HOME for the holidays
— By Bill Bartlett, Correspondent —
movie ends, we’re always excited to dive into decorating. It is so fun to see our final creation and bonus…you have a tasty snack, too!”
Sisters is full of hundreds, possibly thousands, of families and friends that have dropped into town for the start of the holiday season. The Redmond Airport, like all U.S. airports saw large influxes of passengers starting last Monday and continuing all week, even Thanksgiving Day when passengers snapped up discount tickets to travel on the holiday itself. Arriving just in time for dinner.
This holiday season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expected to screen more than 17.8 million people from Tuesday, November 25 to Tuesday, December 2, with over 3 million just this past Sunday, November 30.
Jeri Buckmann said, “My absolute favorite thing to do is bake Christmas cookies. I remember doing this with my mom and at that time we baked a few dozen cookies just to have in the house. Many years passed and then I started to bake them again but this time in much bigger quantities.
They projected that the Sunday after Thanksgiving would be the busiest travel day in TSA history, certainly in the last 15 years.
AAA projected 81.8 million people will have traveled at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday. One only has to look at the traffic in and out of town with out of state plates to know that Sisters was indeed destination home for the holidays.
Along with the festivities and sumptuous meals it was the rollout of those cherished holiday traditions.
Jennifer Holland, executive director of Sisters Park & Recreation District shared her favorite tradition. “…watching ‘Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas,’ and building gingerbread houses with my kiddo.
“We started this years ago, and it’s become such a sweet reminder that the holidays are about enjoying the season, not just the presents. By the time the
“I make three kinds of cookies. Cutout gingerbread and sugar to decorate and then batches of gingersnaps. Of course, Bob always taste-tests the cookies to insure they are yummy. I enjoy giving someone a gift that is homemade. The process begins right before Thanksgiving so the cookies stay fresh. Decorating them while listening to Christmas music is the fun part. The ultimate best part is putting a batch together and giving them out. I look forward to this each year and I hope will continue on through my daughter and granddaughter. As my list grows, I just bake more. I have never met anyone that doesn’t love a Christmas cookie!” Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Tony Prior said, “It’s a tradition for our
Sisters Dance Academy
The Sisters Dance Academy Winter Recital has become a beloved holiday tradition in Sisters. This year’s event is set for Saturday, December 13, at Sisters High School Auditorium.
The dancers will celebrate winter holiday movies with the theme “Silver Screens and Snowy Scenes.”
There are many dancers from the littlest ones through high school-aged — 290 in total — so there will be three shows. The 11 a.m. show will feature dancers ages 3 to 6, and advanced and team dancers. The 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. shows will feature dancers from second grade through high school.
Styles run the gamut from ballet to Latin to tap to hiphop and contemporary dance.
Winter enrollment starts December 16. Act early if you’re interested to share in the fun and excitement that Sisters Dance Academy has been providing the community since 2009. If classes are full get on a waiting list.
family to make Jimmy Dean sausage cheese balls as we start our Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
“Nothing better than having coffee and the smell of those cooking in the oven. It started with my mother-in-law, over 40 years ago and long before I joined the family. You could substitute the coffee with mimosas,” he said with a wink
Miki McFadden summed up what may be the number-one tradition in Sisters County: “We like to find our Christmas tree in the woods every year.”
By our count tree-hunting is neck-andneck with baking.
The National Christmas Tree Association estimates that only about one quarter of American households with Christmas trees use real trees instead of artificial ones, and an even smaller number, reportedly about 16 percent, actually go out and cut their own tree.
Still, that’s a lot of trees – about 2.5 million – and living where we do, the percentage is bound to be higher. On Saturday on Main Avenue, we counted no fewer than 38 trees atop car roofs or in pickup beds in a three-block stretch. Twenty-seven on Hood Avenue, and a dozen-plus on Cascade Avenue.
The car shown above entering the
Barclay roundabout on Saturday is one of about 100 an hour passing though Sisters in a four-hour window. Thanksgiving weekend was bustling with tree hunters switching from harvest to Christmas themes.
“Coming to Sisters to cut our tree is a 20-year family tradition,” said Alan Sawyer from Bend. He, his wife, and their two teen boys, had not one but three noble firs cascaded into the bed of their pickup.
