News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 21 of 21
Bright and early last Saturday morning, over 30 artists gathered at Indian Ford Meadow Preserve to begin four hours of plein air painting in some of the most beautiful country Central Oregon has to offer. The Third Annual Plein Air Paint-Out was hosted by the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The timed competition challenged artists to paint and then frame a piece on-site. Some of the artists were able to complete several pieces, all were judged... Full story
Local kids will have a new place to play next month, thanks to a donation by the Kiwanis Club of Sisters. The club donated $25,000 worth of playground equipment for Cliff Clemens Park, at the north end of town. The apparatus includes a swing set, a play structure and spin cups. "People are really excited because actual swing sets are coming to Sisters," said city planner Pauline Hardie. Installation of the equipment will cost about $12,000, including 130 cubic yards of... Full story
Cyclists and hikers love the Peterson Ridge Trail at the south end of town. Trail advocates are hoping to preserve its character as a piping project takes away an open irrigation canal. As of last Thursday's Sisters City Council workshop, a proposed water feature to replace the "Little Bridge," where the Peterson Ridge Trail (PRT) crosses the Uncle John ditch, is still in the city's plan. The Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID) has proposed a project to pipe the ditch... Full story
To the Editor: We have federal and state constitutions that were written to protect the rights of our citizens. Our service men and women have made the ultimate sacrifices to preserve our constitution. I personally will not tolerate legislature, any branch of government or even a homeowners association that thinks they have the right to manipulate or pass laws that contradict our constitution, especially when they are supposed to be representing the people. Throughout our state we have many little colonies called homeowners a... Full story
In the face of a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions, it never occurred to 9-year-old Colton Seymour that one little boy couldn't make a difference. When Colton learned that kids like him are perishing in East Africa due to the worst drought in 60 years, he cleaned out his piggy bank. Already he has inspired others, young and old, to do the same. "I can't stand people dying. It just makes me super sad," says Colton, a fourth-grader at Sisters Elementary School. On a... Full story
Old West traditions will be part of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration's Country Fair & Art Show, to be held August 12-13. Mustang horses, America's national heritage, once again will make their appearance along with members of the Northwest Regional Spinner's Association. The spinners will be demonstrating their ancient craft of spinning. Nochecita, who wowed fairgoers last year, will once again be on hand to demonstrate her artistic painting talents. "Cita," as her... Full story
The magic of muscle cars is as American as Paul Revere and apple pie, serving as collectible time capsules and bridging generations with their alluring spell. Standing proudly beside her Aztec Bronze '71 Dodge Charger, Iron Maiden Donna Wolfkill recounted the tale of the family heirloom she fought for and restored to glory. "It was my mother's car, and she bought it brand new in 1971 in Vancouver, Washington," she said. "And when she passed away, I got it. She never had a lot... Full story
Ten-year-old Austin Gulick of Sisters competed in the Tae Kwon Do Junior Olympics, placing fourth in his age and belt division. The 2011 Junior Olympics for Tae Kwon Do were held June 28 through July 3 in the San Jose Convention Center in California. Competing against martial artists from all over the country in poomsae, the young yellow belt, a student at the Outlaw Martial Arts school in Sisters, performed his poomsae in front of a panel of judges and hundreds of... Full story
For the past few years Marc Thalacker, general manager of the Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID), has been facing a challenge. Thirty irrigating farmers along Hurtley Ranch Road in Sisters have not been receiving irrigation water for their crops on a consistent basis. There were times when 19 couldn't get any water at all. And they weren't happy about it. "We were getting about six complaints a day from landowners during the irrigation season," said Thalacker. The complaints mainly involved inconsistent water flow from... Full story
Sisters Country horse people tend to take their riding very seriously. Whether mastering the art of dressage, working cows or show jumping, there's a documentary in theaters now that can enlighten even the most advanced rider. The winner of the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award, "Buck" opened at Sisters Movie House on Friday night to an enthusiastic crowd. The movie shadowed renowned horse trainer Buck Brannaman as he traversed the country spreading his wisdom of horse and human psychology. Viewers left the theater in... Full story
