News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 26
Skyline Forest is suddenly back in the news, but a lot of work still needs to take place before a "community forest" can actually take shape in the area. At stake is the ownership of more than 45,000 acres of Central Oregon forest land, and most of it is right in Sisters' back yard. Skyline Forest is an island of private property wholly within the boundaries of Deschutes National Forest, and it extends more than 15 miles from the outskirts of Sisters to the outskirts of Bend. It also comprises as much as nine miles of... Full story
At precisely 11 a.m., in the warm gentle breezes at the Village Green Park, the trumpet sounded assembly for the observance of Memorial Day in Sisters. Master of Ceremonies John Turner stepped forward to make the call to colors. Redmond High School's Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard, commanded by Colonel David Ferguson, presented and posted the Stars and Stripes. The National Anthem was performed beautifully in a cappella by the Sisters High School vocal jazz ensemble, led by Michelle Summers, as the crowd of more than 350... Full story
There is a saying that goes, "The harder you work, the luckier you get." Hard-working Rima Givot, science teacher at Sisters High School, and members of the Sisters community involved in astronomical studies proved it last Friday evening. On behalf of the National Science Foundation's International Year of Astronomy grant, Lucas Alberg of OPB and OMSI planetarium director Jim Todd presented the high school with a brand-new top-of-the-line Celestron CPC 800 GPS (XLT)... Full story
An estimated 300 volunteers from throughout Sisters expressed their love for their neighbors in the first annual I Heart Sisters campaign, which took place Saturday in locations all around town. Local churches, along with Family Access Network, and other community service groups helped organize the day which was designed to offer practical help to individuals and families in the community. Lawns got mowed, weeds pulled, and dump runs made, not to mention bigger and smaller... Full story
To the Editor: To my endorsers and the contributors to my campaign, I want to offer a special thank you. I appreciate you stepping up to support me in a visible and public way. Thank you for the confidence you have in me and my ability to serve effectively on the school board. For all who voted for me, thank you for voting and for entrusting me with your important vote. To all, I will work diligently, collaboratively and with accountability serve you: our community, our taxpayers, our school district, our students, our parent... Full story
On Tuesday, June 2, the Sisters Transportation Plan (TSP) will be presented to the community for public input. A group of local citizens, along with city staff and consultants, has spent months laying out the vision for how cars, bicycles, and pedestrians will navigate our town in the coming years. Every possible transportation option was discussed - even the dreaded couplet! While the TSP members have spent countless hours working to create the best possible solution to current and future traffic needs, we really need input... Full story
The Sisters High School jazz choir performed before a live audience at Disney's Carnation Theater on Sunday, May 3. Christy, the choir's Disney production manager, told the choir that the entire Disney staff was impressed with their vocal singing, stage presence and the way they pulled in record crowds. Many people gathered outside the open outdoor theater, which is located on the main thoroughfare, to listen to the performance. Choir director Michele Summers told The Nugget that the longer they sang, the bigger the crowd... Full story
It's time for The Second Annual Woodpecker Wonderland Festival, Friday-Sunday, June 5-7. People with binoculars will invade local woods and streams, all with one goal: to spot their favorite woodpeckers and other local species. Enthusiasts will share what they know about the background, habitat and habits of local birds with new and experienced birders alike. Even seasoned birders are hungry for new information about their favorite species. "Every species has their own story,... Full story
Jennifer Ferrell, who lives on Bluegrass Loop in Crossroads, has 25 goats in her old horse pasture that are on a general weed patrol - and particularly targeting cheat grass. The goats - biologically made up of "Heinz 57 varieties," include Nubians, Lamanchas, alpines, Spanish goats and retired milk goats - have wiped out almost one acre of cheat grass in less than a week. "I'd rather get rid of the cheat this way, instead of using chemicals," Ferrell said, giving a Nubian... Full story
The Sisters High School girls' golf team finished fifth at the 4A-3A-2A-1A State Golf Tournament, held at the Eagle Crest Ridge Course on Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19. St. Mary's won the tournament with a two-day total of 680, followed by runner-up Molalla, who finished at 702. Gladstone placed third (729), Henley fourth (767) and Sisters fifth, at 774. Emily Rawls and Shelby Ross led the Outlaws to their fifth-place finish. Rawls shot an 85-92 and Ross an 82-95 to give them both a two-day total of 177 and a tie for 10th... Full story
Dyrk Godby, Western artist and singer-songwriter, is content to keep a low profile in Sisters. He's traveled the country as a rodeo competitor, done his time at art shows and sung with luminaries such as Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Bob Hope. These days he contends he's happy to muck out stalls at the horse shows his wife, Kanoe Durdan, attends. Godby sings at various times throughout the day at the Sisters Ranch & Rodeo Show on May 30. He'll be at the Sisters Art Works... Full story
For more than a decade, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Deschutes Land Trust have been talking about restoring natural steam health and hydrology to Whychus Creek and Camp Polk Meadow. It's no longer talk; it's happening. Last week, work began on the project; and Sarah Mowry, Outreach Manager for the Land Trust, helped organize what amounted to a groundbreaking ceremony attended by local officials, supporters, and contributors from all over the state. Mowry... Full story
