News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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Sisters was certified as an International DarkSky Community this month by DarkSky International, making the city the second community in Oregon to be so designated (Antelope announced their designation several weeks ago). Sisters is the sixth International DarkSky Place in Oregon, joining such places as the Oregon Outback to the east and Oregon Caves National Monument. The designation is the culmination of many years of dark sky advocacy by the Sisters community to help bring... Full story
Have you ever wanted to learn to make your own soap? Or how to drive a tractor? How about harnessing the sun by making a solar system for your trailer or RV? These and a multitude of other classes are offered by the School of Ranch (SoR), the brainchild of Mark Gross who came from the tech sector in California to Redmond in July 2020, moving to Terrebonne two years ago where he enjoys a "national park view" and welcome silence. When needing to learn skills such as cutting... Full story
It’s that time of year again – shopping, parties, decking the halls, gathering with friends and families, exchanging presents, and singing carols. If all is copacetic in life, the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa season can create wonderful memories to last a lifetime. If you are alone, ill, fallen on hard times, or grieving, all the festive airs can seem like a cruel hoax, magnifying the difficult circumstances. If I’ve learned nothing else about holidays, it is to ackno... Full story
A very special Sisters resident left us on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, while at Partners in Care Hospice House, following an unexpected diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia one week earlier. John Griffith, known to many of us from his inexhaustible volunteer work throughout the region, as well as his stint as a freelance writer for The Nugget, was a man of intellect and heart. He was a great conversationalist with knowledge of and interest in a myriad of topics. He was generous... Full story
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
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
Eryn Ross of Sisters Depot welcomed 21 Community Builders to her restaurant for their November meeting. Ross purchased Sisters Depot in 2020, opening for business in December of that year. She admitted the first two years were “really hard” coming on the heels of COVID. But she has built a menu she is passionate about, honoring her dad by preparing some of his recipes. She has learned to run all aspects of the business and has come to realize that events are an integral par... Full story
Seed to Table received combined donations of $8,500 from 100 Women Who Care-Sisters members this month. At their November 21 meeting, the women heard three informative and inspiring presentations before voting for their choice to receive their individual $100 donations. Seed to Table's founder and executive director Audrey Tehan talked about their mission to increase wellness in the Central Oregon community through providing equitable access to locally grown farm fresh... Full story
Following an October 6 “community conversation” about houselessness in the Sisters area, hosted by a coalition of local organizations, the City of Sisters has released a 32-page summary report on community concerns, ideas, and questions that came out of the meeting. The event served as a platform for learning and input-gathering providing an opportunity for participants to hear from 11 community groups who are each providing services and assistance to the unhoused in Sis... 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
Jennifer Spor Sturdivant, a 1993 graduate of Sisters High School, is back as the executive director of Sisters Senior Living. Sisters Senior Living, formerly known as The Lodge, has been purchased by Washington resident Chris Blackburn, who also has a home at Black Butte Ranch. Management of the facility is the responsibility of Artegan, with facilities in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Maryland. Sturdivant was formerly the marketing/sales specialist and executive director... Full story
Sisters residents have a unique opportunity to learn how to make a difference in Sisters Country. On Sunday, November 10, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Sisters Fire District community hall, “What Do You Do With an Idea?” is being sponsored by two local nonprofits, Citizens4Community (C4C) and Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC). Kellen Klein, C4C executive director, will facilitate the workshop which can be attended in person or livestreamed online. The event will also be recorded for... Full story
The Sisters Ranger District is one of three ranger districts on the Deschutes National Forest. It covers 350,000 acres surrounding Sisters on three sides. During the summer season, the Sisters district has about 110 staff at work. The current acting district ranger, Lauren DuRocher, is in charge while permanent district ranger Ian Reid is spending four months on the Modoc National Forest in the extreme northeastern corner of California, comprised of 1.6 million acres. He will... Full story
Ronald is one lucky feline. This big marmalade cat, who weighs 18 pounds, was saved from an untimely end by a kind man who brought him to Sisters and released him. As though guided by his guardian angel, the cat made his way over two miles to the front porch of Sisters resident, Jill Eidsmoe, an inveterate cat lover. He received instant care and food and lots of love. When Eidsmoe posted a photo on Facebook to see if she could locate the kitty's owner, the man who had saved hi... Full story
