The Nugget Newspaper // Vol. XLVIII No. 12 // 2025-03-19
The Nugget
and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Barclay Drive work
will require detours
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
The long-awaited enhancements to the Barclay Drive bypass are scheduled to begin Monday, April 7, and take five weeks to complete. Only the first phase of the entire bypass effort is currently funded and in the schedule of public works projects for this fiscal year.
Motorists had hoped that the full length of bypass improvements would be completed by the time the new roundabout opened last fall, but the total cost — some $3 million — is not available.
City of Sisters’ Public Works Director Paul Bertagna told The Nugget, “The scope includes a new three lane
See BARCLAYon page 18
Soggy leprechauns...
What does future hold for Sisters seniors?
By Sue Stafford Correspondent
Since Sisters Senior Living (SSL) announced assisted living services would no longer be offered after April 24, residents and their families, as well as staff members, have been in a state of unease and insecurity about what the future holds.
Residents on Medicaid had their decision made for them. SSL will no longer serve Medicaid clients. Independent residents needing no staff services can continue living at SSL. As of May 1, they will see their monthly rent go back to what it was before rates were raised several months ago.
The residents who require any level of assistance, whether that be simply medication management or a whole range of services
every day throughout the day (and night), will no longer be able to receive assistance from SSL staff. There will be no clinical staff — no nurse, no med tech — and no one checking on them, no caregivers.
If those residents want to stay at SSL, they will need to have their needs for assistance met by contracting with an outside home care or health care agency.
As independent residents, their monthly rate for room and board will go down but the charges for outside services will add anywhere from hundreds, and in most cases, thousands of dollars to their monthly cost of living. Those with long-term care insurance policies that paid for their SSL assisted living charges will now have to pay for room and board out of
Changing retail climate in Sisters
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Last week’s Nugget reported on the closing of The Paper Place after a 40-plus year run. While retail merchants open and close businesses routinely in any market, and Sisters is no exception, The Paper Place closure was notable in the sense that its current owner is also a co-founder of the Sisters Business Association and spoke candidly about his perceptions of a declining retail environment is Sisters.
Numerous retail businesses tell us that the last few years since COVID have been difficult. They don’t wish to give
See RETAIL on page 18
CEC stays ahead of demand in Sisters
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
The surge in AI (artificial intelligence) applications creates enormous demands for electrical power. According to Scientific American magazine “Researchers have been raising general alarms about AI’s hefty energy requirements. But a peerreviewed analysis published in Joule is one of the first to quantify the demand that is quickly materializing.
“A continuation of the current trends in AI capacity and adoption are set to lead to NVIDIA, a dominant chip builder, shipping 1.5 million AI server units per year by 2027. These 1.5 million servers, running at full capacity, would consume at least 85.4 terawatt-hours of electricity annually — more than what many small countries use in a year, according to the new assessment.”
Central Oregon is
growing, faster than the state at large. Much of the associated job growth is in the technical or information sector. Data centers are voracious power consumers. Meta (Facebook, Instagram) has 16 such facilities. The Meta campus in Prineville was the largest of the 16 at 1,375,321 MWh.
That’s equal to the average consumption of 152,813 persons in an entire year. Will CEC (Central Electric Cooperative) be able to keep up with this level of growth and AI demand?
“The utility industry has projected the Pacific
CEC crews work on powerlines along Pine Street in Sisters.
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Delightfully squally weather added to the Irish flavor of the Lucky Leprechaun Run in Sisters on Saturday, March 15.
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
Editorial...
OPINION
Weathering the storm
It’s only March, and 2025 has already been quite a year in the newspaper business.
The Nugget has implemented our subscription program, charging postage-only for home or mailbox delivery of the paper, while increasing around-town distribution. This is our way of addressing continually increasing postage costs while keeping the paper “free” to readers.
The response has been gratifying. Many, many Sisters area residents have purchased subscriptions, while at the same time we’re seeing our rack distribution go faster and faster. Editor Jim Cornelius is out several times through the week to replenish bundles of newspapers at the “hot spots.”
That’s all good news, and we’re grateful as always to see the community support for their local newspaper.
On the other hand, the looming prospect of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian newsprint has been a great concern. The vast majority of newsprint used in the U.S. comes from Canada. There is no realistic prospect of simply changing suppliers. Tariffs will mean immediate and potentially catastrophic economic impact on newspapers across the country — including here in Sisters. We can’t simply pass the cost on to our advertisers — who are facing economic headwinds of their own. Our goal is to hold the line on our advertising prices while facing increasing costs of production and distribution.
So far, the tariffs have been imposed then deferred twice. As of now, they’ve been suspended until April 2.
As reported in Editor & Publisher, “we are already seeing U.S. manufacturers announce price increases.” A significant increase in costs due to tariffs poses an existential threat to newspapers like The Nugget.
Co-owner Louie Mullen is on the board of directors of the National Newspaper Association. He recently told The Seattle Times: “Right now, I think most of the smart
publishers are reducing their page counts as much as they can... I’m worried about other newspapers that are in worse shape than I am, the ones that are already on the margin of just squeaking by.”
We have been mindful of page counts for some time, and are working to make sure that all of our publications are printed in the right size and numbers. We like to think that that is responsible environmental stewardship as well as a necessary business practice.
As Louie Mullen told The Seattle Time s, “we’ll do our damndest to get through this storm and we believe our product is still financially viable. But we absolutely can’t weather the storm without support from our advertisers and readers. If readers and advertisers value their newspaper, they have to support it financially. In our case, that makes voluntary supporting contributions from readers absolutely vital. Those supporting contributions are directly allocated to paying the freelance reporters, columnists, and photographers who fill The Nugget with engaging and thoughtful local content each week.”
To those who have consistently stepped up to support local journalism, we say thank you. It doesn’t take much individually to make a big difference. A buck a paper; the price of a cup of coffee a week; many folks are buying a subscription and adding on a supporting contribution. Whatever works for you will go a long ways to ensuring that we can keep Sisters covered long into the future. And supporting your local businesses is vital to ensuring a prosperous future for the community. If we all pull together, we will, indeed, weather the storm and avoid the shoals in 2025.
Novel ideas needed for Sisters housing
By Bill Carmichael Guest Columnist
It seems like everywhere I look as I drive through town these days, I see apartment complex after apartment complex. I assume that the city approved all these apartments in the hope of creating affordable housing.
But it might be prudent to note that as of March 10, Zillow estimates there are 129 apartments for rent in Sisters. ApartmentGuide. com states there are 188 vacancies for rent. Some of these have been on the market for over 250 days.
This does not include the most current ones still under construction. These apartments range in price from a low of approximately $1,350 per month for a studio or one-bedroom apartment, up to $2,650 for a three-bedroom unit.
Add to this we have a teacher problem because many of them a) do not want to raise their family in an apartment, b) cannot afford a home due to the costs of non-apartment housing.
To keep repeating the same thing over and over by approving the construction of yet another apartment complex is not only ill-advised, but it’s also changing the landscape of this town and cheapening the value of living here.
Sisters has a highly desirable DNA being situated in a forested landscape in view of our beautiful Three Sisters mountains. So many outdoor activities, festivals, and quaint western architecture creates high demand. Yet we keep building apartments that either workers can’t afford or families don’t want to rent.
Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief
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
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon.
Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius
Production Manager: Leith Easterling
Creative Director: Jess Draper
Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett
Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May
Proofreader: Kema Clark
Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen
The Nugget is available to pick up free at The Nugget office and at businesses throughout Sisters and Tumalo; mail subscriptions are available in the 97759, 97756, 97730, and 97703 zip codes for $55/year; subscriptions outside these zip codes: $70/year, $45/six months (or less).
If we take the studio or one-bedroom average rent of $1,350 (for an average 539-square-foot apartment according to “Apartments. com” website), a person staying within the recommended 30 percent of income would need to be making about $4,660 per month. That averages out to a job that pays about $24.50 per hour for a 48-hour work week. I wonder how many of our service industries (restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, etc.) with help wanted signs currently offer (or can afford to pay) $24.50 per hour and guarantee of six eight-hour days of work per week?
Add to this the dozens more apartments in town that are still under construction and not yet on the market. It seems obvious when doing the math that something is amiss in the City’s planning regarding “affordable housing” which we all realize is needed but still seems out of reach.
Now, the city is moving ahead with the urban growth boundary expansion, even though we have all these apartments waiting to be rented by people who work in the city, many making less than the $24.50 per hour needed if they were to rent even the smallest of these vacancies.
I do not propose to have the answer for this dilemma, but I know what the city is doing currently by allowing all these multi-story apartments is not working. We now have dozens of homeless people living in the forest surrounding Sisters in tents, broken down motorhomes and trailers without adequate hookups for water, electricity and sewer (many who work in town), while dozens of new apartments sit vacant.
Until we come up with some new ideas and workable solutions, it seems very unwise for Sisters to proceed with approval of more apartments. I would hope that as the City proceeds with expanding the UGB, a careful examination of how to zone that new land takes place and creative heads will get together to figure out how to provide homes for teachers as well as new ideas for affordable housing.
I personally have one idea that is novel, others may also have new ideas. Maybe a committee to explore (off the chart, never heard of) novel ideas would be helpful, not only in Sisters, but provide new concepts in housing for other cities who struggle with this same problem. In the age of AI, I think we should be able to find better solutions. At least we should try.
Views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or The Nugget Newspaper.
Got a great photo of life in Sisters Country? Send to editor@nuggetnews.com.
COMMUNITY
SMS principal headed to Europe
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Tim Roth, the highly regarded principal of Sisters Middle School (SMS), has informed the school district that he will not renew his contract, as he is taking a teaching position in Europe. He will teach AP Chemistry for grades 11/12 and grade 9/10 science for a private English-speaking international school in the German-speaking area of Switzerland.
Roth was a Sisters High School teacher from 2012 to 2017 when he took his first overseas teaching job at a Department of Defense school on a NATO base in Germany. He returned to Sisters in 2019 to serve as
assistant principal at both the middle and high school. He was made principal for the middle school in May of 2021.
He and his wife, Laura — also a teacher, have one daughter in college and one who will graduate in June from Sisters High School. “We’ll soon be empty nesters, and this is a perfect time to make a big move,” Roth said. “It’s with deep emotion that we leave. We’re very excited about the opportunity to live and work overseas but will deeply miss the Sisters community and our love for the schools here.”
Sisters School District Superintendent Curt Scholl values Roth’s tenure.
“We are excited for Mr.
Roth and his family and their next adventure,” he told The Nugget . “Tim has done a great job as the leader of the middle school for the last four years. He will be missed.”
A search for Roth’s successor is underway.
“The position is currently posted and closes after spring break,’” Scholl said. “We are putting together an interview team from SMS and hope to have the successful candidate named by the end of April.”
Roth imagines the position will attract quality candidates.
“It’s a dream job,” he said, waving his hands across the scenic ranch and
Awards night honors fire district personnel
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Imagine a large family dinner — of 200. That would be an apt description of those who gathered last Friday night, March 14, for the annual Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Awards & Recognition Ceremony held at FivePine Conference Center.
Feted to a four-course buffet-style dinner, the attendees — almost without exception — were active or retired firefighters accompanied by spouses, life partners, family members, or close friends.
As Chief Tony Prior put it:
“We’re one big family.”
And just like big family
gatherings there were stories told, good-natured teasing, and big, laugh-filled smiles punctuated with a few tears. It was a night of pride and gratitude both for those who are or who have served, and as Prior made certain that everybody knew — the family members.
“Those who are also awakened by the middle of the night pagers going off,” he said as the room stilled. The evening began with a presentation by the four-member Bend Fire Pipes and Drums corps followed with invocation by Chaplain Richard Ross of Central Oregon Public Safety
Veggie program serves wide range of residents
By
Seed to Table’s 2025 produce share is open for signups. From folks experiencing disabilities to athletes fueling for races, a wide range of people at various income levels participate, selecting fresh, local produce every week for nearly seven months.
Ashlee Francis owns a gym in town. She describes herself as a health-conscious “ultra-athlete” who runs 50-mile races.
“Fueling for races, I like
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 monthly for a meeting, group bike ride, or event. Contact sistersrep@cotamtb.com for info. 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 ith Dementia Sisters
Care Par tner suppor t group. 2nd & 4th Weds 1-2:30 p.m. Sisters Senior Living. 541- 647- 0052
Mili tary Parent s of Sisters Meetings are held quarter ly; please c all 5 41-388 -9 013.
Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Chapter meets Wednesda ys, 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. 5 41-5 49 -6 469.
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 41-9 03 -405 0.
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., Pine Meadow V illage Clubhouse, 596 W Jef ferson Ave. 541-241- 6563
SCHOOLS
Black Bu tt e School Board of Direc tors 2nd Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Black But te School. 541- 59 5- 6203
Sisters School District Board of Directors O ne Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administr ation Building. See schedule at www.ssd 6. org. 5 41-5 49 -8 521 x5 002.
to make sure I’m getting a variety of different foods,” she explained.
