Letters, letters, letters

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is noon Monday.

To the Editor:

As most of you know, one of our counselors was killed recently on Highway 20.

This was a terrible tragedy and the pain it brought to our camp community was beyond imagination. We are sure this is also true for many of you, even though you had never met her.

We know this because of the outpouring of help and love that we have felt from Sisters and adjoining communities. Thank you for being the loving, caring people you are, people who feel deeply when something like this happens.

Through this tragedy we became acutely aware of the value of community.

We especially would like to thank Father Thomas Faucher of St. Edward's Catholic Church and Ed Beacham who arrived early Tuesday morning (August 7) to give spiritual support and guidance.

Rachel Hall, a counselor from Pilot Butte Middle School, John Whitehorse from St. Charles Hospital and Vicki Johnson, a counselor from Bend, were also invaluable in helping staff and campers accept and deal with the loss of their friend.

Dan Balyeat, a landscape contractor, donated a lodge pole pine tree that we planted in Ingrid's memory.

Phil Davis, a teacher at Pilot Butte Middle School and assistant director at Camp Tamarack, was a wonderful support as he took care of many small, important details.

To all of you we send our deepest appreciation.

We would also like to thank Eric Dolson for his very thoughtful article A death on the highway, printed August 15. His words were extremely comforting to us and will remain an inspiration as we reach out to her family in England.

Lastly, our prayers and thoughts are with the driver of the pickup. We know her pain is the greatest of all and we only hope that time will heal and comfort.

With great appreciation to you all,

Edie and Ted Jones

Owners/directors of Camp Tamarack

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To the Editor:

On Monday, August 13, five of us packed into Sisters Wilderness Park Meadow with our horses, dreaming of several days of sunshine, camp fun and exploring.

Around 5 p.m., my Appaloosa horse Dandy announced his own vacation plans. His hobbles slipped off his front feet while (he was) grazing and the last we saw of him was the blur of his black-spotted white rear as he raced at a dead run back on the Park Meadow Trail we had so hopefully ascended hours before.

The following days were a blur of looking for Dandy and posting his picture as lost in the encouraging Sisters stores, the Sisters sheriff and ranger district offices, Three Creeks Camp and trail head.

Many hiked and rode horses looking for him, but still no Dandy.

On Friday, August 17, he was spotted back at Park Meadow by a hiker who had seen several of our posters. The hiker told two women camping there with horses about this "lost horse." These ladies kept Dandy in tow.

A message was sent to me through the Forest Service and a horseman camping at Three Creeks Horse Camp that Dandy was, indeed, safe and found.

Kate Beardsley and I retrieved him at Mirror Pond Lake Saturday morning.

Now, I have horse camped for over 30 years and Dandy was with me for 11 of those years. But a horse is a horse, is a horse. My husband says Dandy was never lost, we were!

Adding to those already mentioned who solved Dandy's dilemma are: Three Creeks Horse Camp hosts; Roger Nelson, Ruth Schaefer, Vern and Sandra Weible; Karen and Randy Bragg; Katie and Alisha; Doug Stout; and many riders and hikers.

Thanks to all - we are so happy to have our little, feisty, spotted horse friend back in our family.

My advice: tighten your hobbles!

We are proud to have a home here in Sisters.

Marian Lee

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To the Editor:

I have been reading with interest the articles about Sisters' experience with a homeless person.

We can be critical of other's choices, but in a free society there has to be recognition of a variety of unusual life styles. Our Oregon state law provides protection to all of us.

No one can be given medications or be institutionalized without that person's permission unless there is a very strong evidence of danger to self or others. Often, this can lead to an injury to someone before the situation can be changed.

But we should be thankful our civil liberties are well protected.

It has been said being mentally ill is like being trapped on a speeding, runaway train going the wrong direction in life. We cannot conceive what that is like or to experience how self-confidence, self-worth and self-control can be crushed.

Defensive or noncompliant behavior is better understood in the context of these poor coping skills.

The accepted statistics state that at any given time one person in five is suffering from some type of mental illness to the extent they need help. (Of course, not all are severe, or continuing.)

We are surrounded with family members, friends and acquaintances who experience stress in their lives.

Some 14 of Eugene's churches have reached out to help those who are homeless for whatever reason by furnishing a trailer on a church parking lot, and in the winter, 45 to 50 churches house homeless families two weeks at a time, acting as a stepping stone to get individuals back on their feet.

Personally, I have learned these things by serving on a mental health advisory board and currently as the League of Women Voter's Mental Health Chairperson.

Sensitivity and empathy can bring understanding.

I appreciate Eric Dolson's articles giving us insights into a specific situation which will increase our understanding of the needs that surround us, and help us with a valuable education.

Alice Dugan

* * *

To the Editor:

Ahhh...the pristine beauty of the Sisters Mountains, lakes, and quaint Western Town!

Tourists flock to the rodeo, quilt show, fairs, events the town has to offer. A recreational paradise!

My concern for writing this letter is that behind the scenes of this small town there is a lady and her two companion animals (her only family) that are soon to be turned out from their rental, with absolutely no place to go! A desperate situation indeed as she will be homeless SOON.

So immediate response is needed. I appeal to the townspeople and businesses for help! Please help! People pull together with amazing results, after a family is burned out of their home, a tragic accident or surgery occurs. How about a soon to be homeless woman and her two dogs!

I ask the golfer to give up one round of golf, the woman wanting an item to decorate her home, the latté drink for one day, the husband and homemaker, struggling to feed their family and can only spare a dollar, the list goes on...to pull together in a united effort for a shelter for this woman in a desperate situation.

Therein lies the true beauty and spirit of a town... It's people. Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself, Mark 12:30-31...50 -easy to understand, so hard to put into practice!

What a joy to drive by her residence, see the light shining through the window on a cold night and say "I can see that I had a part, I made a difference in the life of one person." She IS important, she matters and I gave from the heart to another valuable human being! For additional information call 549-1538, or Sisters Habitat at 549-1193. A trust will be set up at the Bank of the Cascades for Natalie Parker.

Concerned friends,

Karen & Koreena Crowson

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To the Editor:

Sisters doesn't need stoplights. All we need is signs on each side of town saying something like:

"Stop for pedestrians. Do NOT block intersections."

Bruce Berryhill