The Nugget Newspaper - Neighbors: Warming Hearts // 2024-02-21

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Neighbors Warming Hearts The Nugget Newspaper presents

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Bearing an incredible gift 14-15

Honoring life-long love...18

The transformative power of the outdoors...16-17

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Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Bearing an incredible gift

When volunteer Meals on Wheels driver Connie Hatfield pulls up for a delivery, she can’t help but smile.

She knows each person

BY KATY YODER she serves well, and enjoys catching up on what happened over the prior week, how they’re doing, and if she can help them with anything they might need.

Hatfield, herself in her early 80s, delivers food to homebound seniors every Tuesday. She prefers her remote route that takes her over 60 miles. She loads up the back of her Subaru with meals, then she and her four-legged backseat passenger named Tana set off on their weekly visits. Hatfield isn’t afraid of snowy or rutted roads. She’s a ranching woman from way back, who knows her way around back country from her time in Brothers where she and her late husband, Doc, raised cattle on thousands of acres.

Tana squeals with anticipation when they’re getting close to one recipient, who always has a little bag of doggie treats waiting.

Both Connie and Tana bring joy and a sense of belonging that’s so important… especially during the cold winter months when feeling isolated can take its toll.

Making her way up the rutted one-lane road, Hatfield pulls over, easily maneuvering her vehicle over rocks, as she waves as the neighbor Leslie Regnier receiving food delivered goes past. to her door by Connie Hatfield.

Describing the next person on her list, Hatfield says, “She’s a kick in the pants…and so fun. The and in their own homes. I’ve met some wonMeals on Wheels van couldn’t make it up this derful people who have become friends. These road,” she said, laughing as her car bounced people are so caring and loving and appreciaover the rough driveway. “Part of my job as tive. I’m appreciative that I get to do this every a delivery person is to make sure the client is week,” said Hatfield. doing okay. If they don’t answer the door or Meals on Wheels is a program of The leave a note, I have a number to call so someCouncil on Aging that supports seniors in one will check on them. I love hearing their Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, and North stories and helping them remain independent Klamath counties. They offer opportunities

FALL PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION

AGES 3-4 | OPENS MARCH 18

Full day and part-time programs available.

For more details and to register go to SISTERSRECREATION.COM

541-549-2091

1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd.

Sisters, Oregon

for congregant dining at the Sisters Community Church, meal delivery, and pick-up.

Creating community around food offers a way for seniors to stay in touch with friends, meet new people, and receive food if they’re unable to get it themselves.

In total, Council on Aging has a presence in Sisters from Tuesday through Thursday. Wednesdays and Thursdays seniors can get a Grab-and-Go lunch bag at Sisters Community Church.

Steven Mann is in charge of the Sisters programs.

“We deliver about 100 meals during the week to Sisters from our kitchen in Bend,” said Mann in the Sisters Community Church commercial kitchen.

“Congregant dining is for about 20 people and then Wednesday and Thursday we serve about 45 people.

We couldn’t do it without the use of Sisters Community Church’s kitchen, which provides a way to keep hot food hot and cold food cold.”

Orchestrating the Meals on Wheels programs requires organization and a heart focused on who the services reach and why it’s needed. Mann has both, along with a deep appreciation for the team he’s formed to make sure everyone who needs help receives it.

Terri Brown volunteers during the dine-in lunch and loves it. She sees herself as a waitress who serves up nourishing food as well as heart-warming interactions.

She serves 20 people each week and considers them family. Her time with them is the highlight of her week. She loves hearing their interesting stories. Brown is about to leave for a few months in Arizona and recommends her volunteer job as a great way to give back to the community.

Hatfield would agree. Volunteering is now her vocation.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Prior to her volunteering jobs, Hatfield and her husband lived on their remote eastern Oregon ranch from 1976 to 2011. During that time, they raised a family, and her husband ran a veterinary practice. The couple ran cattle in a way that sustained the land and their livestock through healthy land-management practices. She and Doc Hatfield created a ranching cooperative so other ranchers could join them and cut out reliance on a fickle commodities market.

By the time Doc became ill and they moved to their new home in Sisters, they’d built up a thriving cooperative that sustained and built a strong locally sourced beef economy. Now Hatfield’s daughter and her husband run the ranch near Brothers. After Doc passed in 2012, Connie wanted to volunteer for Hospice of Redmond as well as Meals on Wheels.

“Hospice of Redmond was with me in Sisters for nine months before Doc passed.

The last two weeks, Redmond Hospice helped me so much. My daughter Becky was there helping as he was failing fast. When we ran out of pain medicine a person knocked on our door and delivered the medication. I knew someday I wanted to do that. Six months after Doc passed, I called Hospice of Redmond and told them I was ready. My daughter Becky said, when people ask how her mom is doing

she says, ‘She’s doing really well, she’s a drug runner on the weekends.’”

