News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
Curtiss J. Scholl will swing into the saddle as Sisters' new school superintendent on July 1. While he's tying down the last work at his current position, he's already at work on the Sisters job. "I'm working on the transition plan right now," he told The Nugget last Friday. The Sisters School Board made the offer to Scholl last Wednesday and will formalize an agreement in a public meeting. "We started with an outstanding field of 42 candidates from Oregon and several other... Full story
The class of 2015 celebrated their graduation from Sisters High School last Friday, June 5. The students were overjoyed to be done with high school and celebrate with their friends and family. The night started out with the singing of the national anthem by the SHS Jazz Choir and the processional of the senior class in front of a packed gym that had been specially decorated for the event. Principal Joe Hosang provided words of wisdom to the students and provided thank-yous to... Full story
The sense of urgency to explore development of more affordable housing in Sisters was palpable at the Sisters City Council workshop on June 4. After hearing from residents at the recent economic vitality summit about the pressing need for affordable housing in Sisters, the City Council has moved the issue to the front of the line. Tom Kemper, executive director of Housing Works, gave a detailed presentation to Council on the state of affordable housing in all of Central Oregon... Full story
Commissioner Tony DeBone proposed the honor. Sisters Rodeo Board of Directors accepted the award in a ceremony at the Deschutes County offices on Wednesday morning, June 10. "We are very excited about this," said President Glenn Miller, "because it doesn't happen all the time. It's nice to know that the county feels that we have done good things, not just for Sisters, but for all of Deschutes County." The Sisters Rodeo will mark its 75th year with many of the top competitors... Full story
To the Editor: I would like to respond to the two editorials in a previous Nugget Newspaper. I am NOT against paved trails for the veteran's scooter. I am NOT against walking or biking instead of driving. It is great that the town of Sisters wants to have paved paths around the town and the surrounding area and also has the money to pay for them. Forty years ago we built a home in Black Butte Ranch to have a private, secure place for our family to enjoy. We paid for and own Black Butte Ranch: the land, the roads, the bike... Full story
Priscilla Wilt and her sister, Robbie Beistel, were relaxing in the living room of the Wilt family cabin at No. 8 The Pines, a small private resort in Camp Sherman on Saturday afternoon, when they thought they saw smoke. It seemed to be coming from the area of a cabin owned by Brian Metke, about 125 yards to the south on Metke Lane. They were not unduly alarmed at the time, but decided to get on their bikes and go take a look. When they arrived, they discovered that Metke was... Full story
For 20 years, the Sisters Folk Festival has been bringing outstanding music to town in September. Now the festival has announced its lineup for the landmark 20th anniversary edition of the event set for September 11-13. "All the Town's a Stage" in Sisters, with multiple venues across town. Tickets are selling fast, indicating that there will be an early sell-out this summer. Sisters welcomes festival-goers for three days of world-class performances by artists including: The Subdudes, a New Orleans blues-rock and soul band; th... Full story
In 1980, the fledging Sisters Kiwanis club started cooking Sunday breakfast for rodeo participants. The Buckaroo Breakfast quickly became a traditional part of the Sisters Rodeo for everyone: buckaroos, rodeo-goers, and Sisters residents. Sisters Kiwanians do everything associated with putting on the breakfast. They built the breakfast venue that includes a fenced area, cooking pavilion, and tables. They purchase the food and do all the cooking. The bacon chefs start working... Full story
One of the few things on which Sisters Country folks seem in agreement is that we have a traffic problem. This is especially true Fridays-Mondays when vehicles are often lined up bumper-to-bumper all the way from Black Butte and Camp Sherman, past Tollgate and on through Sisters. One way to help alleviate this problem and the accompanying air and noise pollution is to provide means for our Sisters-area communities to get around safely by bicycle. The success of paved pathways has been demonstrated in many parts of the nation... Full story
At the May 21 meeting of the Community Assets Committee, Chair Bill Hall presented the final results of the public survey concerning five potential community asset projects to the committee. A total of 206 completed surveys were received by the deadline. Approximately 60% of the respondents were female and 40% male, and were approximately evenly split between those in the city and those outside the city but within the school district. The committee members arranged outreach to the public through articles and announcements in... Full story
People say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what if it can only equal six? Writers and artists of Sisters High School both faced this challenge during their second trimester, in the collaborative six-word project. The six-word story was invented by Ernest Hemingway with his haunting tale: "For Sale: baby shoes. Never worn." But it was the imagination of creative-writing teacher Samra Spear and art teacher Bethany Gunnarson that brought this story to Sisters High... Full story
Sisters Habitat for Humanity has hired a new construction manager. Darleene Snider, who grew up on a farm where she learned to "fix things," spent 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, traveling to all but one continent (Antarctica). She deployed with troops as essential ground support for flying missions. The mission could follow an explosion, an invasion, a tsunami, wherever air support was needed. Her contingency response team planned, organized, and built all the facilities need... Full story