“We don’t deadhead back to Bend. We stop for fudge and hot chocolate and drop in on our favorite stores. We load up on jerky and marionberry pies,” Helene added.
The Nichols in Black Butte Ranch gather no fewer than 28 family members from seven states.
“Then, after stuffing ourselves, we have a Zoom call with about 20 more relatives who can’t make it,” said Oona Nichols. “It’s chaos of course, but tradition.”
“Embarrassed to admit it,” said Eric Sherman who strolled Cascade along with eight family members all in “ugly sweaters.”
“We just left the Habitat store and they are all sold out of anything that one could say is ugly. Guess we’re not as crazy as we thought.”
Alpaca By Design
Wintertime is the season of the alpaca. Alpaca wool makes for the coziest, softest, warmest, and most comfortable wool items available.
Alpaca wool is lightweight, softer than cashmere, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, stain and odor resistant, and super comfortable to wear. It’s 30 percent more breathable than comparable wools, and it’s also more water resistant.
As Wasim Muklashy says, “It’s one of the most sustainable, magical fibers there is — and they’re cute!”
Alpaca By Design offers a tremendous range of hats, gloves, sweaters, scarves, throws, capes, and more — all made from the wool of these sweet creatures, raised in Oregon. No gift could be more welcome, especially as Sisters Country enters the cold season, when we want to be comfortable — and stylish — while enjoying the outdoors.
A visit to Alpaca By Design is an enjoyable part of Sisters’ holiday shopping cycle. As Wasim says, “Come in and feel the floof.”
ECEMBER 6 & 7 11 AM TO 4 P M
Fresh-cut trees were common cargo passing through Sisters last weekend. Photo by Bill Bartlett
HOLIDAY
A strange, somewhat scary figure showed up at the Sisters Holiday Palooza parade last Saturday. No, it wasn’t a newspaper editor. Very funny.
A local photographer caught him hanging out with Santa Claus. So just who was that hairy, scary creature?
In the American Christmas tradition, Santa Claus is stuck
Holiday Parade
— Photos by Cody
Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, South Tyrol, and parts of Northern Italy. In many of those areas, parades are devoted to appeasing his rather fearsome spirit. Krampus traditionally runs the streets on December 5, known as Krampus Night — which sounds better and much more sinister in German: Krampusnacht. It is customary to offer him schnapps.
Socialists suppressed Krampus. Perhaps they didn’t like the competition.
Krampus is a hairy, demonic critter, with cloven hooves, goat horns, and a long, red, lolling tongue. In fact, he looks very much like the Devil. In many depictions, he wears chains, symbolic of Christianity chaining the Devil. He carries birch rods with which to swat naughty children.
Krampus seems to prefer which makes -
The frightful Christmas beast has his origins in pre-Christian pagan imagery. In Norse tradition, he is thought to be the son of Hel, goddess of the underworld.
tions. Mostly he hangs out in the alpine regions of Austria, Bavaria,
The Catholic Church frowned upon celebrations of such a demonic figure, and Italian Fascists and German and Austrian National
At the turn of the millennium, Krampus made a comeback. Parades and Krampus parties abound, both in his European homeland and in the New World. Probably the revitalization of Krampus is simply the result of people looking for ways to spice up their Yuletide traditions. Or, perhaps, children have grown naughtier.Inevitably, there have been efforts to tame and commercialize Krampus, but the hairy fellow disdains the “Cute Krampus” trend, and it seems likely that it might be a dangerous affront.
Saturday marked a rare sighting of Krampus in Sisters, which may be a harbinger of things to come. If you hear cloven hooves clattering down Cascade Avenue on December 5, give the old demon a belt of schnapps — and tell him that the naughty children all live down the road in Bend.
PALOOZA
PALOOZA & Tree Lighting
Rheault
Cody
—
When the
gets out of hand
— By Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief —
Eggnog is a holiday tradition for many folks in Sisters Country. Most folks like it with a jolt of something spirited — like rum or brandy. But, as it so often does, history offers a cautionary tale of when the Christmas “spirit” gets out of hand.