All laughing aside, Hatfield takes her job delivering medications very seriously. She goes wherever the medication needs to be picked up and delivered in Madras, Prineville, Sisters, and Bend.

“I work every other week, and I’m on call all weekend,” she said. “It’s highly regulated and I was thoroughly checked out. I’m very careful locking the car, etc. I’m a volunteer assisting the nurses with their weekend work. When they did it for us, it made such a difference. When one of my Meals on Wheels clients got cancer, he asked which Hospice program I delivered medication for. When I delivered his Connie Hatfield delivering food to meds, I got to visit him a few Jack C. Joyner with his Great Dane. times.”

Volunteering has created a rewarding next chapter for Hatfield. She jokes tough and kind and has something good to say that sometimes it feels like she has too much about everyone she meets. She’s an example of a social life in town. Spending time with of seniors who keep on living and giving to her, it’s easy to see why people love her. She’s the people and places they love.

Nugget Poetry Corner Cracks in the sidewalk

Connie Hatfield with Steven Mann loading meals into her Subaru from the Meals on Wheels van.

R IT..

O F T WAI

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MAY 1

Neighbors Summer funnin’

Inspiring stories of folks living life to the fullest in Sisters Country. From artists and musicians building their creative dreams on stages and in galleries near you, to adventurers blazing trails for others to enjoy too.

GOT A STORY IDEA?

Email editor@ nuggetnews.com

Marina L. Montañez Step on a crack, break your mother’s back.

Who told you that?

Superstitions run deep For the universe is not asleep It’s in everything around us listening It hears so many stories while transitioning Using the sands of time to pave the way It knows what it needs and molds like clay So speak your secrets to the whispering trees And receive a hug from a gentle breeze A crack in concrete isn’t something to despair For are you sure it should even be repaired?

It’s making way for new life to sprout up through If only you could see it too The universe is like a friend, On one which you can depend One day your crack may appear But it’s not something you should fear For the universe is aware of what’s best Just like the sprouts required a way through It will provide it to you, your own treasure chest.

A Time for Peace & Slow Alissa Cowan

When the sun shines bright on the fields of snow I wake up to find light outside my window The cookies are warm for breakfast in bed The whistling teapot nestled on its quilted threads The snowflakes are a flutter, the snowman waves hello Quietly humming a tune, as I look outside my window Simplicity at its finest, I give the crumbs a little flick What a wonderful way to start the day with a winter picnic

Have an original poem that you’d like to share?

Email submissions to jess@nuggetnews.com.

Publication is subject to space availability and discretion of The Nugget Newspaper.

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Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

The transformative power of

THE OUTDOORS

Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) volunteers Mark and Bunny Thompson, who live in Tollgate, came to Sisters in 2001, after traveling seven years over 40,000 miles on their sailboat, sailing from South America to Newfoundland.

Prior to that they both worked with NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. As an engineer and Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) specialist, Bunny helped design the original space station and worked with the astronauts.

Mark, also an engineer, had a second career working on the space shuttle.

When they settled in Sisters, Mark began to work as a lift operator on Easy Rider at Hoodoo Ski Area during the winter. He kept seeing skiers with specialized equipment, and made inquiries as to what that was all about.

After he learned about adaptive skiing, he was hooked. He volunteered for OAS, received his training and certification to become an instructor, and now spends three to four days a week, all winter long, enabling participants to learn to ski using adaptive equipment.

Bunny joined the OAS board of directors four years ago and spends every Thursday during the winter at Hoodoo serving as a guide for the athletes. The Thompsons give 95 percent of their volunteer time at Hoodoo and help at Mt. Bachelor for special events. They also volunteer for the cycling program in the summer. Every summer they accompany OAS participants on a bike ride to the Dee Wright Observatory.

“I have been involved with OAS for over 15 years and can’t imagine any other organization or volunteer work as fulfilling or personally satisfying as OAS,” Bunny offered.

Mark said he continues to volunteer because, “I’m selfish. I love doing it. It’s a great thing but it’s addictive.”

When the Thompsons began their volunteering for OAS, they had no way of knowing that their future granddaughter would be born with

Ski for All

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Head to Mt. Bachelor on Saturday, March 16 for the 7th Annual Ski For All to celebrate the Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS) community and raise critical funds to support the mission to create high-quality outdoor experiences for individuals with disabilities. The Ski For All Games are a rite of passage, designed to challenge even the world’s greatest and most funloving skiers and riders to see who can truly have the best day ever on snow!

