News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 26
Sisters' biggest celebration of the arts kicks off on Friday with a parade and an art stroll, featuring works that will be auctioned the following day at a party at Ponderosa Forge & Ironworks. The annual My Own Two Hands celebration of the arts is not only a way for the community to enjoy and rejoice in the exceptional arts and music scene that has developed here over the past two decades - it is also a primary fundraiser for the programs offered by Sisters Folk Festival (SFF). The Americana Project, the guitar-building... Full story
Fire district elections are usually quiet affairs that garner little attention. But this spring's election for the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District board has gotten heated. Candidates are placing ads and putting up yard signs across the district in what has turned out to be a contested - and contentious - election. Incumbents Jerry B. Johnson, current board president John Thomas, and Tom Barrier are seeking reelection, campaigning on their successful shepherding of a... Full story
Sisters students know something that too many Americans in the 21st century have forgotten: Food doesn't just magically appear in the grocery store. A group of sixth-graders got a hands-on lesson in where their food comes from on Friday, through the Seed-to-Table program. The kids piled out of busses at the Seed-to-Table Farm adjacent to Mahonia Gardens on the southeast edge of Sisters. The farm plot is located on land donated by the Tehan family and funded by community... Full story
Everybody who irrigates knows it - and last week the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners made it official: There's a drought emergency on the Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID). The county declaration is, in effect, a recommendation that will be passed up to the state level and requires the signature of Gov. Kate Brown. The declaration is expected to be approved by the state drought council in their May 16 meeting. "The purpose of the drought declaration is... Full story
To the Editor: Rob Malone cares about fiscal responsibility. The Cloverdale Fire District recently passed a large bond measure and it is important that we have the right people in place to manage it wisely. I am grateful to the existing board for their years of service and dedication to the district, but can't help thinking that the time is right for renewed attention to district oversight. Rob Malone is a strong leader both in business and community. His ideas are well-thought-out, and he is interested in driving toward... Full story
In response to last week's letters from Rob Malone and Todd Williver concerning Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, the following information is available as public record: Foundation for the new sleeping quarters While digging the foundation for the new building, a large vein of rock was encountered. The cost to hammer the rock and break it up to dig out the foundation was an extra cost in the contract. The contractor handling the excavation could not quote a cost or time for this extra work. The cost would be... Full story
Lacrosse teams from across the Pacific Northwest are set to arrive in town for the Sisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational (SALI). Teams will begin arriving on Friday evening and stay through Sunday afternoon, May 10. The SALI tournament draws teams primarily from Oregon, but teams will also be traveling from as far as Idaho and Lake Tahoe. This premiere event was first founded by the Outlaws Lacrosse Club and is being carried on by the club and Sisters Park & Recreation... Full story
The Northwest Civil War Council will present a full Civil War reenactment at House on Metolius Meadow, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17. The reenactment and living history camps include more than 400 Civil War reenactors presenting living conditions and circumstances of 1863, as well as battle reenactments. Noted Pacific Northwest actor Steve Holgate, recognized as one of the best Abraham Lincoln impersonators on the West Coast, will perform. President Lincoln will be... Full story
Sisters Dance Academy took 13 dancers to compete at the I Love Dance Competition in Portland the weekend of April 25. This was the first year the dance academy has had a performance and competition team and set high goals to attend their first competition this year. The performance ensemble includes two teams - the Junior Ensemble (dancers age 10-12) and the Senior Ensemble (dancers age 12-15). Each group entered one group number and they also had four soloists compete in... Full story
The Outlaws posted two more wins this past week and are now on an eight-game winning streak in conference play. Sisters defeated the Lions 9-2 at Cottage Grove on Tuesday, April 28, and three days later blanked Sweet Home 4-0 at home in Sisters. Sisters started with a big first inning at Cottage Grove. Justin Harrer scored two when he smashed a triple to left-center past the centerfielder, who had no chance to catch it. Ryan Funk hit a single, which scored Harrer, and Zach... Full story
The May art exhibit sponsored by Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) features the work of the Sisters Area Photography Club members. With a preponderance of stunning landscape photography, members have used a variety of finishing techniques from printing on metal and canvas, to the use of computer applications that create special effects and finishes. The club has been around for about 10 years, and membership is open to anyone with an interest in photography regardless of... Full story
Three candidates are in the running for Position 4 on the Sisters School Board. The slate for the May 19 election fell out in an unbalanced manner: While Stephen King, Steve Mathews and Karan Swaner vie for Position 4, Position 3 and Position 5 are uncontested (Amanda Clark and Jeff Smith, the candidates for those positions, will be profiled in a later story). Position 2 has two candidates (see story, page 10). Stephen King is the incumbent in Position 4, to which he was... Full story
