News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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On behalf of Sisters High School, Tim Roth, Rand Runco, and Joe Hosang wrote: “We would like to salute the Sisters Athletic Club (SAC), Tate Metcalf, and every employee at SAC for their generosity and service to the youth of our community. Since the start of the 2020-2021 school year, Tate and his staff have generously donated time and resources at the Athletic Club (after hours, between 7 and 8 p.m.) to our students. “This donated time is offered to our students enrolled in personal fitness free of charge in order to run... Full story
A few years after I left the Lincoln County DA’s office I went to work for the American Bar Association’s Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), now called ABA ROLI (Rule of Law Initiative). I lived and worked in Moscow for a few years. The program had expanded well beyond central Europe and Eurasia and was involved in democracy and institution-building programs around the world. In 2006 I was the country director for Russia. That year, all CEELI countries submitted candidates for our annual HumanRights Adv... Full story
The Common Yellowthroat [Geothlypis trichas] is a warbler that inhabits many environs, from low swamps to 6,000-foot-elevation streams. Its “witchity, witchity, witchity” call can be heard all along Central Oregon rivers. One of the first warblers to arrive in spring, it behaves in a wren-like fashion as it flits about through low vegetation. The male displays to the female during courtship by flicking wings and tail, following her closely, and performing a flight dis... Full story
Highway 242 over McKenzie Pass has reopened. So, now is the time to take advantage of the wonders of the McKenzie Highway before it closes again for the winter. Our visit to Scott Lake actually took place last month; but wildfire traffic and wind damage caused the highway to be closed for several weeks, postponing publication of this article. I’ve been to Scott Lake numerous times; but, other than a quick glance or a roadside post-hike swim, we had never really explored the pl... Full story
As a nutrition coach working with people to help them lead a more healthful life, I get questions constantly — questions such as: “Should I avoid grains?” “Does fruit have too much sugar?” “Will drinking diet soda give me headaches and disruptions to my wellbeing?” These questions are inapplicable to 95 percent of those who are asking. You have to understand and implement the fundamentals of a healthy diet prior to jumping ahead to these nuances. Do you understand the role of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in a d... Full story
In 2019, 228 law enforcement officers in the United States took their own lives. The profession of law enforcement is one of the most potentially dangerous and traumatizing careers in the country. Deputies are exposed daily to events and incidents of tragedy. They work 12-hour shifts, both days and nights, which often involve overtime. They are expected to function at a high level of awareness and self-control regardless of the crisis and trauma they are called to respond to to ensure public safety. These and other factors... Full story
Out of the turbulent 1970s, came this saying: “Think globally. Act locally.” In early 2020, very few people in the world had heard of China’s Wuhan City, a population of over 11 million people. There, the first recorded COVID-19 case was in December 2019. Scientific evidence indicates COVID-19 has a natural animal origin, likely contracted from bats. According to a July 29 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) article, “Research suggests one of the closest known ancesto... Full story
Even as a die-hard vegetarian I can see the inherent value in hunting. Whether hunters realize it or not they willfully or unwittingly fund the thing which is nearest and dearest to my heart: conservation. I readily decline all invitations to sample jerky and elk burgers and I hate to see a duck go down, but I can respect the folks in camouflage who pay up, hunker down, shoot and consume their kill. Through the Duck Stamp Act, hunters fund protections for the habitat of... Full story
Lauren Wattenburg is helping to keep the performing arts alive during a time when live performances are not possible. This Thursday, she will participate in virtual performances put on by Utah Ballet and the University of Utah School of Dance. Wattenburg — 2017 Sisters High School graduate — is a senior at the University of Utah pursuing her bachelor’s degree in fine arts in ballet, as well as doing prerequisite courses for physical therapy. This past year, her l... Full story
Growing up, summer days are hot in the garden. Mom sends us out to pick pods. Early on come the peas, many of which never make it to the kitchen. My brother and I shell them on the spot and wolf them down raw. Later come the beans in their long, tough cocoons. In grade school, we learn that whales and dolphins are social mammals who live in hierarchical groups called pods. In middle school, “pod people” becomes a term for the super-popular kids—hierarchical mammals, sur... Full story
What to do this Halloween, without normal trick-or-treating, parades, or firehouse fun? The following are considered low- to moderate-risk in terms of Covid, except where noted: Socially Distanced Trick-or-Treat Public health experts say no to regular trick-or-treating. If you must indulge in the traditional sweets-fest, try “one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as a... Full story