What is now a favored holiday drink wasn’t always associated with Christmas. Its roots go back to medieval times in England, where it was a drink called posset — and it was reserved for the wealthy. Eggs were expensive then. Wait… well, never mind. It became a Christmas tradition because the Father of Our Country — George Washington himself — served an eggnog-like drink at Mount Vernon, fortified with spirits distilled on the plantation. (Eggnog probably didn’t start being called eggnog until somewhere around 1800.)
Homemade eggnog is, unsurprisingly, far superior to anything you can buy in a carton at a store. There are lots of recipes to be found online, including one from the wonderful blog “Tasting History,” that is probably as close as we can get to what Washington served to his party guests at Mount Vernon (https://www.tasting history.com/recipes/eggnog).
It’s hard for modern Americans to grasp just how much alcohol the folk of the early Republic put down. As the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum notes:
“At the founding of the United States, Americans were consuming alcohol at a scale almost unimaginable to us today. American alcohol consumption peaked in 1830, when each person consumed, on average, five gallons of distilled liquor each year. Assuming that men were doing about two-thirds of the drinking, that works out to each man drinking 4 to 5 shots per day, every day of the year. In addition, per capita consumption of hard cider was estimated to be at 15 or more gallons per year.
“In the early 1800s, hard cider and whiskey were the mainstay of American drinking. Apples trees were everywhere. For rural farmers, distilling corn or grain allowed them to extend the shelf-life of their agricultural products. Alcoholic beverages were often cheaper than coffee and tea, and in an era before pasteurization, safer to drink than water or milk.”
Alcohol consumption was technically prohibited at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, but cadets were adept at evading the prohibition by sneaking across the Hudson River to visit a variety of taverns, most famously, Benny Havens. As long as they kept things low-key, it
seems that the cadets benefitted from a tacit “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy when it came to fortifying the Christmas eggnog. In 1826, Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer, concerned that drinking was getting out of hand at West Point, expressly informed the cadets that this year’s Christmas eggnog would be alcohol-free. So, of course, the cadets launched an operation to smuggle gallons of whiskey across the Hudson.
The party in cadet room No. 5 in the North Barracks was in full roar at 4 a.m. on Christmas, when faculty member Captain Ethan Allen Hitchcock awoke and headed upstairs to shut the party down. Cadet Jefferson Davis, future President of the Confederate States of America, had been imbibing elsewhere, and set out like Paul Revere to warn his comrades. He burst into Room No. 5 and shouted, “put away the grog! Captain Hitchcock is coming!” Unfortunately for Davis, Captain Hitchcock was already in the room. The incensed faculty member read the cadets the Riot Act (literally) and demanded that they disperse to their quarters. Davis did, which took him out of what happened next.
Other cadets, well into their fortified eggnog, exhibited all the judgement of drunken young men in their late teens and early 20s, and they ran amok. They broke Hitchcock’s windows and ran up and down the halls of the North Barracks with muskets and somebody fired off a pistol. They broke dishes, ripped down bannisters, and smashed furniture.
By the time reveille sounded at dawn, the North Barracks were a shambles. The cadets in the South Barracks had a silent night, and they evaded any punishment. Ultimately, 19 cadets were courtmartialed and sentenced to be dismissed from the Academy. Eight of those got a reprieve. A bunch more received other punishments short of dismissal.
Jefferson Davis did not participate in the riot and was not court-martialed, though he did spend six months confined to quarters. Robert E. Lee, he of unblemished record, did not participate in any of the night’s rowdiness, but he and Davis both apparently offered testimony in support of their comrades at court-martial. History offers many lessons to those who are willing to delve in and pay attention. The Great Eggnog Riot of 1826 would seem to offer a couple: Forbidden fruit and pent-up demand can be explosive. And our forefathers are no example of how to behave at the office Christmas party.
Makin’ it Local
Those who appreciate the authenticity of art created by artisan hands in Oregon know that Makin’ it Local is the place to find quality work presented well in a professional gallery.
Many of the artists represented at Makin’ it Local are well-known to folks in Sisters — others the gallery is proud to introduce. The gallery has just brought on a new potter, and they are excited about her work.
