The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVII No. 18 // 2024-05-01

The Nugget

Banners honor Sisters Class of 2024

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

This year’s high school graduating seniors who live in Sisters Country are being recognized and celebrated with individual photo banners hanging on lamp posts along all of Cascade Avenue and parts of Main and Hood Avenues from April 22 through May 13.

According to Citizens4 Community (C4C) executive director Kellen Klein, “The Banner Project was initially launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a way to acknowledge and honor graduating students when in-person festivities weren’t feasible. After a one-year hiatus, the Project is being relaunched for the Class of 2024.”

All graduating seniors in Sisters Country are acknowledged, whether they attend Sisters High School, another high school or educational program, or are home schooled. Participation in the project is totally voluntary, and a few students opted out. There is no cost to the students or their families.

The community support for the Project has

been evident since parents Angie Bagg and Jamie Vohs wanted to bring the Project back.

Bagg explained, “We reached out to C4C due to their previous involvement in the past, and we also wanted to find a ‘home’ for this project so that it would

Sisters to take on housing challenges

By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief

Sisters City Councilor

Jennifer Letz makes a stark — but hopeful — assessment of Sisters’ housing situation.

“I perceive it as bad, but salvageable,” she told The Nugget . “We’re not too far gone yet. I think we have the ability as a community to take charge of the housing situation and improve it.”

The community will get an opportunity to share a situation report on housing, and ideas on how to address the challenges of affordability, at a forum sponsored by Citizens4Community (C4C) and The Nugget Newspaper on Sunday, May 5. The forum is set for 4 p.m. at SistersCamp Sherman Fire District

Community Hall. Letz is one member of a panel who will kick off discussions.

Letz says she has long been concerned that Sisters would go the way of other “gateway communities” in the West and become an exclusive enclave. Think Jackson Hole, Aspen, and their ilk.

“That’s my fear,” she said. However, she believes that Sisters still has a window of opportunity to bring policy and funding tools to bear to alter that trajectory.

“It’s not too late to change course and keep this a community for everybody — everybody who works here and is part of the community,” she said.

continue to happen in years to come. Kellen Klein jumped right in and took the reins! With our parent volunteers, Kellen, the City of Sisters, and assistance from SHS, the project took off again in full force. C4C set up a fundraising page to fund the project, and it was

fully funded with $3,525 in eight days. This shows how much the community supports each other and our students.”

Vohs had worked with C4C on the banner project for the class of ’21.

See BANNERS on page 18

County mulls RVs as rental units

Should rural property owners be allowed to rent space to RV dwellers? That is the question that will come before the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Wednesday, May 8.

The Commissioners will hold a public hearing where residents can provide their input on allowing recreational vehicles to be used as rental dwellings.

Following the adoption of Oregon Senate Bill (SB) 1013, which became law in January 2024, the BOCC is considering whether to amend Deschutes County zoning code and permit property owners in rural residential areas to rent out a location for an RV on their property subject to certain conditions.

The baseline criteria for RVs as rental dwellings include:

CEC protects power lines in Sisters

Keeping power lines safe from wildfire is a critical part of infrastructure protection in Sisters Country. Right of way (ROW) clearing can mitigate sources of wildfire ignition and improve worker safety for those who maintain power lines.

Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) has begun a vegetation management project on approximately 3.5 miles of existing powerline along Forest Service Road 2058 (North Pine Street) — a road that connects the City of Sisters with Indian Ford Road to the north.

Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) is completing this ongoing maintenance to ensure reliable electricity for the greater Sisters area. The work will include felling approximately 140 trees within 10 feet of the

power transmission line corridor. Trees alongside the corridor may be trimmed, and hazard trees outside the 10-foot corridor may be

felled. Hazard identification includes trees or branches with the potential to come in

Right of way clearing below power lines can

City Public Works installers put up banners honoring each graduating senior of the Class of 2024. The banners will hang on Cascade, Main, and Hood avenues through May 13.

PHOTO BY KELLEN KLEIN

Letters to the Editor…

The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address, and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond, or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.

AI is wrong

To the Editor:

Relative to a letter to the editor published in The Nugget, April 17, in which artificial intelligence (AI) is the trusted source: the misinformation perpetuated therein must not stand.

Yes, when Jamie McLeod-Skinner was the city manager in Phoenix, Oregon, she was fired, but AI did not search to learn that Jamie was a whistle-blower who was attempting to hold the mayor, some city council members, and staff accountable for violations of laws and regulations both state and local.

Wednesday May 1 Partly Cloudy 56/34

May 2 AM

You, dear reader, should know that Jamie opted for a public hearing to discuss her employment because she believed (and currently believes) in government transparency. Notably, AI missed that the city council voted 3-2 to terminate the contract. This was AFTER the mayor improperly called for a second vote, refusing to accept the council’s first vote which did not include firing her. It gets worse. AI evidently conflated media reports because, Jamie was never fired from Talent, Oregon. She was hired under a six-month contract as Talent’s Interim City Manager to manage disaster recovery

See LETTERS on page 23

Sisters Weather Forecast

The Nugget Newspaper, LLC

Website: www.nuggetnews.com

442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com

Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius

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Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon. The Nugget is mailed to residents within the Sisters School District; subscriptions are available outside delivery area. Third-class postage: one year, $70; six months (or less), $45. First-class postage: one year, $125 six months, $90. Published Weekly. ©2024 The Nugget Newspaper,

Getting Outlaws into the swing...

Country deserves better than Trump

By Diane L. Hodgson Guest Columnist

It was a quiet morning, I had just gotten my latte at Sisters Coffee, sitting in the corner with my dog, Bo. The young man sitting next to me was busy working on his laptop. He asked me what kind of dog Bo was and I informed him he was a 9-year-old Shiba Inu.

We exchanged pleasantries and he informed me he was an administrative assistant to an entrepreneur. As we continued to speak about religion, the environment, and current political issues, I learned he was very religious, very driven in his current job, happily married with two children, and a supporter of Donald Trump. He was quite intelligent and a charming person. I then became alarmed when he stated that he thought Trump was a good president.

Recently, the Biden Administration worked with a bipartisan group of House Representatives of both parties, led by a GOP conservative, which was touted as being one of the best immigration bills put forward in decades, which would close the border, get more judges, more guards, more agents, build more walls, more technology, and more deportation flights; but Trump told his MAGA GOP not to even debate it or put it on the floor, Trump said,”just wait until I get into office.”

to put up a bond of $92 million while he appealed the case. He recently lost the appeal.

Trump is currently in a New York criminal trial for the hush money case. Michael Cohen, his lawyer and fixer, went to jail for Trump, but now is able to testify to a jury involving sex with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, while married, and David Pecker, former CEO of National Enquirer, had an agreement with Trump to not post any rumors about Trump’s dalliances and to help him win the 2016 election by spewing lies about his rivals, especially Hillary Clinton. Then there was a trial in Georgia because Trump called Georgia officials asking them to find votes, Georgia then recounted three times, Trump lost; then there was a trial about the top-secret documents he hid at Mar-a-Lago, was asked to return them over many months and had his staff move the boxes, hide them from his own attorneys, taking some to his Bedminster Golf Club, showing top secret docs to staff and continues to say they are his!; then we have the case in DC regarding the insurrection at the Capital and his role — which includes a coup, getting phony electors in many states, and involving many House Representatives, Senators, top White House officials, Supreme Court Judge Thomas’ wife, and Fox News broadcasters.

Ben Holdman donated a complete set of clubs and a lot of golf balls to Sisters American Legion Post 86. The post approved presenting the clubs to the Sisters High School golf team. John Miller, Post 86 Commander, and Lance Trowbridge, Post 86 Commander nominee, made the presentation last week.

No former president or president-elect has ever been involved in so many criminal cases which he calls “witch hunts.” Today, merely keeping track of these cases requires a law degree: Trump lost his Trump Foundation lawsuit due to fraud, paid $2 million; Trump lost his Trump University lawsuit due to fraud, paid students $21 million and NY State $4 million; Trump lost his New York civil fraud case against his entire company due to many years lying to banks and insurance companies, and tax fraud to inflate values of his properties with bogus financial statements. The judge ordered him to pay $455 million. Trump has put up a bond of $175 million through a Florida company that is very suspect and not respected; Trump lost his sexual abuse and defamation case (twice) against Ms. Carroll and had

And to top it off, Trump decides to combine Church and State by selling a poorly made Bible including the Bill of Rights and Constitution; selling gold shoes; selling cards showing him preening like a Marvel hero, all to help his campaign of which most funds will cover all his legal fees. I am not a religious person, but I respect those who are, and we can’t allow a liar, and criminal into the White House. We can tell when we are being conned. Our country deserves better, our children deserve better, our environment needs an advocate, and we need to work together in the House and Senate to solve big problems together for the good of the world. Be kind, be open, and try to understand the concerns of others in a respectful, civil voice.

Jazz Choir sings on Oregon Coast

If there’s something outside of singing that the Sisters High School Jazz Choir is adamant about, it’s bonding and creating lasting memories. Over the years the jazz choir has been known to take exciting trips, whether it be to Disneyland, Ashland, or even just the Old Mill for caroling.

The group chose to continue the tradition last month, taking a trip to Newport to perform at three locations around the coast. Their venues included the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oceanview Senior Living facility, and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

“It was cool being able to sing at the aquarium…we

sang in the shark tubes and the stingrays started circling us. The worker said he’d never seen them do that before,” said senior Teague Wessel.

The group of 11 choir students was led by Julie Cash and Steve Livingston.

The choir performed six of their songs, including “Hold Your Head Up High,” “When I Fall in Love,” and “What A Wonderful World.”

Performing for a crowd at the senior center was the favorite part for many of the choir members.

“This trip was a great bonding opportunity…it was especially cool singing for the senior residents because they really appreciated it. You could tell they were really grateful to have us there and singing

for them during their lunch break, ” said senior Kendall Guiney.

During their four-day trip, the group engaged in activities other than just singing.

“One of my favorite parts was sitting around the fire and writing on cards one thing we were ashamed of and one thing we were proud of. We all went around saying the things we were proud of and then putting the rest of the card in the fire,” said Wessel.

The jazz choir is currently preparing for the annual Choral Pops Concert scheduled at Sisters High School Auditorium on Tuesday, May 21. The concert will feature choirs from both Sisters High School and Sisters Middle School.

Weather Machine returns to Sisters

Slater Smith and Travis Ehrenstrom both honed their chops as musicians and singer-songwriters in the Americana Project in Sisters schools. They’ll be bringing their music back to Sisters in a show at The Belfry on Saturday, May 11.

The Weather Machine is the band project of singer/ songwriter Slater Smith — originally local to Sisters, now living in New Zealand, and touring across both continents. Over the last decade Smith has come to be known for his hearty lyricism and theatrical flair, always complimented by the band’s reputation for exploring a wide territory, spanning everything

from experimental post-glam to more traditional indie folk and rock.

Smith returns to The Belfry, and will be joined by opener and longtime friend Travis Ehrenstrom.

“Every Weather Machine show at The Belfry is warm, tinged with nostalgia, and just a little bit of a ruckus, and this night will be no different,” Smith said.

Smith started The Weather Machine recording in Pacific City and living in Portland, in the early 2010s, self-releasing the debut album “The Weather Machine” and sophomore effort, “Peach” with

City crews work 365 days a year

Drive or walk around Sisters early any morning of the year — including holidays — and you just might see a safety-vested worker in a City truck making the rounds. They are doing seemingly quotidian tasks, and you may ask why they’re out on a Sunday or holiday.

Sisters Public Works Director Paul Bertagna, in typical fashion, downplays the work. It’s just routine in his world of streets, water,

SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR

BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS

Al -Anon

Mon., noon, Shepherd of t he Hills

Lutheran Church. 5 41-610 -7383.

Alcoholics A nonymou s

Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of t he Hills

Lutheran Church • Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church • Wednesday, 7 a.m.,G entlemen’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church • Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Thursday, 7 p.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration • Fr iday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, Shepherd of t he Hills Lutheran Church. 5 41-5 48 -0 440. Saturday, 8 a.m., Episc opal Church of the Transf iguration

Central Oregon F ly Tye rs G uild

For Saturday meeting dates and location, email: steelef ly@msn.c om

Central Oregon Trail A lliance (COTA) Sisters Chapter meets 4th Thur sday 6 p.m. at Blazin Saddles Bike S hop sistersrep@c ot amtb.c om

Ci tizens4Communit y C ommunity Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of ever y mont h, 10 to 11:30 a.m. V isit citizens 4c ommunity.c om for loc ation.

Council on Aging of Cent ral O rego n Senior Lunch In- person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab -and -go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs 12:3 0 to 1 p.m. Sisters C ommunity Church. 5 41-4 8 0-18 43

East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wed. (September- June), Stitchin’ Post . A ll are welcome. 5 41-5 49 -6 061.