The October Community Builders meeting was held at the U.S. Forest Service Sisters Ranger District garage. Attendees were welcomed by Lauren DuRocher, acting district ranger while Ian Reid is on a four-month temporary assignment on the Modoc National Forest. He will be back in Sisters in early December. (A separate article on the Sisters Ranger District activities will appear in the October 23 Nugget.) • Kellen Klein, C4C executive director, announced that their first ann... Full story
During his visit to Mosaic Community Health's Sisters School-Based Health Center (SBHC) on Friday, October 11, to celebrate their one year of service to Sisters children, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden told those assembled, "Thank you for what you do. The School-Based Health Centers do some of the most important work in the state, providing health care for our children." Earlier, Wyden was thanked by Mosaic staff: "We offer you our gratitude because we couldn't have done what we have... Full story
"Stepping Up" was the theme of the third annual Volunteer Appreciation Event held for Sisters Transportation and Ride Share last Thursday at Sisters Depot. Recognized for their outstanding contributions to STARS over the past year, the STAR Dispatcher of the Year is Debbie Hewett and the STAR Driver of the Year is Rita Weber. Many individuals, organizations, businesses, and donors were recognized for stepping up over the past five years to establish and grow STARS. Just last... Full story
Family Access Network (FAN) received an $8,900 donation from 110 Women Who Care. After three local organizations made presentations - Seed to Table, Family Access Network (FAN), and Living Well With Dementia Sisters - FAN was chosen to receive the funds donated at last week's 100 Women Who Care Sisters quarterly gathering. The donation was awarded to the nonprofit receiving the most votes from the women in attendance. The $8,900 gift will benefit the Sisters FAN in a number... Full story
"I like being part of something bigger than me," was Sarah McDougall's answer when asked why she is seeking a position on the Sisters City Council. She also enjoys teamwork and has seen plenty of that in her interaction with and observation of the City Council, the City staff, and other City boards and advisory committees. After 14 years living in Bend, McDougall and her husband, Chris, moved to Sisters in 2020, and McDougall has jumped into volunteering with both feet. She... Full story
Steve and Bev Oberg's Powell Butte neighbors like to gather for a little libation at the Bison Bar, where they share camaraderie while looking out over the pastures which are home to the bar's namesakes. And the bison often cooperate by coming up to feed on the other side of the fence. The Obergs have been breeding and raising bison for 18 years on their Powell Butte Bison Ranch. At one point they had close to 100 head, but that proved too large for their acreage to sustain...
Most people traveling over Santiam Pass on Highway 20 are probably unaware of the historic architectural gem hidden in the trees. It sat abandoned and neglected for almost 40 years. Just to the west of Hoodoo Ski Area and across the highway, a group of dedicated volunteers and donors - Friends of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge - are meticulously bringing back to life the rustic lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in just seven months, from July 1939 to February 2,...
With 30 attendees, the September 18 Community Builders meeting at City Hall was the most well-attended yet, including one very cute infant who came with mom. • A majority of the meeting was an overview by Scott Woodford, community development director, of the study currently being done on Sisters’ Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) — should it be enlarged and, if so, where? More information is available on the City website, www.ci.sisters.or.us, administration, land use plannin... Full story
As the days get shorter and the approach of winter is not far away, thoughts of our unhoused neighbors rise higher in our consciousness. For many Sisters agencies and organizations, the welfare of those neighbors is a year-round priority. To provide information to the public on the work being done on behalf of those Sisters residents lacking secure permanent housing, and to provide an opportunity to hear ideas, concerns, and questions from community members, the City has... Full story
Walking into Tim and Jane Killefer's home feels like putting on a comfy robe before settling in to have a nice long chat, with Kenzie the black Lab at your feet. It doesn't feel like a place where death and dying are prominent features of each day. Tim and Jane have always considered themselves athletes, moving from Salem to Sisters in 2019 to partake of all the outdoor recreation opportunities, now that they were both retired from teaching middle school. Jane describes her... Full story
There’s a lot of good percolating through Sisters Country as evidenced by the reporting out at the latest Community Builders meeting on August 21 gathering at the Stitchin’ Post classroom. The meeting opened with Jean Wells, founder of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS) 49 years ago and owner of the Stitchin’ Post, providing some history of quilting in Sisters. In 1975, when Wells’ store was in what is now the bar at Sisters Saloon and Ranch Grill, she hung 12 family quilts... Full story
