education and childhood he received in Sisters Country. Little left Sisters High School in 2002 to attend Azusa Pacific University. After graduation he spent time teaching music lessons that always seemed to... Full story
Jeff and Shanyn Swales bought XPress Printing from founder Tony Meyer in September of last year. The company opened its doors in Sisters in 1989 and offers a myriad of services, including commercial printing and mailing-to-marketing services, design and layout, and graphic design. Swales who’s been the general manager of the shop for many years, was excited to finally take ownership of the business. Jeff Swales joined XPress in 2007, after acquiring extensive knowledge in t... Full story
Parker Bennett knows growing up in Sisters was full of opportunities and blessings. He also realized it would do him good to live in other cultures and get a fresh perspective on his place in the world. Bennett graduated from Sisters High School in 2010. He took up running in middle school and continued competing in high school. “Sisters High School had really good, competitive sports teams. About 80 percent of students were part of the sport culture,” he said. “That small... Full story
If you’ve spent any time at the Sisters coffee shop Fika on East Sun Ranch Drive, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the meaning behind the name. Inspired by Swedish tradition, Fika is both a noun and a verb: One can enjoy a fika, and one can fika. It’s a daily ritual that promotes gathering together to take a break from everyday routines with coffee and pastries. When founder Reneé Reitmeier envisioned Fika’s mission she wanted to encourage customers to catch... Full story
Since the Sisters High School (SHS) greenhouse opened in 2016, it’s been used for many science and occupational training activities. It serves as a classroom and lab for science students. A state-of-the-art design, it’s used to grow starts and hanging baskets sold to raise funds for greenhouse expenses and programming. The space also provides opportunities for Amy Johnson’s students in the Youth Transition Program. Johnson, a transitions specialist employed by the Siste... Full story
Josh Smith and his wife, Stephanie, took over ownership of The Paper Place on May 26. The Smiths are from Salem and plan to live in Sisters once the housing market opens up a bit. Their two children, a 7-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, will be attending Sisters schools. Stephanie will work at the store part-time, and eventually they look forward to their children working in the store as well. “We’re excited to have the business pass from one family to the next,” said Jo... Full story
Scott Penzarella moved to Sisters in January of 2021 after purchasing Sisters Motor Lodge. He jumped in with both feet, getting involved with the Sisters High School Transitions Program and becoming acquainted with the trail systems and Forest Service land surrounding Sisters. An avid outdoorsman, he spends time in the backcountry hiking, biking, mountaineering, and climbing. Several times a week he hikes the Whychus Creek trail with his dog, Louie. Just two weeks ago he... Full story
“Californians Go Home!” That’s a sentence I heard and saw directed at me growing up. In 1969, my father had a job at Black Butte Ranch. He would be designing the new resort’s first golf course, Big Meadow, and helping with other features around the Ranch. When he first told my mom, she wasn’t happy. “Oh no! They can’t develop that beautiful place,” was her first reaction. But once she heard the design concept, she realized if a stunning place like it was going to be developed, the people in charge were going to do all they... Full story
The Black Butte Ranch Women’s Golf Club (BBRWGC) launched its season on May 17, with a two-person scramble and get-together. There’s still room for more women to join the group. Members encourage anyone interested in joining to contact steering committee member Jane Slingsby at [email protected] Even with the first event taking place, it’s still a great time to join. “I have been a member of the BBRWGC for several years, and I have so enjoyed all the women I have met and played with over the years. The Tuesday game da... Full story
Sisters resident Dale Holub is an esteemed master woodworker. His creations are in homes and buildings around the globe, with collectors from Kuwait to Canada, the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, and throughout the U.S. Holub describes his work as contemporary Craftsman style. Signature appointments include handles and pulls in solid ebony, rosewood, birds-eye maple, and inlay detailing only he makes. Holub’s creative side is fed by design challenges and multifaceted projects that i... Full story
Talking to Shawn McCance, new general manager and longtime Black Butte Ranch (BBR) employee, it’s easy to get excited about the new Lodge construction. Even considering the many view options throughout the region, McCance confidently believes the venue will have the best views in Central Oregon. With amenities like floor-to-ceiling windows on two stories, there will always be something new to see in the changing moods of the Cascade Range, Phalarope Lake, and the flower-filled meadows. “When it’s complete, the Black Butte... Full story
Shaunette White and her family celebrated the opening of their new chocolate and confection shop. They’ve transformed the former Cork Cellars location at the corner of Cascade Avenue and Pine Street with elbow grease and fresh paint in turquoise and white, producing a sleek, welcoming new look. “We tried to create a space where people of any age can come and hang out, and everyone feels comfortable,” she said, during the shop’s busy opening day. During a ribbon-... Full story
Jenna and Laura Curtis are sisters, and they’re close. Seeing them together, it’s obvious how much they admire each other. “But we also fight,” said younger sister Laura, laughing. Most of their fighting spirit is reserved for social justice issues and the people they support both professionally and personally. They’ve shown, when they are committed to a cause, there’s a good chance things will change for the better. Jenna graduated from Sisters High School in 2007. Laura... Full story
Seed to Table hired Michelle Jiunta, as the new Sisters Farmers Market Manager. With an extensive background running Central Oregon farmers markets, Jiunta is prepared and excited about the opportunity. “I’m so thrilled to be a part of the Sisters Farmers Market (SFM), the Seed to Table family, and the community at large,” she said. Former SFM Manager Caroline Hager is staying on to assist Jiunta through pre-event work and will attend the first couple of Farmers Markets. Jiunt... Full story
Tracy Lynn Lisius (Hendrickson) is a Sisters resident, a mom, and — before her health declined — an employee with the U.S. Forest Service. She’s an example of what can happen when medical issues deplete and eventually decimate savings. Before her health worsened, she was living a full life. “I was trying to be my most healthy self, keeping fit and active. I worked full-time on fire incidents in Central Oregon,” she said. Now using a power chair and special uprig... Full story
Lynn Lounsbury knows water. How it flows, percolates, rises, and falls. During his long career managing water systems, taking care of Central Oregon’s precious resource has been his highest priority. Since moving to Sisters in 1978, he’s managed water utilities for Black Butte Ranch (1978-2010), Indian Meadow Water Company (1988-2020), and Tollgate (1993-2022). He’s retiring from his duties with Tollgate at the end of this month. Looking back over decades of water and sewag... Full story