“Produce share provides a huge variety, like different types of squashes and tomatoes,” she said. “It’s exciting, it gives me a chance to try new things. I discovered I loved radishes this year. I actually like them!”
Recipes provided by Seed to Table via email help Francis navigate the large selection of veggies. The share gives her meal plans
CIT Y & PARKS
Sisters Ci ty Council 2nd & 4t h Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters Cit y Hall 541- 549- 6022
Sisters Park & Recreation District
Board of Dire ctor s 2nd & 4th Tues., 4 p.m., C of f ield Center. 5
FIRE & POLICE
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Sisters Middle School Principal Tim Roth has taken a teaching position in Switzerland.
T. Lee Brown Correspondent
City, fire district collaborate
By Susan Cobb Correspondent
As far as Sisters City Council and SistersCamp Sherman Fire District (SCFD) board members were aware, the March 12 workshop at Sisters City Hall was the first collaborative meeting of these two districts. The five elected members of SCFD Board of Directors were present — President Kristie Miller, Vice President Jack McGowan, Treasurer Tom Herrmann, and Directors Rodney Cooper and Bret Campbell.
The catalyst for the meeting came from the new City Council’s 2025-26 goals, under “Good Governance” — an action to “Maintain partnerships with local agencies and districts to foster collaboration for long-term priorities for the community.” City Council is also collaborating with boards of the Sisters School District, Sisters Ranger District, and Sisters Park & Recreation District.
City Manager Jordan Wheeler informed the group that, based on past council goals, the Sisters Planning Commission has been moving forward on defensible space regulations for all new development, including structural additions on existing properties, a draft of which City Council previously reviewed. The Planning Committee has modeled the code changes from the Insurance Institute Business and Home Safety (IBHS) commercial and residential building codes. Wheeler told the group that City Council will be reviewing the System Development Code changes for final approval in April.
Wheeler said that the City of Sisters is actively completing a year of “home hardening” work on Cityowned properties and structures, “setting the example.” “Hardening” describes vegetation management and building materials used to resist the intrusion of flames or embers projected by a wildfire. Hardening is applicable to new construction
or retrofitting existing structures. Hardening regulations include fire-resistant roofing, siding and fencing materials, venting, minimal distances of flora from structures, etc.
The SCFD Board members were very pleased that the city was updating fire mitigation code, and to be working with the City Council to conduct public fire evacuation and educational events — possibly annually. SCFD Board Vice President Jack McGowan appreciated the invite to meet jointly, saying it “has been long overdue,” and hopes such meetings will continue.
Fire Chief Tony Prior shared that SCFD covers 55 square miles around the Sisters Fire Station 701 for fire emergencies and 800 square miles for ambulance emergencies. Per SCFD website, https://www.sistersfire. com, “While fire suppression is a high-risk activity, only 10 percent of [their] calls are fire-related. Most of [their] calls center around medical emergencies.”
SCFD employees also handle medical emergency walk-ins at the fire station, free inspection of carbon monoxide and smoke detector systems, free defensible space assessments,
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, etc. The full list of services is on the aforementioned website. They also annually participate or help in local events and community activities.
Wheeler stated the City of Sisters can be proud in knowing Sisters and Ashland are the first cities in Oregon to enhance their development code with fire mitigating regulations. He stated several communities in and around Sisters have become Firewise-approved. Chief Prior shared SCFD staff have completed 65 home fire safety inspections since January and currently have 25 requests for inspections to complete. Prior stated the local volunteering within the SCFD is the largest in Oregon and perhaps on the west coast. Prior added SCFD is also looking into IBHS wildfire certification for some 16 to 20 local home candidates adding, if certification processes were arranged, the insurance companies would provide the funding.
The conversation was broad, and included SCFD possibly purchasing an air curtain burner, which intakes yard waste and discharges biomass fertilizer chips.
POWER: Several projects are ongoing in Sisters
Continued from page 1
Northwest’s demand for power to grow by approximately 30 percent over the next decade, with data centers powering artificial intelligence as a key driver,” Brent Ten Pas, CEC Vice President of Member and Public Relations, told The Nugget.
“While CEC does not currently service large loads catering to artificial intelligence in its service territory, we continuously monitor the Bonneville Power Administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance its infrastructure and capacity to increase its ability to serve large loads in Central Oregon while meeting native growth,” he added. When asked how potential AI usage in the service area might impact demand, Ten Pas would only say: “CEC’s policy is not to share what technologies we use to protect our network systems and our members’ information. However, CEC continues to evaluate AI’s pros and cons in the workplace.”
Infrastructure improvements
According to Ten Pas there are two ongoing
projects in Sisters Country, which should wrap up in early summer.
“CEC is upgrading an existing power line and installing new equipment along Powerline Road, enabling us to rely on more than one substation in the Sisters area, giving us greater flexibility to ensure reliable delivery of electricity to our members. We are also replacing approximately 3,000 feet of underground power line near State Highway 242, servicing the Crossroads subdivision.”
The estimated time for completion of the projects is early summer.
Two wildfire mitigation projects include mowing vegetation and trimming trees along 1.5 miles of overhead power lines, providing service to the Peterson Ridge area.
The other project would begin replacing 6.5 miles of underground cable running from Suttle Lake west to the Hoodoo Ski Area. Work includes conducting vegetation maintenance to ensure safe access to the rights of way for replacing and maintaining the underground facilities to help reduce outages.
Pending U.S. Forest Service approval of the permits, both projects are scheduled to move forward in 2025.
Local business considerations In the PINES
By T. Lee Brown
The recent closure of a 40-year establishment in Sisters has been sad for many residents. Owners and employees of The Paper Place deserve our sympathy and support.
However, in a recent Nugget article, owner Joshua Smith blamed his business problems on the City of Sisters, a bank with a local branch, and local residents who apparently didn’t respond to Smith’s approach after he acquired the shop a few years back. It seemed unbalanced. Not all business problems are external, and not all hardships faced by small businesses are particular to Sisters. (See additional articles in this issue and in upcoming editions.)
It may surprise readers to know that in addition to writing about families and farms, menopause and madness, trees and Tarot, I’ve been in the branding, strategic communications, consulting and
content business for decades. Serving small business owners and nonprofits is a special joy, in sectors from heavy equipment to healthcare.
The little guys typically face bigger obstacles than Fortune 500 companies. They often try to handle too much on their own, with far less financial power, information, and experience than the big guys.
I learned a lot working with larger clients such as NBC-Universal, Nike, Samsung, and the musician Sting. Small business owners deserve access to the same strategic and branding perspectives that help global corporations succeed, but scaled down and customized.
So, my opinion today is partly that of an everyday Sisters Country resident. It’s also based on observations and knowledge gained elsewhere.
I don’t know the specifics of The Paper Place’s troubles, other than what Smith described in the newspaper and what any customer might experience on an average day. What follows is general in nature.
When new ownership comes on board, the overall brand and customer experience often change. Employees churn. New display and merchandising aesthetics can alter the vibe of a shop. Even the music wafting through the space makes a difference.
People aren’t just looking for products; they seek an immersive experience, perhaps a cozy spot to wander around, making surprise
discoveries at every turn. Service, friendliness, and ease of checkout are essential.
From the subtle to the obvious, changes can add up after a handoff. Revenues may suffer.
Smith railed against rising interest rates of his loan. I’m truly sorry it hit his company so hard. Yet loans and paying them back are a cost of doing business. The nature of variable interest loans is that you can’t nail down an interest rate.
A decline in tourism was also blamed. Actually, tourism in Central Oregon is doing fine; overall visitor spending increased, while visitation remained steady last year. I don’t have stats for Sisters in particular, and hope to bring you that soon.
Smith lashed out against a federal government program that aids small businesses and their funders through financial backing and expert advice (no idea whether DOGE is dismantling it as I write this). The U.S. Small Business Administration is a help, not a hindrance to small business growth.
Now let’s talk local shopping. I agree with Smith’s assessment that Sisters residents often shop in Redmond and Bend. Merchandise and services have become financially out of reach for Sisters
folks earning standard middle-class incomes or lower.
Many Sisters retailers and restaurants have offered “resort pricing” for eons, which limits participation by less well-off locals. Some businesses that used to offer a broader spread of price points or special sales off-season have pivoted toward targeting wealthier residents and cash-happy tourists. Newer businesses often follow suit.
These shoppers and diners aren’t necessarily year-rounders. They can’t be expected to hold up the local economy as they flit through town on their way to Bend or drop in to visit their second or third homes.
Should tourism decrease or wealthier retirees decamp to less wildfire-prone areas, these companies may have to pivot again.
Those seeking business from residents year-round could entice us to shop in our own town by offering goods and services appropriate for a range of incomes, along with meeting locals’ preferences in ambiance, communications, service and price points.
Personally, I’ve wished for a Year Round Locals discount card since moving here nine years ago, like the Kama’aina discounts in Hawaii.
Retail is a rough and tumble business no matter where
you set up shop. Smith’s situation is disheartening but not unusual. I wish the best for Smith and his family in what sounds like an upcoming move.
I wish the best for all our local businesses.
If their financial decisions, positioning strategies, pricing tiers, and merchandising choices are solid— along with their branding and communications foundations — they’ll stand a better chance of weathering the storms that disproportionately affect small, independent businesses.
Hopefully, local shoppers will help them succeed, along with the U.S. Small Business Administration, lenders, and our hard-working local resources including EDCO, the City, Sisters Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, and Explore Sisters.
If it doesn’t work out, I hope fingers won’t be pointed at our largely wellintentioned residents. Many of us support local businesses despite the resort-town upcharge. We understand that our participation in the local economy matters. The sweet town we love will lose its charm and community feeling if we don’t keep our special shops and restaurants going.
A salute to Sisters Fire District
By Felix Felde Guest Columnist
Readers of The Nugget have likely heard of the Circle of Friends organization here in Sisters, and may even be aware of the group’s incredible efforts to improve the lives of kids by providing a mentor who agrees to be matched with a young person and spend quality time with them each week. I am fortunate to be one of those mentors, and while I initially had some trepidation about making a long-term commitment (as well as my qualifications for doing so), I’ve been matched with a delightful fourth grade boy with whom I’ve already shared many fun activities.
On one of our “hangout days” we visited the Sisters fire station and inquired about getting a quick tour, just to give my mentee an inside look at what our firefighters and EMTs do. Fortunately, there were no emergencies at the time that required the crew’s immediate attention, and we were introduced to Captain Jeff Liming and the station chief, as well as half a dozen other firefighters in various stages of their careers. Every one of them greeted us warmly and thanked us for visiting.
Captain Jeff and firefighter Georgia took the time to give us a thorough tour of the Sisters facility, explaining what each piece of equipment was, how it helps protect our town and how it’s maintained. They were extremely generous with their time, even bringing out an air pack and strapping it on to my
mentee to demonstrate the weight and bulk of one of the many tools that our firefighters use on a regular basis.
We got to climb into a fire truck, a support vehicle, and an ambulance, with Captain Jeff narrating all the way. He also showed us the workout room, bunk rooms, and even the kitchen where firefighters take their meals, as well as the pole they slide down to quickly access their gear and vehicles when an alarm sounds. Yes, they really do use those. The overall experience was far beyond any expectation I may have had for our visit.
The captain spent more than an hour with us and captured my mentee’s attention the entire time (no small feat with a 10-yearold child). When we left, I thought he could not possibly have done more to engage the interest and admiration of a young boy. But I was wrong.
A few days later, we received a call at Circle of Friends from the fire station, indicating that they had a gift they wanted to present to my mentee. It turned out to be a lovely handmade, boy-sized quilt in a firehouse theme, truly a wonderful keepsake that lit up the eyes of my little buddy. It was accompanied by a handwritten note thanking us for visiting and commending his obvious interest and good manners.
Naturally, we wanted to extend our thanks to Captain Jeff and the rest of the crew at the station, so in our next hangout together, my mentee created a very nice note expressing his gratitude, complete with a
The overall experience was far beyond any expectation I may have had for our
visit.
hand-drawn version of the fire station’s logo. When we brought it into the office, Captain Jeff happened to be on shift again. He greeted us as if we were old friends, then proceeded to take us around to several other areas at the station that we hadn’t visited before. Once again, my kiddo was completely engaged, asking questions and absorbing information like a sponge.
What started out as a whim and a hope that we might get a brief peek inside the fire station turned out to be multiple experiences that will always be remembered, and may even be an inspiration for a future career for my mentee one day. What is certain is that Captain Jeff and the rest of the folks at the station made a deep impression on both of us. They demonstrated that they not only help keep us safe and respond to the gravest emergencies when we need them most, but they also contribute to the health and well-being of our residents in very personal ways.
