News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 34
The Riverboat Jazz Band played patriotic music at the Sisters Jazz Festival. The "revitalized" Sisters Jazz Festival delighted music fans last weekend. From the Sisters High School Jazz Band to the internationally acclaimed Chicago 6 there was truly something for every jazz enthusiast who attended the festival. The Jazz Festival was cancelled last year and board members revamped the event. "We decided to change the format and include small venues and local bands as well as returning national groups," said Kent Thie, who... Full story
Deb Kollodge is Sisters' new mayor. Deb Kollodge was named Sisters Mayor on Thursday, September 12. Kollodge, who has a long record of public service in the community, will serve out the term of Steve Wilson, who stepped down to move outside the city limits. The new mayor does not see any significant changes coming over the next few months. Kollodge said the council will continue to work on an urban renewal project to improve streets and pedestrian amenities in Sisters. She... Full story
The future site of a Sisters "health retreat." Bill and Zoe Willitts will take their vision of a 15-acre health spa retreat to the Sisters Planning Commission on Wednesday, September 18. The couple is seeking to subdivide a 15-acre parcel along Highway 20 at the east end of town into 11 lots. The property -- across from Sisters Mobile Home and RV Park (formerly Circle 5) -- will house the Sisters Athletic Club, Physical Therapy Associates, Five Pine Spa, a restaurant and... Full story
The staff and students at Sisters Elementary School gathered for a flag salute ceremony on September 11. Sisters High School remembered September 11 last Wednesday with an assembly that captured the essence of what Americans have thought and felt as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City. The assembly, which was open to the public, began with Assistant Principal Bob Macauley leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Boyd Keyser introduced President Bush's proposal to observe September... Full story
Travis Moyer of the Oregon Department of Forestry amid the charred trees of an untreated stand. When the Cache Mountain Fire swept into Black Butte Ranch, firefighters were able to make a stand largely because of forest management practices that were implemented nearly a decade ago. "We started on this side of the Ranch, so we had enough done that we can see it's a success," said Lorri Heath, Cascade Division Fire Management Officer for the U.S. Forest Service. Heath was referring to the forest management practice of "fuels... Full story
Sisters taxpayers will save $340,253 over the next 10 years on bonds for the construction of the original Sisters High School in 1993. On the advice of consultants Seattle Northwest, the Sisters School District re-funded the bonds to take advantage of a lower interest rate. According to financial officer Diane Shelly, the district's advisor, Charles Colson, said that "over 6 percent present value savings is the highest he can recall ever seeing on a bond in excess of $5... Full story
A Nepali carries a full load in steep terrain. Photo by Jordan Beck Several Sisters High School students have returned from a life-changing, 28-day trek in Nepal. The students were accompanied by teacher Rand Runco; Nerbu, a native Nepali who was the trip coordinator and two other teachers from Redmond High School. Sherpas acted both as guides and protectors. "It was a hard core trip for tough, scrappy kids," Runco said. "It was physically demanding and mentally fatiguing. We saw things so out of the ordinary, things you... Full story
A Nepali boy wears his new fleece sweatshirt. Sisters students trekking in Nepal left useful momentoes. Their first night in the mountains they stayed in the small village of Phadking. Due to the high elevation, winters in Phadking are cold, bringing lots of snow. Students gave warm fleece clothing, coats and even some T-shirts to many of the children living there. They also distributed clothing in the village of Khumjung. Their Sherpa (mountain guide) selected 15 children that he knew were most needy. "The kids just loved... Full story
Sisters medics and Deschutes County Search and Rescue units rescued a horseback rider who was thrown and injured at the Tam McArthur Rim trailhead on Sunday, September 15. Sam Thurston, 58, was riding with friends when he was thrown. He was unable to walk or ride his horse, so a member of his party used a cell phone to report the accident. Sisters medics suspected possible internal injuries and a fractured pelvis and requested transport via AirLife. A helicopter arrived at about 3 p.m. and transported Thurston to St. Charles... Full story
Brian Tandy (left) and Rob Schantz describe forest treatment options in the forests near Camp Sherman. Visiting the Metolius Basin forest near Camp Sherman last Saturday, September 14, silviculturists Rob Schantz and Brian Tandy along with ecologist Maret Pajutee explained plans for forest management in the area to local citizens. Recent fires have generated renewed concerns about local forest issues. The current draft plans cover about 17,000 forest acres near Camp Sherman (14,000 of which are public lands) and include five... Full story
Peter Marbach will visit Paulina Springs Book Company on Saturday, September 21, to sign copies of and show slides from his new book, "Oregon Harvest." The presentation will be held at 6 p.m. In 1997, Marbach began a self-assignment to document the beauty of Oregon's farm country and the people who work the land. He was impressed by the pride Oregon's farmers take in growing world-class products and their passion for preserving the family farm for generations to come. The result of this effort is "Oregon Harvest." Paulina... Full story
Kayakers enjoy exploring Hosmer Lake. A deceptively pretty lake for fishing, nature study and photography lies along the Cascade Lakes Highway just about an hour's drive from Sisters. There's still a month or so to visit Hosmer Lake before the winter season's snow closes the highway. Canoes, kayaks, electric motor craft and tube fishing allow exploration through the curving channels of this reed-lined lake. Giant Atlantic salmon (introduced in 1958) can be seen in crystal clear water -- and offer a challenge for the fly... Full story
The Central Oregon communities of Sisters, Bend, Sunriver, Redmond, Madras and Prineville will soon have air service available through a SkyTaxi franchise owned by Bruce and Carla Merrell. The Merrells, long-time residents of Sisters and owners of Laredo Construction, formed a new company, Merrell Air, Inc., and purchased a SkyTaxi franchise earlier this year. They are preparing to launch service in October. The service will allow Central Oregon travelers to book flights from their local airport of choice to any of the more... Full story
