The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLV No. 1 // 2022-01-05

The Nugget Vol. XLV No. 1

POSTAL CUSTOMER

News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

www.NuggetNews.com

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

BATTLE FOR THE BASKET...

Public works crew keeps city moving

PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15

By Sue Stafford

Numbers of COVID cases tell only part of story

Correspondent

When snow comes in the night to blanket Sisters, and most of us are snug in our beds, the six-person Public Works crew is on the job, removing snow from the city streets.

While many of us were relaxing after holiday celebrations, these trusty stalwarts were out in the cold and snow, starting at about 9 p.m. in the downtown core to plow the streets. They start in the downtown commercial area so that Tewalt & Sons Excavators can come in at about 1 a.m. and haul away the mounds of snow created by the plows, making parking spaces available on downtown streets, and keeping traffic moving freely. From the downtown, they move out into all the neighborhoods.

Due to continued snowfall overnight December 26-27,

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK

Jamen Schwartz goes up for two vs. Trinity. The Outlaws hosted a multi-team tournament at home over the holidays. See related stories on page 8.

See PUBLIC WORKS on page 9

See COVID on page 22

Be it resolved…

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

It’s the new year and that time again when large numbers of people make proclamations, public or private, about improving wellness, changing behaviors, or fulfilling dreams. New Year’s resolutions date to the ancient Babylonians who are said to have been the first people to make such resolutions, some 4,000 years ago.

Ancient Rome got in the act too. Emperor Julius Caesar, circa 46 B.C., changed the calendar, establishing January 1 as the beginning of the new year.

January, named for Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, held significance for the Romans. Janus, they believed, looked backward

Inside...

Deschutes County currently leads the state in COVID-19 cases.

The New York Times daily tracker reports our county had 159 average cases per day in the seven days ending December 31, an average of 80 per 100,000 population. Multnomah County (Portland) has half that at 41 per 100,000. As with all things COVID-19, context is important and often missing as case counts still dominate headlines.

The Deschutes County COVID-19 Dashboard, as of December 30, shows a less dramatic picture. Sadly, 215 deaths have been recorded in the county since the onset of the pandemic, but that is 0.82 percent of cases, meaning the survivor rate is 99.18 percent.

into the previous year and ahead into the future. Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.

Likewise, for early Christians the first day of the new year became an occasion for reconciling one’s past mistakes and resolving to do and be better. Today, New Year’s resolutions are mostly a secular practice despite the tradition’s religious origins. Most people make resolutions mostly to themselves, focusing primarily on self-improvement. Recent research reports some 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only eight percent say they are successful in achieving their goals.

According to OnePoll, See RESOLUTIONS on page 9

Fire destroys shop in Camp Sherman Firefighters with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District responded to a structure fire in a detached shop building early Friday morning in Camp Sherman. The fire was reported at 3:38 a.m. on Metke Lane. The fire engulfed a large shop building, which was located near a barn. Heat from the fire caused minor damage to the barn, but firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the barn.

First-arriving firefighters found the shop building already fully engulfed with flames and focused firefighting efforts on preventing fire spread to the barn.

Firefighters reported small explosions from the shop.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District received assistance from the Black Butte Ranch Fire

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sisters-Camp Sherman firefighters, assisted by Black Butte Ranch Fire District, Cloverdale Fire District, and Central Electric Cooperative, responded to a fire that destroyed a shop in Camp Sherman.

District, Cloverdale Fire District, and Central Electric Cooperative. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Preliminary loss estimates for the building and

contents are $175,000.

Eighteen firefighters responded to the fire with four fire engines, two water tenders, and four command units.

Letters/Weather ............... 2 Obituaries ..................... 6-7 Entertainment ................. 11 Fun & Games ....................16 Classifieds................. 19-20 Meetings .......................... 3 Announcements...............10 Stars over Sisters ............16 Crossword .......................18 Real Estate .................21-24

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Disinformation and democracy

Letters to the Editor…

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writerʼs 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 10 a.m. Monday.

Sisters looks beautiful

To the Editor: Driving through Sisters yesterday evening, we were stuck at how very beautiful our town is all aglow with holiday lights. I have never seen Sisters looking more lovely.

Many thanks to the merchants and the City for lighting up these long winter nights.

I hope this glorious display can remain in place through February at least.

Suzanne Pepin

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The Jesus vaccine

To the Editor: I’ve always been taught that history is

the best teacher of what not to do or how to navigate forward so as to prevent disasters/mistakes that happened in the past. It seems we humans really have a hard time with that concept from the time we learned to walk (voice of experience).

Most Americans are familiar with the story where in the beginning God created the earth, Adam and Eve, and declared: “It is good.” We could have all been created mindless zombies but in my opinion God’s first act of love to His human creation was the gift of free will, aka freedom to choose.

Our Creator is the source of good and love.

When offered to become “like God,” See LETTERS on page 18

Sisters Weather Forecast Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

January 5 • Rain/Snow

January 6 • Rain

January 7 • Rain/Snow

January 8 • Partly Cloudy

38/36

45/38

42/31

42/26

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

January 9 • Partly Cloudy

January 10 • Mostly Cloudy

January 11 • Mostly Cloudy

42/27

44/33

45/34

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Winter magnificence...

Skiers had a banner holiday at Hoodoo Ski Area, with plenty of snow and excellent conditions between Christmas and New Year’s Day. PHOTO BY JAROD GATLEY

By Mary Chaffin Guest Columnist

In 1978 I spent eight months in the Soviet Union as a Russian-speaking guide on an exhibit, “Agriculture USA,” sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency. The first U.S. exhibit was the site of the famous Nixon-Khrushchev Kitchen Debate in Moscow in 1959. The exhibits continued for decades thereafter as part of a program intended to counter the Soviet disinformation that poisoned the minds of their citizens, by giving them an opportunity to interact with young Americans who all had different answers to the questions they posed.

The questions we fielded on all sort of topics (mostly having nothing to do with agriculture) reflected a combination of naïve misinformation and calculated efforts to flummox us. Some of it was nonsense — lies and assumptions that didn’t take our then-more-extensive social safety-net into account.

People literally thought that if you were hit by a car while uninsured, you would be left to die. There was sometimes a kernel of truth in the assumptions behind the questions, making it more difficult to effectively respond to false and misleading accusations. Discussing complex topics and attempting to establish a reality-based common ground with the exhibit’s Soviet visitors was a challenging task.

I have been struck by how similar the Soviet propaganda I encountered is to the right-wing propaganda that has infected our country. They both: 1. Apply incendiary labels to opponents.

2. Misleadingly lump opponents together.

3. Peddle lies, disinformation.

4. Blame opponents for things that they have little or no direct responsibility for.

5. Cynically exaggerate failures and ignore beneficial successes.

6. Reduce complicated topics to misleading conclusions.

7. Hypocritically ignore egregious misconduct by allies.

8. Stoke anger and outrage.

9. Rely on their domination of mass and social media.

Owen Herzberg’s letter (The Nugget, December 22) is a good example, lumping Governor Brown and Speaker Kotek together and labeling them “extreme leftists” while trotting out a list of their supposed misdeeds in an effort to inflame his readers.

1. Oregon Health Plan: Brown wasn’t even governor when Oracle botched Cover Oregon, intended to administer healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. After becoming governor, Brown dissolved Cover Oregon (less than $300,000

was spent) and sued Oracle for racketeering, recovering nearly $100 million in cash and licensing agreements. Why are Brown/Kotek responsible for Oracle’s misdeeds?

Left unsaid: Despite GOP and Trump’s efforts to destroy them, the ACA and the Oregon Health Plan have been a success! The number of uninsured Oregonians shrank from 17.1 percent in 2010 to less than 5 percent in 2020.

In 2017, 47,600 Oregonians (not 55,000) were removed from the Medicaid rolls following an annual audit. The Cover Oregon snafu caused that number — those who didn’t respond to requests for eligibility information or were no longer eligible — to be larger than in prior years. But the system functioned, and OHP continues to provide essential health care that the GOP will try to destroy again if it regains power.

2. “No attempt” to reduce the PERS deficit? False! In 2019 Kotek engineered the passage of a bill reducing PERS benefits opposed by both the unions and every GOP House member.

3. Unemployment. Oregon has paid more than $10 billion in unemployment benefits, but every GOP Member of Congress (including Bentz) voted against legislation extending these benefits and providing relief to small businesses, renters, and more. Democratic-led legislation helped people suffering from the economic shock, reducing Oregon’s unemployment rate from 14.2 percent to 4.2 percent.

4. Public Health Measures.

Brown’s brave actions have caused Oregon’s infection, hospitalization, and death rates to be among the lowest in the nation (36 percent, 52 percent, and 59 percent of the U.S. case, hospitalization, and death rates per 100,000, respectively).

Measured against the U.S. death rate, Brown has kept nearly 4,000 Oregonians from dying.

Yet GOP leaders viciously attack her while stoking resistance to lifesaving policies.

5. Other Random Issues.

No one likes screw-ups, but how is Kotek responsible for the 8,000 unreported eldercare complaints between 2005 and 2017 or ODOT’s engineering failures regarding the Wickiup overpass?

There’s more, but as Mr. Herzberg said, I think you get the idea. And do follow his suggestion to connect the dots! Mr. Herzberg’s letter is chock-full of disinformation, just like the Soviet propaganda I encountered was. We were able to defeat Soviet propaganda earlier. Will its right-wing successor, amplified by a complicit social and mass media apparatus, succeed today? Our democracy is at stake.

Views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or The Nugget Newspaper.

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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SAR aides injured skier on Tumalo Mountain

PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT

Joel Palanuk of Noble 911, competes with big national companies providing 911 call services.

When calling 911, it’s David vs. Goliath

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

In another of those “who knew?” stories, an under-theradar Sisters business has a large footprint beyond our borders. In this case, Noble 911 Services, headquartered on South Elm Street.

Competing against multimillion-dollar entities like Century Link (now Lumen Technologies) and Motorola, Noble is the classic case of the little engine that could.

If you had to call 911 from Sisters Country, you would land on a Noble-developedand-sold system sitting in Bend. It would be the same scenario if you called 911 from any of a number of counties in Oregon. Farther

away, Noble, founded and led by Joel Palanuk, is a smaller, albeit key component in another 100 emergency call-operations around the country.

Noble can do any or all of it, from design to integration. Their major market is within Oregon, with systems they sell in partnership with national players like AT&T who provide the hardware. There are hundreds of obstacles a small business encounters when starting up.

Competing with companies thousands of times Noble’s size is, surprisingly, not the biggest barrier to entry.

In Palanuk’s world, overcoming regulators and bureaucracies that favor large incumbents is the hardest hill

to climb. He knows something about hills. After an 18-year career on the tech side of the phone company (Century Link) he struck out on his own and created the Sisters Stampede, the highly visible annual mountainbiking race held here every Memorial Day. He sold the Stampede, after establishing it as a premier event, and birthed Noble.

Palanuk credits his wife, Shawna, for launching Noble.

“She told me that if I could start and grow a successful cycling event, imagine what could be possible using my experience from telecommunications,” he said.

See 911 on page 20

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue personnel came to the aid of an injured 24-year-old man on Tumalo Mountain on New Year’s Day. According to Deputy Shane Zook, assistant search and rescue coordinator, Deschutes County Dispatch received a 911 call at about 8:30 a.m. regarding an injured skier on the east side of Tumalo Mountain. A deputy made phone contact with the reporting person, who informed the deputy that the injured male would need assistance to get out to the parking lot at Dutchman Flat Sno-Park.

Twelve search and rescue volunteers, two seasonal deputies on snowmobiles,

and one special services deputy responded to the call.

The volunteers consisted of six volunteers on snowmobiles and six volunteers on skis. The two teams traveled different routes to the injured skier. Search and rescue volunteers reached the man at about 11:35 a.m.

Members of the medical team assessed the males physical condition and provided aid that enabled the man to ride out on a snowmobile. The man was walked down to awaiting snowmobiles at the bottom of the east slope of Tumalo Mountain.

The snowmobile team provided him with a ride out to the Dutchman Flat SnoPark. He stated he did not need any further medical assistance.

Museum opens submissions for prize The High Desert Museum is accepting submissions for the 2022 Waterston Desert Writing Prize.

The ninth annual Prize honors literary nonfiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place, and desert literacy, with the desert as both subject and setting. Early, mid-career, and established writers are invited to apply.

The prize award grew to $3,000 this year. The winner

also will be featured in a reception and awards ceremony at the Museum in Bend in September 2022.

Inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love of the High Desert, a region that has been her muse for more than 30 years, the Prize recognizes the vital role deserts play worldwide in the ecosystem and human narrative. In 2020, the High See WRITING on page 22

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wednesday (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061.

Sisters Area Woodworkers 1st Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897.

Al-Anon Mon., noon. / Thurs., 10 a.m., Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday, Tuesday, 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846.

