News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 24 of 24
Working on vehicles has been a lifelong passion for Chad Van Handel of Van Handel Automotive in Sisters. "I grew up just working on engines - motorcycles, cars," he recalled. He says the satisfaction he gains from the work "really hasn't changed. When you fix something that's broken, there's a lot of satisfaction that you fixed it - you identified it; you fixed it." He's always strived for excellence in his work, beginning with completing the auto program at Chemeketa... Full story
Signs of autumn are everywhere - cooler days, turning leaves, seasonal rain, and thankfully, snow returning to our mountains. And there are hunters, archery and rifle, taking to the woods in search of game. Central Oregon has a rich and deep hunting tradition, often running multiple generations. As more hunters are visible from late September into November, so too are those charged with keeping them safe and in compliance. That duty falls upon the Oregon State Police. Oregon... Full story
I’ve lived all my life with cats and dogs. If you read this column regularly, you know I love dogs. I like cats. Some I’ve lived with were truly wonderful. Smoki, who became the Magical Cat in my six-book children’s series, “Harry and Lola Adventures,” was sweet, intelligent, and just plain wonderful. Which is why he became a magical hero in the book series. Smoki was an exception to what I’m about to say. It has been observed that attitude is the major difference between cat... Full story
It's hard to miss the large, colorful banner adorning St. Charles Family Care Clinic on N. Arrowleaf Trail in the Outlaw Station shopping center. Neon-yellow all-capital letters on a fluorescent-red background say "now open." The clinic has been open for years of course. The reference is to the outpatient laboratory that until September 1 had been irregularly staffed. No longer. You can get lab work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by order of your health provider.... Full story
Caldera Arts will celebrate the autumn season in the second annual Hearth Festival October 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Caldera Arts, 31500 Blue Lake Dr. west of Sisters. Hearth Festival is a joyous celebration of creativity, and a welcome for community members of all ages to join us for shared space and experiences, celebration, playfulness, and community. Hearth Festival is designed to bring together community members of all ages to Caldera's 119-acre Arts Center on the shores... Full story
The Lady Outlaws once again proved they are a team to be reckoned with as they crushed La Pine and Elmira last week; a 25-14, 25-15, 25-5 sweep on Tuesday at home against the Hawks, and two days later a 25-11, 25-12, 25-11 sweep against the visiting Falcons. On Tuesday against La Pine, the Outlaws quickly showed their strength along the front line from the onset of the match. Intimidating blocks and high-octane hitting had Sisters quickly out in front every set, and they c... Full story
Feeling the next season on cool morning air, I’m filled with nostalgia for another waning summer. Buddy’s copper coat is fluffing up. Pulling a rubber curry comb from a dusty tack box in the barn, his slick summer hair pulls free as my gloved hand moves in circular motions from his neck to his shoulders, back, and rump. When I tap the grooming tool against the railing of our arena, a perfect replica of the tool’s oval insides comes away in concentric reflections of dust and short summer fur leaving his body. When the horse... Full story
The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District is introducing two new career firefighters with a history of service to the Sisters community. Rachelle Otasu and Jack Wales both served as volunteers with the District, and now have been hired as full-time firefighters. Otasu started her career with the District as an EMS volunteer in June 2016. She was selected for the District's resident volunteer program in September 2016, and was promoted to resident volunteer lieutenant. Rachelle... Full story
Sisters Moto braved the damp, fall Central Oregon weather, hosting their third annual Sisters Moto Party. The event is an opportunity for the Sisters motorcycle shop to gather with the community, kids, and parents for the kids' races. Sisters Moto is a family endeavor for Austin and Elizabeth (Biz) Brent and their children, Verbena, Dixon, and Adelaide. Motocross became a way of life and a livelihood for Brent while he was working in the industry. He and Biz met at Portland... Full story
When did the choices get so hard with so much more at stake? Life gets mighty precious when there’s less of it to waste. Scared to run out of time. — “Nick of Time,” Bonnie Raitt My wife was waiting in the Pine Marten lift line at Mt. Bachelor, watching a beautiful skiier glide effortlessly down the mountain. He rode up the chairlift with her, giving my wife the opportunity to ask him whether the 90+ patch on the shoulder of his ski jacket signaled a new clothing company? No, he replied proudly, he was 93-years old, with da... Full story
Destiny Wecks of Enterprise was chosen as the 2024 Sisters Rodeo Queen at the Sisters Rodeo grounds from a group of four highly qualified cowgirl competitors in September. Wecks will be traveling the Columbia River Circuit in the Pacific Northwest while representing the 84th Sisters Rodeo. The new queen, a 2022 graduate of Enterprise High School, has served in FFA, 4H, and the Oregon High School Rodeo team. She has held previous titles, which include: 2015 Jr. Miss Rodeo... Full story
The streets of Sisters will blossom into an artisans’ marketplace next weekend as Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Sisters Harvest Faire, Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Faire is located on Main Avenue in downtown Sisters. More than 150 juried artisan vendors will be present selling quality handcrafted items, including pottery, metal art, photography, painting, jewelry, clothing, furniture, home décor, specialty foods, and much... Full story
