News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 133 - 157 of 486
Bill Kelly, president of Rotary Club of Sisters, and Kellen Klein, executive director of Citizens4Community (C4C), wrote: Rotary Club of Sisters and C4C extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for your overwhelming support of the inaugural Sisters 4th Fest. Your participation and enthusiasm made the event a resounding success. We want to express gratitude to our generous sponsors: The Nugget, Explore Sisters, Les Schwab, St. Charles, Big Chief Vintage, Blazin Saddles, Eurosports, Bivvi Homes, Next Phase Realty, Sisters... Full story
Eight-year-olds from cabin 3 practiced doing the splits while others banged on old pianos. Counselors rinsed blue finger paint from a little girl’s hair. There was glue everywhere. The kids danced and sang “the blessing song” before dinner, with hand motions to go with the ever-quickening pace of the guitar. Squeals, laughter, and ruckus filled the room. Dinner plates, full from the buffet, had heaps of black olives only (“I love olives”) or an excessive amount of sliced limes (“I squeeze one lime onto each tortilla ch... Full story
I was told many years ago that it takes just one consistent and caring person in a child’s life for them to develop resilience — resilience that will help them succeed in spite of circumstances like poverty, homelessness, and a challenging family life that deprive them of reliable care, support, and opportunities. If you don’t know about Circle of Friends, now is your chance to learn about its positive impact on the lives of underserved kids in our Sisters community. Circle of Friend’s annual fundraiser, “Changing Futures... Full story
You might be wondering why things seem to be so very, very weird out there in the wide world, and one explanation could be right under our feet. Scientists, it turns out, have recently determined that the earth’s core is now rotating backwards. That may be a hard sell to most of us, having never seen the thing with our own eyes, but taking the occasional scientific claim on good faith isn’t always a bad choice — the late covid conundrum notwithstanding. The earth’s core is a s... Full story
Over four years ago, I ran for City Council and lost. I ran because at that time, the city was lucky to find any candidates at all to fill the three open seats. That was a rather sad state of affairs. As a member of Indivisible Sisters Steering Committee, we encouraged running for local offices. We were not having much luck at it, so I ran as an example. I filed early, there was one other candidate and me for three open seats. Soon after filing my candidacy, I submitted a letter to the editor of The Nugget explaining the step... Full story
The summertime constellation of Ophiuchus was among the first star patterns to be cataloged by Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy in the Second Century. The name means "Serpent Bearer" in Greek, though it is sometimes referred to by its Latin name, Serpentarius. Ophiuchus is usually depicted in star charts as a man holding a snake, namely Serpens. Ophiuchus is the eleventh largest constellation by area on the celestial sphere but contains no stars brighter than second... Full story
Politics are a necessary way of organizing our society around the values we hold dear. We all have political decisions to make. But if we lose sight of what our values are, we allow political parties to determine them and often we vote for the lesser of two evils. Politics are to be lived out. We can make a political difference in our own neighborhoods and towns. Whether our neighbors are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, we are called to organize our values around... Full story
Common sense immigration To the Editor: Mass deportation as a solution for illegal or unauthorized immigration is wedging itself into our politics. That’s an impossibility and a distraction. We need a functional immigration plan. The Migration Policy Institute reports data for 11,047,000 unauthorized immigrants. Most were born in Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean, some in Africa, Asia, Canada, or Europe. Of that total, 63 percent (6,933,000) have resided in the U.S. ten years or more; 33 percent (... Full story
On June 11, Sisters VFW Post 8138 presented its annual Teacher of the Year Award which included a letter of recognition and monetary award to Jeff Schiedler, a teacher at Sisters Middle School for his support of Veterans groups in Sisters, patriotic influence in the classroom, and support of Veterans Day assemblies at the school. Vice Commander Earl Schroeder, Commander Pat Bowe, and Service Officer Bill Anttila presented the award. His name will be submitted for possible state and national recognition this... Full story
Each Sunday morning at 11 a.m., the Sisters Scrabble Club convenes at Paulina Springs Books. I’ve attended a few times, and while I’m not especially good at Scrabble, the games offer good company who play with infectious enthusiasm. Though few men have attended so far, I always feel welcome. Katie Lombardo founded the club early in her relationship with Lane Jacobson, owner of Paulina Springs, when they had to address a serious incompatibility: he doesn’t like Scrabble. Lane’s effort to indulge her and play the game not only... Full story
Who's the person you can't get out of your mind? The one who broke your heart, haunted you day and night? That kind of heartache can feel like possession. Something that seems to stick around more adamantly the harder you try to make it go away. If that person's still in charge when you close your eyes; or when you see something that reminds you of them; or you hear music that clinches your gut, then I have a dream for you! For the past few years, I've been working on a memoir... Full story
It often comes as a surprise to readers when they first learn that all writers for The Nugget, with the exception of our editor, are freelancers, not staff. We are paid in the customary industry way - by the story. As you might imagine, working for a weekly community newspaper isn't going to change anybody's lifestyle. I don't know all of my colleagues personally but I'd bet they have a similar attitude as mine: We'd do this work for free. It's that satisfying. And interesting... Full story
