News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 29
Sisters is all decked out in red, white and blue. Photo by Jim Cornelius Sisters entered the month of July gearing up for a series of festive events. The Fourth of July holiday alone will keep the town hopping, with rock hounds visiting the Gem & Mineral show at Sisters Elementary School and shoppers perusing the wares at the Sisters Village Green Craft Show. The Gem & Mineral Show runs July 3-6, while the craft show is a one-day affair on Saturday, July 5. Black Butte Ranch will host a slateful of events that are open to... Full story
Tollgate residents got a reminder of just how immediate fire danger can be on Saturday afternoon, June 28, when a small blaze erupted between the subdivision and Highway 20 to the north. Fire crews responded quickly and got a wet line around the blaze, which burned about 260 yards north of the houses on the Conestoga cul-de-sac. Winds were low and the blaze held low to the ground, burning about 1/4 acre. Still, it was an eye-opening experience for residents, as law... Full story
Air Life transported an injured Dennis McGregor to St. Charles Medical Center. Photo by Jim Cornelius Noted Sisters artist Dennis McGregor was badly hurt in a bicycle accident on Sunday morning, June 30. McGregor, 52, was riding westbound on McKenzie Highway as part of a ride organized by Sisters Athletic Club when he apparently lost control of his bike rounding a curve and crashed. Witnesses said McGregor took the curve too fast and went over the top of his bike. According to emergency radio traffic, McGregor hit his head an... Full story
Fires rage in "the combustible West." In Arizona and New Mexico, thousands of acres and hundreds of homes have been destroyed. At least one of the New Mexico blazes was caused by teenagers playing with fireworks. Closer to home, the Davis Lake fire southwest of La Pine is being called "human caused," though a specific cause has not been announced. In the face of extreme fire danger, fire professionals are urging caution in the use of legal fireworks during the Fourth of July h... Full story
This is a possible site for a new Family Recreation Center at Black Butte Ranch. Photo by Tom Chace Some major changes are in the works at Black Butte Ranch. Plans include a new recreational center, new tennis courts, a new indoor pool and more. Ranch property owners discussed these plans at their annual meeting last Saturday morning, June 28, followed by a barbecue at the sports field. Bruce Vaughn, chairman of the Facilities Development Project committee, emphasized several times that the present master plan is only in the... Full story
Don and Lee Kappelman were chosen as this year's "Family-of-the-Year" at the annual Friends of the Library (FOL) potluck dinner held at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Library staff, Friends and guests warmly applauded this popular choice. Lee has been treasurer for five years with FOL and became vice-chairperson this year. Don has taken on many tasks at the library as needed. He helps with the library's outside lighting at Christmas season. Both he and Lee have helped in the leaf rake-up in the library garden and walks during... Full story
Dan Rickards of Sisters earned the prestigious People's Choice Award from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Photo by Jim Cornelius Sisters wildlife artist Dan Rickards won the prestigious "People's Choice Award" of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The honor was announced in the July/August edition of the organization's publication, Bugle. The award is based on a vote of attendees at RMEF's national convention, held last February in Reno, Nevada. That populist aspect of the... Full story
Starting at 8 a.m. with a "Fun Run/Walk" and ending after the "Sundae (sic.) Night Movie," there will be a full day of July 4 activities at Black Butte Ranch including a youngsters' decorated-bicycle parade. Independence Day, marking freedom from British colonial rule, will be celebrated at BBR with an entire day of fun for the entire family, including a barbecue, traditional July 4 games, a climbing wall and entertainment by Biff Harley. A 5K (3.5 mile) run at Black Butte Ranch is open to all, according to Katie Kenney,... Full story
Hundreds turned out Sunday, June 29, for a fund-raising barbecue and silent auction at Black Butte Ranch to raise money for Carol Woosley, a waitress at the Lodge restaurant who is battling cancer. It also turned out to be a festive event. A total of approximately $24,400 was reported Sunday with more to come, according to Pixie Carson, a Black Butte Ranch resident, who spearheaded the Black Butte Ranch Women's Association, and Maxine Braune, head of the BBR Lodge Restaurant where Woosley worked for 18 years. Some 250 to 280... Full story
Bob Brockway, head of a committee to raise funds to rebuild the Sisters Library in 1985, and Mary Smith, chairman of the upcoming book sale. Photo by Tom Chace Friends of the Sis ters Library will hold its annual book sale this coming Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12, in the old building that housed the original Sisters Library when it opened in 1939. Friday night's book sale event is for members of Friends of the Sisters Library only, but the Saturday sale is open to the public. Hours Friday are 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9... Full story
Jared Durham leads students at basketball camp. Photo by Charlie Kanzig Justin Durham loved being part of the athletic program during his years at Sisters High School. The 1999 graduate's zeal -- especially for basketball -- prompted him to team up with his former coach, Rand Runco, to establish Champion Sports Camps, which held its inaugural basketball camp last week at Sisters High School. Durham, who played on the Outlaws' sixth-place state team as a senior, wants to pass along the kind of experiences he had as a... Full story
Runner Sean Meissner. Photo by Charlie Kanzig Most people consider the 26.2-mile marathon to be the ultimate in distance running, but for local runner Sean Meissner that's just the beginning. He finished his first 100-mile race at last week's Bighorn Trail Wild and Scenic Run in Wyoming. Yes, that's 100 miles -- as in the distance from Sisters to downtown Eugene. Meissner placed eighth on the rugged mountainous course in a time of 29 hours and six minutes. Thirty-two of the original 44 starters completed the course. The... Full story