Darah Lundberg is a Portland-based ceramic artist known for crafting functional pottery with a sculptural, organic sensibility. Blending stoneware, porcelain, and atmospheric firings, her work reflects the quiet rhythms of the natural world while offering pieces meant to be used, held, and enjoyed every day.
Her signature style pairs strong, inviting forms with subtle surface details. Each piece carries a sense of place, process, and the artist’s fascination with pathways, circles, nature, and the stories objects can hold.
Visit Makin’ it Local to seek out meaningful gifts that say something profound, beautiful, and authentic and will resonate through the years.
Paulina Springs Books
For many folks, there’s no gift better than a good book. Even better is a gift certificate that allows the bookish person on your list the delicious luxury of browsing for treasure at Paulina Springs Books.
Sisters’ landmark bookstore has a new website that allows for full e-commerce services; they can ship your order or you can pick it up — and you’re supporting a local, independent shop from wherever you are.
Paulina Springs Books has become a community hub with events from author visits to game nights. Keep an eye out this winter as they announce new clubs, more demo game nights, and a focus on community gatherings through the dark of winter.
Paulina Springs offers a nice place to stop and relax in the midst of the holiday hubbub. Come in, slow down, hang out, sample one of over 100 demo games — and enjoy the season at a reasonable pace. You can also spark the love of reading by purchasing an ornament/gift through the annual Giving Tree book drive.
Cascade Spirits Tasting Room
Nestled in Sisters, Oregon, the Cascade Spirits Tasting Room embodies the beauty and creativity of the Cascades. Here you’ll find Wild Roots, Broken Top, Cascade Street Potato Vodka, and Sun Ranch showcased through awardwinning vodkas, gins, whiskeys, wines, and cocktails crafted with care. Enjoy a flight or a cocktail and take in the relaxed charm that makes Sisters such a special place.
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse
Fika Sisters Coffeehouse brings a touch of Scandinavian heritage to Sisters in celebration of St. Lucia Day on Saturday, December 13.
There will be cookie decorating and St. Lucia crafts for kids, music, and a local author reading Christmas stories for kids. Enjoy bread pudding, visit craft vendors, and Mellness will be on hand to share wellness information.
Fika is always a go-to resource for the holidays. You can get to-go orders for your family gettogethers with delicious baked items like quiche, scones, or bread.
And Fika is just a wonderful place to pause for a moment and “take fika,” to meet up with friends and spend some time together in the true Swedish spirit of enjoying the moment. You can do it in holiday style too. Fika Sisters Coffeehouse is decorated for the holidays and is offering seasonal drinks like peppermint mochas and eggnog gingerbread lattes.
Take a break and celebrate the season at Fika.
Holidays Events
Thursday • December 4
Three Creeks Brew Pub 6-8 p.m. Presented by Hoodoo Ski Area. Win lift tickets, gear, skis, boards & more. Free for all ages.
Friday • December 5
First Friday + busking Downtown 4-7 p.m. presented by businesses of Sisters Business Association.
Holidays at The Hub 4-7 p.m. hosted by Citizens4Community and Commonplace Homeschool Coop. Information: https:// citizens4community.com/events/holidays-hub
Camp Sherman Holiday Bazaar at Camp Sherman Community Hall, 13025 Metolius River, Camp Sherman. 5-8 p.m. Presented by Camp Sherman Community Association.
Saturday • December 6
Visit with Santa at Spoons, 473 E. Hood Ave., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Information: 541-719-0572
Santa’s Open House at The Fort Wakefield House, 12-3 p.m. hosted by Advantage Mortgage.
Pictures with Santa, coffee, hot cocoa and treats!
Santa Claus is Visiting Sisters Bakery, 251 E. Cascade Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon. Photos and ornament making. Information: www.facebook.com/sistersbakeryoregon
Camp Sherman Holiday Bazaar at Camp Sherman Community Hall, 13025 Metolius River, Camp Sherman. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Presented by Camp Sherman Community Association.