541-610-7383.

7 p.m. Sisters Community Church. All Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 ages welcome. 541-771-2211.

Alcoholics Anonymous Thurs. & p.m. at Sisters Community Church.

Sun., 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com.

Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) Transfiguration / Sat., 8 a.m., Episcopal 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Sisters City Sisters Caregiver Support Group Church of the Transfiguration / Mon., Hall. Materials provided. 541-408-8505. 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Village Green 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Park. 541-771-3258.

Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, Church / Big Book study, Tues., noon, 1 to 4 p.m. 541-668-1755.

Sisters Cribbage Club Please call for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / details. 541-923-1632.

Citizens4Community, Let’s Talk Gentlemen’s meeting, Wed., 7 a.m., Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board 3rd Monday, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

RSVP at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / of Directors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m.

Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Thurs., citizens4community.com Location information: 541-549-1193. noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Military Parents of Sisters Meetings Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fri., are held quarterly; please call for details. Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 7 to 8:30 a.m., Brand 33 Restaurant at 541-388-9013.

Church. 541-548-0440.

Aspen Lakes. 541-410-2870.

Oregon Band of Brothers – Sisters Sisters Parent Teacher Community Black Butte Ranch Bridge Club Chapter Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at Sisters Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m., BBR community Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469.

Saloon. 541-480-5994. room. Partner required. 541-595-6236.

SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild & Enrichment) Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. Sisters Parkinson’s Support Group 2nd Thurs.,1 p.m. Sisters Library.

For Saturday meeting dates and to 4 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation 541-668-6599 location, email: steelefly@msn.com.

District. 541-549-2091.

Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday.

Central OR Spinners and Weavers Sisters Aglow Lighthouse Location information: 541-279-1977.

Guild One Saturday per month, Jan. 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, thru Oct. For schedule: 541-639-3217.

Zoom. 503-930-6158.

Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645.

Sisters Area Photography Club Council on Aging of Central Oregon Sisters Trails Alliance Board 1st Senior Lunch Tuesdays, noon, Sisters 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Monday, 5 p.m. Sisters Library.

Community Church. 541-549-6157.

Community Church. 541-480-1843.

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Public welcome. 808-281-2681.

Sisters Veterans Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-903-1123.

Three Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors 1st Tuesday, 4 p.m., TSID Office.

541-549-8815.

Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Restaurant. 541-419-1279.

VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-903-1123.

Weight Watchers Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. weigh-in, Sisters Community Church. 541-602-2654.

SCHOOLS Black Butte School Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. 541-595-6203 Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wed. monthly, SSD Admin Bldg. See schedule online at www.ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.

CITY & PARKS Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.

Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., SPRD bldg. 541-549-2091.

Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.

FIRE & POLICE Black Butte Ranch Police Dept.

Board of Directors Meets monthly.

541-595-2191 for time & date.

Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thursday, 9 a.m., Black Butte Ranch Fire Station. 541-595-2288.

Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 5:30 p.m., 67433 Cloverdale Rd. 541-548-4815. cloverdalefire.com.

Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541-549-0771.

Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 541-549-0771.

This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to beth@nuggetnews.com

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Commentary...

Hope and strength for the day

By Bren Gates Guest Columnist

Traditionally, the New Year has been about anticipation, new light and life, reset, beginnings — but not this year. Most people speak with trepidation about the future.

Hope feels stunted. Unrest hovers, a feeling of flux, so we wait with bated breath to see what the New Year will bring — not in anticipation, but with unease.

The uncertainty is real, old systems and ways of doing things failing. We’ve lost trust in optimism because it hasn’t relieved anything.

We’re told, on all sides, everything is rigged. All of it.

No, I decided this morning. No. Uncertainty will not take the one thing that gives strength to my day. I will hope.

I think back to the years when talk shows and networks tried to project positivity — programming about goodness and light, humor.

Over time they flopped, went out of vogue. They didn’t produce the kind of money that violence and conflict generate. The majority of family movies and dramas slowly took a back seat to gaming videos, horror, war, and violence, until very few non-violent movies remained. Intense anger and dismissive attitudes spilled into other areas of our media and political discourse.

This concerned me, so I did a little research.

Apparently, the neocortex is made to solve problems and project possible solutions. Our minds are not happy unless working to fix something, anything. We are drawn in as an innate way to protect, and there is a thrill in overcoming. As a result, problems and conflict sell.

“Give ’em something to ruminate about.”

Directly or indirectly, we’ve been programmed to fight the big fight, but not

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

with our deepest appreciation for your support! We’re here with fresh, creative, unique flowers and plants.

243 N. Elm St., Sisters Open 10 am-4 pm Mon-Sat — CLOSED WED —

541-549-8198 WE DELIVER!

the little ones, so we bring the big fight into everything.

Now we wonder if the world will become recognizable again, or if life as we’ve known it has come to an end.

OK, I have to get a little cheeky here: Yes. The world we perceive does end, every day. The sun comes up, it goes down. Yesterday is gone. Today is real. Happy New Year.

Change happens, but how we perceive it is up to us.

Many of my friends refuse to watch the news anymore.

Instead we read articles and newspapers to stay informed, purposely avoiding pundit indignation — hope destroyers.

At first it was almost like coming out of a trance. I now see how staged news talk is, how manipulative, more emotional abuse than informative content. I find it disheartening that so many partake in this abuse every day — the indignation, fear projection, anxiety, the angermaking. The result? Some fight their perceived reality with rocks through windows and harsh, demeaning words and attitudes. Others flee to states that make them feel safer, tribal alliances. Still others freeze, do nothing, feeling battered, losing hope and motivation. Fight, flight, or freeze. As a country, we struggle with instability.

Behavior modification happens to us when we give our personal objectivity away.

Let’s face it, the individual can do very little when it comes to the large, societal issues the pundits addict us to every day. But that doesn’t mean we give up. COVID has caused many to wrestle with self-imposed expectations, only to discover an inner maturity, the ability to work on real, everyday problems instead false indignation. There’s an incredible amount of satisfaction in this, a chance to actively see

how one can affect personal change in community, here and now. This is opposite of ruminating over injustice.

When I let myself see past the programmed fear in others — talk to hearts instead of ego-projecting minds — a kind of community awareness grows. I have an acquaintance who uses racist slurs, but this person would help anyone in need, no matter race or religion.

I’ve seen him do it, over and over again when others turn away. I will not turn from him, although I have hinted that slurs get in the way of seeing his heart. And this person is not the exception.

Most people I know would rescue someone stuck in the snow, or show compassion if one is hurting. We must reach for the hope we see in people and not their programming.

The reality is that the majority of us are safe, so much safer than many in the world. We have hot running water, access to food and shelter. We are lucky. We have enough, and enough to share. It is easier to share when one has hope and is not obsessing over a bleak future.

My wish for all of us in the new year is strength for the day, and a positive outlook for the future. To look again at people we may distrust, look at what they do instead of their pontifications. There may be rough roads ahead, but most of us have enough, and no matter income level, everyone has something to offer. Although the mind wants to niggle at problems, I can imagine a community that chooses to engage less in indignation about the big stuff, and more in heart talk, objective problem-solving that affects change, those who stand together in authority, aware and responsible for their own projections, their own programming. Yesterday is gone. Today is real. So, I will hope.

Happy New Year, 2022.

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Strengthening Oregon’s food systems

By Kym Pokorny OSU Extension Service

C O RVA L L I S – Tw o Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms program projects have been awarded U.S. Department of Agriculture grants totaling more than $800,000 to strengthen the viability of Oregon’s small and mid-scale farms and food businesses.

The OSU Center for Small Farms & Community Food Systems received a $249,511 grant from USDA’s Regional Food Systems Partnerships program to work with eight Oregon food hubs — businesses or nonprofits that manage distribution, marketing, networking, and aggregation of locally grown food, said Lauren Gwin, associate director of the center.

Food hubs share tools and knowledge to improve long-term sustainability for small- and mid-scale operations, while at the same time prioritizing values and practices such as racial equity, climate change resilience, and fair labor practices. Hubs connect growers and food makers to markets and provide a framework for collaborative research, training, and planning, Gwin said.

Sarah Sullivan of the Gorge Grown Food Network in Hood River is one of the hubs that will benefit from the grant.

“We are excited to deepen our work with partners across the state to build an inclusive regional food system based on equity, regenerative agriculture, and fair labor practices,” Sullivan said. “By aligning our values to strengthen the infrastructure needed to coordinate local food production, aggregation, and distribution, I believe we can really move

the needle on food security.

This project allows us the opportunity to actualize what we’ve been working toward for years: quality, fresh, local food for everyone.”

OSU Extension’s Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network received a $591,951 grant to create a stronger midtier niche meat supply chain through training, business coaching, and peer support, said Rebecca Thistlethwaite, director of the network.

In a project called Meat in the Middle, Thistlethwaite will build on OSU Extension’s Western Meat School, an online course that has become popular with direct-to-consumer producers. Meat in the Middle will provide virtual short courses, business mastermind groups, coaching, peer support, and learning tools for at least 1,800 farmers, ranchers, meat processors, and butchers across the country.”

In each of their programs, Gwin and Thistlethwaite will show producers and processors how to coordinate and collaborate with vital but expensive infrastructure such as trucks and cold storage, as well as coordinating under a shared brand. This knowledge will allow them to move into larger urban markets.

The concept of Thistlethwaite’s grant is to create more extensive educational resources for farmers and processors who want to grow their businesses. Both producers and processors need additional training, business coaching, and peer support to create stronger and more plentiful mid-tier niche meat supply chains, she said.

There are fewer mid-scale meat producers and processors in the state compared to small-scale operations, which limits the ability for producers

and brands to reach wholesale markets such as restaurant chains, food service, and retailers, Thistlethwaite said.

To build stronger businesses both meat producers and processors need to learn how to scale up efficiently, sustainably, and in a financially sound manner, Thistlethwaite said. She expects participants to communicate and work more effectively with one another, build business-to-business relationships, learn important financial benchmarking skills, write marketing plans, and learn to scale effectively while staying true to their values.

Both grant projects are embedded in fundamental values that will contribute to a financially sound industry while also creating improved working conditions, paying attention to climate change and racial equality.

“The folks who run local food hubs are motivated to solve some of the food system’s most difficult challenges,” Gwin said. “They want to provide good jobs in a typically thin-margin industry, push back against persistent racial inequity in food and farming, and help their communities be more resilient to drought, heat waves, and other climate change disruptions. So how can they put this into practice, in their own hubs? That’s what we’re going to find out.”

Partners for Gwin’s grant, in addition to the food hubs, include the Oregon Food Hub Network, which is part of the Oregon Community Food Systems Network; Black Food Sovereignty Coalition; Ecotrust; Oregon Climate & Agriculture Network; Oregon Economic Development Districts; Market of Choice, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

There must have been some magic...

PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER

As temperatures warmed on Thursday, December 30, and snow softened, many locals headed out to play in the snow. Five-yearold Daphne Draper was pleased to mark “building a snowman” and “having a snowball fight with mom” off her winter list before the school break ended on Monday, January 3.

5

6

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Obituaries Larry Hardin

Charles “Chuck” O. Kuzminski

Gordon Ray Burgess

Larry Hardin is now with Jesus. He passed away peacefully on Friday, December 17 at home, in the arms of his wife, Terry, and surrounded by family after a long battle with infection and osteomyelitis.

He faced the challenges of the last three years (after a fall that resulted in quadriplegia) with courage, grace, dignity, hope, humor, and faith. He was an inspiration to all who knew him and had a smile and encouraging words for everyone he met.

He was born Lawrence Michael Hardin in 1949 to his parents, Irma (Ennes) Hardin and Robert Hardin, in Portland. He grew up in Aloha, graduated from Sunset High School, and went to PCC for an associate degree in auto mechanics.

He much preferred working on cars as a hobby versus a career, so he went on to work for Boeing in Alaska, build houses in Beaverton, operate heavy machinery for many years, and then become the owner/operator of Larry Hardin Trucking.

He was able to work through the good weather months, then take three months off in the winter to travel south and enjoy the sunshine. He retired in 2013.

Larry believed in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was baptized at Beaverton Foursquare Church. After moving to Sisters, he became an active member of Sisters Community Church. He was a very thankful person, giving thanks to God for his

Charles “Chuck” O. Kuzminski passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 11, in Tigard, Oregon. He was 85. His wife, Anne, and daughters, Beth and Jan, were at his side.

Chuck was born in Cle Elum, Washington, and spent his early years in Yakima. He attended Multnomah School of the Bible and Portland State University, earning a bachelor’s in history and going on to earn his master’s in education from Reed College.

He started his career as a history teacher in Portland, then joined the staff of the Portland Teachers Association. He later became the executive director for Houston Teachers Association, and in 1972 he became an organization specialist with the National Education Association (NEA) in Washington, D.C., retiring after 20 years. After his retirement from NEA, Chuck began his own consulting firm, Productive People, working with Washington, D.C.-area organizations.