A buck-and-pole fence protects a group of aspens. Photo provided There is a new fence in the meadow next to Highway 20 and Black Butte Swamp, protecting an emerging aspen clone (a group of identical interconnected trees). The Sisters High School Interactive Environmental Expedition class completed this project with Sisters Rangers District's silviculture crew. The aspen stand is an over-mature decadent clone, according to the Forest Service. The clone is regenerating -- but the elk eat them quickly, not allowing them to... Full story
Three members of the Crossroads Property Owners Association Board of Directors -- Dorene Fisher, Kathy Hitt and Harold Jacobs -- were reelected to three-year terms on the board. Election results were announced at the June 28 annual meeting of the association held at Sisters Community Church. At an organizational meeting of the board following the annual meeting, all 2002-03 officers were reelected for annual terms. Dorene Fisher will continue as chair, Sheryn Bagley as vice chair and Nancy Clark as secretary-treasurer.... Full story
Toni Williamson. Photo by Jim Cornelius Toni Williamson is a familiar face to home buyers in Sisters. She has been in the mortgage business in Central Oregon for years. Now, she has taken a major step in her career. She recently signed on with U.S. Bank Home Mortgage as regional sales manager for Southern, Central and Eastern Oregon. "It just really intrigued me," she said of her new position. "It's going to the next level for me." She will work out of the Redmond office,... Full story
Water flows crystal clear forming eddies and shallow pools from the Head of Jack Creek, a handsome nephew to the Head of the Metolius. Photo by Tom Chace Everyone knows of the great and beautiful Metolius River and particularly the tourist stop at the Head of The Metolius. This destination is a must for visitors and locals alike. It is beautiful, and easily accessible -- almost too easy for those wanting a little more rustic and rugged hike. Not far from the Head of the Metolius is the Head of Jack Creek, lesser in water... Full story
Gordon Sheward will restore this 1967 Austin Healy. Photo by Jim Cornelius Gordon Sheward is one of the lucky ones. He has been able to make a vocation out of his life-long passion for classic cars. He is carrying that passion on with his small, home-based business, Gordon's Garage. Sheward's particular fascination is with the automobiles of the early 1930s. Growing up, instead of pining for a '57 Chevy, "I was looking at all the big, old classic cars of the '30s -- the so-cal... Full story
Mary and Dean Smith display one of her quilts. Photo by Jim Cornelius Sisters quilter Mary Smith has never been one to follow the beaten path. "I like to do original things; I don't like to use other people's patterns," she said. A lifelong quilter, she only delved into the craft seriously about nine years ago, after pursuing many other art forms over the years. Immediately, she began creating her own patterns. "All my life, I've done everything from scratch," she said, gestur... Full story
(L-R): Nora Dragoon, Erin McClaskey with daughter Kiana Hohman, Lori-Jean Pruitt. Photo by Kathryn Godsiff Mountain Supply has opened in Sisters -- and it's good news for local outdoor enthusiasts. Located on the corner of Main Avenue and Fir Street, the store carries a full line of day-use hiking supplies and can obtain any specialty mountaineering or rock climbing items within a day from the main Mountain Supply store in Bend. The business has been in Erin McClaskey's family for 23 years and at one time the family owned... Full story
The happy and joyous Fourth of July holiday might have been celebrated two days earlier, on July 2, if John Adams had his way. The Second Continental Congress actually declared independence from Great Britain on July 2; the Congress adopted the formal Declaration of Independence document two days later. According to a letter Adams wrote his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha in The History of America. "It will be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn... Full story
Playing with fire Some people just can't seem to enjoy themselves on the Fourth of July weekend without firing up something that sparks, smokes or goes bang. Sorry, but this is really dumb when you are in the middle of the woods. Even legal fireworks are dangerous, especially when they are used improperly and in the wrong areas. Which, as far as I'm concerned, is anywhere around here. Legally available fireworks are allowed within the city limits of Sisters. That doesn't mean they're a good idea. Even inside the city, there... Full story
Camp Tamarack is starting its 70th year this week at Dark Lake. Photo by Tom Chace School's out. Camp's in. Four private camps are underway in the Suttle Lake area west of Sisters. Depending on one's definition, two or more are also open during the winter months. Camp Davidson caters to Christian religious groups with church-oriented assemblage. Camp Tamarack hosts children from eight to 16 with optional horseback riding, plus a family camp over Labor Day weekend. Camp Caldera offers a dual program: During summers they host,... Full story
The summit team: In the back (L-R) are Sharyn Fetrow (group leader), Dave Barry, Jessica Judy, Russ Fetrow, Darla Neiss, Cathy Ellis. Kneeling are Eloise Barry and Mimi Miller. Photo courtesy Sharyn Fetrow We look at it with awe. Occasionally we read about one or more who have actually climbed it. We even learn of some who tried and didn't make it. It is the South Sister, the mountain colloquially called "Faith." A group of eight local hiker started training last week to climb that beautiful peak next September. They have... Full story
Better helmet than head. Photo by Jim Cornelius Dennis McGregor's bicycle wreck on the McKenzie Highway (see story) illustrates an often-forgotten truth: Bicycling can be a dangerous sport. Riders are vulnerable, perched over skinny tires and traveling at high velocity with nothing between them and the pavement or rocks but fabric and plastic. On roads around Sisters, the hazards are many -- from gravel and pine cones that can stop a rolling tire to deer and squirrels that... Full story
A helicopter circles for a water pickup at Sisters Airport. A towering column of smoke rose into the sky late Saturday afternoon, July 5, as a fire ignited in the forest west of Sisters. The Link Fire, measured at 200-acres was burning on the Deschutes National Forest two miles south of Suttle Lake and five miles northwest of Black Butte Ranch. The fire is burning in mixed conifer and beetle-killed lodge pole pine. Firefighters were battling spot fires thrown out from the main body of the blaze. There was a precautionary... Full story