Ugly Sweater Run
Downtown Sisters, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Presented by Run Sisters Run. Check in at 9, kids run at 9:50, main run 10-11:30 a.m. followed by awards and ugly sweater competition at The Barn 11:30-11:50. Information: www.runsistersrun.com
“Let’s Sing! Holiday Edition” (part 1) at The Barn in Sisters 12-1 p.m. Presented by Citizens4Community, immediately after the Ugly Sweater Run. Information: https://citizens4community.com/ events/lets-sing-dec-25-1 Metolius Preserve Tree Hunt
Join the Land Trust for family-friendly event! Cut your own free-range holiday tree, enjoy hot drinks, wreath making, and merriment! 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: www.deschuteslandtrust.org/ hikes-events/hikes/tree-hunt-2024
John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, 5-8 p.m. Tickets: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com
Sunday • December 7
Breakfast with Santa at FivePine. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Community seating, buffet breakfast, all proceeds go to FAN. Registration required: https://fivepine-lodge-andconference-center.square.site
Holiday Makers Market
at The Barn in Sisters, 171 E. Main Ave., featuring an amazing selection of local artists. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday • December 11
Winter Joy:
A Performance by Black Butte School 6 p.m. at Camp Sherman Community Hall. Students will perform short plays and songs. Free and open to the public. Information: 541-595-6203
Friday •December 12
Winter choir concert #1 at Sisters Community Church, 7 p.m.
Presented by High Desert Chorale & Bell Choir
Casey Parnell & Co Christmas Dance Party at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, 5-8 p.m.
Tickets: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com
Saturday • December 13
Winter Dance Recital: Silver Screen& Snowy Scenes presented by Sisters Dance Academy at Sisters High School auditorium, 1700 W. McKinney Butte Rd., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Tickets & information: www.danceinsisters.com
St. Lucy Day holiday celebration at Fika Sisters Coffeehouse, 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Christmas reading from Melody Carlson, gingerbread decorating, music, a St. Lucia children’s craft, and more. Santa Claus is Visiting Sisters Bakery, 251 E. Cascade Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon. Photos and ornament making. Information: www.facebook.com/sistersbakeryoregon
Sunday • December 14
Breakfast with Santa at Black Butte Ranch Lodge. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., reservations required. Information: BlackButteRanch.com/Holidays Winter choir concert #2 at Sisters Community Church, 2:30 p.m. Presented by High Desert Chorale & Bell Choir
Ladies Ornament Exchange at Friends & Vine, 2-4 p.m. Bring an ornament to exchange. Wine for sale.
Motel Kalifornia Christmas Concert at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, 5-8 p.m. Tickets: www.faithhopeandcharityevents.com
Tuesday • December 16
Sisters Community Holiday Showcase
A festive showcase of students and local talent! An unforgettable night of entertainment plus silent auctions and more to raise funds for Sisters High School music programs. Suggested donation of $5 at the door. Info: kayla.golka@ssd6.org or steven.livingston@ssd6.org
Wednesday • December 17
Solstice Book Flood community gathering and paperback book exchange at Paulina Springs Books, 252 W. Hood Ave., 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Information: paulinaspringsbooks.com
Thursday • December 18
Snow Much Fun
Winter songs, crafts, stories, and more, for ages 3–11. 3 to 4 p.m. at Sisters Library. Information: https://dpl.libnet.info/event/14386221 Hoodoo Wintervention at Three Creeks Brewing presented by Hoodoo Ski Area. Win lift tickets, gear, skis, boards, and more. Free for all ages. 6 to 8 p.m.
Friday • December 19
Christmas Movie & Ugly Sweater Contest at Cold Springs Resort 6 to 8:30 p.m. Information: www.coldspringsresort.com
C4C Hosting Let’s Sing! at The Lodge, 4–5 p.m., 411 E. Carpenter Ln.; sing along at this free family-friendly caroling party! Information: www.citizens4community.com/ events/lets-sing-dec-25-2
Saturday • December 20
Wagon Rides & Photos with Santa at Cold Springs Resort 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Information: www.coldspringsresort.com
Breakfast With Santa at Frankie’s 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Two seatings at 10 and 11:30; can book in advance. Information: www.sistersdepot.com
Jessie Leigh Christmas Concert at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets: ww.faithhopeandcharityevents.com
