Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

Respectfully, it seems that proponents of the traditional calendar and the school board majority are still missing the point.

The opinion piece on the actions of the school board addressed process and was not particularly in favor or against what type of calendar the community finally settled on. Midway through a study there can certainly be personal opinions but there cannot be any thorough or well researched statistics.

The school board is elected to govern our school system without the complications of a multitude of opinions. They should listen to constituents, but should also keep our commitments, stay the course amidst the squalls of public opinion which may, on occasion, sidetrack an issue.

I am sorry they couldn't keep their obligation to a study for two brief years. I am disappointed that the example they set for our children was to give up half way through rather than to stick it out and gain precious knowledge from a valid study about our community, how children learn, and whether or not our schools can be improved.

Anne Geser

To the Editor:

What will Sisters be like without Colin and Alice Adams?

I have been fortunate to serve on the Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation Board of Directors for the last three years with Colin Adams as president. Colin has been a steady and masterful guiding force to a group of very committed, but also very busy (and sometimes scattered) board members. When our energies were straying, it was Colin who called us back to task. He never lost sight of our goals and was never hesitant to take on more responsibilities and encourage us to do the same.

SOAR was started on a dream and hard work. The dream included providing healthy, positive activities for all members of our community. It has been exciting to watch that dream become a reality.

The programs for youth have been exceptional. Each month at our board meeting, Tom Coffield would give his report, often times including a heart-warming story about a child in the Sisters school system who was experiencing success or overcoming a hurdle due to their involvement in the programs SOAR had to offer. It was these "behind the scenes" glimpses that served as a continual inspiration to us all.

The SOAR Board would like to thank Colin for his tireless efforts. As Colin and Alice head to the warm Arizona climate for the winter, we hope they will take with them a warm place in their hearts for Sisters and all the countless hours of community service they have so freely given.

Will miss them and look forward to seeing them again next summer!

Sincerely,

Ginger Durdan-Shaw Secretary, SOAR Board of Directors

To the Editor:

Support SOAR!

I want to extend my support to the upcoming SOAR vote. The Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation is a great program for our community.

I am particularly impressed with their after school homework program and the neat activities for children and youth.

SOAR has done a lot for our community. It's time for us to support SOAR.

Tim Comfort

Editor's note: Tim Comfort is the principal of Sisters Elementary School

To the Editor:

The "Vote for SOAR" signs are beginning to dot the landscape in the community before the November election and although I haven't put one up yet, I intend to.

I've had the opportunity to watch the development of the Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation since its inception and have been impressed with the programs they run for children and adults.

SOAR's child care and recreational programs have been meeting some of the needs of children and families in our community for several years and doing so admirably with meager funding.

SOAR would like to expand its offerings of after school activities and opportunities to meet more of the needs of the middle school-aged students (10-14 year olds) and needs your support at the ballot box this coming November.

I'm grateful for the energy I see SOAR expending on the behalf of the families and children of Sisters and I'm going to express my gratitude with my vote in November.

Won't you?

Rich Shultz

Editor's note: Rich Shultz is the principal of Sisters Middle School

To the Editor:

On Friday, September 25, Sisters Rotary held their second annual Sisters Rotary Shoot-Out Golf Tournament at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. The tournament was held specifically for the benefit of SOAR.

The tournament was a great success and special thanks are in order to the following Rotarians: John Bushnell and Niblick and Greene's for generously providing lunch and dinner; Jim Craig, who did a superb job putting together a great auction of wines and other merchandise; Mark Goddard and Mark Beardsley, who worked diligently in gathering various auction and raffle items; and to Sharon Dilley for obtaining many rounds of golf from Central Oregon golf courses to award to raffle winners.

Thanks also to all who participated in supporting this fun event and to all Sisters Rotarians who worked behind the scenes and at the tournament so hard to make this another successful event for the betterment of our local community.

Barbara Turner, President

Scott Lamoreaux, Golf Committee Chairman