Our heartfelt thanks to all the caring souls at the Sisters Fire Station. We have a new and welldeserved respect for each and every one of them, and we are very fortunate indeed to have them watching out over us and contributing so much positive energy to our community
An airlift operation took two skiers, one of them injured, off of South Sister last week.
Skiers airlifted from mountain
Rescuers airlifted out two skiers who got stranded on South Sister on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 11.
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) responded to a call about two skiers stranded on South Sister — one of them injured. Attempts to contact the skiers by phone were unsuccessful, so SAR teams began coordinating a rescue. By 2:38 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office SAR Incident Management Team was activated to help plan the mission. At 4:51 p.m., two SAR members were flown to the mountain by an AirLink helicopter, and by 5:12 p.m., they had spotted the skiers, and were searching for a place to land.
SAR members had reached the skiers, men aged
19 and 20, from Salt Lake City, Utah. Moments later, an Oregon Army National Guard HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter arrived overhead. The Army National Guard helicopter successfully picked up both the injured skier and their companion and transported them to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.
Meanwhile, the two rescuing SAR members remained near the south edge of the Lewis Glacier. They skied down South Sister to another SAR team on snowmobiles who delivered them back to Dutchman Sno-Park.
“This rescue was a team effort, and we appreciate the help from AirLink and the Oregon Army National Guard in getting these skiers to safety,” Sheriff Kent van der Kamp said in a statement.
The Pacific Northwest is rocked by the same kinds of giant earthquakes and tsunamis that wreaked such havoc in Japan in 2011 and the Indian Ocean in 2004 The vast majority of Oregon’s essential infrastructure is at risk. When —notif the next magnitude 9 earthquake strikes the Pacific Northwest, it will trigger the worst disaster in U.S. history
Dr. Safran will explain the origins and anticipated consequences of earthquakes and touch on some of the efforts to reduce risk and build
PHOTO COURTESY
Run for the shamrock
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
Frost on the shamrocks didn’t deter the nearly 200 runners and walkers for the annual Lucky Leprechaun run and walk held Saturday, March 15.
A mass of green clad participants contrasted with the white stuff falling from the skies as the race commenced near Luckey’s Woodsman on Spruce Street.
A total of 60 runners took the challenge of the 10k run, which was actually 5.75 miles rather than 6.2, and double that number stepped to the line for the 5k.
Tim Morin of Bend cruised alone from start to finish in the longer run, finishing in 34:41, but Evelyn Young closed the gap a bit in the second half to finish first among women and second overall in 35:42.
Mark Kelso was the first Sisters resident across the line in 43:01 for seventh place. Other locals in the race included Neil Sullivan (44:38), Nathan Bennette (44:46), Erica Lowry (46:57), Josie Ryan (47:13), Naomi Bennette (47:17), Amy
Bennette (47:18), Jarod Gatley (50:00), Rachel Ruppel (56:03), Dan Neal (56:33), Michelle Coak (1:00:32), Danny Kuettle (1:04:41), and Trish Roy (1:11:56).
In the 5k, 53-year-old Jason Colquhoun of Bend crossed the line first in 20:19. Julianna Hurwitz, 13, also of Bend, took second overall and first among females.
The top finishers from Sisters included Sean Geoghegan (23:58) in third place and Riley Davis, 12, in sixth place and third female in 25:04. A total of 49 Sisters residents took part in the race among 132 finishers.
Participants slaked their thirst following the event, while huddling around fires on the grounds of Luckey’s Woodsman. The Cascade Highland Pipes and Drums group arrived on the scene to provide festive music just before the awards ceremony honoring top finishers and costume contest winners.
Some proceeds of the run benefitted the Sisters Rotary Club who provided volunteers for the event, according to race organizer Kelly Bither.
Many runners got into the spirit with themed costumes for the Lucky Leprechaun Run in Sisters on Saturday.
Track and field underway at SHS
By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
Despite the recent “white stuff” covering the eight lane track at Sisters High School the season is underway for the Outlaws under third year coach Jonathan Kelly.
Returning to the coaching staff for another campaign are Sarah Thorsett (distance), Jim Anderson (pole vault), Mark Hodge (sprints), Aarika Brooks (throws), and Dana Charpentier (pole vault). Catalina Montanez (hurdles) is volunteering for the first time. Kelly will focus on the jumping events this season.
Over 50 athletes have turned out for the season, according to Kelly, including a big batch of freshmen and some accomplished returnees.
Regarding the freshmen and other newbies, Kelly said, “It’ll be fun to help them find their niche and where they can contribute to the team as well as to watch them grow and develop.”
Kelly said, “On the girls side, our key returning athletes are Audrey Corcoran, Josie Ryan, Althea Crabtree, Brooke Duey, and Mae Roth, who all have experience with competing at the state meet, along with our experienced seniors Annalycia Erdekian and Kiara Martin, and senior Shae Wyland in her first high school season.”
The Outlaws girls brought home a fourth place trophy from state last year with Corcoran playing a big role as a freshman. She placed
second in the 200 meters, third in the 100, eighth in the long jump, and was part of the runner-up 4x400 relay that also featured Josie Ryan and Brooke Duey.
Four senior runners highlight returnees for the boys including Georger Roberts, John Berg, Spencer Tisdel, and Finn Clark. Berg qualified for state last year in the 400 where he missed making the final by just one place. Reed Woodson, who qualified for state in the triple jump where he placed ninth, leads the jumping crew.
Kelly described his vision for the team by saying, “Our focus for the year is using our increased team size to improve our depth across all of the events and to find ways for our younger athletes to gain experience and contribute to the team. In my third year as head coach, I’m also trying to improve the sense of team bonding and teamwork, which can be hard in a sport
like track and field with individual events.”
Sisters will host two high school meets this season, according to Kelly. “We will host the Sisters Invitational on Saturday, April 12, and a twilight relay meet just before district on Friday, May 16.”
Kelly added a plug for volunteers to help with meets, including the two middle school meets on the schedule this season, including district meet May 13.
“We could always use help and volunteers at these meets. No prior experience is required and we can train people for their jobs. If interested, please email me at Jonathan.kelly@ssd6.org.”
The Outlaws compete for the first time of the 2025 season at the Mountain View Icebreaker on Wednesday, March 19. Field events begin at 3:15 p.m., with running events scheduled for a 3:45 p.m. start time.
PHOTO BY CODY RHEAULT
Audrey Corcoran is one of the outstanding Outlaws runners returning to the squad this year.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE KANZIG
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Tumultuous times.
Bitter partisan politics have divided a prosperous society, rupturing friendships and families beyond rehabilitation. Restrictions on commerce have been weaponized to coerce political submission. Politically motivated rioting and vandalism have provoked a harsh law-and-order crackdown. Authorities seek to restrict citizens’ access to arms and ammunition, and free men refuse to surrender the means to defend their liberty.
America is on the verge of an explosion...
We are approaching the 250th anniversary of the moment in April 1775, outside Boston, Massachusetts, when a decade of political turmoil and tension between the British Empire and her North American colonies stumbled irrevocably into armed insurrection and then into revolution.
The marking of this anniversary is much more muted than the Bicentennial observances of the 1970s. That’s too bad, because this history deserves to be pushed back into the foreground of our national consciousness.
Maybe it’s the powdered wigs and brocaded coats; maybe it’s the way we’ve turned the founding of the Republic into a kind of civic religion — the founding generation moves around
in our consciousness like a bunch of animated marble statues. But the struggles of 1775 are not something out of a dim and distant past. They are with us in 2025. We tend to view the issues that brought Americans to bloody blows with their Mother Country in a legalistic light — taxation without representation; trade policy, etc. What truly animated the struggle, and made it so desperate, was resistance to arbitrary power. And that resistance is evergreen. It must be evergreen.
Since the Great Depression and World War II, every presidential administration has sought to accrete more and more power to the executive, while Congress has abdicated its role as a co-equal branch of government. The idea of a monarchical presidency was anathema to the first American President, George Washington, and it should be anathema to us. The current administration revels in the image, while conservatives who once complained that Barack Obama was behaving like a king acquiesce.
Strange days.
The radicalism of the American Revolution lies in the enshrinement of rights endowed by our Creator. Government does not give us rights, or allow us to have rights. Those rights are ours by natural law. It is as inevitable as the weather that some people will seek
power to tell others what to do and how to live. The American Revolution told the world that there can and must be limits on such power. And yet there will always be pressure from all sides to erode those limits.
It is no accident that the first two amendments to the U.S. Constitution enshrined freedom of expression and the means to defend liberty. Freedom of speech and expression are wobbling severely in Europe and the UK, and there are those in the United States who would adopt the kind of restrictions being promulgated there if we were not protected by a Constitution created by men determined that no arbitrary power have the capacity to take our rights away. John Kerry — a former Senator and candidate for President of the United States — lamented impediments to stifling dissent over climate change — which he defines as “disinformation” — stating that “our First Amendment stands as a major block to be able to just, you know, hammer it out of existence.” Yes, Mr. Kerry, we fought a Revolution so that people like you don’t have the power to be “the arbiter of truth,” possessed of the power to decide what is legitimate speech and what isn’t so you can take a hammer to those who disagree with you.
The state of Oregon has,
over the past decade, promulgated a series of gun control measures. Couched as “safety” measures, they are actually a calculated effort to criminalize lawabiding citizens, and to drive firearms-related enterprises out of business. The cynicism of these efforts is revealed in Oregon House Bill 3075. This proposed 2025 act seeks to create deadlines, fees, and other structure to pre-purchase permit applications under Measure 114, recently found constitutional by the Oregon Court of Appeal.
One provision of 3075 requires that any appeal be heard only in Marion County — one of a handful of counties where Measure 114 passed. Not only does the state seek to abridge the rights of legal firearms owners, it is also effectively eliminating any authentic opportunity for redress of grievance.
All of this will doubtless end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, and we can expect our rights to be vindicated. But that will take time, and meanwhile — under false pretenses and based on arbitrary criteria —lawful gun owners will be treated as outlaws by the state of Oregon.
These are exactly the kinds of actions that led to a world-shaking confrontation 250 years ago.
In our current tumultuous times, Americans would do well to delve into the
vivid and compelling story of the painful birth of our Republic. Building knowledge of our founding may be important homework for a citizen — but it’s not an onerous task. This is a fantastic story, full of drama and intensity. A good place to start is with any or all of the works of Gordon S. Wood. Nathaniel Philbrick has written outstanding, highly readable narrative histories of the revolution. Rick Atkinson’s “The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777” is absolutely fantastic, and his second book in a trilogy is out next month — “The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780.” Another outstanding resource is the “Worlds Turned Upside Down” podcast. Ken Burns will release a 12-hour documentary, “The American Revolution” in November. What William Faulkner said about the American Civil War is just as true of the American Revolution: “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Two hundred and fifty years down the line, we still must fight for the ideals that shaped us and against the tyranny of arbitrary power — no matter who seeks to wield it.
pocket because LTC insurance doesn’t cover independent living.
SSL arranged for service provider Home Instead Home Care to meet with interested residents to discuss what they could offer. One resident was quoted a monthly charge of $1,200 for assistance with showers three times a week ($100 per shower). Home Instead would not be providing any assistance at night, raising concerns about leaving some residents vulnerable. Management company Artegan CEO Warren Page told the residents at their meeting earlier in the month that if their needs couldn’t be met at SSL, they would need to move elsewhere.
Families have been touring other facilities in Central Oregon for alternate placements. One of the biggest drawbacks is long waiting lists to get in. Artegan has set a hard deadline of April 24 for people to move out. One woman’s family told her they were moving her out of the area, something she didn’t want to do.
Many of the residents’ families live nearby and are exploring alternatives, including a model of assisted living that doesn’t currently exist except somewhere in Florida. It could be offered at SSL.
program utilizing caregivers registered with Hallmark. Home Instead’s contracts require a minimum number of hours, a particular level of service, and a two-week penalty at a higher level of service cost if care time goes 15 minutes over what was contracted for.
Hallmark allows the client to choose their personal caregiver from a pool of Hallmark-vetted contractors. Hallmark takes care of doing background checks, scheduling, and insuring contractors for liability and occupational accident. They match caregivers to clients’ preferences and the client chooses the one they want, with Hallmark acting as a background advisor to both the client and the caregiver. The clients make their wishes known to the caregiver. The contractor submits their hours to a platform that also accepts payments from the clients.
Many residents and families want coverage overnight, which is not a possibility with other home care agencies. Hallmark is willing to work with families to design a new model that will meet their needs. There was a suggestion at last week’s meeting that everyone, including independent residents, pay something each month to cover the cost of a nighttime rover. It was likened to an insurance policy that will be there when it is needed. To make that work, buy-in is needed from most of the residents.
As of last Thursday, 17 families had indicated interest in utilizing Hallmark services. They began conducting interviews with residents at the conclusion of the meeting.
