News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 22 of 22
Pilot Bruce Haphey of Sisters escaped serious injury when the restored Piper PA 12 he was piloting flipped over on landing at Sisters Eagle Air on Sunday morning. Haphey told The Nugget that he had landed on the runway traveling from west to east when the plane, moving at a slow rate of speed, went off the paved runway and into a soft dirt shoulder. When Haphey applied his brakes, the plane nosed into the dirt and flipped over. "I was upside down, so I undid my harness and I... Full story
The financially troubled Sisters Park and Recreation District (SPRD) may shut down for a three-month period in an attempt to regroup financially and "reinvent" itself. The organization's board of directors decided last week that a shutdown was necessary. They were to decide Monday night when the shutdown would take effect. However, the Monday discussion proved inconclusive and the board delayed a decision until August 24 to give the public more notice and to allow for further... Full story
The McKenzie Pass Highway (242) is now officially open to all traffic. The highway has been closed to complete a highway repaving project that has now been completed. The nearly $4 million dollar project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, cut back the slope and realigned the highway, replaced two bridges and repaved the highway surface, making the road more stable and safe for all users. Motorists driving on this curvy road need to be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadway and take proper precautions.... Full story
The annual Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Country Fair and Art Show went off without a hitch under clear, calm skies on Saturday. A constant stream of visitors ambled through the church parking lot where the booths were set up. Strains of old-time music wafted through the air all around the event. The youngsters were kept happy with a bubble blowing pool, face painting, a bouncy castle and the petting zoo. A cake walk welcomed participants of all ages, including a... Full story
We need to take care of the streets of Sisters, and a gas tax is probably the most efficient and equitable way to fund street maintenance. But this is not the time to be putting local businesses at a competitive disadvantage. A three-cent gas tax may seem like no big deal, but for plenty of people the idea of paying more than they have to at the pump just sticks in the craw. They'll fill up in Bend and take their other shopping with them. In the current economic circumstances, just a few people doing that will have an impact... Full story
Beautiful snow-capped mountains, daytime temperatures over 100 degrees, and local merchants selling handcrafted items...sounds a lot like summer in Sisters. But it's not. Not by a long shot. The mountains completely surround the Army air base and are great cover for terrorists; the temperatures swell to over 120 degrees; and only a few trusted merchants are allowed on base to peddle their goods. Everyone here packs a loaded weapon. This is Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Jalalabad... Full story
For three days, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, about 150 square dancers whirled through Sisters in the 27th Annual Central Oregon Roundup. Starting Thursday at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon, the group was there for one purpose only: to have fun. They danced Thursday and Friday evening and had a barbecue Saturday morning. Then they're driven to an unknown location for their annual mystery dance. This year, like last, they made the pebbles bounce outdoors at Wizard... Full story
The throaty roar of exhaust from powerful engines guided by goggled pilots signaled lunch at Aspen Lakes Golf Course last Thursday. Thirty classy cars from yesterday were traveling from Kirkland, Washington, (a Seattle suburb) to Pebble Beach, California, for the 59th annual Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 16. Bugattis, Alfa Romeos, Packards and a rare Lamborghini were on hand, many with open-air cockpits. Drivers and passengers sported period caps and scarves. The carav... Full story
Oscar Spliid, 92, was one of 35 artists displaying their work at the annual Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Art Show Friday night in Sisters. More than 200 pieces of art from many media were on display including oil, water colors, acrylics, glass, photography, mixed media, sculptures, pottery, jewelry and fine woodwork. Spliid, a long-time Sisters resident who now lives in Bend, has been interested in art since he was 14. He began by drawing cartoons. He now produces... Full story
Rachel Haney and Taylor Tucker gave Sisters Country plenty to cheer about last weekend at the Speedo Oregon Age 11 and Over Long Course State Swimming Championship. More than 40 USA Swimming sanctioned teams and 750 of the fastest young swimmers from Oregon and southern Washington participated in the four-day meet, held at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. The two 12-year-olds got things off to a great start right away on Thursday night in the finals of the 100-meter... Full story
There's an old saying in the cooking world: "The bigger the hat, the better the chef." Traditionally, the height of a white chef's hat, or "toque blanche" is said to denote the status of a cook in the kitchen. Folded pleats of a toque were first added to indicate the more than 100 ways a chef can cook an egg. Hundreds of high hats populate the savory-scented hallways and classrooms of the prestigious Western Culinary Institute, in Portland. Now part of the elite Le Cordon... Full story