G o Fish Fishing G roup 3rd Monday 7 p.m., Siste rs C ommunity Church. 541-771-2211

Hear twarmers (f leec e blanketmaker s) 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Siste rs Communit y Church. M ater ials provided. 541- 408 -8 505.

Hero Q uilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m. 5 41-6 68 -1755

Living Well W it h D ementia Sisters

Care Par tner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Thurs., 1:3 0- 3 p.m. Siste rs C ommunity Church, Room 4. 5 41-6 47-0 052.

Milita ry Parent s of Sisters M eetings are held quarter ly; please c all for details. 5 41-388 -9 013.

Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:3 0 a.m., Takoda’s Rest aurant. 541- 549- 64 69

Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. 503- 93 0- 6158

Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:3 0 p.m., at Sisters Communit y Church. 5 41-5 49 -6157.

Sisters Area Woodworke rs First Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 5 41-231-18 97

Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday 7 p.m., SPR D. 5 41-5 49 -8 8 46

Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. at Sisters C ommunity Church. Email sister sbridge2021@gmail.com.

Sisters Caregi ver Sup por t G roup 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Siste rs Episcopal Church. 5 41-719 -0 031.

Sisters Cribbage C lub M eets 11 a.m. ever y Wed. at S PR D. 5 09 -9 47-574 4.

Sisters Garden C lub For monthly meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com.

Sisters Habitat for Humanit y Board of D irectors 4th Tuesday, 4:3 0 p.m.

Location infor mation: 5 41-5 49 -1193.

Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:3 0 a.m., at Aspen Lakes Golf Cours e. 541- 632- 3663

Sisters Parent Teacher Communit y 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School Commons. 917-219-8298

Sisters Red Hat s 1st Friday. For location infor mation, please c all: 541- 8 48 -1970.

Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 5 41-760 -5 64 5.

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

Sisters Trails A lliance Board Meetings take plac e ever y other month, 5 p.m. In- person or zoom. Contact: info@sisterstrails.org

Three Sister s Irrigation Distric t Board of Direc tors M eets 1st Tuesday, 10 a.m., TSI D Of fice. 5 41-5 49 -8 815

Three Sister s Lions Club 2nd Thursday, 6:3 0 p.m., Spoons Rest aurant. 5 41-419 -1279. VF W Po st 813 8 and A merican Legion Post 8 6 1st Wednesday of the month, 6:3 0 p.m., M ain Church Building

Sisters Communit y Church 541- 549-14 62 (John).

SCHOOLS

Black Bu tt e School

Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:45 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203

and sewers. He provided The Nugget a list of what’s checked every morning: four water wells, the reservoir, the wastewater treatment plant, three effluent irrigation sites (April – October), four sewer pump stations, four restrooms (winter), six restrooms in the summer, water lab tests, and wastewater lab tests.

Most citizens probably take for granted that things work.

“Trust me,” said Bill

Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday m onthly Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule online at www ssd6.org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002. CIT Y & PARKS

Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th Tues., 4 p.m., C of f ield Center. 5 41-5 49 -2091. Sisters Pl anning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:3 0 p.m., Siste rs City Hall. 5 41-5 49 -6 022.

FIRE & POLICE

Black Bu tt e Ranch Polic e Dept. Board of Dire ctor s M eets monthly 541- 59 5-2191 for time & date

Black Bu tt e Ranch R FPD Board of Directors 4th Thurs., 9 a.m BB R Fire Station. 5 41-595 -2 28 8 Cloverdale R FPD Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Wed., 5:3 0 p.m., 6743 3 Cloverdale Rd. 5 41-5 48 -4 815. c loverdalef ire.com. Sister s- Camp She rman R FPD Board of Dire ctor s 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Siste rs Fire Hall, 5 41-5 49 -0771.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Jazz Choir made a field trip to sing at several locations on the Oregon Coast last month.

By Olivia Nieto Correspondent

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Marking Arbor Day in a tree city

By Sue Stafford Correspondent

“While most holidays celebrate something that has already happened and is worth remembering, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future. The simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty – all for a better tomorrow.”

— Arbor Day Foundation

In celebration of Arbor Day 2024 on April 26, the excited voices and enthusiasm of some 20 children from the Pine Siskin School filled Creekside Park as they planted seedlings of ponderosa, aspen, and red twig dogwood. The Pine Siskin School, located in The Belfry, is a Waldorf-inspired mixed-age kindergarten.

Since 2007, the City of Sisters has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a designated Tree City USA which requires the City’s ongoing commitment to preserving and efficiently managing our urban forest by: maintaining the Urban Forestry Board (UFB); having a community tree ordinance; creating and adopting the Urban Forest Management Plan; spending at least $2 per capita on its urban forest; and observing Arbor Day with an annual tree planting event and reciting the official Arbor Day proclamation. The value the

City places on the urban forest is reflected in the fact that the City spent $26.80 per capita on tree planting and maintenance in 2023.

This year, the City of Sisters and the UFB partnered with Upper Deschutes Watershed Council (UDWC), and their education director Kolleen Miller, to plant seedlings along Whychus Creek where it flows through the park as part of ongoing riparian restoration work at that site.

After Miller shared about the importance of riparian areas for the health of the creek, she gave a short demonstration on the correct way to plant the seedlings.

The Pine Siskin students and their parents, City staff, City Council members, and members of the public then went to work planting about 65 seedlings; some were sent home with the students. After planting, the seedlings were watered in well with childsized watering cans provided by the City.

Ponderosa seedlings were purchased from Project Ponderosa, a nursery based in Sunriver, and seedlings of aspen and dogwood came from WinterCreek Nursery in Bend. As the trees grow, they will help to stabilize the stream bank, provide wildlife habitat, and provide a diversity of colors and foliage throughout different seasons of the year.

The young planters were very involved in their process and eager to share their thoughts. Wilder said he was

excited to “help the trees grow.” His younger sister Maela said she was glad to be “keeping them nice and warm and watering them.”

Five-year-old Bela informed this reporter that he has “been a plant scientist for about 1,000 years, no, actually 1,001 years” and he knows that “plants need water, sun, and time to grow.” Another student knew that the trees they were planting would “provide oxygen for us to breathe.”

The UFB is responsible for City-owned trees and contracts the services of Dan Galecki of Spindrift Forestry as City Forester. Galecki has undertaken an exhaustive inventory of all City-owned trees, recording their species, size, location, and health. They advise the City Council on tree-related issues within the City. UFB meetings are held monthly, the second Monday, at 3 p.m., at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.

UFB member Therese Kollerer said, “We would love to interact more with community members! Many folks in Sisters are interested

in protecting and preserving our shared treasure of majestic ponderosas and other trees around town.”

Associate City Planner, Emme Shoup, told The Nugget, “Therese has been a huge help in making the City of Sisters Arbor Day a bit more special than in recent

years. In looking ahead to future Arbor Day events, UFB members and City staff have been working together to assess the potential of allocating more funding and outreach capacity in hopes of making the City’s Arbor Day celebrations a more robust community-wide event.”

A local youngster from The Pine Siskin School watered a freshly planted aspen seedling in Creekside Park on Arbor Day.

PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD

Sisters fire captain advances in profession

Cody Meredith, Captain with Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, has successfully completed the process that awards the professional designation of “Fire Officer” (FO). The Commission on Professional Credentialing met on April 15th, 2024, to confer the designation.

Captain Meredith becomes one of only 760 FOs worldwide.

The designation program is a voluntary program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components including experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association membership, community involvement, and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional

development plan.

The FO designation program uses a comprehensive peer review model to evaluate candidates seeking the credential. The Commission on Professional Credentialing awards the designation only after an individual successfully meets all the organization’s stringent criteria.

Achieving this designation signifies Cody’s career commitment to the fire and emergency services.

This professional designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership, and community involvement, as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct.

Sisters Fire Captain Cody Meredith has earned a significant professional credential as a Fire Officer.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Katie Lamb, RN, BSN

Outlaws golfers show some game in multi-course run

The Outlaw Boys Golf team travelled to Bend Golf Club, on April 15, and for the first time in four years were able to post a team score with four players.

Devin Coverdale carded a 94, Carson Bell 97, Weslee Owens 110, and Dillon Luddy shot a 111, for a team total of 412.

On April 1, the Outlaws played at Awbrey Glen with the same four players and really improved with a team total of 378. Coverdale and Bell both had rounds of 80, Owens 105, and Luddy 113.

“Devin has been on the team for four years, and this is his best competitive round ever,” said Coach Bill Mitchell. “Carson is new this year but obviously has some game. This finished a three-course run of Broken Top, Bend Golf Club, and Awbrey Glen, and I tell the kids we are so lucky to be able to play some of the best courses in the state here in Central Oregon.”

On April 24, the team played in La Pine at Quail

Run, a course with an elevation of over 4,000 feet and just a little west of Newberry Caldera.

“We also had Trent Gordon join us, so we were finally a legitimate fiveperson team. In Oregon high school golf, you are allowed to play five kids, and count the lowest four for your team total. Devin continued his great play with an 83, Trent 93, Dillon 106, and Weslee 111, giving us a team total of 393. Ironically, Carson had to withdraw with a wrist injury.”

Districts are next in Florence, where the Outlaws play Florence Golf Links, formerly Sandpines, on May 6 and 7.

Sisters adds event for Fourth of July

By Bill Bartlett Correspondent

Following the decision by Sisters Eagle Airport to discontinue the July 4th Rumble on the Runway, an event that had grown to over 4,000 in attendance, community leaders scrambled to find an alternative event, one which would have broad family appeal.

After negotiations with the City, Rotary Club of Sisters has teamed with Citizens4 Community (C4C) and has filed a formal permit application for a multi-function event to be held at Village Green Park. The organizers had wanted to continue the tradition of the car show, a popular part of the airport event.

The City would not agree to close Main Avenue, or any street, for more than a half hour. A three- to four-hour closure is needed to accommodate the approximately 60 expected cars. Moreover, the City suggested that the event be held at Village Green Park as opposed to Fir Street Park, which the organizers preferred.

As there will be live music and line dancing, the bandstand at Fir Street Park was deemed better suited. In its strong push for the event to be held at Village Green the City cited its expectations that the crowds would overwhelm the Fir Street location.

However, given the overhanging trees discharging sap, and the proximity of valuable vintage cars to other planned activities, the car show will not be included.

“None of these car owners are going to be happy parking around the Village Green perimeter while a ‘kids on wheels’ parade and pet parade goes past them within inches,” said Kellen Klein, C4C executive director.

The event will kick off with the Rotary pancake and sausage breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Run Sisters Run will put on a Red, White, & Blue 5K run at 7:45 a.m. Sisters veterans groups will lead a patriotic flag ceremony at 9 a.m.

The pet parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Kids On Wheels Parade at 10 a.m. both once or twice around Village Green (depending on the number of entrants and their speed). Pets are encouraged if they are agreeable to don stars and stripes attire, and kids are urged to decorate their bikes, trikes, scooters, and the like with festive paraphernalia.

Dry Canyon Stampede will fire up the music at 10:30 a.m. with some intermittent line dancing led by Carol Ast-Milchen. All the while in the background are a variety of activities, including a livestock demonstration by Cloverdale Livestock

Association, a local 4-H Club. Across the street, the fire house will have an open house throughout the morning and kids will be able to experience engines and ambulances in a hands-on environment.

“Kids and families will be the focus of the event,” said Sandy Reilly, incoming Rotary president. “The key word for the day is fun.”

The kids events will be led by C4C and include a visit from the Children’s Museum, contests like water balloon toss, foam horseshoes, cornhole, watermelon seed spitting, and other lawn games reminiscent of old-fashioned Americana celebrations.

There will be a grilled lunch option served by Rotary and typical summer and fair food vendors. Fika Sisters Coffee will have coffee, tea, and sweets as the event gets going.

Explore Sisters has been integral in working with the organizers. It is hoped that the event grows in scope and attendance, and eventually draw from outside Sisters Country, as the airport program did.

“This is a bridge event to keep the momentum alive and benefit our downtown merchants. We hope it can move to SPRD next year and be a destination event for years to come,” said Bill Kelly, current Rotary president.

The Outlaws fielded a five-person golf team at Quail Run in La Pine on April 24.

Panel of professors weighs wildfire risk for 2024

By Alex Baumhardt Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon’s getting better at preventing and responding to wildfires, experts said Thursday, April 25, but much more still needs to be done.

A panel of University of Oregon professors who study climate change, smoke, and wildfire discussed the 2024 wildfire season in an online forum with journalists as the West braces for summer fires.

“Wildfire risk in the West and in Oregon this year is not abnormally higher than in recent years,” said Daniel Gavin, a professor in the geography department who specializes in paleoecology — the study of climate change impacts and fires on ecosystems over time.

Snowpack across Oregon is about average, and it’s been an El Niño winter and spring, meaning conditions have been wetter-than-normal. Gavin expressed concern that parts of Washington are still abnormally dry, and that snowpack is melting too fast in some parts of the Northern Rocky Mountains. With greater precipitation and snowmelt, grasses and other vegetation in open spaces can grow quickly. A stretch of hot summer months could dry it out just as fast, creating tinder for a wildfire.

