News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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Four individual athletes, a championship football team and a generous couple are the newest members of the Outlaw Hall of Fame following a ceremonial banquet at Sisters High School on Saturday, September 14. The evening’s festivities began with a catered dinner, which was followed by a welcome from Hall of Fame committee member Dennis Dempsey. High school junior Sarah Kissinger then sang the national anthem. Everyone took part in a moment of silence for Hall of Famer Stan Williams, who passed away in the past year. Sarah R... Full story
I suspect that when many of us in Sisters Country read, listen to or watch the local and national news we often say rhetorically, out-loud or simply to ourselves, “Wow, something needs to be done. But what can I do?” . . . and then move on to the next article. I want to convince you that there IS something you can do. I would like you to take a chance, step out of your comfort zone, and take action. Harkening back to what became a bumper sticker slogan in the 1960s, “Think Globally – Act Locally.” Get involved: Give so... Full story
You’re approaching 65 — the age at which you’re eligible for Medicare. And things are about to get complicated. “They’re going to get mail like they’ve never seen before,” said Linda Alldredge of Country Financial, who helps Sisters seniors navigate the labyrinth that is Medicare coverage. AARP’s Medicare Resource Center page gives a glimpse at how complicated things can get: “You can enroll in Part B without buying Part A, if you want to. But if you buy into A, you als... Full story
Modern healthcare, as well as a growing interest in organic living and holistic health, have us romping into our golden years rather than crawling into a rocking chair. The result is a growing population expected to live longer than any generation before. How we live these years to come is dependent on how we live our lives today. Hiking, biking, swimming, massage, bodywork, facials, and good overall skincare can be instrumental in helping us look better and feel better as we... Full story
The adage that getting old isn’t for sissies is more than an amusing old saw. Good medical care, advanced technology and healthier lifestyles all make it possible to live longer and stay active deep into our senior years — but old age comes with some big challenges. A senior or a family caring for a senior will inevitably run up against a time when they need help. And it pays to be ready with a plan and a roadmap — before a crisis forces your hand. Bend Senior C... Full story
I really enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, studying the shapes, finding the ones with straight edges first, grouping by color, and seeing the image slowly emerge as one piece locks into another. When I find that elusive piece that holds an entire section together, I experience a small sense of accomplishment, which keeps me going until the whole puzzle is complete. The biggest puzzle I know, and the one that most people don’t want to take out of the box, is the one about the end o... Full story
Seniors who are dealing with high cholesterol are often counseled to change their diet and look for alternative food choices to reduce their cholesterol levels. They may be able to do so without giving up their burgers. Alpaca meat is an alternative to beef — and it is catching on in the food world. “Alpaca meat is one of the healthiest and most flavorful meats in the world,” Sierra Meats reports. “It is described as a mild meat which takes on the flavor of the dish.... Full story
The undertaking of aging gracefully is a lot to ask for in a society that fights so hard against what is unavoidable. As a millennial myself, I may be a bit removed from the post-65 generation defined as “senior citizens,” yet I find myself already critiquing my emerging laugh lines, scavenging for the arrival of gray hairs, and recently spent far more than I care to admit on a “magic” (per the sales associate) brew for my face promising to ward off the inevitable. We frequently go to extremes to seek out the elusive fountai... Full story
How often have we heard of “Bucket List” travel or “Adventure” travel? What does this really mean and what is involved for you to personally travel in this manner? Here is a look at the different forms of adventure travel and how you can explore the world in an exciting and unique way. Exploration/Expedition Cruising: This market is hot and perhaps the fastest-growing sector in the travel industry at the moment. Small-ship cruising to popular destinations such as Alaska, Baja,... Full story
Anyone who has ever stroked a dog’s soft ears or felt the gentle rumble of a cat’s purr knows the calming feeling an animal can offer. Animals offer companionship and unconditional love; they can improve health and general well-being, especially in the older adult population. The most serious problem for older adults is not disease; it’s loneliness. Elderly people, especially those living in residential care facilities, are at a higher risk for developing depression. When they are without a spouse or children around to keep... Full story
The Sisters Festival of Books is serving up a powerhouse lineup of diverse writers of national stature in its inaugural year. Sisters Festival of Books, October 18-20, is a three-day celebration of the literary culture of Central Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The festival features more than 40 local, regional, and national authors and takes place across multiple venues in Sisters. Books featured at the festival will cover a wide range of subjects, including politics, Western historical fiction, Vikings, motherhood,... Full story
•?The sheriff paid me a visit one evening a while back — long, bizarre story. When he knocked on the door I jumped up, threw the latch, and hollered, “I just locked the door. Are you legit?” Even before he could answer I espied his cruiser and instantly knew he was the real deal. •?I’m getting ready to ride again — on the same horse I stopped riding years ago. Having ridden for over 60 years, riding is my go-to place in life, and recently spending time with best friends and great horses in Calif... Full story