For the second week in a row, the Sisters Fire Hall was transformed into a "Green Room," a place where band members can go to relax and grab a bite between sets. The southern California band Chicago Six found some time Friday afternoon to refresh themselves before their next gig. Bob McKewen, who plays sax and clarinet in the band, gave a brief history of the Six. "It got started by Bob Finch 21 years ago," said McKewen. "He owned a nightclub called Jazz Unlimited back east. After he moved to California, he still had the itch... Full story
Bicyclists who enjoy riding in a casual, family-oriented atmosphere will find the first annual Sisters Bicycle Festival very much to their liking. The festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, September 21-22, will feature several rides of different lengths and difficulty; safety programs; skills trials and more. The rides include the Hoodoo 40, from Hoodoo Ski Area into Sisters. This is a challenging ride with a fair bit of climbing (it's not all downhill from Hoodoo), limited to riders 16 and older. The Indian Ford Cruise... Full story
Lucas Denzer controls the ball for Sisters. After playing North Marion to a draw in the season opener, the Sisters boys soccer team continued to show mixed results -- first dominating Grant Union and then getting upended by Madras in the second week of action. The Outlaws played ungracious host on Tuesday, September 10, kicking around the Prospectors from John Day. The Outlaws won in convincing fashion, 4-0. Lucas Denzer got the scoring started with an unassisted goal. Rod Helwig, with an assist by Ford Bauer, gave Sisters a... Full story
This week's Preschool Parade program, "Yum! Yum!," is set for Thursday, September 1, at 10:30 a.m. Each Preschool Parade session features stories, finger rhymes, lap jogs, tickles and movement skills appropriate for children ages three through six years old. Parents or caregivers attending are encouraged to participate in all the activities. The Sisters Public Library is located at 291 E. Main Ave. For more information call 549-2921.... Full story
"Confetti Dreamer" -- Arabian. Lovers of fine horses and those who just want to view a new equine facility in Sisters will want to be sure to visit the Buell Arabian Ranch, located on Cloverdale Road, on Saturday, September 21. Jerry and Nancy Buell are hosting their first annual private treaty sale of purebred and half-Arabians and National Show Horse pintos. There will also be a presentation of stallions whose 2003 breeding services will be offered at a discount if purchased on the day. The Buells emphasize that the event i... Full story
The Lady Outlaws lost to Madras 3-1 in a non-league soccer game on Wednesday, September 11. Sisters jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the match. Krista Pagano had a hard shot at the goal. The Madras goalie was there for the save but was unable to hang onto the ball. Kelly Fitzjarrell was waiting at the corner of the goal box and kicked the ball in to score for Sisters. Thirty minutes into the game, Pagano drilled a 30 yard shot into the corner of the net. "It was an indirect free kick and since no hands touched the ball, the... Full story
The No. 2-ranked Sisters Outlaws paid a visit to Madras on Friday the 13th, where they mauled the White Buffaloes by a 47-14 score. Coach Bob Macauley was humble in his assessment of the contest. "It was a good game -- everybody got to play," he said. "The rankings don't mean anything until later in the year." Sisters came out of the gate strong and got on the score board by taking the opening kickoff and driving 75 yards in eight plays. Seth Teague carried six times and accounted for 57 yards on the drive. Quarterback Pat... Full story
Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) is holding a raffle for two tickets to Super Bowl XVII in San Diego on January 26, 2003. The tickets include airfare from Portland (or a comparable site) and three nights lodging at the Cardiff Country Inn. The Super Bowl tickets were donated by Jeri and Dan Fouts and airfare by Susan and Phil Arends at Desert Wings Travel. The Fouts also acquired the lodging and added to the package two tickets to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Proceeds will benefit middle school... Full story
The old Hindman barn is leaning 12 degrees to the south. What remains of the old barn near the Camp Polk Cemetery is leaning south. In May, the lean was 9 degrees. By this month it has increased to 12 degrees. Preservationists fear this could be the winter it goes down, as the lookout tower on Black Butte fell last winter during an ice storm. The barn is believed to be the oldest structure still standing in Deschutes County. Samuel Hindman built the barn around 1870 as part of the first homestead in today's Deschutes County.... Full story
Bob and Shawn Taylor of Sisters will host a massive auction of ranch equipment, tools and antiques and collectibles on Saturday, September 21. The Taylors have cleaned out three ranch estates in Western Oregon and are auctioning the materials at their Cloverdale ranch at 61095 Hurtley Ranch Road. A large portion of the proceeds after expenses and an owners percentage will be donated to the Three Sisters Lions Club. The relatively new service organization is providing many volunteers to help organize the event. "They've not... Full story
The Sisters girls varsity volleyball team wrapped up the first week of action splitting two non-league contests. First on tap was a trip to ex-league foe Central on Tuesday, September 10. The Outlaws came away with a satisfying victory, winning a tough, five-game marathon that took two hours, 15 minutes to play. Game scores were: 25-15, 22-25, 25-18, 18-25 and 15-13 in the deciding game. (Volleyball games are now played to 25 instead of 15). "It was a tough match away, and to come out with a win was a great way to start the... Full story
Sisters Rotary Club recently inducted Richard Greene of Richard's Produce as the organization's 36th member. Membership in the Rotary Club consists of business owners and managers -- the business leaders of the community. Locally, Sisters Rotary has helped the community through construction of amenities, scholarships for students and fund-raising events. The club built the covered barbecue at the Village Green and created the large stone "Welcome to Sisters" sign at the west end of town. The club sponsors the Outlaws... Full story