“It doesn’t take many weeks of dry weather to create fire hazards in more open vegetation on the east side (of the Cascades) or in previously burned areas,” Gavin said.

Fortunately, the number of cameras monitoring high risk areas around the state have grown from several hundred to roughly 1,200, said geophysicist Doug Toomey, a professor who also leads a regional partnership for wildfire prevention and monitoring called the AlertWildfire camera network.

And communities across Oregon and the West are improving communication systems for evacuations, said Amanda Stasiewicz, a social scientist focusing on policy and human impacts of wildfire, as well as forest and rangeland management.

Stasiewicz said utilities across the West are developing better plans and faster processes for deploying public safety power shutoffs, which allow them to deenergize part of the electric grid during bad weather conditions where there’s a high risk that electric infrastructure could start or contribute to a wildfire. Fires started by power lines and electrical equipment accounted for more than 59% of the total acres burned in California wildfires during the summers of 2017 and 2019, according to Stasiewicz.

Still, there’s more to be done, she said, especially to support rural community preparedness and to prepare for wildfire refugees who will need more support under a future of longer and larger fires, fueled in part by drought and heavy winds that are predicted to increase under climate change.

“The increase in wildfires started in or exacerbated by extreme wind events has grown, making electrical power shutoffs more common and making wildfires harder to predict,” Stasiewicz said.

All of this means it’s more difficult for state and local agencies to communicate with impacted Oregonians and to know when to order an evacuation.

“Even the risk avoided by deenergizing the grid has different impacts to different communities,” she said.

Many people get evacuation notices through cell phone messages or apps. In rural communities, where many use Wi-Fi to send and receive messages due to

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spotty signal coverage, losing electricity could completely cut them off from life-saving alerts.

Heidi Huber-Stearns, a research professor and expert on the public health impacts of wildfire smoke, said power shutoffs can also trap people in unhealthy conditions. Keeping windows closed because of smoke while also

losing the electricity needed to run air conditioners and air filtration systems, can exacerbate health issues.

Huber-Stearns said there’s more to be done regionally to address the threat of wildfire smoke, calling crossstate collaboration “a missing piece.” Despite some efforts from state and local agencies in Oregon to alert

people earlier about air quality issues, and to avoid polluting the air with smoke during prescribed burns, “smoke is a transient hazard,” she said. “It doesn’t take place in one location.”

Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0., courtesy https://oregoncapital chronicle.com.

I will listen. We work as a team. I can offer input and insights based on my 20+ years experience in Sisters and Black Butte Ranch real estate. My goal is helping you navigate through the process so you make the best decisions for you

Obituary

It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved husband and father Jon Rev-Dude. Jon Rev-Dude, was born in Seattle, Washington, on January 8, 1971, and passed away on April 15, 2024, in Bend.

After graduating from Mt. Baker Senior High School, Jon proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army from September 14, 1989, to December 16, 1992. During his service, he demonstrated exceptional dedication and received several awards and decorations, including the Army Service Ribbon, Expert Badge M16 Rifle, National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter Badge Hand Grenade, Expert Dragon Gunner, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Saudi Arabia Liberation Medal. He bravely served in defense of Saudi Arabia and the liberation and defense of Kuwait during Desert Storm.

After his military service, Jon embarked on a new chapter in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was best known as Punk Rock Jon. He embraced the music scene and made a lasting impact with his passion for punk rock. In 1999, he relocated to Oregon to care for his grandfather, where he pursued his love for comic books and opened the comic book store 3KM 3rd Millennium with his friend PJ Crader until 2004.

Jon had a passion for

brewing and crafting spirits. He was a distiller at Oregon Spirit Distillery in Bend, where he showcased his expertise in crafting fine spirits. He was a moonshine maker, sharing his many creations with friends and family. Jon’s talents extended beyond the brewing world; he was also known as a skilled bartender at the D&D Bar and Grill, where he worked from October 2016 until the date of his death. He was honored as co-Best Bartender in 2021 in Bend.

Jon was a true Renaissance man, possessing a wide range of skills and interests. He was a jack-of-all-trades and a serious collector of all things, always eager to learn and explore new hobbies.

Jon was a dedicated member of the Pacific Northwest Gambler 500 group, where he found joy in participating in rallies around Oregon. His “Wustang” Mustang wasn’t just a vehicle but a symbol of his commitment to both adventure and environmental stewardship. Jon’s enthusiasm for rallying wasn’t just about the thrill of the ride; it was also about making a difference. He loved nothing more than traversing

Oregon’s landscapes, not only enjoying the journey but also picking up litter along the way. His tireless efforts to keep the environment clean showcased his deep love for nature and his desire to leave the world a better place for future generations.

Jon was not only a dedicated husband and father but also an active member of his community. He coached his children in various activities and spent significant time with the Amity Creek School community. Recently, he made history by becoming the first male member of the High Desert Middle School PTA, demonstrating his commitment to supporting education and youth development.

Jon is survived by his beloved wife of over 20 years, Rebecca Dude, their children Bacchus Ivan Dude (age 12) and Virginia Iris Dude (age 8), his mother Susan Snook, his father-inlaw and mother-in-law Glen and Patti Samuel, father-inlaw Phil Spor and partner Sally Fairchild, family members Jennifer and Demitrius Sturdivant and family, Eric and Julie Spor and family, Krisi and Troy Troost and family, Courtney Stone, and numerous friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandfather Ivan Snook. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to the family via Venmo to Rebecca Dude @RebeccaDude.

In remembrance of Jon, let’s honor his spirit with a final “thumbs up!”

Girls tennis undefeated in conference play

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The girls tennis team notched a 5-3 win over the White Buffs at home on Wednesday, April 24, in very cold and windy conditions. The win moved them to 4-0 in conference play. They are 12-5 overall with their only losses to much larger schools; a loss to powerhouse Jesuit, two losses to Summit, and a loss to Redmond and Ridgeview.

Coach Bruce Fenn told The Nugget that Sisters No. 1 duo, Leah O’Hern and Sophie Rush, were the standouts for the day. The pair played a solid, consistent match and returned the ball with placement and power in the 6-3, 6-3, victory over Myah Pope and Hayley Burts.

“Leah and Sophie moved very well, and got in good positions to make winning shots,” said Fenn. “They are complimenting each other, and encouraging each other when frustration occurs. They played smart doubles today.”

Freshman Caitlin Carter and Kalie Sullivan (No.3

doubles) fought hard against Cypress Toman and Nancy Quinta and only lost by two, 5-7, and then fell 3-6 in the second.

Fenn said, “Their strategy worked well in the first set as Caitlin hit volley winners at the net, and Kalie kept the ball in play from the baseline. The second set was more difficult, but they stayed positive. As new players, they are getting better every match, and it’s fun to see their development.”

Fenn told The Nugget that his singles players had no competition, and easily won their matches. Juhree Kizziar (No. 1) swept Mia Mitchell 6-0, 6-0; Katie Ryan (No. 2) beat Idaly Romero 6-1, 6-1; Shae Wyland (No. 3) blanked Olyvyah Pacheco 6-0, 6-0; and Rylie Bick (No. 4) defeated Alycia Avila 6-1, 6-0.

The Lady Outlaws were to play at home against The Dalles on Tuesday, April 30. The first round of district will be Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, and the second round will be held at Madras, Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18.

Jon Rev-Dude

Outlaws face White Buffs on court

By Rongi Yost Correspondent

The Outlaws’ top two singles players won their matches against the White Buffs at Madras on Wednesday, April 24.

Dominic Pulver (No. 1) entered the match with a lame shoulder that he injured at the Caldera Tournament the previous weekend, but he was able to grind his way though and came out on top 6-2, 7-6, against Fernando Saldana. His biggest plays of the match came from overhead shots.

Coach Vince Grace said, “I was impressed to see Dominic’s success on his overheads. He consistently kept composure and focus on the ball, and made overhead after overhead, and very rarely missed.

“An overhead can be a difficult shot for all tennis players,” added Grace. “It is something not everyone gets a lot of practice at.”

Jude Parzybok (No. 2) made it look easy in his first set and only lost one game, 6-1. In the second set his opponent, Keith Charley III, came alive, moved Parzybok around the court and kept him off balance, but Parzybok hung on and posted a 7-5 win.

“Jude is an impressive player to watch,” said Grace. “Pretty tennis is

how I would describe it. What I liked about Jude was that he kept with his game plan, made a few necessary tweaks, knocked down his opponent’s big serve, and targeted his opponent’s backhand. He looked for opportunities, and then aggressively hit winners.”

Grace mixed it up a bit in doubles play and teamed up Jack Murray and Joseph Derksen in No. 1 doubles.

The duo gained some experience on the court in a real match. They fell 0-6 in the first set against Juan Olivera and Matias Ruiz Jr., but came back in the second set and were able to win three of the six games.

“It was a learning experience for both of them,” said Grace. “The takeaway for the team was on service returns, to hit the ball deep and around or over the opponent’s net man, so you don’t get crushed, and to communicate with each other for assists. What I liked about the young doubles team was their willingness to try.”

The Outlaws were scheduled to play at home against The Dalles on Tuesday, April 30. The first round of District will be Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, and the second round will be held at Madras on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18.

Freshmen shine in track action

By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent

The Outlaws track and field team finished a busy week with a handful of team members competing at the prestigious Jesuit Twilight Relays on Friday, April 26.

The meet attracts athletes from all classifications in Oregon and Washington who have met certain standards, making the event the most competitive of the season. Every event is loaded with talent, according to head coach Jonathan Kelly.

As a result, athletes often get pulled and pushed to season and personal bests, which was true for some Outlaws.

Ella Bartlett lowered her season best in the 3,000 meters to 11:00.50, which is her second-best ever. Spencer Tisdel added an inch to his personal record in the pole vault after clearing 11 feet 3 inches.

Other entrants from Sisters produced results near their season bests.

Mae Roth cleared 9 feet 9 inches in the pole vault, just under her best of 10 feet.

The 4x400 meter relay team, made up of three freshmen and a sophomore — Althea Crabtree, Josie Ryan, Audrey Corcoran, and Brooke Duey — clocked 4:13.17, which was very close to a season best. Considering the team was missing Gracie Vohs, last year’s 400-meter state champion, due to a conflict with a volleyball tournament, and Lilly Sundstrom due to a slight injury, Sisters

appears to be positioning itself to defend the state title won by the Outlaws in 2023. Corcoran also ran in the 100 meters (12.87) and competed in the long jump (15 feet 8.2 inches) while fellow frosh Crabtree high jumped 4 feet 11.5 inches, and vaulted 8 feet 9 inches.

Another freshman, Shanitah Few, cleared 4 feet 7.5 inches in the high jump. Josie Ryan qualified for the meet in the pole vault, but no-heighted.

“This was a tremendous opportunity, especially for our freshmen,” said assistant coach Dennis Dempsey. “For these kids to be shoulder to shoulder with many of the best track-and-field athletes in the northwest not only builds confidence, but provides a picture of what is possible.”

On Wednesday, April 24, the Outlaws took part in a four-way meet at Crook County High School that also included Gladstone and Culver. Coach Kelly added the meet to the calendar in order to get some more competition experience for the team.

Winners from the meet for the girls team included: Corcoran in the 100 (12.52) and the 200 (26.79); Bartlett in the 1500 (5:08.32); Crabtree in the high jump (4-feet-8-inches); Roth in the pole vault (9-feet-6-inches).

For the boys, John Berg ran a personal best of 52.91 in the 400 as the lone winner for the team, and George Roberts established a huge career best in the 1,500, lowering his time to 4:34.95 in another highlight.

The Outlaws will compete on Saturday, May 4, at the Summit Invitational in Bend in the final meet before hosting the 3A Special District 4 Championships May 9-10.

For perspective of the level of talent at the meet a small sampling proves the depth of the prowess on display. Four boys ran under 4:05 for the mile, with the winner, Nathan Neil from Bozeman, Montana clocking 4:01.31. A freshman, Ellery Lincoln of Lincoln High in Portland, ran 4:43.0 in the girls mile which converts to a 4:25 1500-meter time. The winning heights in the pole vault for girls and boys were 13 feet 1 inch and 16 feet 1 inch, respectively.

SHS Car nival

Sisters High School is raising money for the Leadership Class through a fun, f amily-friendly carnival in the Sisters High School commons on ursday, May 2, f rom 5:30 to 8 p.m. ere will be food, games , prizes, and more! e Leadership Class does many things for the high school, such as organizing dances like Homecoming and Prom, as well as student engagement through assemblies, movie nights , and so much more. e cost is $6 per person or $20 per family (no matter how big or small) and all ages are welcome!

Sisters Rodeo Parade

Want to participate in the parade? ere are limited entries , so don’t wait. Deadline is May 15 . Visit sistersrodeo.com and fill out the registration.