Chuck enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid skier.

He also loved fishing, hiking, and biking. In 1999, Chuck and Anne were married and moved from the D.C. area to Sisters, where he enjoyed the coffee group at Ray’s, and his church, St. Edwards. He was a member of Kiwanis and the Sisters Corvette Club. After their move to Tigard his activities

Gordon Ray Burgess passed away on December 6, from cancer complications at the age of 59.

He was born on July 11, 1962 in Redding, California. Gordon is survived by the Georges family, his sisters Michelle Robinson and Renee Hubbard, and his brother Scott Burgess of Redding.

Although Gordon resided in Yuma, Arizona, for the past few years, a large portion of his life was spent in Sisters.

Gordon, AKA “Big Guy,” enjoyed fishing, gardening, prospecting for gold, riding ATVs, and cooking.

A memorial will be announced at a later date.

1935-2021

1949-2021

Dog shot near Cline Buttes

Someone shot a dog that was out on an off-leash walk off Cline Falls Highway near Cline Buttes east of Sisters on Friday, December 31, 2021.

The reporting party called at about 9 a.m. and reported walking the dog in the area earlier in the day. When it was off leash and out of sight it was shot.

A vehicle was heard leaving the area, but was not observed by the dog owner.

The owner suspected the subject(s) who shot the dog mistook it for a coyote.

Deputies responded to the area and began an investigation. At this time there is no suspect or suspect vehicle information.

The investigation is active.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office requests information regarding the incident be called in to 541-693-6911 referencing case 21-72336.

many blessings every day.

Larry “HotRod” Hardin was a car guy, racing his ’70 Camaro at PIR as well as at the Sisters Airport on Fourth of July celebrations. His 1967 Mustang was his first car and is now almost fully restored. He loved travel, golf, fishing, 4-wheeling, motorcycles, exploring new trails, Bible study, and spending time with friends and family.

Larry is survived by his wife, Terry (Maria Teresa Zapata), son Tyler Hardin, granddaughter Natalee Yoakum, sisters Sandy Bowe (Pat Bowe) and Linda Hewitt, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends. He will be missed, but all who knew him are happy that he is no longer in constant pain; he is now in the arms of Jesus, free, whole, happy, and we know we will see him again one day.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sisters Community Church on May 21 at 1 p.m.

Please send any tributes to Craig Hospital Foundation in Colorado or Hope Africa in Sisters.

Rest in peace, Larry.

July 11, 1962-December 6, 2021

slowed but his twice daily walks with his beloved dog and best friend, Sam, made him many friends in the community.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Anne Kuzminski of Tigard; his daughter Beth Kuzminski of Wilmington, North Carolina, daughter and son-in-law Jan Kuzminski and Christian zur Nedden of Hannover, Germany; grandsons Charles “Casey” Prather and Matthew Prather; sister Linda Kuzminski and brother-in-law Jerry Seder.

He will be dearly missed.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held in early spring 2022, in Sisters. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org).

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Obituaries

7

A mighty horde...

Lonny Franzstack Jarkesy

March 17, 1927 — December 22, 2021

Lonny Franzstack Jarkesy, age 94, died peacefully in Boise, Idaho on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Lonny was born in Schweinfurt, Germany on March 17, 1927. She grew up in Germany and survived the perils of World War II. Lonny arrived on the shores of America on Thanksgiving Day, 1946.

She first resided in New York City, and later moved to Miami where she met and married her loving husband, Joseph, who preceded her in death in 2016.

Joe and Lonny were married for 55 years and enjoyed an exciting and adventurous life, often traveling the world and discovering exotic foods and cultures. Lonny and Joe operated the Shalimar Motel and Steakhouse in Miami, Florida. She was the quintessential hostess, a gourmet cook and avid gardener. She was known for entertaining and hosting fantastic dinner parties enjoyed by family, friends, and even the occasional stranger.

Lonny is survived by her daughters, Jill of Sisters, and Karen (Michael) of Eagle, Idaho; her grandchildren, Blake, Evan, Alex, Lucas, and Matthew; and her greatgrandchild, Elias. She is also survived by her stepchildren Arlene, Marilyn, Thomas, and George; seven grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

Friends will be received at Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home, 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, on Friday, January 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will take place in CaballeroRivero Woodlawn North Cemetery, Miami, on January 8.

Obituaries Policy: The Nugget Newspaper does not charge a fee to publish obituaries.

Obituaries may be up to 400 words and include one photo.

Obituaries outside these guidelines are handled by The Nugget Newspaper advertising department. Submissions must be received by noon on Monday to editor@nuggetnews.com

A herd of some 200 elk hung around in the Cloverdale area east of Sisters for several days last week.

The elk are regular visitors to that area during the winter.

PHOTO BY AL KRAUSE

Sisters Farmers Market seeks new manager Sisters Farmers Market (SFM) is looking for a new manager as Caroline Hager steps aside.

Hager announced the move last week in a newsletter.

“I am filled with a flurry of mixed emotions as I share that I am phasing out of the Sisters Farmers Market manager position to pursue future goals,” she wrote. “I am beyond grateful that my winding trail has led me to the Sisters community, Seed to Table, and the incredible opportunity to grow with Sisters Farmers Market for the past two years.”

Hager will aid bringing her successor on board.

In conjunction with the announcement, Seed to Table (S2T), which is the parent organization of the Market, posted a two-tiered job description for Hager’s successor: manager of Sisters Farmers Market and Seed to

Table outreach coordinator.

The first component of the position requires they dedicate 25 hours weekly from March-October as the SFM manager. The manager will be responsible for all aspects of coordinating the Sunday Farmers Market. The manager will work in partnership with the Seed to Table executive director and SFM committee, and work directly with vendors, sponsors, nonprofits and entertainers to create the Market experience.

The second component of this position is to serve as S2T’s outreach coordinator, dedicating 10 hours per week on creatively and professionally managing and expanding S2T media outreach.

Those interested are invited to send a cover letter and resume to audrey@seedtotablesisters.org, subject line “Farmers Market Manager Position: [Applicant Name].

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Outlaws handle the Highlanders

Lady Outlaws burned by Burns

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

Petterson led the Outlaws with nine points and freshCorrespondent man Shae Wyland recorded The Lady Outlaws bas- six. Twelve players got time ketball squad fell to Burns on the court and eight of them 51-33 on December 20. The scored points for the team.

Highlanders are a 3A school Juhree Kizziar played well with a good basketball pro- for the Outlaws as their backgram and entered the game up point guard, and hit a nice with the Outlaws with a 5-2 three-point shot in the final record. period. Starting point guard Both teams got off to a Emma Lutz got into foul trouslow start and at the close of ble and had to spend time on the first period the Outlaws the bench. trailed by two, 6-8. At the Josie Patton was able to half, the Highlanders had rejoin the team after being extended their lead to 21-15. out a couple of games due Payden Petterson hit a long to injury. It was a help to the ball at the end of the second Outlaws to have her back at quarter to keep the game the post position. close.

It was a tough game for Burns continued to play the Outlaws as they were hot in the second half, while short five players who were the Outlaws were cold. unable to make the trip due to After three quarters the injury and sickness. The team Outlaws were behind by did play hard defensively 12, with the score at 22-34. and rebounded the basketball The Highlanders finished well. strong and scored 17 points “The main reason we came in the final period, while the up short on the scoreboard Outlaws scored 11. was numerous turnovers that reduced o u r s c o ring opportunities,” said Coach Paul Patton.

“After the game we reflected on what we learned from the game, and what we need to work on in the next few practices PHOTO BY JERRY BALDOCK in order to Reese Harwell drives to basket against Burns. improve.”

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“I was very proud of how the team played. We were able to outplay the home Highlanders in every facet of the game, and that is a mentality that we need to learn how to duplicate as we move forward,” Rush added.

Palanuk led the Outlaws’ scoring effort with 15 points, followed by Ricky Huffman who scored 10. Jesse Murillo and Adam Maddox-Castle scored eight points each,

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The Outlaws walked off the basketball court at Burns on December 20 with a 50-31 victory over the Highlanders.

Max Palanuk got the Outlaws going in the first quarter with eight points.

Sisters was patient and effective on offense, and scored 10 of their 16 first-quarter points in the paint. The Outlaws closed out the quarter with a seven-point advantage, 16-9.

The Highlanders made a run in the second period and closed the Outlaws’ lead to three, 19-16, with five minutes left in the quarter.

Sisters was able to withstand the run, went on a 9-0 run of their own, and wrapped up the first half with a 12-point lead, 28-16.

Before the Highlanders could score a point in the third period, Sisters made another 9-0 run and pushed their lead to 37-16. The Outlaws used multiple defenses in the quarter to keep the Highlanders offbalance and hold them to just three points in the quarter.

Teams traded baskets in the final period, and both teams finished with 12 points each. The Outlaws were able to maintain their lead and level of play to close out the game with a win.

Coach Chad Rush said, “This was the most complete game the Outlaws have played this season. We were

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RESOLUTIONS: Sisters folks have public and personal goals Continued from page 1

seven in 10 Americans trashed their long-favored New Year’s resolutions for 2021. The survey asked 2,000 U.S. participants about their plans for the new year following the stress from 2020 and found 71 percent focused on learning life skills or practical goals.

Turns out that New Year’s resolutions for 2021 weren’t centered on going to the gym or losing weight, but instead on saving money for the future (62 percent) and learning a new skill (50 percent). The survey also found that over half of respondents (54 percent) planned to do better budgeting in 2021, and another 49 percent hoped to pay down debt.

Sixty-eight percent of respondents wanted to move away from traditional resolutions to focus more on experiences — like spending increased time with family (53 percent) and traveling more (49 percent).

We asked personal trainer and Nugget contributor Andrew Loscutoff if he was flooded with new clients at the new year resolving to get into shape, or existing clients vowing to improve themselves.

“Not really,” he said.

“Some, not many. It’s true that people get more motivated as winter takes hold and we become more sedentary and that, not any resolution per se, brings more people to want to work on their fitness.

“The problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that they lack specific goals, being too general in scope,” Loscutoff elaborated.

A number of Sisters

Country folk cited getting into better shape as their 2022 resolution, among them Judy Trego, executive director of Sisters Country Chamber who “plans on getting back to the gym.” She is joined by Sisters School District Superintendent Curt Scholl who identified regular exercise as his 2022 resolution.

All around town, resolutions abound. Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid shared that he wanted to “read more (for pleasure), reconvene our annual family rafting trip tradition, and work on my dog’s behavior.”

Lt. Chad Davis, who heads the Sisters sheriff’s substation, had similar aspirations in his resolution: “Have less screen time and more time reading by the fire.”

Over at the fire hall, Chief Roger Johnson is goal focused: “Professionally, I want to increase community engagement with the fire district.

As the community grows and threats from wildfire and other natural disasters increase, it will be important that emergency responders and the community are prepared for any challenges we may face.

“Personally, I want to do more hiking and fishing this year. It’s amazing to think that I have lived here for nine years and there is so much I haven’t seen or explored yet!”

Down at City Hall, City Manager Cory Misley vows to “snowboard more — it’s a form of meditation for me!” It won’t be lack of snow holding him back as Sisters Country has been hammered with a series of storms, doubling Hoodoo’s cover in a week.

Mayor Michael Preedin said, “My New Year’s resolution as mayor is two-fold: 1.

To continue basing my city council decisions on what is

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

PUBLIC WORKS: Crews

My New Year’s resolution have been busy as mayor is two-fold: dealing with snowfall 1. To continue basing my Continued from page 1 city council decisions on the crew kept working what is best for the long- straight through until 3 p.m. term health of the City; the next afternoon, having to retrace their steps two addi2. Eat fewer chocolates tional times. Several crew members were sent home to so my clothes fit better. be ready for the next night — Mayor Michael Preedin if needed. At the same time best for the long-term health of the City; 2. Eat fewer chocolates so my clothes fit better.”

The Nugget’s Sue Stafford stopped making New Year’s resolutions years ago.

“One less way to deal with guilt!” she said.

Sandy Gilbert, new to Sisters, has already met his New Year’s resolution to pay it forward. We met him as he just finished shoveling about 10 inches of snow off his own driveway and sidewalks as well as his neighbors’ on either side.

Kevin, a self-admitted “curmudgeon” and regular at a local watering hole, where he regales the gathering in sartorial splendor, vowed to “bark less and wag more.”

“We’ll drink to that!” his buddies quickly added.

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sent out a “friendly reminder” to local businesses regarding their responsibilities in keeping sidewalks clear.

• Be proactive in removing snow on all sidewalks around your business or property. This is to assist in preventing accidents that the property owner is accountable for.

