News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
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In aisle 1 at Safeway there are nearly 40 different types of toothpaste and at least two life lessons to be found. When I was in my early 20s, living in Alaska over 2,000 miles away from my parents, I called them. I was in love, again, and said to my dad, “This could be the one.” He stated, “Don’t get caught up on toothpaste issues.” “What are toothpaste issues?” I asked. First, there are several ways to discharge toothpaste from the tube. Just grab and squeeze, push from the bottom, rolling as you go, or perhaps more... Full story
As we approach the day set aside to give thanks and show gratitude, have we given much thought to how this important skill is taught and passed on? There’s so much our kids enjoy without a second thought of how it has come to be. Even when they politely say, “thank you,” does it really register what it would be like to be without their many blessings? When it comes to teaching skills most adults recognize the importance of role modeling to exemplify the characteristic we want to pass on. How are we doing? On Thank... Full story
Thanks, y’all, for the feedback on my last column, a light ‘n’ snarky one about women’s mid-life changes. People seemed especially pleased that I encouraged men to read. Keep reading, folks of all genders! I mentioned an upcoming talk at the library. I went, despite the grim weather, and enjoyed open, nonjudgmental conversation with local ladies of various ages. At the podium stood doctors Erin LeGrand and Sarah Hellmann, both OB/GYNs with St. Charles Medical Group. OB/GYNs... Full story
It is fashionable to suggest that violence doesn’t solve problems, although the history of the world suggests otherwise. It might be better to say that violence doesn’t always solve problems, because it was only violence that cemented the American Revolution, it was violent resistance that carved out what little indigenous Americans have left, it was violence that finally solved Hitler, and at least for a little while it allowed schoolgirls in Kabul to learn how to read wit... Full story
• Staff and fellow councilors recognized Susan Cobb's service at her last meeting as a City Councilor last week. For her part, Cobb expressed her appreciation to the public and to her colleagues: "I thank the public who voted to put me here to serve as it has been a great honor. Thank you to those who encouraged my positions. Thank you to council members for their unfailing civility. I thank all the staff members from whom I had the fortune to receive their smiling help in... Full story
For most of us, Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends for feast and fellowship — maybe with some football thrown in. We’re all kind of vaguely aware of the historical context — Pilgrims and Indians got together to make the First Thanksgiving and all that. Pondering the history behind Thanksgiving isn’t necessary to the holiday — but it can deepen the experience. As Native American Heritage Month winds down, it’s an opportunity to try to see the holiday thr... Full story
Letter to Harris To the Editor: In “An open letter to Kamala Harris” published last week in The Nugget, its author states: “The election on November 5, 2024, has demonstrated that there is a large portion of America, measured both geographically and by headcount, who do not share the opinion that the right to abortion should be federally protected throughout a pregnancy for any and all reasons.” The election, of course, demonstrates no such thing. And the current Vice President needn’t rely on the election results as a refe... Full story
Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or less. The deadline for submission is Monday at 10 a.m. for publication in that week's Nugget. Please submit your letter by emailing to Jim Cornelius at editor@nuggetnews.com with "letter to the editor" in the subject line.... Full story
Dear Madam Vice President, How could the election have turned out like this? Many people have expressed surprise and dismay at the results of the 2024 election, particularly in our county, Deschutes, where 53 percent of the population voted for you and in our state, Oregon, where over 55 percent of the population voted for you. I have been reflecting on my own personal view of this election and I would like to share it with you because I do not think the thoughts are mine... Full story
Suppose you’re in your late 30s. Or well into your 40s. Or, heaven help you, mid-50s. Let us also suppose you have a uterus and ovaries, and you’re still menstruating. Even if you don’t have that apparatus, or you’re freaked out by the word “menstruating,” keep reading. What follows may help you navigate a world that’s composed of over 50 percent women.* There’s this wild, destabilizing thing that happens around mid-life. Our hormones go absolutely wild. It’s called per... Full story
There are events that occur over the course of one’s life that have the potential to cause depression — going through a painful divorce, adjusting to widowhood, living with chronic illness, becoming a caregiver for an ill parent or life partner, losing your job and struggling to find another. Sometimes depression takes root, not as a result of an external event but from biological changes within one’s brain. But we are so used to looking within our life circumstances for the cause of our depressed mood that we may ignore the... Full story
Appreciation To the Editor: Hats off to the Sisters School District for its Veterans Appreciation Celebration held at both the elementary and high schools on November 12. The assemblage of students from all three schools, including the intermediate school, and the program of patriotic/service songs, as well as recognition of both Sisters area veterans and Sisters HS graduates who have gone into military service after graduation, was absolutely heartwarming. Appreciation goes both ways. We veterans received appreciation for... Full story
I grew up in a newspaper family. Both my parents worked for the San Jose Mercury News. My dad was the art director. My mom sold advertising. My family knew the publishers at the time. Politics and current events were an every night discussion at the dinner table. My mom was a stickler for dinner time – always at the dining room table with proper manners and each of us four girls were expected to participate in the adult conversation my parents were having. Politics was a frequent topic. We discussed the president, the c... Full story