Sisters High School Storage Building Construction

SHS Construction Class is interested in building a storage building for someone in the communit y during spring term. Cont act Tony Cosby for more information, 541-410 -1018.

Free Weekly Meal Service

Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Community Church, 130 0 McKenzie Hwy Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org

STAR S Seeks

Dispatch Volunteers

While working from home, help STAR S transport Sisters Country resident s to nonemergenc y medical appointments . Needed: A computer, the abilit y to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-9 04-5545 . STAR S is an AFSC Action Team.

Free Lunches for Seniors

For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon o ers a f un, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a .m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church 1300 McKenzie Hwy. No reser vations needed. No-cost Grab-N- Go lunches take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., f rom 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367

SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS

Gelli Plate Printmaking Work shop

Learn how to create color ful, multi-layered, textural prints with Gelli plates on Wednesday, May 8 , from 3:4 0 to 4:4 0 p.m. in the Sisters Librar y Communit y Room. Monotype printmaking is a special form of the medium where the artist creates one print, instead of multiples . It is a simple, f un process that encour ages experimentation. is workshop is intended for ages 10+. Children 10 and over may attend unaccompanied by a caregiver. Space is limited . Registration is required at https://www deschuteslibrary.org/kid s/ programs

A NNOUNCEMENT S

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, May 2

SHS Carnival Sisters High School Commons

Thursday, May 2

Transitioning Landscapes

Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts

Sunday, May 5

Historic Guided Walking Tour

Downtown Sisters

Transitioning L andscapes:

Ecological Change in the Harney Basin

Discover the intricate dynamics of environmental transitions and migrations amidst the challenges of climate change in the captivating Harney Basin

Join a thought-provoking lecture featuring distinguished speakers Teresa ‘Bird’ Wicks and Brenda Smith, as they o er unique perspectives on this pressing issue. ursday, May 2, f rom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 ree Creek Rd . in Sisters . For more info call 5419 04- 070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org

Americ an Legion and VFW

American Legion Post 86 and VF W Post 8138 meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at Spoons Restaurant, 473 E . Hood Ave. Sisters . Call John at 541-549-1462 for info.

Sunday School for Children Church of the Transfiguration

o ers Sunday School for children, ages 5 to 12, regardless of church a liation, during both Sunday worship ser vices. Protestant/ecumenical ser vice is at 8:30 a .m. and Episcopal service begins at 10:15 a .m. e church address is 121 Brook s Camp Rd . Sisters . For more information call Margaret Doke at 541-588-2784.

Sisters Habitat

Volunteers Needed

Are you looking for something fun to do with your free time?

Volunteer with Sisters Habit at for Humanity! Call 541-549-1193 to get connected

STAR S Seek s Volunteers to Transpor t Patients

Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergenc y medical appointments in Sisters , Redmond , and Bend . Attend a free t wo-hour training. Emails from STAR S dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included . Learn more at www starsride.org. STAR S is an AFSC Action Team.

Weekly Food Pantry

e Wellhouse Church hosts a weekly food pantr y ursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N . Trinit y Way

Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-st yle distribution are available. Info: 541-549-4184.

Historic Guided Walking Tours in Sisters

Join ree Sisters Historical Societ y for a docent-guided tour of downtown Sisters landmarks on May 1, 5, 15, 26 , and 29, or the Camp Polk Pioneer Cemeter y on May 20 , June 12 or July 10 . Take this free oppor tunity to learn more about who and what has helped “make Sisters , Sisters” ! All tours begin at 10 a.m., cover about one mile, and take around an hour and a half. Families are welcome. Reservations are necessary Stop in at the Sisters Museum on Fri. or Sat. (10 -4), call 541549-14 03 or email museum@ threesistershistoricalsociet y.org with your contact info and the number in your party

Living Well With Dementia Sisters Care Par tner Group

Caring for someone who has been diagnosed with any form of dementia can be di cult. Join this facilitator-led group meeting on the 2nd and 4th ursday of the month f rom 1:30-3 p.m. at Sisters Communit y Church in Classroom 4. 130 0 McKenzie Hw y. Info: 541-6 47-0 052.

Alzheimer’s Association Conference

A mini McGinty Conference, covering the latest in Alzheimer ’s and Dementia Research, will be held on Monday, May 13 , f rom 10 a .m. to 2 p.m. at Sisters Community Church . is oppor tunity is f ree and for anyone interested in learning about Alzheimer’s and dementia . Lunch is provided. Register at 8 00 -272-3900.

Sisters French Club

For people interested in French culture and language, Sisters French Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m . at e Barn, 171 E . Main Ave. All levels are welcome. For more information, visit Facebook @SistersFrenchClub.

Open Studio at Pine Meadow Ranch

Attend the second Open Studio of the 2024 residenc y season at Pine Meadow Ranch on ursday, May 9 f rom 4 to 6 p.m . In this Open Studio you will learn about the three residents’ practices and what they have accomplishe d while they were at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts and Agriculture (PMRC AA). Presenters for this Open Studio include scientist Minal Mistry, quilter Giuseppe Ribaudo , and multidis ciplinar y artist E speranza Cortés . For more info call 5419 04- 070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefounda

e Ar t of Falco

Join local Sisters f alcone Hank Minor, as he p an engaging and infor look at the art and practic of f alconr y on Sun 19, f rom 3 to 4 p.m. a Firehouse Communit S . Elm St. After a brief h of the sport and the t raptors , quarry, equipment facilities employed, Hank will bring out the star of the show, his female Harris’s Hawk and hunting partner, Molly. Time will be allowed for questions from the audience and photos are encouraged! All ages are welcome.

Announce Your Celebr ations!

Birth, engagement, wedding , and milestone anniversary notices f rom the Sisters communit y may run at no charge on this Announcements page. All submissions are subject to editing for space. Email lisa@ nug getnews .com or drop o at 442 E . Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m . on Fridays

Central Oregon Federated Republican Meeting COFRW (Central Oregon Federated Republican Women) meet s the first ursday of every month f rom 10:30 a.m. (registration) to 1 p.m. at Brand 33 at Aspen Lakes Golf Club in Sisters. Come learn f rom quality speakers, and hear and question local and state candidates. Meetings include lunch for $27 RSVP required to attend. Learn more about upcoming meetings and speakers , and RSVP at www.COFRW.net

Rascal came to us with Flatts, his brother, after their owner passed away. ey have been together for their entire lives and are the best of friends! ey can be seen sleeping together and grooming each other. In his previous home, Rascal is said to be more “dog-like” in his personality Come meet these t wo buddies today!

SISTER S- ARE A C HURCH ES

Baha’i Faith

For information, devotions, study groups , etc., contac t Shauna Rocha 541-6 47-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteachings .org

Calvar y Church

484 W. Washington St. , Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a .m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org

Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

e Church of Jesus Christ of L at ter-Day Saint s 452 Trinit y Way • Branch President, 5 41-420 -5670; 10 a .m. Sunday Sac rament Meeting

e Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 121 N Brook s Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org

8:30 a .m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship

10 :15 a .m. Episcopal Sunday Worship

e Resting Place meeting at Sisters Communit y Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 5 p.m. Sunday Worship

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

386 N . Fir St. • 541-815-9848

11 a .m. S aturday Worship

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N . Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdof thehillsluther anchurch.com 10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Church of the N az arene 67130 Har rington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz .org • info@sistersnaz .org

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

Sisters Communit y Church (Nondenominational) 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com

9:30 a .m. Sunday Worship

St . Edward the Mar tyr Roman Catholic Churc h 123 Trinit y Way • 541-549-9391

5:3 0 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass • 9 a .m. Sunday Mass 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a .m. Tuesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Churc h 442 Trinit y Way • 541-549-4184 ht tps://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com

10 a .m. Sunday Worship

POLICY: Nonprofits, schools , churches , birth, engagement, wedding , and anniversar y notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows . Email lisa@nug getnews .com or drop o at 4 42 E . Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays

The Bunkhouse Chronicle

Craig Rullman Columnist

Consider the lion

The first time I heard a mountain lion scream I was standing in the horse barn at Soldier Meadows Ranch, Nevada. The barn was made of stone stacked by members of the U.S. Cavalry who had lost the deployment lottery and been assigned to this bewildering outpost in the wilderness known as Camp McGarry. It could only have been tough duty — they were out there to protect immigrants along the notoriously unpleasant Emigrant Trail, where many died of thirst, exhaustion, or laudanum overdoses.

When a mountain lion screams it sounds like a woman being murdered. They make other sounds too, including a bird-like chirping which carries a strong hint of menace notably absent from most birdsong. It is identifiable precisely because it might be a bird but clearly isn’t. The lions I heard chirping were traveling between our house and the barn — a mother and two cubs, which I know because within a couple of days they had killed some goats nearby.

I’m all for lions and wolves until they start eating livestock and house pets, which is the fundamental problem. Opening the door to find an entirely unreasonable mountain lion in your garage tends to inspire a different kind of awakening in those inclined to think of them as sanctified stuffed animals.

Einstein was notoriously hostile to the notion of “common sense” as it applied to the realm of physics — and for good reason — but in matters of apex predators poaching lambs, calves, and Aunt Zelda’s yap dog it retains a certain cachet.

When the lion screamed at Soldier Meadows — close enough to send an icy corkscrew down my spine — it was as if a door had suddenly been opened between me and a parallel universe that exists just there, mostly invisible, in what the world’s top

scientists once called the “luminiferous ether” — which they thought acted as a vehicle for conveying light through the universe.

The luminiferous ether was ultimately debunked but the scream of a lion is harder to knock the bottom out of.

First thoughts are often dangerous, particularly when informed by that primordial reaction from the era when we roamed the earth as prey animals. We spent a long time in that condition before discovering fire and stone tools, and eventually surpassing everything else — with the exception of viruses and bacteria — as first-order killers. My instant reaction to the highly-electrified lightning strike of a lion’s scream, while standing in the barn and bridling the horse I was meant to ride that day, was a kind of pathetic startleflinch, and my first thought was that a woman had been kidnapped, hauled into the remotest corner of a remote desert, and was now being savagely murdered. My second thought was admittedly imprecise: I should probably do something about this.

The word “caterwaul” has origins in both English and Dutch, from the word “cater” meaning tomcat, and “waul” and “wrawler,” which are forms of yowling. Shakespeare had a firm grip on the word: “Thou knowest the first time we smell the earth we waul and cry.” But the mountain lion orbiting the darkness outside the barn, just beyond the dim reach of the one lightbulb, seemed less devolved into anger than to be speaking with the utterly gut-wrenching voice of the world’s accumulated agonies. I was admittedly terrified, but time, which we now know bends, stretches, and often shortens, also heals. So, in what felt like several minutes, it took only a few seconds to realize that what I was hearing wasn’t a madefor-television murder mystery, but only a lion traveling through the dark with an aggregate of angst.

Which is when my fear was replaced by something just shy of awe.

Jim Harrison noted that it is very difficult to determine a pathology when everything is considered pathological, which was meant as a condemnation of the victim mentality that has metastasized throughout our culture. I tend to agree: the heavy emphasis on the trauma-recovery loop probably isn’t doing us any favors. It seems to have pried open a vault full of artful excuses for not simply getting it together and

carrying on.

Tragedy is real but we can’t live in it without inviting an endless parade of catastrophe. All three of my uncles come to mind. One of them blew himself up while smoking in bed. One of them went to take a nap after a long life full of whining, and never woke up. And one of them froze to death on a highway outside of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, after crashing his car in a snowstorm, falling down drunk. I can imagine him there, slipping into the nepenthe, with snowflakes landing on his eyelids.

Which are all reasons that the lion’s scream keeps surfacing in my memory. A lion might wend through the rocks, with eyes evolved to see almost clearly in the darkness, and it may vent off a little steam when it wails, but it would be hard to imagine a lion that would choose victimhood over valor.

We may be living through a mass-extinction event, according to many of the scientists whose work crosses my desk. I’ll admit to some ambivalence on the topic. Mostly because the planet has been through much worse and there seems to be an unmanaged expectation that humans go on forever. I don’t think they do. Which isn’t an excuse for bad behavior. Mostly, just pick up your trash and be nice to people. But don’t forget the sun will eventually go supernova, and every now and then the world suffers a cataclysm that kills almost everything. And then we start all over.

Other creatures have other ways of talking to us. Not everything screams. Which reminds me of a night on the Lower Deschutes, fishing with my friend Steve Erickson. I say night. It wasn’t really, more of that evening nautical twilight where the moon is up and the earth is turning shades of gray and graphite, when images lose their edges, and you are left with the cold air and the sound of a river rushing over the rocks. I was out of the boat, tossing my fly, when suddenly I heard a sound, just beside me, like a huge stone being dropped into the river. I felt that old familiar corkscrew winding through my vertebrae. But it was only a beaver, who had swum up beside me and slapped the water with his tail. He was probably as surprised to find me standing there as I was surprised to hear his alarm — although, and I like this idea more, maybe beavers can see perfectly well in the dark.