• Do not use chemicalbased deicers or snow melt on the sidewalks. These products begin to break down the concrete after a couple of applications, eventually causing sections of the sidewalk to crack and chip away. Use sand and/ or birdseed as substitutes to chemical-based deicers or snow melt.

• Large cracks and missing chucks of the sidewalk create trip hazards for others who frequent the downtown core.

• Replacing crumbling sidewalk panels is expensive and the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.

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as the plowing, crew members are also responsible for all water, sewer, and maintenance issues that might arise.

A newly acquired City truck plow made the crew’s work go faster than with their old equipment.

Public Works Director Paul Bertagna reminds citizens to not shovel or blow snow out into the street because it will just get pushed back again the next time the plow comes by.

Heavy snowfall will likely keep crews busy through the week.

Troy Rayburn of the City Public Works Department

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

A N N O U AN NC NE OM UE NN CT ES M EATTENTION N T SBUSINESS OWNERS: Hunter Parkinson’s Education Support ClassGroup Are you a person classes experiencing start Hunter education

Parkinson’s disease (PD)uporonline a Tuesday, February 1. Sign care partner/family memberCall at MyODFW.com.

Questions? desiring to better support your Rick Cole 541-420-6934. loved one with PD? We invite Thyou e Sisters Weather to joinCold us in Sisters for a Shelter restart (SCWS) of our support group to hes, In partnership with local shared churches, experience friendship, ding SCWS will once again be providing experiences, and a better freeunderstanding hot meals andofaPD. warm, safejoin e Please gh place to stay this Th winter.

Thof rough us the second ursday the outmonth January1-2:30 shelter location is p.m. at the Sisters Way. Wellhouse Market, 222 Trinity Way. Library, 110 N. Cedar St. Sisters. each ThFor e Shelter open at 6contact p.m. each more will information night.

Carol Pfeil, program coordinator of Parkinson’s Resources of a Alzheimer’s and Dementia Oregon, 541-668-6599 or carol@ Family Caregiver parkinsonsresources.org

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Support Group Food Pantry ThWeekly elma’s Place Adult Day

Wellhouse Church has a weekly Respite Program in Redmond foodapantry at 222 N. Trinity hosts monthly support group Way every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. for those caring for someone untilAlzheimer’s food has been distributed. with or another Both drive-through pick-up dementia-related disease.

Theand shopping-style support group isdistribution held every are available.

Call 541-549-4184 for third Wednesday of the month more4:30-5:30 information. from p.m. This is a free family-caregiver support group Sponsor anorganizations Impoverished featuring local each Child from Uganda month who join to share their Hope Africaand International, experiences resources. based in Sisters, has many children Free Weekly Grab-N-Go awaiting sponsorship!

For more information to hopeafricakids.

Lunches ForgoSeniors or call Katie at 541-719-8727.

Thorg e Council on Aging of Central Oregon is serving seniors (60+) Your Announcement free grab-n-go lunches on Here Schools, churches, nonprofi Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and t, and community Threcreational ursdays each week.

The lunches groups: this is on your to are distributed a fipage rst-come, announce your free gatherings first-served basis, drive-through and from events!

Regularly style, 12-12:30 p.m.occurring at Sisters Sisters Country meetings Community Church, 1300 W. are listedHwy. on the Sistersmay Areadrive Mckenzie Seniors Meeting Calendar on page 3 through the parking lot and pick and special events or featured up a meal each day of service. meetings cannobeneed listedtoon thisa Come on by; make page.

All submissions are subject reservation. For more information to 541-678-5483. editing and run only as space call allows. Email beth@nuggetnews.

Free Food comPet or drop off at 442 E. Main Budget tighttext thismust month, but a Ave. Your include you need pet food forphone your “forstill more information” dog or cat?Deadline Call the isFurry Friends number.

5 p.m. on pet food bank at 541-797-4023 Fridays. to schedule your pickup. We have all sorts of pet supplies too. Pickups available Thursdays, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located female cat, at 412 E.Lost Mainspayed Ave., Ste. 4, behind Mishi.

The Nugget office.

Last seen in the beginning Papers for Fire-Starters of October in the The Nugget Newspaper has old ClearPine development. issues that are ready for recycling. is six oldfrom and ComeShe by and pickmonths up a stack has a locator chip. the front porch at 442 E. Main Ave.

LOST CAT

Call Beth at 541-549-9941 for more Please call 541-640-9876. information.

Parkinson’s Support Group

PET OF THE WEEK PET OF THE WEEK

Are you a person experiencing Parkinson’s disease (PD) or a care partner/family memberof Humane Society desiring to better support your Central Oregon loved one with PD? We invite 541-382-3537 you to join us in Sisters for a restart of our support group to experience friendship, shared experiences, and a better understanding of PD. Please join us the second Thursday of the month 1-2:30 p.m. at the Sisters Library, 110 N. Cedar St. Sisters.

For more information contact Carol Pfeil, program coordinator of Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon, 541-668-6599 or carol@ parkinsonsresources.org

Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537

Weekly Food Pantry

Wellhouse Church has a weekly food pantry 222 N. Trinity MeetatSTANLEY. This Way every Thursday at of 12:30 p.m. beautiful hunk a boy until food has been distributed. came to us as a senior Both drive-through pick-up stray and was sadlyand not shopping-style distribution are reclaimed by an owner. available.

Call spent 541-549-4184 He has a littlefor bit of moretime information. here blossoming into one charming guy and now Sponsor an Impoverished Stanley on the prowl for a Child fromisUganda nice, warm retirement home Hope Africa International, based where his golden years in Sisters, has many children may be spent in peace.

Stanley awaiting sponsorship!

For more has been through a lot in information go to hopeafricakids. or so, and org orthe call last Katieweek at 541-719-8727. will likely need some time Your toAnnouncement adjust to his newHere home.

Schools, churches, nonprofi t, He is a gorgeous, 13-years recreational youngand cat community who still has a groups: thisforis the yourhappy page tocat life zest announce your free gatherings he so deserves.

Stanley is andwaiting events! Regularly to meetoccurring that special Sisterssomeone Country meetings here at HSCO. are listed on the Sisters Area Meeting Calendar onSponsored page 3 and special events or featured by meetings can be listed on this page. All submissions are subject to editing and run only as space allows. Email beth@nuggetnews.

CUSTOM com or drop off at 442 E. Main HORSE CARE Ave. Your text must include a Susan Marcoux “for more information” phone number. Deadline is 5 p.m. on 541-410-1421 Fridays.

Meet STANLEY. This beautiful hunk of a boy came to us as a senior stray and was sadly not reclaimed by an owner.

He has spent a little bit of time here blossoming into one charming guy and now Stanley is on the prowl for a nice, warm retirement home where his golden years may be spent in peace. Stanley has been through a lot in the last week or so, and will likely need some time to adjust to his new home.

He is a gorgeous, 13-years young cat who still has a zest for the happy cat life he so deserves. Stanley is waiting to meet that special someone here at HSCO. Sponsored by

CUSTOM HORSE CARE

FOCUS on

Health

Health, wellness, and quality of life are top priorities for people in Central Oregon!

Having a healthy, active lifestyle is just the tip of the iceberg. Besides our individual physical health, overall well-being depends on other aspects of life as well, like mental, oral, ocular, environmental, educational, financial, family, and pet health.

Advertise in Focus On Health if you offer: • Fitness programs and gear • Chiropractic, acupuncture, & physical therapy • Beauty treatments, spa & massage services • Veterinary & pet services • Healthy food & supplements • Home cleaning services • Senior living communities & programs • Financial & retirement management • Self-enrichment opportunities (dancing, indoor gardening, cooking classes, reading, art and music lessons, travel, volunteering)

Susan Marcoux 541-410-1421

LOST CAT Lost spayed female cat, Mishi.

Last seen in the beginning of October in the ClearPine development.

She is six months old and has a locator chip.

e l p am

Please call 541-640-9876.

re attending Pleasetocall verify thecurrent church status before of attending services to as verify restrictions current arestatus adjusted. of services as restrictions are adjusted.

ERS-AREA SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES CHURCHES

heran Church Shepherd (ELCA)of theCalvary Hills Lutheran ChurchChurch (NW Baptist (ELCA)Convention) Calvary Church (NW Baptist Convention) 5831 386 N. Fir Street •484 541-549-5831 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org theranchurch.com www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com Chapel in the Pines Chapel in the Pines ch (Nondenominational) Sisters Community Camp Church Sherman (Nondenominational) • 541-549-9971 Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971 541-549-12011300 W. McKenzie 10Hwy. a.m. •Sunday 541-549-1201 Worship 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Wellhouse Church Wellhouse Church nfo@sisterschurch.com www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 man Catholic St. Edward Church the Martyr https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com Roman Catholic Church https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 9391 123 Trinity Way •10 541-549-9391 a.m. Sunday Worship 10 a.m. Sunday Worship ass 5:30 p.m. Saturday VigilChurch Mass (Nondenominational) Vast Church (Nondenominational) Vast . Monday-Friday 9 a.m.Mass Sunday Mass • 8 a.m.

Monday-Friday 6 p.m.

Saturday Worship Mass 6 p.m. Saturday Worship t of Latter-Day The Church Saints of Jesus 1300Christ W. Mckenzie of Latter-Day Hwy. Saints 1300 W. Mckenzie Hwy. resident, 541-420-5670; 452 Trinity Way •(Sisters BranchCommunity President, 541-420-5670; Church Fireside Room) (Sisters Community Church Fireside Room) Meeting 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament 541-719-0587 Meeting • www.vastchurch.com 541-719-0587 • www.vastchurch.com arene Sisters Church ofSeventh-Day the Nazarene Adventist Church Seventh-Day Adventist Church . • 541-389-8960 67130 Harrington386 Loop N. Rd. Fir St. • 541-389-8960 • 541-595-6770, 541-306-8303 386 N. Fir St. • 541-595-6770, 541-306-8303 sistersnaz.org www.sistersnaz.org 11 a.m.

• info@sistersnaz.org Saturday Worship 11 a.m. Saturday Worship utdoors 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Outdoors The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration Baha’i Faith 68825 Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-708768825 Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 devotions, course Currently trainings, Zoom meetings: trainings, 8:30 a.m. devotions, Ecumenicalcourse Sunday Worship8:30 (Sunday a.m. school, Ecumenical Sunday Worship (Sunday school, al contact Shauna informational Rocha firesides.

Local10:15 contact Rocha childcare) a.m.Shauna Episcopal Sundaychildcare) Worship 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship org or www.bahai.us or www.bahai.us 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org (Sunday school, childcare) (Sunday school, childcare)

s

FOCUS ON HEALTH

is a 2-week special section in The Nugget Newspaper

January 19 & 26, 2022

Each participating business receives a full-color ad (3” wide by 3.31” tall) both weeks and a 170-word mini-story in one issue. Reserve your space by Friday, January 7, 2022.

Call Vicki, 541-549-9941 to reserve your space.

Your Story MATTERS

Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist

A New Year’s wish for 2022 Feelings of powerlessness are insidious. While sometimes an opportunity for productive action, most often they plunge us into a state of primitive adrenaline: fight, flight, or freeze. These feelings may echo times of powerlessness from times past. They have a knack for triggering the shadows of our inner child, our greatest fears, and fortifying our defenses primed from traumas gone by. When faced with trauma, it is not simply the event itself per se that is damaging, but the surrounding feelings of powerlessness themselves leaving us feeling lost, unknowing, exposed, and shaken.

Powerlessness has encircled the world the last two years. I could give you the (long) laundry list as to why, but I think we have all seen that list many times by now.

It has left many of us looking for solutions, avenues to control, somebody to blame. The muddy waters and complexities surrounding circumstances of the past two years have given us an unfinished narrative.

How did this happen? Who is to blame? What is the best course of action? When does this end?

Instead of being able to sit with a storyline that is very much “under construction,” we seek to fill the gaps with our own handiwork. We create a story

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for ourselves that best provides a sense of safety, freedom, and control. We create our own enemies, our own protagonists, and our own plot twists. We each carry our own manuscript informed by layers of experience, culture, beliefs, opportunity, adversity, and relationships encompassing the multi-chapter, preCOVID prologue unique to each of us.

“Civility costs nothing and buys everything.”

— Mary Worley Montague Evolution has taught us that when most vulnerable and powerless, we are stronger with a tribe. Our relationship to others is central to our identity and consequent behavior. Prior to the digital age (and COVID19), connections to a group were solidified face-toface. Emotions, sentiment, tone, and body language could be appreciated. While opportunities for face-toface engagement continue to exist, our social affiliations have become far more informed by algorithmic and superficial mechanisms that pave the way for hate and extremism, as the ethics of civil engagement are stripped away.

Our media feeds often hijack critical-thinking skills and discernment.

While many of us desire decency and common courtesy, we are also being manipulated into territorialism as our fears and vulnerabilities are exploited.

