Letters, letters, letters

To the Editor:

I read the last issue of The Nugget and am distressed about the decision to close the road along the Metolius River ("Road issue clouds Metolius River plan," The Nugget, December 2, p. 1).

I have enjoyed the area since the 1950s when we went to Canyon Creek for scout camp. I have been a property owner in the area for the past 20 years.

Five years ago, I developed Multiple Sclerosis and am now faced with issues of the handicapped and elderly.

The proposed road closure is about the only area that handicapped and elderly people can enjoy the view of the river. Therefore, I am requesting that the road be left open. If any of you were unable to walk any distance, you would understand.

Also, there is a safety issue. If there are downed trees or a fire on Potlatch Street, the residents will not have a way out.

I'm sure that there are many other residents who agree with me. Please consider my ideas before you make your final decision.

Thank you,

John Tice

To the Editor:

Local Sisters resident and arts educator Annie Painter notes that "SAT scores for students who studied arts more than four years were 59 points higher on verbal and 44 points higher on the math portion than non-arts students." In addition, "10 of every 30 children in a classroom will probably be employed in an arts related industry..."

Sisters has been blessed with some excellent art and music instructors. Michael Baynes and his art students recently put on a fine display of their skills at the Art Week held at the Sisters High School. Likewise, we are fortunate to have Nancy Scharf teaching art at the middle school and Elizabeth Renner teaching music at the elementary school. Additional projects this year in the visual and theatrical arts have been created thanks to individual teachers and community efforts.

Soon, the schools and the community of Sisters will benefit from the artistic talents of a particularly gifted individual.

Those talents belong to Dr. Forrest Daniel, music professor emeritus from COCC. He has decided to accept the position of teaching choir at the Sisters Middle School and Sisters High School.

Not only is Dr. Daniel a man of immense personal talent with an extensive background in the field of music, but he is a born teacher. Anyone who sings in The Sisters Community Choir (Dr. Daniel is the conductor) can attest to the energy, passion and depth of feeling that Forrest brings to his music.

Perhaps the clearest evidence of Dr. Daniel's love of instructing music is summed up by his comment, "It's not so much a matter of me needing the money or Sisters needing me, but I need Sisters."

Such a statement from the heart could only come from someone whose sees himself, first and foremost, as a teacher. His influence on the arts has already been felt in this community, but his full potential is now really being given an opportunity to blossom within the school setting. It will be an exciting time for the arts in Sisters.

Paul Bennett

To the Editor:

Whatever happened to our city of tiny lights at Christmas time?

Driving through town in the evening, I was disappointed to see all of the colored lights that have cropped up on several storefronts. The town looks diluted and not unique as it once was.

We had a theme and we were famous for it. Let's go back to the beauty and simplicity of tiny white lights on all of our shops.

Donna Holland

To the Editor:

I enjoyed the Christmas Parade and the weather was beautiful. I was disappointed, though, to see that no mention was made of the Cub Scouts that led the parade.

My son is in the Cub Scout Pack #139 and he and the other boys in the pack led the parade with some pretty heavy flags. They were proud to carry flags that represented their state, country and pack, but had some tired arms at the end of a long (for a small boy) walk.

It seems to me that it would be a great idea to give these boys a little recognition for their efforts at doing a good thing. All of the animal "floats" in the parade were cute, but I doubt the dogs and llamas really cared or got anything out of the praise they received in last week's article "Sun Shines on Parade." Don't you think that, in a world where even young children are doing some really awful things, it's nice to see a group of kids doing something positive? Why don't we tell em?!

Sincerely,

Traci L. Hanson

To the Editor:

As I sit at my cramped desk, beneath the florescent lights of my temperature-controlled office here in Los Angeles, I can't help but reflect on what a wonderful Thanksgiving vacation I had... and I owe it all to Sisters and the people who call this very special place their home.

I was met with generosity and friendliness wherever I went. From excellent service to the small talk at the grocery store, to the friendly smiles at the gas station, to casual conversation in stores, I found "down-to-earth" folks who loved where they lived and didn't mind sharing a bit of their hometown with a big-city girl.

The Annual Christmas Parade was the highlight of my stay. It was wonderful to see kids, parents, and grandparents all enjoying the festivities together.

There seemed to be people from all walks of life cheering on the horse-drawn carriages, the gentle llamas, the home-made floats, the baton twirlers and, of course, Santa. I guarantee there is nothing like that here in L.A.

The last afternoon of my stay was spent riding a horse toward a pink sunset setting just behind the Three Sisters' Mountains. When I returned to the ranch where I was staying, a gentle snow started to fall, everything was quiet and I watched a few deer eat the grass on the front lawn. It seemed Mother Nature was in cahoots with the community of Sisters, doing her best to make my stay as magical as possible. You all live in one of the "best kept secrets" around.

For now, I think I'll spend a few more minutes daydreaming about Sisters instead of tackling the traffic on the freeway. Best wishes for a Joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

S. Humphrey

(a.k.a. Big City Girl with a Small Town Heart)