News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 60 - 84 of 453
There’s nothing like attending a 60th high school reunion to promote reflecting on my memories of the past, which are brimming with fun and laughter, satisfying achievements, and yes, some teenage heartbreak that never lasted for long. I am very fortunate to still count as some of my best friends people who shared those teenage years with me. Whenever we talk on the phone, or, more rarely, see each other in person, there has been no passage of time. We are again who we’ve alw... Full story
I read, with some amusement, that the chairman of Russia’s Lukoil, Ravil Maganov, had died after falling out of a hospital window in Moscow. It’s more likely that he died of a severe case of Putinitis, which sometimes looks like poison, and sometimes a car bomb, but is always fatal. But the clown car of Russian politics isn’t the only one on the road; our own government is stuffed so full of world-class liars its credibility is in similar doubt. Recently, when asked by a rep... Full story
The Pole Creek Ranch property has a history of running cattle, elk, llamas, and even a camel, but for the first time Saturday, August 20 it was 120 people of all ages that had run of the place, at the inaugural Giddy-Up Ranch Run sponsored by Run Sisters Run. The Cole family, owners of the ranch, are moving toward allowing a limited number of events on the property in the future and opened the place up for race director Kelly Bither as a way to foster community connections.... Full story
Gary Thorson, athletic director for Sisters High School (SHS), is looking forward to the start of the fall sports season. “We are super excited to get fall sports rolling again for both SHS and SMS (Sisters Middle School),” he said. “As we started to come out of the pandemic last year we had a good bump in participation numbers and we are hoping to see that again this year,” he said. And the best part for families is that once again there are no pay to play fees for being involved in sports and activities at either school.... Full story
Despite the grueling temperatures last week, members of the Sisters Country Pickleball Club (SCPC) came home with medals from the Pacific Northwest Pickleball Classic tournament played over five days at the Pine Nursery courts in Bend. Temperatures every day were well above the 100-degree mark. The court asphalt surface on Friday was measured at 154 degrees. Jim Kane, SCPC, and Stephen Turner, Bend PC, won gold in the men’s doubles for 55-plus, 3.5 level. Tracey Nichols, S... Full story
Melinda Ann Witt lived an inspiring life: rich in adventure, deep friendships, happiness, and love. Everyone who met her felt Melinda’s spirit and kindness. Melinda peacefully passed away in the morning on Sunday, July 3, surrounded by family in her home in Arizona after a courageous battle with cancer. Melinda was born on June 7, 1962, in Portland, where she spent her early childhood years. She and her family later moved across the river to Washington, where she was raised a... Full story
Riley McHugh and Georgie Scott recently won the mixed doubles 4.0 level gold medal at the 2022 USA Pickleball Northwest Regional Championship in Spokane, Washington. This level is the highest rated level for the 70-74 age bracket. This win provides them a “golden ticket” to the November national championships in Indian Wells, California. McHugh, a Sisters resident, plays at the Pineview Tennis Club in Sage Meadow and is a member of the Sisters Country Pickleball Club. Sco... Full story
What he loved in horses was what he loved in men, the blood and the heat of the blood that ran them. All his reverence and all his fondness and all the leaning of his life were for the ardent hearted and they would always be so and never be otherwise. — Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses This is a prayer for the ardent hearted. For, like McCarthy’s cowboy hero, John Grady Cole, I hold reverence and fondness for those for whom the blood burns in their veins, whose p... Full story
It’s a woman’s decision I am irritated by the letters from men, telling women that removing choice is a good thing. Since when did a man have any idea what it feels like to be a woman let alone being a pregnant (especially with the progeny of a man you don’t love). Stephen King Pickleball praise We were delighted to see a dedicated group of pickleball players putting the finishing touches on Sisters’ first public pickleball court as we pulled into town last week to attend a wedding. We travel to Central Oregon regular... Full story
Cycling in Sisters is a big deal and getting bigger all the time. Brad Boyd should know. He owns Eurosports on East Hood, one of two Sisters cycling merchants. He started the business in 1993 and has seen it quadruple in size, estimating that the importance of cycling in Sisters has grown commensurately. He attributes the growth to a variety of factors, citing Sisters Trail Alliance as being every bit as much a factor in Sisters’ tourism as the Rodeo or Quilt Show or Folk F... Full story
A pickleball round robin tournament is scheduled for Saturday, June 18, as a way of saying thank you to the Sisters Country Pickleball Club (SCPC) members for all their support with the club’s mission to spread the joy of pickleball in the Sisters community through clinics, tournaments, and providing places to play. Two tournaments are being offered for two different levels of players. Levels 2.4 – 3.4 will play from 9-11 a.m. and levels 3.5 – 4.5 will play 11 a... Full story
Juhree Kizziar was the lone Outlaw from the girls tennis squad who competed at the 4A State Tennis Championships Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21 at Oregon State University. Kizziar defeated sophomore Allen Herrera from Ontario 6-1, 6-1, in the first round of 16 on Friday. In the quarterfinals she fell 1-6, 1-6 to senior Anna Semier of Catlin Gable, and was eliminated from the tournament. Kizziar shared her thoughts on the experience. “My first match was a little easier, and the second match I learned what I need to do, a... Full story
The Lady Outlaws took third place at the District Tennis Tournament, which was held on Monday, May 9 in Madras, and then on Thursday and Friday, May 12-13 at the Salem Swim and Tennis Club. Sisters started out well on the first round of Districts on Monday, and advanced 10 players into the second day of play. In singles play, Juhree Kizziar advanced on a bye. Brooke Harper defeated Ava Shibahara of Estacada 6-0, 6-1 in the first round. Harper’s ground strokes were consistent, and her serves and coverage of the court were m... Full story