Sisters-Area Events & Enter tainment

WEDNESDAY • MAY 1

Paulina Springs Books First Wednesday Open Mic Bring a poem, song or short story to share — or come listen! 5 minutes per reader 6:30 p.m. Info: PaulinaSpringsBooks.com.

Suttle Lodge Live Music: Dirty Jazz with Wolfe House Records 6 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, $15, at www.bendticket.com.

THURSDAY • MAY 2

Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Jess Clemons 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30 Tickets, $10, at bendticket.com. Frankie’s Upstairs Live Music: Scott Crabtree, Jonas Tarlen, Aidan Moye 7 to 9 p.m. A fundraiser for Citizens4Community. Location is upstairs at Sisters Depot, 250 W. Cascade Ave. Tickets $10 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

FRIDAY • MAY 3

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • MAY 4

The Belfr y Live Music: Thunderstorm Artis "Don't Let Me Let You Go Tour" with special guests 7 to 10 p .m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets, $30, at www.bendticket.com.

Sisters Depot Live Music: Electric Groove Quartet 7 to 10 p .m. Tom Freedman Jazz Band featuring Bob Baker and Dave Wentworth. Tickets $20 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

SUNDAY • MAY 5

Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

TUESDAY • MAY 7

Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Live Music: Bill Powers 6-8 p.m. Free entry Info: www.sisterstaphousehotel.com.

THURSDAY • MAY 9

Sisters Depot Courtyard Live Music: Open Mic Music lovers can enjoy a variety of local talent in a lively atmosphere. 6 to 8 p.m. Info: sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Jacob Westfall 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30 Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.

FRIDAY • MAY 10

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

Pole Creek Ranch May Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local small farms, artists crafters, and a touch of vintage. 15425 McKenzie Hwy Info: facebook.com/Holidaysinthepines.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

SATURDAY • MAY 11

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

Sisters Depot Live Music: The Gypsy Travellers

7 to 10 p .m. An eclectic mix of amazing local musicians in the courtyard Tickets $5 at sistersdepot.com/our-events.

Pole Creek Ranch May Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local small farms, artists crafters, and a touch of vintage. 15425 McKenzie Hwy Info: facebook.com/Holidaysinthepines.

SUNDAY • MAY 12

Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.

THURSDAY • MAY 16

Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Nick Delffs 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30 Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.

FRIDAY • MAY 17

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15

More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com.

SATURDAY • MAY 18

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie

8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.

RV

UNITS: Hearing is set in Bend at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 8

Continued from page 1

• A single-family dwelling that is occupied as the primary residence of the property owner must be sited on the property.

• The RV must be owned or leased by the tenant.

• The property owner must provide essential services to the RV space, which are defined as sewage disposal, water supply, electrical supply and, if required by applicable law, any drainage system.

SB 1013 prohibits the following:

• The RV cannot be utilized as a short-term rental.

• RVs as rental dwellings are not allowed in urban reserves.

• There are no other dwelling units on the property besides the primary single-family dwelling and no portion of the singlefamily dwelling is rented as a dwelling.

The public hearing is scheduled to occur during the 9 a.m. BOCC meeting at the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend. Residents can attend the meeting in person or participate virtually. Participants will have three minutes to provide testimony. The meeting agenda and virtual log in information can be found at www.deschutes.org/ meetings.

For additional information, visit www.deschutes. org/rvamendments.

Written testimony may be emailed to tanya.saltzman@ deschutes.org.

Nugget columnist offers book of Scottie wisdom

“Finally, there’s an ad for a Scottie puppy!” said Jean Nave’s husband, 40-some years ago, not long after Jean and Claude had married. Claude had been reading The Oregonian for weeks, looking for Scottish Terriers for sale. He shook the paper saying, “Yes, let’s call them.”

That day the couple drove the 120 miles from Portland to the coast and came home with the cutest bundle of black hair Jean had ever seen.

“That’s how my love affair with Scottie dogs began,” Jean recalled.

Nave, having grown up in rural Southern California foothill country with horses and many dogs, had loved them all, but she had never met a Scottie. It took no time at all for Mac, the new puppy, to show Jean that Scotties offered something very special, at least to her. Their intelligence and human vocabulary comprehension could make her, and her husband, pause. They often had to rethink what they were about to say because the Scotties understood so many words.

Yet, it was their independence that really drew her to the breed. She often says that Scotties are half cat. They have the loving exuberance

CORRECTION

Snowmobiler Marcus Boyd raced as an 18-yearold (“Sisters snowmobiler is a champion,” The Nugget, April 24). His age was incorrectly stated in the story — he turns 19 in late May.

of a dog, and the independent streak of a cat. This turns them into very interesting personalities.

It’s been a wonderful, long love affair. The couple have raised some puppies and adopted many Scottie rescues. They have all been wonderful, unique, little furry personalities, and a joy to be around.

Ten years ago Jean was given the prognosis of stage-four cancer. That diagnosis and the following bilateral mastectomy started her on a newly invigorated journey of faith in a higher power.

A er 40+ years building high-quality homes in Sisters, Black Butte

The editor wanted longer, more in-depth articles. That request pushed her deeper into examining Christ-based spirituality. The column is called, “Scottie Wisdom and Faith.”

of a cat. This into and selected filled with inspiring quofull color trations, and Faith, Love, and Forgiveness

With a collection of over 300 blog articles and five years of Nugget articles, it seemed natural to publish a book with an assortment of selected articles.

heard about in church.

Many years ago she realized that she learned best when she took a subject that she wanted to master and rewrote what she had read or heard, using her own words. Digging deeper and deeper into the spiritual world exposed her to many new concepts that she had never

The 115-page book, filled with inspiring quotations and printed in full color with cartoons and illustrations, is “Scottie Wisdom and Faith — Articles About Faith, Love, and Forgiveness Inspired by My Dogs.” It is available at Paulina Springs Books for $12.95 or on Amazon.com for $13.95.

Books for

After a few years of study Jean started writing a blog. Soon there were a number of readers for the blog. The feedback that came in was invaluable. Writers are helped immeasurably when they get reader feedback, good or bad.

After a year of writing a daily blog, The Nugget Newspaper became interested in a monthly column.

What I saw In the PINES

By T. Lee Brown

Smoke curls around the knees of the ponderosa trees. It’s just a prescribed burn, nothing to worry about, but it sets my nervous system a-twangling. I’m reminded of the Milli Fire in 2017, and the bouts of smoke or fire we’ve experienced since.

Seven years ago, my family was “full-timing”—living in a small travel trailer, traveling and camping. Here is what I wrote then:

I saw the sun, a shiny reddish-orange thing, sulking behind a veil of forest fire smoke.

I saw two gray squirrels chasing each other up and down the giant pines, three or four dozen chipmunks, twice as many golden mantles.

I saw bold fledglings, furry but confident, taking to the trees. A little peeping brown thing that followed me around, landing on flexible aspen branches. The woodpecker kids clinging to the great pines, pecking inexpertly, learning to become loud.

The crows, only a few of them and only every so often, flying overhead, offering their inelegant caws to the symphony.

I saw a full moon that looked drenched in blood, like the apocalyptic books of Scripture I read and reread and re-read as a child. Book of Joel. Revelations. Joel again.

I saw the mouldering remains of a roasted chicken in its Walmart plastic box, stuck in the little boulders of the stream beside which we now live, temporarily.

I saw the dead, fallen logs on the Manzanita Plain begin to shed their immense cloaks of bark. The child in my life calls the fallen, curved hunks of layered puzzle pieces “boat-bark.” If carried to the stream, they will float.

Woe to she who steps on an apparently solid log just as the boat-bark decides to slide off. The fall is longer than it looks. The branches scratchier.

I saw an old man who no longer lives in the woods, who has acquired a trailer and a place to park it. He was back in the woods, making his rounds, saying hello, with the excuse of picking up some wood. I was happy to see him.

I saw a couple living in a van laden with possessions. I was at first nervous, because these new people had parked in our part of the forest.

The man, near toothless, took a large and unwieldy armchair out of the little van. It took a long time. Then I saw him — trying not to look — heave his wife onto the chair. He tenderly brought her to the outdoors, the stream, the smoky air.

We met when they drove by later. They were lovely. She is disabled. She became a major protester of a war about 20 years ago, in her wheelchair, with her kids carrying signs that said, “War Kills Children Like Me.” She made 600, maybe 800 signs, she said.

She is going to write a book, she said, a book about how Christian churches in America don’t practice

s s s

Looking back to that day in 2017: the smoke did not clear. We traveled and camped. We drove east of Prineville for a week of festivities and food, music and Native dancing, kids and new, temporary friends. It was the eclipse festival, where there was no cell signal to interrupt us.

A family packed into a tiny car had little English and we had almost no Japanese; our kids played together. They were sweltering without any shade.

We loaned them a big tarp and some rope, asked another temporary neighbor to let them string it up from the neighbor’s tall RV.

offered a gift of tea. I still haven’t brewed it.

Entrails of smoke scudded across the sky from the west. “I wonder if that’s our new house in the forest, burning down?” I half-joked.

The festival ended. At last it was time to move into our new house near Sisters, time for the former owners to move out.

Time for our kiddo to

I saw bursts of lava rock rising serenely from red and brown hills with their deep mat of dry ponderosa needles, some brooding in great half-circles as magical as Stonehenge or Avebury.

I saw highways of ants, some crawling up my legs because I lingered too long in the wrong spot. Some of them died as I brushed them away. Others lived.

I went to the springs and drew water straight from the source, drank it raw and whole, my feet and calves numb from the cold within a minute’s time.

start first grade. Time to breathe fresh air, stop being vagabonds and take up the mantle of middle-class, home-owning respectability once again.

As soon as we got back to Sisters from the festival, our new life would begin. That very afternoon. But the Milli Fire had other ideas. To be continued...

Prescribed burn west of Sisters on Deschutes National Forest, this spring.

PHOTO BY TL BROWN

Stars over Sisters

By Abigail Christopher Correspondent

As we’re finally starting to see temperatures rise and clearing skies become more frequent, there are a few celestial sights you should look for during your nightly stargazing this spring. Let’s begin by locating Corvus, our featured constellation for May.

Corvus, Latin for “crow,” or “raven,” is a small constellation that is best seen during the first half of May. From our latitude, it will stand 25 degrees above the southern horizon at about 9 p.m. local time. Look for a misshapen square of four reasonably bright stars that lies just southwest of Virgo, a well-known border constellation. Named by the International Astronomical Union, these stars are Alchiba, Algorab, Gienah, and Kraz.

Shining at a magnitude of 2.6, Gienah is the constellation’s brightest star. It is a young blue-white colored giant star that is 4.2 times more massive, and shines 355 times brighter than the sun. Gienah lies at a distance of 154 light-years.

Corvus is home to several galaxies, but none are more visually impressive than the interacting galaxies of NGC 4038 and NGC 4039. This cosmic collision

is causing an exceptionally high rate of star forming activity to occur in both galaxies. Eventually these two galaxies will merge to form a single large elliptical galaxy. The galaxies are about 45 million light-years from Earth.

One mythological legend, that is commonly encountered when researching Corvus, attempts to explain why crows and ravens have their distinct black feathers. As the story goes, Corvus was originally a sacred, white-colored, bird in Greece. Apollo told Corvus to watch over one of his pregnant lovers, named Coronis, but after a while, she fell out of love with Apollo and met someone else. When Corvus told Apollo this, he became angry that Corvus didn’t interfere to stop her. As punishment, Apollo cursed Corvus, turning its white feathers a charred black color.

In another story, Apollo asked Corvus to fetch water in a chalice for a sacrifice, but on the way, Corvus stopped to eat some figs. Days later Corvus returned with an empty cup, carrying a snake (Hydra) in its talons. Corvus claimed the snake took the water from the cup, but Apollo saw through the lie and in anger flung Hydra, the cup (Crater), and

Corvus into the sky. The cup is kept just far enough out of reach so the bird would be forever thirsty, which is said to be why ravens and crows can’t sing like other birds.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is active between April 19 and May 28, and peaks on the night of May 4 and predawn hours of May 5. This event is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere because the radiant is positioned higher in the sky than it is for observers north of the equator. From here up to one meteor per minute is expected. According to the May issue of Astronomy magazine, meteor rates won’t exceed about a dozen per hour in the Northern Hemisphere. The good news is that moonlight will not interfere with meteor watching since New Moon occurs on May 8.

Of the five naked-eye planets, three of them will be morning objects. During the first half of the month, look to the east to see Mercury, Mars, and Saturn lined up in the predawn sky. Jupiter is the lone evening planet hovering just above the western horizon until mid-month when the sun overtakes it. Venus is too close to the sun to be viewed.

On May 23, the Flower Full Moon will arrive. So, take some time to nurture

yourself and your garden that night as the moonlight is believed to have great healing energy for the body and plants.

This month, to help others enjoy these beautiful

events, make sure to turn your outdoor lights off when not in use, if possible. Not only will this serve to reduce local light pollution, but it will also save you money on your electric bill!

