News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
Sisters students returned to the classroom at Sisters Elementary School and Sisters High School last week. Their teachers got there first - starting a whole week earlier. Feelings of excitement, excellence and positive anticipation filled the high school commons for the Sisters School District All Staff In-Service orientation on Wednesday, August 23. Superintendent Ted Thonstad charged the staff to make the 2006-07 school year the best ever for the Sisters School District. He said that this goal can be accomplished by all... Full story
Last month, hundreds of Sisters families evacuated their homes. Many had to grab precious belongings on short notice and pack what they could in their cars and trailers. Now that the smoke has settled, some people have reflected on the experience and plan to do things differently in the case of another forest fire or other disaster. Before an evacuation, most people anticipate taking papers and photos, along with clothes, toiletries, medicines and prescriptions. But having gone through the experience, local people are... Full story
There's still a bit of smoky haze in the air most days, but Sisters' skyline is beginning to return to its signature craggy beauty. At least there are no new columns of smoke rising among the peaks. The Lake George Fire that has been burning some six miles southwest of Black Butte Ranch is now considered 97 percent contained at 5.534 acres. A finger of fire on Belknap Crater continues to burn and may move 1/4 mile to the southwest. The Puzzle Fire south of Mt. Jefferson is now... Full story
There are few of us who succeed in leaving the world a better place than the one we found, but Toni Berke Foster succeeded. Foster fought many battles to improve all of our lives but lost her final battle to cancer on August 23. Her death is a loss to all whose lives she touched and a loss to many who may not even know her name. Foster's legacy will continue to touch lives for generations, for she brought about change in people's lives and the environment. Like a stone skipping across a pond, the ripples pour outward from... Full story
To the Editor: For eight years as a classroom volunteer, I assisted Toni Foster in one of the delights in her life: Black Butte School's participation in National History Day. Each year, History Day's governing body poses an historical theme for research. For example, in 2006 it was "Taking A Stand." For 2007 the theme selected is "Triumph and Tragedy." From across the nation, many hundreds of schools will encourage selected students to undertake intensive research in a specific historical subject of their choice drawn from t... Full story
Tim Bailey died on Wednesday, August 23. He was diagnosed earlier this year with Mast Cell Disease. Despite treatment, he never recovered. Bailey lived in Sisters for more than 30 years. He was working at Black Butte Ranch (BBR) in 1973 when Dick Howells came to the ranch as general manager. That was the beginning of a long and deep friendship. "He was working at the front desk and had just graduated from the University of Missouri. He came out west because his brother was a lawyer in Portland and his sisters were in the... Full story
Diversification in styles and art mediums is the signature of Sisters' artist Kenneth T. White II. White is best known for his unique mat board carvings, watercolor paintings and alabaster sculpting. White will exhibit his work at the Sisters Western & Native American Arts Festival at Creekside Park on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3. White, a Native American of the Dine'h Tribe, was born into a family of artists. He grew-up on the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, New Mexico. At... Full story
Sisters' first annual Barn Dance, hosted by the Sisters Movie House, was just plain old fashioned fun. More than 400 were in attendance from the young-in-body to the young-in-spirit. The Barn Dance was the brainchild of Lisa Clausen, owner of Sisters Movie House. Clausen had wanted to find ways to bring more performing arts into Sisters. She said, "Although we are primarily a movie house, I wanted ways to combine our film venue with live performing arts, finding things that... Full story
Janet Zuelke's home just east of Sisters turned into an oasis for a pair of weary travelers last week. Zuelke's daughter Laura Babcock and her trail companion Aaron Hirschman stopped there for two days rest on their quest to complete the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada by September 26. The pair had already hiked 1,958 miles to Elk Lake, where they were picked up and ferried to Sisters - where a hot tub and some home-cooked food awaited. After a hard-earned two days o... Full story
Black Butte Ranch (BBR) held its Homeowner Guest Invitational Golf Tournament last weekend. This long-standing event is considered by most as the highlight of the summer tournament schedule at BBR. The event began on Friday with a "horse race golf tournament" followed by a meal featuring the flavors of Mexico. The event ran into the late hours. Saturday was the first round of the tournament held at Big Meadow Golf Course. It was followed by a putting tournament at Glaze... Full story
Sisters in Sisters will feature a glimpse of The Big Purple Undies the weekend of September 29-October 1. The Big Purple Undies is a comedy act based on the book of the same name and performed by co-authors and sisters Suzanne and Louise Kelman. Sisters in Sisters, sponsored by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, is a celebration of Sisters - defined as any two or more women who share a common bond. Sisters in Sisters brings siblings, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and friends from all over the world together to share kno... Full story
Family Access Network (FAN) has moved its offices from Sisters Middle School to the district administration building at 525 E. Cascade Ave. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The direct telephone number is 549-0155. Advocate Shawna Bell is administering the program for the elementary, middle and high schools while Theresa Slavkovsky is on a three- month leave of absence. Any family that needs help with school clothing, school supplies, medical needs, rent or electricity assistance or any other kind of... Full story