Owens’ mother Alice, who will be 79 in April, says she “wants to stay at SSL. Living here is one of the happiest times in my life.” Alice, who moved here from Lacey, Washington, almost two years ago, needs assistance as the result of a stroke which left her with compromised use of her right hand and needing a walker. Owens said Alice has received good care and that the stable staff makes a difference.
Hallmark, through their other business, Flex Force Medical Staffing, already has some of their contractors at SSL — the clinical staff and some of the caregivers. That staff could continue to be available if residents contract with Hallmark.
Robyn Holdman’s dad, Ben Holdman, is 93 years old, and moved into SSL two years ago with his cat Miss Kitty after leaving his hometown of Pendleton. Ben’s family have been Eastern Oregon ranchers since the 1800s. He has a long list of health conditions, which require 11 different medications, one injection, and some assistance throughout the day. Ben and Robyn have looked at several facilities in Bend. They have put down a deposit at Touchmark for a one-bedroom apartment but there is a waiting list.
that will manage his medication and offer assistance 24/7. The uncertainty is very hard on him,” said Robyn.
In the meantime, they are evaluating the services offered by Hallmark.
Betsy Beaver is one of the “lucky ones,” in that she has been an independent living resident since July 2023 and doesn’t have to make alternate arrangements at this time. However, there is uncertainty about what happens when and if she does need assistance. She had planned that the sale of her house would provide for seven years at SSL but if outside assistance is needed, the funds will be depleted faster.
tore my heart out”) in one day and moved into SSL, she thought she was settling into “my last home.” But now she says she is living with uncertainty. She said with people moving out, her home feels more like a hotel. She has always sat at a table with the same three women. Two have already left.
Betsy said her “900-square-foot apartment is very adequate” with its windows out of which she watches the birds at her feeder. Her kitty keeps her company, and she is right across the patio from the dining room.
Former Sisters residents Bob and Cheer Papworth now live in St. George, UT, where Cheer’s parents reside. Six months ago, they purchased two territory franchises from Hallmark Homecare-Central Oregon (Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties) and parts of southwest Utah and southern Nevada.
The Papworths were in Sisters last week to meet with SSL family members and residents who are looking at creating an assisted living
Each resident needing assistance would individually contract with Hallmark for their services. Ed Owens, whose mother Alice Terril is currently an assisted living resident at SSL, said, “The Hallmark proposal is the first doable model we’ve seen. It is both flexible and scalable and not as expensive as others. We aren’t limited to a strict set of requirements.”
Hallmark charges $40 an hour, with flexibility of services offered. The rate doesn’t increase as needs or complexity of care increases.
“When a room comes open, we’ll evaluate the situation at SSL to determine if he’ll receive better and more appropriate care in a facility
Betsy, a retired attorney, came to Sisters 10 years ago to be close to her brother Frank and his wife Judy, a Sisters quilter. She lived on her own in a Hayden Homes neighborhood where she enjoyed the neighbors and interacting with the children. When she sold that house (“it
Like all the other residents interviewed, Betsy had high praise for the staff at SSL.
“I love them all, but I worry they are overworked,” she said.
For more information on Hallmark Homecare, contact their Central Oregon representative Kasey Nothiger at 541-647-1166. SENIORS:
Betsy Beaver is an independent resident who is losing some friends who have had to move out.
PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD
Open Studio at PMRCA A e first Open Studio of the 2025 residency season is ursday, March 20 , f rom 4 to 6 p.m. at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 ree Creek s Rd . Presenters for this event include multidisciplinar y artist Mallor y Craig , and collaborators Margaret-Mar y Sulentic Dowell and Ellie Kingsbury is event is f ree and open to the public . Registration is required at https:// roundhousefoundation.org/ events/. For more info call 5419 04- 070 0 or email inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org
Sisters Rodeo Parade
Sisters Rodeo Parade applications are now open. Be part of a longtime tradition in Sisters . Limited entries and the deadline is May 15 . Visit www.sistersrodeo.com , click on Events/Par ade and proceed to fill out the application. Line-up will go out around first of June.
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
SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
B.U.R. S.T. Creating With Confidence On ursday, April 3 , f rom 10 :30 to 11:30 a .m., in the Sisters Librar y Community Room, explore the senses through art while learning creative confidence! Children and their f amilies will get to play with and explore di erent art/craft mediums while learning tools to regulate emotions and sensory stimulation ere will also be a focus and attention to learning how to create without self-doubt. is will be accomplishe d by practicing language with each other that uplif ts without criticism. For children ages 0 -5 years . Please wear clothing you don’t mind getting a bit messy! For more information or questions about this program, please cont act Betsey at betseya@ deschuteslibrary.org
Family Story Time
Interactive story time with books , songs , and rhymes for children ages 0-5 years ese stories and songs are designed to support early literacy skill development, social-emotional awareness , and f amily engagement. is 30-minute program is on Wednesdays , March 19 and 26, at 10:30 a .m. in the Communit y Room at Sisters Librar y. Go to https://www deschuteslibrary.org/kids/ programs for more info.
A NNOUNCEMENT S
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, March 20
Open Studio
Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts
Honey Bees & Brews
Join the monthly social gathering of beekeepers at e Barn on ursday, March 27, at 5 p.m. All beekeepers and wanabees welcome. Contact Clyde for more information at 458-20 6-8470
100+ Women Who Care
10 0+ Women Who CareSisters is delighte d to announce that it has added a “+” to its name! Having topped 100 memberships last month, the group is actively recruiting women to join and support that beautif ul “+.” 100+W WC pools donations to fund local nonprofits nominated by its members . More than $42 000 has been donated since the group’s founding a year ago. ere is no membership fee; the group meets quarterly. For more information, email 100wwc. Sisters@gmail.com or call/text 541-912- 0750
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, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunche s take place weekly on Wed . and urs ., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367
STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transpor t Patients
Help Sisters Countr y residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters , Redmond, and Bend . Attend a free t wo-hour training. Emails from STARS 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 and volunteer to keep Sisters healthy one ride at a time.
Living Well With Dementia Sisters Suppor t Groups
Living Well now o ers t wo support groups . A support group for the care partners and family of those diagnosed with some form of dementia meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month f rom 1 to 2:30 p.m . at Sisters Senior Living, 411 E . Carpenter Ln. A support group for the person diagnosed with some form of dementia in the early stages meets the same days and times , also at e Lodge. Info: 541-6 47-0 052.
Weekly Food Pantry
Changes
Wellhouse Food Pantr y has a new name: CORE Market . It is still located at 222 N . Trinity Way in Sisters . Market hours are now Mondays , f rom 1 to 2 p.m. Info: 541-588-2332.
Let’s Talk Dementia: Clear & Compassionate Guide Class
Living Well with Dementia Sisters presents Let s Talk Dementia, a series of sessions for care partners and families of those diagnosed with dementia. Feel free to join for all eight monthly sessions throughout 2025 or just for one. On ursday, March 27, f rom 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Sisters Library, the topic is “Starting the Conversation: Building Understanding & Facing Dementia Together.” RSVP online at www.LWWDS .com Questions: call 541-588-0547 or email Debbi@LWWDS .com
Save the Rubberbands
Business owners: Are you the recipient of a bundle of Nug gets each week? ose f at rubberbands are highly valued by the Nug geteers that bundle your papers each week , not to mention the value of rec ycling rather than throwing them away. If you can save them from week to week, then drop them by e Nug get, we’d love to use them again. Questions? Call 541549-9941
Sisters Garden Journal
Sisters Garden Club has Garden Journals that are availabl e for $15 at Paulina Springs Book s & e Gallimauf r y here in Sisters e multiyear journal includes pages for notes on weather, monthly garden activities , plant details , and more. Sale s support the Garden Club and other lo cal nonprofits . Get your copy now ey make great gif ts Plea se call 971-24 6-040 4 to ask questions and find more information
Habitat rif t Store
Now Open
e new carpet is in and Habitat rif t Store is open for business! Store hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ank you for your patience during the closure
New
Exhibit at Museum
On Friday, March 21, the Sisters Museum will reopen with a new exhibit, “Historic Ranches and Farms in Sisters Country.”
Volunteers have been busy researching and interviewing relatives to create a collection of stor yboards , photographs , and artifacts that depict these early years.
SE S Kindergar ten Roundup
Sisters Elementar y School (SES) will hold their annual Kindergarten Roundup preregistration on Friday, May 2, in the school g ymnasium, for one hour beginning at either 9 or 11 a.m. Students will participate in a teacher-led activit y while parent s are involved in a parent orientation. Sign up by contacting the elementar y school at 541-549-8981. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1 are eligible for the 2025-26 school year.
Enrollment forms may be picked up at the SES o ce bet ween 9 a .m. and 2 p.m. (closed for Spring Break through March 28) Forms need to be completed and returned to the school o ce on May 2 at the time of the scheduled appointment e following documents are required to register : enrollment packet; copy of birth certificate; immunization records; proof of address . Students will not be registered until all forms are in.
Free Weekly Meal Service
Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays , 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Sisters Community Church, 130 0 W. McKenzie Hwy Visit www.FamilyKitchen .org
Sisters Careg iver Support
A f acilitated support group for caregivers of those with chronic or life-shor tening diseases meets 10 :30 to 11:30 a .m. on the third Wednesday of ever y month at Sisters Episcopal Church of e Transfiguration, 121 Brook s Camp Rd . For more information please call 503-616 -8712.
TSHS Fireside Series e next ree Sisters Historical Societ y Fireside event is on Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m.
Local historian Jim Barnett will present the early history of the Pacific Northwest f rom Native migrations and settlements up through 1846 , when the boundary dispute bet ween Great Britain and the United States was resolved with the formation of the Oregon Territor y. Held at the Fire Station’s Communit y Hall, doors will open at 1 p.m., and tickets are $10 (free to TSHS members) and available at the door.
KOTA Kota, a five-year-old Siberian Husk y mix , is smar t and energetic . He’s per fect for an adventurous f amily and friendly with indoor cats.
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 41-977-5559; 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 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
7:30 a .m. Daybreak Ser vice • 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
anniversar y notices may
and
Lady Outlaws focus on rebuilding
By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws tennis team won the District Championships for the past two years, sent four players to state last year and earned a ninth place finish, and Coach Bruce Fenn told The Nugget what it will take to duplicate that.
“We lost six varsity players, including the district champion for 2023 and 2024, Juhree Kizziar, who led the way and is now playing for George Fox University,” said Fenn.
This year will be a rebuilding year for the Lady Outlaws as only five varsity players return to the squad. They will add seven new players; six freshmen and one junior.
Returning varsity players include senior Sophie Rush, and sophomores Caitlin Carter, Jessica Stahn, Kalie Sullivan, and Ella Panozzo.
Rush, along with her partner, graduate Leah O’ Hern, earned third place at districts last year and were state qualifiers. Rush will wrap up her senior year as a four-year varsity starter.
“I look forward to seeing Sophie improve her shot selections, net play, and poise while competing,” said Fenn. “Sophie has great energy and excitement to do her best.”
Carter comes back with one year under her belt. Last year she played at No. 4 doubles.
“Caitlin has grown to love tennis,” said Fenn. “She participated in the Sisters summer junior team, took private lessons, and helped teach junior tennis for the Sisters Park District this winter. Caitlin is athletic and willing
to hustle. It will be a great year for Caitlin.”
Stahn is also a secondyear player. She was a flexible player last year and willing to play both singles and doubles. She played No. 4 singles at times and No. 4 doubles with Carter.
“Jessica worked on her game this summer playing on the Sisters’ junior team,” stated Fenn. “Jessica is athletic, fast, and has good hands. Her patience and positive attitude when playing helps her have success playing to her potential. I look forward to seeing how she focuses in the match she is playing, improving her net play, and winning tennis strategies.”
Sullivan, another secondyear player, played at No. 4 singles for most of last year, but did see some time at doubles as well.
“Kalie worked on her game playing matches this summer on the Sisters junior tennis team, and played summer drop in doubles as well” said Fenn. “Kalie has an easy way about her that helps her play tennis. She likes singles and can hit smooth relaxed ground strokes. She is fast and has easy movement. I look forward to seeing her improve her volleys at the net, and up her energy and concentration playing the game.”
Panozzo rounds out the returning players, and is also back for her second year on the team. She played No. 4 doubles most of last year with Sullivan and others. She also played in one singles varsity match.
“Ella has a competitive spirit and a joyful attitude on the tennis court,” said Fenn. “If she can be more consistent on her backhand
Fri., April 4 • 7 p.m.
side and play the net better, she can have a lot of success. She has the ability to find ways to keep the ball in play.”
Seven new players will join the varsity squad this year: junior Hudson Jacobs, and freshmen Mia Ferguson, Lizzy Beaver, Molly Friedman, Charlotte Bewick, Carlie White, and Olivia Newton.