Saturday, May 2 was National Wildfire Preparedness Day. To mark the occasion, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District hosted the second annual Sisters community event to help residents learn how to make their homes and neighborhoods safer from wildfire. From Sisters Country fire history to the basics of defensible space, there were tips, tools, and teachings that everyone could use to help raise wildfire awareness and bring neighbors together to work on projects to protect homes. Assistant fire management officer Jinny Reed... Full story
Two outstanding songwriters will be performing in a double bill at The Belfry in Sisters (302 E. Main Ave.) on Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m., presented by the Sisters Folk Festival (SFF). Steve Poltz has thrilled audiences worldwide with his wacky, over-the-top stage performance and heart-wrenching, soul-stirring songs. At the SFF in 2013, Steve engaged festival audiences throughout the weekend, at one point even crowd-surfing - a first for SFF. As a road-tested troubadour... Full story
Some 14 Sisters High School students turned their education into real-world productivity last Thursday as they raised the walls on David Spain's Habitat for Humanity home at 920 E. Cascade Ave. The students in the high school's construction program framed the walls as part of their class and on Thursday, they put them in place. This is the third or fourth year the program has worked with Sisters Habitat for Humanity, according to teacher Tony Cosby. Over the years, Sisters... Full story
The first phase of A Home to Share (AHTS) is complete, with a house called Mary Ellen's Place refurbished and ready for residents. The home, located on Spruce Street in Sisters, was the site of celebration last Friday as board members, volunteers, and community members gathered for its grand opening. Board President Hal Darcey said, "A Home to Share is grateful to all who gave time and treasures to make this possible." Its been a true community effort, with both Rotary and... Full story
The girls lacrosse team rolled over the Rebels of South Albany in a huge 14-2 win on Tuesday, April 28. Sisters' Langley Vogt got the scoring started seven minutes into the game with a shot on the goalie's top left side. Three-and-a-half minutes later Jenny O'Connor scored off a Taylor Schneider assist to put the Outlaws on top 2-0. At the 12-minute mark, Vogt, on a fast break, broke through two defenders for another goal. Schneider followed two minutes later with a drive and a dodge to the goal, and shot it in between the... Full story
When Black Butte School teacher Stephanie Blakelock was informed that her classroom had won $100 from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District for participating in the FireBusters program fire safety month last October, she was told she could use the funds in her classroom in any way she wished. She decided to teach her K-5 students the important life lesson of paying it forward by giving back to the firehouse. She taught the children about the domino effect of random acts of... Full story
The girls tennis team played North Bend and the Junction City (JC) Tigers at Junction City on Tuesday, April 28. The Lady Bulldogs only brought nine players, so teams played just three singles and three doubles matches. The Outlaws came out on top 4-2 against North Bend, and then lost 3-2 to JC. In the North Bend match, Brenna Weems and Jesse Farr-Baenziger (No. 1 doubles) showed their strength as a team in their 6-1, 6-2 win over Allie West and Karen LaGesse. Maya Wieland... Full story
Chelsie Hoyt-Gloeneckner has embarked on a new adventure. After being a vendor at Heritage USA, Chelsie took over ownership last week as Wanda and Craig Waters step away from the business they have operated since 2008. "We're going to travel the United States and Canada in our motor home," Wanda explained. Heritage USA has been in Sisters for 27 years (25 years under that name). Some 40- to 50 vendors are established at the antique marketplace and home and garden dé... Full story
Sisters Middle School Symphonic Band students recently traveled to Eugene to expand their musical horizons and have a little fun. They accomplished both missions. "My goal was to expose the students to talented and professional musicians in hopes of expanding their view of what it could mean to be musicians in the real world," said Tyler Cranor, instrumental music teacher at Sisters Middle School. Cranor shared the economic reality with his students that many symphony... Full story
Sisters music-lovers - save your traveling for either before or after Mother's Day Weekend. That's when the Sisters High Desert Chorale is giving their annual free spring performance Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 10 at Sisters Community Church. "I've always enjoyed choral singing," said a longtime chorale member. "I grew up on Vashon Island in Puget Sound where school and church singing groups were a big part of our small community. "Wherever we've lived I've always looked for choral... Full story
Sandy Muller of Sisters courageously went into the arms of her savior on April 14, 2015. Sandy endured a lifetime battle with cancer in various forms and yet, she lived life to the absolute fullest. Born Sandra Mae Dersham, she was the daughter of Hubert and Joy Dersham, of Creswell, Oregon, and the sister of Randy Dersham. She is survived by her husband, Scott Muller, and her three children, Nicole Ball, Darin Muller, and Dexter Muller. Sandy married Scott on June 6, 1981,... Full story
Helen Louise Young passed to her heavenly reward on Monday, April 27. She was 71. Helen was born May 9, 1943, in Denver, Colorado, to Theodore and Minnie Gallowa. She grew up in Portland where she attended Sabin Grade School and graduated from Grant High in 1971. Helen later moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where she raised her three sons: Christopher, Gregory, and Edward. Helen had a varied working career struggling to support her sons after her husband, David Scully, died at an early age. These jobs included a cooking position... Full story
The boys lacrosse team continued its winning ways this past week. The Outlaws defeated Natzisaga 11-2 at Burns on Wednesday, April 29, and then steam-rolled over Redmond 20-1 the very next day. On Saturday, May 2, the Outlaws edged out West Salem in a final score of 9-8. Sisters game against the Titans at West Salem on Saturday was a nailbiter. The Outlaws arrived coming off four straight wins, a long van ride, and were somewhat distracted by the prom. As a result, the... Full story