On Wednesday, June 3, Rory Petterson of Sisters was presented the Sisters VFW Post 8138 Boy Scout of the Year Award by Bill Anttila, Commander, and Earl Schroeder, Vice Commander, and post members. The award ceremony was held at Sisters City Hall. Rory was the recipient of this year's award, certificate and check for $100, for his dedication to community service projects in Sisters. One of his most recent projects was assisting in the construction of the pavilion at Fir... Full story
Deschutes County Commissioner Alan Unger has doubled down on his support of a paved trail from Sisters to Black Butte Ranch. Unger had recruited Oregon Solutions to mediate a community dialogue on the divisive issue, but the organization bowed out late last month, citing an inability to bring trail opponents to the table. Last week, Unger sent out a letter telling constituents, "My ultimate goal is to engage Sisters Country in a robust discussion and organize a process to... Full story
A well-organized shearing barn is a place of controlled chaos. Restless sheep constantly move and rustle and bleat in their pens. Dust motes hang in the air, stirred up by activity in a shed that sees a multitude of use. There's a clear space for the shearer, a clean area for the wool to fall and a wool bag in a nearby stand. Extension cords lie ready for the clippers. Brooms are nearby to sweep the wool away. The rancher and helpers shift from foot to foot, waiting for one... Full story
A group of over 100 veterans and their families came out to Central Oregon Veterans Ranch (COVR) on Memorial Day to have a look around the newly acquired 19-acre ranch property with a four-bedroom home and barn. COVR started as the vision of Alison Perry, licensed professional counselor, with inspiration from her MEDEVAC helicopter pilot brother Todd, to help restore purpose and spirit to veterans of all ages. She thanked everybody for being part of this amazing project to honor our veterans from all wars, then turned the... Full story
Megan Rose announces her first CD release with the arrival of a six-song, extended-play album titled "Now I Can See." Megan will perform songs from the CD and more at The Barn on Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. Hosted by Sisters arts patron Cris Converse, The Barn is the perfect place to listen to the music of Megan Rose. In her own musical and lyrical style, Megan Rose will bring to life "Now I Can See" with the help of other musicians and friends. Locally produced by Brent... Full story
Steve Seskin is more than a successful singer/songwriter and teacher; he's known for his exhilarating performances, and also has an undeniable connection with children. On Thursday evening, June 4, at The Belfry, Sisters Folk Festival (SFF), in support of Circle of Friends, presented Seskin in concert. Seskin performed a very unique song, with special performances by 15 lively children, kindergarten through eighth grade, who are mentored through Circle of Friends. The... Full story
The boys lacrosse team had seven players selected to all-league teams. Lane Gladden and Casey Lane were at the top as first-team picks. Lane Gladden was a senior captain for the Outlaws and earned first-team midfield. Gladden scored 20 goals for Sisters and tallied 30 assists. "Lane is a coach's dream," said Coach Andrew Gorayeb. "He can play with a short stick, run the offense, and lead the team. He can shoot with both hands, and is the energizer bunny. He can also pick up a... Full story
The eaglets in the nest on Whychus Creek are in the fledge stage. According to Jim Hammond, one of the eaglets left the nest on Monday morning. The Sisters Eagle Cam is the only active live camera observing a golden eagle nest that has been on-line this year (www.goldeneaglecam.com). Regular viewers of the camera are in locations across the U.S. and Canada. 2015 marks the sixth consecutive year that this nest has been occupied by a nesting pair of golden eagles, and there... Full story
The loop trail around Suttle Lake is an excellent nearby hiking opportunity that is sometimes overlooked simply because it's so obvious. Nestled along the south side of Highway 20, right where the road angles up the steep grade to Santiam Pass, it is easy to drive right on by this pleasant hike. However, it's worth noting that this trail is ideal for an early season tune-up hike. (Note: There is currently an algae bloom in the lake and the Forest Service has placed a caution... Full story
John Reeves died peacefully at home after a brief illness Friday, June 5, just after his 85th birthday. Born in Salem, May 17, 1930, to Bill and Myrtle Reeves, he lived most of his life in Salem. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Merlie; his daughters, Susie Hino, Christie O'Brien and son in law Jim O'Brien; as well as seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister Charlotte (Torkie) Keasey. John graduated from Oregon State University and was an... Full story
Carol Dixon is a beloved teacher - a career and a calling she loves and has had every success in pursuing. She is not, however, very successful at retiring. She did it once, from the Sisters School District, and very soon found herself as head teacher at Black Butte School. Now she's retiring from that position. Maybe this time it will stick. "I don't think I was ever really out," she said of her 2002 retirement from Sisters School District. "I knew I wasn't ready to retire...... Full story
Valerie Fercho-Tillery's passion for quilting and animals is apparent in her original design this year. For the third year, she has brought those passions together to produce a pet-themed quilt as a fundraiser for the Sisters-based Furry Friends Foundation. This year that quilt features both dogs and cats, in a one-of-a kind quilt design amply titled "No, No!" just for Furry Friends. The intricate detail and mischievous subjects make this a quilt anyone would love to bring... Full story
The science process classes at Sisters High School capped their spring trimester studies with the launch of a weather balloon on Friday, June 5. The students assembled a payload of experiments designed by multiple separate teams, advised by science teacher Rima Givot, student teacher Heidi Gillespie and balloon expert Steven Peterzen. As president of ISTAR Group, Peterzen has international experience in sending up balloons, sometimes with massive payloads. (See... Full story