I am on my third rewatch of HBO’s legendary series, Deadwood. I have found this perambulation along the muddy thoroughfare of that Dakota Black Hills mining camp more resonant than ever, given the tenor of our times. Strangely comforting, too. Deadwood is not for everybody. It is as raw as the lumber that built Al Swearengen’s Gem Variety Theater (a theater, yes, but also a saloon and brothel), notoriously violent and foul-mouthed. As was the historical town — although the r... Full story
Destroying America To the Editor: I appreciated Steve Woodside’s letter to the editor on June 19, where he wrote “the voting public can sit on a fence complaining about their choices in this election cycle, or they can understand where we are as a country, that there are people who actively want to destroy us from inside and outside our country.” The fact that so much threat to our country is coming from the “inside” is what is so chilling, and it is time we woke up to why that is the case. My friends, take a good hard look... Full story
It’s been a few years since I had Scotties who wanted to help me clean the house. The old pack helped with the vacuuming. This bunch, being five-months young, are loaded with energy, and they want to help with the floor mopping after vacuuming. Now, it’s a lot harder mopping with their help than vacuuming with their aid. All they do with the vacuum is bite at the vacuum head and bark. The mop is a whole new opportunity. I have to push hard on the mop handle to keep them from s... Full story
Golfer Travis Lewis, made a hole-in-one on Hole No. 8 on Big Meadow Golf Course at Black Butte Ranch on June 13. Club used was an 8 Iron; distance was 143 yards. Lewis has been playing for five years and it’s his first hole in one.... Full story
Congratulations, graduates — the day is here. It’s been coming a long time. If you start counting with first grade it’s been 12 years. If you begin from their first year with a teacher, as in pre-school, it could be as many as 16 years. That’s a long time to stick with something. A celebration is well in order. How is it possible that so many of our young ones have reached this day, and done it well? The 2024 Sisters’ graduation rate will be above 90 percent. As well deserved as it is, they didn’t do it by themselves.... Full story
Local newspapers To the Editor: Imagine no local newspaper in Sisters. We all love The Nugget, but what if it disappeared? That’s the world our friends in La Grande, Hermiston, Baker City, Enterprise, and John Day are facing. Their local newspapers are disappearing before the start of July. And two dozen other Oregon-owned newspapers were sold on June 1 — to a company based out of Tennessee. If history is any guide, this ownership change will not be kind to the communities these papers serve. That means no real jou... Full story
Happy spring! We hope folks enjoyed the recent Sisters Rodeo, an event the Forest Service is proud to partner with by way of a special use permit and employee participation in the wonderful Rodeo Parade. As daytime temperatures continue to increase, we will likely pause our prescribed fire program until the fall. This was a very successful spring for under-burning on the Sisters Ranger District, burning over two square miles (1,430 acres), including many long standing... Full story
This level of ugliness has to be the result of some sort of system failure. How is it that Americans have to choose between Joe Biden and Donald Trump as the next president of the United States? The whole situation is overwhelmingly putrid, a pot of stew that started with bad meat and then sat on the stove for far too long. It’s not just rot-at-the-top. The vegetables in Congress are utterly dysfunctional. Stonewalling has become a game where “we won’t work to benefit Ameri... Full story
One of my first patients was a pastor. He was esteemed and well-respected — a pillar in the community. I was a newbie in the small town where his roots ran deep. He was a man of conviction and compassion. He spoke with authority. And he was also sometimes hopeless — and desperate. At 26 years old, I sat at my desk sporting my newly printed diploma. I was trying my best to hide my imposter syndrome. Still shaky in my confidence, I kept questioning how could a man who has gui... Full story
It is a truly sad state of affairs here in the Beaver State: Our salmon stocks are struggling mightily, biodiversity is crashing under the weight of human activities, climate change is accelerating, drought is greatly affecting regional agriculture and wildfires threaten our communities every summer. But there is a nature-based solution that could help. Protecting our state animal could greatly assist human and wildlife communities adapt to the many challenges we face. The wetlands and habitats that beavers create work all... Full story
A good day on the Metolius River is one trout hooked, landed, and released. A great day is two trout hooked, landed, and released. Anything more than that is a spectacular day. Why am I happy with such modest results from the most beautiful trout stream in the Northwest? Well, the Metolius is a very tough river to fly fish. First, the water in this big spring creek is very clear, so the trout can see everything, including the little details of every fly. Second, there are a lo... Full story
Housing crisis is real To the Editor: I’m writing to comment on Gary Leiser’s letter to the editor in the May 22, Nugget. It took a bit to write this to you, Mr. Leiser, because I was so shocked at your opinion. There are other people in Sisters that are retired and many wealthy. What do you define as wealthy? You should have gone to the forum on housing as you may have learned something about living in Sisters. Yes, there is a “housing crisis” for those that serve you in all businesses here. Yes, Sisters is a very desirable... Full story
In a recent magazine, an advertisement appeared with a young man wearing a sling across his chest, carrying an infant. The purpose of the ad was to send the message that it was “cool” to be a dad. Yes! To be a dad is cool. Where would we be without them (beyond replenishing our species)? Where are we when they are absent? It’s easy to think of the many practical things dads do — fixing things, earning an income, transporting to and from events, teaching a firm handshake, helping with chores, and giving strong, bear hugs to... Full story