The young Outlaws tennis squad got a taste of District Tournament play, which began on Wednesday, May 11, at Estacada High School. All four players were eliminated on day one. Jaxon Barry, the lone senior and most experienced player on the team, lost his first-round match to Riley Adair of Madras 3-6, 2-6. He went into consolation and defeated Jesus Leon of Woodburn in an 8-1 pro set. Barry was then eliminated in the next round of consolation in a 2-8 pro set loss to Spencer Dirks from Stayton. The Outlaws’ other three p... Full story
The Lady Outlaws started their week with a 4-4 tie against Woodburn on Tuesday, May 3, and in their final match of league play a day later fell 1-7 at Philomath against the Lady Warriors. In Tuesday’s match, Juhree Kizziar (No. 1 singles) continued her dominance on the court and recorded a 6-2, 6-0 victory. Juhree won the match with a variety of shots that were both short and deep, which kept her opponent off-balance. Brooke Harper returned to play after being out with an injury and defeated her opponent 6-4, 6-2, due in l... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tennis team lost both their matches this past week; a 3-5 loss to Stayton on Tuesday, April 26, and a 1-7 loss to Molalla the following day. In Tuesday’s match against Stayton, the weather was chilly, temperatures hovering at 40 degrees. In addition to fighting weather conditions, the Outlaws had to play without their No. 2 and No. 4 single’s players. Juhree Kizziar defeated her opponent 6-1, 6-2, with blazing approach shots to the net and great hustling backcourt defense at the No. 1 singles spot. Leah O’Her... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tennis squad defeated North Marion 5-3 at home on Thursday, April 21, and pushed their league record to 3-1. Juhree Kizziar continued her dominance on the court with powerful ground strokes and jumping serve, and dismantled her opponent 6-0 6-1. Juhree held on to her perfect record and has 10 wins and no losses under her belt. Brooke Harper (No. 2 singles) took down her opponent 6-1, 6-0, with deep-placed ground strokes and fewer mistakes. Maddie Pollard (No.... Full story
The boys tennis team has hit the midway mark through the season, and the four young players that have dedicated themselves to learning the sport are getting better with each match played. Sisters has played in seven matches, and the focus has been to get players as much experience as possible. Technically, they forfeit every match because they don’t have a full roster of 12 varsity players, but they aren’t concerned with the outcome of the matches. Players have been pla... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tennis team posted a 5-3 win over Madras at home on Thursday, April 14, and improved their conference record to 2-1, and are 5-4 overall. It was a cold day with intermittent snow flurries, which made for difficult play. The team stayed positive, cheered for their teammates, and walked away with a sweep in singles play, and also a win at No. 4 doubles. No. 1 singles player Juhree Kizziar continued her winning streak with a 6-2, 6-2 win over her opponent.... Full story
The Lady Outlaws lost 3-5 in a hard-fought match at home against Cascade on Thursday, April 7, but a day later they rebounded with a 7-1 win at home against Henley. In Thursday’s match the Outlaws’ top three singles players won. In the No. 1 spot, Juhree Kizziar had control from start to finish and blanked Kyra Arneson 6-0, 6-0. Kizziar’s defense, fast ground strokes, and top spin server were too difficult for her opponent to handle. Brooke Harper earned a 6-2, 6-0 win over Vi... Full story
The summer I graduated from college, 1966, I was a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding in Portland. We met as freshmen in high school, having many classes together and turning out our freshman spring for the high school tennis team as doubles partners. Karen was the better player, but together we were a pretty powerful duo, making it to the state tournament our junior year. But I digress, just like when the two of us are together talking. As Karen’s attendants helped her... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tennis team played an outstanding match against Mt. View on Thursday, March 31. The final score was 4-4 and so the winner came down to most sets won, with Sisters coming out on top 10 sets to 8 sets. The following day the Outlaws fell 3-5 in a match at Redmond. In Tuesday’s match, No. 1 singles player Juhree Kizziar continued her winning ways. Her new topspin serve and her consistent play were too much for her opponent to handle and she easily won the match 6... Full story
One should not be surprised to read of one’s passing at the proud age of 95, but Shirley Jean von Kalinowski was only 95 years young, full of love and the joy of life. She passed on a picture-perfect Saturday morning in Sisters, peacefully and quietly exhaling from our world into another new world. She passed as she hoped. She was our amazing, beautiful mother, treasured grandmother and great-grandmother, favorite aunt, loyal sister, and cherished friend. She was loved by a... Full story
The Lady Outlaws opened their season with a 1-8 loss at home against Ridgeview on Monday, March 14. Later in the week they had back-to-back matches; a 3-5 loss at home against Caldera on Wednesday, and a 6-2 road win at Crook County on Thursday. Sophomore Juhree Kizziar (No. 1 singles) notched the only win in the Outlaws’ match against Ridgeview on Monday. Kizziar played an impressive match and easily defeated Kylee Rost 6-0, 6-1. Coach Bruce Fenn said, “Juhree’s new impro... Full story
Bruce Fenn was recently hired as Sisters High School’s new head coach for girls tennis. He’s passionate about the sport and has devoted his life to playing, coaching, and teaching tennis. He’s a certified tennis teaching professional with the USPTA (United States Professional Teaching Association). Fenn always thought and dreamed of being a basketball star, but when he joined the tennis team in high school his dreams shifted. From that point on he’s played the sport, coached... Full story