Score as many points as possible by completing a variety of fun and inclusive challenges on the mountain. Prizes will be awarded to the top three participants in youth, teen, adult, and masters age groups (inclusive of ability and gender). The more points you score the more raffle tickets you can redeem to win epic prizes at the After-Party at Bend Brewing Co!

Location:

Mt. Bachelor Sunrise Lodge 13000 SW Century Dr., Bend

BY SUE STAFFORD

spina bifida. Because of their OAS experience, Mark had Caroline on a bi-ski at the age of 2.

At 10, she now has her own skis, and skis independently with a parent or grandparent.

Mark and Bunny shared numerous stories about the OAS programs and participants and their own personal experiences.

Imagine relying on a wheelchair to get around and live your life every day. Now imagine being able to leave that wheelchair behind to get on a sit-ski, ride up the chair lift, and swoosh down the mountain with all the other skiers, the sun on your face and the wind whistling by.

For participants in the OAS program at Hoodoo, that freedom is possible every Thursday through Sunday, whether they are dealing with physical, cognitive, or behavioral disabilities. They are athletes first.

One of those athletes is Sisters Middle School eighth-grader Amber Alvarez, who has been participating in the OAS ski program for two years. She goes up to Hoodoo on Thursdays with other Life Skills students. She said she is “grateful for the opportunity” to participate.

“The volunteers are amazing. They are kind and helpful,” Amanda said. “I like it because you can see yourself doing anything you want.

It gives me a sense of freedom.”

Bunny shared an experience she had with Lizzy from Sisters on a particularly bad weather day, when Lizzy wanted to try using a snowboard. She tried and fell repeatedly.

Bunny later heard that Lizzie had a successful run. When Bunny saw her at the end of the day, she told Lizzy, “I heard you had success

on the snowboard. That is awesome.”

Lizzy relied, “Yes, I am!”

Ravi lost both his legs at age 16. He started skiing with OAS at Hoodoo and now is a ski professional who participates in the X Games and has traveled all over the world competing.

One young man, who experienced a lack of oxygen at childbirth and sustained brain damage causing cerebral palsy, described his OAS experience this way: “Skiing is like having a chance to be free

PHOTOS COURTESY OREGON ADAPTIVE SPORTS

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

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Specialized equipment like this sit-ski makes it possible for people like Amber Alvarez — who normally relies on a wheelchair — to experience a sense of freedom “swooshing” down the mountain.

and doing what I want to do. It gives me confidence and gives me something to do.”

Although the OAS program began in 1996 to create access to adaptive ski opportunities, today it is the premier adaptive sports foundation in the Pacific Northwest, providing a range of year-round programs like cycling (both road and mountain), rock climbing, golf, and paddling, in addition to skiing. OAS provides access to over 2,000 high-quality outdoor experiences each year to more than 400 individuals.

Central Oregon is becoming a destination for adaptive mountain biking. Craig Hospital for spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and stroke rehabilitation and research in Colorado sends patients here for OAS biking.

One volunteer offered, “I volunteer for OAS because of the people.

It brings joy to my soul and helps me live a better life and be a better person.”

An athlete shared, ”It feels like we’re being celebrated for our disabilities.”

Mark said the first consideration

is safety, followed by having fun, and teaching independence.

The OAS administrative team that works year-round to support the work of the organization also teaches using bikes or skis, supporting the growth and independence of OAS athletes.

OAS ambassadors are individuals who experience a disability and have engaged with OAS as athletes and/or volunteers. Ambassadors represent OAS in the community through outreach opportunities to educate others on the OAS mission and programs. Their accomplishments range from being a three-time Paralympian to the first known disabled ascent (with sit-ski descent) of Mt. Hood.

The instructors and mountain operations teams are at the forefront of the OAS mission.

They are talented and compassionate people with dozens of years of experience, countless certifications, and a passionate desire to share the joy of being in the mountains on snow or forest trails.

Hoodoo makes the OAS program possible on their hill.

“We couldn’t do what we do without Hoodoo,” Bunny Thompson said. “Chuck Shepard is wonderful to work with. He gave us a room downstairs in the lodge where we store all our equipment. They provide whatever we need – skis, poles, boot, helmets. The lift operators are well-trained to work with the adaptive equipment and to assist the athletes in loading on the chair.”

If you’re at Hoodoo and you see someone in

an orange vest, thank them for their work as an OAS volunteer.

Adaptive equipment is expensive. Donations are always welcome, and OAS is always looking for new funding sources.

For more information about participating in OAS programs as an athlete or a volunteer, or to make a donation, visit www.oregon adaptivesports.org or call 541-306-4774. There are numerous videos sharing athletes’ stories on their webpage.