Sisters has a hidden gem for those who like to test their skills on two wheels. Bike Park 242 is located just off the McKenzie Highway (242) adjacent to the Sisters Park & Recreation Coffield Center, at the west end of the Sisters High School parking lot. Not a lot of folks know it's there. That will change this weekend, as volunteers who have sunk hours of work and a substantial chunk of grant money into reviving and improving the park will host a grand opening. Riders are... Full story
Open burning within the Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale, and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Districts is allowed as of Tuesday, October 3, at daylight. Residents are strongly encouraged to contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. Some municipalities, such as the City of Sisters, do not allow yard debris burning at any time during the year within their jurisdictions, and certain homeowner’s associations may have further restrictions in place. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Distri... Full story
The boys soccer squad posted a 4-0 sweep at home against Siuslaw on Tuesday, September 26, and at home two days later fell 1-2 to Santiam Christian. Sisters has been working to start their matches with a greater sense of purpose, focus, and urgency, and they did just that in Tuesday's action against the Vikings. They set the tone early and established cohesive and connected play in the midfield. Coach Jeff Husmann said, "When we establish control in the midfield, play... Full story
Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) was a weekend full of extraordinary music, entertainment, and community joy. The Festival didn't only span the weekend; the artists also performed elsewhere during their stay in Sisters. One of these venues was Sisters High School (SHS). For 23 years SHS has hosted a select number of these visiting musicians to perform in a school-wide assembly. Brad Tisdel, creative director of SFF, invited three separate bands to share their music. Handmade... Full story
Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Seed to Table (S2T) has grown into an integral part of Sisters Country. Farming in the High Desert is no easy task, but founder and current Executive Director Audrey Tehan found a way. With the skilled hands of Tehan and the S2T farm team, locally grown produce is more readily accessible to community members. With all that's been achieved by developing S2T as a nonprofit organization, the board and staff agree it's time to broaden the staff... Full story
The Sisters School-Based Health Center (SBHC), located adjacent to Sisters High School, will soon expand its operations from two days a week to four days a week, thanks to a partnership between Mosaic Community Health, St. Charles Health System, and Deschutes County. On October 18, Mosaic will assume operations of the health center, which is currently operated by St. Charles Health System in a building owned by Deschutes County. “We are thrilled to be able to provide additional access to pediatric patients in Sisters by o... Full story
Veterans from American Legion Post 86 gathered at Spoons café in Sisters on Tuesday, September 26, to greet newly elected National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer, who is on a whirlwind tour of posts across the nation. Seehafer was elected national commander of The American Legion on August 31 in Charlotte, N.C., during the 104th national convention. Seehafer says, "It's personal," when it comes to The American Legion's mission of serving veterans and their families. That was... Full story
Development and affordability To the Editor: The Central Oregon Daily on September 6 reported that the 2020 Census data revealed that 33 percent of the people moving to Deschutes County between 2016 and 2020 came from California and, of the other 66 percent, half came from other parts of Oregon and half from other parts of the country. The implications of this are worth pondering. Perhaps the most important is that the housing “crisis” in Deschutes County has little or nothing to do with organic demand. Instead, it is dri... Full story
A friend of mine wore a T-shirt the other day exhorting us to "Keep Calm and Circus On." It struck me as an apt slogan for the times, for surely we are living in a circus - though perhaps not the kind my friend adores. Our republic is careening in a clown car toward a presidential election rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden that a substantial plurality of Americans - or a clear majority depending on how you look at the data - don't want. A recent NBC poll shows Biden... Full story
A substantial contingent of residents turned out on a drippy Friday afternoon, September 29, to mark the renaming of their neighborhood. The subdivision off of Wilt Road north of Sisters formerly known as Squaw Creek Canyon Estates is now officially Whychus Canyon Estates. The neighbors unveiled an updated and restored neighborhood sign in an informal observance on Friday. The change lines the neighborhood up with the name of the canyon and creek it overlooks. Squaw Creek was... Full story
The 2023 Sisters Folk Festival - the 26th - opened Friday under Portland-like weather, with a steady mist under overcast skies, the temperature just barely reaching 50. Appearing on seven stages scattered around town, artists did their best to boost the mood and stay warm. Attendees warmed to their sounds and musicianship. Beer sales dipped and coffee and cocoa sales soared. Folks huddled under well-placed, patio-style propane heaters, but none were complaining. Being serious... Full story
Sisters Middle School (SMS) is modifying its Outdoor School program, which runs October 16-18 at Camp Tamarack west of Sisters. In response to a variety of parent concerns, the school is offering an option for students to attend only during the day rather than staying overnight, and the opportunity for parent volunteers to stay overnight at the camp, according to SMS Principal Tim Roth. Last year, the Outdoor School experience became a focus of controversy when the Culver Scho... Full story