Sisters High School girls' varsity soccer team will have a new coach this fall. Brian Holden has been a soccer player himself since he was in high school. Brian played for Redmond High School as a right defender and went on to play as a forward for Central Oregon Community College for two years. Holden played one more year as a forward at Pima Community College in Arizona. Since then Holden has played at the midfield position for several men's teams. Holden currently plays for Cascade Lakes Brewery; the team is a part of the... Full story
Jack DeWayne Herring, Sr. died August 22 in Redmond. He was 72. He was born on July 11, 1934, in Santa Rosa, California. Survivors include his mother, Opal Johnson; and sisters Norma Faye England of Washington, Lorine Goddard of Eugene and Janet Julien of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Also, four sons, Jackie DeWayne Herring, Jr. and wife Vickie of Sisters; James Hubert Herring and his wife Barbara of Missouri; Jay Robinson and his wife Stephanie of Sisters; and David Wertz of Sisters. He was preceded in death by his father Hubert B.... Full story
Timothy Taylor Bailey of Sisters died of cancer on August 23. He was born on May 28, 1951 in Mexico, Missouri, to parents Joe Dan and Barbara (Taylor) Bailey. He was raised and educated in Mexico, Missouri. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. He was a Realtor in Central Oregon since 1973. He enjoyed golf and fishing. He is survived by his former wife, Denice Bailey of Sisters; his father Joe Dean Bailey of Eugene; brother Joe Dempsey Bailey of Portland; sisters Carol (Bailey) Black of Leaburg and... Full story
Toni Berke Foster died on August 23 of cancer at the age of 59. She died quietly at home under the care of her husband, Mark Foster. A memorial service will be held at Camp Sherman community Hall on Thursday, August 31, at 3 p.m. She was born to Robert and Patricia Berke of Lake Oswego on September 11, 1946. She moved to Camp Sherman in 1978. She married Mark Foster on August 14, 1987. Toni Foster will be remembered for her tireless passion for teaching and connecting with... Full story
The 2006 Outlaw cross country team culminated the first week of official practice with a trek from Portland to Seaside as part of the Portland-to-Coast High School Challenge. The Outlaws fielded two co-ed teams, "The Gelandelaufers" (that's "cross-country run" in German) and "Do You Own a Kayak?" The event has been a team tradition since 1997. "This is absolutely one of the best things we do as a team to help kids get to know one another and work together," said coach Charlie... Full story
Nine-year-old Taylor Tucker started swimming lessons at 15 months old and began swimming competitively when she was five. Her dedication and love of the sport have resulted in some amazing accomplishments. Tucker swam three personal best times in her individual events at The Bend Open on Saturday, August 12. Taylor posted a 40:01 in the 50-meter backstroke, a 1:15.87 in the 100 freestyle and a 1:28.74 in the 100 Individual Medley (IM). The meet was a 25-yard pool short course... Full story
It was a busy month of domestic bliss in Sisters... • A man reported receiving a threatening phone call after a multi-day verbal domestic beef with his girlfriend. He said the caller asked him if he wanted to die and threatened to shoot him. The girlfriend said that her brother had called her boyfriend but she denied that he made any threats. • A woman reported a man pounding on her door. She's planning on getting a restraining order. Deputies contacted the man and told him not to go back to the woman's house.... Full story
• Paulina Springs Books will host author Randy Sue Coburn, who will read from and sign her latest book, "Owl Island," a novel set in the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, September 3, at 6:30 p.m. Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave. • 5 Elements Healing Arts Center located in the Sisters Art Works building is now offering Cosmetic Acupuncture. 5 Elements has also launched a Web site: www.5elementshealingarts.com where viewers will find detailed information on acupuncture, massage, yoga, reiki and other... Full story
Sisters will get in touch with its roots next weekend with the annual Sisters Western & Native American Arts Festival. The event is set for Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3 at Creekside Park in Sisters from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of fine arts and crafts, paintings, photography, pottery, wood crafts, jewelry and live music. Teepees will dot the park, demonstrating Native American lifestyles. Sisters artist Barbara Berry designed the 2006 event poster and she will be at the event for... Full story
Sisters Middle School will have a new crop of students when school starts on September 5. Sisters' fifth graders will be part of the new student body. The decision to move the fifth grade to the middle school was made last year after a group of parents, teachers and community members spent approximately nine months researching the possibility. This committee looked at schools that are structured fifth through eighth grades and found that these schools are very successful. "It is good education," Sisters School District... Full story
With all the press regarding the wandering cougar around Sisters over the last couple of weeks, it was only normal that Kathy and Frank Deggendorfer, who live out in the Camp Polk area, thought it was the big cat that killed one of their prize Mexican Corriente calves a week ago. When biologists from ODFW came out to investigate, however, the real culprit turned out to be either coyotes, or stray dogs that got carried away with chasing livestock. "I like coyotes; they eat my... Full story
He may be a long way from home, but Sri Lankan reggae singer Rohantha has found himself welcome in Camp Sherman. Since arriving in late May, he has made many new friends, enjoyed the local music scene and has shared his own brand of reggae music with Central Oregon musicians. "This is something spiritual," he said. "I am here as a friend and as a musician." While on tour in Sri Lanka last year, Rohantha met Sisters High School graduate Karana Ellis. Ellis had traveled to Sri... Full story
The Sisters High School volleyball team will put seven returning varsity players on the court this season. Four seniors are back for their final season: Courtney Overstreet, Becky Bremer, Shalayna Peters and Katie Weber. Also back are juniors Kali Ulmer, Brook Goins and Leslie Zenich. Coach Chris Crosby said, "We've got seven kids coming back with a lot of talent." Overstreet is a utility player and will be able to play any position for the Outlaws. Bremer will play libero (a defensive player that can replace others without... Full story
