News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 19 of 19
The snow shower started before dawn on Christmas morning, making the tree tops glisten. Sisters folks awoke to a winter wonderland with big flakes of snow coming down. The snow continued to fall heavy at times. The official definition of a white Christmas is to have one inch of snow on the ground on December 25, whether it is snowing or not, according to meteorologist Jeff Haby. The fact that Sisters had a total of nine inches of snow on the ground (according to the NWS) and... Full story
Getting fit is at the top of the list every year when it comes to New Year's resolutions. In 2013, folks seeking a more fit lifestyle will likely catch the wave of fitness fads. Sometimes those crest and fade as quickly as your willpower - some become standard training techniques. As in so many aspects of modern life, gadgets, apps and social media are the hot thing. "They're all the rage right now," says Tate Metcalf, owner and operator of Sisters Athletic Club. Apps... Full story
The smoke of the Pole Creek Fire looms large over Sisters Country's memory of 2012. The region has seen many fires, some much larger and more destructive, but the Pole Creek Fire had a unique impact. Location of the fire southwest of town, the contours of the terrain and atmospheric conditions conspired to drop a pall of thick smoke over Sisters day after day in September and October. The smoke kept visitors away, chased locals from town and had a significant impact on... Full story
For 113 years, birders head out into the field from December 14 to January 5 in a specific 14-mile circle and count birds. It's called the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Last Sunday, 25 hardy souls in Sisters Country rolled out of bed at the crack of dawn (many earlier than that) to participate in the annual East Cascades Audubon Society Sisters Christmas Bird Count. According to long-time Sisters birder and CBC participant John Gerke, 81 species were counted, with a total of 4,5... Full story
To the Editor: I have to respectfully disagree with Mr. Cornelius' stance on gun control as it relates to required training. Though I do believe each firearm owner is responsible for obtaining appropriate training, I also believe in the actual text of the 2nd amendment. I believe requiring additional licensing and training will do little to reduce the incidence of unlawful activity - including worst-case scenarios like Newtown, Ct. Rather, by implementing such requirements, the 2nd amendment becomes void - gun ownership will... Full story
Dr. Ken Serkownek, psychologist Ph.D., I would appreciate you didn't call me names (Letters to the Editor, The Nugget, December 26, page 2). Believing in my Second Amendment right and the rest of the Bill of Rights does not make me a "gun nut" nor does it give you the right to call me names, especially when identifying yourself as a "professional psychologist" of 30 years. "What I have learned time and time again: Don't try to debate the issue with these gun nuts. Reason won't change it. What will change the situation is not... Full story
Sisters Park & Recreation District was presented with two checks from the Oregon Community Foundation during the December Community Dinner. Presented by Fran Willis, a Sisters resident and representative of Oregon Community Foundation, the checks represented grant awards for two projects. The Skate Park Initiative received $20,000 for the completion of the Skate Flow Park to be completed in the late spring of 2013. This grant award reflects gifts from the F.J. Hodecker Family Fund, The H.J. and Grand Sandberg Fund, and the... Full story
January will bring two offerings for the community from the Sisters Science Club. Ron Thorkildson will be giving a course on "Weather Fundamentals" at SPRD, each Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m., January 8 to February 12. The course will cover the composition and thermal structure of the atmosphere; the Coriolis Effect and how it drives global wind circulation, how weather data are coded on surface maps from which high- and low-pressure regions and fronts are drawn; the relationship of the ambient, dew point and wet-bulb temperatures... Full story
"I need a view; it's what gives me freedom in my life," Margery Guthrie says, pointing to Whychus Creek in the 66x54 oil hanging on the wall of her kitchen. Looking out of the window of her kitchen, one can see the same Whychus Creek and the panoramic view of the Three Sisters. "About 10 years ago, I met Joanne Donaca of Bend and was so impressed with her skills as an artist, I decided it was time for me to take up oil painting," Margery said. "I took lessons from her, and I'm... Full story
