Letters to the Editor 09/28/2016

To the Editor:

Sending out a warning to all you folks who take your dogs to the Sisters Elementary School Ball Field - especially off leash. I'm talking about the far edges of the ball field, particularly behind home plate and back in the un-manicured area by the chain link fencing.

We are witnessing weekly events of dog/deer/human interaction that are resulting in injury and eventual death to the deer and potentially to dogs, not to mention what could happen to the people involved.

Hearing screams from humans and that of the deer first alerted us to two dogs that had instantly become a hunting pack when they came upon resting deer back there. The dog owners chased the dogs with giant sticks, while the dogs tore up the deer's legs, mouth and tongue all left hanging off its face. One of the men was hit in the chest by the deer's antlers -not quite gored, but close.

Then we heard a woman screaming for her life and found her lying there, heaving and crying. She could just barely keep hold of her two leashed dogs and was in an absolute state of terror and shock as the deer ran off.

The next week a man was back there chasing the deer down with something in his hands; he was lucky the two bucks didn't turn on him as well.

Folks need to understand that this is a deer migratory area, this section of field is where the deer bed down at night and rest during the day - bucks, does, and fawns. The elementary school's policy with the kids is that they are not allowed back there. They're smart.

If people continue to corner the deer by bringing their dogs to the "Bermuda Triangle," an injury to human or dog is imminent. Please take heed and keep yourselves safe.

Lorna Clarke

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To the Editor:

Over the past three months due to a series of illnesses and hospitalizations I've been unable to work. Born and raised an Oregonian, I've lived and worked in Oregon my entire life. Until I moved to Sisters six years ago, I never really understood what a sense of community is all about.

My friends, neighbors and co-workers have all done so much to help me, I want to publicly thank everyone for the kindness and generosity they have shown me during this difficult past summer. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Even strangers have helped me. Thank you to Kiwanis Food Bank for giving me nutritious foods and to Furry Friends for helping with costs for my dog, for rabies vaccination, for his dog license and more. Sisters is an amazing place to live and work, and I feel blessed to be part of a community so generous and caring. I will pay it forward, whenever and however I am able.

Jeff Drummond

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To the Editor:

I've grown old without much notice and may not have much time to warn, but I will say that when the big trees start blowin' in the wind you better run!

My son and I have practiced this tack since Halloween of 1994 when the giants in our garden began to rotate and we left for Bend.

Georgia Gallagher heard and saw our tree fall.

My neighbor Donald Sailor Sullivan would likely have died had he been in bed but he was heading home from work and when he saw the midsection of my tree upon his roof he went to a restaurant instead.

It was estimated that 300 trees were down in Sisters and the surrounding area. Trees along the edge of the meadow and Pine Street lay like pick-up sticks across the road.

Two of them landed on the small home occupied by Carolyn Platt, Paul Bennett and their son Parker.

Mom and son had just returned from Fotos in a Flash where John Reuter had been hit by a large falling branch.

He did not remember pushing a young boy out of harms way. Carolyn administered first aid before heading home.

Anita Kirkaldy

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To the Editor:

Our town is growing and the food scene in Sisters reflects that. In 2013, Taste of Sisters started with 10 food establishments participating, and this year 24 donated. Individual attendees expressed surprise, over and over, with comments like, "This dish was fantastic!" "I have never eaten at ___ and I can't wait to go there now."

I have loved organizing this event and interacting with our food establishments and soaking in how generously they help the Kiwanis Sisters Food Bank and Furry Friends Foundation. It has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life to partner with Dan Stearns of Kiwanis (he selflessly does anything and everything that is needed) and the volunteers. Everyone is so present in helping with this event. Since 2014, Kiki Dolson and The Nugget staff have generously increased their support of Taste of Sisters.

In four years, with this true community help, $10,000 has been raised. Also, people's awareness is raised: learning more than 100 families a month in our small Sisters area need our food bank and use it. Thanks to Furry Friends, many of these families with pets are able to get assistance caring for their 4-legged family members.

From my work with Taste of Sisters, the realization has come that we really have so many people and organizations in Sisters who do care and are trying to help in whatever ways they can.

After four years, systems have been refined and prepared food donations have multiplied to make Taste of Sisters better each year. I am hopeful that someone in our community would like to take over as organizer of this viable event that does much good on many levels. I think that someone who has this experience could bring fresh insights and make Taste of Sisters even better. If you are interested in exploring this possibility, please phone me at 541-388-3987 (landline/no text).

Sincerely and gratefully,

Karen Kassy

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