Sisters Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration will offer an All Saints Day blessing and an opportunity to help the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank. As with many local events, the Halloween Parade through downtown Sisters will not be held this year. The “admission” for the parade has been canned food for the Food Bank and a substantial amount was raised. The Episcopal Church was pondering this news along with All Saints Day, which falls on Sunday, November 1. The church decided to host a drive through to receive an All Saints Day... Full story
As the seasons turn into the waning of the year, October is the month for exploring the uncanny. Through this month, The Nugget will explore some spooky folk mythology from various cultures that make up the American quilt… There are nights in this, the dark of the year, when the wind screeches and howls around the eaves, when it is best to just stay inside, near the fire. On nights like that, Samhain, for instance, the veil between the material and the spirit world is t... Full story
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards hosted Art in The Vineyard last Saturday, achieving their goal of providing access to art and allowing visitors to sample wines while enjoying the delicious food available for purchase from their full menu. Sisters Arts Association (SAA) artists showcased the fruit of their talents, offering artwork for sale. The artists’ booths were placed in different locations in the open area between vineyards and the tasting room, spaced apart with the v... Full story
Bend Police Department Patrol Officer Scott Schaier is challenging incumbent Sheriff Shane Nelson for the county’s top law enforcement job in the November 3 election. He told The Nugget that he was motivated to run by conversations he’s had with law enforcement officers, including deputies from DCSO that he believes indicate a leadership change is needed. “Part of me just believes that no election should go uncontested, no matter the size of the election or the position,” he s... Full story
Sheriff Shane Nelson is running for re-election, challenged by Bend Police Officer Scott Schaier. The November 3 election comes as the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has fully configured its complement of Sisters-based deputies and placed Lt. Chad Davis in command at the Sisters substation under its revised contract with the City of Sisters. “We’re looking forward to the foot beat and the bike patrol in the City of Sisters,” Nelson told The Nugget. Allocating resourc... Full story
When it comes to Halloween, Sisters Country doesn’t mess around. In addition to nighttime trick-or-treating, there are usually parades, parties, and the annual firehouse carnival. This year, many activities will be canceled or scaled back due to COVID safety concerns. At the town parade on Halloween, kids usually dress up in costumes and walk along Main and Hood avenues, hitting Cascade Avenue and side streets too. Local businesses admire costumes and hand out candy to the kid... Full story
Alpine Running made a $1,000 donation to Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) this month, as volunteers hosted an aid station for the Three Sisters Skyline Race on October 3-4. Janessa Taylor and Trevor Hostetler selected STA as the beneficiary for the race. “We are runners, Janessa said. “At the heart of Alpine Running is a passion to explore wild places, challenge ourselves, and build connections within our community. We are a two-person grassroots team, who have day jobs and kid... Full story
During the 2018 Sisters Country Vision, “Keep Sisters Small” was an overwhelming sentiment from the rapidly growing community. Yet there is a conflict about what small means and the desire for more affordable housing and economic opportunities. At a time when the City is updating its Comprehensive Plan that will influence future growth, it’s nice to think about simpler times. The Sisters History Museum connects the City’s 1880s downtown theme to its 1880s beginnings. Sheep used to be herded down Cascade Street to the foothil... Full story
To the Editor: Having been born and raised in Sisters, I have actually never once commented on a Nugget post or written a letter. During a time of so much hostility and confusion combined with rapid growth, we have slowly lost our beautiful sense of community. I have faith that we will rebound and one way to do so is to honor key members of our community and educate ourselves. I hadn’t read The Nugget in quite some time, being that I really wanted a break from all news, but this morning when I read the letters to the e... Full story
It’s a lot of work maintaining COVID-19 safety protocols at Sisters businesses. Much of that work falls to retail staffers, who have the thankless task of continually reminding people to maintain physical distance and wear masks as mandated by the State of Oregon. Most people are understanding, cordial and appreciative. However, it only takes a single unpleasant confrontation to make a bad day for a worker — someone who doesn’t make the rules and is just trying to do... Full story
“This is my dream job.” That is how Lt. Chad Davis of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) described his feelings about being named to head the sheriff’s unit at the Sisters substation. Davis has been a resident of Sisters for 25 years, during which time he first worked for the Monmouth Police Department as a reserve officer while finishing up his degree in law enforcement at Western Oregon University. His experience with Deschutes County has been broad and varied. In... Full story
Much has been written lately about the City’s plan to update its Comprehensive Plan, a task last done in 2005. Public engagement with this process is crucial if the completed document is to be of use to the City. The comp plan is like a master plan that lays out how Sisters will grow over the next 20 years based on State goals and the desires of the community. If residents want to have a say in that growth, the comprehensive planning process is a major opportunity to be i... Full story