Fenn said, “After one week of practice, all outside, I can see these new players progressing fast. The tennis friends of Eagle Crest invited these players as guests to play doubles with them this winter. That opportunity to hit with experienced women and men gave these girls a head start for this year. I want to thank the Eagle Crest tennis community for sacrificing time to play doubles with our players.”
The Lady Outlaws had their first practice on Monday, March 3. Fenn told The Nugget that the new players are adapting to schedules and coaching expectations, and are excited to learn the game.
“I’m excited for this new year coaching seven new tennis players,” said Fenn. “This year will be a fun journey. It’s fun to watch beginners improve and enjoy the great game of tennis.”
This year Dan Oliver will join Fenn as his assistant coach. Oliver played high school tennis on the varsity squad for four years in Arizona, and the team was undefeated. Fenn told The Nugget that Oliver has a passion to coach, and says ‘tennis helps you grow as a person.’
Sisters first match will be at home against Bend on Tuesday, March 18.
Thr ee Sister s Hist or ical Society
FIRESIDE SERIES
SISTERS-AREA EVENTS & Enter tainment
WEDNESDAY • MARCH 19
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played). Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Dawn of Impressionism: Paris, 1874" Part of the Adventure & Art series. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20
Paulina Springs Books House Concert: Jesse Terr y An intimate evening of song and story with Americana/folk singer-songwriter Jesse Terry 7 to 9 p.m. $20-25 suggested donation per person goes to artist. RSVP to events@paulinaspringsbooks.com.
FRIDAY • MARCH 21
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
SATURDAY • MARCH 22
Jokers Wild Social Club Poker Tournament 21+. $180 buy-in, $20 add-on. 2 p.m. at 64670 Strickler Ave. Ste. 102, Tumalo Call or text for details: 458-327-0262.
SUNDAY • MARCH 23
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 • MARCH 25
The Belfr y Frontiers in Science Lecture Series: “Cascadia Subduction Zone: Reckoning with the Really Big One" with Dr. Liz Safran presented by Sisters Science Club Social hour begins at 6 p.m., lecture at 7 p.m. Adults $5 at the door; teachers and students free Sisters Saloon Bingo Night in Sisters 6 to 8 p.m. BINGO upstairs on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
WEDNESDAY • MARCH 26
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART: "Climbing Film Tour 2025" Part of the Adventure & Art series; a selection of short films celebrating the global climbing community. 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com.
Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $50 buy-in, freezeout.
FRIDAY • MARCH 28
Downtown Sisters 4th Friday Artwalk 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Galleries and shops feature art and demonstrations. For additional information go to www.sistersarts.org.
Makin’ It Local "Go Wild Sisters" celebration of everything wildflowers 4 to 7 p.m., handing out packets of seed mix
Refreshments served (including sparkling wine, light hors d'oeuvres, IPA, the “famous” gingersnap cookies) Group showcase featuring local honey and pollinator-related artwork by KF Stoneware Kathy Deggendorfer, Lindsay Gilmore, Rachel Dantona, James Parsons, Green Bird Press, Cheryl Chapman, Charlotte Wallace, and Sheila Dunn. 281 W. Cascade Ave. More info: www.makinitlocal.com.
Spoons Restaurant Comedy: The Round Abouts Join Bend’s short-form improv group for an evening of laughs. Everything is made up based on audience suggestions. 7:30 p.m. $15 online/$20 at the door Reservations: bit.ly/roundabout3-28 Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
Bon Bon Viv ant with Jet Black Pe arl up-tempo,indie-flavored New Orleans music BendTicket.com $20
Tue., April 8 • 7 p.m.
Deb Talan writingsongssince14,shebelieves music heals,songscanbeprayers BendTicket.com $20
Fri., April 18 • 7 p.m.
Bo y Named Sue
Oregon’s finest horn band tribute to JohnnyCashandother countrylegendsby Cuchulain BendTicket.com $20
Pub opens 30 minutes prior to shows 302 E. Main | BelfryEvents.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 23 • 2 PM
OREGON COUNTRY: Exploration and Settlement of the Pacific Northwest
SUNDAY • MARCH 30
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.
WEDNESDAY • APRIL 2
Sisters Movie House & Café Spring ADVART:
Jim Barnett is a local historian whose talk will focus on the early history of Oregon, describing the best current evidence of the Native migration and settlement of the region, as well as later Euro-American exploration and settlement of the area that was known as Oregon Country Jim Barnett
"Janis Ian: Breaking Silence" Part of the Adventure & Art series. Over six decades Janis Ian gained 10 Grammy nominations in eight categories — despite intense controversy and life-threatening illness 6:45 p.m. Tickets $17 at www.sistersmoviehouse.com. Sisters Saloon Poker Night Texas Hold’em 5:30 p.m. to close upstairs. 21+. $20 (add'l $5 when bounty chip is played).
FRIDAY • APRIL 4
The Belfr y Live Music: Bon Bon Vivant bring up-tempo indie-flavored New Orleans music Jet Black Pearl opens. 7 p.m. $20 Tickets and info: www.belfryevents.com.
Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. Tickets are $10 at the Door (Free to TSHS members)
2 p.m. , doors open at 1 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Questions? Call 541-610-6323.
SATURDAY • APRIL 5
The Belfr y Sing Your Hearts Out, Sisters! with the Low Bar Chorale presented by C4C Doors at 6 p.m., singing at 7. No-host bar. Free but tickets recommended: eventbrite.com.
“more creativity.”
“Fennel is not my favorite thing,” she said, “but I tried a couple of the salad recipes with fennel, and now I enjoy it in a salad or in meatballs, cut up with lamb.”
When Francis’ son goes to summer camps at Seed to Table farm, he comes home and joins her in the kitchen. “He’ll be inspired to make smoothies, things like that.”
A seven-year-old who attends Black Butte School in Camp Sherman, her son says produce share is his favorite day of the week. “He loves the variety of vegetables,” Francis said.
“He loves the fact that he knows everyone. It’s a community-based feeling — you know, it’s like he’s going to see his friends. He gets to touch the vegetables and decide what to take.”
Most members bring their coolers and bags to the farm every Wednesday and select from a sometimes overwhelming number of freshly harvested vegetables. Some pick up their shares at Sisters Farmers Market, another program of Seed to Table.
The produce share at Seed to Table is unique, having a sliding scale payment model, which enables people of all income levels to participate. Seed to Table’s mission as a nonprofit organization stretches far; in addition to providing food through the produce share, the farm donates thousands of pounds of veggies to local food banks, schools, and organizations.
Beth Eckert first learned about the produce share at a food bank here in Sisters, she said. “It’s really awesome because I am low-income right now, being older, at 73 and retired, on a fixed income, and I have a disability as well. I get all my veggies from Seed to Table,” she continued. “The produce share enables me to eat well.”
Eckert appreciates how big the weekly share is
— and sometimes the vegetables, too. “Giant heads of cauliflower! When I get too much, I freeze some of it or I share with my neighbors. I’m happy to be able to do that.”
She finds Seed to Table and its farmers “generous and community-caring. I feel really grateful to be a part of that.”
Eckert appreciates the organization’s educational offerings as well. “I like that they educate people about the benefits of sustainable growing,” she said. “They’re such a teaching farm.”
She moved to Central Oregon over a decade ago, to be near her children. Formerly a master gardener in Vermont, Eckert said that as she can no longer garden, she lives vicariously through Seed to Table.
“It makes me feel much more sustainable,” she explained. “When you get older and you have a disability, and your usual options are unhealthy foods — this produce share is a true, amazing gift and opportunity.”
Eckert has her favorites throughout the season, which runs from May to November. “I love their cucumbers,” she mused. “I’m not a real lettuce eater; I love the carrots, kohlrabi, and turnips. Sweet
potatoes in the fall.”
She eats a little differently than most people “because of inflammatory issues in my system,” she said. “The veggies that they provide — we get a choice each week — I gravitate toward the greens. I eat kale, spinach, arugula.
“Cabbage, carrots, and daikon radish make an amazing coleslaw, with some green onions if I have them,” Eckert elaborated. “I use avocado oil mayonnaise for a dressing, or oil and apple cider vinegar, with a little seasoning.”
Dressings and spices play less of a role with fresh produce, she said. “Locally grown food is so delicious. There is such a difference in the quality and the taste. It
has much more flavor.”
Eckert’s excitement about this local, fresh food is contagious. “I spread the word about Seed to Table,” she says with a chuckle. “I tell people, ‘If you like what I’ve given you at my table, you’re going to love the produce share.’”
Learn more about Seed
to Table at www.seedto tableoregon.org, where you can sign up for this year’s produce share (while shares are still available), donate to the organization, and sign up for the newsletter. See also “Returning home to Sisters and fresh veggies” in this issue.
Seed to Table farmer Vivian Toll celebrates the produce share at its on-farm pick-up booth. Produce shares are currently available for signup.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Returning home to Sisters
By T. Lee Brown Correspondent
Lindsey Overstreet is a longtime Seed to Table produce share member who has kids in Sisters School District. She’s also a returnee who grew up in Sisters, moved away, and has now come back.
“The quality is unmatched,” said Overstreet of her family’s produce share, which they pick up at Seed to Table farm on the edge of town. “I’m so impressed every week when we go out there — how much is available, how beautiful everything is.”
Jude is a fifth grader at Sisters Elementary School and is Overstreet’s daughter. She enjoys school visits to the farm as well as the produce share pickup.
“Heading out to the farm is fun,” Jude said, “because I get to decide which vegetables we’re going to get for the week.” Her favorites are kale and carrots.
“Usually the carrots don’t make it home if Jude is in the car,” her mom chimed in.
Overstreet grew up in Sisters, lived elsewhere, and returned to Sisters four years ago.
“It’s funny how many people I grew up with have come back to raise their families here. When you’re in high school in a small town, you’re like, ‘We’re all gonna get out of here.’ Then you realize ‘Where we come from is so great,’ and you come back.” She appreciates having long roots in the area.
Growing up, Overstreet never thought of Sisters as a place for producing vegetables. “We’d think about it in terms of cattle or livestock,” she explained. “The scale that Seed to Table has done here, where growing vegetables takes so much skill and effort... I’m impressed by what they’ve achieved.”
Like her daughter,
Overstreet enjoys the veggie pickup process. “It’s a bonus, when I go out there and run into people I know, people I don’t really see around town,” she explained.
The community “encompasses a lot of demographics, in terms of age and life experience. I see families I know, and my former teachers — it’s fun to connect while you’re waiting in line.”
A produce share is a type of CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) offering. CSAs involve local residents supporting their local farmers by signing up for a “share” and paying on an annual or monthly basis.
Similar to a subscription, a share provides customers with a bounty of produce every week in season, May through November.
“At home,” Overstreet said, “we’re always looking to incorporate more vegetables into our food. In our house we call it the veggie pressure.” The veggie pressure means using all the produce in the fridge, including “things I’d never just pick up at the store,” often selected by Jude.
The veggie selection available at produce share
pick-up changes widely throughout the season, from the scallions of spring to the bursting tomatoes of fall. Frequent stalwarts include salad mix, kale, carrots, and variations on greens like bok choy and Napa cabbage.
Sometimes with Jude’s help, Overstreet tries out new recipes with their produce share foods. “Tatsoi is a good one,” she elaborated. “We have a really awesome salad we make with that. It’s a spring green and we make a soy sauce dressing.”
Between the produce share, the farm’s summer programs, and Seed to Table education in local schools, Overstreet believes Jude is learning more than how to plant or select vegetables.
“Having kids grow and prepare their own foods is a tried and true intervention on picky eating,” she explained. “There’s a lot going on about having kids rewire their tastes with novel fruits and veggies.”
Seed to Table’s produce shares are available for signup now; they typically sell out in spring. See article this issue, or visit www. seedtotableoregon.org.
SFF Presents offers spring classes
SFF Presents has announced two adult art and music classes at Sisters Art Works beginning in April. First up is an all-day painting class with renowned local painter, Paul Alan Bennett, on Saturday, April 26, followed by a six-week bluegrass workshop with Joe Schulte every Wednesday evening from April 30 through June 4. Registration is now open for both classes at www.sffpresents.org/ workshops-and-classes.
In “Learn to Paint with Paul Alan Bennett,” participants will work with waterbased tempera paints on a 3’ x 3’ sheet of tar paper, selected because its surface takes the paint very well. Class will begin by participating in a guided pencil drawing to cover the basics of composition and expression. Bennett will cover techniques on color mixing and working with a brush before setting students loose to complete at least two paintings. To conclude the day, the class will gather to discuss their processes and share their work.
Paul Alan Bennett attended the Maryland Institute of Art and lived in Greece for six years where he taught art and got a master’s degree in Greek History with an emphasis on Greek Art. He’s published three collections of his work, including “HUG,” “Night Skies,” and “Pandemic Portraits.” He has created backdrops for five productions for Bend Opera and is currently working on a sixth! By his own estimate, Paul has taught this kind of painting to more than 25,000 students over the years.