The Lady Outlaws defeated Newport 2-1 in their first home game of the season on Tuesday, September 10, and two days later finished deadlocked at 0-0 in their road game against Cascade. Hallie Schwartz scored Sisters first goal at the 12-minute mark in their win over the Cubs on Tuesday. Hallie took a wide-open shot from 20 yards out that went over the keeper’s head for the score. Approximately 20 minutes later, Newport scored on a miscue and evened the score. Teams entered t... Full story
The boys soccer squad fell 5-3 at home to Newport on Tuesday, September 10, and two days later were defeated 5-1 by the Cascade Cougars. Senior Connor Linn got the Outlaws on the scoreboard with a goal at the six-minute mark in their game against Newport on Tuesday. Linn has been very effective in making it tough on opposing defenders since his move from an outside midfielder to striker. Coach Jeff Husmann said, “He’s crafty with the ball and has a keen sense for the goa... Full story
The certified teachers of Sisters School District ratified a new contract Monday, September 9, that was then adopted at the school board meeting two days later. Following several months of negotiations, certified staff and district officials agreed to a deal that includes a 3 percent cost of living increase for each of the next two years and an additional $75 per month toward health insurance premiums. In addition, extra duty stipends for supervision, athletics, and activities saw a 2 percent increase and an additional day... Full story
The Outlaws put up a hard-fought fight at home against Valley Catholic on Friday, September 13, but were unable to move the ball on their last possession of the game and lost by three, 22-19. Valley Catholic may have hit Reed Stadium with thoughts of rolling over the Outlaws like they did last year, but this year the Outlaws were ready. The Valiants discovered the Outlaws were defensively prepared and able to contain the potent offense of quarterback Daniel Pruitt and running... Full story
The Lady Outlaws participated in the South Eugene 11-team Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, September 14. Sisters was the lone 4A team in attendance, along with four 5A teams, and six 6A teams. The Outlaws proved they could play with the much larger schools and defeated 5A North Eugene in the championship game to win it all. In pool play, Sisters faced 6A Roseburg and 6A McNary. They beat both teams and finished pool play 5-1. This placed them in a four-way tie for first place with Grants Pass, North Eugene, and Silverton,... Full story
Junior John Peckham won the boys race and freshman Ella Thorsett tied a record as the Outlaws’ cross-country team opened its season at the Northwest Classic held Saturday, September 14 at Lane Community College in Eugene. Competing in the 1A/2A/3A/4A division, Peckham bided his time behind the early leader Erick Godoy of Buhach Colony High School (Atwater, California) and took command of the race midway on the 5,000-meter course. The victory marked the first varsity win for P... Full story
Jonah Goldberg’s column September 11 claims that we don’t have a crisis, yet. Humans have inherent problems with slow-moving disasters. They respond better to disasters that are imminent or occur over a short period of time. Make no mistake, however, that climate change is a slow-moving man-made disaster and a true existential threat to mankind and most animals on the earth. It is not natural or political. Unless bold actions as proposed by Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren are taken, millions of lives will be impacted and... Full story
The transition to the end of life is a potent milestone that affects not only the dying but also their friends and loved ones. Since 1981, Hospice of Redmond has provided physical, emotional and spiritual support to those facing that transition throughout Central Oregon. Maureen Krebs, who serves as communications director for Hospice of Redmond, emphasizes that, “Hospice is not ‘giving up.’” The support provided by a team of providers allows those entering into hospice... Full story
The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office removed the charge of burglary in connection with a break-in that occurred in Sisters in the early hours of Monday, September 9. Deputies arrested Ryan Paul Huber, 43, of Sisters, after he allegedly kicked in the back door of a home on West Carson Avenue in the Hayden Homes subdivision off McKinney Butte Road in Sisters. The armed homeowner detained Huber until law enforcement arrived. No one was injured in the incident. District... Full story
A group of volunteers has spent the recent weeks restoring the near-century-old fire lookout atop Black Butte. The old D-6 cupola, originally built in 1922, has gained new life through the hands and efforts of local volunteers determined to restore the old lookout to its near-original state. Initial efforts to restore the lookout began under the supervision of the former Sisters Ranger District archeologist Matt Mawhirter. Over the years supplies such as cedar shingles,... Full story
The new executive director of Sisters Park & Recreation District, Jennifer Holland, has set an impressive goal: to work at continuing to improve SPRD until it “becomes exceptional.” Holland brings 17 years of parks and rec experience from her former work at Willamalane Park and Recreation in Springfield where her last job was as the program manager of the Bob Keefer Center for Sports and Recreation. Her experience includes work with both youth and adult programming as wel... Full story
As the pages of the calendar keep turning, and months become years, and years become decades, planning for the future takes on a different look. Instead of saving for retirement — you are in it, carefully spending the money you hopefully put aside earlier, or depending on your Social Security to live. Medicare has kicked in and annually you are trying to find the best deal for supplemental gap insurance and drug coverage, or perhaps switching to a Medicare Advantage plan... Full story
The days are crisp, the leaves are burnishing, and the summer traffic congestion is gone. Fall in Sisters is a special time to appreciate our natural beauty and prepare for the coming winter. Part of that preparation includes the Fall Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 28, from 8 a.m. to noon. Sisters Park & Recreation District employees Mandee Seeley and Shannon Rackowski are spearheading the effort, which is part of statewide SOLVE activities during the month of... Full story