Powerlessness and fear can be genuine but can also be manufactured.

With many of us triggered and primed to project our fears, we may find ourselves more skeptical, untrusting, skittish, withdrawn, and fearful of judgment. Civility seems riskier, as it demands a loosening of our defenses in a time where

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon self-preservation seems so critical. Finding a scapegoat gives us false reassurance that there is a target, a definable problem, some entity to be fixed or silenced.

More than anything, finding a scapegoat allows us to bypass responsibility and escape vulnerability.

When I see somebody overcome by anger or fear in my office, I often find myself envisioning them as a child. What happened?

What informed such a reaction? What struggle is behind the emotion? We all have our dark places, our shadows. As unfair as it might be, we are not necessarily responsible for what happened to us, but inevitably most of us are responsible for how we respond to it. This is not always easy, is laced with privilege, and often cannot be done without help along the way.

“The wound is not my fault, but the healing is my responsibility.”

— Marianne Williamson Our mind plays a lot of tricks on us. What might allow for fleeting feelings of safety or control may not be productive and can sometimes be harmful.

Having convictions can be admirable, but if we are too

zealous, we back ourselves into our own corner. Rigid beliefs and behaviors lead to stagnation, the inability to grow, and lost opportunities for connection. Our world shrinks. Resourcefulness, openness, and flexibility become limited. Clutching tightly to certain labels, affiliations, and marking our territory on either side of the fence can have the allure of power. Perhaps, instead of having to choose a side of the fence, more applause should be given for those sitting on the fence thoughtfully observing either side, learning to be comfortable with ambivalence.

As the natural transition of 2022 is upon us, my secret wish is that we can all have the courage to be introspective — to own our energy, our shadows, and our responses. When we find ourselves saddled with anger, fear, and resentment, let’s hope we can all do better at opening the door for self-compassion and reflection rather than sabotaging with projection and blame.

We owe it to ourselves, we definitely owe it to our youth, and the world will thank us for it.

Cheers to civility, cheers to kindness, cheers to responsibility. Happy New Year!

Applications for the OSU Master Gardener Program in Central Oregon are now available. The program targets individuals interested in becoming a trained volunteer who wants to learn and share research-based gardening information. Program will be a hybrid training with both online and in-person learning.

Online classroom training begins January 25 and runs through March 22, with hands-on training at the OSU/ Deschutes County Extension Service in Redmond through September.

Applications must be received no later than January 10. Cost is $275, which covers tuition, text book, and supplies. Partial scholarships are available.

For more information visit https://extension.oregonstate. edu/mg/central/how-join.

Read online anytime, anywhere...

NuggetNews.com

HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday 3 to 6 p.m.

Open 10 a.m. to midnight

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Entertainment & Events JAN

6 THUR

The Suttle Lodge Live Music with Kassi Valazza 6 to 8 p.m. Fireside Show series. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tickets at TheSuttleLodge.com/Happenings.

JAN

13 THUR

The Suttle Lodge Live Music with Miguel Hernandez 6 to 8 p.m. Fireside Show series. Doors open at 5 p.m.

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The Suttle Lodge Live Music with Joshua Thomas 6 to 8 p.m. Fireside Show series. Doors open at 5 p.m.

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175 N. Larch St. 541-549-6114

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Events calendar listings are free to advertisers. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to beth@nuggetnews.com. Events are subject to change without notice

12

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Arts & travel inspire Julia Rahm

By Katy Yoder | Correspondent

Julia Rahm got her start in Sisters. Her love of theater and singing took root from programs she sought out in Sisters and Bend. She is now a vocal artist, voice teacher, composer, and poet. She received her bachelor’s degree in theater, music, and the French language at Sarah Lawrence College in New York and her master’s in voice performance from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She also studied for one year at the École Normale de Musique in Paris.

A Sisters High School graduate, Rahm is the director of social justice & programming of The Valkyrie Ensemble, a Chicagobased vocal/opera ensemble seeking to promote women and women’s

stories through music. Her work is in response to the high numbers of female singers in a competitive and sexist industry. The Ensemble finds creative ways to open doors for women while also actively changing the narrative of well-known operas to reflect the varied complexity of the female/nonbinary experience.

Finding the silver lining in having to remain at home and unable

PHOTO PROVIDED

Julia Rahm center in operetta, The Finishing School, during grad school. to perform in live productions during the pandemic, Rahm used the forced transition-time to finish her first book of poetry. “Wild Heart: Poetic Musings of a Queer Mystic.”

Her blog of poetry and stories can be found on Amazon.com.

Rahm describes her book as an exploration of the alchemy of heartbreak, the bewilderment of life’s paradoxes, the power of the Divine Feminine, and the wisdom to be found in the nuances of nature. With a distinctively queer, feminine, and mystical lens, her poetry takes the reader on a journey toward finding meaning in the unorthodox, following the longings of a wild, passionate heart and sensuous, awakened body.

As a woman who possessed an early understanding of herself far beyond her years, she describes growing up in Sisters as a mixed experience.

“I realized, after leaving, how good I had it with regard to nature

surrounding me,” said Rahm. “I went to Sarah Lawrence College for undergraduate. I loved that and the contrast of being so close to New York City. It’s so much louder than Sisters. I took for granted being able to find peace and tranquility, and how easy it was to go to the river or a lake and ski.”

From an early age, Rahm was very interested in the arts and sometimes found it frustrating that there wasn’t much musical theater happening. She found more opportunities in Bend where she took music lessons.

Although she was sometimes frustrated by the limitations in Sisters, Rahm is quick to point out that Sisters had a great arts department compared to most other schools.

“I enjoyed being in the Americana Project and the theater scene got better toward my last couple of years.

We started doing musicals which made me happy,” she said.

Even with a solid group of friends,

Rahm struggled when she came out as a lesbian in high school.

“I didn’t get the sense that there was anyone else who was LGBTQ in the community,” she said. “Some kids were directly hateful about it, but most were just ignorant. It was also glossed over in sex education class. They kept it very hetero. It was too much of a hot button then. A lot of teachers were afraid to do so. I started the first Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) my junior year. I found some supportive teachers like Mr. Gladden, who was our sponsor for the GSA. Our health teacher, Heather Johnson, was supportive for me in general.

Some kids posted a hateful poster mocking my GSA poster and she was the first to tear it down and say, ‘We don’t do that here!’ It was a whole different time back then.”

Rahm is amazed at how far gay rights have come in only 11 years.

“Back then there was way less representation, especially for young

people coming out,” she said.

Through the GSA, Rahm and other members started Sisters High School’s first diversity week.

“We covered socioeconomic and racial diversity, religion, and the last day focused on sexual orientation,” Rahm recalled. “The principal was less than supportive of the venture and canceled my speaker the day before. He was afraid that parents would be picketing outside.

He asked me to speak instead. That’s what ended up happening. I’m proud of that moment in my life. My inner rebel came out. I’m lucky my family was supportive. I know a lot of people don’t have that. I never felt afraid for my safety, it was more of a psychological fear of being shunned.”

After high school graduation, Rahm went to school in New York and studied theater, French, and music.

She studied in Paris her junior year, which was transformative for her.

“I used the year to explore a bunch of interests and took voice lessons at a school in Paris, which got me on a classical music track. I thought I wanted to do jazz voice, but my teacher kept giving me all these opera arias and Vivaldi solos and found it worked well with my voice… and it was fun,” said Rahm.

Rahm’s instructor offered her the opportunity to perform a Vivaldi solo with a choir traveling down to the Loire Valley and a venue in Paris and the Chartres Cathedral.

“It was very empowering and launched me into the classical music realm,” she said. “I continued with theater at Sarah Lawrence and after that decided to go back to Paris to teach English in a high school for seven months. I studied voice on the side, then enrolled in a school in Paris which I didn’t like as much.”

Eventually, she ended up coming back to the States and began looking into master’s programs. She spent a year in Central Oregon and got into

the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

“The master’s program groomed me for a specific path,” Rahm said.

“I realized during COVID that things I thought were important tended to fall away and I didn’t miss them. I finished my master’s in 2019. When COVID hit I was just finishing up my first paid opera gig in Evanston and we literally finished the run on the day the governor shut things down.

After that, boom! Nothing… It led to things falling away. I stayed in Chicago then moved to Rancho Santa Fe, California, with my family. I’m saving money while teaching voice

and piano virtually from California to students in Chicago.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Rahm wants kids growing up in Sisters to know that it’s OK for your path to not be linear.

“I encourage them to follow what they love, trust themselves, and not compare themselves to other people.

I’m still learning how to do that,” she said.

To learn more about Julia Rahm’s many artistic pursuits and achievements visit her website at www. juliarahm.com. Her book is available at: Amazon.com: “Wild Heart: Poetic Musings of a Queer Mystic.”

WE VALUE OUR READERS

We’re here for you and we deeply appreciate your support.

Your supporting subscriptions help make it possible for Nugget staff and freelance writers to continue telling the stories of the Sisters community through changing times.

Readers who would like to make a financial contribution to keep professional community journalism thriving in Sisters can visit www.NuggetNews.com and click on “Subscribe & Support” or drop a check in the mail to: The Nugget, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759

TELLING THE STORIES OF THE SISTERS COMMUNITY

Through boom and bust, good times and hard times, for more than four decades.

The Nugget Newspaper 541-549-9941 • 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters

13

12

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Arts & travel inspire Julia Rahm

By Katy Yoder | Correspondent

Julia Rahm got her start in Sisters. Her love of theater and singing took root from programs she sought out in Sisters and Bend. She is now a vocal artist, voice teacher, composer, and poet. She received her bachelor’s degree in theater, music, and the French language at Sarah Lawrence College in New York and her master’s in voice performance from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She also studied for one year at the École Normale de Musique in Paris.

A Sisters High School graduate, Rahm is the director of social justice & programming of The Valkyrie Ensemble, a Chicagobased vocal/opera ensemble seeking to promote women and women’s

stories through music. Her work is in response to the high numbers of female singers in a competitive and sexist industry. The Ensemble finds creative ways to open doors for women while also actively changing the narrative of well-known operas to reflect the varied complexity of the female/nonbinary experience.

Finding the silver lining in having to remain at home and unable

PHOTO PROVIDED

Julia Rahm center in operetta, The Finishing School, during grad school. to perform in live productions during the pandemic, Rahm used the forced transition-time to finish her first book of poetry. “Wild Heart: Poetic Musings of a Queer Mystic.”

Her blog of poetry and stories can be found on Amazon.com.

Rahm describes her book as an exploration of the alchemy of heartbreak, the bewilderment of life’s paradoxes, the power of the Divine Feminine, and the wisdom to be found in the nuances of nature. With a distinctively queer, feminine, and mystical lens, her poetry takes the reader on a journey toward finding meaning in the unorthodox, following the longings of a wild, passionate heart and sensuous, awakened body.

As a woman who possessed an early understanding of herself far beyond her years, she describes growing up in Sisters as a mixed experience.

“I realized, after leaving, how good I had it with regard to nature

surrounding me,” said Rahm. “I went to Sarah Lawrence College for undergraduate. I loved that and the contrast of being so close to New York City. It’s so much louder than Sisters. I took for granted being able to find peace and tranquility, and how easy it was to go to the river or a lake and ski.”

From an early age, Rahm was very interested in the arts and sometimes found it frustrating that there wasn’t much musical theater happening. She found more opportunities in Bend where she took music lessons.

Although she was sometimes frustrated by the limitations in Sisters, Rahm is quick to point out that Sisters had a great arts department compared to most other schools.

“I enjoyed being in the Americana Project and the theater scene got better toward my last couple of years.

We started doing musicals which made me happy,” she said.

Even with a solid group of friends,

Rahm struggled when she came out as a lesbian in high school.

“I didn’t get the sense that there was anyone else who was LGBTQ in the community,” she said. “Some kids were directly hateful about it, but most were just ignorant. It was also glossed over in sex education class. They kept it very hetero. It was too much of a hot button then. A lot of teachers were afraid to do so. I started the first Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) my junior year. I found some supportive teachers like Mr. Gladden, who was our sponsor for the GSA. Our health teacher, Heather Johnson, was supportive for me in general.

Some kids posted a hateful poster mocking my GSA poster and she was the first to tear it down and say, ‘We don’t do that here!’ It was a whole different time back then.”

Rahm is amazed at how far gay rights have come in only 11 years.

“Back then there was way less representation, especially for young

people coming out,” she said.

Through the GSA, Rahm and other members started Sisters High School’s first diversity week.

“We covered socioeconomic and racial diversity, religion, and the last day focused on sexual orientation,” Rahm recalled. “The principal was less than supportive of the venture and canceled my speaker the day before. He was afraid that parents would be picketing outside.

He asked me to speak instead. That’s what ended up happening. I’m proud of that moment in my life. My inner rebel came out. I’m lucky my family was supportive. I know a lot of people don’t have that. I never felt afraid for my safety, it was more of a psychological fear of being shunned.”