Students should come
dressed to paint and move around. The class will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the JAM studio on the second floor of the Sisters Art Works building. All supplies and lunch will be provided, with gluten-free and vegan options available. Class registration is limited to 10 people. Participants must be 18 or older to enroll; no experience necessary. In “Jam-Ready Bluegrass: A 6-Week Music Workshop,” instruction will focus on song arrangement, jam awareness, and “bluegrass etiquette.” Participants will learn how to take traditional bluegrass tunes commonly found in jam circles and bring them to life by finding the right key(s) to play them in, construct intros, outros, and apply other interesting arrangement ideas. Students will improve their ability and confidence in jamming and learn to take their favorite song and turn it into a tune they could bring to any jam to lead.
This is a beginner/intermediate class open to 20 pickers. Participants must be 18 or older to enroll and should have a solid ability to strum and switch between the basic and common chords on their chosen instrument. Bass, cello, or fiddle players must be able to identify some common notes and to play at least one basic scale or simple melodies. Recommended tuition for each course is $150/person and SFF Presents is offering a pay what you can pricing model to help eliminate financial barriers. Classes will take place in the upstairs JAM Studio or Suite 101 of Sisters Art Works. For more information visit www. sffpresents.org/.
Lindsey Overstreet, left, and her daughter Jude chose fresh veggies at Seed to Table’s produce share pick-up in a previous season.
PHOTO BY EMILY GREEN
Factors affecting local businesses
By T. Lee Brown Correspondent
Small businesses such as independent restaurants and brick-and-mortar retailers face obstacles and risks. These companies create important economic activity in Sisters Country.
The following information is meant to accompany this week’s column “In the Pines.” In future issues of The Nugget, we’ll follow up with additional explorations.
Community economy
Independent, small businesses have a profound effect on our community and its economy.
• Small companies in Sisters Country, such as restaurants and retail stores, along with the farmers and artisans who sell at fairs and farmers markets, boost the local economy through their customer transactions. But there’s more.
• These businesses serve tourists along with locals, creating an environment that entices more tourists to visit and spend. Lots of visitors like to browse shops. Whether or not they spend depends on many factors, including price points. If basic lodging and food prices are high, visitors may not have wiggle room for retail splurges.
• Our small businesses initiate economic ripples, secondary effects. For example, the owner of a restaurant might buy fixtures at Hoyt’s Hardware and hire a local landscaping company. I’ve interviewed farmers market vendors who live elsewhere in Central Oregon; they’re excited for a full day of activity in Sisters. After the market closes, they bike the trails, look for new finds at Paulina Springs Books, have dinner and drinks at The Barn, then watch a film at Sisters Movie House.
Rough Going
It can be hard for a small retail or similar business to stay afloat. A few reasons why:
• Retail is a high-risk affair. The Commerce Institute reports that 15.8% of retail businesses fail in their first year of business. A whopping 41.7% of retail businesses fail in their fifth year.
• As real estate and rental costs rise in desirable locations, sometimes due to interference by private equity firms, smaller businesses get squeezed. Buildings get sold, leases broken. Absentee landlords may jack up rents while deferring maintenance and improvements. As rents go up, businesses pass the cost along to customers in the form of higher prices. Some customers decline to buy.
• Big box stores dominate markets. Consolidations and growth in megastores dictate supply chains and wholesale prices. Anti-trust efforts to curb this anti-competitive activity take years in the courts and are often unsuccessful.
• Online retail and B2B e-commerce have grown like crazy for years, undercutting local businesses. As of 2022, nearly 60% of global consumers said they prefer to shop online rather than IRL (In Real Life — the Millennial generation more than others). As it becomes harder to even find the merchandise they want in local stores, much less at an affordable price, people look to online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
• The increase in large fulfillment centers for online retailers shows clear negative effects on nearby retailers and their employees, with ripple effects on other area businesses.
• New owners may enter a market without adequate knowledge, market research, or background. Common trip-ups occur around strategic planning, branding, passion projects, the urge to do everything oneself, questionable technologies, and variable interest loans.
Variable Interest Loans
What should business owners expect of variable interest loans? A historical look at the prime rate, an important benchmark, can be revealing.
In 1989 (Reagan and Bush administrations) the prime rate was 11.5%. It settled down to a little over seven percent in 1994 (Clinton).
As the Great Recession lumbered in, crashing real estate markets, driven by deregulated financial instruments (Bush II), the Federal Reserve lowered short-term interest rates to nearly one percent to boost the economy, according to one source. In the face of this ongoing recession, during the Obama years, the Fed kept interest rates low (mostly around 3.5–5 percent).
During Trump’s first administration and most of the pandemic Biden White House years, the rate remained fairly low (again, around 3.5-5 percent). Coming out of the Covid pandemic recession, rates moved up beginning in July of 2022 to around eight percent, landing at 7.5 percent this month.
In other words, interest rates fluctuate, affecting variable rate loans. Sometimes they rise much higher than when the loan was initiated. Loan rates may also escalate if a business fails to pay installments on time or its value decreases.
Sources Sources for this data and other factors mentioned in this issue’s “In the Pines” column include the following: Cascade Business News , the U.S. Department of Commerce, JP Morgan Chase, Marketplace, Federal Reserve History, The Wall Street Journal, Visit Central Oregon, Fit Small Business, FRED Economic Data, market research firm GWI, and the National Bureau of Economic Research.
PRINCIPAL: Roth is a popular education leader in Sisters
Continued from page 3
mountain views from his office.
When asked to describe the most satisfaction from his principal’s job, he struggled to find the one thing that epitomized his tenure.
“There are so many benefits to this job,” he said. “The community involvement is amazing. There is such a duty to care, and we’ve had
success both with our high yield instruction initiatives and creating a culture of wanting to come to school. As a teacher you work with one or maybe two other team members. As principal I have a team of 30 to help build a vision of making a great experience for kids.” Roth is well-liked by the teaching staff and students alike. His motto is: “Outlaws Together.” He views middle school years as critical in making learning relevant, and the school experience safe for kids in their early adolescence.
Two finalists selected for public art
The City of Sisters announced the two finalists for the roundabout art installation at the Highway 20/ Locust Street intersection. The selected artists are Karen Yank and Dan Chen. The finalists’ models will be displayed for public review and feedback at Sisters Public Library, March 15–31, and at Sisters High School April 2–4.
The Sisters branch of Habitat for Humanity recently received a $10,000 grant from Washington Federal Foundation, the charitable arm of WaFd Bank.
The grant will be used to help fund the group’s Larch Commons affordable home development project and its aging-in-place services.
“A significant number of workers and seniors who are essential to the vibrancy and vitality of Sisters are priced out of our housing market due to an acute lack of affordable homes,” said Peter Hoover, Sisters Habitat for Humanity executive director. “In these times of funding uncertainty, the generosity and support of WaFd in helping us create 26 perpetually affordable homes in Sisters will make an immense difference. We are deeply grateful to WaFd for their commitment to invest in the communities they serve.”
“As much as any period in our lifetime, housing affordability is at a critical impasse — by partnering with Sisters Habitat for Humanity, we not only help build homes but also hope for a brighter future for countless families,” said Ryan Brown, WaFd Bank senior relationship manager in Bend. “This commitment reflects our core values and dedication to making a positive impact in the world.”
To learn more about Sisters Habitat for Humanity or to volunteer or donate money, visit their website at sistershabitat.org.
Yank’s piece “Pride of Place” features the Three Sisters’ snowcapped peaks with a red-tailed hawk soaring over the landscape.
“Pride of Place” utilizes a circle, to reflect the horizon where the earth meets the sky, and also symbolizes a lasso referencing Sisters Rodeo and the long history of ranching in this unique location positioned between the Cascade Mountains and the High Desert.
Chen’s work “Through Time” consists of three interconnected circular sculptures representing the themes of past, present, and future, complemented by natural elements. An eagle flying across the highest circle
sculpture symbolizes resilience and forward vision. These sculptures will integrate with the surrounding landscape to create a cohesive, meaningful representation of the Sisters community’s rich history and vibrant future.
“Sisters has long embraced art as a cornerstone of our community’s identity,” said City Manager
Jordan Wheeler. “This project provides a unique opportunity to create a lasting symbol. We invite everyone to get involved in the process and help determine the future of the gateway to the City.” The anticipated installation date for the art is set for Fall 2025. For more information on the roundabout art selection process, visit www. ci.sisters.or.us.
The Larch Commons affordable home development is a project that will create 26 affordable homes within the downtown core of Sisters. The homes will be one-, two-, and threebedroom dwellings. The group has committed to build affordable homes in the Sisters community and then to transfer ownership of said homes within the next three years.
“Pride of Place” by Karen Yank.
“Through Time” by Dan Chen.
Sisters Habitat for Humanity will use a $10,000 grant from WaFd Bank on its Larch Commons project.
Letters to the Editor…
A plea to dog owners
To the Editor:
Please keep your dog under control in areas where they could encounter people. I recently had an unfortunate incident with an uncontrolled dog. I am 77 years old. I was taking a walk in the woods on Forest Service land immediately behind W. Williamson Avenue when I was charged by a large uncontrolled dog off leash. The dog ran at me from a distance. I was able to deflect the blow by raising my knee. The dog walker gained control of the dog by grabbing its collar and told me she had it under control, so I walked on. But suddenly I was charged from behind and knocked to the ground flat on my face by the same uncontrolled dog. I was shocked by the unexpected blow; it took me a while to get up; I had aches and pains all over. Luckily, I didn’t break anything.
When I got home, I called the sheriff’s office to cite the dog. I asked the deputy what I could do if I needed to seek reimbursement for injuries. He said I could file a civil suit in court, and the deputy paid a visit to the dog owner.
Sadly, I had just recovered from seven months of physical therapy for previous injuries and now because of this dog, I was re-injured. I contacted my doctor, and she has referred me to physical therapy again.
My husband has been bitten three times by an uncontrolled dog. I have been chased on my bike and had uncontrolled dogs run in front of my bike tires many times. My remaining questions are: How can a person walking or riding their bike protect themselves from uncontrolled dogs in addition to pepper spray? How often are uncontrolled dogs creating a hazard and injuring people?
Jean Purviance
s s s
Dystopian philosophy
To the Editor:
I am writing today to inform the public of the need to understand what is currently happening within the current Presidential administration’s agenda. What we are witnessing is the implementation of the dystopian philosophy of Curtis Yarvin. Yarvin is a software engineer and political theorist who advocates for a return to monarchical and hierarchical structures of authority, challenging the fundamentals of democratic governance.
Yarvin’s philosophy revolves around several core principles, including a critique of democracy, advocacy for autocracy, and historical revisionism. He argues that democracy is inherently flawed and supports a model of governance where power is centralized in the hands of a capable ruler or executive. He reinterprets historical events to support his ideological framework, challenging conventional narratives.
Vice President J.D. Vance and Elon Musk share similar philosophies with Yarvin. Another person involved is Peter Thiel, the billionaire entrepreneur and venture capitalist who was instrumental in Vance’s political rise, donating $15 million to his 2022 Ohio senate campaign and has expressed skepticism towards democratic processes and supports projects that reflect a preference for strong, centralized leadership. Elon Musk has echoed sentiments that align with Yarvin’s critique of democratic inefficiencies, focusing on rapid technological advancement and streamlined, autocratic
decision-making. J.D. Vance, author of “Hillbilly Elegy” has been associated with the neo-reactionary movement, with policy positions and public statements indicating an alignment with Yarvin’s views on governance.
The impact of Yarvin’s philosophy on the Trump administration, noting similarities in their approach to governance, such as the emphasis on executive orders and the undermining of traditional democratic institutions, is frightening. Key policy areas influenced by Yarvin’s philosophy include immigration, regulatory rollbacks, and judicial appointments.
The conflict between traditional democratic values and the appeal of strong, centralized authority advocated by this administration and Yavin is evident and should be alarming to us all.
Bruce Hess s s s
TDS Edition
To the Editor:
As I read through all the letters and guest comments in the March 13 edition of The Nugget it seemed to me a reflection what many might refer to as Trump Derangement Syndrome.
I’m not sure if there is an accepted definition of TDS, but what the effects appear to reflect nationwide is hate greater than love of this country we live in. The onslaught of “facts” attacking previous opinion writers was, well zzzzzzz...
I tend to be visual as in U.S. map election results portrayed factually in color by county detail. Now that’s the eye-opening truth expressed by we the people in 2024. Doesn’t matter at this point, simple fact, Trump’s re-election was historic and based on a campaign for making America Great Again.
So, what’s up with all the hate? Trump’s first term; no wars, booming economy, yet endless hate from day one after he walked down the escalator; including his family, friends and anyone supporting him. Then Biden elected; most embarrassing moment in American history with the Afghanistan withdrawal, wars, inflation, and chaos forced upon all Americans with open borders, government/hi-tech partnership to silence free speech, shutdowns, and much more.