Earlier this summer, I stopped by The Fly Fisher’s Place, and asked the employees what drew people to the fly-fishing game and what pushed them away. Shop employee Gavin Ferguson, of Camp Sherman, said, “Fly fishing appeals to people with a scientific outlook.” He went over to a shelf and took down a book. “Here’s a hatch guide filled with information on flies and nymphs and where you expect to find them in the river. Do you pay attention to things, or do you just stumble through life?” Jeff Perin, the store owner, said... Full story
Do you sense it? That all-pervasive fear that seems to be gripping too many. We wonder, ‘Is this the eye of the hurricane? Or has the storm passed?’ We hold our breath, wondering what’s next. It’s true, there are lots of things to fear and we want to protect our people, ourselves. But fear is sneaky and creative. And when we give it free rein, it multiplies: Republicans fear the Democrats; Democrats fear the Republicans. We fear a difference of opinion. Why? We fear running out of toilet paper. Just stop. Breathe. “In the... Full story
Greetings friends, from Cefalù, Sicily. In honor of the idea that life is short but wide, my husband Rod and I are spending a couple months going to Italian school and exploring. At first glance, it may not seem that Sisters and a town in Sicily have much in common. But there are some striking similarities. Cefalù on the north coast of the island, is a tourist town just like Sisters. It has only 14,000 permanent residents, but millions come each year to enjoy the white s... Full story
The Sisters community is gearing up for a public discussion on Sunday, November 17, “Are the Kids Alright?” What about the parents? I’ve read loads of articles about raising kids. Most of them in recent years question or scoff at hands-on, close, attached parenting styles. Why do the kids—particularly middle-class and upward, often white kids—not jump on their bicycles and spend all day running around like back in the olden days? When we didn’t wear helmets or bring water... Full story
I looked out the window and there was a smallish black-faced critter just peeking over the slight hill in our backyard. For just a moment it looked like a black bear cub, causing me to immediately look for the mother. Then I realized it was Ernie, one of the new Scottie pups. It is funny what the mind can do. The cool fall weather and leaves blowing around had changed the world of bright skies and summer flowers so much that my mind went to darkness. I saw a bear cub rather... Full story
It has been a long week. I provide care for patients on all sides of the political fence and some who are hoping to avoid the fence altogether. Inevitably, mental health and policy are intimately connected. Patient opinions are frequently shared and I, trying my best to remain neutral, listen. We are all entitled to our own definition of safety and progress. From what I gather, votes on all sides were cast mostly on positions of frustration and fear — not hate. For some, t... Full story
Ruby-crowned Kinglets (Regulus calendula) were first described in 1766 by Linnaeus, and its generic name is latin for little king. They are very common now, flitting and hanging in the air gleaning small insects from trees and bushes. They live in mixed woods, isolated trees in meadows, coniferous and deciduous forests, mountain-shrub habitat, and floodplain forests of oak, pine, spruce, or aspen. These tiny birds nest high in trees, and so prefer older, taller, and denser... Full story
• Sisters Habitat for Humanity thanks everyone who attended the incredible Jim-Isaac Chua Concert on October 25. The concert was indeed a “feast for the ears.” We are very grateful to our sponsors who made the event possible: TDS Telecommunications, Central Oregon Daily News, Mid Oregon Credit Union, Sisters Senior Living, Merrill O’Sullivan Stewart Law, Roth Home, Sisters Coffee Company, BUILD LLC, Rad Dyer of Ponderosa Properties, Sisters Ace Hardware, Bedouin, Sisters Veterinary Clinic, and The Nugget. And a special... Full story
I did the math. It’s probably not the math you’re thinking of. Not how many BTU’s (British Thermal Units) from a certain species of wood you could get. Also not a comparison of the cost of a cord of wood versus the electricity you would use for heating on any given winter. The upside is a free wood cutting permit to harvest up to eight cords of wood for personal use. It didn’t used to be that way. My math doesn’t even consider the cost of a saw, trailer, vehicle to tow a couple tons of wood, or the fuel, oil, chains, s... Full story
With so many of us newbies, me included, I'm always delighted when I learn a tidbit of Sisters history. Of course, The Nugget is chock full of much of what you might be curious about. You may not know how much of a historical library The Nugget is. Heck, many of you may not even know that The Nugget has an online edition - nuggetnews.com - where in addition to getting the latest news about Sisters Country you can go to that amazing little magnifying glass icon to the right,... Full story
The day after the election, an acquaintance, who voted differently than I did, patted me on the back and said, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be all right.” I know from talking with family members, the messages we are fed through algorithms, social media, and targeted marketing are not the same messages. Each of us lives in a feed-back-loop world based on past programing, programing that tells us to be afraid. I would like to think I can see a little outside my box, so… Dear America, I hope you chose right. I sincerely... Full story
Law enforcement and immigrants To the Editor: It’s been a tough week for some of us here in Sisters in regards to the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election. My sympathies and understanding of the disappointment we share together. There’s a long list of potential, less than satisfying winds of change headed our way and I’ll deal with them in my own way when they materialize, but one issue in particular caught my eye and I feel it needs to be addressed and brought into the communities awareness immediately: the propo... Full story