After high school graduation, Rahm went to school in New York and studied theater, French, and music.

She studied in Paris her junior year, which was transformative for her.

“I used the year to explore a bunch of interests and took voice lessons at a school in Paris, which got me on a classical music track. I thought I wanted to do jazz voice, but my teacher kept giving me all these opera arias and Vivaldi solos and found it worked well with my voice… and it was fun,” said Rahm.

Rahm’s instructor offered her the opportunity to perform a Vivaldi solo with a choir traveling down to the Loire Valley and a venue in Paris and the Chartres Cathedral.

“It was very empowering and launched me into the classical music realm,” she said. “I continued with theater at Sarah Lawrence and after that decided to go back to Paris to teach English in a high school for seven months. I studied voice on the side, then enrolled in a school in Paris which I didn’t like as much.”

Eventually, she ended up coming back to the States and began looking into master’s programs. She spent a year in Central Oregon and got into

the Chicago College of Performing Arts.

“The master’s program groomed me for a specific path,” Rahm said.

“I realized during COVID that things I thought were important tended to fall away and I didn’t miss them. I finished my master’s in 2019. When COVID hit I was just finishing up my first paid opera gig in Evanston and we literally finished the run on the day the governor shut things down.

After that, boom! Nothing… It led to things falling away. I stayed in Chicago then moved to Rancho Santa Fe, California, with my family. I’m saving money while teaching voice

and piano virtually from California to students in Chicago.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Rahm wants kids growing up in Sisters to know that it’s OK for your path to not be linear.

“I encourage them to follow what they love, trust themselves, and not compare themselves to other people.

I’m still learning how to do that,” she said.

To learn more about Julia Rahm’s many artistic pursuits and achievements visit her website at www. juliarahm.com. Her book is available at: Amazon.com: “Wild Heart: Poetic Musings of a Queer Mystic.”

WE VALUE OUR READERS

We’re here for you and we deeply appreciate your support.

Your supporting subscriptions help make it possible for Nugget staff and freelance writers to continue telling the stories of the Sisters community through changing times.

Readers who would like to make a financial contribution to keep professional community journalism thriving in Sisters can visit www.NuggetNews.com and click on “Subscribe & Support” or drop a check in the mail to: The Nugget, PO Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759

TELLING THE STORIES OF THE SISTERS COMMUNITY

Through boom and bust, good times and hard times, for more than four decades.

The Nugget Newspaper 541-549-9941 • 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters

13

14

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Task force tightening recycling laws

By Julia Shumway Oregon Capital Chronicle

Buy a bottle of dish soap, a jug of milk, or a takeout container of Chinese food, and you’ll find an embossed triangular symbol of three arrows around a number.

The chasing arrows, a relic of recycling laws passed decades ago, would appear to indicate that an item could be dropped in a curbside recycling bin and be reincarnated instead of spending eternity in a landfill.

But there’s a catch – not all products with chasing arrows can actually be recycled, and recycling standards vary across the state and country. That leaves uncertainty for consumers wanting to be thoughtful.

Over the next several months, a task force appointed

by Gov. Kate Brown will study misleading or confusing claims made by manufacturers about recycling and provide recommendations to the Legislature for new laws.

The review is part of a larger effort to modernize recycling in the state as laid out in a law passed earlier this year.

“The recycling system was built on policies that were created over 30 years ago, and not written to keep up with the changes in our consumer marketplace,” said Sanne Stienstra, project manager at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. “Our recycling system was built around recycling certain materials like newspapers, and not other things that we deal with and handle today, like packaging and shipping materials.”

The foam polystyrene used in egg cartons, to-go drink cups, packing peanuts, and cushioning blocks for shipped appliances, for instance, can be recycled, so those products are marked with the chasing arrows symbol.

However, local governments and recycling providers don’t accept the foam in their curbside recycling programs, because recycling it takes more work than recycling other plastics. Tossing a block of foam into the recycling bin means someone down the line is going to have to fish it out, or could mean an entire load of recyclable materials is rejected and ends up in a landfill.

Manufacturers selling products in Oregon will be required to label them to indicate whether they can be recycled in Oregon, said state Sen. Michael Dembrow, the Portland Democrat who spearheaded the law.

Dembrow said that will likely start as a sticker, but may shift to permanent marking as other states follow Oregon’s lead.

Dembrow has long been focused on reducing Oregon’s

dependence on plastics. Then, beginning in 2018, China stopped importing the millions of tons of recyclable plastics generated in the U.S. and Europe. Addressing plastic waste became even more pressing.

“I can’t fault the Chinese for doing what they did,” Dembrow said. “They’ve been taking our garbage, frankly, for a long time. It’s not in good shape when it gets to them, and most of it, they have not been able to really sort and recycle, so it was going into their landfills or being burned.”

His measure, which passed both the House and Senate on mostly party-line votes, set up the task force and requires DEQ to establish statewide standards for recycling – so people in Pendleton can recycle the same materials as people in Portland. Brown has yet to appoint the 15-member task force, which is set to begin work in January.

The measure also requires companies that produce things like boxes, shipping envelopes, writing paper, and food containers to join a producer responsibility association and follow rules that will be developed by the DEQ over the next few years.

DEQ can already assess fines of up to $25,000 per day for violating Oregon’s existing recycling laws, and that would extend to the new law. The department would use any proceeds from fines for a new grant program that would give local governments and nonprofit organizations money to develop more waste prevention programs.

Most Oregonians won’t

see many changes until 2025, Stienstra said.

“If you live in rural Oregon, eastern Oregon, the southern part of the state, you’re more likely to see more changes because the services that are available are going to drastically improve and increase,” she said. “If you live in, say, the Portland metro area, the services that you see are already fairly robust, so you’ll see fewer changes.”

The department will also work with companies to create additional options to recycle materials like foam packaging that couldn’t be dropped in a curbside bin or at a recycling depot, she said. Models for this already exist with items like computers or plastic grocery bags in states that haven’t banned them — you can’t stick a dead computer or a plastic bag in a recycling bin, but some stores and popup sites will recycle them.

During the few years before the new law takes full effect, Dembrow said Oregonians can help the state’s recycling by checking with their local government or garbage service to make sure that they’re only putting truly recyclable items in their blue bins.

“I think people should pay attention to that and try to follow those requirements to the best of their abilities,” he said. “And at the same time, they should be calling on us in the legislature to take steps to really have truth in advertising and make it easier for consumers to know what to do.” h t t p s : / / o re g o n c a p i t a l chronicle.com/ Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Snow owl...

PHOTO BY SHANNON L. FALLIS

Locals welcomed winter weather with a snow owl sculpture.

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

15

ON

FIDDLING AROUND AT SCHOOL

What does it take to get a middle school student up early to spend an extra hour at school learning something new? In Sisters, it takes putting a fiddle or guitar in their hands.

For several weeks now, 15 students have been learning to play the fiddle and seven more are playing the guitar in the Sixth Grade Beginner Fiddle/Strings Club at Sisters Middle School, held in conjunction with the Sisters Folk Festival (SFF).

The Sisters Folk Festival is providing quality instruments and paying the instructors, which makes the class accessible to any sixth grader.

“We’re able to do it with no barriers,” said SFF Creative Director Brad Tisdel. “There’s no cost to the kids.”

During the two sessions per week, the fiddle players learn beginning hand positions and bow technique, and work on traditional fiddle tunes — learning by ear in the traditional way.

Guitar players are working on beginning chord progressions, geared to matching up with what the fiddle players are learning.

“So we can actually have some jams,” explained SMS music teacher Steven Livingston.

Livingston is teaching the guitar players, while the fiddle players work with Melissa Stolasz. Both teachers are beyond excited about the way the club has taken off. Livingston sees the activity as a way to “kind of help restore the fabric of our community,” which has been frayed a bit by COVID-19 restrictions that have limited kids’ activities and live music opportunities.

Livingston is impressed with the cadre of dedicated, enthusiastic students.

“They’re all just amazing kids” itedd to to see see kids,” he said said. “I’m exci excited what this community of middle school kids are going to do in the next couple of years.”

Stolasz has a pretty good idea. She noted that young students pick up music incredibly quickly; the club has had eight sessions and already has learned four tunes. She hopes to see the program continue so today’s sixth graders build on their skills and nurture incoming students.

She tells them, “By the time you’re juniors in high school, we’re going to have an unruly fiddle mob — and it’s going to be so much fun!”

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Stars over Sisters Columnists

As the holiday season winds down and visiting in-laws return to their respective homes, the pace of life slows to something more manageable for many of us. Happily, this should result in more opportunities to take in the splendor of a star-studded winter night sky in January.

Lepus the Hare is this month’s featured constellation. Certainly not the brightest group of stars in the sky, Lepus nevertheless is easy to locate because it lies directly beneath one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky, namely Orion the Hunter.

Shining at a magnitude of 2.6, Arneb (“the hare” in Arabic) is Lepus’ brightest star. It is a yellowwhite supergiant, believed to be only 13 million years old, but is likely to expire within the next million years or so. This is because the star is about 14 times more massive than our sun, causing it to “burn” its fuel at a furious rate. It is 2,200 light-years away.

Perhaps the most remarkable star in this constellation is the famous variable star R Leporis, frequently called the Hind’s Crimson Star.

Discovered by J.R. Hind in 1845, this object is a Carbon Star, meaning it is surrounded by a thick atmosphere of carbon that tends to absorb all but the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Hind described its appearance as “the most intense crimson, resembling a blood-drop on the background of the sky.”

Although Lepus does contain a smattering of deep-sky objects, just

two are particularly noteworthy. The brightest of these is M79, a globular star cluster located about 42,000 light-years away. The other is planetary nebula IC 418 which consists of an expanding shell of gas expelled from a dying star on its way to becoming a white dwarf. Dubbed the Spirograph Nebula, this object lies about 2,000 light-years away.

The remainder of this article is dedicated to calling further attention to preserving dark skies in our community. As concerned members of the Student Sisters Astronomy Club, the authors conducted a random survey of Sisters High School students, asking if it was important to them that dark skies be maintained in Sisters.

More than 96 percent of the respondents said this was a serious issue and that action needs to be taken. The following are quotes from those students who replied to the survey: • C h l o e We s s e l , s e n i o r : “Whenever I go outside at night and see them, it wows me and I don’t think it’s ever not going to do that.

It’s something that can be so special, peaceful, and beautiful, and I would hate to see that vanish because of something preventable.”

• Mary Laprey, sophomore: “Growing up in a big city, light pollution really affected how I could see stars at night. Because of this whenever I would come to sisters or go camping, I would always look forward to seeing them and it was almost a special little treat. Now that I live here, I get to see them more often, and when I do get to see them, it makes my day.”

FUN & GAMES SUDOKU EASY PEASY! Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from 1 to 9.

MATH SQUARE Use the numbers 1 through 16 to complete the equations. Each number is only used once. Each row is a math equation. Each column is a math equation.

Remember that multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

FIND EIGHT DIFFERENCES

By Zoey Lorusso and Dominic Martinez

NASA AND THE HUBBLE HERITAGE TEAM

The Spirograph Nebula is an expanding shell of gas from a dying star in the constellation of Lepus.

• Sydney Linn, junior: “I only ever noticed the stars when I moved out here. They are very beautiful, and if I hadn’t moved out here, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to see them as much as I do today.”

• Elana Mansfield, junior: “I think it is incredibly important to see the stars because it gives a perfect example of how vast our universe is. We are lucky enough to be able to look up and see millions of shining stars and recognize how complex and beautiful they are, along with how complex that makes our own existence. I can’t imagine what life would be like with a blank night sky and no concept of what is beyond us.”

• Miles O’Neill, sophomore: “I love the stars. I love looking at them and thinking about them. It would be sad if we couldn’t see them.”

Mackenzie Shelswell-White, senior: “I myself marvel at our ability, specifically in Sisters, to be able to see the Milky Way and almost always have stars to look at and recognize in our night sky. Imagining people going an entire lifetime without experiencing something as spectacular as a starry-filled night sky, all because of how others use and manage their light, seems absurd and frankly sad, so I’m on board with preserving dark skies.”

Here is this month’s dark sky tip: Use lights only when needed. Shield them to direct the light only where it’s needed. Control lights with timers so they are off when not in use, keep them as dim as possible, and, most importantly, use warm-colored lights.

The authors appreciate the readers who take these tips into consideration to help promote dark skies.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Chase Frankl Chase Frankl says that his success at Sisters High School comes down to “pretty much brute, hard work.”

He applies himself in every aspect of his work, from the classroom to music to student activities, and he’s not shy about asking for help when he needs it. And one of the things he appreciates about Sisters High School is that the teachers and staff are always willing to step up.

“They’ll do anything they can to help you succeed,” he said.