The boys golf team placed seventh at the 4A State Golf Tournament held at the Quail Valley Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday, May 18 and 19. Sisters shot a 338 on day one and came back to better their score by 21 strokes and shot a 317 for a two-day total of 655. The comeback moved them from 10th place to a seventh-place finish. Brookings-Harbor took first at 626, and LaSalle was runner up at 631. Other scores were: Marist (632), Phoenix (635), Henley (639), Newport (653) and Sisters at 655. Foreign exchange student Elio Kell... Full story
For the hiker anxious to take advantage of good spring weather, trail options remain limited. Still, some excellent sites are open, primarily those below 5,000 feet in elevation. All the trails around the Metolius River and Camp Sherman are accessible, and this is a good time of year to enjoy them before the crowds and high temperatures begin to take their toll. The Forest Service reports that fish habitat improvement and log placement has taken place in that area, but work... Full story
Stephen Fosdick doesn't like to sit still. The Sisters man just completed a 100-mile canoe trip on the Willamette River between Eugene and Salem - but that's just a little jaunt for him. In 2008, Fosdick, just divorced and looking at the back side of 50, decided it was time to put some adventure into his life. So he packaged up a recumbent bicycle, shipped it to Orlando, Florida, flew back to pick it up and started riding across the United States. A cross-country bicycle ride... Full story
Dr. Harry Edward Sprang of Black Butte Ranch passed away on Monday with his family by his side. A celebration of his life will be held June 16, 2 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters. He attended Baldwin-Wallace College, Ohio State University Medical School, and was a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. He completed residency at the Menninger Clinic and entered private practice in Portland in 1951. He served on many boards for the Multnomah County Medical Association and was awarded their 1972 An... Full story
The boy's lacrosse team wrapped up league play with a 5-4 loss at home to Bend on Tuesday, May 19. Four days earlier the Outlaws lost 11-7 at Summit. Sisters played a fine game against Bend in their final game of the season. The Outlaws only lost the contest by one goal - a big improvement compared to their first match-up of the season when the Outlaws lost 11-4. Sisters had the opportunity to send the game into overtime and peppered the goalie with shots, but unfortunately, time ran out on the clock before the Outlaws could... Full story
Throughout this season the girls lacrosse squad played in unofficial scrimmage games in Bend against Bend United (BU), the only other girls lacrosse team in Central Oregon. BU has been together for three years and this year took the Lady Outlaws under their wing. BU provided scrimmage opportunities and skill-building practice for the Outlaws players. Sisters made their official season debut at SALI (Sisters Annual Lacrosse Invitational) on Friday and Saturday, May 8-9. Four girls teams were present: Sisters, BU, Cleveland... Full story
Much of my Coast Guard service was spent in Alaska, and I always was amused at the various tales of what was required to become a "true" Alaskan. Still, I have to admit to seeing a certain parallel right here in Sisters. It seems to me that "true" Sisters area citizenship can only be earned after a climb of Black Butte. Not only does it loom like our own giant signpost marking the Sisters country, it offers one of the most easily accessed panoramic views anywhere in the area.... Full story
In what coach Bob Johnson called the best track season ever for the Outlaws, all 17 state qualifiers scored at the OSAA 4A Track and Field Championships held May 22 and 23 at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus. "I have never had a 100 percent success rate like we had this year," said Johnson. "I am so proud of each of these kids for representing Sisters in the finals of their events." "Neither the boys nor girls teams racked up enough points to be in the trophy h... Full story
Sisters seniors and members of the local business community got a look at a concept for a new senior living facility at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, May 19. A Yakima, Washington-based developer is considering creation of a senior independent assisted-living facility and community center in Sisters. Mark Adolf, of Pinnacle Alliance Group, hosted the meeting at Sisters Fire Hall. He introduced the concept of a three-phase, 82-unit facility that would be owned by local investo... Full story
Sisters High School's varsity softball team won't forget Molly McClaughry anytime soon after the Junction City shortstop proved to be a one-player wrecking crew, ending the Lady Outlaws' dream of playing in the State 4A Tournament. McClaughry, a three-time All-Sky-Em League honoree, scored four times and drove in five runs - four with a grand slam home run - as the Tigers captured the league's No. 3 State 4A playoff berth with a 12-2 win. The game ended the season for the Lady Outlaws, who finished the regular league sch... Full story
The Sisters High School baseball team defeated Junction City 8-5 in the first round of district playoffs at Cottage Grove (CG) on Monday, May 17. Immediately following the win, the Outlaws lost 18-8 to Cottage Grove, which brought their season to an end. In the first game of the double-header, Junction City took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Sisters' Sean Heagney hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the inning to close the Tiger lead to 2-1. At the end of three innings the Tigers led 3-1. Sisters came back in... Full story
The Sisters Park and Recreation District (SPRD) summer program brochure will be mailed to district residents this week. Registration for all summer programs is underway. The SPRD Summer programs include a focus on youth and teen camps. Art camps, sports camps, teen adventure camps and Kids In Motion summer camps for elementary school-age youth are featured this summer. There are also several adult and family outdoor programs, from hiking to stargazing to bird watching. Summer adult sports include softball, basketball, golf... Full story
An Easter egg and fine powder snow led Shannon and Jimmy Sbarra to Sisters to relocate their marketing and design firm, Skyfire Studio. Shannon was born in Bend and raised in Portland. She fell in love with Sisters as a small child when she found a prize-winning egg at the local Easter egg hunt. "It's one of my most vivid childhood memories," she said. "And ever since that day I've wanted to move to Sisters; 22 years later, here I am!" The couple started their design firm in a... Full story