So, would someone from the TDS alliance please explain who or what invisible force drives this deep hatred for Trump that divides One Nation Under God?
What if each day, all of us would seek at least some joy by giving thanks for something, anything? Be thankful for all those since George Washington who gave their lives confronting tyranny for the many freedoms we enjoy. Be thankful that we live in America, not a place like Russia or China or North Korea. Be thankful for life in Sisters, a safe bubble, free from all the negative impact of open borders happening elsewhere. Be thankful Venezuelan gangs have not taken over apartments in Sisters. Be especially thankful no beautiful young women in Sisters brutally raped and murdered. Be grateful we don’t have to take a subway to work at the risk of robbery, being thrown into the path of a train, or maybe being set on fire. Be thankful we’re not a U.S. citizen in New York working two
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. See LETTERS on page 20
AWARDS: Fire District honored its own for service
Continued from page 3
Chaplaincy corps.
Following dinner, Chief Prior took the stage and welcomed guests and the boards and advisors of various agency partners and community support groups. One, and the evening’s host, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire and Ambulance Association, is a division of the SistersCamp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.
The Association is the social, civic, and charitable group of paid career personnel, operational volunteers, and Fire Corps volunteer members. Their goals are to provide opportunities for fellowship between Association members and their families; support and enhance fire service traditions through community events, educational programs, and activities;
and raise funds in support of Association sponsored activities/charities, Districtsanctioned events, and special projects.
Prior turned the mic over to Fire District Board President, Kristie Miller. The Board of Directors is comprised of five elected community members. The primary duty and function of the Board is to establish policies for the governance of the District. It is the policy of the Board to delegate to the Fire Chief and staff the responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the District, in a manner consistent with the policies and directions of the Board. She was followed in succession by Association President Craig Matthews, Deputy Chief Jeff Puller, and Fire Corps Chair, Beverly Halcon. They were all the warmup acts to the main event — the awards and recognition presentations. One-by-one Chief Prior honored the recipients to rousing applause and cheers.
Award Recipients
Rookie of the Year: Brian Maxson
Volunteer of the Year: William Oliver
Volunteer Firefighter of the Year: Grant Dickenson
Outstanding Fire Fitness: Brian Maxson
Career Firefighter of the Year: Steven Lord
Resident Volunteer of the Year: Tyler Wallace
EMT of the Year: Christi Davis
Fire Corps Volunteer of the Year: Ralph Salisbury
Tom Haynes: In appreciation of 50 years of dedicated service to Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District and its citizens served: October 1975 to February 2025
Rookie of the Year Brian Maxson.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Shuttle company on the road to adventure in Sisters Country
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Casey Meudt and Henry Horrocks are passionate about outdoor adventure in the Sisters backcountry and they’re taking that passion on the road.
The Sisters men have launched Stagecoach Adventures, providing shuttle services to trailheads, lakes, ski areas, and other recreation spots on the Sisters Ranger District. The business operates on a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
The company went through a lengthy and detailed process through the Forest Service, which included public input. Such services are common on national forest lands, but no one was operating locally.
“This shuttle is the first one on the Sisters Ranger District that we’ve authorized,” Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid told The Nugget.
Stagecoach Adventures is currently offering shuttle services from Sisters to Hoodoo Ski Area. With a signed parental consent form, young people aged 12 to 17 can ride without being accompanied by a parent. Skiers are invited to buy two oneway tickets so that they can be flexible in the times of arrival and departure. Tickets are available at https://www. stagecoachadventures.com.
Once spring and summer roll around, the company will offer regular shuttles to Three Creek Lake, a hub for boaters, fishermen, and hikers on the popular Tam McArthur Rim trail (permit required). That shuttle will also offer drop-offs at Peterson Ridge Trailhead.
Other trips will be avail able on a customized basis.
The Stagecoach Adventures can accommo date up to 14 passengers and gear including bikes or skis.
“At this point, Henry and I will be doing the driving through the winter season,” Meudt told The Nugget
are looking for drivers.”
He noted that no CDL is required for drivers transporting fewer than 14 people. A background and driving record check will be conducted. Those interested can inquire through the website.
Meudt and Horrocks share a deep background in the cycling industry.
“We’re both avid trailbuilders and volunteer a lot of time with trail maintenance,” Meudt said.
Meudt has been a resident of Sisters for nearly 30 years and is celebrating 15 years as owner of Blazin Saddles bike shop. His wife Brittany and son Beau share his love for the outdoors and for the Sisters community.
“This town is very near and dear to my heart,” he said.
Horrocks, who lives in Tollgate with his wife Jennifer and their two dogs, Stella and Starsky, is a former professional mountain bike racer turned outdoor enthusiast and local shuttle service owner. He’s passionate about trail building, fly fishing, and sharing his enthusiasm for cycling and the outdoors.
Meudt acknowledged that the original proposal for the shuttle service caused alarm
in some folks concerned about increased impact on recreation areas around Sisters. He emphasized the company’s commitment to taking pressure off trailheads by reducing car trips and parking.
“The goal is to help our forest be more sustainable, not to hurt it,” he said. “That’s very important to both of us.”
The service covers most of the Sisters Ranger District, but will not operate in the Metolius Basin.
Services are not confined to the woods. Stagecoach Adventures has already provided transportation for wedding parties, winery tours, and other group trips to sites in Central Oregon.
Per Forest Service protocol, the special use permit extends for one year, after which it will be evaluated based on the permit-holder’s desire to continue, whether or not there have been conflicts with other user,s and whether there are unforeseen impacts on resources.
“That’s kind of our standard protocol for outfitter guides,” Reid said.
Detailed booking information can be found at https://www.stagecoach adventures.com.
Stagecoach Adventures is offering shuttle service to Hoodoo.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Casey Meudt and family love the outdoors.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Henry Horrocks
outdoorsman.
Continued from page 1
their names so as to cause their customers concern that they may be the next store to close.
Just as many shopkeepers however report strong sales; among them Dixie’s, Sisters Meat and Smokehouse, SweetEasy Co., and Paulina Spring Books.
The Smokehouse added a Redmond store last year. Sisters Coffee Co. has grown into Portland and Bend at the same time they have enjoyed success with their packaged coffees sold to stores and shops across the region. SweetEasy Co. has added freshly made bagels to meet growing breakfast demand.
Dixie’s has plans and property to expand their store’s footprint. Paulina Springs Books has expanded its space three times in the last several years.
Cascade Spirits on West Cascade has outgrown its space and will be expanding later this year across the street. On the other hand, Funky Fauna in Sun Ranch Business Park, has moved its brewing operation to Bend. Three Creeks Brewing closed its brewing operation on Barclay Drive several months ago and sold its restaurant at FivePine.
EDCO (Economic Development of Central Oregon) tells The Nugget that a brewer with experience in Bend and the Coast is kicking tires in Sisters. Brew pubs are important to tourism in Oregon.
There appears to be no common thread. Lanny Levinson, a retired career brand executive with Proctor & Gamble, recently retired to Sisters and he sees two trends: “Higher-end stores are doing just fine. And stores that sell stuff that fits in a purse or shopping bag seem to do better than shops selling hard goods like furniture, home decor, or paintings,” he said.
All agree that stores and galleries dependent on tourists are most at risk due to the short season and competing destinations.
Rent is often the biggest cost to shopkeepers, and they continue to climb as does insurance; as do borrowing costs with commercial loan rates nearly tripling since 2020.
To Levinson’s point, Famille opened last week in the space formerly occupied by Chops, who ceased operations last autumn. Created by the owners of Ski Inn Taphouse, the Frenchthemed Famille’s dinner menu includes crab cake starters for $22, a beet burrata salad for $14, steaks ranging from $38 to $98, and sides from $8 to $10.
McArthur’s hopes to open by summer in the space next to Sisters Athletic Club which was Rio Mexican Restaurant until its closure five years ago. The menu is expected to feature organic, locally and regionally sourced items to be priced accordingly.
Further to Levinson’s point, all new hotel rooms added in Sisters the last four years have price points well above standard hotel/motel rates. Visitors to Sisters for the Memorial Day weekend can expect to pay $297/ night at The Scout Boutique Cottages on East Main Avenue. At Ski Inn that rate is $313. The GrandStay Hotel & Suites can be booked for $319/night.
If you’re lucky enough to find a cottage at FivePine Lodge & Cabins, you will pay $407-$511 per night.
Just as the housing market in Sisters is increasingly developed for upper income retirees or empty nesters, tourists may have few budget choices to stay longer than a day.
On the other hand, commercial development in Sisters continues to grow, albeit slowly.
Several innovative businesses are basing their enterprises here. One, Boxkill, builds high quality, small footprint homes with minimal components. They have caught the attention of the legislature and Governor Kotek.
The business is cofounded by Andrew Schlar and Paul Rawlins, formerly with Laird Superfoods.
They are typical of a new, younger generation of entrepreneurs making Sisters their base, like Wyatt Woods of Holy Kakow, a premium coffee shop supplier of organic chocolate sauces and coffee syrups.
A tenant has been found for Laird Building C, the largest of the three units on Lundgren Mill Road. The property, built for specialized food grade manufacturing, has languished on the market due to the building’s unique design characteristics.
BasX, Deschutes County’s largest commercial employer, has begun assembly operations in Sisters as we recently reported. Their rapid growth and lack of suitable available space in Bend and Redmond may cause them to expand their footprint in Sisters even further.
Oregon Pole Structures has broken ground on one of two new developments in Three Peaks Industrial Park.
The number of business licenses issued by the City declined this fiscal year to 707 from the prior year’s 731. Only a portion of those are retail.
Overall the picture for shops and galleries in Sisters is varied, and it is hard to discern clear future trends.
BARCLAY: Travel in area of post office will be affected
Continued from page 1
cross-section from North Locust Street to North Larch Street including new stormwater and lighting systems. The 10-foot sidewalks are curbed on each side of the new road. The stop control at Barclay/Locust will change. Barclay will have the through movement and Locust will have the stop control.”
This will be a major change for southbound drivers on Camp Polk Road as they will need to stop before crossing Barclay. Northbound drivers will have no stop to allow a smooth flow of bypass traffic turning left onto Barclay and continuing to the west roundabout uninterrupted.
“There will be some lane closures, full closure, and detours as the project progresses,” Bertagna advises. “The majority of the necessary detours will use Sun Ranch Drive to Larch Street.”
The Nugget will have more precise information about lane closures and diversions as the work progresses. Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible until May 13.
Motorists bound for the post office may wish to alter their route to approach from northbound Larch. Area businesses along Barclay will see delays as they adapt to the work zone.
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jobs to raise a family while having to witness illegal criminals given money and free housing in expensive hotels. Be thankful that we hard-working ordinary Americans with ears to hear and eyes to see, witnessed the great awakening and overwhelming support leading to Trump’s re-election.
And lastly, maybe even thankful our nation was spared from Harris and whomever was actually in power.
I would respectfully like to offer a suggestion that may help identify at least one source of hate detrimental to our cohesion as a nation of patriotic citizens. I think it appropriate that Jim Cornelius, a strong and thoughtful community leader of Sisters, and professed history nerd, write a series of analytical articles regarding mainstream media as measured specifically by two criteria: 1. What were the discussions, thoughts, reasons, arguments, and ultimate purpose behind our founders giving the 1st amendment the prominence, importance, and No. 1 position in Bill of Rights within The Constitution of the Unites States? 2. How has mainstream media nobly, honestly, and honorably served we the people protected under the first amendment as measured by the accepted journalistic standards of the Society of Professional Journalist?
Jeff Mackey s s s
Sisters seniors
To the Editor:
I’m following the unfolding events at Sisters Senior Living (SSL) with dismay and growing moral outrage.
In Sue Stafford’s March 12 Nugget article, “Sisters seniors roiled by changes,” SSL resident Ken Gardner offers a grim analogy: “When the dam owners [SSL management] finally release the water stored behind the dam… the village [SSL] is flooded, and those who reside right in the village [Medicaid recipients] are washed away. Those who live on the hills above the village [independent living residents] are safe.”
I’d argue, however, that even those “on the hills” are being unfairly penalized by SSL’s draconian policy changes.
People move into independent living facilities to secure a future care safety net. They pay a premium for peace of mind — often thousands more per month than average rent in Sisters. Is SSL actually stripping away that safety net without offering financial compensation? (Editor’s note: SSL is reducing prices for independent living. See story, page 1.) Worse, residents must now pay out-of-pocket for off-site services, adding new financial and logistical burdens.
Not only is this morally reprehensible — is it even legal? Didn’t those independent living contracts promise long-term security in exchange for the steep monthly rents? With that promise now revoked, shouldn’t residents receive a refund on past payments, and reduced rent moving forward to offset the cost of outsourced care — which is likely to be more expensive and slower to respond in emergencies?