$

Portraits OF SISTERS

Stephanie Connor works in a room fit for learning. erbs, numbers, and colorful artwork adorn the walls e she teaches her 2nd- and 3rd-grade class ellhouse Academy. Stephanie is a dedicated, passionate teacher with a heart for ushering kids into those “light-bulb moments,” as she describes them. college and some of her first teaching jobs in Angeles, California, and harboring a disdain for the city life, she and her family moved to Sisters in eminded her of that single-room schoolhouse she attended as a kid in remote Colorado — those wn vibes and the sense of community drew her back in. She taught at Black Butte School for eight years, with another stint at Sisters Elementary School and Sisters Parks & Recreation District. Her teaching career spanning decades, shows no signs of stopping. She es the relationships and connections she makes with students, so why leave? “Teaching wasn’t a choice,” ys, “but it was something I knew I was meant to ’t imagine doing anything else.”

Colliding galaxies NGC 4038 (top) and NGC 4039 (bottom) lie at a distance of 45 million light-years in the constellation of Corvus.

PHOTO COURTESY ESA/HUBBLE NASA

Axe Contracting offers fuels reduction and arborist services

By Katy Yoder Correspondent

With smoke from last week’s controlled burns lingering above Sisters Country, it’s clear fire season is on the horizon. The Sisters Rangers District conducted the first of several controlled burns to reduce wildfire risk. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in January of 2022 the Forest Service launched a 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis where it poses the most immediate threats to communities. With an infusion of federal funds to support local efforts for public lands, many concerned landowners are also stepping up efforts to safeguard the land they steward.

Local company Axe Contracting — Forestry Resource Group, has stateof-the-art equipment and industry experience providing both landowners and government agencies with exemplary service. They provide a variety of services including tree management and arborist services, wildfire fuels reduction strategies, and wildlife habitat zone creation. With a focus on trees, terrain, and transformation, owner Will Moore has the credentials and work ethic to be a leader in the industry.

Axe Contracting follows Natural Resource Conservation standards to ensure results are beneficial to the environment. Moore looks at projects with the landowners’ objectives in mind. He uses equipment and methods known to reduce fire risk, increase wildlife habitat, and improve general safety and land ascetics. He does a lot of site development. When he’s finished, he leaves his projects looking natural and healthier than when he started.

To do work with a minimal carbon footprint, disruption of soil, and at a speed that never compromises quality, Moore has invested in equipment tailored to achieve his client’s vision. Axe Contracting has the only remote-controlled tracked chipper in Sisters Country.

“Operating a remote-controlled chipper allows me to process trees like junipers and ponderosas up to 17 inches in diameter. The chips go back onto the soil, which regulates soil moisture and represses the resurgence of brush and invasive plants like cheatgrass. We’re careful how the chips are distributed to make sure they’re not a fire problem,” said Moore at a 600-acre work site adjacent to Black Butte Ranch.

Moore operates his excavator equipped with a grabber to feed trees into the chipper singlehandedly. He can direct where the chips go to make pathways, or place them on an area needing dust control. The chipper has tracks covered in rubber providing a low-impact effect on the soil. An attachment for his excavator, called a masticator, has a drum with cutting knives for brush, small thick trees, and vegetation.

“You can think of the masticator like a giant weedeater,” he said. “It’s a braintwister operating both simultaneously all day, but using the excavator to feed the chipper instead of a person doing it, reduces the possibility of injury.”

Moore was raised in Richmond, Virginia. His family was involved in the forestry industry in his hometown, and in Oregon. Axe Contracting’s home base is in Sisters. Moore started the company on the east coast and moved west in 2020 after working with a

training company in Southern Oregon on the Slater Fire cleanup. He has three employees and works for a variety of sub-contractors, like construction companies and tree services who share his work ethic and focus on quality. Most of his work is from Tumalo to Camp Sherman.

“We’re happy to start conversations about new projects and ready to help folks with putting together grant applications for fire mitigation projects. We can be a landowner’s advocate and help them apply for grants. Our proposals have the correct language that meet or exceed state and federal requirements for successful grants.”

Making sure the forestry industry is accessible and understood by the public is an important goal for Moore. He wants people to feel comfortable asking questions, so they know how his work can benefit their property. Fire and drought resiliency are on many homeowners’ minds these days. Having a healthier habitat with mosaic-like management of trees and brush allows for reintroduction of native plants. Moore appreciates how many neighborhoods are forming Firewise Communities that bring neighbors together around fire-mitigation efforts. Taking proactive measures before something bad happens can give landowners peace of mind, and in some cases, lower insurance bills.

“My conversation with clients includes a cost-benefit analysis showing how the work we do around the home provides gains that outweigh the losses. We work to increase resiliency and prevent loss from fires or storm damage. In Oregon with increasing weather events,

we have a firm understanding of how to protect people and their property and the concessions needed to achieve that,” said Moore. “Working in the Sisters areas there’s already an established culture of being proactive about wildfire. People know clearing out around their homes and creating defensible spaces through thinning potential fuel sources results in good forest health. People see the value of the

services we offer. Living in a beautiful, forested terrain makes it both an attractive place to live and a vulnerable place for wildfires. We’re here to help make Central Oregon more resilient.”

To learn more about Axe Contracting – Forestry Resource Group visit www. axecontracting.com, email Will Moore at axeconpnw@ gmail.com, or call/text 541-409-5404.

Will Moore of Axe Contracting works with landowners to protect from wildfire and enhance landscape health.

PHOTO BY KATY YODER

HOUSING:

Forum is set for Sunday, May 5

Continued from page 1

Peter Hoover, executive director of Sisters Habitat for Humanity, who has committed to increasing workforce housing, concurs. He says the first major requirement is community commitment.

“Basically, any community has to commit that having a diverse community and a diverse work force is vital to the health of the community,” he said.

The challenges are significant. Sisters’ median home price is currently over $700,000, out of reach for most working people, including professionals in many positions across the community.

Hoover — who will also be on the forum panel — noted that “$61,000 used to be considered very good salary. That won’t cut it for someone who is looking to buy a home.”

In fact, it doesn’t even come close. An income in that range, 60 percent of AMI (Area Median Income) can afford a home priced at $202,450, according to data from the Beacon Report, provided by Hoover. A person making $142,800 (150 percent of AMI) can afford a home priced at $520,000. There are such homes in Sisters Country, but not many available, and it does not come close to median home price.

That has an impact on business.

“There are many people who commute here from other areas because they can’t afford to live here,” Hoover said. That means “not having those people who are vital to our community be able to be part of our community.”

Letz says that the City of Sisters can do some things to make housing more affordable through policy. Some changes have already been

enacted, such as reducing lot sizes and making the cottage code more usable. Letz is eager to see more work done in the policy arena.

The City has also directed funding into projects such as multi-family housing under development through the nonprofit Northwest Housing Solutions, which will be described at the forum. According to Letz, one important role for the City is to make connections between community needs, those with available land, and sources of funding.

If the City chooses to expand its urban growth boundary (UGB) — a proposition currently under study — the City will have an opportunity to influence how that “new” land is developed, such as mandating that a certain percentage be developed as “affordable” housing.

“If we do expand the UGB, we have the ability to do overlays on land annexed in,” Letz said.

Land is a critical element. Hoover has said repeatedly that finding land is more challenging than building housing.

“Land is one of our biggest challenges,” Hoover said. “There isn’t that much of it, and it’s darned expensive.”

“Clearly an increase in supply” is a key element of any solution to the current crunch, he notes.

Hoover commends the City for changing the cottage code overlay in the commercial zone, and for committing funding to housing.

“It takes these kinds of efforts from the City, from the State, and also from the community that this is important to make this happen,” he said.

Hoover said that Sisters Habitat is currently pursuing funding opportunities to build 30-plus units over the next three to 3-1/2 years in Sisters. Habitat is working off a community land trust model, in which Habitat retains ownership of the land

beneath a home, a formula that works to make homes much more affordable.

Letz notes that Sisters has shown itself to be exceptionally creative in approaching challenges, and she thinks the community can meet this one, which she notes, is a top priority for City Council.

“I’ve been itching to have this conversation since I’ve been on Council,” she said. “This forum is a great place to start.”

She hopes that attendees will walk away inspired, believing that the situation can be improved, even if it can never be truly “solved.”

“Almost everything is a hurdle — it’s not a wall,” she said.

Letz and Hoover will join Kevin Eckert of Build, LLC, designer of Sisters Woodlands; Clayton Crowhurst, housing developer, Northwest Housing Alternatives; and Emme Shoup, associate planner, City of Sisters, on the panel for “Who Gets To Live Here? The Search For Local Housing Affordability.”

The forum will address:

• The roots of Sisters current housing problem.

• The state of housing affordability and availability in Sisters Country, and what’s at stake.

• Which housing initiatives and policies are working, which aren’t, and what’s on the horizon.

• What else is needed — from policy makers, developers, and other stakeholders.

• Resources available for those seeking housing in Sisters Country.

Following the initial panel discussion, moderator Kellen Klein, executive director of C4C, will open the floor to audience questions and a broader dialogue.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department Community Hall is located at 301 S. Elm St. For more information on the forum format and accessibility visit https://citizens 4community.com/events/ spring-forum-24.

Continued from page 3

his bandmates and collaborators. They saw wide success with b-side “Slow Dance Slow” released through Portland label Tender Loving Empire. Independent and selfmanaged, Smith made some odd creative bedfellows by collaborating with the Oregon State Parks system to promote environmentalism and the outdoors. This resulted in a viral music video in “Back O’er Oregon,” and a collaborative concept record called “The Pelican,” commemorating Oregon’s famous Beach Bill.

The Weather Machine’s

success ultimately led to opening for Alabama Shakes, Lumineers, Cold War Kids, Josh Ritter, and Mt. Joy in the late 2010s. The onset of the 2020 pandemic forced Smith and his bandmates to turn away from touring and inward toward recording — but now they’re back on the road playing new songs. Recorded and produced by Tucker Martine at Flora Studios, The Weather Machine’s latest record is full of deep thoughts, big rock and roll sounds, and lots of fun featuring longtime Weather Machine band members and collaborators Luke Jackson (drums), Tim Karplus (guitar & keys), Noah Berstein (sax), and André Zapata (bass). Find tickets at https:// belfryevents.com/event/theweather-machine-w-travisehresnstrom/.

Executive Experience

Cur rently serves on Deschutes County Budget Committee For mer Sisters City Councilor

Ser ved on Deschutes County Commission on Children & Families

Ser ved on Hear t of Oregon Cor ps Board of Directors

SMITH: Musician launched career in Sisters

The Weather Machine is returning to Sisters.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Austin Dean

Austin Dean likes to help others He helps students in the Lifeskills class; he helps students in English; he helps wherever he sees a need It ’s leadership, and it’s a way to give back what he received from others

“When I was a freshman, I always looked up to the senior class,” he recalled. “They did a lot for me. I want other people to look at me in the same light. That’s something I think about a lot.”

Austin loves sports, and plays soccer, basketball, and baseball. He says he would love to play basketball in college, and may have some opportunities — but his focus is on education. He’s looking to study engineering at Oregon State Universit y.

Academically, he says he’s strongest in English and writing, but loves to learn math and history

Austin spent his entire educational career in Sisters — from pre-school in Cloverdale to graduating from Sisters High School in just a few shor t weeks

“Austin is an amazing Person! I have always found him to have the perfect balance of kindness, drive, and tenacity. Austin exudes a quiet confident demeanor, not overconfident, just the perfect balance of confidence and selfassuredness. He always excels to the highest levels as an athlete, student, and person! He is a leader in all areas of his life! Congratulations, Austin, you deserve this!” — Rick Kroytz

“Austin has consistently shown that hard work pays off. He is the type of student who doesn’t seek out recognition or accolades for his accomplishments. He strives for success and continues to challenge himself, both in the

classroom sports and determination what we at SHS.”

“Austin Student dent and kindness comes acr leader Au better, whether field, or at Austin is too seriously ity to laugh and contributes has made communit things he does next. C

“SHS has have had ing for our we are letes...leadership, positive graduates but we are grateful for what he has done for everyone here!” — Gary Thorson

“Austin is a gritty student who is willing to do whatever it takes to learn. I absolutely loved being one of his teachers for three years. I’m excited to see Austin continue to find success in college.” — Dan O’Neill

“Austin is a pleasure to have in class, and an asset to our school community. In addition to his strong work ethic (in the classroom and on our sports teams), his dependability is a quality that sets him apart. He can be counted on

y is a skill that will be invaluable in both his academic and future professional pursuits. Austin is simply a quality person who not only makes life fun, but makes others better. He is a gift to anyone who knows him.” — Samra Spear

“Austin makes our community better with his heart, mind, and athletic ability. Austin’s kindness and leadership reaches across the school from the classroom to the court. His strong mentorship is felt by the younger athletes in all three sports that he plays very competitively. Congratulations, Austin!” — Rima Givot

CITY CREWS:

Work keeps systems running in Sisters

Kelly who serves on the Public Works Advisory Board. “When you turn on the faucet you expect the water to come out and when you flush you expect it to disappear. Folks are pretty insistent on that. And if it wasn’t working, the city would get an earful.”

