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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

I read with interest your recent article on renaming Squaw Creek ("New name coming for Squaw Creek," by Craig F. Eisenbeis, The Nugget, June 4, page 1).

Squaw Creek at Sisters is arguably the most important feature in Oregon with that name. It will be important to find a name that meets the U.S. Board of Geographic Names policies and has general approval both in the Sisters area and Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

Changing the name of a natural feature such as a stream, butte, lake, etc. must be approved by the board and comply with their policies. Names of facilities such as parks and campgrounds are set by the agency that owns or administers them.

The Oregon Geographic Names Board reviews all new and changed names to allow public comment and to insure theycomply with U.S. Board policies. All natural feature names are then forwarded, with Oregon Board recommendations, to the U.S. Board for final action.

Names can be changed by a "batch" process but there is no short-cut. My recommendation is to start with 15 or 20 features to try out the process.

The U.S. Board requires a name to be recordable in the Roman alphabet and pronounceable by persons who use the name in ordinary conversation.

Next it requires publicity and local input, then have comment (not necessarily approval) by county government and any recognized Native American tribe within a certain distance. Replacementnames may be Native American, jargon or English and separate individuals may propose different names for the same feature.

Maret Pajutee of the Sisters Ranger District briefed the Oregon Board on this subject at our 2002 meeting in Bend. The Oregon Board will meet in Condon on June 21 and there should be time available for reasonable questions.

Finding a satisfactory and acceptable name may require some time. My personal opinion is that this stream be handled as a separate change and that an effort be made to process 15 or 20 minor features through the batch process.

Sincerely,

Lewis L. McArthur

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To the Editor:

I am a student at Sisters Middle School. On Wednesday (June 11), the last day of school, my clarinet was missing from my locker.

I am offering a $100 reward to get my clarinet back, no questions asked.

I know that someone will do the right thing and return my clarinet and this was just a case of mistaken identity. If you have heard or seen anything about this, please contact the middle school (549-2099) or Miss-Sew-It-All (549-9910).

Sincerely,

Josh Marr

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To the Editor:

The 63rd Sisters Rodeo Parade was a great success.

We want to thank each of the participants that entered the parade. Without your hard work and support this couldn't have taken place. The crowd was larger than in prior years and the participants appreciated their enthusiasm.

There is a very large crew of volunteers that start early in the day to make this event take place.

Thank you for getting up early and helping; it is greatly appreciated.

Let's all take a break, and then think about the 2004 Sisters Parade and Rodeo.

Sisters Rodeo Parade Committee

Ron Alexander, Director

Alinda Dunn, Vickie Allen and Marcia Williams, Co-Chairpersons

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To the Editor:

As the school year ends, I would like to publicly thank the Sisters School District for their educational emphasis on natural resources.

The effort begins in the elementary school with many field trips, then continues in middle school with multi-night outdoor camps, which leads to rigorous adventures in the high school on backpacking, mountain biking and rafting expeditions.

Emphasized at all times is the need for students to develop a "sense of place" where they learn their role in the community and as stewards caring for our precious natural resources.

The school district effort is priceless in helping our youth understand the need for the sustenance of these resources for many generations to come.

I thank the administration, the many teachers and the bus drivers that make this effort happen.

Bill Anthony

District Ranger, Sisters Ranger Station

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To the Editor:

On Monday evening, June 9,Sisters Middle School's eighth graders were treated to a wonderful promotion party celebrating their passage to high school.

The multi-purpose room was decorated in a "cruise ship" theme and students ate a great dinner, danced, played games and got souvenir pictures taken.

Our staff would like to thank the many parent volunteers, headed up by Julia Rickards, who worked long hours to make the evening such a success.

In addition, businesses throughout Sisters contributed food and prizes to support our students.

You're the best!

Sincerely,

Lora Nordquist (Principal) and the entire staff of SMS

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To the Editor:

Last week, the graduating fifth graders from Sisters Elementary School celebrated the end of a great year with a splash; they were welcomed to the Tollgate pool and barbecue area and treated to a picnic, Hawaiian style.

Many thanks go to the numerous parents who took the time to plan, cater and supervise the party.

Also, a big thank you goes to Susan Bennett for overseeing the pool area.

Special thanks go to the Tollgate Homeowners' Association for their generous hospitality to the students.

Last but not least, thank you to Tollgate's business manager, Betty Fadeley, for going out of her way to make us all welcome.

Once again the community spirit for which Sisters is known was at work for our kids.

Signed,

Cindy Uttley

A Grateful Parent