Several artistic residents of Sisters will display their talents in digital art through the month of August at Sisters Library. Kathy Deggendorfer, Rick Judy, Mary Smith and Conrad Weiler will have works on display, along with the work of Tim Donahue. Donahue, who died recently, was mentor and friend of several of the artists, prompting them to dedicate their works in his honor and memory. Tim also worked as an outstanding matte painter in several Hollywood movies and TV... Full story
Sisters musician Travis Ehrenstrom has returned home after three years as a professional musician to join up with Sisters Folk Festival as the organization's new assistant festival director. Seattle was home base for the Sisters High School graduate and Americana Project alum while he was on the road, but he grew homesick. He loved playing in front of crowds, but now he is choosing to stay local. Travis loves the job and the community, and he doesn't have any ambition to go... Full story
The second annual "Live at the Ranch" summer concert series got off to a hot start last Saturday at Black Butte Ranch, in more ways than one. Hot temperatures and an enthusiastic crowd greeted Dangermuffin, a tight three-piece band out of Folly Beach, South Carolina, who got the crowd going with a rhythmic set of their savory, southern-fried funk. The eager crowd welcomed Central Oregon's second 90-degree day of the summer. "We were worried a little earlier in the week that... Full story
At last, the snow in the high country is giving way to summer. It's been a long wait, but the ground is finally starting to come out of hiding. Last week we hiked into Duffy Lake, northwest of Santiam Pass, with no difficulty at all; but there was still a substantial amount of snow between Duffy and Santiam Lakes. We had originally intended to hike beyond Duffy to Santiam Lake; but the going was so difficult over the snow that we just lost enthusiasm for what was already an... Full story
Creating prototypes of a portable artist studio has several University of Oregon graduate students in architecture visiting Sisters fairly regularly. Two of the students, Halla Hoffer and Jenn Pecenka, spoke to the Sisters Rotary Club at their weekly lunch meeting on Tuesday, July 19. The project began in April, with 16 students tasked with coming up with ideas for sustainable, movable spaces that an artist could live and work in. With support from The Roundhouse Foundation... Full story
An old-timer was heading into its den for the winter out in the Camp Polk area, along with about 20 or so of his brethren. He was in excellent condition from eating as many Belding ground squirrels, sagebrush voles, white-footed mice and other noxious rodents as possible. That could be the end of the story, but unfortunately, it isn't. Some of his kind out near Squaw Creek Canyon Estates have stirred the pot by wandering around in people's backyards, resting on decks, and... Full story
Construction crews are working to put the finishing touches on the last four holes yet to be seeded on the new Glaze Meadow Golf Course. The front nine, the practice putting green and five holes on the back nine are finished and the grass is growing. The construction foreman hopes to have the remaining holes and the driving range finished and seeded by the first of August. The golf course was closed at the end of last September and the renovation project began immediately.... Full story
Seldom, if ever, the stars align in such a way to provide Sisters with azure skies, an radiant sunset, a culinary feast, and three dozen guests around an imperial table, facing a scenic back drop of unparalleled beauty. This happened on July 20. The occasion was engineered by TR McCrystal, owner and chef of the acclaimed Jen's Garden restaurant. His objective was to highlight an obvious, but often ignored, fact. Good food calls for good ingredients, and good ingredients must... Full story
Beautiful Bea, inside and out till the very last breath of her life on this earth when she passed away peacefully surrounded by family and caregivers during the last few weeks of her life. Bea, (nicknamed Tessie) was a woman that you would be blessed by had you ever crossed her path in life. We were blessed and honored to call her "Mom." One of her favorite questions in life was, "Is there anything I can do for you today?" And always hoping there was! Never one to sit idle... Full story
Elizabeth Danforth Molino passed away July 2 of natural causes. She was 94 years young. The daughter of James Arthur Danforth and Ruth Harrison Danforth, she grew up in Yankton, South Dakota, with two older brothers. Her family moved to Southern California in the 1930s. She went to Scripps College and USC where she met her first husband, Eric Johnson. Together they raised two children, Judy and Donald, in Monrovia, California. When her children were older she went... Full story
Fans and volunteers lined the narrow road at the summit of McKenzie Pass Wednesday, July 20, in support of the men and women competing in Stage One of the annual Cascade Cycling Classic (CCC). When the lead riders rounded the corner below the Dee Wright Observatory, aid station workers sprang into action to hand out drinks and energy food, while spectators began cheering, clanging cow bells and blowing whistles. Within a minute or two nearly all the men's riders had whizzed... Full story