Without offering a compassionate “grandfather clause” to protect current residents from the trauma of a rushed, forced move, SSL’s decision to evict its 15 Medicaid recipients with a mere two-month notice is equally egregious. This decision is not just cruel — it may have serious consequences for their health and well-being.
If you’re tempted to judge those cast aside, remember: There but for the grace of God go I.
Carol Rossio
To the Editor:
s s s
Disappearing
According to a recent New York Times article, the words below are being targeted to “disappear” by this “administration:”
“Activism, affirming care, anti-racism, assigned at birth, at risk, biases, biologically male, BIPOC, black and Latinx, clean energy, climate crisis, community diversity, confirmation bias, cultural heritage, disability, discriminatory disparity, diverse groups, equal opportunity, equitableness, feminism, gender identity, Gulf of Mexico, hate speech, implicit bias, inclusiveness, increase diversity, inequalities, injustice, intersectionality, LGBTQ, marginalized, most risk, Mx, nonbinary, people + uterus, pregnant people, prejudice, pronouns, racial inequality, sexuality, social justice, socioeconomic, stereotypes, systemic, they/them, transgender, traumatic, unconscious bias, underprivileged victims.”
These words are targeted because they are the heart and
This Week’s Crossword Sponsors
Mike Hernandez
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.
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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
STORAGE WITH BENEFITS
8 x 20 dry box
• Fenced yard, RV & trailers
• In-town, gated, 24-7
EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com
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.
RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
220 S PINE ST, SISTERS
1st Floor Retail - 582 SQFT
Office Suite 209 - 500 SQFT
Office Suite 210 - 502 SQFT For information call:
Lorna Nolte 541-419-8380
Lorna@NolteProperties.com
Executive Office Space
Very nice executive office space for rent in Sisters light industrial park. 224 sq. ft. private office.
Shared restrooms with shower. Shared conference/kitchen room. Easy parking. All utilities included. Starting at $750 per month. Call 541-549-9631
AVAILABLE NOW
Prime retail space in The Gallery Annex Bld. next to The Hen's Tooth. Approx. 2,000 sq. ft. Contact Jim at 1-208-318-4323
103 Residential Rentals
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES
–Monthly Rentals Available–Call Debbie at 541-549-2002
Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com
Printed list at 178 S. Elm, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS
Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792
Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com
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
Hydrow rowing machine
Used 5 times, like brand new.
Stores upright. Buyer pick up. Retails $2,500, marked down to $800. 503-319-9338, text only.
S!! They're on the Web at www.nuggetnews.com
SINCE 1976
Fuel Reduction Forestry Doug Fir – Lodgepole –Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East –SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509 541-699-7740
205 Garage & Estate Sales
Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150
301 Vehicles
We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397
Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com
Wanted: 1963 Corvette car, split window coupe. Some repairs ok. Numbers need not match. Grandpa Don, 541-232-3748.
403 Pets I’ve got your cats covered! Sisters-Tumalo-PetSitting.com
Home of Brando's Natural Dog Biscuits • 541-306-7551 • Julie
Cavapoo F2B puppies for sale. Please visit www.saunders hideawayhomestead.com or call 541-829-8429 for more information.
S I S T E R S
online at NuggetNews.com
500 Services
NOTARY PUBLIC - LOCAL – Call Cheryl 541-420-7875 –
Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475
• DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279
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
GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE
“A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871
CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS
Bend Window Works, LLC is offering a 10% discount on new window coverings. FREE in-home consultation. Same day in-home repair services available. New and repaired blinds make rentals look better! Contact us at 541-383-3455 or andy@bendblinds.com.
501 Computers & Communications
3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Extend internet to shop, security cameras, Starlink. CCB #191099 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
3 Sisters Handyman Services 20+ years experience No job too large or small. Snow removal services available. Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Call Nate 907-748-4100 sistershandyman@gmail.com CCB# 253556
600 Tree Service & Forestry
TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 541-771-4825
– All You Need Maintenance –Tree removal, property thinning & clearing, forestry mastication & mulching, stump grinding. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
– Sisters Oregon Guide –Pick up a copy at the Nugget!
LOLO TREE WORKS
Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist
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
601 Construction
New construction, addition, remodel. Large and small projects. Contact for estimate. Excavation: septic system, site prep, demolition, road and driveway construction. 541-325-3020 sales@gardnercontractingllc.com
Pat Burke LOCALLY OWNED CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB: 228388 • 541-588-2062 www.sistersfencecompany.com
SUDOKU Level: Easy Answer: Page 23
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
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
CASCADE GARAGE DOORS
Factory Trained Technicians
Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
Lawn Maintenance Service Sisters Landscape is adding another maintenance crew. We have a limited number of spots available on our schedule, give us a call for a free estimate. 541-549-3001
Sisters Athletic Club is seeking an experienced swim instructor to join our aquatics teaching staff. The position is part-time/weekday afternoons. Submit resume with references to rosie@sistersathleticclub.com.
We are Hiring! Join our summer camp culture at Lake Creek Lodge. We're recruiting for: Housekeeping, Barista & Maintenance/ Landscaping. PT/FT. We are proud to offer flexible schedules and excellent compensation. www.lakecreeklodge.com 13375 SW Forest Service Rd. 1419, Camp Sherman
Sisters Athletic Club is looking for a part-time front desk person. Shifts are Tuesday 4:15 to 7:45 p.m. and Sunday 12:15 to 5:15 p.m... possibly more. $16/hour and includes a free membership. Submit resume to darcey@sistersathleticclub.com.
999 Public Notice NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Sisters School District #6, Deschutes County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, will be held at Sisters School District Office, 525 E Cascade Ave, Sisters, Oregon. The meeting will take place on the 16th day of April, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. and an additional meeting will be held on the 7th day of May, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting(s) is to receive the budget message, review the proposed budget for FY 25-26 and to receive comments from the public on the budget. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained at the meeting on April 16th or at the Sisters School District Office, 525 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters, Oregon, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on or after April 15th.
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Let the public know what you have to offer in The Nugget Newspaper’s C L A S S I F I E D S! Call 541-549-9941. Deadline is noon on Monday for that Wednesday's edition.
fabric of what makes a democracy a fair system that cares for all its citizens. Trump and his band of oligarch hooligans are intent on destroying our democracy for their personal gain, and it looks like they are well on their way, while Americans who have benefited tremendously from our democratic process sit idly by, or worse yet, outright support the criminal, self-serving minds behind these acts.
This is how democracy dies: one word at a time; one firing at a time; one department or agency defunding at a time: Education, EPA, CDC, IRS; one siding with a bully dictator to belittle a true patriot and peace seeker such as Volodymyr Zelenskyy; one truthless smear and petty reprisal directed at our “former” allies to the north and south; one child dying of a disease preventable through vaccination; one member of the free press being silenced; one veteran being belittled and dishonored; one news source being banned or censored; one senior on the brink of becoming destitute and unable to afford health care because their earned Social Security monies and Medicare were eliminated in the name of greed and avarice; one National Park being sold to the highest bidder. One woman unable to make choices for her own body or potentially being denied her right to vote because of her gender; one illegal detention/deportation without cause; one lie at a time, one lie at a time.
I am so incredibly fearful that there will be no free and fair elections in 2028. Right-wing extremists put together the road map for this, so far, bloodless coup in Project 2025, and they are not done yet. I see them doing all they can to block the possibility of the U.S. electing someone who is opposed to these undemocratic tenets. They are working SO hard to destroy this democracy and the core concepts that our constitution has protected and ensured for our freedoms for over the past 250+ years. I wake up every morning with a knotted stomach, dreading to read about what fresh hell is being wreaked upon our country, and I know I am not alone in this regard. Feminism is one of the words slated to “disappear.”
Well, this is one feminist who is not going anywhere.
Susan Tank
To the Editor:
s s s
A gem
Last week’s Sisters Nugget was a gem. In case you missed it, here are some highlights:
“Outlaws skier is a state champion.” Styopa Myagkov won the State championship in the giant slalom!! Way to go, Styopa! Overall the Sisters Alpine Ski Team finished second in the combined boys and girls team results.
Next up: “Fire destroys shop near Sisters.” Although the firefighters, with a multi-agency response, weren’t able to save the totally engulfed 6,000 sq. ft. building, they did prevent a 500-gallon propane tank from exploding. It was located about 12 feet from the building. “We were getting radiant heat on that, so that was our first priority.”
The heartbreaking article, “Sisters seniors roiled by changes” explains that they (Sisters Senior Living) will no longer accept Medicaid payments. So even though these residents have to move from what they thought was their forever homes, they are meeting the many challenges they face with grace and dignity and humor.
“Moving fast and breaking things” by Josh Curtis. I’m telling you right now, if you read that and are still thinking everything with Trump and the Republican Party is just fine, you need to just give it up because obviously your brain quit working. Josh concludes the piece with words of encouragement: “The greatest joys in life are the ones we share with other people and this will be the wellspring of how we build a better community and ultimately a better nation.”
“Not happy now” by Susan Cobb and many of the letters to the editor clearly confronted the lies and misinformation from the current administration. Also, in a letter from the Superintendent of the Sisters School District, he wrote that the elementary school has earned the prestigious American School Counselor Association certification, making it currently one of only eight schools in the state to receive this distinction. Congratulations, Sisters Elementary School!
“Winter Carnival lights up the mountain” by T. Lee Brown. She begins, “It’s a bright, sunny day at Hoodoo Ski Bowl. . . A Cancer moon hovers in the daytime sky.” Her writing draws these vivid images of snowballs flying everywhere, sun and snow, farting pink unicorns, aliens, a kid with a load of snow down his shirt, and everyone having a great time. Terry Weygandt
s s s
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The Nugget Newspaper
Jim Cornelius, 541-390-6973 (cell), editor@nuggetnews.com
Advertising: Vicki Curlett, vicki@nuggetnews.com
Events, Poetry: Jess Draper, jess@nuggetnews.com
Classifieds, Subscriptions, Announcements: Lisa May, lisa@nuggetnews.com
Working together, we spin the threads that connect our community in a rich and colorful tapestry. We appreciate you, Sisters!
BBR & CAMP SHERMAN:
• Black Butte Ranch General Store
• Black Butte Ranch Post Off ice
• Black Butte Ranch Welcome Center
• Camp Sherman Post Off ice • Metolius River Lodges
REDMOND & TERREBONNE:
• Bi-Mart • Oliver Lemon’s Terrebonne • M&W Market
The Ranch Market • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse
TUMALO:
• Pisano’s Pizza • Shell Station • T umalo Coffeehouse
T umalo Farmstand • T umalo Feed Co.
SISTERS LOCATIONS:
• Angeline’s Baker y • Bedouin
•Best Western Ponderosa Lodge • Bi-Mart
• Black Butte Realty Group
• Cabin Creek Home & Style • Cascade Fitness
• Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s • Central Oregon Eyecare
•Chevron/McDonald’s • Countr y Coffee
• Dair y Queen • Dixie’s • Eurosports
• Fika Sisters Coffeehouse • First Interstate Bank
• FivePine Lodge • GrandStay Hotel & Suites
• Habitat Thrif t Store • Hardtails Bar & Grill
• High Camp Taphouse • High Desert Chocolates
• Hoyt’s Hardware & Building Supply
• Lef t Coast Lodge • Les Schwab Tire Center
• Luckey’s Woodsman • Makin’ it Local
• Martolli’s of Sisters • Mid Oregon Credit Union
• Oliver Lemon’s • Paulina Springs Books
• Philadelphia’s Steak & Hoagies
• Ponderosa Properties • Rancho Viejo
• Ray’s Food Place • Sinclair Gas Station
• Sisters Ace Hardware • Sisters Apothecar y
• Sisters Art Works • Sisters Athletic Club
• Sisters Baker y • Sisters Bunkhouse • Sisters City Hall
• Sisters Coffee Co.• Sisters Community Church
• Sisters Creekside Campg round
• Sisters Dino Market •Sisters Depot
• Sisters Elementar y School •Sisters Feed & Supply
• Sisters Galler y & Frame Shop • Sisters High School
• Sisters Inn & Suites • Sisters Librar y
• Sisters Liquor Store • Sisters Meat and Smokehouse
• Sisters Middle School • Sisters Moto
• Sisters Movie House & Café • Sisters Nails & Spa
• Sisters Post Off ice •Sisters Pumphouse & Countr y Store
• Sisters Ranger Station • Sisters Rental
• Sisters Saloon & Ranch Grill
• Sisters School Administration Building
• Sisters Senior Living • Sisters Veterinar y Clinic
• Ski Inn Taphouse & Motel • Sno Cap Drive In
• Space Age F uel • Spoons Restaurant
• Sisters Park & Recreation District
• St. Charles Family Care • Stellar Realty Northwest