“Utility locates come in almost every day so those have to get done, and the crew empties approximately 10 to 12 garbage cans every day (winter) and up to 20-plus during the summer months. These are just the things they do every morning before they start working on their scheduled work,” Bertagna said.

Utility locating is the process of using technology such as ground penetrating radar to create a map of all the cables, pipes, and other services under the surface of a site. A utility locator can chart where underground pipes and cables are so that these things can be avoided and planned around during your excavation.

which is when we have the bulk of the public events and our crews rotate on-call a week at a time for the rest of the year,” he replied.

Local resident Roberta Graves told The Nugget, “I stopped one Sunday morning walking my dog and asked a city worker what he was doing tinkering with a big green box. He explained so politely, and once I understood that he was checking a sewer pump station, I thought what it would be like if one failed. It’s quite gratifying to know these guys are taking care of us.”

City Manager Jordan Wheeler expressed a bit of pride and gratitude for the team’s work:

Our Public Works crew are the unsung heroes for all the important work that keeps our city clean, livable, and running smoothly and efficiently.

— City Manager Jordan Wheeler

The Nugget asked Bertagna how crews were assigned.

“We have a full-time person working weekends from April through October,

POWER LINES: Work will periodically impact trails

Continued from page 1

contact with the line.

CEC reports that crews will use existing roads and incorporate protection measures to minimize impacts to sensitive natural resources. Felled trees may be used as firewood or sold as other forest products.

The Sisters Tie Trail (Trail #4092) and Forest Service Road 2058 (North Pine Street) will be periodically closed during May and June while work is occurring. Trail closure signs will be posted at the trailhead and along the trail. These closures are in place to protect both public and worker safety.

“We value the partnership and good working relationship we have with Central Electric Cooperative, and share interests around public safety, reliable energy delivery, and reduced wildfire risk”, said Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid.

BANNERS: Project has been brought back to

celebrate grads

Continued from page 1

“I wanted to get involved because last year I heard so many people say they missed seeing the senior banners. I felt like I could help in coordinating the people to make it happen, especially with my involvement from a few years back,” Vohs said.

Sisters resident and retired educator Kay Grady expressed her gratitude for the project.

“Just filled up my heart watching a family photographing their graduate celebrating her banner. Hugs all around. So happy to live where we celebrate these accomplishments,” she said.

Another resident, Jim Hagedorn, said, “Good job, Sisters! This means more than you can know! Community recognition validates these teens as part of the whole community.”

timeline coordination).

“Our Public Works crew are the unsung heroes for all the important work that keeps our city clean, livable, and running smoothly and efficiently. From plowing snow and fixing potholes to delivering clean water and treating wastewater, our staff are world class when it comes to providing these essential services, often at all times of day and night.”

With the guidance of C4C and the support of individual and business donors, volunteers, the City of Sisters, and other community partners, the Project is truly a collaborative effort including: parent volunteers Bagg and Vohs; Susie Seaney, SHS yearbook advisor (senior photo coordination); Bethany Gunnarson, SHS visual arts teacher and screenprinting class (banner printing); City of Sisters Public Works (banner installation); and Explore Sisters (banner

The location of the banners on the three streets is entirely random. C4C used a Google randomization engine to avoid bias and ensure an equitable process. When the banners are removed from downtown in May, they will be taken to the high school where they will be displayed in the cafeteria. Each student will receive their banner at graduation as a keepsake from the community.

The fact that the Banner Project is back indicates the pride the city takes in its students.

Vohs said, “I think the

Banner Project says a lot about the City of Sisters and our community. The funds for this project were raised in eight days. That feels like a clear statement that the community wanted it back.” Bagg agreed, “The Banner Project displays to our community and to those visiting our little town that Sisters takes pride in its youth. We celebrate each other and we value one another. It truly is a great place to live.”

“For both local residents and the thousands of travelers who pass through Sisters each day, one thing is clear –Sisters is proud of its young scholars,” concluded Klein.

Nugget Poetry Corner

Rocks

MaryMacDonald

Ever y time he took a w alk

Ev an liked to pick up rocks.

He’ d w alk a foot or two and then

He’ d have to stop and stoop and bend,

“Look at this one! So shiny bright!

And that one spec kled black and w hite!

Doesn’t this look just like a flower?

And that one could be a w ater tower!

T his one looks like Dad’s pickup!”

Ther e wasn’t a rock that he’d pass up

Blue, gr een, r ed, big or small

Ev an wanted to have them all.

With each addition to his poc ket

The roc ks would sound with soft plinks and plonks

By the time they r etur ned to his por ch stoop

His poc kets had begun to dr oop.

The r ule at his house was “no roc ks inside”

But somehow they’ d sneak in no matter how hard he tried.

His mother tried to be calm and patient

But she fear ed her w ashing mac hine wouldn’t make it!

The roc ks that he loved with their soft plinks and plonks

Would come out in the wash with big dents and loud bonks

So one day she said, in a ver y nice tone,

“Let’s find a ne w way to get your tr easure home.

A bag or a bottle, a box or a bin?

Sur ely we can find something to put these roc ks in.

Your wagon? Easter basket? How a bout your bac kpac k?

We can get you a cart or an old gr ocer y sack,

A basket on your bike or your old plastic sled,

You like roc ks so much you should use the tr uc k bed!”

Ev an listened and said, “Gosh Mom, thank you.

That r eally is ever so thoughtful of you.

But I’ ve thought long and har d and my decision is fir m.

What I r eally want to collect now is… wor ms.”

The installation crew hung banners recognizing all graduating seniors in Sisters Country, whether they attend Sisters High School, another high school or educational program, or are home schooled.

PHOTO BY KELLEN KLEIN

Anna Moss and the Nightshades bring Amnesty to The Belfry

By T. Lee Brown Correspondent

On May 10, Anna Moss will grace The Belfry stage with The Nightshades.

“What separates me from my shadow?” the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist asks on her new album. Whimsical, bluesy melodies find a sensual groove on Moss’ solo debut.

Moss spoke to The Nugget from her home in New Orleans, where she was preparing to play several gigs at JazzFest (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) before heading to Seattle for her West Coast tour.

A seasoned performer with a magnetic stage presence, Moss has recorded and toured extensively with Handmade Moments. The memorable duo played Sisters Folk Festival last year, filling the tent with energetic songs and wild tuba.

Now Moss has brought forth her first solo album.

“I just dropped a record called Amnesty, hot and fresh off the press, baby,” she said playfully.

She wrote the songs during deep COVID. The early pandemic era, with its shutdowns and lockdowns, had a particularly somber effect on performers — folks whose livelihood and sense of connection depend on in-person gatherings.

“I was very depressed when I wrote them,” Moss said of the songs.

Far from depressing, the music has a welcoming, vibrant feel. Sailing on the smoky seas of Moss’ voice, the songs gently unfold a courageous sense of emotional intimacy.

She described the music as “existential bedroom pop,” though listeners can hear plenty of rhythm & blues and singer-songwriter influences. Sultry and dreamy, this is music to slow dance to, underneath a gibbous summer moon.

“These songs were simple, in some ways like meditations, to get me to push through and push forward,” she explained. “It’s interesting. Now I find myself, if I’m in a dark moment or something — the songs don’t take me back to COVID time. They kind of push me forward.”

Themes of compassion and forgiveness weave throughout “Amnesty,” “dealing with complex human things. Instead of looking at them through a lens of trauma and deflection, just taking them headon, moving through them,” she explained.

Moss said she experienced serious trauma, from

adverse childhood events to the horrific vehicle accident that derailed a tour, seriously injured band members, smashed up their bus, and inspired a documentary called “Busking.”

“Depending on how I frame it in my mind, I could see myself as a victim and push that on other people too,” Moss explained. “Every day we have a choice on how we are going to go out into the world... you can take that trauma and use it to make you stronger, to make you more compassionate.”

Writing on her own during the pandemic, picking up a guitar, Moss developed “this very particular style, kind of like slow jams, but I was envisioning heavy bass, traps, a lot of female harmony. I knew, these songs can’t be for Handmade Moments. I need an R&B band.”

Assembling her group The Nightshades happened “very organically,” according to Moss, who didn’t realize she was writing what would become an album.

“It all came together on its own,” she said. She still plays with the duo as well.

Moss is excited to perform in Sisters again.

“The tour features my band from New Orleans and also Laurie Shook from the Shook Twins,” she said. At some shows, locals will also provide harmonies. “I like to have a pretty choir heavy vibes,” she explained. “And Ian George is an awesome opener.”

Moss’ unusually strong stage presence is also unusually chill: comfortable, connected, and relaxed. At a scheduled Handmade

Moments show at Oregon Country Fair last summer, her bandmate Joel Ludford couldn’t make it. Gently joking and storytelling, Moss started playing on her own to a spellbound audience.

“Onstage? That’s my favorite place to be,” she told The Nugget. There she experiences the feeling of, “I can do this.”

Speaking of places: Moss loves New Orleans deeply. She also gets “a very strong vibe from Oregon. I love Oregon. I think it’s the most beautiful state, you guys have the most incredible rivers and incredible people.”

The music and festivals are close to her heart, too. “Sisters Folk Festival we played last year; I give them five stars,” Moss enthused. “No; if five stars was the maximum, I’d give them six stars.”

Playing shows in person feeds her soul, she said.

“That’s the part I want to do all the time. I want to

play music for people. The rest of the stuff — spreading the word, traveling — can be hard. The business end can be a drag...

“We trudge through all the BS just to play for the people and to be with them, just to get that moment,” she concluded. “It’s worth it.”

A good audience is especially inspiring to Moss, who appreciates it when “people are really listening.” Locals can listen to Moss in person for $18 on Friday, May 10; tickets are available in advance at www. belfryevents.com.

Anna Moss. PHOTO PROVIDED

Sisters man arrested in Redmond burglaries

Redmond Police officers arrested 28-year-old Redmond resident Michael Moran, and 25-year-old Sisters resident Christien Richardson on Thursday, April 18, in connection with burglaries in Redmond.

The arrest took place in the parking lot of Dairy Queen. Redmond Police Lt. Eric Beckwith reported that the pair were arrested on cases involving burglaries at La Frontera and the Redmond Tap House. La Frontera was burglarized four times with a large multitude of items stolen, and the Tap House was also a victim of theft.

Moran and Richardson were lodged at the Deschutes

County Jail and charged with First and Second Degree Theft, Second Degree Burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

The Redmond Police are releasing photographs of Richarson and Moran and asking the public if they have purchased any items from the two. Stolen items were listed for sale on websites such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Some items have been recovered, however bracelets, watches and other jewelry stolen from La Frontera remain outstanding.

If you have purchased any items from Richardson or Moran, contact Detective Sergeant Tyler Kirk at 541-504-3400.

Christien Richardson of Sisters.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Michael Moran of Redmond.

PHOTO PROVIDED

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: $3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 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 $3.50 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:

102 Commercial Rentals OFFICE/RETAIL

SPACE FOR RENT

Great location across from Ace Hardware. Several space types available. Call owner

Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478

MINI STORAGE

Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.

STORAGE WITH BENEFITS

• 8 x 20 dry box

Fenced yard, RV & trailers

In-town, gated, 24-7

EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com

103 Residential Rentals

CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS

Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792

Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com

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 Ponderosa Properties LLC

104 Vacation Rentals

~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 www.SistersVacation.com

Downtown Vacation Rentals Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom SistersVacationRentals.net Great pricing. 503-730-0150

201 For Sale

Reloading Equipment. Dies, scales, books, various powders, empty brass, shooting bench, press, ammo magazines, etc. No firearms. Bob, 541-549-1385

202 Firewood

Oak and plum firewood logs approximately 2.5 cords per load. Delivered, $500 per load. Custom rough-sawn saw-milling available. Live edge, coffee tables, custom dimensions. Please call or text 936-600-2132. Sunnyblueskys94@gmail.com

• SPRING SPECIAL • SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS

DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD • SINCE 1976 • KINDLING

Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES

– 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com

Order Online! 541-410-4509

205 Garage & Estate Sales

HERITAGE USA

Open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 253 E. Hood Ave., Sisters.

Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions!

Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths?

Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806

Sharie 541-771-1150

206 Lost & Found

LOST KEYS found on Hwy. 126 on the south side between Sisters and Redmond before you get to Eagle Crest. There are many, many keys, some bent. Text 541-550-6212 to identify.