First-year 4-H member Lindsay Soliz, 14, came home from the Deschutes County Fair with more than a passel of ribbons. She was the recipient of a Ralph McNulty Production Animal Scholarship, an award that puts her $800 closer to finding an ideal registered heifer. The scholarship, based on the applicant's 4-H record book and an interview, consists of $600 from the Ralph McNulty Scholarship, and $200 from a group called "Ralph's Angels," a group of donors. Terry Burgess, of... Full story
Since 1888, Whychus Creek irrigation water has been running through an open ditch east of Sisters. If current plans come to fruition, it will end up in a buried dual 54-inch pipeline instead. The small pioneering irrigation ditch was enlarged between 1891 and 1920, and eventually became the Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID) Main Canal, where it looks like a quiet and picturesque mountain stream flowing across 3.8 miles of sagebrush and pine. The canal begins at the dive... Full story
People across America are finding that yoga helps them gain flexibility, relieve stress and find balance in their hectic lives. Life, Love, Yoga, of Sisters, can help local men and women do just that. Kari Sims Anthon launched Life, Love, Yoga, located at 431 E. Cascade Ave. (former Sisters Jewelry building), to offer beginners and experienced practitioners alike a comfortable space in which to explore the 5,000-year-old tradition. "This is going to be a great spot to try it... Full story
Brandon Pollard ran his way to one of America's showcase track meets this summer. His victories at local and regional races qualified him for the annual Hershey Track and Field Championships held in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, July 30 through August 2. The journey underlines Brandon's desire to do his best and continually improve, considering the local meet was held in Bend on the same day as the middle school district meet in late May, forcing Pollard to hurry from one... Full story
More and more women are taking up fly fishing. Last week, Gary Kuch of Sisters made venturing into the fishing waters a little easier with a two-hour clinic held at a home just east of town. Some 16 women turned out for an hour-long discussion of the art and its equipment, followed by a hands-on session in the pond at the house. The event grew out of a desire expressed by a friend to have a simple, no-pressure introduction to fly fishing. Kuch agreed to help out. The woman... Full story
There are three kinds of "real" Sisters hikers: those who have hiked up to Tam McArthur Rim, those who will hike it, and those who are up there right now while you're just sitting there reading about it. Looking up to the mountains from Sisters, Tam McArthur Rim is the high ridge visible below and to the left of Broken Top. Three Creek Lake is one of those places we routinely share with visitors from out of town and is the jumping-off point for this hike. The lake is easy enou... Full story
Central Oregon Realtor and developer Arnie Swarens died last week at the age of 76. Swarens was a major player since the 1950s in Central Oregon Real Estate, including establishing RE/MAX Town & Country Realty in Sisters seven years ago. "We moved Arnie Swarens Town & Country to Sisters as partners, and turned it into a RE/MAX," said Swarens' partner in the move, Peter Storton. Swarens was a founding board member of Bank of the Cascades and was a development partner in Bend's Riverhouse and the Rivers Edge golf course. "He... Full story
The heat and dust of high summer can kill the motivation to get in the daily run on the trails around Sisters, so adding a cooling element to the run is sometimes all the extra motivation you need to venture out. Of course that cooling element is water: streams, rivers, and lakes. Whychus Creek and the local irrigation ditches along parts of the Peterson Ridge Trail provide a break from the heat. The air temperature is a little lower near the flowing water and, of course, you... Full story
Arnie Swarens, 76, of Sisters, died August 3 at his home. There was a celebration of life service at Bend Golf and Country Club on Monday, August 10. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Geneva and Forrest Swarens. He leaves behind his wife, Patty Swarens; three children, Dawn and David Haffey, Scott and Marti Swarens, Kimber and Craig Swarens; four grandchildren, Derek Kastning, Gino Pilato, Mario Pilato and Megan Wood; two great-granddaughters, Emily Kastning and Ella... Full story
Vic Johnson, a resident of Camp Sherman since 1976, passed away at home in Sisters August 4, surrounded by his family. At 83, he was one of the last two surviving "Grumpy Old Men" of the Camp Sherman Store. Vic was born in Portland, Oregon, and always took great pride in being a "born-and-raised" Oregonian. He grew up with three older sisters in the small mountain town of Three Lynx, Oregon, where his father, Victor Sr., was employed as an engineer for Portland General... Full story
A sleepy driver collided with a slowing vehicle on Highway 126 at Bradley Road Tuesday morning, causing a wreck that partially blocked the highway. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, two vehicles had been traveling eastbound on Highway 126, approaching Bradley Road, when Helen Mason, 75, who was driving a Chevrolet Impala, signaled and slowed to turn onto Bradley Road. Otoniel Villarreal, 18, of Prineville, who was driving a Volkswagen Jetta, fell asleep while driving and did not see the Chevrolet. The... Full story