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Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

Honoring life-long love

BY JIM CORNELIUS

Pat Mostek met her husband Stephen in high Lodge after he died in 2020. told me everything about himself.” school when she was 14 years old. He was 15.

She recalled meeting her life-long love at a From there, things progressed very quickly.

Stephen was sitting behind her in study hall, and New Year’s Eve party in Delaware. She and a “‘Ok,’ he said, ‘when are we getting marone of Pat’s friends commented on how good- couple of friends drove down from her native ried?’ It was just like that,” Nancy recalled. looking the boy was. Pat pulled out a makeup New Jersey. This was in the midst of the Korean The couple married in January of 1952, and mirror and took a look for herself.

War, and there were sure to be young military Lawrence departed on a Mediterranean cruise “Our eyes met — and that was it,” she men in attendance. with his unit. He would remain in the Marine recalled.

“We just decided, what the heck,” she recalled. Corps until 1956. When he left the Corps, he got She knew this was who she was going to The party was in a big house up a long drive- a job with Ford Motor Company. marry. way. Their car stalled pulling in, and Nancy’s Lawrence died in 2020, and Nancy’s daugh“No doubts,” she said. friend couldn’t get it to start. Nancy recalled that ter Robin, who lived in Bend, wanted her to live Marry they did — and that marriage lasted “a bunch of servicemen came out of the house.” in the area.

65 years, until Stephen’s passing a couple of One of them was a young Marine.

“We looked at several places, and this was years ago.

“He walked over and said, ‘If you’re coming the one she couldn’t walk away from,” Nancy Now Pat is living at The Lodge in Sisters, to the party, we’ll help you. If you’re not coming said. “I’m so happy to be here, and so grateful where there is a new, lovingly created display in, we won’t help you.’” to my daughter.” honoring the life-long love stories of residents Nancy wasn’t too impressed with the young The display will definitely stay up through like her.

Marine named Lawrence — he had lipstick on the month of February — and may be modified The display was created by Alea Schliep, his face from New Year’s Eve kisses. But at into a long-term display. activity director/life-enrichment coordinator for some point in that enchanted evening, things “A lot of them have said they want it to stay,” the senior-living community. changed. They sang around a piano — and the Schliep noted.

Pat and Stephen’s wedding picture is fea- lipstick on Lawrence’s face disappeared. When After all, love that endures for six decades tured in the display. it came time for Nancy and her friends to leave, and more should be honored for more than a “Oh, it was just beautiful,” Pat said. “Alea is Lawrence walked them out — and climbed into short moment around Valentine’s Day. For the so creative anyway. She can think up some good the car with Nancy. residents of The Lodge who are sharing their things for us to do here.”

“Of course, we necked a bit,” she said. “A memories, that love is forever.

The idea for the display came out of many couple of days later, he called me and conversations in a ladies’ social group.

“We talk about how much they miss their husbands,” Schliep said. “I was thinking about the fact that Valentine’s Day was coming up.”

Schliep put out a request for wedding photos from residents, and they started flooding in.

“Some of the residents didn’t have any, so I sent out emails to family to say, ‘Do you have any photos of mom and dad on their special day?’” Schliep recalled.

With dozens of photos in hand, she began Stephen & crafting the display in an alcove in a hallway where art is often displayed. Because Pat Mostek Glenn & staff and residents are one community, she Lawrence & Alea Schliep included her own wedding photo and those Nancy Fink of other staff.

The display is beautifully put together — and it has proved a spark for conversation among the residents of The Lodge. They spend a lot of time sharing their stories of how they met their spouse and of their lives together.

“It brings back memories,” Pat said.

Nancy Fink has vivid ones. She married Lawrence in 1952. She moved into The

This display at The Lodge in Sisters was created by Alea Schliep, activity director/life-enrichment coordinator for the senior-living community, to honor the life-long love stories of residents.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon

The Nugget Newspaper was founded as an independently owned, weekly newspaper in the mountain town of Sisters, Oregon in 1978.

The Nugget is widely read by members of the Sisters community.

The Nugget provides comprehensive coverage of city government, school, forest service, and other local news. Weekly features include editorials and letters to the editor, business features, columns, music and arts, and stories on local events and people.

2023 STATS:

Thanks for joining us!

Nugget ownership, staff, and contributors highly value our readers and community!

We look f�ward to s�ing you around town!

• 52 issues • 1,456 pages • 1,241 stories • Uncounted important items (such as stories of grandchildren, pictures of friends, important dates not to be forgotten, poems, interesting letters, and obituaries of amazing loved ones) cut out and stuck on refrigerators across Sisters Country.

• An estimated 48,000 woodstove, fireplace, and camp fires ignited by crumpled pages of The Nugget (after reading them, of course).

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