Everybody wants to go walking in our winter wonderland - or skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Critical to enjoyment of the winter outdoors - and even to our survival - is knowing how to dress for the conditions. Rand Runco is the leader of Sisters High School's renowned IEE (Interdisciplinary Environmental Expedition) program. He teaches his students the critical process of layering clothing to stay warm, dry and safe in the outdoors. Runco's layering... Full story
The Lady Outlaws earned a third-place finish at the annual Sisters Holiday Tournament, held Thursday through Saturday, December 27-29. LaSalle defeated LaGrande in the championship game to take top honors. Sisters started the tournament with a 67-43 win over Ridgeview on Thursday. The Outlaws started a bit sluggish but battled back in the second quarter. Sisters put pressure on Ridgeview and forced the Ravens to turn the ball over. The Outlaws outscored Ridgeview 22-11 in the... Full story
After 30 years as an educator, Julie York has shifted gears to become the owner and operator of Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast. Julie and husband Steve took over the operation of Sisters' only bed and breakfast at the beginning of July - just in time for the rush of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. They got through that trial-by-fire in fine style. "Quilt Show was great," Julie said. Julie's work with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) literally put her on the road to S... Full story
• The gift certificate program launched by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce for the holiday season has proved a success. "We originally ordered 200 certificates in each of the $25, $10 and $5 increments," said Chamber Executive Director Erin Borla. "As of today (Thursday, December 27) we have sold over $5,000 in certificates (with an additional $465 in $5 certificates also circulating). We have had to re-order the certificates already." The program seems to be staying active past the Christmas shopping season;... Full story
Ringing in the New Year tends to mean resolutions, so I asked some of my fellow runners to share some of their running goals for 2013. In addition, since I am the new owner of an iPhone and have become much more aware of the infinite number of applications available, including many related to endurance training, I asked for some "reviews" from some of these same folks. Research indicates that people who actually write down their goals and track their progress are much more... Full story
In the early evening hours of January Taurus the Bull rides high in the night sky. The constellation is especially easy to locate this year because brilliant Jupiter has temporarily taken up residence there. The primary components that give the constellation its distinct shape are: the first-magnitude star Aldebaran that denotes the bull's eye, the Pleiades star cluster marking its shoulder, the Hyades star cluster depicting the face, and two relatively bright stars that repre... Full story
The Outlaws lost 50-35 to No. 2 ranked LaSalle in the championship game of the Sisters' Holiday Tournament on Saturday, December 29, to finish as tourney runner-up. LaSalle proved to be a tough challenge for Sisters. The Outlaws played even with the Falcons in the first half of the contest but struggled on offense throughout the game. Sisters was only 3/17 from the field in the first half, and their only consistent shots came at the foul line. LaSalle often double-teamed Eli H... Full story
George Wallace "Wally" Lyon, 78, of Sisters, also known as "Jupe" to those close to him, passed away at the Hospice House in Bend Saturday, December 22, 2012, after a brief illness. He was born in Portland on October 25, 1934, the son of George William Lyon and Norma Frances Fish. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1952 and joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where he served for eight years, while working for the family business, Lyon Construction Company in... Full story
Jimmie "Jim" Ray Venable died suddenly at his home in Sisters on December 21. He was born on April 14, 1945 in Gilroy, California. He graduated from Atascadero High School in 1963, where he was a varsity letterman. Jim was a certified electrician and worked at Unocal for 23 years, and owned Gold Coast Electrical for seven years until he retired and moved to his dream home in Sisters in 2004 with his wife of 32 years, Marsha Venable. Jim was a wonderful cook and an avid golfer as well as part of the chain gang for the Sisters... Full story
A coronation dinner and dance will be held for 2013 Miss Northwest Professional Rodeo Association (NPRA) Sara Marcus of Sisters. The event is open to the public and will take place at the Bend Elks Lodge on Saturday, January 26. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $16 per person; they must be purchased in advance, and will be held at will-call. The evening's festivities will include a dinner, silent and live auctions, a dance, and a farewell... Full story