301 Vehicles

2016 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra. Low miles. $14,500. Jeff 720-933-2638. We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397

Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com

CAR TO SELL? Place your ad in The Nugget

401 Horses

ORCHARD GRASS HAY

New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $300-$360/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895

403 Pets

Brando's Natural Dog Biscuits brandosbyjulie.etsy.com I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com 541-306-7551 • Julie Free to good home. 2-year-old male Labradoodle. Neutered, chipped, shots current. 678-446-7960

Salsa is an 8-month-old sweetheart who loves to be petted while watching the sunrise. Apply to adopt her at: sisterswhiskers.org

500 Services

Gift of Time Support Services offers tailored care and assistance for busy executives, elders, and families in our community. I offer experienced professional assistance with home sitting, errands, logistics, organization, mentoring, appointments, monitoring, companionship, wellness, and even musicianship. Call Jonathan @ 503-423-7213 or email gift.of.time@outlook.com

Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475

SMALL Engine REPAIR

Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers

Sisters Rental

331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631

Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines

• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279

GEORGE’S SEPTIC

TANK SERVICE

“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871

501 Computers & Communications

Technology Problems? I can fix them for you. Solving for Business & Home Computers, Tablets, Networking Internet (Starlink), and more!

Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329

Oregontechpro.com

3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC

Cable jobs, security cameras, WAPs. CCB #191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729

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. 541-549-9090

504 Handyman

JONES UPGRADES LLC

Home Repairs & Remodeling

Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more. Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Local resident • CCB #201650

600 Tree Service & Forestry

TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825

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

LOLO TREE WORKS Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services.

ISA Certified Arborist

Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638

Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912

THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER

601 Construction

Earthwood Timberframes

• Design & shop fabrication

• Recycled fir and pine beams

• Mantels and accent timbers

• Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com

Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com

Custom Homes

Additions - Remodels

Residential Building Projects

Becke William Pierce

CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384

Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com

From Ground to Finish Accurate and Efficient 541-604-5169

CCB#233074

Construction & Renovation

Custom Residential Projects

All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448

SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC.

General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016

To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523

CASCADE GARAGE DOORS

Factory Trained Technicians

Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553

541-390-1206

beavercreeklog@yahoo.com

Log repairs, log railing, log accent, log siding, etc. CCB #235303 Insurance & Bond

Custom Homes • Additions

Residential Building Projects

Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality

CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-280-9764

John Pierce

jpierce@bendbroadband.com

Lara’s Construction LLC.

CCB#223701

Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218 The Nugget • 541-549-9941

Uncompromising quality. Local and personal. You can trust me. All projects: From new construction to those little projects you don't seem to get to. My team of local subcontractors and I will get it done right, fair, and pain-free so you can make your spouse happy. Call Jared 503-949-9719

602 Plumbing & Electric

Ridgeline Electric, LLC

Serving all of Central Oregon

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service

541-588-3088 • CCB #234821

SWEENEY

PLUMBING, INC.

“Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling

• New Construction • Water Heaters

541-549-4349

Residential and Commercial

Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587

Construction Contractors Licensing

An active license means your contractor is bonded and insured. The State of Oregon provides details at the online Oregon Construction Contractors Board at www.oregon.gov/CCB

603 Excavation & Trucking

ROBINSON & OWEN

Heavy Construction, Inc.

All your excavation needs

*General excavation

*Site Preparation

*Sub-Divisions

*Road Building

*Sewer and Water Systems

*Underground Utilities

*Grading

*Sand-Gravel-Rock

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

CCB #124327

541-549-1848

BANR Enterprises, LLC

Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls

Residential & Commercial

CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net

Full Service Excavation

Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com

541-549-1472 • CCB #76888

Drainfield

• Minor & Major Septic Repair

• All Septic Needs/Design & Install

General Excavation

• Site Preparation

• Rock & Stump Removal

• Pond & Driveway Construction Preparation

• Building Demolition Trucking

• Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water

• Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Belly

• The Whole 9 Yards or 24 Whatever You Want!

604 Heating & Cooling

ACTION AIR

Heating & Cooling, LLC

Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs

actionairheatingandcooling.com

CCB #195556

541-549-6464

605 Painting

EMPIRE PAINTING

Interior and Exterior Painting and Staining

CCB#180042

541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk

METOLIUS PAINTING LLC

Meticulous, Affordable Interior & Exterior

541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067

~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~

Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks

CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com

606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance

Alpine Landscape Maintenance An All-Electric Landscape Company.

Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 alpine.landscapes@icloud.com

Keeping Sisters Country Beautiful Since 2006 candcnursery@gmail.com 541-549-2345

J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, hauling debris, thatching, aerating, irrigation, mowing. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com

Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation.

CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462

All Landscaping Services

Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740

– All You Need Maintenance –Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122

Buried in Pine Needles? Check out The Nugget's Yard Care advertisers!

701 Domestic Services

I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC Specializing in Commercial, Residential & Vacation Rentals. Licensed, Bonded & Insured. 541-977-1051

BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897

704 Events & Event Services

Holidays In The Pines presents May Market

Just in time for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Spring. May 10th & 11th, from 10 - 4. This indoor event will be held at the Pole Creek Ranch barn located at 15425 McKenzie Hwy., Sisters. We will be featuring local small farms, artists, and crafters, with a touch of vintage. Some items that will be offered are soaps and candles, Mother's Day bouquets, hanging baskets, and flower & vegetable starts, blue bird houses, antler art, jewelry, pottery, and wooden bowls, vases and trivets, household items, gift baskets. Also offered will be beef from cattle raised on the ranch, and so much more.

A portion of the sales will benefit COVR (Central Oregon Veterans Ranch) and Sisters Habitat for Humanity. For more information go to Facebook.com/ HolidaysinThePines or Rootsandrails on IG.

T H E N U G G E T N E W S P A P E R 442 E. Main Avenue POB 698, Sisters, OR 97759 541-549-9941

802 Help Wanted

Metolius Meadows in Camp

Sherman is seeking a reliable self-motivated individual to assist in the care and maintenance of our common area grounds and facilities. A good candidate will have some mechanical knowledge, and carpentry skills. Be a self-starter and willing to work in a variety of daily duties. We offer a competitive starting wage with opportunities to develop a professional skill set. Contact our office at 541-595-2101.

Part-Time Sales Associate

We are looking for a person who is friendly, outgoing and reliable; someone who enjoys working with the public in a team environment. Workdays are Friday, Saturday, and Monday. Applications available at the Stitchin' Post, 311 West Cascade in Sisters or by email diane.j@stitchinpost.com.

Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com

803

Work

Wanted POSITION WANTED; for Companion Caregiver.

Looking for part-time; must be close to Sisters downtown.

References upon request. Please call 503-274-0214

puzzle on page 22

999 Public Notice

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Sisters Park & Recreation District, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. with the option of continuing the meeting to Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., if needed. The purpose of this meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberations of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may attend the meeting at the Coffield Center located at 1750 W. McKinney Butte, Sisters, Oregon, and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. A copy of the budget document may be viewed or obtained on or after May 1, 2024, by emailing SPRD@sistersrecreation.com or calling (541) 549-2091. Concurrently posted on the Sisters Park & Recreation District website at www.sistersrecreation.com.

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETINGS

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the City of Sisters and the Sisters Urban Renewal Agency, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, will be held at City Council Chambers, City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Avenue, Sisters, OR 97759. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 15, at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom Meetings online meeting platform. Links to the meeting can be found at the City of Sisters website www.ci.sisters.or.us. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive public comment on the budget. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee.

A copy of the document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 9, 2024, at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Listed below are times of scheduled Budget Committee Meetings.

DATES AND TIMES: Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 9 a.m. (if necessary) Thursday, May 16, 2024, 9 a.m.

A copy of this notice is available on the City of Sisters website, www.ci.sisters.or.us. For additional information, please contact: Joseph O’Neill, (541) 323-5222.

VIEW OUR Current Classifieds every Tuesday afternoon! Go to NuggetNews.com

C L

A S S I F I E D S

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING

SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORD RETENTION ANNOUNCEMENT

The Budget Committee for Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, will meet in public session to discuss budget for fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The budget meeting will be held at Fire Station No. 2, 67433

Cloverdale Road, Sisters, Oregon 97759, May 15, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting to receive the budget message and proposed budget document for the district. A copy of the proposed budget document may inspected or obtained on or after May 15, 2024, at 67433 Cloverdale Road Fire Station

between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is a public meeting where deliberations take place. Budget Committee will hear and discuss proposed programs for the next fiscal year.

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Sisters School District's policy of destroying special education records upon the expiration of six years from the date that services end. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state and federal laws unless the parent/guardian or adult student notifies the Sisters School District. Otherwise, the Sisters School District will be destroying any unclaimed Special Education records for students who exited Special Education services in the district in the year prior to and including 2016-2017. If you have records that would be available for claiming, please contact our Special Services Record Secretary at 541-549-4045 x5777 before June 14, 2024.

Whychus Overlook project starts next week

The Forest Service is partnering with Sisters Trails Alliance to make the Whychus Creek Overlook on the Sisters Ranger District more accessible.

The top rail of the Whychus Creek Overlook wall will be removed, and two viewing portals with security cables will be created to improve accessibility. The modifications will provide better views of the creek and mountains for visitors with disabilities.

The modification project will begin May 6 and is expected to conclude May 9. The Whychus Creek Overlook will be closed for public safety on May 6. The Whychus Creek Overlook and south side of the Whychus Creek Overlook Trail will be closed from May 7–9 while work is ongoing. The north side of the Whychus Creek Overlook Trail, Whychus Draw Trail, and access to Whychus Creek will remain open May 7–9. Trail closure signs will be posted at the trailhead and along the trail to identify the closures.

Further construction may continue past May 9, but trail and area closures aren’t anticipated.

Heavy equipment will be used to complete the project and transport materials to the worksite. The public should use caution when recreating in the area.

Struttin’...

NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING

The Budget Committee for Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, will meet in public session to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The budget meeting will be held at Fire Station No. 2, 67433

Cloverdale Road, Sisters, Oregon 97759, May 15, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and proposed budget document for the district. A copy of the proposed budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 15, 2024, at 67433

Cloverdale Road Fire Station between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is a public meeting where deliberations take place. Budget Committee will hear and discuss proposed programs for the next fiscal year.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

C L A S S I F I E D S

LETTERS

Continued from page 2

from the horrific 2020 Almeda Fire which destroyed one-third of Talent’s homes and businesses. Before her contract ended, Jamie was asked to stay on. AI also missed an event in which Jamie was honored with a beautiful award from the city staff and police of Talent.

I do not know about you, but I find it rather humorous to depend on the “perceptivity” of artificial intelligence to assess the quality of an individual based on a search for negative spin found on the internet. Poor little AI application doesn’t know that continuous repetition on social or mainstream media does not make it so. It doesn’t know a lie travels faster than truth. Thankfully, most humans are not so easily deceived.

Susan Cobb s s s

Downsize and donate to Kiwanis

To the Editor:

It’s almost time for the annual Kiwanis Antique, Collectibles & Jewelry Sale, which takes place Saturday, May 25, at the Sisters Fire Hall.

We are now in the process of collecting that furniture and “good old things” that have made the sale a successful fundraiser in past years. So, if you’re downsizing or just want to donate older furniture or collectibles in good condition, please call. Please consider If it’s larger than two people can manage, we can’t take the item.

The Kiwanis Club of Sisters is, and always has been, thankful for all the support the community has given over the years. The funds raised have helped the youth of our community through scholarships and numerous youth programs.

So, if you’re willing to help, please call… Jeff Taylor, 541-815-9299 or Shirley Miller, 541-977-6643

A peacock has been roaming Sisters looking to pick up chicks.

PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER

4 brothers Tree Service INC • Alpaca by design / Paca Picnics • Alpaca country Estates

Art in the High Desert • Atiyeh Bros • BANR Enterprises, LLC • beacham’s Clock co.

Big Lake Youth Camp • blue burro Imports • Coldwell Banker mayfield Realty - Khiva Beckwith Crux Wealth Advisors – Renee Sopko • decker landscaping Co. • Deschutes Public Library dovetails Furniture • General Duffy’s • gypsy wind Clothing • High Desert Chocolates

Inscape Plant Co. • The jewel • Lake creek Lodge • larkin Valley Ranch • Jeff Larkin Realty les schwab • local acres Marketplace • mahonia gardens / The Stand • makin' it Local mosaic Community health • next phase Realty – Debbi McCune • Paul ina Springs Books radiant Day spa • rainshadow organics • Ray’s Food Place • Rimrock Gallery

Safe Chauffeur • Schilling’s Garden Market • Sisters Apothecary

SIsters Area Chamber of Commerce • Sisters Gallery & Frame • sisters movie house & Café

Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty - Suzanne Carvlin & Maddie Fischer

Sisters Park & Recreation District • stellar Realty Northwest – Ross kennedy

Stitchin’ Post • The Suttle Lodge • Three Sisters historical Society • tumalo farmstand velSTore - Susan waymire • web steel Buildings Northwest, LLC

Pick up your Complimentary copy of spirit of Central Oregon Magazine at The Nugget NEwspaper office or at businesses throughout Central Oregon. scan the QR code to read online. Nugget subscribers may request a complimentary print copy by calling 541-549-9941. Other mail orders can be placed at nuggetnews.com/store Trav