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 Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned.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:

Attention Sisters community! Here's a tidbit of information that is currently flying well below gossip radar that affects everyone in our wonderful community -- the "golden arches" will soon be the Gateway to Central Oregon (see story).

Yes, that's right, Sisters will soon be "super-sized" with the coming of McDonald's. I have serious concerns regarding this addition to our town, but don't know where to voice them.

First, with the alarming prevalence of overweight and obese adults and children in this country, is this a positive addition to our lifestyles? Second, does this business add jobs that provide livable wages for our citizens?

Then there is the other very visible evidence of McDonalds along our roads and in our yards: litter.

Finally, why hasn't this been openly discussed before it happens? Do we, as a community, have a choice -- or even a voice -- in what/which businesses will enhance Sisters or not? Does anyone care?

Victoria Graves

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To the Editor:

Since moving to Sisters nearly two years ago, I have been constantly amazed at what a remarkable community this is.

It has been inspiring to find a community that is so full of people who genuinely care for one another and their enviroment. On Sunday at the Sisters Rodeo, I was once again reminded of the outstanding people who make up this community, when the Sisters Rodeo Association gave tribute to Roger Wiborg, who passed away last week. It was a beautiful tribute.

The rodeo was great, except for the noise. I left early because the sound system was so loud it hurt my ears and we couldn't hear the person sitting right next to us.

How about we take our care for one another a step further, and start objecting to noise pollution, so the hearing of those we love (human and animals) will last a lifetime!

Mary Crow

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To the Editor:

New Beginnings, but never forgetting.

My husband Rodger Hall and I, along with our children, moved to Sisters in 1968. It was a dream come true! A quiet little town, a ranch and wonderful people whom you could trust and count on.

People have said throughout the ages, "God works in mysterious ways." In 1984 we moved away from Sisters, thinking we'd never return; some would say "It's never the same when you go back home."

But in 2002, we did come back home, coming full circle. What a change! Everything from coffeehouses to two new high schools. I thought to myself ... "Do they still remember the old days? The old community hall, the original rodeo grounds, the horse races, and the local businessman's wild bull ride, or have they changed like our little town of Sisters as we knew it?"

On June 11, 2004, the day of the memorial service for my husband, the "Cowboy Preacher," I found people haven't changed. Sisters has grown for the better, but most importantly, their hearts have remained the same. As my dear husband would say... "It was well worth the ride."

I extend my deepest thanks for all your love and support, and your cards and thoughts. And most importantly, I thank you for all of your prayers. Life changes just as Sisters did, but let us never forget what we have, what we know, and what helping another means in times of despair.

God and you I thank. And when people say it's never the same, I'll now reply, "Things change, but the people who have grown up and lived out their lives here have not."

My husband started a New Beginnings church here, and to me that now means never ending, and never giving up. I miss him terribly, but as he said, "It's been well worth the ride."

My love and thanks.

God bless you all.

Sue Hall