News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 25
Two years ago, boiler number one at Sisters Middle School developed a leak and had to be shut down, putting the full load on the backup boiler number two. The boilers were over 20 years old, and that was the fourth leak repaired in the last six years. The typical life span for this type of boiler is 20 to 30 years. Running the heating and air conditioning for the entire middle school with no back-up system made everyone nervous. In preparing a repair or replace request for... Full story
Imagine you're a teenager and you're granted one wish, any wish - what would it be? For an 18-year-old aspiring writer from Texas battling a deadly disease, it was to meet her favorite author, Melody Carlson, of Sisters. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Bethany Bridgewater traveled from Austin over the summer, spent time under Carlson's tutelage and watched as the popular author wrote her into a key scene of a forthcoming youth novel, titled "Prom Queen." At first,... Full story
Sisters' active veterans community added a new group last week as the Sisters American Legion Auxiliary received its charter in a ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, December 5. Pat Seely, president of the Oregon Department of the American Legion Auxiliary, presented the charter to local President Dorothy Shurtleff. "It's for wives, mothers, daughters, granddaughters of veterans that are in the American Legion," said Sisters American Legion Post Commander Gene Hellickson.... Full story
To the Editor: Sisters' city elections provide registered voters living within the city limits the opportunity to elect the Sisters City Council. The recent vote represented less that 1,000 voters. Obviously that vote count does not take into consideration the majority of the populace that live, work, invest and financially support our community. Subdivisions such as Black Butte Ranch, Tollgate, Crossroads, Aspen Lakes, Sage Meadow and others collectively comprise the preponderance of the work force, investment and shop owner... Full story
Regardless of the softening of attitudes toward marijuana here in Oregon and around the nation, there are risks and harm associated with marijuana use by teens. We need to be informed about the facts and share those facts with our youth. It is a myth to believe that marijuana is harmless and not addictive. One in six teens who start using marijuana becomes addicted. In Sisters, 41 percent of 11th and 12th graders reported having tried marijuana (2010-2011 Sisters High School Survey). This SHSS revealed that 64 percent of... Full story
Kibak Tile, a ceramic tile manufacturer based in Redmond, was selected to manufacture the ceramic tiles and ornaments used in the 2012 White House Holiday decorations that First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled last month. Kibak manufactured 3-1/2-inch circle ceramic ornaments, as well as eight-inch square and 18-inch square tiles used in planter boxes on display at the White House this holiday season. It is estimated that more than 90,000 visitors to the White House will see the... Full story
The Sisters Folk Festival's Winter Concert Series kicks off Saturday, January 19, with Grammy-nominated bluegrass band the Claire Lynch Band. Long recognized and praised as a creative force in acoustic music, Claire Lynch is a pioneer who continually pushes the boundaries of the bluegrass genre. The Claire Lynch Band is a powerful juggernaut, a quartet that has the innate ability to perfectly interpret the beauty, subtlety, and genre-defying sophistication of Claire's music. S... Full story
The Outlaws lost to both Summit and Mt. View this past week, two of the tough teams they face in a challenging pre-season schedule. Both teams are picked to be league and state contenders. Sisters lost 52-47 in a close game against Mt. View at home on Friday, December 7. The Cougars are a big, physical team and the Outlaws faced them with tenacity and toughness. The Cougars jumped out quick, and the Outlaws had trouble getting their shots to fall. At the close of the first qua... Full story
Thirty years volunteering in the Sisters Library is an extraordinary accomplishment, but for Mary B. Smith of Indian Ford, that is just the frosting on the cake; she got her beginning volunteering in the Lake Oswego Library over 50 years ago. Smith was honored for her work at a library volunteer awards event last week. When she was growing up, Mary's mother always took her and her sister to their local library to check out books, especially at the start of summer vacation.... Full story
The Lady Outlaws wrapped up a packed week with wins over Summit, Redmond and Churchill to push their pre-season record to 4-0. Sisters started their week with a 64-59 victory over Summit on Tuesday, December 4. The win marked the first time in school history that the Lady Outlaws have defeated the Storm. The Outlaws started off a bit slow at the start of the contest and made just two shots in the first quarter. The Storm was on fire and hit three shots from outside the arc and... Full story
Every first Thursday there's an assemblage of Sisters women-folk who gather at Sisters Community Church for brunch, fun, games, joy, music, and visiting with friends. Last week's gathering was geared to Christmas. Trudie Vlach, Kim Hosang and Wendy Bachmeier gave a concise and artful presentation on how to make low-cost Christmas gifts from things you have laying around the house, some of which you might be prone to throw away. The gift-making ideas were followed up by a... Full story
The lame-duck Sisters City Council will take its last significant action this week when it undertakes the annual evaluation of City Manager Eileen Stein. Annual performance reviews are usually a rather routine affair. However, this review represents the resolution of a year-long effort to reconcile Stein and members of the city council. Last January, three councilors - Sharlene Weed, Pat Thompson and Wendy Holzman - sought to terminate Stein's employment, citing a desire... Full story