Frankl has a strong passion for the Chinese program. He’s studying the language, but he’s also quite taken with the culture. He’s heavily involved in music, which he’s been pursuing seriously since the second grade.

He’s currently involved in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Jazz Band.

Frankl is president of the Key Club and led the holiday canned food drive for the program. He also hopes to conduct a drag for bags of necessities for the homeless.

Frankl truly appreciates the environment of the school he serves.

“Everybody kind of knows your name,” he said. “Everybody is kind to each other.”

Chase Frankl is a hardworking and dedicated student who always comes to the class with a smile on his face and ready to learn. His participation within the class shows his engagement with the class materials. He is smart and funny. Chase’s sense of humor always puts a smile on everyone’s face. It’s a pleasure to have Chase on the team. — Ada Chao Chase is such a conscientious young man and always does his best to lead and give his best effort in everything that he is involved in. — Rand Runco It has been so fun watching Chase grow into the amazing young man he is now. From early on, Chase stood out as a student with big plans who was willing to work hard to achieve them. Chase is an excellent student with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, and is always eager to help others. He is one of the most conscientious and driven students I have ever taught. It has been a joy having Chase in

Sisters High School December 2021 Student of the Month

class. Congratulations! - Sheryl Yeager Chase! Congratulations on being Student of the Month for December! I’m so proud of you ~ and LOVE seeing you around school and especially when you and your friends visit the kitchen.

— Terri Rood, Lunch Lady Extraordinaire I have only had Chase in class for a short time, but have known him as an active member of our student body for the last few years. In the time that I have had him in class, I have found him to demonstrate a high level of initiative, able to build a team spirit, genuinely show eagerness to learn, and able to display social grace. In class discussion, he makes a strong impact and classmates really listen. His insight and open-mindedness help create a comfortable, welcoming environment. In addition, he is positive, friendly, and relaxed, making him simply a joy to have in class. I know that he not only brightens my day but is a bright spot to so many others too.

I am grateful to know Chase and to have him as a student in my class. — Samra Spear Chase’s drive, independent spirit and academic proficiencies will allow him to do amazing things no matter where he lands. I personally cannot wait to see where that is. Congratulations Chase!! I am so glad you have received this honor; it is truly deserved! — Rick Kroytz Chase Frankl without a doubt embodies the true spirit of what it means to be an Outlaw. His unfailing positivity and enthusiasm are evident in everything he does. We know we can always count on Chase to step up and lead, and to do so with genuine kindness and care for others. He has been so instrumental in maintaining our unique culture as we have moved through all the changes that have come with the last two years. Chase is the type of person we can all look up to and aspire to be more like. He has had such a big impact on our school and our community. Thank you, Chase, for all you have given to Sisters! Best of luck to you as you go forward from here. I can’t wait to see how you continue to share your incredible gifts. — Gail Greaney I’ve gotten to know Chase the last few years as he has grown into a fine young man. Whenever I would see him come to the admin office, he was always respectful and polite. I also had the privilege of playing music alongside him in the High School Band. He is a high achiever in his music playing as well as his

These businesses have joined The Nugget in supporting our youth and their accomplishments by co-sponsoring the Student of the Month program.

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academic studies. I have no doubt that he will succeed in any endeavor he chooses. — Ruth Barrios Chase brings a great energy to Sisters High School. He is hardworking and thoughtful in the classroom and positive and helpful all around.

Mostly, I appreciate his sincere interest in life and people. I know Chase will make a difference for good wherever he is. — Jami Lyn Weber Chase has long been one of the best musicians in the district. However, there are several things about him that I admire even more. He is always thoughtful and takes great care, both in his craft and his relationships. Additionally, he does not shy away from, but instead seeks out, criticism and critique in order to continuously improve. That is a trait that I wish more students possessed. — Tyler Cranor

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18

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

The Nugget Newspaper Crossword

Rambling...

By Jacqueline E. Mathews, Tribune News Service

— Last Week’s Puzzle Solved —

PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS

December’s snowfall made perfect conditions for getting out into the woods on snowshoes.

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

Adam and Eve chose the serpent and launched the world’s most deadly virus of evil/sin that has infected humans for thousands of years, causing wars, pestilence, hate, murder, lust for power over others, and rebellion against God. History has been the teacher we can still learn from.

Choices have consequences; sometimes good, sometimes bad, and many times with unintended consequences.

Throughout recorded history the levels of evil/sin that infected humans are horrific, including innocent child sacrifice. In the face of this seemingly endless pandemic, God once chose to destroy humanity with a flood and at other times intervene or destroy entire nations.

Having just celebrated the birth of Christ, believers acknowledge the ultimate demonstration of God’s love for us in providing the ultimate vaccine: His one and only Son. Jesus is the vaccine of eternal life, wellness, peace, love, and so many other cures for the Triple Six pandemic. There is no better medicine for humanity.

Can we as a sovereign nation learn from America’s short history? Founded clearly upon Christian principles, I believe God constructed a wall of protection around America since our birth that may be crumbling under the same Triple Six pandemic that continues to viciously infect the entire world.

Where do we go from here? In 2022 will we ignore the lessons of history to become another China, Russia, or Cuba?

Or will we be able to humble ourselves, seek God’s forgiveness, consider the Jesus vaccine, and thrive once again as One Nation Under God? The other good news is that there are no boosters and a great manual is available to help build our personal relationship with Jesus. It’s sometimes referred to as Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and is full of historical lessons learned and credible counsel for living a fulfilled life. It’s not too late to seek the Jesus vaccine; what do we have to lose?

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D ESIGNERS & B UILDERS of D ISTINCTION

541-549-1523

Residential Remodels New Construction Water & Fire Damage Repairs Commercial Tenant Improvements Handyman Services

www.laredoconstruction.com • 541-549-1575

ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777.

The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

CLASSIFIED RATES COST: $2 per line for first insertion, $1.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $2 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate.

DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication.

PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement.

VISA & MasterCard accepted.

Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application.

CATEGORIES: 101 Real Estate 102 Commercial Rentals 103 Residential Rentals 104 Vacation Rentals 106 Real Estate Wanted 107 Rentals Wanted 200 Business Opportunities 201 For Sale 202 Firewood 203 Recreation Equipment 204 Arts & Antiques 205 Garage & Estate Sales 206 Lost & Found 207 The Holidays 301 Vehicles 302 Recreational Vehicles 401 Horses 402 Livestock 403 Pets 500 Services 501 Computer Services 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish 504 Handyman 505 Auto Repair 600 Tree Service & Forestry 601 Construction 602 Plumbing & Electric 603 Excavations & Trucking 604 Heating & Cooling 605 Painting 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint.

701 Domestic Services 702 Sewing 703 Child Care 704 Events & Event Services 801 Classes & Training 802 Help Wanted 803 Work Wanted 901 Wanted 902 Personals 999 Public Notice

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

C L A S S I F I E D S 102 Commercial Rentals

202 Firewood

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS • 8 x 20 dry box DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD • Fenced yard, RV & trailers • SINCE 1976 • • In-town, gated, 24-7 Doug Fir – Lodgepole – Juniper Kris@earthwoodhomes.com DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – Prime Downtown Retail Space SistersForestProducts.com Call Lori at 541-549-7132 Order Online! 541-410-4509 Cold Springs Commercial Lodgepole Pine Firewood CASCADE STORAGE Intermountain Wood Energy (541) 549-1086 Seasoned/split, delivered or 581 N. Larch – 7-Day Access pickup, and log-truck loads.

5x5 to 12x30 Units Available 541-207-2693.

5x5 - 8x15 Climate Control Units On-site Management 204 Arts & Antiques MINI STORAGE JEWELRY REPAIR & Sisters Rental CUSTOM DESIGN 331 W. Barclay Drive Graduate gemologist. Over 45 541-549-9631 years experience. Cash for gold.

Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor Metals • 220 S. Ash St. Suite 1 RV parking. 7-day access.

541-904-0410 Computerized security gate.

Moving boxes & supplies.

205 Garage & Estate Sales

103 Residential Rentals

Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!

Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?

Locally owned & operated by...

Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150

PONDEROSA PROPERTIES –Monthly Rentals Available– Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com Printed list at 221 S. Ash, Sisters 301 Vehicles Ponderosa Properties LLC We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Room available. Brand new Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ home built 2 yrs. ago. Squaw Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Creek Canyon Estates on 2.5-acre Sisters Car Connection da#3919 lot. Westside wing, one bedroom, SistersCarConnection.com private bathroom, all utilities, wifi. Maid cleans bathroom and 403 Pets linens once a month. $750/month FURRY FRIENDS Call or text 707-688-2800 helping Sisters families w/pets.

FREE Dog & Cat Food 104 Vacation Rentals No contact pick-up by appt.

CASCADE HOME & 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4 VACATION RENTALS 541-797-4023 Monthly and Vacation Rentals Three Rivers Humane Society throughout Sisters Country.

Where love finds a home! See the (541) 549-0792 doggies at 1694 SE McTaggart Property management in Madras • A no-kill shelter for second homes.

Go to ThreeRiversHS.org or CascadeVacationRentals.net call 541-475-6889 ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Bend Spay & Neuter Project Private Central OR vac. rentals, Providing Low-Cost Options for Property Management Services Spay, Neuter and more!

541-977-9898 Go to BendSnip.org or call www.SistersVacation.com 541-617-1010

201 For Sale

TEDDY RUXPIN 14-inch animatronic bear reads to kids and features color LCD eyes with more than 40 animations and a motorized mouth. Three pre-loaded stories and sing-along songs. Books and batteries included. Like-new condition with new batteries, $50. Jess, 541-549-9941.

GAS-POWERED BIKE Classic Schwinn adult bike, black, with 50cc, 2-stroke gas engine. Only a few miles on the engine. $300 OBO. Jess, 541-977-8494.

500 Services

19

600 Tree Service & Forestry

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction & yard debris.

You Call – We Haul!

541-719-8475.

Dog Walker & Animal Care Will come to you, within 6 miles of Sisters.

Please call for rates and references. Call Stacey (707)234-1890 CLASSIFIEDS! It pays to advertise in The Nugget Newspaper Deadline is Monday before noon, 541-549-9941 or online at NuggetNews.com Uploaded every Tuesday at no additional cost to you!

501 Computers & Communications

SISTERS SATELLITE TV • PHONE • INTERNET Your authorized local dealer for DirecTV, ViaSat HS Internet and more! CCB # 191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729 Technology Problems?

I can fix them for you.

Solving for business, home & A/V needs. All tech supported.

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502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008 M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986.

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MOVING TRUCK FOR HIRE –COMPLETE MOVING, LLC– Sisters' Only Local Moving Co.!

Two exp. men with 25+ years comm. moving. Refs! ODOT Lic. Class 1-B • Call 541-678-3332 504 Handyman BOOKKEEPING SERVICE Home Customizations, LLC ~ Olivia Spencer ~ Res. & Commercial Remodeling, Expert Local Bookkeeping!

Bldg. Maintenance & Painting Phone: (541) 241-4907 Chris Patrick, Owner www.spencerbookkeeping.com homecustomizations@gmail.com ~ WEDDINGS BY KARLY ~ CCB #191760 • 541-588-0083 Happy to perform virtual or SISTERS HONEYDO in-person weddings.

Interior paint, small projects, and Custom Wedding Ceremonies home repairs. Drywall and 20+ years • 541-410-4412 texture, plumbing, lighting, etc. revkarly@gmail.com 25+ yrs. prop. mgmnt. / refs.

SMALL Engine REPAIR Scott Dady 541-728-4266.

Lawn Mowers, JONES UPGRADES LLC Chainsaws & Trimmers Home Repairs & Remodeling Sisters Rental Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, 331 W. Barclay Drive Fences, Sheds & more.

541-549-9631 Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Authorized service center for Local resident • CCB #201650 Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, LAREDO CONSTRUCTION Kohler, Kawasaki Engines 541-549-1575 Maintenance / Repairs • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Insurance Work CCB #194489 Call 541-419-1279

TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT Tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, brush mowing, lot clearing, crane services, certified arborist consultation, tree risk assessment, fire risk assessment/treatment Nate Goodwin ISA-Cert. Arborist PN-7987A CCB #190496 • 541.771.4825 Online at: www.tsi.services Top Knot Tree Care can handle all of your tree needs, from trims to removals.

Specializing in tree assessment, hazard tree removal, crown reduction, ladder fuel reduction, lot clearing, ornamental and fruit tree trimming and care.

• Locally owned and operated • • Senior and military discounts • • Free assessments • • Great cleanups • • Licensed, Insured and Bonded • Contact Bello @ 541-419-9655, Find us on Facebook and Google CCB#227009 Sisters Tree Care, LLC Preservation, Pruning, Removals & Storm Damage Serving All of Central Oregon Brad Bartholomew ISA Cert. Arborist UT-4454A 503-914-8436 • CCB #218444 4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts!

– TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal.

– FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects!

Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 ** Free Estimates ** Owner James Hatley & Sons 541-815-2342 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057 SICKLY TREES ?

Check the Nugget's classified advertisers for professionals to help you!

601 Construction

SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523

Custom Homes Residential Building Projects Concrete Foundations Becke William Pierce CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com

20

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

C L A CS L SA I S F SI IE FD I S E D S

od Timberframes Earthwood Timberframes & construction • Design & construction fir and pine • Recycled beams fir and pine beams and accent • Mantles timbers and accent timbers thwoodhomes.com Kris@earthwoodhomes.com CB #174977 CCB #174977

BANR Enterprises,BANR LLC Enterprises, All Landscaping LLC Services All Landscaping Services Earthwork, Utilities,Earthwork, Grading, Utilities, Mowing, Grading, Thatching,Mowing, Hauling Thatching, and Hauling and Hardscape, Rock Walls Hardscape, Snow Rock Removal Walls Call Snow Abel Ortega, Removal Call Abel Ortega, Residential & Commercial Residential & Commercial 541-815-6740.

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SUDOKU

911: Text-to-911 service is a feature of local provider Continued from page 3

Anybody selling to state or federal agencies has had to deal with often-archaic business practices that have occasional political overtones. Palanuk finds himself having to ask questions that are not always popular or that challenge the status quo.

Being self-assured and a persuasive, polite questioner has kept him in the game against sometimes daunting odds.

Noble has made its mark and is the first player in the 911 systems game that isn’t backed by thousands of employees and billions of dollars in capital. Others, seeing Noble’s success at breaking into the market, have joined the fray.

Motorola for one, who is both a vendor to Noble and now a competitor. Motorola has a market cap of $46 billion on sales of $7.4 billion.

Palanuk’s business now employs eight, two of whom came on board last year.

They are the kinds of jobs idealized for Sisters: high tech, paying family wages.

He’s proud of a milestone, telling The Nugget, “We have reached a point where we can pay benefits like health care premiums for our team.”

The business can boast providing the first text-to-911 systems in Oregon, inaugurated in Deschutes County.

More impressive is Noble’s success in mobile 911 systems. A prime example was wildfire in the fall of 2020 that took out the 911 facility in Clackamas County, a Noble client. In under a day Noble reconfigured 911 calls and dispatches to remote laptop computer users forced out of their offices.

Palanuk said that the 911 scene has intensified since the onset of COVID-19.

Among the changes begun with the pandemic are the growing number of suiciderelated calls to 911. In his mind, 911 dispatchers are underappreciated, and every bit as deserving of firstresponder status as those in the police and fire services.

Noble itself is on the front lines with 24/7 tech support. They are maintenance hawks, working remotely and proactively to monitor and assess potential malfunctions or system failures before their clients are even aware of their existence.

Close to home, Deschutes County is their first and prized installation, but if Palanuk has his way there will be hundreds more to showcase down the road — a road with the occasional dragon to be slain as he competes in a world of giants.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

21

Tribes see hope for clean water in infrastructure bill

By Gillian Flaccus, Felicia Fonseca, and Becky Bohrer Associated Press

WARM SPRINGS (AP) — Erland Suppah Jr. doesn’t trust what comes out of his faucet.

Each week, Suppah and his girlfriend haul a halfdozen large jugs of water from a distribution center run by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to their apartment for everything from drinking to cooking to brushing their teeth for their family of five. It’s the only way they feel safe after countless boil-water notices and weeks-long shutoffs on a reservation struggling with bursting pipes, failing pressure valves, and a geriatric water treatment plant.

“About the only thing this water is good for is cleaning my floor and flushing down the toilet,’’ Suppah said of the tap water in the community 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Portland.

“That’s it.’’

In other, more remote tribal communities across the country, running water and indoor plumbing have never been a reality.

Now, there’s a glimmer of hope in the form of a massive infrastructure bill signed

last month that White House officials say represents the largest single infusion of money into Indian Country.

It includes $3.5 billion for the federal Indian Health Service, which provides health care to more than two million Native Americans and Alaska Natives, plus pots of money through other federal agencies for water projects.

Tribal leaders say the funding, while welcome, won’t make up for decades of neglect from the U.S. government, which has a responsibility to tribes under treaties and other acts to ensure access to clean water. A list of sanitation deficiencies kept by the Indian Health Service has more than 1,500 projects, including wells, septic systems, water storage tanks, and pipelines. Some projects would address water contamination from uranium or arsenic.

About 3,300 homes in more than 30 rural Alaska communities lack indoor plumbing, according to a 2020 report. On the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation, about one-third of the 175,000 residents are without running water.

Residents in these places haul water for basic tasks

such as washing and cooking, sometimes driving long distances to reach communal water stations. Instead of indoor bathrooms, many use outhouses or lined pails called “honey buckets’’ that they drag outside to empty.

Some shower or do laundry at community sites known as “washeterias,’’ but the equipment can be unreliable and the fees expensive.

“You look at two billionaires competing to fly into outer space, yet we’re trying to get basic necessities in villages of interior Alaska,’’ said PJ Simon, a former chairman of an Alaska Native nonprofit corporation called the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

Many more tribal communities have indoor plumbing but woefully inadequate facilities and delivery systems riddled with aging pipes.

The coronavirus pandemic, which disproportionately hit Indian Country, further underscored the stark disparities in access to running water and sewage systems.

In Warm Springs, the water crisis has overlapped with COVID-19.

“During a worldwide pandemic, we’ve had a boilwater notice. How are we

supposed to wash our hands?

How are we supposed to sanitize our homes to disinfect, to keep our community members safe? How can we do that ... when our water isn’t even clean?’’ said Dorothea Thurby, who oversees the distribution of free water to tribal members and food boxes to those who are quarantined.

A 2019 report by a pair of nonprofit groups, U.S. Water Alliance and Dig Deep, found Native American homes are 19 times more likely than white households to lack full plumbing. And federal officials note tribal members without indoor toilets or running water are at increased risk of respiratory tract, skin, and gastrointestinal infections.

In Oregon, tribal officials have handed out about 3 million gallons of water — almost all of it donated — from a decommissioned elementary school on the reservation. A steady stream of residents pick up a combined 600 gallons of water a day from the building. Former classrooms overflow with five-gallon containers and cases of bottled water.

“The infrastructure bill brought joy to my heart because now it gives me hope — hope that it’s going

to be repaired,’’ said Dan Martinez, the tribes’ emergency manager, who expects to receive federal funds to replace underground pipes and address the 40-year-old treatment plant.

“If you came to work one day and someone said, ‘Hey, you need to go and find water for a community of 6,000 people.’ ... I mean, where do you start?’’’

The money won’t provide immediate relief. Funding to the Indian Health Service is supposed to be distributed over five years. There is no deadline for its use, and projects will take time to complete once started. The money won’t cover operation and maintenance of the systems, a point tribes have criticized.

In Warm Springs, tribal members don’t pay for their water, and proposals to charge for it are deeply unpopular. That provides little incentive for tribal members to conserve water and raises questions about how new infrastructure will be maintained.

“There are some Natives who say — and I believe this myself — ‘How do you sell something you never owned?

The Creator has given it to us,’’’ said Martinez, a tribal member.

22

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

COVID: St. Charles faces a shortage of personnel Continued from page 1

Sisters Country has clocked 756 cases, or 2.9 percent of the county total.

Deschutes County deaths fall heaviest among our oldest citizens: 47 percent over 80 and 74 percent over 70.

Nobody under 40 has died with COVID in the county.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) tabulates that 83 percent of all statewide deaths with COVID presented one or more underlying conditions (co-morbidities).

Omicron, Wave 4, has created headlines and some fast-moving decisions by health officials. Twenty-three percent of Oregon cases for the week ending December 26 are classed as Omicron.

More attention is now being given to the number of breakthrough cases, incidents of COVID among the vaccinated. As of the end of 2021, OHA says the percentage of breakthrough cases was 36.7 percent, a number that some use to challenge the efficacy of the vaccines.

However there is unanimous agreement among federal, state, local, and hospital authorities that vaccines lessen the severity of the disease and statistics show that hospitalization rates and lengths of stay have a much better outcome among the vaccinated. Oregon is in the top tier of vaccination rates nationally with 80.8 percent of 18+ having received one dose; 73.9 percent the series; and 32.8 percent the booster dose.

Eighty percent is the statewide goal and Sisters has attained that. Redmond is the prime holdout for getting to 80 percent in the county, with 5,373 still to be vaccinated.

More reports in the media

and from the CDC itself are beginning to emphasize hospitalizations and deaths as being a better gauge of the severity of COVID-19.

Omicron is generally believed to be more transmissible, but not as deadly, a key driver in changing the narrative from case counts only to ultimate outcomes.

In Sisters Country, where we are under the care of a single hospital system — St. Charles — The Nugget has reached out to Dr. Doug Merrill, the hospital’s chief medical officer, to get an update on the effect of Omicron on preparedness and impact.

First, the numbers: Every day OHA gives an update on available ICU beds in the state and lately they report about 8 percent, meaning 92 percent are occupied. The broad assumption without careful reading is that these are all COVID-19 and that the hospitals are being overrun with the disease. In fact, ICU beds, as has long been the case, are occupied with a range of patient illnesses.

Hospital business models stipulate that 80 percent of all beds must be full just to break even.

St. Charles is a good example. Of their 36 ICU beds, only three on December 31

were COVID patients, all of whom were unvaccinated. In total, on Saturday, St. Charles was caring for 24 COVID patients, 23 unvaccinated. In other words, St. Charles was faring well in this regard.

The overlooked story with St. Charles is the worker shortage, especially now that the tour of approximately 150 Oregon National Guard support staff on loan has ended.

The four-hospital system has 911 job openings, although 250 or so are in late stages of the hiring process, which still leaves some 650 position unfilled.

More troubling are the approximately 4,000 deferred surgeries or other essential medical procedures, a backlog crisis of its own that Merrill says could take many months to rectify.

With respect to Omicron, Merrill said: “We anticipate seeing here what we see in the east and northeast. We typically are a week to two weeks behind.” He anticipates a build-up of cases and hospitalizations.

He repeated his recurring theme, saying, “We still have a significant percent of our population unvaccinated or boosted.”

He further predicted increased loads as a result of timing.

“We had the Christmas and New Year holidays, with lots of gatherings where we know folks were not careful with masking or testing before getting together…

We’re now indoors more, due to weather, all of which plays a role.”

Compounding Merrill’s woes is the early onset of RSV, a common winter virus that is hardest on kids. It typically peaks in February but he sees it already at 100 cases a week, double the average.

“We do not have pediatric ICU,” Merrill said, so “we have to ship those kids off to Portland, which is already strained.”

You can hear the frustration in his voice and see the sadness in his eyes when Merrill talks about staff fatigue and burnout.

He is frankly surprised that morale is as high as it is.

He has lost so many of his most experienced caregivers, who took early retirement, unable to cope with the daily grind.

Almost every question posed to him has included in the answer the admonition to get vaccinated and mask. Otherwise, he appears resigned to a long slog in fighting COVID-19.

SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 20

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WRITING: High Desert Museum adopted program in 2020 Continued from page 3

Desert Museum, which has long hosted events for the Prize, adopted the program.

“The literary arts provide such a dynamic way to explore the depth and complexity of deserts,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “And since its inception, the Waterston Desert Writing Prize awards ceremony has been a favorite event at the Museum. We’re excited to hear from writers near and far again in 2022.”

The winner of the 2021 Waterston Desert Writing Prize was Ceal Klingler

(lookwhereyoulive.net) for “How We Live with Each Other.” Klingler’s submission addressed how animals, plants, and other organisms have created livable places with each other at the hard edges of heat, cold, dehydration, floods, and fires at the westernmost overlap of the Mojave and Great Basin deserts.

The 2021 finalists were Charles Hood (workman. com/authors/charles-hood) for “Deserts After Dark,” and Joe Wilkins for “Desert Reckoning” (joewilkins.org).

For more information about the Waterston Desert Writing Prize and how to submit an entry, visit ww.high desertmuseum.org/water ston-prize. Submissions will be accepted through Sunday, May 1 at 11:59 p.m.

The High Desert Museum also announced the return of the Waterston Student Essay Competition, open to young writers from Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jefferson, and Lake counties in grades 9-12, in public or private school, or homeschooled. Submission is free.

Students may submit essays of 750 to 1,000 words of nonfiction prose to waterston @highdesertmuseum.org from January 1 through May 1. The submissions will be judged on originality, clarity of expression, accuracy, and their contribution to the understanding and appreciation of desert regions.

For more information about the Waterston Student Essay Competition visit h i g h d e s e r t m u s e u m . o rg / waterston-student-prize.

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Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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24

Wednesday, January 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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