Artists are invited to get their art in now for the Sisters Library's annual art exhibit. The sixth annual Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) Art Exhibit will begin on January 13 and run though February 17. There'll be art pieces on display throughout the library - from the walls and cabinets in the foyer and hallways, main room and stacks, children's library to the computer and community rooms. Artists from throughout Central Oregon bring their works to the library for everyone throughout Sisters Country to "oooh" and... Full story
Two veteran wrestlers return to the Outlaws squad this year, and 12 additional matmen will join them. The roster of 14 triples the number of wrestlers that have been on the team the past three years, a fact that Coach John Downs is very excited about. Jared Falkner (junior) and Randon Elliott (sophomore) are the two matmen that are back for another season. The Outlaws currently have only one senior on the team, Mikael Savola, a foreign exchange student from Finland. Sophomore Shane Cormalis returns after a year hiatus, and... Full story
Roberto Cardenas is looking forward to introducing Sisters to what he calls the "distinctive Mexican cuisine" of his new restaurant, Rio. Rio opened on Monday on the FivePine campus at the east end of Sisters, in the former location of Thyme. "We are proud to say that all our dishes are our own creation (from) recipes that have belonged to my family for generations," Cardenas said. "It's a product I have worked with for years." Cardenas also owns and operates a Rio restaurant... Full story
Feeling the sudden chill on his bare neck, Christopher Wimer sat in his chair at Metamorphosis Salon and smiled sadly. His father, Sisters resident John Wimer, looked on, capturing the moment on the family's camera as his son cleaned up for his future, donating the outcome to a deserving national charity in the process. The occasion for the ceremonial shearing of his tresses was not only for a vital job interview in Portland, but something even more important and rewarding - a... Full story
Most Oregonians know the legacy of Bill Bowerman, long-time University of Oregon track and field coach and co-founder of Nike. There is a deep history of success by the so-called "Men of Oregon" including Steve Prefontaine, Kenny Moore, and others. Such is not the case with the history of the women's track and field program at Oregon - but some former Duck athletes set out to change that with a film documentary entitled "We Grew Wings" which showed at Sisters Movie House on Sunday, December 9. In the process of researching... Full story
Offering a tantalizing taste of Brazilian life, Sisters Coffee Company and Jesse Durham will host a celebration of everyone's favorite brewed bean on Saturday, December 15, at 6:30 p.m. The free event, "Café Do Brazil," will be an introduction to coffee importing and a spicy salute to South American food, music and culture. Durham's evening will feature samba music, Brazilian cocktails, coffee cupping and a multi-media presentation to intrigue anyone interested in t... Full story
Courteney Satko of Sisters was third runner-up in the Miss Oregon Pageant. Satko expressed her satisfaction in making the top five. "The competition this year was amazing, so many beautiful and confident women," she said. "If I had to pick the winner I don't think I could. I made so many new friends both local and all around Oregon. I can now say I have a friend in almost every district. I grew from this experience and would do it again in a heartbeat!"... Full story
Fresh powder and a lightly falling snow greeted skiers and snowboarders as Hoodoo Mountain Resort kicked off its 75th season of operation last Friday, December 7. With just over two feet of groomed trails only the Manzanita, Ed, and Easy Rider lifts were in operation. The Big Green and Hodag lifts were closed due to a lack of snow on the upper mountain. But with forecasts for snow falling in the near term, both lifts look to be open "soon," according to Chief Marketing Officer... Full story
Fifth Grade - 4.0: Anderson, Maddison; Asson, Joelle; Aylor, Josie; Bartlett, Lydia; Calavan, Maren; Collins-Burke, Drew; Godfrey, Olivia; Griffin, Mitchell; Huber, Kaylee; Liddell, Joshua; Mccrystal, Delsie; Myhre, Adelyn; Nicklous, Samuel; Ostrom, Blake; Petterson, Brogan; Sickau, Brendan; Silva, Samantha; Thorsett, Samuel; Werts, Holly; Williams, Rose. 3.5 and above: Barrett, Zoey; Fernandez, Mariana; Geisen, Aspen; Hall, Kelsey; Jensen, Mccabe; Mcgonagle, Rhianna; Phinney, Kayley; Schmidt, Daniel; Steinbrecher,... Full story
In a Sisters Country-style show of cooperation, mountain bicyclists, equestrians, and local merchants joined forces last week to create a new horse trail near Sisters. Members of the Sisters Trails Alliance, a trail group representing bicyclists, hikers, and equestrians, teamed up with members of Oregon Equestrian Trails to create the single-track segments of the new trail. Melvin's Fir Street Market, The Pony Express, Sisters Veterinary Clinic, Groomingdales, Bright Spot... Full story
Despite the chilly weather in Barclay Park on Saturday, December 8, family and friends arrived early for the dedication of the 10-foot-tall great blue heron sculpture in honor of Elizabeth Dasch, artist and longtime resident of Sisters, who passed away in 2009 at age 97. The towering bronze sculpture was created by local artist Danae Bennett Miller. The project was over a year in the making. Dasch's three grown children donated $25,000 toward the sculpture in her memory. "My... Full story
"This is the first time in a long time that we have been able to advertise in each of the 12 months," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Borla, addressing a joint chamber/city council workshop Thursday. A majority of the chamber board members also attended the meeting. Borla detailed the chamber's promotional efforts to build tourism in Sisters, including the early stages of the promotion to counter the challenge of months of construction on Cascade Avenue in a renovation project that begins in September of... Full story
Well, they're here. Eurasian collared doves will - in about 10 years - become like the pestiferous European starlings and English sparrows we have around us today. There is no closed season on them; in an effort to control their growing numbers, ODFW allows you to kill them wherever it's legal to shoot a firearm. But don't get confused! The pestiferous, non-native collared dove looks somewhat similar to our protected native mourning dove, so, before you shoot you'd better... Full story
